Here we go again...

Tomorrow officially starts the new school year for the kids.  On Friday, we had Open House and all but three of my kids showed up.  Looks like I am going to have a pretty good class (lets hope anyway).  I started back last week and it really felt like I never left.  I guess it's good though...get back into the routine of things.

I start my grad school classes on Wednesday and then everything will be back in full force.  My last semester!  YEA!!!  I really hope that finding a job won't be as difficult for me as some of my friends have had.  I'm being optimistic!  

Nothing really exciting has happened since my last entry.  Riley is in Austin this weekend so my life has been pretty boring.  What did I ever do before kids to keep myself entertained??? However, Riley is moving into the next class on Monday.  This is the class where she is officially supposed to get potty trained.  I really think she is ready because she knows what to do, just off on the timing.  Keep your fingers crossed!  Again, I'm being optimistic, and hoping that the SAMS diapers I bought last week may be the last box I have to buy...

Well, even though I haven't been the best at keeping my blog updated, there is a good chance that it is going to get even worse.  I'll try, so don't give up on me, but it probably won't happen too often.  

Here is one picture... I just thought Riley's eyes looked so beautiful, and yes...we are at the pool again!!!

Quite the little fish...

Riley really did well this summer with her swimming lessons.  She loves the water and ultimately has no fear.  Here is a little clip of her swimming...

Just Cause

Darryl's sister posted this on her blog so I thought I would copy it just in case there was something you didn't know about me...

A - Attached or Single: We all know I am divorced

B - Best Friend: Stacy in Austin...like a sister to me.

C - Cake or Pie: I honestly prefer salty treats like fries...yum!

D - Day of Choice: Summer vacation and Fridays!

E - Essential Item: my phone, sad I know.

F - Favorite Color: purple

G - Gummy Bears or Worms: Don't ask me why eating bears seems more normal, but it does.

H - Hometown: San Antonio

I - Indulgence: Staying Busy... too busy...

J - January or July: Hard choice, January is cooler weather, July is summer vacation

K - Kids: one precious little girl, Riley...

L - Life is incomplete without: love and laughter

M - Marriage Date:  July 12, 2003, divorced March 12, 2008

N - Number of siblings: one younger, Diva, sister and numerous step siblings

O - Oranges or Apples: Apples, I don't like the orange peel under my nails

P - Phobias or Fears: I hate lizards and the thought of drowning

Q - Quote: The Best is Yet to Come!!!

R - Ring Size: ???

S - Season: Winter and Spring (I don't like to sweat)

T - Tuna or Tilapia: Recently aquired a taste for tilapia

U - Unknown fact about me: I'm pretty open... I sing as loud as I can in the shower... Riley loves it :)

V - Very Favorite Stores: New York and Co. 

W - Worst Habbit: Wine

X - X-ray or Ultrasound: Ultrasound, had plenty of those with Riley and every one was a treat.

Y - Your favorite food: French Fries

Z - Zodiac: Aries (March 24)

Pictures to prove it

As most of you know, after Darryl and I separated, I found a new home for the two dogs.  A Great Dane and a Lab/German Shepherd mix are two HUGE dogs and finding a home isn't an easy task.  Not to mention trying to grow ANY type of grass or plant in a small backyard.  Because Riley is such an outside person, I knew that I really wanted to have a safe place for her to learn her independence and enjoy her favorite things, swinging and swimming.  After six months of working and planning, I think I am finally done creating that safe haven for her.  I am very happy with the outcome, but I had a lot of help.  My neighbor, Tom, helped me with all the brick laying, my dad helped bring in all the dirt and granite that was put in, my mom's husband, Ben, helped me find a new home for the dogs, and Riley cheered me on every step of the way :). Here are some pictures of before and after.  

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

So I have finally started the two weeks of summer vacation that I have.  And now, the first week has gone by in a flash!!!  My neighbor Tom and I worked on my back yard the first part of the week and finally finished the walkway from the deck to the gate.  I will have pictures for you shortly, but because I didn't think about posting until now, it is too dark to take pictures.  I will post before and after pictures though and although it isn't that much, the transformation is amazing!!!  I also got new furniture from my mom in the living room and repainted my bedroom.  Needless to say, it has been a busy week and I sort of feel like I have a brand new house!  It's fun and every time Riley comes home from school she is commenting on "Mom's new carpet," "Mom's new bed," etc...

I have one more week before teachers go back to work.  It is just enough time for me to be ready!  I would NEVER be a good stay at home mom.  I am too much of a busy body to not work.  Once summer school teaching was over, the home renovations began! By the way, summer school was a challenge, but very rewarding and I would definitely do it again!  I really enjoyed working with those kids and I am proud to say that EVERY kid legitimately passed 6th grade math!!!  

Tomorrow is the beginning of my last week of freedom.  I am not sure what I am going to do, but I am sure I will keep busy!  I seem to be good at it.  Stay posted and I will have pictures for you soon.

Riley is still doing great!!!  She is constantly cracking me up.  For example... we were in the backyard last week and I had just bought her a new blow up pool.  She was swinging and commenting about her "New, blue, pool."  I told her mama bought her the new pool and she turns to me and seriously says, "Mama, I'm so proud of you."  I laughed out loud!!!  Then the other morning, when she woke up I asked her if she slept well.  Usually she says yes and that is the end of the conversation, however, on this particular morning, she looks up at me and says, "almost."  Where does she come up with these things?  Too funny!  

More to come...