Life is...

...exciting yet exausting!

The first week of school has come and gone. Kayley loves her teacher, her class and her friends. She has adjusted well to her classroom and I enjoy hearing all about the different responsibilities she has during the day. She told me about the two class turtles. One is named Snap (because he snaps at ya) and the other is called tarantula. This I didn't understand because they used to have a tarantula and it died. Perhaps they named the turtle that in memory of the hairy spider. Who really knows for sure?

I will still walk her to her classroom next week even though she requested that she be dropped off and walk on her own to her class like "all the bigger kids do." Pfft. It's obvious she needs no emotional support and because of that, I need emotional support! She also requested that she have dessert in her snack like "all the other kids do." Cuz we eat dessert with snack, right? No way man. I put six mini marshmallows in her baggie and explained that we don't eat dessert everyday nor do we always do what everyone else does. Kayley got a kick out of the fact that last week the parents had to do homework by filling out paperwork and she doesn't get homework until Monday. Of course, I did my homework and turned it in on time.

So after Cole and I take Kayley to class we walk back over the bridge and, on school days, hop in the car and head for preschool. Drop off has been a breeze! He loves school and he's been so great. He sits still in circle time and really doesn't get in much trouble. His favorite thing to do is tell me what he had for snack. Not like that comes as a surprise to anyone:)

In other news, I went to the doctor two more times this week bringing my total visits since April to a whopping 18! The first was to the plastic surgeon to get my stitches out, the second to the dermatologist for a not so fun, bare it all kind of mole check. I got three more scraped off to biopsy and man, I could really use a good report on those. The other wounds are healing nicely and don't bother me much anymore.

I have two more days with Katie, one with Matthew and then I'll be done with daycare for good. I'm excited to get my fingerprints done on Wed and then start work the following week. Whew, and I have my class that's keeping me busy too! Life is crazy, man. Long gone are the nice, slow days at home with my infant and toddler.

Today we had a garage sale and made over a hundred dollars! Joanna and my parents also made out with some good cash. It was a good turnout for a scorching day. And it was quite funny to see Cole tell people they couldn't have his stuff!

Last but not least, I'm soooo looking forward to the trip we're taking for our anniversary. I called my great uncle to see if we could use the apartment that's attached to the vacation home they have up in Big Bear. He called me back and said we could use the house instead! We're going to take our bikes and spend a whole day mountain biking on snow summit and have a nice fancy dinner to celebrate 6 years!

I know there have been lots of words and no pictures but I'll do my very best to get some pictures up this week.

Ten On Tuesday/School Starts

1. Cole started school yesterday. He was so great and didn't have any problems with hitting or throwing fits!

Happy Cole getting ready for school

Chillin'

This one is washed out but I like it anyway

His cubby in the Hoppy Helpers classroom

This is what he did the second we went outside. He had no problems with me leaving. In fact, I think he preferred I not even come pick him up!

2. Today I heard Cole toot in the bathroom. It sounded really nasty so I go in the bathroom to find his fart squirted wet green "stuff" from his bottom all over the floor, the bathroom door, his underwear and his hand. Clearly a product of Eggs and Things.

3. Tyler sold his surfboard last night. I'm so glad because we needed the money.

4. My college class really isn't hard at all and I actually enjoy reading the ridiculously overpriced textbook that goes along with it. It was $130.

5. Krista, Cole and I went out to breakfast with Lindsay and Hunter this morning. Hunter is so squishy, I love it!

6. Kayley Autumn Batten is now a Kindergartner!



Finishing up getting dressed for school



Ready to go minus the backpack



Ready to go!



Showing me her backpack



I told her to do something silly!



Posing with Dad



Here's her classroom!



She had to go find her spot



Beginning her first task



Posing one more time



Her backpack in its place



7. I didn't cry when Kayley went to school. I mean, I feel the sad/happy emotions but no tears for me. I guess I could take that as a God-given peace that she's right where she should be.

