Giggey Family

Fall is here and goosebumps appear...

2011-10-19T16:49:00.002-04:00

When I was a teen October and November was my favorite month in the entire year. I always felt connected, reflective, excited, like the whole world was mine and the past was all to be remembered... something like that. Anyway, when I started teaching Fall just became a busy, busy, busy time. October was always the worst. But this year is a little different. It is still busy; however, the play is over earlier this year and my children will actually get to go trick or treating and carve pumpkins, and I feel that hopefulness that fall used to bring.
The trees changing, the weather changing all bring goosebumps to my arms, but it is always the possibility of my life changing, good things changing, happy things coming that gives me goosebumps.
Fall.... bring on the CHANGE, bring on the happy, excited, fantastic goosebumpy kind of feelings!!!

Investments in the Lord

2011-07-01T11:18:00.003-04:00

My testimony tends to come and go. I lack the discipline to read the scriptures everyday. I make my children say their prayers and mine are always silent and on-the-go. BUT.... I always pay my tithing. It is something I would never reconsider. Money is a sore spot with me and I am a miser and would love to be sitting on a pile of cash when I die. Unfortunately, I am married to man that loves to manipulate money. I won't say he loves to spend it, but he loves to know that he can always create more by investing. I, however, just invest in the Lord. I pay my tithing and at the end of a bad month I am left with .02 cents in my bank account the day before pay day. A miracle? Absolutely! This month? I am praying every day that the Lord will provide for us. I am paying the necessary bills and counting on Him to provide the gas, groceries, and small recreation that we have planned. I'm not expecting a money tree to grow in my back yard. I only pray that money will stretch, extra funds will become available, or we just won't need those things we tend to spend money on.
I am investing in the Lord and counting my blessings. He will provide.

How Firm a Foundation

2011-05-26T11:18:00.004-04:00

This, this right here is my house... or what will be my house.

MY house. my HOUSE! Amazing. A blessing. A long time coming thing. If you know anything about me, then you know I have been planning for this house for over 10 years. I have been dreaming of the day when I can live somewhere that doesn't have wheels attached to it. (that may be exaggerating a little because I don't think trailers actually keep the wheels now, but whatever.)

This is sort of what my house will look like. This picture is just a little more grand that what we have planned, but it will have stone, brick, columns, and room. Lots of ROOM!

And this is the guy who is working really hard to build my house. OUR house. our HOME.

Noah Turns Two

2011-03-21T09:52:00.004-04:00

I am a humbug when it comes to birthday parties. I have never been a great hostess and I loath the planning and preparation it takes to feed and entertain a bunch of adults and children. But this year's party wasn't so bad.
It wasn't at home, for one.... don't get me started on how much I hate my house. (another post on that soon).
And two, Nick did all the food planning.
So, needless to say Noah's second birthday was a success for mommy.

Hello Again, It's me!

2011-03-18T15:15:00.002-04:00

Sssshhh. Don't tell anyone, but I figured out how to by pass the schools crazy filter system. Well, I can't take the credit, it was rule-breaking teenagers that told me how.

Anyway, I never get the chance to post because well.... I couldn't. So now that I can I have loads to say and don't feel ready to hash them all out.

So I will stick with updates:

1. Nick and I were sealed together for time and all eternity exactly 5 years ago today. Funny, it seems alot longer. I feel so old! That day along with my baptism date will always be a turning point in my life. Habit #1 of Covey's 7 habits says that you are the driver of your own life and you make your own choices. That was me making my own choices and being a "change agent". I'm glad my future is eternal.

2. Noah turned 2 this week! He can even say that he is two, which is more amazing than his turning two. I thought that child would never start talking.

3. I hate my job. I have been wrestling with the concept of how I came to that paticular statement. Am I tired of teaching? Bored with the things I teach? Not challenged? Tired of the kinds of students I teach? Frustrated with the place I teach? I don't really know why exactly I hate my job, but I do. I keep trying new avenues to find the answer. Reading new books about inspiring new teaching methods. Didn't work. I am trying to either change my grade level teaching or find a different county/school to teach in. Maybe that is the problem. Does mid-life crisis happen before you're 30?

Getting my Conference kicks

2010-05-16T20:15:00.000-04:00

Here are the best quotes from the April General Conference Addresses:

1. "A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence". Julie B. Beck
Sister Beck always seems to hit me right in heart. How often do I think to myself how much I need a break from my kids, when in reality I need a break from my teaching job in order to spend more time with my kids. Thank god for summer vacations when I can center myself and refocus my priorities and live up to my heavenly fathers plan for me.

2. "Popular culture today often makes women look silly, inconsequential, mindless, and powerless. It objectifies them and disrespects them and suggests that they leave their mark on mankind only by seduction-easily the most pervasively dangerous message the adversary sends to women about themselves." - Elder M. Russell Ballard

I can't speak enough on how the media is corrupting our youth and ourselves if we let it. There are no limits to what can be shown and what is acceptable today. It hurts me to think of what young women and young men perceive to be popular and cool from MTV and even Cartoon network. Women should know that they shouldn't idolize dumb, big-boobed women who flaunt their body and have no idea what intellect is all about!

3. " The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find common roots in the teaching of children in the home." - Elder L. Tom Perry

Want to know what's wrong with the world today? Here's your sign.

4. "In Tyndale's day, scriptural ignorance abounded because people lacked access to the Bible, especially in a language they could understand. Today the Bible and other scripture are readily at hand, and yet there is a growing scriptural illiteracy because people will not open the books. Consequently they have forgotten things their grandparents knew." - Elder D. Todd Christofferson

One of the most difficult challenges for a High English teacher today is preparing students to be successful readers and pass standardized test when most students have rarely opened a book outside of the classroom. A gross injustice is being done when children have never been exposed to classic not to mention biblical stories. My high school students cannot make basic biblical connections in literature and boldly tell you they have never read the bible. My muslim student a few years back was more familiar with old testament stories from the Koran then some of the others!

5. " Someone said once that true love must include the idea of permanence. True love endures. But lust changes as quickly as it can turn a porno page or glance at yet another potential object for gratification walking by... True love we are absolutely giddy about...we shout it from the housetops. But lust is characterized by shame and stealth and is almost pathologically clandestine... Loves comes with open hands and open heart; lust comes with only an open appetite." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
One of the best distinctions between love and lust.

