Sweet Summer Sunday!

If you would've stopped by our house today you would have never guessed that I am in the middle of the most work that I've ever had to do! I think I'm in denial. I have absolutely zero motivation....and I only have 4 days left. Ahhhh!


I spent the day by the pool, and read 2 books...highlight of my day! Then I ran to Publix, where I haven't been in a few weeks due to all my school work, and Matt grilled and we ate supper on the back deck. Pure Summer Goodness...I tell ya!



Now as I'm sitting out back, I can hear our neighbor's country music drifting through the air. Tomorrow is June 1st. I feel like summer is already racing past...and I just want it to slow down!

But before I can really enjoy it, I need to crank my butt into gear and finish my units and powerpoints! Oh yeah, did I mention that I got sunburned....my first burn of the summer! I hate being burned and will slather on the sunscreen for the rest of the summer SPF 50 at that. I am just so scared that I am going to pay for my addiction to pools! I did wear a hat most of the day! Anyway, we're just enjoying life for a split second here in the deep south. I kind of feel like watching My Girl or The Notebook...maybe next week! I HAVE to get this work done first! Please send some motivation my way if you can! Thanks!


I could really use some of this about right now!

What do I know of Holy???

I've had this Addison Road cd for awhile now from itunes...before they were on the radio. So I am very happy that they are now being played a lot on our local radio stations. I've been listening to this song over and over as I drive to and from Maymester classes and LOVE it and every single word! How true!

Step Up!

Not that I have a lot of extra time lately to blog. But when I am in the mood, what can I say? I worked yesterday.....hard for about 6 hours straight on my computer for my writing class...but am still treading water! At least I'm not sinking..right?
Anyway, my sweet hubby called me when he was working in Albany to say that he was stopping by the Lifeway store and he would have a surprise for me before I left for class!

It was the Stepping Up Bible Study and Audio cd's! Yay! I get sad when I can't do the Beth Moore studies at church. And sure enough last fall the women's ministry did Stepping Up and I was devastated that I couldn't attend because they met the same night that I had class....and I've kind of been looking for the book ever since. The one thing that I love are the hour long videos where Beth Moore gives an overview of the week and ties everything together. If you just do the study on your own and don't have the leader guide, then you miss out I think. But who knew about the audio cd's??? Not I!



I listened to the introduction on my way to class. Now, where have I been for the past 2 years....all of my driving and sleepiness at the wheel and all of a sudden I have the solution. I should've been doing these the whole time I've been in grad school...duh!

Well I know that our church library has these audio cds, so I'm going to listen to Daniel and Esther soon!

Ok, next! It was beautiful out yesteday for the first time in I don't know when. The sun was shining and it was hot, hot, hot...not a cloud in the sky. I guess I should've watched the weather because around 7pm last night sitting in class the sky got black and we were all jumping to the loudest thunder and largest lightening that I have ever seen. Dr. Root decided to let us out a little early.....but did anyone have umbrella's? NO! Luckily, Hillary had an umbrella and held all of our notebooks and bags under it. While we all made a mad (shoeless) dash out to the parking lot. Did any of us think to park in the parking deck? No! Were we all drenched when we got to our cars? Yes! The water in the parking lot came up past my ankles. It looked like we had jumped in a swimming pool...haha! All I could do was laugh! What a funny memory. I had to drive the hour drive back home with the heater cranked up on full blast!


As soon as I was in my car and "safe" I thought that I better take a picture to capture the moment:)


Can you see th water dripping down my face? Ha!


My books were safe though!


Trying to show how bad the rain was...it was completely sideways!

It's A.....

