Slow Down, Summer!

I've spent the last week or so attempting to simplify and organize my classroom and my home so that I can have a smooth school year, free of stress.  I get like this...every year.  Frantic to get it all in order before the madness begins.  It never lasts long.  My to do list only gets longer.  I check something off only to add something on.  We've been buying old furniture to paint and put in our bedroom.  I'm a little concerned that when August 14th rolls around and I have to go back to the real world, my dresser will still be sitting on my patio unpainted, and I'll be choosing my outfits from the piles in my floor.  My classroom, though less cluttered than it's been in the couple of years, looks like a tornado has passed through it.  As I type, I'm thinking I need to write myself a note to order ribbons and tattoos for football season.  And in the midst of all the chaos, I'm trying to soak up every minute with the funniest toddler I know.  Nothing is as good as a "big squeeze" and her saying, "I got you, Mommy!"

I don't remember the last time I blogged.  But I think B and I celebrated our anniversary since then.  We had a few childless days at the beach.  Ahhhhh.  A book, a cold Coke Zero, excellent company, people watching, naps, and a tan.  We enjoyed it.  I'm so thankful for B.  I often think about how things played out in God's timing.  He's the sweetest husband and a great daddy.  He's just right for me.  He keeps me calm and sane when I don't feel calm OR sane.  He gives Ella Kate her bath on the nights when I just need that 5 minutes to myself.  I'm not telling you he doesn't make me really mad sometimes or that he's perfect.  But he is top of the line and I'm thankful I get to be his wife.

It's thundering and raining and it's almost my bedtime.  So with all the frantic "get it all done" feelings I have swirling in my head, I think I'll just make a list for tomorrow and hit the sack, and enjoy going to sleep listening to the rain.

A Flea Market Run, a Visit to Pop's, and 1 E.R. Trip Later...

Cheerleader camp was a huge success!  I am sooooo proud of my girls.  They competed in Home Pom, Camp Champs Cheer, and Camp Champs Xtreme Routine and placed first in all three!  They also received the leadership award for camp!  They have WORKED this summer and it was evident.  It was a great week and I'm so happy to be showering without shoes again.  

Yesterday we spent some time in the pool before B headed off to football.  Ella Kate and I decided to hit up a few flea markets and found ourselves in Opp.  We found nothing special so we decided to swing by Pop and BeBe's before coming home.  All was well until Ella Kate took a little spill and hit her head on the couch leg.  There was blood...lots of blood.  She was screaming.  I was trying to hold it together.  See, I'm a calm person for the most part.  But something came over me and I began to gag and feel faint.  My daddy drove us to the emergency room.  Ella Kate and I rode in the back.  Both of us had a wet washcloth...seriously.  I thought we were going to have to pull over for me to hurl.  I knew she would survive.  It was just the combination of her being upset and the blood coming from the gash in her head.  I'm not sure how long we were at the hospital, but it was long enough for my husband to leave Goshen and get back to Jack to pick up his truck, then drive to Opp.  A little glue and some steristrips later, we went back to Pop's to eat chicken, per EK's request, and came home.  It was quite a night.  We all slept til 9 this morning.  

She's fine this morning and we're getting ready to go for our first haircut.  Hopefully, I'll handle that better than I did the transition to the big girl bed.  Happy Tuesday!

A Week-Long Staycation

This week has been extra marvelous.  On Monday, B and I spent the day shopping while Aunt Mary Sue kept Ella Kate.  We were happy.  Ella Kate was happy.  And I'm certain Aunt Mary Sue enjoyed herself too.  It was a win/win situation for all parties involved.  We enjoyed the day together, but felt like we were forgetting something every time we got in the truck.  

We grilled streaks on Tuesday with the family.  B grilled in between hail storms.  Literally.  Wednesday, we struck out bright and early for the beach with B's brother, Garret, and his fiance', Courtney.  Ella Kate was pumped about the "beach" and about the company.  All looked well until we arrived and the thunder began.  And continued.  And continued.  So we caught up on Kendra re-runs until it quit raining enough to get out on the beach.  We stayed several hours.  Ella Kate loved playing with "G and Corney".  Thank you for entertaining her.  We're taking you from now on.  We had dinner and started home with hopes that Ella Kate would be out for most of the trip.  She did go to sleep but it was somewhere between Opp and Elba.  