6. "Waiting can be hard... We live in a world offering fast food, instant messaging, on-demand movies, and immediate answers to the most trivial or profound questions... Patience-the ability to put our desires on hold for a time-is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want, and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and , at times, bitter." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
This is bitter pill to swallow when I struggle every day wanting so much that I can't have right now. But I also know how important it is to teach patience to those I love.

A celebrity among us

2010-05-01T14:05:00.000-04:00

High school is right of passage, a bad memory, a training ground for the "real world".

My junior year of high school I was the relatively unknown, smart girl with one random friend. I belonged to NO group and was NEVER invited to anything. I was the "behind the scenes" girl for the drama club and my claim to fame was the only smiling hippie in "Groovy".
My junior English teacher was Sue Youngblood. An institution at WCHS, She had been teaching since the stone age and everyone was destined to pass through her classroom at some point. She taught all the junior honors courses, and this is where we first crossed paths. She was also the cheer coach and had a mysterious power over everyone. Some may mistake it for blackmail:). As a teacher she was always doing something else besides teaching (we never knew what) and when she did teach, it was a tough as nails kind of teaching. No helping, or babying, just "you get it or you don't and then you make the grade". I made the cut by the way.
As a colleague, I have learned that Sue Youngblood is a power monger. She thrives on having control of others and micro-managing . Those who know Sue the best know that she has her faults and forgive her for them. Others just resent her over matters of interference, jealousy, or misunderstanding. I am purposely indifferent most of the time.
As a cheer coach Sue is loved by her cheerleaders for being fiercely loyal and a loving mentor.

Here is the point of this story:

Last August the world premiere of Glee on the Fox network shocked everyone from Worth County. Sue Youngblood was on TV in the form of the character Sue Sylvester. Was this a CRAZY coincidence? We all thought not, and now 9 months later the truth is known; Sue Youngblood, my high school English teacher and colleague is the model for the grossly exaggerated and satirical Sue Sylvester.
After some investigative work from two colleagues and Sue herself we now know that a cheer coach friend and national choreographer of Sue's, Jamie Parrish, was in the planning meeting for the pilot of the show and gave them the idea of a tough and ruthless cheer coach who wore gym suits and had short blonde hair, Sue Youngblood from Sylvester Georgia!
So now that Sue is famous she has become the one we all love, hate or love to hate, depending on your affiliation before the celebrity reveal.
I am taking the curious observer stance. I can't wait to see what becomes of this spotlight.

Goodbye to youth

2010-04-18T19:10:00.000-04:00

Noah can walk and say mama,Thomas can swing by himself, fix his own drink and use the word "I". They will not stay babies forever and this fact is dawning on me. I think I have turned a corner in parenthood and realized I have no idea what to expect in the coming years. Am I prepared for raising two boys? Will I be able to teach them love, kindness, patience,and strength?

I have also turned twenty eight years old. I never imagined myself being twenty eight. It's like starting all over. re-evaluating your life. Setting new goals. Ten years ago I graduated from high school and the whole world was mine to take. My projected goals reached about ten years into the future and now that that future is here, now what? Do like who I am?

Last year I made a goal to embrace a year of "growing". I think I am still growing. I am growing older and feel like I have completely left my youth behind. It's actually scary, but still quite satisfying.

I would have been a missionary

2010-02-21T14:23:00.000-05:00

I would have been a missionary in a different life. In the life where I was born into the church or where I converted to the gospel before I entered college. But that is a different life. I wanted to be a full time missionary, which is something that did not happen the way I envisioned it.
The sister missionaries who taught me the discussions where who I wanted to become. It sucked to find out that I couldn't be that person because I had "passed my prime". (I was already married).
These girls were the same age as me, but I thought they were much more brave than I. They were smart, cute, humble, sassy, determined, and got to where the best clothes! Doesn't everyone love clunky maryjanes and jumpers!
I would have been a missionary in that other life. It would have fit very nicely in that list of goals I had for my life: school, career, success, marriage, happiness, kids...
But...
I am a missionary now. I am smart, determined, and willing to share the gospel to those I love. I am a missionary now and am working on a few possible converts. I am planning to place a Book of Mormon and hope that good things will follow.
I am a missionary now.

motherhood: 21st century

2010-02-14T17:00:00.000-05:00

So I get old magazines from the school library. I mean old (six year old back issues). They get rid of the oldest every year to clear out storage. Usually I leave them a school to use for clippings, but I bring some home to flip through and pass the time (mostly to keep me sane when things are hectic).
Anyway. The point is I was reading the March 2004 The Atlantic and came across "How serfdom saved the women's movement". I would link it for you but that seems impossible on this blackberry (shocking right!) So here is the site. http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200403/flanaga

I found it intriguing. To work. Not to work. What working mothers around the country do with their kids. Why they choose to work. That is essence of the article, but to me it is more than that. To me it says: the prophets are right. We really are screwed up in how we view the family aand especially motherhood. It also says to me: history teachers us and we should learn from the past. It says a lot more and want to say a lot more but can't really express it all here.
To those who want to, read the article...tell me what you think. Can Family: A Proclamation, save the family, save motherhood or what is gleaned from the article true? Are we all doomed to work and hire out our roles to others (as I so willing do to go to work to teach others' children) believe me the irony is not ironic to me!
Comments please.

I'm cheating on my daily planner

2010-01-28T14:36:00.000-05:00

We have been together 14 years. During this time our relationship has changed and grown. We started out small. My planner was just a pocket- sized version and I kept it around to record all my daily events: a teenagers attempt to make life worth living. In it would be, “nick called” or “went skating and ate at Steak and Shake”. After high school, life became busier and we adjusted ourselves to growing up. We moved up to an “academic calendar year” planner and started keeping up with when papers were due and when to study for that big mid-term test. Those were the happy days. We made it work and we were inseparable. At the time I thought we would last forever and we have been strong. Those days of first teaching school I put my planner through hell….. I know I shouldn’t have taken it for granted. It was my life-saver and I love it dearly. I never thought I could live without. I even invested in our future together. I bought a nice leather cover for it and solidified our relationship. But now….. I think it is over. I’ve met somebody new. Times have changed.

I’m cheating on my daily planner with a blackberry.

It’s small, sleek, and compact. It can go where my planner never could. It does the job of my planner and MORE! No more jotting down notes of what you have to do every day and then going back to check it. My blackberry just emails me and messages me a reminder to get it done. I can keep up with my emails and messages….. my planner never did that for me. The blackberry calendar even works with my email and I can update it from several places… doing two things at once! Amazing! Could my planner order my books from Amazon for me? No! All it could do was stare at me saying “order books”!

