Hello, My Name is Jessica

...And American Idol makes me cry.

Not all the time. Just tonight.

And not just once. THREE times.

Once when I was telling J about Didi Benami and how she auditioned because her friend died.

Again when Angela Martin didn't make it through. I loved her the first year she auditioned and I really hope a record label scoops her up. I think it's probably for the best because now she can sign wherever she wants.

And a third time when Andy Garcia made it through.

Yes, I'm an Idol nerd. Oh, and I cannot WAIT for Glee to come back. Tuesdays = total awesomeness in April.

So here's my thoughts on AI9:

1. I think that this year a girl will win it. I think Andy Garcia or Mike Lynch will give the girls a run for their money, but ultimately a girl will take the title.

2. Top Girls:

a. Katie Stevens is a forerunner for the girls. I cannot believe she's 17. Holy mackeral she has amazing control of her voice.

b. Crystal Bowersox and awesome. She is real and I love that she's real. As I said to J tonight, "I luv her. Like, all capitals, lots of U's LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUV her."

c. I wanted Lacey in last year over Megan Joy.

d. Don't remember Paige Miles

e. Not sure how I feel about Siobhan. I think I wish her spot had been given to Angela Martin.

f. While I'm not a fan of country, I like Haeley's uniqueness, and Simon was right when he said she adapts well -- that's important in this competition.

3. Top Guys:

a. I read an article that said Michael Lynche was DQ'ed 'cause his dad talked to a newspaper about him making the Top 24. but they said he'd be performing next week, so it probably wasn't true. His little girl is precious, and I'm so glad that he made it to the Top 24 and that missing his daughter's birth didn't occur in vain.

b. Andrew Garcia = <3.>

c. I wish Thaddeus had made it though. He was a sweet kid.

d. There were a few guys that I didn't remember, and a few that I figure will be gone very soon (i.e. Tyler Grady and Alex Lambert). The former because we don't know who he is and the latter because even though he has a good voice, he has little to no stage presence. But he's cute, so he may have the teenage girl vote.

e. Even though he is going to be a major diva, I like Todrick Hall.

Two Weeks on the Job

And here's what I've realized:

1. I HATE corn. I mean, I like to eat it, but cleaning it up is a pain in the butt because you can't just sweep it up, LOL.

2. Naptime is the best time of the day.

3. I hope I only have girls. Potty training a boy will equal a LOT of pee on my bathroom floor.

So Nice to Breathe...

It's payday. Typically on payday, after I pay the bills, I have a slight panic attack: "How in the HECK are we going to make it on X amount of $$ for the next two weeks??"

Not this time.

Because I get paid next week.

Almost as much as we got paid today.

So nice to be able to breathe!!

(PS: I'm pretty proud of my new layout, so you should come out of Google Reader and check it out!)

Sooo Tired

Anyone ever worked in a room of two-year-olds? Yeah, it's EXHAUSTING. I mean, I'm used to running around after kids so that wasn't the shocker. I can do dirty diapers, I can do tantrums, etc. But multiply that by 13 and I'm ready for bed (and if you look at the time stamp on this entry, it's not even 9PM yet!)

So my new job is as a 2's teacher at a preschool in O'Fallon. They had combined all their two-year-olds into one class when enrollment dropped, but that meant you had kids who were one yesterday all the way up to kids who would be three tomorrow. That kind of an age gap. And if you have ever had kids, worked with kids, or remember BEING a kid, you know what kid of a difference that is mentally, socially, physically, and emotionally. So they're splitting 'em back up, which means they needed another teacher. Which is where I come in.

The ad I responded to on Craigslist called for someone with good parent communication skills (check!), able to create and execute lesson plans (check!), is flexible (check!), and organized (super big CHECK!). We corresponded all weekend and she asked if I could come in on Monday morning for an interview and a working interview. I mentioned it was my birthday and I had plans but would rearrange if needed but she said she needed the position killed ASAP. I think it worked to my advantage because she said, "Sorry you had to come in on your birthday." I was like, "It's all good... the way I look at it, if I get the job it'll be like the best birthday present ever."

Obviously I got it. And I'm ecstatic. We will actually have money. That lasts longer than two days! Oh, and I get paid on opposite weeks as J, which means we will actually have money coming in every week. How awesome is that???

Best. Birthday Present. EVER.

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's my birfday!

I'm 24 today. I poked fun at J for being 25 (a quarter of a century old) and he says just wait till next year, LOL.

Today we had a party with my in-laws. My father-in-law and his sister were born on New Years' Eve 2 years apart and Pam turned 50. She and her husband also celebrated 25 years together recently. Another of J's aunt also had a birthday recently so Pam thought we were getting together at O'Charley's for a small family birthday party, but her kids had invited any of their friends who were able to come and there was at least a good 40 people there. I didn't expect it to also be a birthday gift exchange for all of us, but I got gifts/ cards from Grandma & Grandpa, my FIL, and 3 aunts/uncles. It was a good time. (Oh -- and the Baked Penne Italiano there is to DIE for!)

I'm using birthday money to buy good tickets to see Casting Crowns in April with J. I wasn't able to go the last time they were in town, so I'm very excited about this. Just today between my FIL and my aunt (in-law), we got enough for one ticket. This concert is going to be AMAZING and I cannot wait!

Two of my friends on STLWed had their babies this past week. Congrats to Lisa on the arrival of Olivia on Monday 1/25 and Kristal on the arrival of Isaac on 1/27! Both moms and babies are doing well. Kristal has been fully up front and honest with us through her whole pregnancy, including her birth story, which I really appreciate. We are waiting till after our 2nd anniversary to even THINK about getting pregnant, but this gal still has babies on the brain -- MAJORLY. On a side note, J and I have been debating about whether or not we will find out the sex of our still not conceived, not even close, still hypothetical child. He says he doesn't want to be surprised, I do. He finally caved. We'll be surprised with our first. He says we'll find out our second, but I think we'll like the surprise so much that we'll do it again. This is, of course, God willing that we get pregnant with our own babies.

On a last note, I HAVE A JOB INTERVIEW IN THE MORNING!!! It's with a preschool in Winghaven for a 2's teacher. It's an interview/working interview, and let me tell you that it's the HARDEST time I've had deciding what to wear. I want to look professional, but at the same time, I'll be down on the floor with toddler, so I don't want to be too nice. Anyway, I'm excited and I really hope that they decide to give me the best birthday present ever!