Officially Official

Today makes it truly official. I am a stay-at-home mom. The wonderful teachers of Hall county got up today and went to school. For the first time in five years, I was not one of them. This is the first time in seven years, that I have not started the school year as a teacher, and the first time in 25 years that I have not started school at all. This feels a little strange.

I feel incredibly blessed to have this time to stay home with my girls. I want to appreciate every moment, even the ones where I want to pull my hair or run screaming for the hills. This job will be hard also. Abigail is much more demanding than any principal I have ever had. But she also makes me smile and laugh more too. She gives better hugs too. For two years, I was a working mom. Yes, I know every mom is a working mom, but working away from home and away from my girl was hard and it is totally different work. It hurt to drop her off even though I knew she was very happy and well taken care of with her Nana. So to the working moms out there, my hat is off to you. It's hard. You have my prayers and respect.

I want to use this time well. I have a huge responsibility to raise my children well and teach them. I want them to learn colors, letters, and animal noises, but most importantly, I want them to learn about the love of God. I want to use this time to teach them about a God who loves them even more than I do. During this season, I want to teach them to be servants and help others. Right now things are still a little unpredictable with a newborn, but I want to help others. I want to find ways to serve that our family can do together. God has blessed me with this opportunity, and I believe that comes with responsibilty to use the opportunity well.

My life has changed. Instead of meetings and bulletin boards today, it was Barney and blocks. I wouldn't change it for all the money in the world.

Caroline Katherine Nix

Here are a few shots of my girl. I've been trying to post these for awhile, but my computer has been acting up. I'll do a post with words soon. I just wanted to showcase my new beauty to the world. (I have no idea why this is underlined and blue.)

Waiting

Those that know me, know that patience is not my strongest virtue. I like things to happen when I am ready. Well I am ready for Miss Caroline to make her appearance. I am excited to meet my baby girl. Abigail was born two weeks early. Let me tell you, that spoiled me. For me pregnancy did not even last 38 weeks, so sitting here at just over 39 weeks feels like an eternity.

Everywhere I go, people are asking me when she's coming. I sure wish I knew. Several family members have been out of town this week, and my mom can't travel yet, so maybe the girl is holding on until she can have a big welcome party. Maybe she just wants to show from the very beginning that she is different from her older sister. Maybe she'll be born today.

I have no control over this situation. For those of that like to take charge, that's hard. This is one of the biggest events of my life, and I am just waiting. I have no idea when it will happen, not can I do anything to make it happen. For me there is no doubt though that Miss Caroline will be worth the wait.

We will start talking about an induction next week which is not really what we want, but we don't want to go too far over time either. Please pray that my sweet girl decides to make her appearance sooner rather than later and without being forced out. I hope my next post will have pictures of my beautiful new little girl.

My Mama

Last Friday morning I got a phone call that was totally unexpected from my mom. She had "the voice." My mom is one of the world's most optimistic and enthusiastic people, but this voice is well known to those who know her well. It is her something is wrong, but I'm trying not to let it show voice. It's pretty much a giveaway now though.

The news she had to share this time was that doctors had found a mass in her heart. I don't remember all that she said after that because I was still reeling from those words. I myself tried to put on my brave voice as I heard my mom tell me she was headed to the hospital and major surgery was coming very soon. My own heart was filled with fear and a strong desire to hug my mommy. Charlie came in to find me tearing up, so I filled him in with the news. He immediately tried to google the name I thought mom had told me, but I was completely wrong. He just held me for awhile too. Abigail of course had no understanding, but kept coming to me and making animal noises to make me smile since she could sense something was bothering Mommy.

At that moment I wanted to jump in the car and run to TN as fast as I could get there. Being that I am 37 weeks pregnant, that's not really a possiblity right now. Being away from my family is hard right now. I want to be there even if it's just sitting in a waiting room together. I feel so far away.

One thing I know though is that God is holding my family. He is everywhere, and He is keeping us all connected. His hand is evident already in his care for my mom. The fact that this tumor even found show that He is there. The doctors said that this isn't normally found this easily. So despite some scary news, we are praising God for finding this mass.

Tomorrow is surgery day. I ask that anyone who reads this prays for my mom. God is the ultimate healer and He will hold her. Mom, I love you , and wish that I were there to bring some sunshine. Caroline and I are going to be here praying for you all day.

Father's Day

Abigail was teaching him how to use the iPhone.
Nothing like a daddy's lap

Cheese!!!

This may be one of my favorite pictures ever. This is a common scene in our house, but I love what it shows.

I was very blessed to grow up with a great Father. He's also a great Dad. He has always given of himself to take care of our family. I remember many night growing up that he came home to eat with the family, but after we went to bed, he went back to work and stayed till all hours of the night. I'm not sure he ever slept. He worked hard to make sure that we have always had what we needed. he made sure to find ways to come to ball games, school programs, and other events that we were involved in. My dad is man of God who has been a good example to me of what a dad and husband should be.

It shouldn't be a big surprise that I picked a husband who shares some of my dad's qualities. Both are great dads, and love to play. They both find teasing me to be a great hobby. Both men can make me laugh when I need it. Growing up, I always felt safe with my dad. I knew that I needed to find a husband that provided same feeling, and I did. Both of these men have blessed my life so much.

Since Abigail was born, I have loved watching Charlie be a Daddy and my Dad be a grandfather. They both obviously love that little girl, and she is quite taken with them. The pictures above show these two being who they are and being the dads that god planned them to be. I thank my heavenly Father for putting these two men in my life to share and show the love He has for me.

Jesus Loves You

Sunday morning, Abigail woke up feeling extra sweet and snuggly. She was a joy. I was holding her, and she snuggled in to hug. I looked at Charlie over her head, and said I think someone loves me. Miss Abigail responded with Jesus wuds you. What better words could I hear coming out of my daughter's mouth.

As a parent, I am continually questioning myself. Are we doing the right things? Is she learning what we want to teach her? That one comment helped me know that something is sinking in to her little head. My prayer for her life is that she will continue to share that message everywhere she goes. I've always called her a joy spreader. I pray that she learns that our real joy is because "Jesus wuds us." May I also share that message everywhere I go.

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.