Boy!!! Hehe! I hosted another baby shower this afternoon! This shower was at the Madison Grove clubhouse for my friend Emily. We taught together last year and will both be JSL provisionals this year together. The shower was super fun....even with all the thunderstorms! Maybe June will bring some sunshine! A lot of people came from our old school and I thought it was a pretty good turnout after post planning and given that it was Memorial Day. It seems like lately all of my friends are having boys. We have Bryson, Harper, and Jenral all due this summer...exciting! The shower was a short drop in one, so we went really simple with decorations. Overall, one of the highlights for me was spending time with my old GP family. I also learned that Ann can make amazing bows! The shower was a books and bottoms shower! Here are some pictures from it!


Bryson's new books! People kept on asking me where I got this wrapped...but Matty and I did it...haha!


We also went simple on the food...it was what Emily wanted!


Testing the punch! Oh the stories we have from this shower! We were def. a bunch of scatterbrained teachers who are ready for summer vacation!


How cute is this punch?






I really don't know what Ann is doing in the one :) Haha!

Well, It's back to writing abou the Georgia writing assessment for me. I am looking forward to a date with Matty at 9pm tonight for Jon and Kate plus 8. I can't believe that tomorrow is my last day of post planning and then I'm out for the summer! WOW! I'm definitely ready though and need the time to get through this writing class.

A Gloomy May Saturday!

I had a great day today! I woke up early and got to cleaning up our house! Then I visited a few of my favorite stores downtown to pick up a few last minute gifts. I had to drop by my school to pick up my make-up that I left in my drawer (it was a long day yesterday), then I finally made my way to Kinderlou for Erin's baby shower! She is expecting Jenral in less than a month! We had a great time at his book shower! All of us reading specialists were eating it up and talking our talk!!! haha! I think that we kind of scared some of the other people that aren't teachers or reading grad people. Between the five of us, we covered every major issue in reading education (multiculturalism/diversity) and probably every standard in grades K-3 (homophones, homonyms, time)! :)


The cute package that I had for baby Jenral!


Erin and Jessica with the cake. Jessica made this cute work of art!


The mommy to be!


Trying to get a pic of all the presents!


This was a really cute idea that I am going to use at my friend, Emily's, baby shower that I am hosting next week! It just happnes to be a books and bottoms shower!


We had to get a grad girl picture!

It rained all day on and off....however, it only rained when I was in my car. It poured and thundered all the way to Kinderlou, on my way to Publix, and a few other places, but when I got to each place the sun would sort of shine..weird!

Matt and I had taco night and watched Slumdog Millionare...yuck! I did not like that movie at all. It was sooooo sad to me. So now I'm reading happy blogs to lift my spirits....but I really need to kick my butt into gear and go read for Dr. Root because Maymester is in full swing. Did I mention that after I got to vtown yesterday afternoon, I found out that class was cancelled due to an accident that Dr. Root's son was in? Luckily, Matt drove me....and we were able to make a date night out of it! I am thankful that Dr. Root's son is ok, and that we didn't have class...I was worn out after a busy week and graduation and I think my brain really benefitted from the rest! :)

My babies GRADUATED!

Ooooh, they are sweet :) I thought I'd post pictures of our decorated room! I have so many cute pictures of my parents celebrating with "our" sweet kids in the reception in our classroom. I wish I had some from the actual ceremony, but I was on stage, so.....

I just loved our very special day and cute room decor!

My awesome room mother did these! Perfect...right?


I decided to decorate the door with serious and "silly" poses of my kids in their cap and gowns.


The cake that my sweet Kaylee's grandmother offered to make!


Memory DVD, art book, portfolio, goody bag, "real" diploma, RIF book....we also gave them a graduation bear....but I hadn't set them out at this point.







We let them each take home a balloon afterwards! They LOVED it! Thanks to my hubby for getting Publix to do it for CHEAP!


The lunch room also provided lemonaide!

I had some cute flags that I draped both sides of my classroom with and two signs with streamers hanging from the ceiling that said Congrats Grad! too :)

So, now we have one last week of fun before my kids move up to 1st!

JSL??!!!!

