Parkes Family

I'm a big kid now!!     It's very exciting to witness firsthand  the stages of human development I've learned about! Allison is right on point for going through what Erikson considers the Initiative vs. Guilt stage. This stage describes when a child is trying to gain independence and then often is too forceful about this, thus leading to guilty feelings! So true! It makes sense why this cycle continues until they can really meet the demands of learning and becoming a competent student/child. I am a big subscriber to phsychosocial theories. I believe in them wholeheartedly and feel like I am of the montessori mindset because I love letting Allison do what she is developmentally ready for. In the schools, there is minimal focus on what each child's readiness levels are. She is quite independent, mostly because I usually have the time to wait for her to do something on her own even if it takes a long time. If I had other children I wouldn't be as apt to

So the interview yesterday went as well as expected...  I had a good vibe and felt hopeful! THe principal and staff were easy to talk to and I think I was enough professional and personable... We will see! On Friday I will know for certain... BIGGER AND BETTER NEWS!! My breast MRI came back clean! It showed a benign growth on one side and thickened tissue on the other. I am scheduled for another MRI in 6 months for proactive follow up! This is really exciting news  because I was convinced I had cancer.... I started taking Evening Primrose Oil capsules that are recommended for any hormone related symptoms including but not limited to breast pain, hot flashes, moodiness. Finally an herbal supplement, supported by many, that works! My pain is minimal! John can actually hug me square on without doing that ass out hug... :) I am feeling quite healthy with this new raw veggie/fruit smoothie addition to my diet! I have also cut back on the red meat... I didn't realize how much w

Love is in the Air! What a wonderful weekend with the people I love!! On Friday, Valentine's Day, I picked up Allison from school and we went to her friends house to visit for a bit (and to pick up my new 31 bags!). When we got home to a delish crockpot chicken smell.... John came in with flowers for both of us! Allison now gets bouquets the same size as mine- JIGGA JIGGA WHAT!???  We had supper and Allison opened yet another package from CaliGram! We watched the Little Rascals... I'm not sure who enjoyed it more! Great V-Day movie by the way!! Then Saturday, John and I both got a great workout in and Mom came to get Allison. We left for Traverse City! We checked into our hotel at the Grand Traverse Bay Resort and Spa (Thank you Washington Pa for the giftcard!) and were amazed! It's like a cruise ship on ground! A lot of restaurants, shops and even a candy bar for the kiddos! We ate lunch at a sports bar and had a few drinks. We then went to the &q

So possibly embarking on a new adventure... I applied, haphazardly, to a Cadillac position for an Intervention teacher. I literally saw it and the application was due the next day by 4pm. It is a long-term substitute opening for the rest of the year as a Kindergarten/First Grade Title teacher. This position gives me hope of something I can do before my Master's Program is done! I think I could bring a lot to the table at this position so wish me success... we know how wishing me luck goes... no bueno!

I am surprised at how much I don't miss teaching. The fact that everyone that knows me has mentioned in some way how healthy and happy I look is indicative of the true stress relief! I feel good and really am at peace with my choices for leaving the last school, staying at home with Allison and finishing my Master's Degree this semester. I do feel that job-wise something is going to just have to open up as I work on furthering my education because I am not willing to settle or take a job that will make me feel stressed and wreak havoc on my body.  I won't lie, I love waking up seeing this beautiful little lady.... so stinking cute... and also for the record sometimes not so cute... She found a birthday present (you know I shop super early for things!) and I told her that she couldn't play with it and she threw a fit and then got over it, or so I thought. She said to me later, "I'm going to find a way to play with that toy, No matter what!" (Jazz hands