Boy or Girl?

We had a very exciting news last week. On Thursday (9/25), Jason and I had the awesome experience of seeing the lastest member of the Sharp family during our ultrasound. We got to see the baby yawn and smile and wiggle all around. The baby was very active and so we got great pictures and great video clips.

The best news of all is that the radiologist said all looked normal and he saw no signs of an unhealthy baby. We were so relieved to hear that. That is the best news of all. We are so blessed to be so lucky!

Of course, then came the announcement everyone else was waiting for.....is it a boy or girl?

IT'S A GIRL!!!

We are very excited to be adding another princess to the Sharp household. Bailey is thrilled! She always wants to see the pictures of her baby sister and she is so proud to be a "big sister". She's still trying to grasp the baby living in my stomach. She thinks I can just take her out and put her back in whenever I want to. We are so glad that she is accepting her new sister so well.

Thanks to all for sharing our joy. Below are a few pictures of our angel.

The Path to Becoming A Teacher Has Begun

Hurricane Ike dominated our thoughts the last few weeks. However, one other exciting event that occurred is the start of my teacher certification program. I started on Wednesday, September 10th and it is going well. At first I was a little overwhelmed with all the activities, reading, and assignments. Now I have the hang of the online system and how it works and I'm moving right along.

Over the next 15 weeks, there are five courses to take. With the exception of the first course, all other courses contain approximately four to six different modules. These modules contains readings, assignments, and tests. Each module has to be completed weekly. In addition to the online work, we are also required to complete 30 hours of classroom observation.

On Sunday, September 14th, I completed my first course (the one without modules). It was an online induction course that included such things as introducing yourself, how to use the software, and simple research techniques to help make things easier in the online course and the classroom. I am proud to say that I made a perfect score (100%) in that course.

I have now moved on to the next course - English Language Arts. I have currently completed 4 out of the 5 activities in the first module. Due to Hurricane Ike, our due dates are going to be revised so I don't know exactly when Module One of this course will be due. However, I am hoping to stay on the original due dates so that I have flexibility when needed later on.

I am so excited to have started this journey. I will keep everyone up to date on my progress.

Hurricane Ike Aftermath

Thankfully Hurricane Ike is over. It hit landfall about 4 am Saturday morning and about the same time, our electricity went out. Luckily, our power was restored about 3 pm on Saturday so we were very fortunate for that. It was definitely a long 24 hours.

However, we are lucky ones. Hurricane Ike reaped havoc on our trees in the backyard - one uprooted, one bent, and a large limb was taken off another one. We also found one shingle in our yard and a bent rose bush. Other than that, nothing of significance. We did have water come through our chimney but only a little bit and only briefly so we think it just had to do with the amount of water blowing into the chimney. We will definitely keep an eye on it and have it checked out before winter just to be sure but we think it's nothing.

God was definitely with us during this ordeal and all is well here in the Sharp household. Bailey's school and our offices are closed until further notice so we are just enjoying a few days off to spend time together and do some household chores. I imagine life will be as we know it by the end of the week. Thanks for all your prayers. God heard them!

Hurricane Ike

Well, we are patiently awaiting Hurricane Ike to make landfall. As of now, they are expecting it to be a direct hit to Galveston which means we are in for an ugly 36 hours. We should start feeling the hurricane effects sometime early this afternoon. Ike is expected to make landfall around 7 am tomorrow. We are prepared for the worst but are hoping for some reprieve.

If you remember, it was almost 3 years ago this month that we were in the same position - me pregnant (although much farther along) anticipating a very horrific hit from Hurricane Rita. Luckily, Rita fizzled out right before she hit and we had about 5 or 6 hours of bad rain. Unfortunately, I am not feeling so confident regarding Ike.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We will keep you posted.

Potty Training Accident Tally

Bailey started a new class last Monday (8/25) and the teachers felt she was ready to use the potty like a big girl and wear panties. I'm not sure Bailey initially felt the same but she's coming around. The first week she cried every time she had to sit on the potty or wear panties. She even went so far as to say she didn't like Primrose anymore - which I knew was not true.

Soon enough, she was rushing out from the bathroom proudly yelling that she had used the potty. I have promised her a trip to the beach if she has no more accidents. (FYI - The beach really means to see Aunt Kathy and Kyle down in Corpus Christi with a brief outing to the beach.)

So....I've decided to keep an accident tally. Every day I will update this entry with the number of accidents she had that day. I'm doing it more for me than anything. This way I can tell when she has been consistent in not having accidents. Then....it's time for the beach! Keep your fingers crossed and I'll keep you posted. In all honesty, it really hasn't been as bad as I had anticipated. It's not fun but she's catching on pretty quick. Check back for the latest.