I sound so ungrateful. I know. But what is a girl to do?
Planner, I love your tangible nature. I love to flip through your pages and see how far we have come. I will miss you. I will have to find somewhere else to keep my short-hand lessons plans for the day. The “read chapter 3” and “grammar: pg. 25” and “draft personal essay” is all that is tying us together now. Technology has torn us apart.

I can even post this with a suave transfer of a word doc. To my blackberry and presto! Cut and paste here. *tear* I Love you planner, but I have been seduced.

wow! that's 'bout all I can say is wow.

2009-12-31T12:33:00.005-05:00

Just so you know this blog will not have appropriate pictures and this is the second time around with this post because my blackberry is crazy!

So the Giggey family did Disney World. And if I haven't said it enough, never go during Christmas!

The staff members said the parks had been at full capacity the two days we were there! WOW!

But Thomas loved it! All he could talk about was seeing Mickey and giving him a hug and that was the very first thing we did after getting to the park an hour after leaving the parking lot via the ferry (the monorail was down). WOW!

The first thing Thomas saw was the steam engine so we rode it all the way to see Mickey. It was about the time we were halfway through the line to see Mickey that Thomas started to learn patience and sharing. But he was so excited to see Mickey. WOW!
We eventually made it through lines to ride Dumbo, see cinderella's castle, watch the philharmonic, eat lunch, and see Pirates of the carribean. By that time we were done.
The next day was great. We arrived at animal kingdom and saw It's tough to be a bug, rode the safari and saw the gorillas all before 11. WOW! Then we ate lunch, played at the boneyard (Thomas was king of the big slide) and then we watched Festival of the Lion king. But the best part of the day was dinner. We went all out and took the T-Rex experience at downtown disney. It was WOW. We ate in an ice cave, Thomas had a bone-chilling drink, and we watched the meteor shower extinct all the dinosaurs every 30 minutes. WOW!
We survived and if you are wondering, Noah did make the trip and experienced everything from the comfort of his stroller. When he is older he can be excited to see Mickey (again)!

Blue Slip

2009-12-12T13:22:00.002-05:00

Please excuse us for not being present for sometime in the blogging world. We are computerless, growing OUT of our house, busy, and having a great Christmas time (thanks for the parade Sauls). Consider this post a make-up for our abscence and we will make-up for lost time in the future with H is for "happy and you know it" and I is for "I am a Child of God" Stories and pictures will fulfill our assignment.

Sincerely, Blogger mom Giggey

Busy, busy, busy

2009-10-07T09:26:00.003-04:00

here are some things going on....

"John Lennon and Me" directed by yours' truly and staring the Worth County High School Drama club will be October 28th and 29th. This year I am expanding my effort a bit and creating something I hope will be worth it.

Thomas and Noah are getting their pictures taken FINALLY. I have been waiting for Noah to start sitting up and now that he is good and crawling and pulling up I think it's time. I will share later.

And If you didn't know I am a huge L'Engle fan. here is a review of her post-posthumously published book.

The Joys of Love by Madeleine L'Engle

So far this book is disappointing. I know that Lena and Charlotte love their grandmother and wanted to share this book with the world, but it is an early piece and it shows. The dialogue is outdated and not universal and also does not characterized. It is dialogue for the sake of dialogue.

I think Act 3 is the best in the novel. I have not read Act 4 yet. Act 1 and 2 need more work on introducing interest into the characters conflict.

On the whole it is Madeleine and I adore it just because it is her last book published.

View all my reviews >>

I will eventually have a post on H is for ..... but it will be sometime in November. It is a miracle this one got published.

G is for Giggey

2009-09-14T07:57:00.003-04:00

Jiggy? Giggly? NOOOOOO!!! GIGGEY.

Yes, that's right I CHOSE this name. Of my own free volition. Why? what can I say? Love.

I grew up with the plainest name ever. I had a typical boys name for a surname. I was comfortable being a Daniel. I even liked being a Daniel. But the way fate works is mysterious and at the age of 20 I chose to become known as a Giggey.

If you look in our local phone book for the name Giggey there are three. Three!!! and they are all related to me. If you look in the surrounding area phone book there are NONE! The closest Giggey is in Atlanta. The rest are in Texas, California, and Maine. And they are all probably related to me as well.

So what is like to live with such a unique name? As a high school teacher you can imagine the comments I get. Usually though what I hear is "Mrs. Uhh. Uhh. ...." then I turn and say, "Giggey??" Their face lights up with recognition and we continue our conversation. So much for the name.

At least I can't be mistaken for someone else. My husband, when he decides he has gotten away with something, says "I'm a Giggey, remember?" Yeah. I remember.

So now that I will be a Giggey forever, I think I should enjoy it. And I do. I like the name. I like the uniqueness and history of the name. I like that I belong to a family of Giggeys.

Stubbornly determined... or just a Sore Loser?

2009-08-28T13:07:00.004-04:00

I acquired one of these last weekend. It is a square one Rubik's cube. It is like a Rubik's cube but it doesn't start out in a square. Every night I would try to figure it out. I was telling myself it was actually relaxing, until Nick started laughing at me for trying so hard.

Last night is still looked exactly the same and was sitting on the table when Nick picked it up and started working with it.

This is what is looked like 2 hours later....

Me? I mixed it up and am going to try again! Husbands should not be able to outdo their highly educated wives!!

F is also for Fishing

2009-08-06T15:10:00.007-04:00

The Giggey family has a tradition... Deep Sea fishing.

When Nick was a kid he and his family would go to the gulf and fish all the time. There are tons of fishing stories shared between Nick and his Dad. I enjoy the one his Mom tells of the trip where they were caught in the hurricane. She says while she was on the boat fearing for her life, they were riding the waves in to shore.

Coming from this tradition, Nick dreamed of the day he could take Thomas fishing. This summer was Thomas' first trip out.

He had his own fishing rod-- a short rod with a full size reel and that is his fish on the end. Needless to say this was the best day of Daddy's life. Thomas had fun too.

After that trip Nick bought a bigger boat and I decided I was brave enough to go out. I never knew what I was missing. It was great.

Even Deanna had a great time.

So the Giggey Family tradition continues....

F is for Friday night Football

2009-08-06T14:42:00.007-04:00

What happens when a woman who has never played sports and who wrote notes or read a book in gym class becomes a wife and mother and lives in a family of 4 boys?

She quickly learns the rules to all the major sports.

