Waiting....and worrying......

I'm sitting here in my dark house just waiting for the storm to abate so that I can go to school. It's really coming down.... I got a little nervous a bit a go when I saw the sky looking so gloomy. I even made Stevie come into the bathroom with me. Crazy how a bunch of abnormal storms can suddenly make you nervous at the slightest provocation.
School has certainly been interesting thus far. For those of you that don't know, our school lost three teachers last year due to budget cuts. This created a shortfall of Kindergarten teachers and since I have my early childhood degree I was asked to move back from fifth to k. I'd only been gone two years, but whew have I ever had to hold on for the ride.... I never know what is going to happen in my three ring circus this year. I have a child in my class that is super duper disruptive. I have been praying about the little tyke and have been trying lots of things--but nothing has worked super well yet. Must say I was a little down yesterday as it was a really hard day. The child ripped up papers, balled them threw them at me, shot me with his pretend finger gun, hit me, and even climbed under the chair I was on and put on a show. CRAZINESS!!! I am praying and praying that today will be one of those calm days that we get every so often.
Must say that having this opportunity has made me appreciate my own children and the children of parents that do believe in discipline. I could almost say that I wish we could bring the paddles back to school. I'm sure a good spanking would go a long ways.....
Well I think that I can brave going outside now as the rain has let up. Hope Ceci made it on the bus before it really started to pour!!! (especially since she called me worried that a tornado was imminent-she was down at the seminary bus stop)

Gotta love that Boy!

Noah is disappointed. He says that everyone (that's even me) is letting him down. How you ask? Well, he's been checking the blogs and not everyone has been updating as much as they used to. I don't know how I could be included, since I hardly ever contribute. He tells me, I should try to do better.
This is the boy that told me while I was trying to lose weight that he didn't know why I was trying so hard since he loved me just the way I was. I shared this thought at weight watchers. The man in charge thought that it was sweet but didn't want me to think about it too much. It brought to my memory that fact that I loved sitting next to my somewhat plump grandmother. I loved cuddling with her. She always made me feel so loved. Noah sits beside me and cuddles and I think he feels the same way I did. I promptly stopped losing weight and have almost gained it all back. It's nice being loved!!!
Well, since I lost my momentum for weight watchers and I really do want to be smaller, I saw this stuff called shakeology and decided to hope that the propaganda about it was correct. I now have a box and a half of that on my shelf and have been trying to drink one a day even though it's aftertaste is sometimes vile. I'm still hoping it will work wonders. He and Zane did tell me that they would do P90X with me, but the before pictures that you are suppose to take scare me almost as much as the exercise!
Noah asked me today, as I was looking at a site on the web about HCG, if I really thought the shakeology would work better than the "full bars" or the weight watchers had. I shrugged my shoulders and said that I hoped so. He shook his head and told me to just be happy with who I am--he is.
I LOVE THAT BOY!!!!

Baxter's Graduation

Baxter is being recognized in this picture for being in the top 5% of the class of 2011. I don't say his class because he felt like he was a bit of a transplant since he graduated a year early. I think he would agree with me that most of his friends are still Juniors. Despite this obstacle Baxter had a great Senior year and we are very proud of him.
Baxter in line waiting patiently to get his diploma. He was lucky being a B for Bainter, the Z for ______ had to wait three hundred and some odd students before he got his.
Walking back out!
Finally, he's done it! Now with little time to spare he is getting ready to leave for BYU, Provo on Monday the 13th for summer semester. He decided that if he was already robbing me of a year that he may as well rub salt in the would and leave even earlier. (His momma has been a basket case, even cried in front of my fifth grade students the other day when I was explaining to them why I wouldn't be at field day)

The proud Gramps and Grandma.
The even PROUDER mom and dad. Congratulations Son! We couldn't be happier with the decisions that he hasmade and the time that he spent on his knees pleading in prayer. That, in fact, is the only reason that I can let my sixteen year old travel clear across the country to Utah to go to school. I just pray that the Lord will keep him in the cradle of his hand while we are apart!Go BYU!!!!!

