Summer is OFFICIALLY here...

We just got back from our first trip to pool with Garrett and the kids, so my brain (just today) registered that it is now summer. I have been waiting for the moment when it would sink in that this wasn't just a long weekend or a week off from work, but rather summer! We had such a great time with them. I feel so grateful for her friendship and love the traditions we've developed of the years.

It was great to be there with Lauren too. It was her first time in a big pool. She sat in her floaty and enjoyed kicking her legs. Garrett's middle boy, Caiden was a riot with Lauren. Lauren and I were "chasing" him around the pool and Caiden was splashing us. Aliana (her youngest girl) and Lauren were taking swim breaks in the wagon together and playing (as best as a 7 month old and 1 year old can play). It was such a wonderful time and I'm hoping even with my busy summer schedule that we will be able to do it a few more times before the pool closes on Labor day.

I've been lucky enough to have Garrett as a friend now for four years. I always tell her that our friendship works so well because she helps me not take life so seriously. I've never had a friends that can make me laugh so much over nothing. She's been there with me through the hard times we've had over the past year or so. She is as loyal as they come and I've always admired what a wonderful mother she is. I've told her, and am now telling you, that her friendship has helped me be a better mother to my daughter- how wonderful is that! Plus, she's a blast to be around! She, like Matt, keeps my head out of the clouds. God blessed me and my family the day he knitted our lives together.

"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

Top Ten List: Teaching

I was washing dishes yesterday and I thought of this. Enjoy!

TOP TEN LIST:
THINGS I WON'T MISS ABOUT TEACHING...

10. "Mrs. Bennett, we need your attendance"
9. Field trips
8. "I wasn't the only one talking."
7. What was the purpose of this assembly? Oh well, at least I get to sit down for a minute.
6. How thirty minutes for reading lasted FOREVER and thirty minutes for specials was over in the blink of an eye.
5. Repeating myself over and over only for a student to ask you the question you had answered 10 times already.
4. Have you turned in your data spreadsheet and benchmark narratives?
3. Taking longer than 10.2 minutes to inhale my lunch
2. Noise level- enough said.
1. Being able to use the bathroom when I feel the need!

Saving Money...

Okay, I'm not sure if anyone actually reads my posts or not. It really doesn't matter to me. I started this blog because I wish I would journal more and feel like life goes by so fast these days, so I need to write it all down. Plus, I am a horrible speller so typing is a billion times better because of spell check (which doesn't always help). Anyway, today I'm asking for help from anyone who might read this.

I went online and found some books on saving money for stay at home moms (SAHM). Matt and I sat down this afternoon while Lauren napped and looked at our bills and soon to be smaller income. We've tried our hardest to save half my paycheck each month, which I am proud to say we were able to do most months. But now it's crunch time and I want to get our monthly bills as low as they can go.

We are already pretty frugal people and live a rather simple life, so we're hoping it won't be too hard. But what are some ways you other SAHM's save money?

Right now I'm looking into reusable diapers. Man, I've never felt so proud of myself as I do with the time and energy I've put into researching these. I will have to post more about that later. I also got two books on hold at the library that I'm hoping will give me some tips. And I have been praying about it. I know that the Lord has put it on both of our hearts that this is the best decision for our small family. I know that relying on God to provide our needs is my first and best advice. I'm SO grateful for out Loving Lord and all that He provides us with.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

The Last Day...

Here it is the last day of the school year (with students) and I'm not having the mixed feelings I thought I would. I figured I'd be more sad than I am. I have to say I just keep thinking about my beautiful munchkin at home.

There are a few students I will miss dearly. It is that way every year- ones you wish you could visit after the year is complete. I do have to say there are some students you feel like 9 months was too much and some that it just isn't enough. I'm glad that they give teachers a free class picture each year because I was looking back at them while I was packing up the classroom and I couldn't believe all of the students that I've taught. 7 years is a long time.

Now it's time for the next phase of my life. God knows that I'm ready for this new adventure Lauren and I are going to take together. I think that might be my favorite part of it all, that I get such an awesome buddy to share this next stage of my life with. I don't have to give her up after nine months (hehehe)!

As I packed up everything I was thinking about stuff that I could keep at the house so Lauren could use. I loved when teachers gave away things at the end of the year and then Shauna and I would play school. Some things that I kept for her include: stickers, books (of course), stamps, craft sticks, games, and construction paper. We're going to get to do so many crafts without spending a dime- it'll be great!

