our spring in pictures!

We had a busy Spring Break, so instead of a long post, I'll tell our story in pictures!

We got ready in our St. Patrick's day outfit for church on Sunday... Please ignore the mess behind her! Then we headed down to the beach for some shopping and fun in the sand.

We had a playdate with two of our favorite boys.. Foster and Collins.

We met the Easter Bunny.. even though we weren't quite sure about him.

We ate a lot of solids.. Cheesepuffs, yogurt, wagon wheels, and pears.. These were things we tried this week!

We enjoyed the sunshine at Landmark Park.

We met some great animals and learned what they all say.

It's times like these that make me wish I could stay home all the time. Happy Spring everyone!

wow!

Well I am just tickled pink. I jumped on my blog today to check on all my favorite people on my sidebar, when I noticed I had a comment on my last blog. If you frequent my blog, you know I don't get the most comments on my posts (I know you people love me anyway, but dang... could you make me feel good and leave a comment?) It was a rockin' momma I read about named Danielle and her super cute baby Chloe. (whom you can read about here) She had given me an award! Me! yes, Me! Whoop-whoop with a wrist twist. I have made it!

And I am just about to come out of my southern skin. It turned me into a babbling southern girl. I was saying things like "bless my bones!" "well, I'll be" and "shucks." I just thought it was the most wonderful thing. And really, for anyone who knows me in real life, you know that I wear these kinds of shoes to teach in on a daily basis(except when I was pregnant because I lost my balance once and took a load of first graders out), so it just made my Spring Break so fabulous!

Here are the super stylish things about this award:

First, let us understand the Stiletto… some words that describe it…

Classy – Strong -Exotic – Demure – Extreme – Ultra – Sexy - Bold – Funky

“Walking in extremely high heels is not something that the average woman (or man)
will need to do in their everyday life. However, there are times when this skill may be required.” I want to salute the women who balance life, family & relationships with style & class! Those women who share their experiences with us…who encourage us, inspire us, teach us, make us laugh and basically keep us going! You know who they are! While you read this blog, your family is looking at you wondering what the heck you are laughing about so hard…or why the tissue is necessary for internet browsing. It’s the one that the kids are excited about because a new post means a new craft project or family outing. The one that inspires you to be a better mom, friend, person in general. The one that reminds you that we are all “in this life together” and you’re not the only one going through the hard stuff. The one that you secretly wish your blog was like…“Heels this high are not meant for clubbing or walking long distances in. They are mainly used for getting from the living room to the bedroom, from the car to the restaurant, or for a short stroll along the catwalk.” If you’ve received this award, someone out there thinks you deserve it! Be proud! Display the badge with honor! You earned it…after all it means that you brought something special to at least one other person, and really, isn’t that what life’s all about?

THE RULES!
This blog is meant to be shared, to be given out, to be bestowed upon any and ALL women who exemplify what the stiletto represents. If you’ve received this award, here’s what you do:
1. Display your Stiletto Badge of Honor on your sidebar! Wear it with pride…

2. BRAG ABOUT IT! -write a post about your award. Include the link to this page so everyone will understand what it’s all about! http://bit.ly/thestilettoaward

3. SAY THANKS! - include a link to the friend who nominated you for the award.

4. SHARE THE LOVE! -nominate 5-10 blogs that you feel deserve the award. Include links to them in your post -and- leave them a comment to let them know they are nominated.

5. DO WHAT YOU DO! -keep at it. Keep inspiring and encouraging and sharing your life! We love it and we thank you!

Now I am going to share the love. Some of these girls I know for real, and some of them are just blogs I like to read. I learn something from all of them and I am honored to give this out (and hopefully not trip on any of you as I do it!)

Lauryn @ The Griffin Family: She is a high school friend who has to be one of the coolest and most down to earth mommas I have ever known. and I mean that. Snowboarding? check. Cute kid? Check. She's one awesome lady. (and a great teacher to boot!)

Jenn @ Be.So.Happy: another awesome chick who is from my hometown. She is just an adorable twenty-something who is rockin it in another state, and taking us along for the ride.

Jessica @ the Steltenpohls: she's a gorgeous momma in my town who has one of the cutest babies I have ever seen. They are also Catholic which means our girls will grow up in the church together!

Jamie @ Another Joyous Journey: I don't know her from Adam. But she is a funny momma with a stylish shoe loving baby boy. I love reading about their daily life and watching him grow!

Kadie @ CouponKadie: She keeps me up to date on all the latest coupons and steals (which god knows I need for all the money I like to spend on a teacher salary!)

