It's Official....

Well, I guess when you get an email address, keys to the place you work at, a security code and a make-shift office, you're pretty official. My first week as Preschool Minister at our new church has been interesting, but not too stressful. I really like the fact that I can set my own hours (except for Sundays and Wednesdays of course) and that I pretty much can make whatever changes I think are necessary for the ministry to thrive. That being said, there is LOTS to be done! I know things won't happen over night and don't have that expectation, but at the same time, I almost don't know where to begin! There are so many little details I need to get grasp of and of course, the huge challenge of learning new faces/names all over again is overwhelming at times when I stop and thing about it. Not to mention the fact that there are still major holes in the spots where teachers should go to make Sunday mornings and evenings happen smoothly. However, even with all this facing me, I feel at peace being there and feel as though I'm "back in my element." I have also enjoyed not having to be in the office quite as much this week.. I have missed being a full-time stay-at-home mom!! S has missed that too and has (I think) enjoyed the extra time with me this week. I am thankful for this new job and have prayed for this for a long time. God is faithful, even when we think He has forgotten us.

Major Break-through!

I had a major break through this morning with S. For WEEKS, we've been working on him using his words more. We know he can say some words and he knows what they mean, but for some reason, he sometimes doesn't want to use them. At ALL. I mean, he gets to the point where he absolutely refuses to use them, no matter how much we encourage him. K and I have discussed this and we came to the conclusion that because we often know what he wants and when he wants it, that we have allowed him to not use his words and thus have helped this little stubborn streak in him. So, we have decided to buckle down and pretty much force him to use words, particularly "please" and "thank you." We have taught him these words, heard him say them in context, so we know he knows what they mean and how to use them.

Well, we did this the other night. He wanted milk, I fixed it for him and then asked him to say "please." He refused. I didn't give it to him. He never said please, so he went to bed without it. Then, this morning comes. His normal, every day routine is that after I get him up and change his diaper, I give him a cup of milk. I thought this morning I'd ask him to say please and if he didn't, I'd withhold it from him. Guess what happened? He wanted it, didn't say please, so I didn't give it to him. (Now, you may think this is mean, but I'm telling you, the boy knows how to speak and refuses to out of spite or stubbornness sometimes!)

I leave the sippy cup of milk on the counter and go to the living room and sit down on the couch. He follows me, all the time throwing his fit and crying/whining. I told him a couple of more times that if he said please, he'd get his milk. I then decided to "ignore" him, turn on the TV and see what happened. He threw his fit for a few more minutes and then calmed down. He then meandered into the kitchen and looked up at the milk. I went in there and said, "Would you like some milk? Say please." And then, he looked up at me, smiled as big as he could, and exclaimed with gusto, "Pleassssssse!" I about did the happy dance. I of course gave it to him, exclaimed "thank you" and let him cuddle with me on the couch while we watched a video together. I told him that's all we wanted was for him to use his words. Then, most of the rest of the day, he used "please" to ask for things. I was so proud of him and praised him every time he used it. Now, we just got to work on "thank you." :)

Hallquist Oktoberfest just got rained on....

It's just a little over a month until Hallquist Oktoberfest 2007 begins... however, last week, I got some news that poo-pooed my impending joy. K comes home and announces that he has good news and bad news. The good news, he says, is that his promotion went through (Yeah! I really am excited for him, so don't let my next little bit take away from that). The bad news is that his company wants to send him to Germany to train. Okay, I say. Not a big deal. "For a month." he continues. "What?!" I exclaim.. yeah, a month. Wow. So, I wasn't prepared for that one at all. I immediately went into the mode of "Why do they have to send you to another country to train you for a job you do here?" to which the only answer is that they think for some reason, the Germans over in Germany are the only ones who can train the Americans who live here to do the job correctly. "Whatever." (that's my response to that!)

So, it took me a while to move past the initial shock that I'd be a single mom for a month, during our BIRTHDAY month (of all times). Not to mention the fact that I just started a new job today, so I have to figure out all the logistics of how to work things out with my SIL, PDO and work. Hopefully, my parents will be able to come down and visit for a little of the time that he's gone. They're retired, so it's not like they will have to miss work or anything.

And, I will end my venting by saying that I am very happy for K. I think back to his job he had when we met and got married. His boss at that job never wanted to promote him, even though he kept talking about it. He kept promising K that he'd move up, etc. but it never happened. I am thankful that it's only been 7-8 months at this new job and already they have moved him around once and now again to a job that has more responsibility and that comes with a small raise. God has truly blessed! Please pray for me as I live as a single mom in the near future. I was also reminded by a good friend who lived in a military family that many of our military families have it much worse. I am humbled and thank God it will only be for a short while. Also, pray God will keep K safe!!

So, anyone here (who lives in the area) want to celebrate Hallquist Oktoberfest 2007 with me? Let me know!!

Shag-be-gone...

It was more than time for a hair cut for Stone.. I thought this time might go a little better; Kevin was there, we went back to the same place (very kid-friendly place) and this was his 4th time getting his hair cut from a "professional." But alas, I was wrong. He SCREAMED and cried the entire time and it took Kevin, me and the hair dresser to hold him down. It's slightly uneven in places, but overall, it looks pretty good... here's before and after pictures.