Well it is official! I knew that I was nominated for Junior Service League but got news today that I will be in the provisional class this fall!!! I'm pretty stinkin excited! I mean, I don't know anyone that will be in my class....but I just needed something to do since I'll be finished with my Master's and I love community service and think that all the socials and meetings will be fun too!

Some recent happenings...my K babies graduate to 1st grade on Friday. We only have a week left of school after this one. AHHHH! I begin Maymester Thursday. I have 3 baby showers (1 of which I'm giving) and a wedding shower within the next 3 weeks too. We're also getting super close to building our house which is exciting news!

Now, I just have to say that I am very very very ready for summer! I can't wait! I just got back from a retirement dinner and that was a lot of fun! I am almost finished up with all of my conferences...which is a relief too! I am ready and pumped about the biggest loser LIVE season finale tonight. I have my pajamas and blanket and blakely ready to snuggle and watch!

So....8 more days...let the countdown to a much needed break from work or "vacation" begin!

A to Z

A
- Available: most nights and weekends :)
- Age: 24 forever!
- Annoyance: having to repeat myself
- Animal: blakely...my sweet perfect golden

B
- Beer: never
- Birthday: 12/16
- Best Friends: I have differnt groups of best friends...too many to name! Blessed!
- Body Part on opposite sex: smile and eyes
- Best feeling in the world: making someone's day unexpectantly
- Blind or Deaf: sad
- Best weather: warm and breezy or thunderstorms..heavy rain no wind
- Been in Love: am in love
- Been on stage: many times
- Believe in Magic: no
- Believe in Santa: I believe ;)

C
- Candy: gum
- Color: pink
- Chocolate/Vanilla: vanilla
- Chinese/Mexican Food: mexican...cheese dip!
- Cake or pie: cake
- Continent to visit: I'll stay in North America
- Cheese: cheddar
D
- Day or Night: both
- Dancing in the rain: not if I have somwhere to be
E
- Eyes: hazel
- Everyone's got: something special about them
- Ever failed a class: no

F
- First thoughts waking up: I'm so tired...15 more minutes!
- Food: I like to cook only when I have time, wish I loved it

G
- Greatest Fear: diseases, crashes, break ins, fires, boys
- Goals: to be an educational leader, to serve my family always
- Gum: sugar free
- Get along with your parents: yes...we're so close

H
- Hair Color: brown
- Height: 5' 7"
- Happy: yes
- Holiday: ALL OF THEM...Really!
- How do you want to die: old and when sleeping, preferably with all of my loved ones at the same time

I
- Ice Cream: Bride's Cake
- Instrument: guitar and piano (too close to choose)

J
- Jewelry: my wedding band and engagement ring, my big fake pearl earrings, a watch
- Job: Kindergarten Teacher

K
- Kids: 2 girls and a boy or 3 girls or a boy and girl or 2 girls please! No...just healthy babies. For now my Blakely boo!
- Kickboxing or karate: kickboxing
L
- Love: joy, peace, patience, kindess, gentleness, and self control-fruit of the spirit :)
- Letter: W
- Laughed so hard you cried: one of my favorite emotions

M
- Milk flavor: fat free
- Movies: girly...just tasteful
- Motion sickness: not really
- Mickey D’s or BK: McDonalds

N
- Number: #4

O
- One wish: I have too many, so I just pray

P
- Perfect Pizza: mushroom and cheese
- Pepsi/Coke: diet coke

Q
- Quail: Blakely has a stuffed quail toy

R
- Reason to cry: happiness, sad circumstances, fear, thankfulness
- Reality T.V.: Love it! Biggest Loser, Tori and Deen, The Hills, Idol
- Radio Station: Christian on the way to work and class. Country, rock, and hits on the way home!


S
- Song: Casting Crowns - Somewhere in the Middle (describe me perfectly)
- Shoe size: 9 1/2 10
- Salad Dressing: Honey Mustard
- Sushi: gross
- Skinny dipped: yes
- Strawberries/Blueberries: strawberries
-Sunny/Cloudy: sunny mostly but I like both

T
- Tattoos: none
- Time for bed: 11ish...would like it to be 10ish
- Thunderstorms: great to sleep, watch a movie in, or read a book in....oh and clean and do work in!

