What 40 weeks really looks like...and what our kids will *never* do....

Sure, sometimes I get dressed and do my hair. Sometimes I even put on make-up. But let's get serious...this usually only happens on Sundays.
Since Jack's due date has come and gone, I thought I'd share how I usually look...
Let's just say that Ben's boxers and skivvies have become my best friends. Oh, and it's really hard to find shirts that cover the whole belly. 

As if that wasn't enough belly exposure...I have something really exciting for ya'll to see.
So I know that this whole *parenthood* thing is going to be filled with all of my "I will never" or "Our kids will never" mantras getting thrown back in my face...here's a few I've already said that I know I probably won't be able to maintain:
-Our kids will never eat in the car.
-I will never yell at my kids in public.
-Our kids will never eat anything with hfcs, artificial dyes, preservatives, hormones, antibiotics....they will only eat kale. All day every day. Kale smoothies, kale juice, kale-pops, kale chips. You really can do a lot with kale!!! 
-I will never let my house turn into a Toy's-R-Us. Christmas will not be about who got the most toys. We will be serving meals to homeless people at a food shelter. Or handing out clean drinking water and hugs to kids in third world countries. Jack won't even know what a toy is unless he is at his grandparents house. 

Haha ok, so you get the point. I'm a little crazy. And most of those are slight exaggerations, but really I'm just crazy. 
I already know what you're thinking, "Her poor kids, they will never be able to just be 'kids'..." Welp, let me tell you--America's definition of letting 'kids be kids' has me perfectly fine with that. 

Anyways.
As soon as I got pregnant, I told Ben "If I start posting bare pregnant belly shots on the internet, please deactivate my facebook and don't let me anywhere near the computer." So I thought it would be fitting to start off this whole parenthood thing doing the thing I said I would *never* do...because I know as well as you do that one day I am going to find myself in Walmart, yelling at Jack while bribing him with toys and simultaneously bribing his sister with pop and M&M's. And then we are going to drive home in a car that has goldfish and french fries buried in the seats. *cringe*

40 week belly

What were some of your "I will never's" that went flying out the window??

The dress that got the job!

 Dress, Cardigan-The Limited/ Tights-Target/ Shoes: Laura Ashley-Carson Pirie Scott

 That post title doesn't lie--this girl got a full-time, welcome to the real world j-o-b! Woohoo!! Celebration time!! Shopping, anyone?!

Let me first just share 5 ways to know that without a doubt you want a job really bad:

1. Every time you tell someone about the interview, you first say, "I'm not even really telling anyone about it because I have no idea what my chances are.  I'm probably not even qualified.."
2. You bargain with God: Dear God, if you give me this job I promise I will still fit in my quiet time and be a really good wife....and even though it will mean I can't go to Women's Life anymore, I'll still listen to all the messages online... And then, shamelessly, on the morning of my interview: Our tithe would definitely increase and I know our church could put this money to good use... I mean really?!?! I apologized to Him after that one...
3. You call husband the morning of the interview: I don't think I'm going to go.  I just don't feel good..oh well! 
4. You lay out your outfit the night before, and then change it 3 times the morning of.
5. You are extra super nice to the secretary while waiting for the interview thinking that maybe it will help you get the job. She was really sweet, so it was easy.

I know, I am a bit ridiculous.  But I also know there are other people out there who have done some of these things, am I right??

While the job is not an English teaching position in a high school, it is a 'teaching in the form of giving classes' (plus other really cool aspects) position for some of the most amazing people I have ever met--military personnel and their families!  And I get to focus on a time that almost every military family goes through--deployment.  Yea, I pretty much scored the jackpot on this one!! 

So while I am SUPER excited about this new position, there are quite a few things I will miss about substitute teaching:

* Finding 'that school' where you fit in so well and feel at home when you walk in the doors.

* The entire staff that has been so amazing to me and made me feel so special.

* "Mrs. Shea, you are my favorite substitute teacher in the whole wide world."

* Getting pictures of cats drawn in crayon (of course after my students hear about my lovely two Okinawan beauties).

* Not having to prepare anything, and being able to leave at 2:45 without bringing any work home.

* "Mrs. Shea, you are beautiful.  How old are you, 20??"

* Knowing 95% of the students in the school and not being able to walk down the hallway without hearing, "That's Mrs. Shea, she's an awesome teacher."

* Being able to take time off whenever I want to.

And of course, things I won't miss about substitute teaching:

* Never having my own classroom.

* Did you forget to brush your hair today? I sometimes forget to do that too....said by 3rd grader.

* Hearing the jr. high students walk by and say, "Guys, we have a sub today in History!" and knowing this means that they will be ready to take the day off as soon as they enter the room.

The good definitely outweighs the bad, which is why this is such a bittersweet time.  But let me tell you, I am so ready for this position and so thankful that I trusted in God's timing.  Especially after that meltdown.  

And last, but not least, here is how Ben responded to my email (a forward of the offer email):

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNG!  THAT'S MY GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is going to be a great weekend! Hope yours is, too!!

Fashion Fridays...ummm what?!

shirt/skinny jeans: The Limited /boots: Macy's

having fun playing with the different editing options over at picmonkey!

 You may be asking, what in the world is she doing?!  Is she going to fight me in that last picture or did she just smell something really bad?! And if you are, that's okay.  'Cuz I am trying to figure it out, too. I have this amazingly fantastic friend who takes pictures of her outfits and came over and took pictures of me in my outfit.  It was really fun and kind of uncomfortable...but mostly fun! 
So I may/may not be starting a *fashion friday* themed post.  Don't hold me to it!!  It might be every Friday, some Fridays, or 1 Friday a year.  

But in the end, who doesn't love posing weirdly and pretending their famous while the camera is snapping like crazy?!
Oops--I almost forgot to mention that I am taking part in my very first give-away over at that friend's awesome blog!  And trust me, you don't want to miss it!!