16 Weeks and Counting

Well we are officially a little over 16 weeks! I have a regular check-up on Wednesday and am super excited because we'll get to hear our little peanut's heartbeat and then we can schedule our appointment for the sonogram to find out what we are having. I am just one of those people who need to know. I am a planner.

To be completely honest I am a little overwhelmed. I have the nursery furniture picked out, a month by month to-do list created (we were supposed to start in January, but we've Josh has done nothing. I have to blame it on him because he won't let me do anything), and have pinned just about every pin related to pregnancy.  We even have the venue for the shower and are finalizing the menu tomorrow. I'm hoping once I find out what we are having I will start making some decisions and the overwhelming feeling will somewhat go away. At the moment, I am very indecisive which is not like me at all.

Did I mention that the school year is winding down. Only 24 more days left with my first graders.....24 for more days to make sure I get everything covered and all assessments wrapped up. This may also play a part in the overwhelming sensation that sneaks up on me every now and then. I am also one of those freaks who is already trying to come up with a plan for my maternity leave in the fall. I swear that to-do list is longer than the one for peanuts arrival.

A Growing Family

It happened! We are expecting! I am pregnant---just in case you didn't get that. 

It still seems like a dream. I mean I still pee on a stick every now and then just to make sure. I know that makes me certifiably crazy. This is our first and I'm not really sure what to expect. I mean I've read the books and I love babies and being around them, but still this is the unknown for me. It's a little scary, exciting, overwhelming, the happiest time of my life etc., etc., etc. 

I swear as soon as I found out my body instantly changed. Josh actually was calling it for over week. I mean I never burp--- I was burping nonstop and felt so bloated. So one Saturday I just decide the hell with it and took a test...I wasn't even late. Sure enough we got a BFP. Six tests later and we still had a BFP. My mind has been going nonstop. I have so many questions and of course fun ideas. I am at the wonderful stage where I wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep.  I've already created a list categorized monthly of everything that needs to be done before the baby comes. Pinterest is my new middle of the night best friend. 

After our first appointment, We told our family and close friends. I kind of wanted to keep it on the downlow, but Josh was so excited (still is) and wanted to tell everyone. I am super excited as well, but nervous. I think I'll feel better once I'm further along. 

Here's to months of the unexpected!

Random say what?

Last week I was getting ready to make cookies and realized I was out of eggs. I was putting everything away when Josh came into the kitchen and asked what I was doing. His response to our egg dilemma was to try and make them without the eggs. What could it hurt. The cookies turned out fine. I just added a little milk to moisten the dough. He now claims that everything is better without eggs which led us to making pancakes- hold the egg that turned out normal as well. So I guess if something calls for eggs and you're out, no need to run to the store. 

A couple weeks ago my mother-n-law went into the hospital and then to a rehabilitation center. We have been pretty busy visiting her daily, checking on/cleaning/updating her house, and making sure her animals are okay. She gets to come home today! I am pretty excited, but at the same time a little nervous. She hasn't been by herself for a few weeks. She is used to having someone there in a matter of minutes by the push of a button. She also had a roommate.I think its going to take some time for her to get used to living alone again. 

Two weeks is all I have left before the school year begins..... Needless to say I've been trying to make it into my classroom at least twice a week to get things organized and set up not to mention the times I've gone in to copy, laminate, and drop things off. There is still so much to do. I'm hoping to get in an entire days worth of work tomorrow. Tomorrow's to do list includes: hanging everything on the walls, finishing filling pencil boxes, hauling all the stuff I brought home to work on over the summer back to school, and organizing everything else. Did I mention the nightmare's have started as well? You know that ones where you are late for work, you can't find anything to wear, and the kids won't listen to you. #lifeofateacher #teacherproblems

I'm off to try and get something accomplished before going to pick up the MIL. 

Busy. Busy, Busy

So this week has been of week of many projects. Trying to get everything done and making time for family can become overwhelming. Especially if some days you just want to sit back and relax not to mention handling the normal day to day responsibilities.

Project #1: Operation Bridal Shower

Did I mention the Shower is in one week. EEK! There is so much to do. Okay there really isn't that much to do, but I'm a planner and tend to slightly freak out when we're down to the wire and I'm not in charge. We are having our official meeting two days before the shower. Next week we will finish center pieces and get the favors ready to go. I know I'm crazy----there's not that much left to do.

Although we are waiting to make the final touches, I was put in charge of games. I also bought seeded plantable paper and cut out hearts. I just have to make a tag with directions and tie it on. 

Here are the games I came up with found on Pinterst.

Game #1- Movie Match Up

Ladies will look at the pictures of a movie and match it up with its title. 

Game #2- Make A Bride

Each table will be given two rolls of white streamers. The table will choose a model and work together to create a gown, veil, etc. The Bride will choose which group's creation she liked the best.

Game #3-Who Said It?

Ladies will look at quotes taken from with the bride and groom and decide who said it.

Here is a sneak peak.....

