Happy Birthday, my special gift!

So, my assignment from her was to write down 100 things that I like (or hate). It seems a little selfish to me, but if by chance anyone ever reads my blog, they will know the “Real Chelle.” I am going to try to be as honest as I can be, and I may be embarrassed by some things (maybe even ashamed). However, if I am ever going to “heal” I need to do this for my sake.

Here I go…..

1. I love going to church.
2. I like reading.
3. I like pizza.
4. I like Pepsi.
5. I like Snickers Bars.
6. I like Peanut M&Ms.
7. I like Tootsie Roll Pops, especially the grape ones.
8. I like Cherry Slushies.
9. I like car rides.
10. I like the San Jose Sharks.
11. I like the Oakland A’s.
12. I like sleeping in and staying in my pajamas all day.
13. I like the television show, Friends, because it made me laugh during the saddest time in my life.  I am a little sedimental about the show.
14. I like Cheese Steaks, without the onions.
15. I hate seafood with a passion. That is one thing that I cannot pretend to like, no matter how much I want to impress someone.
16. I do not like onions or mushrooms.
17. My favorite ice-cream is vanilla chocolate chip.
18. My guilty pleasure television show is Desperate Housewives.
19. Golf and tennis bores me to no end.
20. I do not really care that much for football, but I love watching the Super Bowl and rooting for the underdog team.
21. The stock exchange bores me.  I really tried.  I promise.
22. Cars bore me, especially NASCAR.  Who cares about cars driving around in a circle “lots” of times.
23. I do not care for classical music.  It actually makes me nervous.
24. I like country music.
25. I like the Michael Jackson song, Beat It, and have it on my Ipod to listen to when I work out sometimes.
26. I like going to the movies with my son, and hearing him laugh.
27. I do not care for horror films, but I do like thrillers.
28. I like dogs and cats, but prefer dogs.
29. I like dolphins.
30. I would rather wear jeans than any other outfits because it is comfortable.
31. I enjoy hanging out with friends and playing games.
32. I do not care for alcohol, but occasionally will have a margarita or mimosa.  When I say, “occasionally,” I mean just a few times a year.
33. I do not enjoy cooking.
34. I like pedicures and facials.
35. I like Disneyland.
36. I like sitting on the beach, watching the ocean, but I do not like going into the ocean.
37. I do not enjoy wearing a swimsuit.
38. I like the game UNO and Sorry.
39. I like monkeys.
40. I wish I could be a stay-at-home mom.
41. I cannot stand clutter.
42. I sometimes like to stay at home on a Sunday, and just enjoy my day without having to feel guilty by not going to church.
43. I love meeting new people, but meeting men to “date” scares me.
44. I wish I could still not be worried about what some people will think about me after reading this list.
45. I do not like confrontations.
46. I like walking around San Francisco and Monterey.
47. I love historical cities.
48. I like reading People Magazine.
49. I like playing Family Feud on facebook.
50. I like driving in my car and listening to my Ipod.
51. Playing the piano relaxes me.
52. I like to dance and listen to all types of music (except rap and hard rock).
53. I do not only read the KJV Bible.  I would rather memorize verses from the KJV, but I like studying from the ESV.
54. There are some days that I like to watch television all day because then I do not have to “think” about important things that worry me.
55. I like cheesy 80′s movies.
56. I love hanging out with my family.
57. If God ever allowed me to marry again, I would like to meet him at church.  I want him to have the same beliefs as me.
58. I believe in the Sovereignty of God in ALL areas of my life.
59. I like historical places and wish I could visit every one of them.
60. I like having someone cook for me, but I do not mind cleaning up afterwards.
61. I have never eaten “Bambi” and not sure if I want to try it.  Although, hunting might be fun.
62. I would like to shoot a gun, even though they scare me.
63. I could watch a baseball game (no matter what the team) any day with the people I love the most.  I think it’s the perfect “first date” because you can carry on a conversation, enjoy a game, and not have to look him in the eye the whole time.  Ha ha.
64. I wish I could share my faith more, but lately I have had a hard time with it.  I feel guilty about that.
65. I think that being mean to people who do not share my beliefs will only make them reject it more.  I believe you can stand for what you believe, yet do it with kindness.  I grew up with “mean Christians.”  I was one of them.  I am not happy about that.
66. I really do not like math as much as people think I do.
67. I do not really care for the “expensive” things in life, but if I could choose one luxury, it would be a grand piano.
68. Oh, someday I would like a Coach purse, but that is not going to happen.
69. Although I love living with my brother and Nikole, I would love having my own house again one day.  I do not see how that will ever happen.
70. If God allows me to ever marry again, I would like to get married in Hawaii on the beach, with just my family and close friends there.  I already had the big wedding.  Next time, I want it to be simple.  Maybe I will just elope in Vegas.  Ha ha.  JUST KIDDING!!!
71. I could eat chocolate chip ice-cream every day.
72. I want to lose weight and feel good about myself, but mostly I want to be strong again.
73. I would like for my mom and dad not to fight anymore.
74. I would like for my mom to stop treating me like I am ten.
75. I want to raise a kind son who loves God more than anything else.
76. I would like to tell people when they are being unkind.  I tend to just “take it” and make excuses for them.  I wish I could say, “You are such a jerk right now.” It does not matter who that person is either.
77. I wish I could stop at #77 because this is difficult.
78. I wish I was smart enough to have a better job sometimes.  One that pays more money, with health insurance.
79. I wish I never had to worry about anything every again.
80. I wish I did not care what people thought of me.
81. I think it would be fun to have season tickets to the San Jose Sharks games, although I would probably not go to every game. =)
82. I want a lap dog.
83. I want my dad to come back to the states and live here close to us.
84. I want to sleep in tomorrow because I am SO tired.
85. I would like to meet Brad Paisley someday.
86. I would like to see the broadway play, Wicked.
87. I want to go to Las Vegas and see Terry Fator.
88. I would like a new computer that is not a hand-me-down.  Although, I am grateful for the ones given to me.
89. I am thinking all this “me stuff” is sounding quite selfish now.
90. I would like to go spend a week with my best friend in Minnesota this summer.
91. I have never been to a professional basketball game.  I would like to.
92. I have also never been to a professional football game.  That would be fun, too.
93. I think it would be fun to play with dolphins.
94. I wish I had some watermelon right now.  ;)
95. I wish I lived closer to some of my friends.  It would be nice to see them more often.
96. I would like to meet some of my friends I have met through blogging and facebook.
97. I wish I could trust more… not people, but God.
98. I wish my relationship with God was better.  Maybe then, all this other “stuff” would not matter.
99. I would like to be nicer to people.  I have been so impatient lately.
100. I would like to have a better relationship with my mother, without feeling like I am always being put down.

