Friday, August 27

5 question Friday



I'm linking up to Mama M at My Little Life again!

1. How many pets do you have? we have one pet...our chocolate lab Molly, this October she will be 4 people years old. She is a sweetie and very smart.

2. If you could switch places with anyone in the world for one day, who would it be? Well, I think I'd like to trade places with a millionaire lottery winner...I'd then use the money to pay off all my debt before going back to my life. I know that money doesn't fix everything but it can make life easier :-)

3. What is your favorite money saving tip? LOL...probably eating in instead of eating out. Taking food to work instead of ordering out when at work. We still need to do better with this...but we are down to eating out only once a week or so :-)

4. What do you want your kids to be when they grow up? Well, anything that makes them really happy...although if one of them (or all of them) want to make lots of money and take care of mom and dad that sounds good to me too!!!

5. What is your favorite quote? "Even a broken clock is right twice a day"

Thursday, August 26

What is in a name???

Hmmmm, so, I read the magazine "People" online...
today, I read a celebrity blog about a celebrity who named her son "Sundance" and in the blog she explained why she named her son that name. Mainly because it was a name that had meaning to her husband and herself.
I then read several of the comments on that blog...man are people opinionated about what people name their kids!!!!

Some felt that she had done a disservice to her son, others, liked the name, and lots complained about how much they got teased due to their own names.

I have to say that in my family my kids have the most "unique" names out of the 12 (almost 13) grandkids. But I also grew up in a family with kids with unusual names...plus we all had the same initials
*Tanya Layne (pronounced Tonya)
*Tamra Lynne
*Todd Lewis
*Tasha Leigh

I was never teased about my name and in all truth I LOVE my name, I love how different it is and how it makes me feel kinda special :-)

I don't really think my siblings were teased about their names either but I could be wrong.

Now, I do have to remind people how to spell my name and how to pronounce it...but at work people usually pronounce it right...plus, if they call me T(aa)nya I correct them and let them know I won't respond to that name again :-) There are people at work that have NEVER spelled my name correctly...but if they can pronounce it the right way I don't worry about it.

My parents also told me that they almost legally changed the spelling of my name to Tawnya due to the Patty Hearst (Tania) news story going around when I was born. Thankfully, they didn't do that :-)

Now, my kids names. I've been coming up with names for my kids since I was about 12 or 13. My kids are not named any of those names I came up with. A few I remember are "Kelsi Myne" and "Kensi Mayn" Yeah, I wanted twins. Another one was Dennyelle and there were many, many more!!!!

Adreyn Mikailah (A-dree-in Mi-Kay-lah)--my oldest
When we found out we were pregnant with Adreyn we picked out this name: Cecylia Frances. This name was picked for Jason's grandmother Cecyle and my grandmother Wanda Frances. But while I was pregnant the name just didn't seem to fit the baby I was carrying (I know, it sounds stupid, but that's the truth). We then decided on the name Meaghan Samantha. Once again after another month or so that name didn't fit either. I don't really remember when her name came to me but I had always liked the name Adrienne but I wanted it to look prettier somehow so I came up with Adreyn. Her middle name came about because we needed something that sounded good with Adreyn. I liked the name Michaela (like Dr Quinn: Medicine Woman) but didn't like the way it looked and I felt that MiKayla and other spellings weren't right. So after thinking about it I thought of the Russian name "Mikail" (Tanya is russian so I liked the connection) and just added an AH and came up with Mikailah. It just flowed together...Adreyn Mikailah...and it works well with our last name. We never decided on a boy name and had decided that if the ultrasound was wrong and she was a boy that we would name him Adrian Michael. I'm so glad she was a girl (I don't like the name Adrian for a boy!!!!)
Oh, and no one mispronounces her first name (It's phonetically correct...well mostly) except for her grandfather who called her Andrea for the first year. My dad figured out the spiritual meaning of her name and it means "God's Creative Gift"

Oh, and her nickname: "A" (short and sweet, huh)