Project #2: Operation Dad's Birthday

So my dads birthday was yesterday. It is so hard to come up with a great gift for him. I mean he has everything he needs and can literally buy anything he wants himself. It took my husband and I a few weeks to come up with an idea that we thought was worthy. We decided to go DIY and make him a twelve pack holder. Instead of putting beer in there we put Root Beer. He love glass bottled Root Beer not to mention he has a huge supply of beer already at home.

Here are the end result:

 

Believe it or not this was fairly simple. I did most of the work myself. Josh drilled the holes for the handle and went with me to pick out the Root Beer. My new favorite stain is by Minmax called Classic Gray. It gives that weathered look. I also used an ebony stain in some places as well. My favorite part of making this was beating up the wood to give it that rustic look. 

Project #3: Operation School (this is a never ending one)

Even though I am a teacher and technically have my summers off, I still work consistently. The only differences are that I do not have to actually go into work, I set my own hours, and I can wear yoga pants. This summer I have been working on setting up an interactive notebook to use throughout the year with my kids. I just abut have the whole year planned out. The next step would be to get it printer ready. TPT is one of my best friends; hence where I found what I needed for the notebook. Thank you First Grade Centers and More and Jessica Tobin. 

Not only have I been working on that,I have been trying to find new strategies to implement as well. Yesterday, I went to school and laminated like a crazy women which meant I would have a lot of cutting to do. Let me just say I have the best husband ever. He helped me cut out lamination last night way past midnight! 

Now to shower, get ready, and go bridesmaid dress shopping for another wedding!

Where did the time go?

I can't believe it has been almost a year since my last post. That's a total lie- - - I suck at blogging. I just can't find the time (excuses, excuses). Well that's about to change (hopefully). I am going to try and start out with a small goal- blog once a week. Even if no one else reads it, it will be a way for me to get my thoughts, ideas, and life happenings down.

In the past year, I got a new job officially hired as a first grade teacher! I LOVE my job! Hanging out with first graders in my opinion is way better than hanging out with a bunch of cranky adults any day. I must say I do love that 30 minute lunch period even though it flies by! Its the only time during the day that I get to hang out with adult and my friends don't count as cranky adults. Did I mention I have my summers off. Well technically I have my summers off. Any other teacher out there will agree that over the summer you start preparing for the next year.  EEK! I go back in 34 days and the kids come in 39 days. So much still to do.

The last post I wrote was about my second year anniversary. The third year is just around the corner. Yay for leather. I guess I need to start shopping ASAP.

All About Cotton

Tomorrow is my second year anniversary and I'm super excited. In fact I'm so excited that I want to break out in a song and dance all over my house.

  SO last year we did the whole tradition thingy.  First year traditional anniversary gifts are paper.  I thought easy enough- - -I made Josh a book that listed 100 reasons why I loved him, gave him paper coupons for various things......and made him a super corny cute card. We even went on a picnic and used all paper products. He loved it felt totally weird eating in a park while people walked by and looked at us. Pretty sure we wont be going on a picnic tomorrow or ever again for that matter.  Anyways we decided that instead of spending a ton of money on anniversary gifts year after year that we would make them come from the heart.
This years gift is cotton. I figured this would be a piece of cake---not quite. I have stalked many blogs and scoured Pinterest in hopes of finding some super cute ideas. Here is what I came up with, but I still have some work to do. Good thing I told him I want to exchange gifts tomorrow night. Can you believe he wanted to first thing in the morning.....

SO I totally hope he loves his little gifts and gets the meaning behind each one. I am totally looking forward to next year's gift which is leather. That should be a FUN one! 

fAllInG bACk

My life is beginning to settle back down...well fall back into it's routine. 

wORk LiFe

At the beginning of the year "school year", I was placed in a new position! While a colleague was on maternity leave, I got to take over her fifth grade classroom.  Just in case you don't know teaching is my passion. There is nothing that I would rather be doing. Not many people can say that they wake up with a smile on their face excited to go to work. I'm that girl! I absolutely LOVE my job. Anyways....the 12+ weeks I spent in fifth grade were memorable. Not only did I get to teach fifty-two amazing students, they got to teach me too! I also made some super sweet friends. My last day was bitter sweet....one door closed, while another opened.

Since my time in fifth grade came to an end, I've been spending the past three weeks helping out in Kindergarten where I should remain for the rest of the school year. Can I just say that I LOVE this too! Everyday is a new learning experience. It amazes me how much you watch the kids grow from day to day. I mean it, it's amazing what happens in a day. 

Since August I have been in two different buildings - Made many new friends - Am back at my home away from home - Got to do what I live for------TEACH!   

lOVe LifE

Josh and I are doing great!  Can't be more loved-out than we already are. I have to admit he is loving all the attention he is getting. I totally wasn't giving him enough before.  Now that I'm back in K, I don't have any school work to do outside of school. But don't worry I keep myself busy-shopping, baking, and pinteresting.

SO......We are ready for the festivities to begin (as ready as we can be). I think we have something planned everyday until I go back to work on the 2nd. That's the holidays for ya! 

I hOPe evERyONe haS a sAFe aNd haPPY hOLIDay SeaSOn!