Music to My Ears!

(I'll get to this picture in a minute...)

Today was one of the most nerve-wracking days I've had in a while...to say the least. I woke up after a rather sleepless night to find ice and sleet STILL falling! You see, I've been excited for and terrified of today since December 15th, 2008 (around 1:00pm to be exact). Anyway, Jeff comes home today around 12:45 to pick me up and our car gets stuck in the driveway...STRESSFUL!!! I am supposed to be at my appointment at 1:15 and we are NOT moving. We finally get unstuck (Thank you Chad Watson!!!) and this is when my heart rate begins to rise, for the first of many times.

Back to the picture. It is a Fetal Doppler Heart Rate Monitor. (Just a little clue)

I get to the doctor after trekking through snow, sleet, and ice. As I walk in the front door and go up the elevator again my heart rate rises...to the point breathing is not easy. They call my name and I find myself in a FREEZING room...thump thump, thump thump...After the routine height, weight, etc. I see this dreaded piece of equipment. (I had a bad experience about six months ago with this thing and the sight of it nearly sends me into a state of panic) The doctor starts to listen for a heart beat...and begins to laugh. She says, "I think I heard it but you really need to relax." Apparently MY pulse was so fast and loud it was masking what we were really listening for. A couple minutes later it was loud and clear...MUSIC TO MY EARS!!!!

....and to think around August 26, 2009, the Britton family will have one more member!

A Day (or week) as a Substitute Teacher

For the past two weeks I have been extremely busy as a "substitute teacher." Everyday is definitely an adventure!!! Here are a few things I have seen, heard, been asked in the past days...


(**Keep in mind I have been in classes that range from Special Ed. to 8th grade science....during the "human reproduction unit.**)


1. Watched the first 45 minutes of Ratatouille...SIX times in one day!

2. "Are you even old enough to teach?"

3. "What are ______?" -fill in the blank with any body part that you would be extremely uncomfortable discussing with a 13 year old.

4. "So you just got married?" Yes "So your pretty serious with the guy...???" -of course then the rest of the class burst into laughter!

5. "Are you actually from Britain?" No...it's just my name.

6. Had to remind a student to keep her mouth closed and swallow....so she wouldn't constantly drool on her desk (I am in no way making fun of the student! Sometimes I just look back on a day and I'm amazed with something I did all day and it didn't even faze me.)

7. Peeled an orange for a girl and got yelled at by her aide..."Now she'll be expecting something ELSE from me during lunch!!!!"......my blood began to boil. "THAT IS YOUR JOB!!!!"- I wanted to respond, but instead bit my tongue.

8. Played with play dough.

9. "Are you our sub?" Heard that a million times.

10. Had a birthday party for one of the MR girls! So fun to see the special ed kids with their party hats and noise makers. (They constantly remind me to find joy in the little things)

11. Caught my self talking loudly to a deaf student....it didn't help :-)

12. Trying to remember everything I knew about To Kill a Mockingbird

13. Had my seat saved for me in the lunch room everyday for three days straight....I just couldn't say no, the little girl was so sweet! (Other teachers may have given me funny looks, but I had fun!)

14. Harassed by eighth grade boys during "sex ed." I was so proud of myself....I don't think I even blushed once!

...the list goes on....many more in the months to come!!

thisiswaytoolongandcomplicatedtobeanemailaddress@something.com

So it's been a while since I've blogged...a lot has happened, I just can't seem to condense the highlights into a good blog!

I had SO much fun in Disney World! Thanks Tootie!
Christmas was great, as usual! I am so blessed to have wonderful families to share holidays with!

Anyway...I've started coaching club volleyball again (my fifth year...makes me feel old).
I always ask for the girls emails along with their phone numbers because it's easier for me to write a group email than to call 9 different homes and the 9 more cell phones....
So last night I sit down to get organized and put all the addresses into a "contact group" and I NEVER knew how long and "creative" 15 year old girls get with their emails?!

Here are some examples:

omgitstaylor2338@____.com
chihuahua_luverlol@___.com
diskochik3789@___.com
hfergie_catnip21@___.com
sorrydad93@___.com

**If you ever need help coming up with a quirky screen name, account name, or email let me know. I've got just the girls for you!