Thursday, we visited with old friends in the friendliest city in the South, Luverne.  Oh, how I've missed The Chicken Shack.  And my friends.  Dinner was great.  And I thoroughly enjoyed riding around town before we came home.  It made me a little sad.  I made some really good friends while I was there so visits are always bittersweet.  I could do a whole post on how good those people were to me when I moved there fresh out of college, knowing not a soul...My first year of teaching was one big blur and I felt like my kids were a science project of trial and error.  My administrators were the BEST.  And my colleagues were way fun...(is that a phrase?)  We also loved our church family.  So going back, even if only for dinner, brings back so many memories.  Life was definitely simpler then.  But life brought changes, most of them for the best.  Still, I am grateful for my time spent there.  It was just what I needed at that time in my life. 

In closing, a little shout out to my "husband of the year" who snorkeled around the pool until he found my missing pearl earring this afternoon.  They're just earrings, but they were his gift for me to celebrate Ella Kate's arrival.  I was slightly upset when I realized I'd lost it.  But he snorkeled until he found it.  I think I'll keep him.  

I'm off to camp next week.  I'm certain I'll have good stories to share when I return.  Until then...

Sentimental Post Ahead...

Night #2 in a big girl bed...really????  My mom informed me earlier this week that Ella Kate was attempting to throw her leg over the rail of the crib.  So I put her in the bed that night and told her to go for it.  She didn't bat an eye.  She threw that leg up and over.  So, sadly, the crib was converted to a big girl bed last night.  I cried.  When did this happen?  I feel as if I just brought her home from the hospital.  I'm tearing up again as I type.  I wouldn't say I'm overly sentimental.  But I'm having issues about this bed.  My husband in the middle of my tears says, "and next it'll be a full size bed".  I didn't find that very comforting.  She's done well.  There is no rail so last night we put the bean bag beside the bed.  That's where we found her about 3 this morning...sound asleep.  I was worried she wouldn't stay in bed.  But at this point I'm not sure she knows she can get out.  She is quite the sleeper these days.  Based on her first week in this world, I would never have expected this.  She's in bed around 8 and sleeps until 8.  It makes for a happy mommy and daddy.  I LOVE being home with her this summer.  She's changing so much so fast and I don't have to miss it...at least for a few months.

Next week is a full week off at our house.  No practice.  No workouts.  No plans.  Nothing.  YES!  And then it's off to camp for a week.  Summer, slow down.

I sat out back one night this week watching B and Ella Kate play in the yard.  I thought as I watched them how different life was just 5 short years ago.  It was kind of a rough summer then...one where I was wondering if God had any big plans for my life or if I should go ahead and join the convent.  But, my how things have come full circle.  We've been married almost 4 years, and it's far from perfect, but it's fun (most days).  And being a mommy is one of the very best things I have ever done.  It sure threw a kink in our orderly little lives the first few months, but she's so worth it.  I get stressed.  I get tired.  I get tired.  Did I say that twice?  I meant to.  I get mad.  But my cup is so full tonight.  (I think it's the big girl bed thing.)  It's not that it's perfect.  It's that it's far more than I deserve.

Wishing each of you a relaxing Fourth of July holiday with your families...

Birthday Fun

We kicked off a big birthday week on Thursday with B's 30th.  We celebrated by going to swimming lessons, and he headed off to football workouts.  EK and I did make him dinner and a birthday cake.  He also got a candle in his cinnamon roll that morning.  Because birthdays are a celebration of a life, I'll take a minute to tell you that I am so thankful for Bradley.  He came along at the perfect time (although at the time I  thought he was late).  He had a ton of patience in the beginning when I told him I couldn't handle him calling everyday or coming by all the time.  He stuck with me, and I'm so thankful.  He is the most patient man I know.  Often when I expect exasperation from him, I get a joke or a smile instead.  He probably couldn't say the same about me.  You are an awesome Daddy and the sweetest husband.  We're thankful for you.

Friday was my 31st birthday. (Yes, Bailee D., I would be considered a cougar.)  We had a lazy day of swimming lessons and pool time at Papa's.  I got to sit outside all by myself and read during naptime.  It was interrupted only briefly when our child ate her diaper rash cream, forcing us to call poison control.  She's fine now.  For a few minutes B and I were not.  We had dinner with my parents and my brother at a little place in Defuniak Springs called Mom and Dad's...best Italian food you will ever eat.  We laughed ALOT and went to Walmart because we never go to Mom and Dad's and not go to Walmart.  It's just a given.