8. Ok guys, real funny. I have to get the kids up at 6:45 every day? This new schedule will take some getting used to!

9. I'm so not looking forward to getting back to the gym. I really just want to quit but I'm not going to. I could really use a gym buddy.

10. This has been a great, daycare free day. Only five more days to go until no more kids in my home (except my own, of course).

Life Update

Hey guys. It's been a long time since I've updated, I know. It has been a whirlwind lately and it won't stop for another couple of weeks I'm afraid.

I survived my surgery. I really wasn't scared. I was more afraid of the needle going in my arm for the iv. It wasn't so bad, even if they did label me a "hard stick." I was sent off into happy land and into the surgery room and back out before I knew it. The stitches on my left upper back are three inches long and the one on my middle back is one inch long. I feel like I got a face lift on my back and if I stretch my stitches will come loose. I can't bend or reach using the same muscles so my back is sore as well as wounded. Darvoset was not made for my body so I get very loopy and shakey when I take it during the day but at night it helps me sleep like a baby. I've managed a couple of great nights of sleep so I feel rested. I go in next week for the stitches to get removed and to find out if they got all the melanoma.

In other news, I start a new job on Sept. 8th! This all happened really fast so if you don't know about it yet, don't get all crazy and text me and ask me why I didn't inform you, k? K. I'm going to be working mornings at Kids Corner! Cole will be going full time to the preschool while I work and Kayley will be in school. I'm sad to say goodbye to Katie and Matthew but this way I can work half day and still make about the same amount of money. It was amazing how the details worked themselves out; the hand of God no doubt! In order to work there as an aide I had to enroll in a child development class. I registered yesterday an hour before the first class and Tyler pushed me out the door to get there on time. It was all so sudden and I haven't been to school since Hil and I chummed it up and got a sense of who's here in Sociology (haha Hil) before Kayley was born. I was freaking out but after some breathing excersizes (with help from Theresa) I realized that it's no biggie. I'm pretty sure the class will be easy for me.

So, Kayley starts school next Tuesday and Cole starts on Monday. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. There are so many changes going on in our lives and I'm seriously only hanging onto my sanity by a thread!

I'm so excited to see Hunter and Lindsay and Zach!

So besides all that, nothing's really going on around here. Oh, and I'll post some pictures soon.

Visiting With the Batten Clan

This afternoon we had Aunt Lisa, Noah, Corey, Raeleen and baby Zoe over. Here are some pictures from our time spent together.

All the Batten grand kids
(Zoe is clearly trying to escape)

Again...

And again...why is it so hard to get a good one!

Corey, Raeleen and Zoe

Baby Zoe already sucks her thumb and she's only 4 days old!

Me and my baby wanting googly eyes directed at Tyler

This one was actually taken at the hospital. I just love any picture of Tyler holding a baby.

Birthdays, Fun Times and Not So Fun News

Welcome to the world, Zoe Drew Batten! She was born last night after 18 hours of labor!

Happy Birthday Peyton!

Me, Kim, Peyton and all that follow behind me went to the pool yesterday. I love watching Peyton with her one top toothed smile and her devouring of two pieces of pizza at dinner. Seriously one of the cutest kids I've ever come in contact with in my life. I love her.

I talked with my dermatologist last night about my biopsied moles. I have one that's not an issue, one benign melanoma and one is malignant melanoma. So I basically have skin cancer on my upper left back. It's only .25mm deep which means I have stage 1 melanoma. Stage 0 is removed with just taking the mole off. I wish it were that. I have to have surgery to remove this one and also to remove more of the benign one. I can't help but feel anxious about it but I'm still trusting in God on this one. I know I'll be fine but there is a possibility that it could be a bad stage 1 that they treat like a stage 2 (more than just surgery, including medication). The mole has been there a long time and my regular doctor has mentioned I get it checked a couple times. I'm really more annoyed that I have one more thing to deal with in my ever-stressful and ever-eventful life. I just wanted to focus on finishing summer and getting Kayley ready for school, without more doctor visits. I'm just going to be thankful that they caught it before it went any deeper. Thank you Jesus!

And for goodness sake people, put on sunscreen when you go outside!