That was hard…..

I read today on someone’s blog that verse in Psalms 118:8: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” It is a verse that I have heard most of my life, but it is also one that I do not apply to my life.  Well, not all the time.  It is easy to trust Him when things are going well.  The fact of the matter is, “Do I really believe that God is still Sovereign and good whether my life is going the way I want to or not?”  Yes.  I do believe that.  He is not being “mean” to me.  He loves me.  He wants what is best for me.  Now, I just have to convince myself of that.  Ha ha. =)

I am trying to think what has been up since my last post. My life hasn’t been too exciting, so maybe that is the real reason why I have not posted. Haha! Yet, I have not been doing much of what I used to do. I was a great scrapbooker. I have done so much of Brendan’s life and was proud of my work. I have not picked up the stuff since last Christmas. Two Christmases ago! I am SO far behind and every time I think of it, I get more discouraged! Maybe, I really should look into the digital scrapbooking. It might make it so much easier. I do not want to regret quitting because the books are something I would love to give my son someday. I am sure he will not care too much about them, but maybe his wife will.

I do not even journal like I used to. I am not meaning by “blogging,” but I used to journal about my life in letters to Brendan. I started writing them when I found out about the possibility of adopting him, but I have even stopped that. I start to do it, but then I either get too distracted or have nothing to say that excites me. See, I am a mess.’

One thing that has happened since I last posted is that my “baby” turned nine! I cannot even believe that. He still sleeps with me, and it has been hard to get him into his own room. When I told him that he had to start when he turned nine, he asked me why that was the case. I told him it was because he was too old. He paused to ponder that, then said, “No I am not! Daddy was older than me and he slept with you!” Haha. He does have a point.

Anyway, I do think of all my “on-line” friends. I do see most of you around on facebook, so at least I am not completely out of the loop. I hope you are all well!

• My computer does not work at school.
• Meaning, I cannot get Internet access in my classroom.
• This is really frustrating.
•  My son just told me that he could not “possibly” remember  all the art terms he had to know by tomorrow.
• He told me that he was going to write the answers on a small piece of paper and cheat.
• At least he is honest about it.
• I cheated when I was little.
• I got spanked for it too.
• But, he is adopted, so I hoped he would not get that from me.
• His birth parents were both smart.
• We celebrated his “Adoption Day” on Saturday.
• It has been eight years.
• I have to do a Science Fair with my students.
• I hate science.
• I hope you all are doing well!