Those who know Thomas understand what I mean. He is a "boy's boy" whatever that means. He is rambunctious, loves cars, trucks, motorcycles, fishing, hunting, football, baseball, soccer, running, jumping, being loud, working with tools, tearing things apart....

The only thing he has in common with me is his stubborn determination :)

I have never been interested in attending sports games, but after Thomas was born Nick and I starting going to Worth County Football games. After all I did graduate from the high school and I teach those same brave souls that get out on the field every Friday. It started as a simple family outing for us, but has turned into a "training ground" for our future football players. We have decided that Thomas will probably pay fullback (I think?) and Noah might be a wide receiver.

Thomas loves football. I have evidence.

So you know where we will be on Friday if you need to find us.
Go Rams Football!

E is for everything Mom does.

2009-08-04T14:27:00.003-04:00

Anyone feel this way?

Yep. That's where I am.

If you were to see me with my guard down here is what you would find...

Stream of consciousness: a writing technique that seeks to depict the thoughts and feelings which pass through the mind in other words an interior monologue.

Noah's awake. good thing milk is in the fridge. house is a mess. Hope the cat didn't poop on the floor again ugh! Dishes ugh! is that grime in the fridge? ugh! Look at that sweet baby smile. Thomas is snoring? I have got to get him potty trained... no more pull-ups... cold turkey. he needs a routine... my child of habit. can't believe he is getting so grown-up.... I need to pay more attention to him... he never listens when I get on to him.... what to do? what to do? Need to shower. Breakfast? at school. today: parent email list, give textbooks out, make copies of hall passes, finish paying bills. What about supper tonight? ugh! Maybe Nick will take care of it. What movie will we watch tonight? Family Home Evening this week??!! I forgot! need to order Book of Mormon video. need to go to sleep, but I want finished my book... ZZZZZZZZZZ.

You get the idea.

D is for Dustin and Deanna... Duh!

2009-07-28T07:44:00.010-04:00

this is the picture I love and they hate :)

So what do you get when two twin sisters marry two brothers? No, not in- breed children! Double-first cousins, really close families, almost siblings...

My children do not know a world without the constant presence of Dustin and Deanna. Deanna especially is my permanent helping hand. This post is dedicated to them to let them know the Giggey family loves them :)

C is for curious, courageous "Catfish"

2009-07-27T08:37:00.003-04:00

So I admit, I couldn't think of anything for "c" so here are some pictures of Thomas aka "Catfish"

B is for Brothers

2009-07-22T00:57:00.000-04:00

Siblings must be the best thing in the world to have, but I wouldn't know because I'm an only child. These two boys, I know, will be the best of friends and great brothers.

What amazes me the most is how different they are. Unique in their own ways and a little of Mommy and Daddy.

Thomas-- age 4 months sitting in bouncy seat

Chubby little baby with Daddy's perfect round face, silly smile and go-getter attitude.

Noah-- age 4 months sitting in same bouncy seat.

cute little baby with Mommy's oval shaped face, tender and loving attitude and the sweetest giggle.

The ABC's of the Giggey family

2009-07-21T12:39:00.005-04:00

A is for Applesauce....

highchair
baby seat
tray
bib

smiling baby face
ready to be fed.

(Thomas- age 8 months)

cereal
bowl
spoon

applesauce is tart
baby says "ooo."

(Noah -- age 3 months)

As baby grows
he learns new things.

when baby learns to eat
applesauce reigns supreme.

The not so lazy days of summer

2009-06-18T15:28:00.002-04:00

This is first summer in 7 years that I have not been enrolled in classes. The last time I had a summer off Nick and I traveled the country in his Semi truck. Now that I have my Masters degree and two children to spend time with I find myself getting to do all the things that I missed about summer:

swimming
going for morning walks with both the kids
read
read
and did I mention read... whatever my heart desires

This summer I have also found the urge to fine-tune my homemaking skills. Not that most days are anywhere near accomplished, I do plan for my meals and I even started a recipe file that I wanted. Cooking said meals depends on my state of hunger (Thomas could live off Chicken nuggets), my sanity by 4:00 in the afternoon, and whether I have the needed supplies.

I also decided to finally get a facebook. Yes, my last snarky post is null and void. I still have dial-up, but I am at home and am able to spend time on the computer, so why not?

But by far the best part of this summer is Thomas and Noah. I can spend time

making Noah laugh... baby giggles are so cute,
teaching Thomas to use the potty.... we are finally getting somewhere,
feeding Noah enough so that he can be nice and chubby,
and most of all I get to see my children grow a little bit everyday.

So my summer is a self-fulling prophecy about growing in love, family, strength, patience, and memories.

No. I DON'T have a facebook

2009-05-21T15:17:00.002-04:00

Sorry guys. I have not jumped on that bandwagon yet. And it's not because I think that facebook is a tool of the devil to disconnect us from daily interaction.... :P Actually I would love to see what everyone is talking about, but as you know I have DIALUP!! at home and the school network does not allow facebook to load. So what is a girl to do? I have even tried to sign up, but the email wouldn't come through. Maybe I will get there one day. In the mean time, PLEASE check out the Giggey family here and don't go hunting us on facebook :) Everyone can comment; just put anonymous.

reflections on teaching

2009-05-18T15:10:00.007-04:00

Teaching is my passion.... I am constantly nagged by my husband (who loathes the traditional school setting) that I "talk too much like a teacher." I can also be preachy at times because as a teacher I have a tendency to think my way is best or that I know better than others. Just SOMETIMES though :)

What this blog is really about though is my experiences teaching and mentoring my cousin.

Dustin is a senior; graduating from the high school that I teach at. He in 10 years younger than me, but we have always been close our entire lives. Living next door to each other the majority of that time and becoming best friends as we got older. I always feel like I am at my best when I am with him.

And this I think is because I am his teacher. He has been in my literature class once and he has worked with me in all aspects of school for the last four years. Before that he and his sister were always with me-- traveling, at my house playing games, going places, etc. I WANTED to teach them both.

So as I think back on our friendship, I can't help but think of all the times I wanted the best for him and tried my hardest to teach him about life, challenges, values, and how to use his talents for the best.

I fill empty and depleted now that he will not be here with me at school, walking into my room, telling me about his day and talking about all his experiences in life.

The best thing about being HIS teacher is that I am able to see his accomplishments and share in his success.

So this blog is for all those times I told him... "life is not fair" or "what do YOU want to do?" or "Maybe you should...."

Congratulations Dustin and thanks for being my best friend!!!

Gourmet please.