Mon 8/25 - 4
Tue 8/26 - 3
Wed 8/27 - 1
Thu 8/28 - 1
Fri 8/29 - 1
Sat 8/30 - 1
Sun 8/31 - 1
Mon 9/01 - 2
Tue 9/02 - 4
Wed 9/03 - 1
Thu 9/04 - 0
Fri 9/05 - 0
Sat 9/06 - 1
Sun 9/07 - 0
Mon 9/08 - 1
Tues 9/09 - 1
Wed 9/10 - 0
Thurs 9/11 - 1
Fri 9/12 - 0
Sat 9/13 - 2
Sun 9/14 - 0
Mon 9/15 - 1
Tues 9/16 - 0
Wed 9/17 - 0
Thurs 9/18 - 0

Update on 9/18/08: I am discontinuing the potty training tally. Bailey is down to no more than 1 accident a day (if that). The last three days she has had no accidents. So....I think we have seen enough progress in the two weeks since this has started that I'm comfortable saying - WE ARE POTTY TRAINED!!!

Matthew & Serene's Wedding

On Thursday, August 7th, Jason, Bailey, and I left the dogs in good hands with my in-laws (Phil & Frances) and headed to Vermont on a 6:30 am flight. We were on our way to Matthew's wedding to his beautiful fiance, Serene Rose. This was going to be a real family affair as my Uncle Jack and Aunt Linda were also flying in to attend the wedding.

Thursday night we went to the Rehearsal Dinner at Tanglewoods Restaurant in Waterbury Center, Vermont. It was our first chance to meet Serene. We enjoyed a great dinner and getting to know our future sister-in-law.

Friday morning the girls (Grandma, Marleigh, Aunt Linda, me, and Bailey) all went to get our hair done for the wedding. After looking fabulous, we went back to Grandma's to await the joyous event.

Finally the time came to head to the church. Matthew and Serene were married at Green Mountain Community Alliance Church in Duxbury, Vermont. It was a very quaint ceremony. Mark was Matthew's best man and Serene's brother Luke was one of his groomsmen. Christopher was the ring bearer and Bailey and Marleigh were the flower girls. I was blessed to read a passage over the happy couple. My chosen passage was 1 Corinthians 13:4-13. By 5 pm EST on Friday 8/8/08, Serene had become Mrs. Matthew LeBlanc and our family was blessed with a wonderful addition to the family.

The reception was held at one of the bridesmaid's homes. It was a really fun event. The couple seemed so happy and everyone was in great spirits. The weather was beautiful and the rain held off. We could not have asked for a more perfect setting. Although I loved celebrating the joy of the newly married couple, my favorite part of the evening was the dancing part. Bailey found her groove on and danced for about 90 minutes. At one point, she even found a young (and I mean very young) man to be her dance partner. It was a moment I will never forget.

After the reception, Matthew & Serene were off for a mini-honeymoon while we had a little R&R at Grandma's. Saturday evening we also had an early birthday celebration for Grandma & Uncle Jack. Sunday evening they joined us at Mom and Mark's for a steak dinner. Baby Sharp was not cooperating very well so I was a little under the weather. It was nice visiting with them once again before we left.

We spent the rest of our time hanging out at Grandma's and visiting the family. The only downside to the wedding trip was that we ended up getting delayed due to weather and had to stay two more nights with Grandma. Although Bailey was not too disappointed (nor was Grandma), we had hoped to get home so that Phil & Frances could spoil Bailey one more day before they had to leave. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had different plans and we just had to enjoy the time we had.

Congratulations, Matthew & Serene. May God bless you as you embark on this new journey together.

Exciting News

Well, as if the Sharp family hasn't had enough change and excitement the last month. Now....we have more news.

WE ARE PREGNANT!!!

I am currently expecting our second child and am due February 13th. We are very excited about our little Valentine's gift.

We will keep everyone updated on our newest journey into parenthood.

Latest and Greatest

I know it's been over a month since I last blogged. And then to top it off, I still have not gotten our Hilton Head pictures out but I'm working on it. We've had a couple exciting news items in the Sharp household recently and I wanted to share that.

First and foremost, my brother is getting remarried. He has met someone who he has fallen madly in love with and wants to spend the rest of his life with. Her name is Serene. Apparently, she has formed a bond with both Christopher and Marleigh as well so that is very good news. The wedding is going to be Friday, August 8, 2008 in Vermont (of course). We are very excited about this and look forward to the big event. Although we have not met her yet, we are quite certain that we will love her, too.

Secondly, after 6 1/2 years, I have resigned from BMC Software. My last day is Tuesday, July 8, 2008. I have decided that at 35 years of age, it is time to decide what to do with the rest of my life. I'm quite certain tax is not it. I have been discussing with BMC working part-time on a contract basis through mid-December to transition my knowledge and help with the return. I have agreed if we can hammer out the contract specifics. I plan to work no more than 3 days a week (a maximum of 20 - 25 hours per week).