Extended Pantry

Today was my day off, so I was catching up on laundry. While I was in my bedroom and Stone's putting away a few things, Stone decided to help us rearrange our pantry. When I came back through the living room, this is what I found! Didn't know a couch could make a good storage place! Man, he cracks me up!

Back to High School

I'm writing this in response to my SIL's blog.. she responded to one of her friends' blogs. Anyway, thought it was fun....

1. Who was your best friend?
My best friend was/is Jennifer Kniceley (now Sprouse) and we're still close to this day, believe it or not. I was also best friends with Stacey Staples (now Floyd), Carrie Law (now Miller) and very good friends with several other girls including Shannon Richardson (Murray) and Missy Greene (Delung). And my best guy friend was Bart Sprouse, who married Jennifer, so I got 2 best friends rolled up into one couple!!

2. Did you play any sports?

Yes, I was in the band, although most people don't consider that a sport! However, when you march in a parade for 3+ miles carrying a set of metal bells that weigh more than the drums or any other instrument, and do band camp every summer, it's a sport in my mind!!

3. What kind of car did you drive?
A little red Geo Prism.. that was a good car!!

4. It’s Friday night. Where were you?
During football season, usually at a football game since I was in the band. Off season, probably just hanging with friends.

5. Were you a party animal?
No, but I did stupid things with my friends....

6. Were you considered a flirt?
Nope

7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir?
Band

8. Were you a nerd?
Depends on how you define nerd...

9. Were you ever suspended or expelled?
No

10. Can you sing the fight song?
No, I"m not even sure I can hum the tune now.. terrible memory I have!

11. Who was your favorite teacher?
Hmm.. I had so many.. not!! There was our biology teacher, Mr. Barnette, who was a hoot and fun to pick on. Then we all loved our band teacher, Tim McCoy. That was probably about it.

12. What was your school mascot?
Oak Hill High School Red Devils

13. Did you go to the Prom?
One time, my senior year. Although I had an opportunity to go my freshman year, but my parents weren't keen on the idea, even though it was with a guy from our church.

14. If you could go back, would you?
You could NOT pay me enough money to go back to high school! (This was my SIL's response and I agree 100%!)

15. What do you remember most about graduation?
That our class was the first class in DECADES to have to have our graduation inside due to rain, which greatly limited the number of family/friends who could come. Seriously, every year for many, many years before, the graduation was outside, until our year. Yeah.

16. Where were you on Senior Skip Day?
With Jennifer and Bart at a local State park. Yeah, we had fun skipping school, especially since none of us ever did that!!

17. Did you have a job your senior year?
Just baby sitting.

18. Where did you go most often for lunch?
The cafeteria.. we couldn't go off campus for lunch.

19. Have you gained weight since then?
Yes, but who hasn’t since high school?!

20. What did you do after graduation?
Went to High Point University, then Southern Seminary, then Memphis, Birmingham, and Greenville...

21. What year did you graduate?
1992

22. Who was your Senior Prom Date?
Jeff Hudson.. we weren't dating, just friends and we had a blast at the prom!

23. Are you going/did you go to your 10 year reunion?
No, I lived too far away and was too busy when the 10 year one happened, and didn't make it to my 15 year reunion either, mostly due to the fact that I never really got invited to that one!!

24. What is your biggest regret in high school?
I don't really have any regrets...

I tag Marie, Caroline, Tobie, and Cindy!!!

My new favorite.....

...ice cream flavor!! (You know my life is boring when I have nothing else to blog about.) My new, yummy flavor of ice cream is Oatmeal Cookie Chunk. You can find a picture of the name brand here.

mmmmmmmmmm...................................... nothing better to cool you off on these hot summer days!!

Music runs in the blood

So our child prodigy (ha ha) LOVES music.. wonder where he gets that?? Seriously though, he loves classical music, but also all kinds, especially faster-paced music he can dance to. He loves to tap his right foot, almost in square-dance fashion (if you can imagine that) and then slap his hands on his knees/legs like a hoe-down. Wish I could capture that one video cause it would make you laugh if you could see it. Anyway, as for the pics below... he also loves to play with all his musical instruments.. drumming, shaking the tambourine, playing Pop's choice instrument (the sax), and using his toes to play the keyboard!! (He usually uses his hands to play, but for some reason, when I wanted to take a picture of him playing the piano, he would only use his feet. Go figure.)

Happys.....

... Happy Birthday to my mom!!! She turns 61 today (wow, I never thought she'd make it this long with having me as her child!!! HA!!) Even though I didn't get to celebrate with her in person, we will get to celebrate next month when we go to the BEACH for vacation!! Yeah! I could go on and on about how great my mom is, but it will just make everyone cry. So, I'll just say that she's the greatest and I LOVE YOU!!

....ALSO, Happy Anniversary to my in-laws. They celebrate their wedding anniversary on the same day as my mom's birthday so I have to admit, it's easy to remember both!! I hope they have many more years together! Thanks goes out to them for all they have done for us and for being a great example of a Godly couple, parents and grandparents to our son. We love you too!!!