U
- Unpredictable: sometimes I like to be!

V
- Vacation spot(s): some beach....somewhere.

W
- Weakness: spending money on things when I'm stressed, then feeling like I'm going to puke afterwards and wanting to return everything....don't judge
- Which one of your friends acts the most like you: Hmmm...they all have certain characteristics
- Who makes you laugh the most: Matty
- Worst feeling: Fear
- Wanted to be a model: a ROLE model
- Worst Weather: Tornados

X
- X-Rays: My best friend looks at them every day!

Y
-Year it is now: 2009
-Yellow: Jamie Bradley...her favorite color

Z
- Zoo animal: zoos make me sad...

50 things you would never ask...or something like that :)

1, What color is your toothbrush? Light blue and lime green

2, Name one person who made you smile today? Well I am home alone, but Blakely I guess (my hubby, kids, and coworkers make me smile daily)

3, What were you doing at 8 am today: Sleeping...usually Morning Board

4, What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Sitting outside with Blakely

5, What is your favorite candy bar? Twix? I don't know that I reall have one.

6, Have you ever been to a strip club? NO...YUCK

7, What is the last thing you said aloud? Matt, What time are you coming home? He's at work and I was talking to him on the phone.

8, What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Bride's Cake (Bluebell)

9, What was the last thing you had to drink? Diet Coke

10, Do you like your wallet? I actually want a new one. Mine is kakhi and about 4 or 5 years old and really dirty...but I love the monogram.

11, What was the last thing you ate? Cereal

12. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? No

13, The last sporting event you watched? A Braves game...can't wait to go to one.

14, What is your favorite flavor of popcorn? NATURAL *no butter

15, Who is the last person you sent a text message to? Michele Warr :)

16, Ever go camping? Well, sort of. I really want to go again, but am so scared of wild animals and crazy people.

17, Do you take vitamins daily? NO, but I really need to...so I'm told

18, Do you go to church every Sunday? Every Sunday we're here, and Sunday night's our favorite, and most Wed. nights! We love our church.

19, Do you have a tan? Not really, but I will have one soon

20,Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza? No probably pizza, but I do lke shrimp fried rice.

21, Do you drink your soda with a straw? Not out of a can...yuck, but fountain drinks and restaurants YES!

22, What did your last text message say? I might be working with her next year.

23, What are you doing tomorrow? Church and finishing up end of the year stuff.

25, Look to your left, what do you see? A bench full of presents for showers that I have to attend and of gifts that I need to mail out to people.

26, What color is your watch? Which one? I have a timex that I wear all the time...it's black. I also have a silver watch and a bronze one, a black and red one, and a colorful cuff watch. I like to know what time it is.

27, What do you think of when you hear Australia? right now, VBS...outback express! I am reminded of the olympic games and all of their swimming stars.

29, Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
Drive through, now that I have a window that rolls down. Except for BK every sunday morning back in Dublin with the Kinards.

30. What is your favorite number? #4!!!

31, Who's the last person you talked to on the phone? Mama just called.

32, Any plans today? I need to clean and run a few errands. The outdoors is calling my name though...as is the bed.

33, How many states have you lived in? FL and GA

34, Biggest annoyance right now? That I have a slight headache and I just wonder why when my life is stessful and chaotic, my house ends up looking like a tornado blew through!

35, Last song listened to? Carrie Underwood cd.....on the way home from Valdosta last night

36,Can you say the alphabet backwards? Yes. I can sing it!

37, Do you have a maid service clean your house? No

38, Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? I am a firm believer in teaching in crocs. My feet never hurt. However, my favorite shoes are my flip flops and sandals...and I get to teach in them for the month of May! I LOVE my OKA Bee flower flip flops. I have gold and black.