Finally, I am going to work on my teacher certification in the fall. It is all online except for 15 hours of classroom observation. I will finish the coursework by December and am hoping to take the exams and be ready to teach next fall (2009). I am basically getting certified as a generalist (meaning I could teach any subject) from Kindergarten through 8th grade. My hope is that I will be able to teach Math at the 4th - 8th grade level. I will definitely keep everyone posted on that as I am just starting the application process. I appear to have all the credentials required according to their website so it's just a matter of submitting the application and waiting for acceptance. I have to get my transcripts from LSU and UH but once received, I will hit send on the application. They stated it takes approximately 10 business days to get either an acceptance or a rejection so I am hopeful I will have an answer by the end of July. If I am accepted, I can either start in early August or in early September. At this point I am shooting for early September as the August session starts right before the wedding. I'd hate to fall behind my first week.

So...that's the latest and greatest from the Sharp household. We hope all of you are doing well!

One Week and Counting

I realize that I have been MIA for about 6 weeks. However, for those who are closest to me, you realize that this is year end at BMC. For those who aren't sure what I mean, it's misery. I can think of no better word to describe it but misery. (Well, I probably could but I don't like writing things you might regret.) It's the time of year I hate my job and do our budget over and over again to decide not if but when I'm giving notice.

We are frantically working to close the books and get our 10K out the door. April was a blur. May has been better but still not quite "fun" here at work. Too many closed door meetings and grumpy moods.

Luckily, the count down has begun. The 10K should be filed some time this week - it might be Friday at 5 pm - but it'll be done. Until then............misery calls.

Kentucky

Last weekend we took an extended weekend trip to Richmond, Kentucky to visit Jason's parents, Phil & Frances. It was the first trip to Kentucky for both Bailey and I so we were very excited about seeig Kentuky and where Grandma Frances & Grandpa Phil lived. We had a wonderful time!

Saturday, March 29th

We left Houston about 11 am and got to Lexington about 2:30 pm (they are one hour ahead of us Texans). The plane ride was uneventful and Phil & Frances were waiting for us at the airport. We decided to grab lunch at Big Boy. It was my suggestion as we used to eat at Bob's Big Boy in California when visiting my family as a child. I hadn't been there in a while but the food was good. After eating, we were off to Richmond (which is about 45 minutes away). On the way home, we passed by the University of Kentucky campus (I know - boo Wildcats!) and got a ride-along tour of Richmond. When we got home we all relaxed and Bailey immediately found a play mate in her Grandma Frances. Frances cooked us a nice meal for dinner and then we were off to bed.

Sunday, March 30th

Today Grandma Frances and Grandpa Phil were kind enough to let Jason and myself sleep in - until almost 11. Yeah! When we woke up we decided to head to Cracker Barrel for breakfast (a very late breakfast mind you). Afterwards, we went to the park at Lake Reba. The playground was huge and Bailey had a blast. Later that evening, Jason and I went on a date. We started at Arby's as my in-laws are too far out to have high speed internet. Jason, the diligent employee that he is, needed to do about 20 minutes worth of work so we had lunch while he worked at Arby's. (Can you believe Arby's has free wi-fi???) After deciding we weren't in the mood for a movie, we drove out to Paint Lick, Kentucky which is where Jason's grandparent's lived. Paint Lick is a don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it kind of town but it was nice to hear the stories of his childhood. Afterwards, we went to have dinner at Outback. (Yes, lots of eating!) Bailey had a great time with Grandma Frances & Grandpa Phil while we were out. She definitely got spoiled!

Monday, March 31st

Today we had a family reunion of sorts at The Sandwich Shop. Frances is one of nine children. Unfortunately, all but 3 have passed away. However, there were about 15 or 16 of immediate and extended family that were able to get together. Jason really enjoyed catching up with his family and Bailey and I enjoyed meeting everyone. After lunch, Jason's cousin Victoria (who is in 8th grade) wanted to spend the afternoon with us. We went to the mall and then went to see Horton Hears a Who! in which Bailey fell asleep for almost the entire movie. That was the best admission we've ever paid! Afterwards, we dropped Victoria off and headed home for some pizza (Bailey's request) and a relaxing evening.

Tuesday, April 1st

Today was our last day and we decided to spend it just hanging out. Our plane wasn't scheduled to leave until 6:30 pm. Frances made us a great breakfast and then Phil went to get me some Krispy Kreme (yummy!). We went to the lake in their neighborhood and fed the catfish and just hung around the house. Bailey was in dire need of a nap and wouldn't take one (imagine that) so Jason and I made a quick trip to the local Wal-Mart. She was asleep before we got there. We decided to go ahead and head into Lexington and let her sleep as it was already 3:30 by this time. As soon as we had loaded up the car, she woke up. We thought it best to go ahead and go into town. When we arrived at the airport, we discovered out plane was delayed until 8 pm. Luckily, they had a "kiddie" section before security so Phil and Frances stayed with us at the airport killing time. Finally, the time came to board our plane and we were off. Aside from a few clean air pockets on our descent (in which Jason spilled orange juice all over himself), the plane ride was very smooth and Bailey was an angel.

Another great trip but home sweet home!