Busy days.

Hello! It has been a very long few weeks in our household. First of all, summer came to a screeching halt with the start of school. We spent 2 weeks in our classrooms without children doing cleaning and professional development. It was long, but fun. Then in the midst of all that, I interviewed for a job as a reading coach at another school. It was a long-shot, but it is something that I have always wanted to do. I love teaching teachers how to be better teachers. Well, I got the job! That meant I had to prepare to leave the school I had come to call my family and home to move across town to another school. I was emotional and a pure basket case. Then I realize that until they hired someone for my current job, I could not leave my position. So back to my classroom I head, getting things ready for a wonderful group of 2nd graders. I have been very distant and stressed, trying to get my head around being a teacher for the next 2 weeks and thinking of the new job. I am still not "officially" at my new job, but will start next week sometime. I am excited, nervous.... and well, overwhelmed. I love teaching and I am dang good at it. Leaving the classroom scares me and excites me all at the same time.

All of the emotions come baring down on me and then my little baby girl starts PreK at the same time. Talk about emotional! But, she loves her "new school" and she enjoys her teacher and learning and all the wonderful things that come with school. I am so blessed we have found a home for her during the day. I love hearing her talk about her friends and teacher. It just warms my heart. I am so happy with her new school.

So, here are some pictures of our life in the last 2 weeks! : )

Lucy and her bestie Foster at dinner. She was offering him a cherry. He didn't want it obviously! We love that little golfer! 

 

Girl baby in her big girl uniform on her 3rd day of school. She was upset she had a hangnail. But dang, she looks so cute!

 

Her happy smile at Open House. This makes me so proud. And those dimples!

 

 

First day of school! And a fun pose. Love this munchkin!

 

Celebrating TaTa's birthday. Yes, I dressed her in Alabama gear just for him!

 

Her first dentist appointment. She loved this. We practiced for weeks and talked hundreds of times about the importance of teeth and why "sugarbugs" are so bad for us!

 

 

I am so blessed to have had a wonderful summer. I enjoyed every minute of it. Now I am in panic mode as I settle into my new job and new environment. I am so happy the Lord has given me such a peace about Lucy's education for now. We will cross another bridge when she is ready for Kindergarten. As for now, she can rock it at private school!

She is growing up before my eyes. Some of her favorite words right now are "comfortable and serious." She cracks me up with the things she says.

The other night I told her to thank Jesus for living in her heart. She said "Jesus doesn't live in my heart, He lives on the wall!" (Meaning her crucifix on the wall!)

Then we had to discuss how Jesus does live in our hearts because He loves us so much!

The next day, she asked me if Jesus lived in my heart under my black shirt! How funny the mind of a child!

 

I'll try to update more as things settle down. Praying for peace and an easy transition for my new career choice. Praying also for my new staff that they will be open to me. And really, praying for my old staff as they manage life without me! Who's going to DJ all the pep rallies, teach Zumba at field day, run all the technology in the school, keep up with the safety plan, and make the faculty meetings more fun?? :) I know they will do just fine without me!

 

Thank you Lord for blessings in abundance!

Pictures in our house linky!

Today I am linking up with Kelly over at her blog for a SUYL topic of how you display your photos in your house. I love pictures. I am almost a bit obsessed with how many pictures we have up of ourselves (vain? I don't know!) I just know looking back at pictures of our lives brings back such good memories! Sometimes I get so sad when I think of all the times when I was in high school or college that I don't have pictures to remember them by! No facebook back then...just those old disposable cameras! ha! Now it is so easy to take a picture with your IPhone and it will travel all over the Internet (scary!) or to any of your friends in an instant. What will my child have when she's in college? So exciting!

Anyway, I digress! Here is a little peek into how I display some of our favorite pictures!

This is the wall when you walk into our house. I have an amazing photographer friend who took all these pictures for us. I love the look of the different colored frames. I was given our last name picture as a gift and I love the way it looks with these frames!

Most of our pictures are housed on shelves. Our entertainment center is full of pictures. Some are Lucy as a little baby and you can see the picture under the "y"...it's a picture of Scott and I on one of our first dates! I love how young and tan (and skinny!) we both look. Brings back such butterfly-in-your-stomach memories! (We usually don't have a birthday banner up...I had just made that for her birthday and have not taken it down yet! Same for the cards! )

Finally, this is an area of my living room I love. The picture of Lucy between us, looking up at us...melts my heart. I love how different it is in the fact you cannot see our faces. I have got some strange remarks on this picture, but it just captures her love for us. It really is all about her!