2009-05-11T14:43:00.004-04:00

I CAN"T COOK!!!

No, really just ask anyone who has seen me in a kitchen. I feel ashamed most of the time at my lack of skills in the kitchen. I do, however, work off of a handful of easy and tested recipes that at least feed my family. They are not necessarily delicious or fantastic, but they work for me. As for my husband... well let's just say "You can't trust skinny cooks".

He loves to cook. He loves to experiment and create new dishes. He also loves to feed others. To be able to cook for those he loves makes him happy. Usually I enjoy his food, sometimes it is too spicy or too saucy. Most times there is too much meat and not enough vegetable to his meal, but it is always good.

BUT... last night we had this.

I know the picture doesn't do it justice, because it was restaurant worthy. It tasted gourmet!

The meal was Tilapia with rotel tomatoes and lemon with rice pilaf and broccoli. The other meat is a salmon that I didn't like, but that's okay, because the rest was delicious.

I was brave enough to ask Nick how to cook it, so that I might try my hand at it. It seems pretty easy. I will let you know how mine turns out.

Blessing conferred

2009-05-04T14:00:00.003-04:00

Noah's blessing was last Sunday. When Nick and I started discussing the arrangements: who to invite, what date etc. it seemed like we couldn't agree on the best arrangement for our non-member families. Nick said he just felt like it should be a personal and private event. I admit as much as I wanted it to be done during a sacrament meeting I also wanted more of our family and friends to be able to experience this blessing and the power of the priesthood and to feel the spirit.

So Nick suggested we do it at home on Sunday afternoon and that is what we did. We invited close family and friends and blessed Noah in our tiny living room with everyone around. We sang "I am a child of God" and I beared my testimony of the restoration and power of the priesthood and the special nature of children. I was extremely nervous talking in front of my non-member family. Much more nervous than I expected to be. I really wanted to share the gospel, but I could almost feel the slight contention and doubt in the room. It is much easier to speak at meetings than it was that day.

If I was nervous, then Nick was hyperventilating. He ended up doing a wonderful job blessing Noah and I am thankful to have him as my husband and to have an eternal family.

Back to work

2009-05-04T13:47:00.007-04:00

I love being a mom....
I love being a teacher....
I love the fact that I can be both....

As much as the counsel is to stay at home and raise your children, I don't want to give up my job. I thrive on the classroom atmosphere and thoroughly enjoy working with teenagers.

But at this moment, sitting in my classroom and staring at a daunting stack of paper to be graded I wish I were with my children now.

Thomas and Noah get to spend an entire month together at Tammy's daycare. I can't wait to hear about all the mischief Thomas will get into now that Tammy's attention is taken up by Noah now. He has started some strange habits at home.

For instance, when he gets into trouble for another one of his wild antics and we send him to his room to chill out he has started experimenting and hoarding the diaper rash cream.

NEVER a dull moment...

More to come...

2009-04-21T16:45:00.003-04:00

I know I haven't posted in awhile, but of course I have two children now!!! It is amazing!

I just popped into school to do grades for my lovelies and had a computer that wasn't on dial up, so I thought I would do a quick update.

I will be back at work in two weeks, so I am trying to catch up on the precious time I have at my leisure to do things. I am getting Noah's portrait taken next week. They do free newborn pictures at Olan Mills if anyone is interested... Stacey, do you have Olan Mills in Utah???

Thomas has been spending lots more time with his Dad here lately because Noah has developed a bad case of Reflux and the subsequent colic phase that goes with it. I finally shed tears this morning at 5:00 a.m. after being awake for practically 48 hours. I have caught some rest here and there, but I can promise you no more than 2 hours at a time. Thomas had reflux and didn't sleep, but he wasn't as colicky as Noah is. At his moment I am without my children (they are both a Tammy's daycare). I took the oppurtunity of working on grades to leave Noah with someone else for a little while. I will be ready to rock him for another 48 hours when I pick them up in about 20 min.

It is funny when Thomas and Nick come home from an adventure somewhere; Thomas is filthy from head to foot. I will post pictures later of those times and of Thomas getting into stuff when I am with Noah.

My next posts will be more frequent; I promise.

Blessings revealed

2009-03-18T15:01:00.004-04:00

On Sunday the hectic week came to a joyful end. Our blessing was Noah Pate Giggey.

On Saturday we went to Nick's great-aunt's funeral and Nick joked around saying I needed to carry my hospital bag with us because my labor would start as soon as the funeral was over. It never fails though that a baby will be born when someone dies because I went into labor at 10:30 that night and Noah was born at 2:51 a.m. on Sunday.

Needless to say the blessings were found in the exciting and spontaneous ways you can find joy in life's little and big things.

Blessings in Disguise

2009-03-11T21:31:00.003-04:00

There are some hidden gems here... I will let you know when I find them.

Thomas flushed his underwear down the toilet, and now Nick is working up the courage to fish them out so the toilet will flush again.
Our washing machine flooded the house on Sat. while I napped on the couch. It decided it didn't want to quit running the water even after it started washing.
Our slightly used/new washer didn't work either and we traded that one in for another slightly used/new one which now works fine. Good thing too because we were running out of clean clothes.
After attempting to vacuum dirt clods off the carpet I had to unclog the vacuum from candy wrappers and cat hair.
Our cat which had been gone for about 3 weeks finally shows back up. I had written him off to the wild of the woods, but he is back with only a few scratches and tree sap all over him. I suspect he has been stuck in a tree. Thomas is happy the cat is back.
We added two new members to our family: Oliver and Samantha, two pygmie goats, join us from James Sizemore's house. Cole fell in love with them and Thomas loves to chase them. Teenagers are so unpredictable.
I have had a cold for a week and a half now and it has decided to be persistent because of the pollen EVERYWHERE.
Thomas ran a fever yesterday and today, and lo and behold Dr. Wahbeh drops the news that Thomas has the flu. So he gets meds and so does Nick and Cole. So much for that chunk of change. I'm not medicated, but when baby comes hopefully the house will be flu free. I started sanitizing today.
Last but not least... Dr. Talley says I am looking good for delivery this weekend. I hope so!!!

Reading much??

2009-03-10T09:55:00.003-04:00

I'm an English teacher, so I should have some good reading stories, right?
So for those of you who care, I've been tagged by Jennifer to report on books I've read.

1) Which book has been on your shelves the longest?
A Wrinkle in Time. I first read it in 5th grade, but I know I purchased the version I have now when I was in 9th or 10th grade-- about 14 years ago. I think my copy of Gone with the Wind is about that old as well.