Saturday, the birthday celebrations continued with a trip to Mobile for B and I.  We stayed at The Battlehouse downtown...loved it!  We ate some great seafood when we arrived at lunch and hung out at the pool until our room was ready.   That night, we headed off to a surprise 30th birthday party for our friend, Morgan.  Morgan and B grew up together and shared a birthday celebration at VBS each year.  I got to know Morgan for the first time when she sang in our wedding.  A couple of years later, I started teaching with her Mom.  We text occasionally, and we say that if we lived closer, we might actually be good friends.  She's precious.  So when we got the invite for her party, we decided to make a weekend of it.  I laughed so much last night my cheeks are still sore today.  I witnessed my husband singing Friends In Low Places karaoke style with Morgan's husband (who is also a coach).  I'm not sure, but I would bet they talked sports at some point last night.  They did a good duet!  I'm thinking we may take them on the road soon.  Seriously, I was impressed.  We had a blast, Matt and Morgan.  Oh, I wish we all lived closer.  We ended the night sitting in our hotel room eating McDonalds at midnight just because we could.

We drove home this morning, and we all really need a nap, although someone who shall remain nameless is being less than cooperative about this.  It was an extra good weekend.  Here's to a good week as well.

A Whirlwind of a Weekend

Ahhh...a quiet Monday morning.  I mentioned in my last post that we were planning a small get together from B's brother and his fiance'.  I did not mention that it was going to be held in our backyard with an 80% chance of rain.  On Friday morning we rented a tent (just in case).  It was a good thing.  It rained off and on all day, but about 2-3 hours before the party, the bottom fell out.  And it came to a stop just in time.  We thoroughly enjoyed it the night.  

I guess it was sort of a weekend of celebrations.  On Friday afternoon we headed to Auburn to attend T and Sally Ingalls' 50th Wedding Anniversary reception.  When I moved to Troy, there were some issues about where I was going to live.  This sweet couple took me in and became like family to me.  I spent a little over 2 years with them.  They have since moved to Auburn.  We still visit occasionally.  They're so special to me, and I always enjoy getting to see them and their family.  We had a blast.  Ella Kate was loving the dance floor and wanted to go "back" each time she came off.  She never meets a stranger.  B and I aren't sure where she came from, but we enjoy her and her little personality. 

It's back to the grind (somewhat) this week.  Cheerleader practice and football workouts resume.  Swimming lessons continue for EK.  I love my job.  And I love having time off in the summer.  It's all around the BEST.  Happy Monday!  

Welcome back, Summer!

Summer has arrived in full force at our house.  We finished a busy last week of school.  B and I finished our 3rd year at ZC.  Have we really been here that long????  And we were off to the beach to celebrate.  If you have facebook, you know this because we posted a ton of pictures.  Ella Kate loved it.  We took Cheyenne along to babysit.  We learned our lesson last year.  And a good time was had by all.  Even Uncle J joined us one day.  We were more than glad.  Ella Kate did NOT want to come out of the water (ever) so we took shifts.  Everytime Uncle J tried to bring her in, she cried and he would turn around and go back in the water.  It gave the rest of us a break to sit and take a tan.  Someone was asking me this week about our trip, and I told them the beach isn't nearly as relaxing with a baby, but watching her enjoy it beats relaxing any day of the week.  She rose before the sun saying "going to beach?"  and she cried each time we got out of the water.  She said the wet sand in the bathroom floor was "nassy" and she referred to the sea weed as "weed".  We made a lot of memories.  We are so blessed.

Just because it's summer doesn't mean we sit around and eat bon bons in our PJ's all day.  We are still busy, but it's a fun kind of busy.  Ella Kate started her second year of ISR swimming lessons yesterday.  I'm so excited and she's all about learning to swim.  She refers to the pool as the "beach" and she was unhappy about the end of her lesson yesterday.  She loves the water.

We have weddings galore to attend this summer, which means we have showers as well.  Bradley's brother is getting married in August.  We thought this would be a good reason to have lots of people over and celebrate.  I also see it as a chance to use all that stuff I've pinned on Pinterest (#addicted).  So Saturday we've invited way more people than we originally planned (that's how it goes, right?)  to celebrate Courtney and Uncle G's upcoming wedding.  We're excited and super busy trying to finish all these yard "projects" and house "projects" that we've talked about doing for months.  We're looking forward to it (and hoping for no rain on Saturday).

I just got back from a run, and I'm getting quiet time before everyone else gets up.  It's 8:00 and EK is still asleep...never thought I'd see the day.  Happy Summer!