I also love the picture of she and I laughing. It shows how we are in our daily life! I just completed the picture with the bird and I am madly in love with it. I like to think I'm a painter! Ha!

It says: "Your love, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies."

One of my favorite verses and favorite Third Day songs!

Well, that's about it! I hope you enjoyed peeking into my house and seeing how I show off our pictures!

Thanks for stopping by!

I've got to get back to the Olympics now! Super pumped after watching the opening ceremonies. How about you??

The last bit of summer...

Summer break is coming to a close for me. I'm sad, but ready to jump into my new position in second grade. We have been busy. Besides have a birthday for Lucy, we did some traveling and now I'm back up at school every day getting ready for the new year.

Lucy had her 3 year old checkup today. Here's what I learned:

1. Lucy is in the 70th percentile for weight (at 33 pounds.)

2. She is in the 25th percentile for height. (I'm hoping this does not mean she will be short and squatty!...and really, I have never had to spell the word "squatty." Did I spell it right? ha!)

3. Night terrors happen about 2 hours after sleep. Nightmares happen from about 2 am on. So, this means we are having night terrors. Screaming and crying for a few minutes. Then telling me monkeys or bugs are in her room. And for the record, neither of those things are really there!

4. She's smart, but I already knew that!

 

Here are some pictures from our month:

Lucy's birthday banner. (thinking I might need to dust that star way up there now!)

Learning to write. Here is her number 5 and 6. She did great!

New pajamas. Rockstar hair and a rockstar stance. a.mess!

The Toy Story entry table. I changed it more before the party but I never even took pictures at the party!

New pose and new sparkle shirt from godmomma Beebs.

Baseball game with mom and dad!

Sitting in the stands...

Swimming at Gigi's house!

Lots and lots of birthday ice cream! I mean, a girls got to get her calcium from somewhere, right?

Ready to start a new year, and ready for Lucy to start preschool! Can't wait. Soak up the rest of summer, friends!

test.

i have just totally messed up all my posts. So this is a test!

Birthday baby

My sweet girl will be three years old on Monday. Three years of my life that I would not change for anything. Three years of love that I did not know my heart needed or could even be prepared for. She has brought so much joy to my life. Keith Urban has a song called "Without You" and my favorite verse says this:

"Along comes a baby girl

And suddenly my little world

Just got a whole lot bigger, yes it did

And people that I barely knew

They love me cause I'm part of you"

This could not be more true. Lucy Clare, I have said this many time before on my blog, but dear, you are the musical masterpiece my heart had been singing long before I knew the tune. And the music you bring into our lives now....how precious you are. You fit into this world and bring such a light to others and to us, that is indescribable. I prayed so many different (and still do!) prayers for you, and it is so amazing to watch God work in your life. To see little things you do and wonder if that will be your calling, already just at this young age! 

To brag on your singing ability already, your quick wit, quiet humor, your ease at picking up new tasks.. I know you are smart, but dang, you amaze me sometimes! I just laugh and pray that while you get some of my left brain creativity, that for the love, you get your daddy's quick math skills and directional knowledge! (I also really hope you get your daddy's legs!) You are funny and so dramatic. (her momma's child for real!)

So, three years ago I was waiting every so not patiently for you to make your arrival. I was fat, swollen, and miserable. And then you came along and rocked our world in such a good way.

And now, when I ask you if you'd like to have a baby at our house, a brother or sister, your reply is always "No, I'd like a puppy." ha! (which neither is happening anytime soon, people! The baby or the dog!)

You have us wrapped, little thing. Thanking God for the past 3 years, and praying for many, many more with you. My little "bootsie" and daddy's "sugar plum." May you always know the love we have for you. That so many people have for you. Thank you, baby, for teaching me about a love I didn't know, could only have wished for, and for helping me to be a better person, a better teacher, a better everything.

Happy almost birthday.

I love you to the moon and back.

Loving on "monk-a-licious"

Birthday desert at Mexican Connection!

Learning how to fold washcloths. "Fold it, smooth it, fold it again!"

Beach time with my girl. Love that face!

Happy birthday present. A new pet fish named "Nemo." I love her face there. Every day she runs into the kitchen and checks him, talks to him, takes pictures of him. Happiness in the fishbowl!

The Future....

With the Olympics on its way, I sit and wonder what my sweet child will be doing in the future. Will she make it on an Olympic team? I surely don't have a clue, but from these pictures, she will make an excellent swimmer or cheerleader!

She's already got the most wonderful cheerleader stance. All I see here is "Ready? Ok! 1, 2, 3, 4!"