I have always told other teachers, after I left the field, to journal things that happen in their classes. You think you will remember the funny things that happen, but not all of them. I have been wanting to journal some of the things that happen to me, but I find myself doing other things (facebook, haha).

I am amazed how working with boys can be so entertaining. I am used to them because I have three nephews and one son. It’s all about poop, burps, and toots. So crazy!

We have been studying planets in science class. I made my students each choose a planet and write a report on it. They actually had to talk about their planets in class. Well, one of my students had the planet “Uranus.” I am sure you can see where I am going with this, but the whole time he mentioned “Uranus,” the class would giggle. The sad thing is that the poor boy did not have a clue, being that young, I do not think he even knew why it was so funny. He must have mentioned the name about thirty times, and every time that happened …. giggle. I tried to keep a straight face, but by the tenth time, I too lost it.

On another note, my son just asked me how people get babies in their tummies. He keeps asking that more and more these days. I am not going to put this off much longer.

• I have not scrapbooked in a year. I really need to get back to it, but I have no motivation. It saddens me, because I think I did a pretty good job at it. Maybe I should look into the digital stuff? Would my little laptop be able to handle it? Any suggestions?
• I miss blogging. I miss reading your blogs. I miss commenting too. Wow, things have been busy!
• I did get some rest during the holidays which was what I needed.
• I did not want to come back to work today, until someone commented on people not having a job. I should be thankful that I have one, right?
• That still does not make me less tired.
• Certain kinds of people frustrate me. Gotta let it go.
• My crockpot was too small for my roast this morning. Had to wait until it thawed to squish it in. Sounds yummy, huh?
• I have to pee, but am too lazy to get up and do it.
• I have not had any soda for five days. I know that does not sound like a big deal, but it is to me. I have had mostly water. My kidneys and bladder are thanking me too much!
• I am excited that all my favorite shows are back on NOT showing reruns.
• I am going to have a Pampered Chef party in two weeks. Anyone want to come?
• It’s raining outside, which means that my students will have “recess” in my classroom. Oh, joy!
• Yep, they just came in. Four, rowdy boys. Thank God I already took some ibuprofen.
• I am giving a few tests this week! I love test days!
• I love “my boys.” They are great kids.
• Hopefully, I will blog more this year. I will make myself!

Wesley: “You’re wearing thongs!?! It’s cold outside!

Friend: “EEWWW!”

Wesley: “Don’t you know what a thong is?”

Friend: “No.”

Later….

Wesley: “Aunt Chelle, he thought thongs were gross! He does not even know what they are!

Me: “Oh, Sweetie! I think he had the right idea in the first place!”

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Brendan: “Mommy, what is breeding?”

Me: “Breeding? Why do you ask?”

Brendan: “Well, I am reading this book on George Washington, and it said he bred donkeys.”

Me: “It is when a girl donkey and a boy donkey has a baby.”

Brendan: “How do they have a baby?”

Me: “You put them in a room together and shut the door.”

Brendan: “But, what do they do in the room?”

Me: “Ask your teacher!”

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I took my son and nephew to McDonalds today for lunch and while we were there the two youngest started fighting over a Happy Meal toy.

Me: “Shame on you for fighting on a silly toy! You are going to get so much for Christmas. You know, there are so many children that will not get anything because their parents do not have any money.”

Brent: “And…. (holding his finger up), they are naughty!”

So much for making them feel badly for their actions!

Read more TT’s here.

1. Taking a nap – I am so about to fall asleep in my classroom right now. Thankfully, the students have not noticed yet.
2. What I am going to make for dinner tonight – I have no clue.
3. What is the next point on this list – Haha, I already know.
4. The school’s Christmas program on Friday night – I hope the kid’s do well.
5. The house cleaning that needs to get done – When am I going to have time to do it?
6. The rest of the Christmas gifts I need to get for family – Thankfully, I am almost finished!
7. The few more Christmas cards that need to go out – Almost finished with that too. Boy, were stamps expensive this year!
8. Payday is just too far away – When will the fifteenth get here?
9. The Christmas play for the church on Sunday – Hopefully, Brendan’s outfit fits him.
10. Why is one of my student’s struggling so much – God, please give me patience.
11. My parents.
12. How cold I am right now – Really, I am a wimp, because compared to some states right now, it’s warm.
13. That I really need to go to the bathroom – But, I cannot leave my classroom yet.

Read more TT’s here.