2) What is your current read, your last read and the book you’ll read next?
I am trying to finish The Awakening just because I picked it off my shelf for something to read. The last thing I read was Dead Until Dark which was recommend by several, but I didn't find too intriguing. On my night stand to read is A Thousand Splendid Suns by Hosseini. I loved The Kite Runner and my fellow teacher Sharon recommended this one.

3) What book did everyone like and you hated?
Reading Lolita in Tehran came highly recommended by several teachers Sharon met at a conference. They were raving about it, so we read it and both hated the novel.

4) Which book do you keep telling yourself you’ll read, but you probably won’t?
The rest of the Tolkien collection was purchased for me for Christmas and I want to read but....

5) Which book are you saving for “retirement?”
Tolkien's histories may have to wait until I don't have babies running around or teenagers to worry about.

6) Last page: read it first or wait til the end?
Wait until the end!!!

7) Acknowledgments: waste of ink and paper or interesting aside?
Personally I rarely read them, but I think the author should be able to give kudos.

8) Which book character would you switch places with?
Charlotte Doyle, Anne Shirley, Meg Murry

9) Do you have a book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time)?
Where do I start?? Crosswick Journals by Madeline L'Engle remind me of beach vacation with Nick, Several books about Margaret Mitchell remind me of my visit to Margaret Mitchell house in Atlanta, True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle reminds of a spring days outside and wishing I was on a boat in the Atlantic.

10) Name a book you acquired in some interesting way.
I have a 1938 publication of Little Women I found at the Albany Flea market and I have a signed copy of On Our Way to Beautiful, a little known book by Yolanda Adams, a lawyer from D.C. who visited our African American Lit class at Georgia Southwestern.

11) Have you ever given away a book for a special reason to a special person?
Just recently bought an extra copy of Summer of The Great-Grandmother by L'Engle (I couldn't part with mine!) that I gave to a teacher who was leaving to take care of her mother who has Alzheimer's.

12) Which book has been with you to the most places?
A Wrinkle in Time and several of the sequel books have been my companion on trips.

13) Any “required reading” you hated in high school that wasn’t so bad ten years later?
Most of the things I read in High School, I now get to teach, but I didn't appreciate A Separate Peace in 10th grade as much as I do now.

14) What is the strangest item you’ve ever found in a book?
nothing really...

15) Used or brand new?
Used... it's cheaper and most times your books have mysterious character.

16) Stephen King: Literary genius or opiate of the masses?
Don't really like reading King, but some of his movie versions I love... Shawshank Redemption is one of my favorite movies.

17) Have you ever seen a movie you liked better than the book?
The Scarlett Letter with Demi Moore. This English teacher really doesn't enjoy reading Hawthorne, especially this novel, but I love this racy version of the story.

18) Conversely, which book should NEVER have been introduced to celluloid?
I have to agree with Jennifer that the last Anne movie should never have been conceived; it DESTROYS the rest of the series.

19) Who is the person whose book advice you’ll always take?

Jennifer, Sharon, LeAnne, my students.

Cutest cake EVER!!

2009-03-06T10:46:00.003-05:00

One of my students whose Mom is also a substitute gave me this for a baby gift.

I have seen her "diaper cakes" before. We have had several teachers have babies around here, but I never realized how much detail went in to making them. They are awesome. I told her that she needed to start selling them!!

She is ultra modest about it, but I decided to do some free advertisement for her :)

Baby Bump

2009-02-26T14:54:00.003-05:00

This is what everyone says is "cute"!!? The idea of a baby bump being cute, is obviously an expression of perception, because to me it is a sign that I am ready to have a baby.

Sometimes I do feel "beautiful", but that is because it reminds me of motherhood. This picture expresses that idea a little more.

Needless to say I am in the countdown stage. 3 weeks to go....

My next post will hopefully be baby pictures and not a baby bump!

Valentine Redux

2009-02-13T14:46:00.001-05:00

Valentine's day has never really been a holiday that has caught my fancy. I wasn't super popular in elementary school and didn't receive all the best valentine cards. In high school, Nick would be the only one to send me flowers and sometimes he didn't on Valentine's because neither one of us took it super serious. I just don't get really excited about all the hoopla.

But.... having a child to celebrate the holiday with is kinda sweet. All the silly candy makes sense and I'm able to get my crafts out and fashion cards with Thomas (I DO like to make my own cards, but the act of giving homemade cards doesn't hold well with adults anymore).

I think Valentine's day is becoming a new holiday for me. Something sweet, innocent and special to share with the little one(s) in my life. The idea of a preschool Valentine party does catch my fancy.

5 things that me happy

2009-02-10T13:46:00.003-05:00

I've been tagged by Jennifer @ Tree fort in our yard to list five odd things that make me absurdly happy.

The smell of fresh cut grass on a sunny spring day (I'm a March baby and feel oddly connected to the season)
seeing Thomas (my two-year old) do his tip-toe dance from the bathroom to the bedroom while he's completely naked.
finishing a long list of To-do's and actually crossing them off my list. Probably why I am resisting a Blackberry right now-- I like the pen to paper feeling.
arriving at where ever a vacation destination has taken me.
seeing a student accomplish something and knowing they know they did it on their own.

Crime in a small town

2009-02-04T13:35:00.003-05:00

For the past week, the remains of a major crime in the reporters small town have been on display.

The culprits so far have not been identified, but the suspects are a select few.

Last week the display board at the local Video Warehouse read:

"Check out our website an receive free movies"

on the other side a few days later appeared:

"Lakeview Terreance"

No photos are available of the crime at this time because the staff photographer's camera has been borrowed by her husband :)

The local officials are debating whether to charge local High School English teachers with accessory to this crime.

I hope not....

Pay Day!!!

2009-01-30T13:45:00.003-05:00

If you have never been privileged to be apart of the family of a teacher, you have no idea what the last working day of January means to teachers and their families. It is the day of salvation when all the trials and tribulations of financial woes are relieved.

Teachers' salaries are paid monthly, which I happen to love. I get paid once a month and am able to pay all my tithing, bills, and do my budget at the beginning of the month, so all I have to worry about for the rest of the month is daily expenses which I monitor carefully.

This plan works all year until December rolls around. It seems like teachers would start getting smart about their money when they know trouble is ahead, but we never do. Christmas is always getting in the way.

