Today I watched the last student walk out. Eight years of teaching, complete. As I took down the posters, cleaned out the corners, cleared out the files, and straightened up the desks one last time, it was a very bittersweet feeling. These four walls have become a second home. I have spent more hours here, with its backward door knobs, crispy cafeteria fries, and oxford wearing students than I have at my own home or with my own children. I…
Life is a funny thing. It is filled with many monumental moments that, at the time, we don’t even realize are monumental. Firsts and lasts lived in nonchalant, everyday monotony. The last hug we ever got from a loved one. The first kiss from what would become our spouse. The last conversation had before they were gone too soon. The first time we met that new friend. The last time our kids climbed up in our lap or held our…
This past weekend, sweet husband and I celebrated six years of marriage. We thought surely we would mark the occasion by delivering our third baby boy, but nope. That little turkey is not going anywhere it seems. When you feel 102 weeks pregnant, any anniversary celebration is likely to be a bit low key, but we did exchange cards, and sweet husband came home with flowers. We even got to go out on a date. Later, he told me that…
I remember several months ago, my mom said that she watched a home renovation show on HGTV that she loved. She suggested I watch it knowing I love all things HGTV, but I also love whatever sleep I manage to stumble upon these days, so finding time to watch the show was not a huge priority. One day, I happened to accidentally catch an episode of “Fixer Upper.” I was instantly addicted and am now moderately obsessed with all things…
At the end of last year, we decided to sell our house. Before we bought it, we had intended to build on the land I grew up on, but we (mostly I) got cold feet so we bought a house instead. It wasn’t long before we realized that we really did want to be in the country, so we put the house up for sale. Everything fell into place seamlessly. We had a buyer in days. The appraisal came back…
For the greater part of my life, I have erred on the side of being a hopeless romantic. I am logical and think a LOT, but I tend to go through life with this idea that no matter what, everything is going to work out great, and everything is for the best, and that even on the bad days, we must choose to look at every situation as if it were covered in sunshine, roses, and butterflies. This is not…
Last night. 6:54. I collapsed on the couch in a heap of pregnant ready to watch The Bachelor. I spent the weekend at the Louisiana Association of Student Councils Convention in Shreveport with 1,300 incredible young leaders. Other than a small variety of mishaps– super fun stuff. While I was there, I had the incredible privilege of listening to an amazing speaker, Mike Smith. When Mike came out, I honestly did not have a clue why he was coming on…
Parenthood. It sure is something special. Here is the challenge: Remembering that before you were a parent, you were a spouse. It is incredibly easy to get lost in the shuffle of littles and begin to treat your spouse like a co-worker rather than the person with whom you once fell madly in love. Don’t lose the love. Take time to remember the special things about your spouse, and remember the butterflies. Sweet husband and I try to go on…
Can I tell you about one of my greatest disappointments of my adult life? BATH TIME. When I was younger, bath time was a sacred sanctuary of escape. I knew as I got older that this would not be a commodity so easy to come by, as kids would make bath time more difficult. But I had dreams of sweet bath time with bubbles and rubber duckies and precious memories. Flash forward. FANTASY RUINED. Bath time for the turkeys… I…
So I recently mentioned that our oldest son started school. Y’ALL. I was totally unprepared for the added STUFF Pre-K would bring into our lives. It is like a whole thing. I am super grateful that our little school provides so much enrichment for the kids, but I swear to goodness I have been more stressed over projects for Pre-K than I was through entire semesters in college. But there are benefits. It is a whole new world. Friends, learning,…