On a totally different note, my sweet baby is 8 months old today. I cannot for the life of me believe this. I love this time with her too. She has the cutest personality and is full of life (and into everything!)

Now, I'm fixin to go to bed, cuz this southern girl is plum wore out from all this typing!

Ya'll come back!

Spring is here!

We are so glad spring is showing its glowing face on us! Lucy and I took a walk today to the park in our neighborhood. This would be the first time she would be big enough to swing and I was super excited! She enjoyed it so much! This will be the first of many trips to the park. We jammed out to my Ipod the whole stroller ride there. It was a great day!

I love this face! She was so happy with the wind in her face! Of course, we had to both wear our "shades." They cracked her up. It has been since the summer since we have worn them!

Thank you, God, for bright sunny days, for the wind on our face, for babies that are so happy, and for love abounding! You are my King, my Redeemer, and my All in All! Your blessings are abundant... Praise You!

busy girl

Someone in our household has been trying to stand lately. It is the cutest thing but at the same time makes me so sad that my little girl is getting so big! She is also crawling all over the floor and is into everything. She especially likes to find wires, which is making her daddy have to really get on baby proofing the house! This is a pic I snapped quickly of her pulling up in her bed. Needless to say, the bed is much lower now!

Here is another picture of my little cutie in a crown. She looks so grown up in this picture! Sorry for the poor quality, it was taken with my phone. Miss LC is getting ready for peanut festivals and parades one day! I like to say she will be Ms. Peanut 2025. (and gah-I will be so old in 2025!)

Have a wonderful week! Next week LC will be 8 months old and it is our spring break! yeah!

so true...

The name Lucy means "bringer of light" and it really could not be more true. That little girl brings more light into people's lives! Clare means "bright" and I like to think that she will be the bringer of bright light.

I don't just mean that she will bring happiness to others. I really hope that her name means that she will bring the Light of Christ to others. My prayer for her life is just that.

Bring that light, little girl. Let is shine for the whole world to see!

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”- Jeremiah 29:11-13

I have been struggling lately with my job as a teacher. I am a wonderful teacher, and I am not afraid to say that. I find something in each of my children that I love. I care. I teach hard. I expect success, but I understand failure. I go above and beyond. I want them to do their best and I tell them that. I sing, dance, jump around, laugh, and cut up with my kids. I mean business.

I also get tired.

And I have been these last few weeks. And I don't like it one bit. God called me to be a teacher. I want to do my best to fulfill this job, not just for my children, but for my Lord. It's a mix of things. From administration who is being pushed by their administration, to a new reading program, to children who just need and need to be loved, to my own things of being a new mother and a husband who travels.

I am trying to find that me again. Not the me that wants to say "I'm done." I am crying as I write this post... because I know this me that I have been for the last few weeks is not the me I am, and

I want her back.

So prayer, good friends, and loving on wonderful baby cheeks is slowly making me feel better. I read Jeremiah and found a verse I have always loved, but for some reason the verse that says "you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen" just made me feel happy. I will call upon Him...

and I know He will listen.

7 months

Here I go again with the late post! And I still have not even taken her pics in the bed in the same spot! I have honestly been busy (and someone has been cutting teeth) and it just got pushed to the back burner. I will share with you some pics from our beach trip this past weekend. Scott knew I was stressed out and planned for us to head down to PC for a little relaxation and a lot of good eating! He is such a good husband!

Well.... what is little miss Bootsie doing this month? I have to say that this is one of my favorite ages. She is mobile, she is funny, and she is a joy to be around!

• You are wearing a size 3 diaper now!



• You probably weigh around 18 pounds, but we don't go to the doctor again until you are 9 months!



• You wear a 6-9 month clothing.



• You have two teeth on the bottom. They honestly just popped out on the snow day!



• You can crawl, move, scoot, and almost pull up. You can get to your knees, but stop there.



• You eat quite a bit now. You puked up the plain meats, but you like the meat that is mixed with other fruits or veggies. You like puffs, you like your meltables and you love frozen bananas, ice, and your biter biscuits!



• You are back to sleeping through the night.. and yes, in your own room!



• You will play for a long time by yourself on the floor.



• You still love Praisebaby. Daddy says you like when the kangaroo comes across the screen, and you love the songs!



• You babble, and the only consonant-vowel blends you do is "Ba-Ba" sometimes I think I hear a Ma-ma in there, but nope!



• You still enjoy car rides and trips.



• You reach for people you know, and put a poky lip out and crocodile tears for people you are uneasy about.

You are so amazing and growing so fast! I can't believe I am already thinking about your first birthday and what kind of party we will have! Daddy and I love you very much!