Not Just Colleagues, Friends

Last Friday, my co-workers celebrated my birthday with me. They made me feel so special with thinking about things, they know I like and treating me with them. I had a Diet Coke waiting on my desk with Reese's Pieces, a muffin and fruit. I also had a new charm for my Pandora bracelet, but I will write about that in a minute. Lunch was also delicious with chicken from Chick fil a, complete with a fabulous banana pudding milkshake. If you haven't had one, stop what you are doing and run to get one now. They are DELISH. My room was also decorated. The began the birthday celebration with a bang!

As excited as I am to get to stay home with my girls next year, I am also sad to leave these ladies. We have so many personalities and differences, but they have been incredible blessings to me. They have taught me to be a better teacher. We have worried together about test scores. We have shared lessons plans, and ideas. We have reminded each other what needed to be accomplished, and we have shared in the joys and trials that our precisous middle schoolers bring.

These ladies have challenged me in other ways. They have strengthen my faith in our Father. They have led me to grow there. I know they have prayed for me. They have supported me so strongly since I had Abigail, and have had to learn to be teacher and mommy. In the short minutes in the hall between classes, they have encouraged me to go back in and try it one more time. Over my five years at South Hall, I've seen many changes. But as I leave in a few weeks, I will know that God put me here for a reason. I've learned from some amazing women who will forever be part of me. Someday I will have another teaching job. Where it will be is a mystery. I can only hope and pray that my future co workers will be like these.

My pandora charm was an apple. Nothing could have been more perfect, and the charm wouldn't have meant the same coming from anyone else. When I opened the box, I had to shut it quickly to avoid my own tears. It will be worn with pride, and smiled at often.

I leave behind memories of good years and bad. Lessons gone right and wrong. Meetings ending in tears, and meetings ending in laughter. I leave behind the left side of my brain. Ladies, I love you all. Thanks for being who you were and are to me. You will see me again as I show up out side the window and knock to be let in.

So Excited!!

Right now I am full of excitement. My life is so good and so blessed. Tomorrow I join the rest of the world when I get my new iphone. I have been tutoring and earning a little extra cash and this is my reward. My bright pink case is already ready and sits empty just waiting for its new friend. We have 4 more days of school until spring break. That is incredibly exciting. The kids need a break, the teachers need a break. A little time away will do us all good. During spring break, I am going to see my family in TN. I don't get to spend enough time with them, so everytime I do get to be there, it's wonderful. The part I am most excited about though, is going to NYC with Charlie. This is my early 30th birthday present. We are leaving Miss Abigail with her grandparents and going away BY OURSELVES!! Of course, I am going to miss my little girl very much. Three and a half days will be a long time to be away from her, but I am excited to have time Charlie without chasing a kid, or meals without feeding her, jsut time where we can hang out. We will tour around as much as my 25 week pregnant body can handle. When I get tired, we'll rest. Right now I am just filled with excitement and anticipation for things that are coming. Life is good.

The Patient

This morning Abigail got tubes put in her ears. She was a great little patient. The nurses complimented her several times. She came home from the hospital and took a long nap then got up as crazy as ever. She's quite tired tonight, but doing well. The smart girl even waited til she got ouf of the car to throw up. The pictures are all out of order, but here's a few from our morning.

Watching Elmo and snuggling with Daddy.

I'm all ready, let's get this started.

Barbies, Bridesmaids, Babies and Beyond

I have been totally blessed to have two amazing friends in my life for 20 plus years. I don't actually remember how it all started, but we've been friends since early elementary school. Our friendship has definently grown and changed throughout the years. We started out with Friday nights of TGIF and barbies, girl scout camping trips, Green Hill Softball, and so much else. Even our moms have been part of each others' lives. We've grown through changes in relationships, colleges, states. We've been in weddings. All through out this we have someone how remained friends.

Things are not the same as they were when we were younger. I live in a different state, and I'm only one with a kid, so far. We've had times where we were closer than others, and times where we go for months without talking. All through it, I know that these two girls, are true once in a lifetime kind of friends.

Saturday night I got the opportunity to sit and talk to them for a long time. We closed down Starbucks, then spent another couple hours in my car just talking. Girl talk like this is not something I get very often. These girls have known me through so many stages of my life, and yet have someone decided to remain my friends. I thank God for them so often.

So, Mer and Jenn, know that you are true blessings in my life. We may be far apart, but I will continually count you both as two of my lifelong best friends. Here's to another 20 plus years of friendship and Starbucks dates.

Newest Revelation

This morning I had a new revelation about what it will mean to be a stay at home mom. Next winter when it's cold and dark in the mornings, I won't have to go out get in the truck when it says 27 degrees. If it's that cold, I will just stay snuggled up in the warm house with my babies. Yeah, it's the little things in life that make it so good. No more freezing cold morning car rides trying to pump myself up for work. WOn't it be grand.

Random Pics

I have made a couple posts with no pictures, so here is one with just pictures. Enjoy, Mom and Dad.

Hello 2011

I know we are already 12 days into the new year, but I hadn't made my welcome to it post yet for a couple reasons. There was some secret information that is no longer secret that had to be shared before I could write what I really wanted to about the new year. It's going to be a big one.



In a few months, I will turn 30. That seems like a big number. I'm not worried about my age. I feel like I am in a good place to be turning 30. My life has gone well thus far, and I only see that continuing through the next 30 years.



A big change for this year will be another baby!! Charlie and I are expecting little Nixlet #2 sometime in Mid-July. Abigail made her arrival a couple weeks early, and I have already told this child that it's ok with me for it to come a couple weeks ahead of schedule too. We are excited and a bit overwhelmed. Life with two will be even more exciting and adventurous. Don't worry, all you expereinced people out there, I'm quite aware that there are going to be major challenges. I had no idea what I was doing when Abigail was born either. We've done pretty well so far. We'll figure it out again somehow.



One change that will help is that I am going to be staying at home. That's right, I'm not going back to full time teaching. I am going to stay home with my babies. i am very excited about this. Yes, once again, I know there will be challenges. Staying home full time will be a major change from my current lifestyle, but I look forward to it. It's going to mean some other changes since the school district won't pay me if I don't show up to work. But sacrifices are worth it to be with my kiddos. And I write this at a time when I haven't left the house in almost 3 days.



I'm not a big resolution maker. I don't like setting myself up for failure. that said, I am trying to improve myself. I'm trying to work harder in some areas, and not worry so much about others. God is good. He gave me a wonderful 2010, and I look forward to seeing what He has in store for 2011.