Speaking of packing- wow, I can't believe how much stuff I had. That is even with giving away a bunch to fellow teachers. I had two long Rubbermaid tubs of just files! Then I had one big tube of stuff like flash cards, tangrams, math manipulative, and stuff like that. Then I had thirteen small Rubbermaid bins FILLED to the brim with books! When my mother in law came down to watch Lauren this week she took a whole Santa Fa worth of stuff back to their house to store for me. I can't tell you how grateful I was for that. I think I'll be thanking her for a long time. Since our house has no basement, attic, or garage (what were we thinking when we bought this house?!?).

So my last thoughts of this last day with students is this "I'm going to love missing them and not missing my baby!"

Busy Mama...

Wow, the last time I posted, I was on maternity leave. Yikes! I've been back to work since the beginning of February and my days have gone as such: wake at 5 am, nurse, pump, get ready, leave for work at 7:15, work, work, work, (pumping twice at work), head home about 4, walk into the house to the world's most smiley little girl on the face of the earth, take a moment to spend with Lauren, nurse (Matt get's home), make dinner, then I have about an hour with Lauren before the bedtime routine begins at 6:45, she's down by 7, time for household chores, then sit down for a moment, wake Lauren at 9 to nurse- then we're all off to bed. We're in a good routine (Amen!), but one that only allows me a mere 3 hours a day with my baby. Thank heavens that's going to change.

I only have 8.5 days left with students and 14 days left of work. I can't tell you how happy that makes me. I still don't think it has registered in my brain that I won't be going back in the fall. I can't wait to have my house back to myself (no more taking 30 minutes daily to pick up for/from the babysitter). I can't wait to sleep in a little longer (although then we're going to have to tweak the scheduled Jenny and I have worked hard to put into place). I can't wait to watch my little girl grow up. I can't wait to laugh and play with her every day. I can't wait to not feel like my mind, body, and soul are being torn into pieces daily. I can't wait to be the mommy Lauren deserves, with her as my top priority (not that she isn't right now, but I still have 19 students that have needs that I have to meet daily too- I didn't turn into a bad teacher just because I had a child of my own). I just can't wait.

This waiting hasn't come without its trials and tribulations. There have been many tears and many prayers, over many months that have gotten me here thus far. I'm so grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful Christians who pray for me daily. Just last week I was having an especially hard day at work. The guidance counselor I work with, Judy, is the most wonderful lady ever- she happened to walk by me at just the right moment and I asked her to pray for me. She must have prayed something fierce- because the very next day I felt my burdens lighten. The students didn't seem to be as crazy, my outlook got brighter, and the work load didn't seems as daunting as the previous day. For people like her I am ever so thankful.

Well off to wake that cutie pie of mine...oh how I love her! I'll leave you with some more recent pictures (she's changed so much since the last post- sorry, I plan to be better once work is over)

Bath time fun!

Can you believe she's eating solids!!

Splashing around in her pool!

That stinks...

I just wrote a whole bunch and it got lost! That really stinks. Now I have to go back into my brain and remember what I wrote...hum...work brain.

Today's weather has put me into a wonderful mood. The sun is shining and it's 68 out! I want to take a walk but today I had being a bum on my mind. Matt came home for lunch- it was so nice- and I didn't shower until after he left. Lauren and I had a slow morning. We played a little and then we snuggled in for a morning nap. She napped while I caught up on some shows I had DVRed. I just want the image of her snuggled with me to never go away! She is just so precious and I feel like my time with her will be so limited soon.

This leads me to my other thought. I have been looking forward to the woman's spring bible study coming up since last years ended. In fact, the last time we met last year is when I found out we were pregnant with Lauren. This bible study got me through the miscarriage and a rough time with my mom. It just is going to hard to be gone at work all day and then head home for dinner only to leave her again for study. I know that a mommy filled with God's love will only help me fill Lauren with His love too. It's just going to be rough.

I'm doing better today about going back to work. I can feel God holding my hand and know that he can help me. So today I'm doing okay with it. Let's hope that there are more day like this.

Time to go get Lauren up for her first dinner! Can't wait to snuggle with her some more!!

Update #2

Mr. White is doing great and here is a picture of him, Lauren, and I when I went to visit him at school. It was so great to give him a great big hug and hear his tender words of wisdom once again!