Tristan Kreig (Trist-in Kray-g) Our little man
I was positive we were having another girl (until 18 weeks when we saw the proof on ultrasound) so Tristan's name was gonna be Shannyn Mallery (or Tannyn Mallery). Tristan was the only boy's name that Jason and I could agree on so really all we had to agree on was spelling. I considered Tristyn but decided it looked to girly. We also briefly considered Triston (boring) and Tristen (knew someone with that spelling) but ultimately decided on the usual spelling. Usually once someone sees his name they pronounce it correctly. However, if they just hear it he is usually called Christian until we correct them. His school crossing guard (this is his 3rd year to see her) calls him Chris...We've corrected her but she still calls him Chris...it's actually kind of funny now. At the pediatricians office they decided to spell his name Tristian (not even a spelling we considered LOL). Kreig...well, it sounded good with Tristan but I HATED it spelled Craig! And I really didn't like Kraig (looks KGBish or something) so went with Kreig because I like different spellings and I liked the way it looks. So at about 19 weeks Tristan Kreig had his name. The spiritual meaning of his name is "God's Loyal Messenger"

Oh, and his nickname: "T" (once again short and sweet)


Rehanyn Noelle (Ree-ann-in No-elle) Our baby girl
We were not expecting Rehanyn...she is our surprise baby. By the time we knew we were pregnant with her I no longer liked the name Shannyn Mallery (and I had planned to use it if we had another baby). So we thought about Shannyn Mallery and decided against it. The names we picked for her (before we knew if she was a girl) were Rehanyn Mallery and Graeden Trace...unique I know (my family gave me crazy looks for these :-) ) So we found out she was a girl and decided on Rehanyn for sure and then changed the middle one to Noelle...just because I liked the way they sounded together. Rhiannon is a Gaelic name that I had read in several books and always liked...but I figured that if Adreyn was spelled differently I needed to spell Rhiannon differently too. I decided on Rheanyn and asked Jason what he thought...he liked it spelled Rehanyn better and that's how we decided on that spelling. It has completely confused people though!!! The "h" is silent but too many people want to say the "h". My dad called her Reh-anyn for the first 9 months or so...why? because that's how it's spelled LOL. My grandmother called her Breanna all the time (even when we corrected her she would still call her Breanna). The pediatrician's office calls her Rayann or Rayanna. She is pretty good about it though. She corrects people "It's Reh-an-yn!!!!" What has really tickled us is that when she started Kindergarten she decided to tell people that her name is Noelle and some actually called her Noelle and totally confused her teacher. Her Kindergarten teacher called her Ray though and Rehanyn answered to Ray all year...crazy!!!! The spiritual meaning of her name is "God's Gracious Gift"

Her nickname: "Ree" (NOT Ray!!!!) LOL


Oh, by the way...before we decided 3 was enough for us...if we had another baby boy his name would be Graeden Trace...I still LOVE that name!!!!!


So, I don't really have anything to say about what other people name their kids...but I'm not about to be naming my kids Sundance, Apple, Moses, Pilot Inspektor, or anything else like that :-) I always say that my kids have mostly common names just spelled a bit different :-)

Monday, August 23

First day of school





Friday, August 20

school

well, we had to force the matter of meeting with the teacher before school starts. we did get to meet with her today. I need to clarify....she is not a new teacher to the school she is just a new teacher to 2nd grade...she used to teach 5th grade. Anyway, we met with her today (and she pulled the special ed teacher into the meeting too) and went over how we want to have good communication between us and her with Tristan's schoolwork. we also discussed the non-verbal cues that we use with Tristan, and how we want her to be very structured with Tristan and not let him get away with stuff. She said that she would keep us updated regarding how Tristan is doing in school. Hopefully this will work out. Happily Tristan did surprise the special ed teacher because he sat quietly at his desk reading his textbook during the entire meeting. she said she had never seen him that quiet. Here's hoping that this year is better than the last 2.

Friday, August 13

school schmool

It's just over a week before the kids go back to school and there is already a little bit of drama going on for Tristan. We had a meeting with the Principal back in May about planning for Tristan's 2nd grade school year. During this meeting we requested a specific teacher who had been recommended to us but the principal actually suggested a different teacher who she felt would be a better fit. Anyway, in June I reminded her that we had requested to meet his 2nd grade teacher before school started so that we could all be on the same page with Tristan and start his year great. She told us that she had decided on the teacher she recommended for him. Fine, whatever, just let her know we want to meet before school. So, today I emailed her again just as a reminder of what we had discussed. I got an email back saying that the teacher she had hand-picked for Tristan has moved out of the state and she had picked a different teacher for him. Well, this new teacher is a completely new teacher to the school. I'm just wondering why he didn't get the teacher that we specifically requested for him....so frustrating. I'm trying to be a nice person and not B**** about this but Tristan had better have a better year this year or the B****y mommy will appear and throw a major ________ fit!!!!!!! Hopefully, this new teacher will meet with us this next week and we can have a good year for Tristan.

