Sorry Barbie. Plans have changed.

So remember I told all of you how I took a new position within the same company I work with?  Well, I will not be with those schools now.  Because I have been offered my dream job!!!!!!!!  Out of the blue Monday morning I received a phone call from the director of the Dubois Spencer Perry Exceptional Children's Cooperative (the same sort of group that I work for currently, but this time one of the counties it serves is the one I live in).  They had my resume from 2 years ago when I first moved here, and wanted me to come interview for an opening that they have.  I went in Tuesday morning to interview, keeping an open mind and simply weighing my options since was already getting a better position for next school year (or so I thought!).  I was blown away by their offer.  They offered me the job of covering a caseload of 70-80 students (this year I had 115 students), an increase in pay, and I would cover 2 schools in Spencer county and 2 schools in a neighboring county.  My farthest school with this offer would be 20 minutes!  I couldn't believe it and I accepted the offer Wednesday morning.  I keep thinking that if I was to pass this up I would be ridiculous and kicking myself forever!  I am not 100% certain of which schools I will be placed at, but after speaking with the director again yesterday, she is pretty certain as to where I will be.  I will keep you posted as to the exact locations once I know.  YIPPY!!!!!!!  I am soooooo excited!!!!!!

I did have to let my current boss with the Gibson Pike Warrick Special Education Cooperative know this news as well; which wasn't as fun.  However, he was kind enough to offer me a school contract which would have an increase in pay and better fringe benefits than I currently have, but the distance I would be driving doesn't compare to working so close to home!

Enough about me, this is Gwen's website!  Gwen's been as active can be despite our heat wave!  The temperature has consistently been in the upper 90's and today's heat index is 105-110!  Poor Brad is out working in this heat every day, while Gwen and I stay in the cool air conditioning or head to the pool.  The 4-H fair is this week, so we may add that to our list of activities.  Other than this heat, Gwen has been playing Mommy and had her car seat turned around this week.  I have been putting off have her forward facing just because it is safer and she her feet weren't reaching the back seat yet.  However, she just started to figure out the she could kick the seat and push off on the seat and she would "bounce" a little.  This became a short little game, and yesterday around went her seat.  She's always been great in the car, so I had no concerns.  Gwen seems to like it so far.  Oh, she's up from her nap...gotta go!

"Awww!  Here you go Baby"

"Hi Mom!"

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the best of the best.  We love you all!  Brad had a wonderful (and busy) day.  We started our day with breakfast, then went to Gracie's 1st birthday party.  After a good nap we moved on to celebrate with Poppy at their house.  This week we have also been starting taking on the Potty Adventure and playing outside.  We love summertime!

"Mommies need love on Daddy's Day too!"

"Beep! Beep!  Look at me go!"

"I'm helping!  I'm great with tools!"

"Potty time here I come!"

Gwen is just getting into the potty idea and she was given the opportunity to get to know it better after we put it together.

"Hi Ashley!" (and she actually said it!!!!!)

Gwen goes to Miami!

Gwen's long anticipated trip to Miami finally arrived and she had a blast.  The pictures say more than the 1,000 words I could come up with, so....here is her trip!

"I am checking out the little trucks and the planes as I wait my turn for a plane.  I am ready.  I have my juice and I am connected to Mommy at all times via the Monkey...not too shabby."

"Once in Miami, life is all about THE BEACH!  Auntie Kelley took us there Tuesday and I got to see the ocean for the first time.  Very big, very blue, and very salty.  Note to self: Don't drink this."

"The sand is my personal favorite part of the beach.  Very fun to play with.  And a new rule was added to my list; NO Sandcastles.  They must be knocked down."

"Mommy came with me to the water.  She really likes it.  She pointed out the waves and then laughed at me when I waved at them.  I don't think she understood I was just being polite and saying 'hello'."

"Auntie Kelley's condo is very clean and pretty.  It is very white (great to make messes) and has lots of glass things (I held back but wanted to break some for fun).  She has very modern taste in her decorating; which I found to be quite enjoyable when looked for places to play.  The table was especially fun."

"Deeter is Auntie Kelley's cat (see him under the table).  I tried to be his friend numerous times, however he did not want to be my friend.  I think he was scared of me for some crazy reason!  It isn't like I am scary looking, move fast, or loud!"

"Auntie Kelley has a pool too which was fun to play in.   I like playing near the water better than in the water."

"Here I am playing in the fabulous sand.  I need to get some of that stuff at home!"

"Gammie helped me during my cooking/gardening show"

"Gammie took us to a very fun restaurant one night.  It had very good fish and a very  cool dessert.  We had funnel cakes for dessert with every topping imaginable (yummy!) and it came with a 'Dunk the Duck' game!  I thought it was so cool and I even helped Mommy shoot the ducks!  Daddy is sooooo proud!"

Thanks Auntie Kelley for letting Mommy and I visit!  We had a great time!  We love you!

At home with Gwen

"Look, I'm Mommy!" (Gwen playing dress up with the laundry)

"Fun" is an understatement with Gwen at home!  She is all over the place and getting Brad and I laughing all the time.  She has a great sense of humor now and it comes through constantly.  We just wish all of you could see it 24/7!  She is also babbling nonstop trying to tell us something.  Problem is...I can never catch it on video!  She always seems to stop at soon as I press REC!  Go figure!  I'll keep trying though.

"I'm taking Pooka for a walk!"

Fun with the farm...

Well baby check-up

Gwen had a check-up today and she passed with flying colors.  Dr. Kreilein was very impressed by her verbal skills; although she is not saying actual words she is right on target.  Gwen was as social as ever and was showing off all her tricks and cuteness.  She weighed in at 22 lbs. 2 oz. (37th %ile), is 30 1/4 inches tall (38th %ile), and had a head circumference of 18.4 inches (71st %ile).  Overall a very good check-up!

Gwen's happenings

Gwen is my busy little bee and has been having lots of fun all day long since I have been off work.  Some activities she has participated in include:

Tip Toeing routines around the house (sorry now picture)

Kitty Towel tunnel diving

Some serious swinging at the park

Pairs swinging at the park with Gracie

Catching some sun at Holiday World with Daddy

Splashing/walking/swimming in the crocodile pool at Splasin' Safari

Ducky loving while sitting with Mommy on the couch

Climbing onto and into EVERYTHING!

Awesome news!

Not much to post today except some exceptional news that came this afternoon.  My boss called to offer me a new position that was just approved last week.  I currently have been the SLP for East Gibson County schools (pre-k through 12th grades and 5 schools) which are an hour commute from home, as well as, at Tennyson Elementary a school in Warrick County.  This new position would be serving 3 schools in the Warrick County (one over from the one we live in) and working with k-8.  My commute will be a max of 35 minutes and will become shorter once I learn the area better and learn some shortcuts.  I accepted the position on the spot and will now be working at Tennyson Elementary, Yankeetown Elementary, and Castle South Middle School!  So exciting!!!!!