39, Are you jealous of anyone? Not of a certain person, but I do think people with very nice houses, families that live in town, and healthy families are lucky.

40, Is anyone jealous of you? Maybe but HIGHLY UNLIKELY (I'll just keep Katie's answer)

41, Do you love anyone? I have so much love in my life. I love to love things. Yes, I am in love.

42, Do any of your friends have children? Yes, actually most of my friends have children. The ones that don't (and Becky and Lynn) keep me sane with my obsession with age and my biological clock.

43, What do you usually do during the day? What don't I do? I am a mama to 20 6 year olds. I am also responsible for teaching many georgia performance standards, I hug and love on my babies, and run around like crazy, I work very very hard from sunrise to well after sunset :)

44, Do you hate anyone that you know right now? No

45, Do you use the word 'hello' daily? I say Hey! all the time!

46, What color is your car? Champagne but Chevrolet calls it Silver...really??

47, Do you like cats? Not really

48. Are you thinking about someone right now? Yes

49, Have you ever been to Six Flags? Yes, I don't think I'll ever go again

50, How did you get your worst scar? From years of living in my rollerblades and years of dance lessons (landing on my knees)

My new Tahoe!

Do I have the best hubby in the world or what? I called Matt on Friday to check on the Tahoe that was missing from Spence on Thurs. night. He told me that a couple from Tally bought it yesterday at full price. I REALLY believed him...and was sad. However, everyone at school thought that it just wasn't meant to be, and I figured I would just continue to drive my Honda for a few more months while we shopped around. I also knew that Matty really wanted to get me a car for my graduation in August.

Well, when I left school on Friday, guess what was waiting on me in the parking lot?? Matty and the beautiful Tahoe! I was shocked and speechless! I kept asking if it was really mine?



This is one that looks a lot like mine.

After we drove around for a while, we had to go show Becky, Jonathan, and the girls!

We had Relay for Life that night, so we got to take it there and I showed everyone!

I am very proud of our choice! It is used and in excellent condition. Since neither of us have had car payments before, a brand new car payment seemed ludicrous to us! We will pay the suv off in 4 years and the monthly payment will still be less than the raise that I will get when I graduate with my Masters. We are very thankful to own such a dependable, safe vehicle. It will be great for long trips to visit our families, and a perfect family car for car seats!

Saturday we had two of my kids birthday parties to go to. One at Chukee Cheese's in Tally and one at the skating rink here. Then we had a cookout at Matt's boss' house out at Lake Riverside. We sat under the oaks and enjoyed a beautiful night and good conversations!

Now, we are getting ready for another really busy week. I have conferences every night after school, plus I'm trying to finish my babies placement cards for next year!

Thankful Thursday!

I kept myself running on empty last week by saying over and over, "If I can just make it to Thursday night" and that is exactly what I did and the reason I am so thankful! We took our last Psych test of the semester, and got our presentation and impact project grades...100! So thankful! I also turned in my Spelling Portfolio for my other class!




After class, we went over to one of my favorite stores, TJ Maxx....it was my very favorite store in college. I got some really cute black patent leather steve madden sandals with a gold chain across the top for cheap! I couldn't find an exact pic of them but the one above is close! Jennifer, Bridgett and I all sought out different items and had a fun time....while Carrie finished her portfolio, then met us at Roadhouse! We enjoyed a night of Jamaican Cowboys and Cowgirls :) Matt came, as did Jennifer's new fiance, Jeremy.

We drove home and went by Spence to see if the cleanest tahoe you have ever been in was still there. We made an offer earlier in the week, because sadly, I have had the same care since I was 16, and it was just time. Especially with all the driving I do at night, plus we're going to need more room eventually and my dad found this incredible deal. We made an offer on it, but Matt wanted them to come down quite a bit and wasn't going to budge. And, sadly it wasn't there anymore! Or so I thought...