Summer loving...

Oh, summer! How I love this time of year. Sleeping in, pool time, and tons of family time. This is how we have been spending our summer so far--- 

I started taking Lucy's picture before we left the house everyday to send to her daddy, my mom, and her Godmomma B. I have created a monster. We can't even step out into the garage now without a photo shoot. She has come up with some amazing poses and totally cracks me up. The above photo is by far the best one and she makes me laugh with that "toe pop" and her hand on her hip. Notice her Toy Story lunchbox? We don't go anywhere without some sort of Toy Story toy in her hand. We are a little obsessed around our house. I do look at that picture and think to myself that I have a little sorority girl on my hands!

I have taken up running at night and Lucy thinks that every time I put on my tennis shoes that she needs to get dressed too and go with me. She calls it our "Mousersize" time. We have our running shorts and wild tennis shoes on. Surprisingly, she is a great runner and she keeps up. Tonight she got tired and I ended up carrying her on my back and running the rest of the way home like that. Bonus workout for me tonight! She also makes me stop at stop signs and do jumping jacks with her! We dance, walk, and when she's ready, we run. I know the neighbors must enjoy seeing us come around! (She also calls those workout shorts she wears her "party rock" shorts. They look just like the pants the guy from LMFAO wears. And yes, Party Rock is one of her favorite songs to run to!) 

Here is another one of Lucy's best poses. It reminds me of a little dancer move. And of course, we have on our Toy Story shirt!

I got away for a weekend for an all girls weekend. We headed down to PC for a nice weekend of beach time, dancing, and all out fun. I love these girls and am blessed they are a part of my life. Every mom needs a great group of friends... and I have that is these girls. My bunco group turned best friends. I love that.

Another pose! My little hip-hop girl. This time we are carrying the new dolphin she got when she went to Gulf World with her daddy!

Another day of posing. We were heading to a pool party and guess who had to come??? Ol' Woody!

We have also been spending each afternoon enjoying our mini-pool in the backyard. I work on my tan and she burns off a ton of energy in the pool and water hose. She's a mess and I love it!

We are experiencing the "Terrible Threes" already. Temper tantrums to the max. They are not funny at the time, but so funny when I sit down to think about them.

She is out of daycare for the summer and we are spending a lot of time together. I love this. I love that I am able to spend the summers with her and seeing each part of her funny, sassy, loud attitude.

Her birthday is next month and we are already planning an amazing...wait for it...yes, you guessed it!

Toy Story party! She is so excited and can't wait for it.

Happy Summer, friends!

A wedding weekend

This weekend we headed down to Mobile for a wedding of a dear friend. I love weddings and I love friends, so this was a perfect combination. I have known sweet Anne for most of her life and I have enjoyed watching her grow up. She had a wonderful party and Catholic wedding and I was honored that they invited us to join in on the festivities. I am dumping my Iphone with our pictures of this fun weekend.

Anne and Josh's first dance. It was a Foo Fighters song played by members of the bridal party. I loved it. I loved the flash mob at the end!

Sweet Lucy has figured out how to take her own pictures with my Iphone. I literally have to clear out 100 pictures a day. I adore this picture of her sweet face. She is beautiful.

My parents at the reception. I love them. I am so blessed that I can say they have been married for 34 years. That is a blessing. I am so proud of the love they share and the example they are to us!

So....Lucy got this pet Pony at Build-a-Bear. I was dancing and having fun at the reception. I have in Lucy's big hairbow and am busting a move with the Pony. Good times!

This would be Lucy at the Bear store brushing her new Pony with the "paintbrush." We carry that Pony with us everywhere we go.

Totsie and Lucy playing a little game of checkers. Notice her Toy Story shoes? The girl is obsessed with Toy Story.

They even had a slushie machine at the reception. Lucy's favorite color is blue so she loves this picture. She's a mess!

And lastly, can't live without this sweet man. God sent him right to me! I love my husband!

I am so glad we were able to go to Anne's wedding. We made some fun memories and I pray they have a long and fulfilling marriage!

I am super excited that I only have 7 more days of school before summer break. It is very bittersweet because I love this class and I am sad to see them go. They have pushed me in my teaching. We don't have many big plans for this summer and for that I am grateful. Just one teacher conference and some beach trips. I am super excited we will be going back to Disney this year in the fall and I also have a special 2 year old who will be turning 3 in July. Where is time going? She is getting so big so fast. You can probably guess what kind of party she will be having.. Toy Story. She is so excited about it and tells us all the time her birthday is "July 16." Looking forward to a fun filled summer with friends and maybe a Zumba class or two!