Spring Break doth Sprung

Well, spring break came and is once again on it's way out. What did the Bainter's accomplish?

• Calvert Cliffs- We enjoyed this outing with G and G Young and my sister Tina and her three boys. We enjoyed the four miles round trip to the beach. I thought it was great that I was able to walk in large groups with family, small groups and even by myself. At times I got a little worried and wondered where on the path some of my children were--I then reassured myself that the path only came out at the beach and that all was fine. (0nly one quick cell phone call at one point) We saw turtles, snakes, a heron, a goose, frogs and lots of flora.
  
• Lawn mowed- I was worried that maybe this would be the year that the lawnmower wouldn't start, luckily I was wrong! Unluckily for Baxter since his allergies were really bad for a couple of days after. That icky, icky pollen is really thick right now. Wish I'd taken a picture of Baxter's red, red, nose and eyes for this one.
  

• Basketball- Got the kids a new basketball standard. Couldn't pass up the deal in the Target add since they had been asking for a taller one. (now the new shorts and tees will have to wait) Steve and the boys stayed out past dark and put it together. The old one is still out there and looks very short compared with the new ten footer. We decided we better leave the shorter one for Stevie, but even she can hurl the smaller ball up there for a basket. The kids played lots of b-ball!
  
• Flowers- I decided since I had a house full of kids and a husband held captive that it would be the perfect time to shop for and plant flowers. Steve and Stevie and I did the shopping. We went to Buckler's and Green Acres. I don't know why but I love to go to the Amish and Menononite nurseries so much more. Can't say the prices are much better, but who knows.... It was suppose to be a family project once we got home. WELLLLLLL, I think we finally got there. I know that Steve and I planted a lot. Ceci and Zane planted a lot. Stevie, I think planted one and it was the one the lady let her pick out for free. Noah was gone and Baxter was super grumpy. We planted dahlias, pansies, more hostas and z-something. I also got hanging baskets for the porch. Dad was then a sweetie and hooked the drip system back up. (Baxter did help with that a little)
  
• Sickness- Zane got sick Wednesday-Friday. Noah got sick Friday-still. Steve got sick and still is. All have been suffering from fevers, throwing up and the ickies. I hate having a break and ending up with sickness. It is not fair!!
  • 
    Movies and Reading- We have watched several movies. I have read several books. Three for school: Mockingbird about a girl with aspergers syndrome. The Romeo and Juliet Code is about a girl in pre-WWII that I loved. Caddie Woodlawn is an oldie but a goody about a pioneer-ish girl. The one school one I didn't get to was The Bat Boy. I'll have to read that along with the kids.... I read for my own personal pleasure too. My favorite was The Lace Makers of Glenmara.
  • Chickens- One of my friends gave us a chicken coop that would fit about four chickens. Steve has wanted chickens ever since I met him. He finally got his wish. He, Noah and Stevie went to the Amish market and bought a family of chickens. They brought home a mommy and ten chicks. He keeps telling the kids that several of them are probably roosters so we'll be having fresh chicken soon. They aren't too hip on the idea. I keep wondering what he'll do if they are all hens. Guess he'll have to build on.... Stevie named one of the chicks, cookie. Ceci named two, hippo one and hippo two. Steve named one teriyaki. That's just the sort of dad he is!!!
  • Easter- Even with sickness abounding I made ham, mustard sauce, rolls, fingerlings potatoes, and other veggies. I made the rolls because Noah loves them and I was trying to tempt him to eat something. He finally ate one during the evening. I was afraid that he would throw up again but he held it down. I believe it is the only thing he has eaten in three days. I am actually going to call the doctor today--the boy has been completely out of his head. Well the doctor said he had strep throat. Noah's spring break will go on for another day or two.
  
  

  All in all, most of us have had a relaxing, enjoyable break and look forward to next year's.