In November before Thanksgiving break we receive our check a little early so that we can spend some on Christmas. Mistake #1-- never spend this money right away without budgeting for December bills. After the two or three weeks of school in December, teachers receive their next check an entire 2 weeks early so that again they can spend money on Christmas. Mistake #2-- do not spend ANY of this money on ANY delayed Christmas gifts or yuletide merriment, because the worst will be ahead.

When Christmas break is over most teachers are scrambling to pay bills in January because of Christmas spending. I, for example, this month have not spent one dime on any type of groceries that we did not ABSOLUTELY need. We have cleaned out our pantry and survived on creative dinners. We have even used the credit card for a few needed purchases-- which I loath to do and Nick has promised we are going to pay off as soon as financially possible.

So today, I can relax. I made it through January with about 20 dollars still left in my checking account. I now have my full pay check in the bank and can budget my money and KNOW we are going to survive the next month!

Potty Training

2009-01-23T12:46:00.001-05:00

Thomas has started big boy underwear!! I am so exciting we are finally making progress with the potty. I have to confess I REALLY don't want two children in diapers. I can just imagine what my diaper pail would look and smell like at the end of the day with two children to change.

Thomas has been good about sitting on the potty when we ask him to and going IF we put him there. Tammy, my wonderful daycare provider, has a daily routine on the potty and he goes most days, but by the time you take off his pull-up he is soaking, so....

He wanted to play around in the bathroom (without any pants on) the other day and I told him we could put big boy underwear on. He was excited, picked out his own pair and then proceeded to pee in three subsequent pairs. Finally the third pair stayed dry. I caught on to his "I've got to go" signals and now in the afternoons we put on a pair and pee in the potty.

Going # two is another story. For that he just likes to hide, and most times I get so preoccupied I don't realize he has quieted down to poo until it is too late.

So, in the midst of my first attempts at potty training I am constantly reminded of the many lessons of charity and unconditional love that parenting is teaching us.

Cats are people too.

2009-01-12T14:13:00.008-05:00

First of all I want everyone to recognize the cute and cuddly nature of my cat, Cordelia. She's fat, lazy, finicky, and furry. She is a wonderful cuddle cat, see....

Now, my mantra is that cats are people too. They have their own personalities, quirks, and tendencies and they deserve the same respect as humans while they are in my house. Everyone must acknowledge our cats as members of our family and love them the same. We have two cats. The first, Cordelia is about 5 years old now and she became a member of our family a year after Nick and I were married. She is MY cat primarily and Nick will tell you it is because we act alike in many ways (which I will now deny considering the events I will discuss later). Then when Thomas was about 9 months old we found a kitten for him; a yellow cat named Spooky. This cat IS Thomas' cat because he is rambunctious, funny, and loving, just like Thomas. He also chases the neighbors dog around the yard so we can add daring and brave to the list.

Needless to say we love our cats and consider them in all we do, so on Sunday afternoon as I was cleaning the litter box (yes, I know I'm not supposed to when pregnant, but I do anyway) I began wondering why the room still smelled like ammonia and urine even after I was done. First off, Nick is completely opposed to litter boxes, he is adamant about the cats doing their business outside (which Spooky does anyway), but we used to have dogs and Cordelia never went outside because of her delicate and fragile nature(this is the part she gets from me) and the dogs were horrible back then. On top of this delicate and fragile nature she is very particular about her habits and when we added Spooky to the family she decided she did want to poop in the same litter box as him and began leaving her dropping right outside the box, which I have been wiping up for about a year (you may be thinking "crazy cat lady" right about now).

So, as I began pondering the smell issue on Sunday afternoon, I realized there were stains on the wall behind the computer desk in the same room as the litter box. As I investigated further, I discovered Cordelia has been much more naughty than just pooping on the floor, she had started her own private litter box all over the room.

At that point in my "peaceful" Sunday afternoon I was renouncing my "cats are people too" mantra. I found Cordelia lounging lazily on the top of the couch, tossed her outside and told her she could stay outside forever for all I cared. She meowed at the door for awhile, hid from the neighbor's dog while he barked and this morning (after staying out all night in the cold) was crying like a baby outside the door (literally, I thought is was Thomas in his room) .

I had to pull the furniture out of that room (I made the boys do it), scrub the carpet with cleaner then vacuum that up and finally I tackled the stains on the bottom of the wall. I still am not satisfied with knowing there are set in urine stains, but at least I tried to rid the room of the smell.

I will have to see how forgiving I am of my cat peeing all over the carpet. It seems I am now potty training my two year old son and my five year old cat. Cordelia will just have to lose some of her precious delicate nature and start going outside to relieve herself!

Just a few updates

2009-01-05T08:40:00.001-05:00

School is starting back which means vacation is over. After two weeks at home with my two year old, I am confident in my decision to be a working mom. I go stir crazy after a while and pack up my kid and head to the Mall which is NOT close to my house just to have something to do. So here I am at work and feeling a bit more normal.

The Giggey family had a Christmas that was one of transitions. Nick and I have been alone for Christmas for so many years that it has taken us awhile to create and develop traditions for our growing family. This year was a "tester" year. We changed dates of extended family meetings, discussed (we really had a argument, but it was all in good faith) about how to buy presents and for whom and what was important about presents. Nick would not buy anything if left up to him. So Thomas recieved an investment gift from us and my parents. We bought him a playset for our yard. The weather has been perfect over the holidays for him to play on it everyday.

Christmas morning was simple; just blueberry muffins and small gifts under the tree and in our stockings. Thomas favorite gift was his set of Harley Davidson model bikes and die cast Tonka trucks. He doesn't go anywhere without one and plays with them constantly. I love having boys; they are so easy to please.

Next year we may add a few more traditions to the list. Nick wants to sing happy birthday to Jesus and I want to set up a Nativity set on Christmas eve and tell the story of Jesus' birth. Christmas is a work in progress.

In other news, we are also adjusting to a new (teenage) member to our family. Cole, our nephew, is officially a member of our family now. I spend most of my time with teens at school, so they are not a new species to me and I have had the least problem with this adjustment. Cole is a great kid and Thomas has a friend at home all the time. He eats alot and occasionally forgets to clean up after himself, is always on the phone with his girlfriend, and is a constant source of amusement because teens are so clueless. We hope this new year will be his year to take on some responsibility. We are helping him to get his GED and enroll in tech school or college and find a job (not all at the same time of course). I know having him in our home will be a blessing to us and him.

So the new year begins with growth. I am thinking about taking Jennifer's advice and adopting that word for 2009. GROWTH New baby, new teen, adding on to our house, Nick's business finally growing (we have work now!!!) and lots of mommy love growing within me. I am glad to have a big family now, It makes me feel.... complete.