I am mother, hear me roar!

 

  

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in the world today! I had a wonderful weekend. Of course, I can't celebrate this day without first thanking my mother. She is an amazing mother and friend. I am so honored to be her child. I even love it that I have taken a second place to my own child in her life! She was and is definitely what I want to be in a mother. She was the mean momma when she needed to be and a ear to listen when I was crying about whatever boyfriend broke up with me and whatever girl I was fighting with had done me wrong. She gave good advice and let me make my own decisions but always led me in the right direction. She fostered my love for Jesus and helped me along my Catholic faith. I am so glad God chose her to be my mother. And now I am even more pleased that we are friends.

 (but Lord knows, she still can scare the mess out of me...don't cross Barbara!)

I love you, momma!

And now I am mother to a fancy, hilarious 2 year old. She is the light of my life and I don't know how I lived life without her (or Max and Ruby and the Fresh Beat Band.) I love hearing her say "I love you so much, momma" and I love her sweet singing voice and her laugh and the wild things she says....

Like asking me when my stomach hurt one day if I had "skid marks in my underwear."

(and for the record, the answer is NO!)

I love when she gives me big hugs and when, even when she only wants her daddy, she will still come right to me for a kiss.

I love her dramatic personality and how sometimes she just needs "a cold rag for her head" and how when she takes a bath the water has to be "warmyhot." And how she needs a "soft blanket" and right now with a tiny cut on her leg she needs a "soft bandaid to make it better."

I love hearing Farmer in the Dell sung by her sweet voice. I love how she thinks any time we go to church that mommy will be in the choir. "You sing in choir mommy? I sit with GigiTata?"

I also love how daddy has nothing in this house. It's "mommy's bed, mommy's house and mommy's car." (Poor Scott, he only gets his truck and his "tractor")

I love how I can reason with her and talk her through any situation. Until she points her finger at me. Then we are done.

She is smart, funny, lovable.... and she's mine.

I hope that I can raise her right. I hope that I can help her make good decisions.

 That in life, she will come to me, like I do with my own mother.

I said it before and I'll say it again.

Thank you, Lord.

And I can't be a mother without my husband. While he might drive me crazy on a daily basis (and throw my new belt away.) I still love him and am so happy I found him in that bar years ago. He is kind to me and an incredible daddy to Lucy. I am blessed.

They showered me with gifts and cards today and woke me up with kisses. Yesterday, he even let me sleep in till 10 am! Yes. Amazing!

I had specifically asked for a scale. Yes, the kind you stand on to see your weight. And I promised I wouldn't get mad. I need a scale. I've been trying to shed poundage. (and lots of it) so I needed a scale. He always gets the best gadgets, and he didn't fail me today! But my big surprise was a new pair of running shoes! I had mentioned I loved these shoes after seeing them on a commerical, but I knew I would never buy them for myself because I only wear white tennis shoes. But these were calling my name! And that was all I thought of it. Was so excited to get that Nike box this morning! And when I went for my "run" (really... I look like a fat kid running for the birthday cake.) they were amazing! I felt like a real runner tonight! It's wild what a pair of good shoes can do for you!

So, thank you Momma. Thank you Scott.

And special thanks also to Scott's momma for birthing such a wonderful man.

I am blessed.

Thank you, Lord!

Happy Easter!

May your heart be full this Easter day! He is alive and for that we are redeemed and have everlasting life! Alleluia!

Sweet girl growing...

Sometimes I look at Lucy and cannot believe how big she is. How much personality she has and how smart she is. She loves puzzles. She doesn't love just the hard wooden puzzles, but regular big puzzles. And she can do them. I also love puzzles, but she is really good at them. We recently had character dag at school and Lucy dressed up as a brown bear from the book "Me and my Mom" her favorite book. She was so cute and loved when I painted her nose and put blush on her cheeks! She is just so funny and full of life! I love it! Here are some pics of her shining personality!

1. Make-up time at Gigi's house.

2.Pouty lips. She's got them down!

3. Brown bear, brown bear!

4 New raincoat, umbrella, and boots from Gigi.

5. Rock and Roll hot stuff!

6. Enjoying her BK icecream at our school fundraiser.

7. Waiting for Daddy to try on new clothes. We had our own photo shoot!

She is a mess. Can't imagine how I've lived my life not knowing this precious girl.

One of the funniest things she does now is when you ask her how old she is she will tell you she is 3. She knows we told her we will take her back to Disney when she is 4, so she is trying to hurry up and get back!