5 question Friday




1. Have you ever visited another country? Nope...but I want to...I'm thinking Ireland or Scotland...don't really know why but I think they would be pretty cool!

2. Where is the strangest place you have ever been? No real answer to this. I've been in some pretty strange situations with work (i.e. the new grandma who is ecstatic that her 15 year old just had a baby and that she just found out her 14 year old is pregnant too...gross!) But one of the first things to come to mind for a "place" was an old ride that used to be at Six Flags over Texas. I don't remember the name of it but it was this big round room where everyone lined up against the walls...then the room started to spin, the centrifugal force stuck you to the walls and the floor dropped about 12 inches and you are just hanging on the wall. Six Flags also had one of those crazy tilty confusing houses.

3. What is your favorite season? I love Fall...but not Fall in Texas, fall in Minnesota is my favorite! In Minnesota the seasons always bring color changes...the trees are gorgeous in all the green, yellow, and red colors. Here in Texas...everything is just brown...dead and brown. So I guess that here in Texas, my favorite season would be when the average daily temperature is about 78 degrees. We've had about 2 weeks of over 100 degree weather...yuck!!!

4. What one song will always cheer you up? Anyone that my husband sings while butchering the lyrics :-)

5. What Disney character do you resemble most? Depends on the day...after working all night and not getting enough sleep...probably Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty LOL . On a good day, hmmmmm, well, Belle of course :-)


Friday, August 6

Macaroni and cheese

So, did you realize that there are numerous ways to incorrectly "make" the so-called "easy mac"???



Well, there are...let me list the ways

1. Accidentally set the cook time on the microwave for 33 minutes instead of 3 minutes 30 seconds...that one started a fire!

2. Put too much water in....nasty runny soggy mac n' cheese

3. Cook the macaroni without adding any water...yep, doesn't work!!!!

4. Only cook the macaroni for 30 seconds, add the cheese than realize that you didn't cook it long enough

5. After only cooking for 30 seconds and adding the cheese it doesn't work when you try to put it back in the microwave for the remaining 3 minutes

6. Trying to make 2 of those little cups simultaneously...yeah, doesn't work

7. Trying to combine the contents of 2 cups and cook it that way

8. Oh, and then my favorite...decide that there is too much water left over after cooking it and just throwing it away...because you didn't realize that it would thicken up after you add the cheese and let it sit for about 3 minutes

The name of this product is just a little bit deceptive...especially if you are a 10 year old girl :-) Love you Adreyn!!!!!!

5 question Friday!!!

I'm linking up to Mama M at My Little Life.


Rules for Five Question Friday
: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then c'mon back for the linky!



1. Are you a neat sleeper or a messy sleeper?

I am a neat sleeper...I need my sheets to be unwrinkled and tucked into the end of the bed. I don't move a whole lot when I sleep usually and I have woken myself up by accident because I'm smoothing my pillowcase in my sleep so I don't get blanket lines on my face :-)


2. Fill in the blank. I wish I was more ________________.

Outgoing. I'm usually pretty quiet and shy when I meet someone new. I tend to hang back and just observe for awhile. But as my friends know...once I get to know you, I can be pretty loud, pushy, and probably a bit annoying :-)

3. What is something that you wish you had been warned about?

That having children truly means that you will never sleep soundly again and that you always will have some sort of irrational fear on your mind regarding your kids and their lives/safety

4. What was the best thing you ever found at a garage sale/flea market?

Hmmmm, don't go garage saleing or to flea markets. Sooo, I don't really have an answer for this one.

5. If you could have any meal brought to you right now, what would it be?

Right now??? Well, I just got home after working all night, so I'll have to say...a nice thick steak with a big baked potato with butter, lots of cheese, and bacon...and a nice beverage to go along with it. I'm thinking we need to visit Texas Roadhouse tonight. LOL

Monday, August 2

Happy Anniversary!


Happy Anniversary to US!!!

13 years ago today Jason and I got married. In that time we've bought a house, had a baby, sold that house, moved to Texas, got new jobs, bought another house, had 2 more babies, and have enjoyed our lives together!!!

Looking forward to 50 or so more years!!!!!