Birthday party humbug?

2008-12-23T11:13:00.001-05:00

Thomas turns two and mommy is trying to decide if she is a humbug about birthday parties.

Don't get me wrong the party was great. Lots of kids, family and friends, LOTS of cake, and presents to play with.

The problem is I have a December baby and I'm starting to wonder what is the best way to have a birthday party so close to all the Christmas uproar. During the two weeks surrounding Christmas we visit 3 different parts of our family and open presents, eat, visit, etc.

I just don't want Thomas' birthday to get lost in all the other Christmas stuff, and I don't want Christmas to get lost in all the presents and frivolous things. So what is a mommy to do? How do I celebrate Thomas' birthday and make it special and still keep the spirit of Christmas without losing my mind?

By the way, Thomas is a future biker rock star. What is a Mom to do?

Baby names

2008-12-15T14:22:00.000-05:00

We have officially decided on a name for new baby Giggey. Since we are having another boy the list of names was pretty small since it was the names left over from choosing Thomas' name. But a surprise name came up.

I love old names, traditional names. I would never name my child something fashionably forward. So way back when Nick and I started with a list of family names like, Samuel, James, William, Daniel, Pate, etc. But I took out my Pedigree charts for one last look this time and added the name Noah to the list.

Noah was my great,great, great grandfather on my dad's side of the family. No one that I know of is named after him and he is a significant patriarch in the family. I have heard stories about him all my life.

As soon as Noah made it to list Nick and I knew that would be the baby's name. I love when you get such a positive and spirit filled feeling about something like that. And everyone else loves the name too.

So we will be welcoming Noah Pate Giggey to our family in March.

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

2008-12-09T10:09:00.000-05:00

The last four years we have forgone the Christmas Tree decoration in my house, which is too small to accommodate decorations anyway. For Christmas four years ago we went to Disney World and I decided I didn't want to worry about decorations. My mother-in-law, Linda, thought otherwise and surprised us with a little fiber-optic tree all lit up when we returned home. It was so nice I have put that little tree on a stand and plugged it in every year since then. Thomas' first Christmas picture was taken next to it.

But this year I wanted to decorate a tree. Thomas is two and is old enough to help. So we checked the budget and bought a live tree to fit in our house (it was the smallest in the lot).

Needless to say, I began to rethink the fiber-optic tree as soon as the tree was in the house.
For one I forgot about all the needles everywhere, and the constant watering. I also had to put the lights on twice because I strung them up backwards.

But as soon as the decoration came out, Nick and I had fun watching Thomas discover Christmas decorating. This first thing he did was pull out the glass balls and throw them up in the air. Then we discussed what to do with those particular balls.

Then he found the santa claus hat.

And then he found the stockings and at first thought they were gloves. We explained they were stockings (like socks)...

Soon we were putting decorations up and now that it is all done, I'm glad we pulled out the decorations this year.

10 minutes in Heaven

2008-12-03T07:58:00.001-05:00

If I were a teenage girl I would say my 10 minutes in heaven would be locked in a closet with Edward Cullen... But alas, I am not a teenage girl.

So for this working mom, 10 minutes in heaven is the 10 minutes AFTER I hit the snooze button on the alarm in the morning.

Those are 10 precious minutes to sleep more, keep dreaming, or just lie in bed for 10 more minutes.

Sometimes I even have tiny little feet kneading into my side for those last 10 precious minutes in bed.

They go hand in hand

2008-12-01T14:27:00.000-05:00

Football and Thanksgiving.... What more can I say.

Twilight take two

2008-12-01T13:49:00.000-05:00

After going to see the movie on Saturday of opening weekend and coming home a little disappointed with the interpretation-- see treefortinouryard blog for similar feelings on the movie-- I decided I was going back for seconds. Nick was convinced that I was crazy for going to see the movie again because I didn't like it the first time, and as much explaining as I did, he still didn't get the concept.
But I convinced him to drop Deanna and I off Friday afternoon while he and Thomas went shopping.

I was much more satisfied the second time. I enjoyed the silly, cheesy scenes written in for the teenagers because I knew they would be there this time. I still have some problems with the screenwriting and hopefully those gliches will be fixed for the second movie New Moon.

For now I am enjoying the fact that I can imagine the two characters in their surroundings, and just like all the teenage girls that I teach, I want to go back and read the books, because they are much, much better.

Nesting Instinct

2008-11-26T11:06:00.000-05:00

Some natural instincts have to be quailed and restrained, but this one that arrives for me around 5 months of preganacy is a blessing.

I am NOT a housekeeper. I hate dishes, folding clothes, and especially the dreaded bathroom scrubbing. I get by every week with a vaccum, sweeping of the floor and general wipe down in the kitchen.

But at around 5 months of preganacy every scrap of dirt and unorganized mess in my house becomes my enemy. So today on my first day of Thanksgiving holiday after sleeping in two hours the first thing I did is start to tackle the mess.

Thomas follows me around the house and helps out with small things and continously says "clean up" and I have to answer in the affirmative everytime

Not to mention that I have already reorganized Thomas' baby clothes into suitable boxes according to size and season.

After the house cleaning I have tasked Nick to start reorganizing our storage shed so that baby stuff can come out and junk from the house can go in.

The nesting instinct may not be such a blessing for Nick, but at least my house gets a good cleaning.

So those of you who will be visiting my house after the baby is born just know that it is probably the cleanest it will look for a long time.

Try the pictures again

2008-11-25T15:45:00.001-05:00

so I told you I am new at this. Here is the picture of Thomas that you can't see:

We have arrived.

2008-11-25T15:17:00.000-05:00

Yes, the Giggey family does stay a little secluded, but we do live in Sylvester so please forgive us. After missing out on friends, and family asking about our lives, I've decided it was time to try my hand at blogging. If I can check up on friends from their blogs why can't I do my own?

So here's a few things happening with us:

Nick is currently working really hard at advertising his business (homebuilding and remodeling and pools), but we are currently in a construction dry spell.

I am working really hard at teaching, and fortunately my job will also be secure, sometimes I dare them to fire me, but there are no available English teachers for hire. We can't even find a certified teacher to take on Maternity leave when I and another English teacher leave next semester.

Thomas is working really at being 2 years old. His birthday is December 19th. I am planning a "chopper" party for him. He loves motorcycles.

Here are a few pictures to satisfy the relatives.

Just keep checking in to see updates on the Giggeys