God is SO Good!

So many updates to give….

Brandon and I celebrated our fifth anniversary on the last day of the school year, May 31. We have grown so much in these last five years. I’ve learned so much about him, love, and marriage. I’m tremendously thankful he chose me!!

Look at how young (and skinny) we were!

We dropped G off with Nana and Papa and headed to Branson. We checked in at Chateau on the Lake, which is a BEAUTIFUL resort. My parents “gifted” us dinner, so we headed to our favorite restaurant, Olive Garden. It was so yummy! Once we got back to the resort, we found chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling white grape juice waiting on us. We found out later that my precious momma set that up! It reminded us of our honeymoon and vacation in Hawaii. In the morning, we ordered room service, and ate a delicious breakfast. It stormed all night long, but it finally cleared off by 11:00 when we checked out of the hotel. We headed to Silver Dollar City with our season passes and rode all the big coasters. We LOVE their new coaster Outlaw Run. It is top notch! We spent just a few hours at SDC, then headed to Tanger to buy my momma’s bday present which I totally screwed up. So sad! All in all, we had a terrific time. It’s always nice to be able to get some alone time with my man!

Moving on…

Summer break is now in full swing!

Mom, Kayla, Megan, and I all went for a run last Saturday evening. I think it’s pretty awesome that we have started to get in shape and be more healthy!

We had our first girls’ night of the summer at my house Tuesday. I work with some of the BEST people. I love that most of us have kids about the same age too. We get together about once a month during school and once a  week in the summers. I don’t know where I would be without those wonderful women!

Unfortunately, Tuesday I also received some horrible news. My grade level team had to choose someone to move to a different team. We were heartbroken. My team is everything to me at school. We have worked together seamlessly for the last five years. Of course, we’ve had our ups and downs, but I don’t want to work with anyone else! We had a meeting with our new principal, and today we received notice that we are NOT being split up!!! I was in SHOCK! I am so very grateful to her and feel VERY blessed!

I also received an email from my former principal earlier this week about my Benchmark scores. My grade level did pretty well! We were at 96% proficient or advanced in Math, and 90% proficient or advanced in Literacy! This is why we don’t need to be split up! ha! I was pretty pleased with my scores. In Math, I had one student score basic, one scored proficient, and the rest were advanced! (I had 19 kiddos this year.) In Literacy, I had one student score below basic, one student score basic, one scored proficient, and the rest were advanced! I was pleased because I was not expecting so many to score advanced. This year was also an incredibly hard year for me. I had a lot going on with a new grade level, new curriculum, new baby, and a difficult mixture of kiddos. I’m glad that I didn’t give up despite wanting to several times. I’m ready for a new school year and fresh start in August!

Griffin and I went to the park today and had a little picnic. Thankfully we were the only ones there because he walked around yelling and acting like he owned the place. It was too cute. He likes to swing now, and I even went down the big slide with him. He thought that was pretty awesome.

So now I’m off to begin writing my grant so I can begin working on National Boards next year. EEK! I think I’m crazy!

Wonderful Weekend!

Wow! What a great weekend we had at my parent’s house. It was desperately needed…

One of my sweet boys wrote me this note on Friday afternoon. I cried. He’s been known as a behavior problem in the past, but I would seriously take him home with me any day. I love that kid. I remind myself that this is why I teach. This letter could not have come at a better time!

I was ready to get away after an extremely stressful work week. We headed up to Omaha after school on Friday.

Drew and Audrey were at Nana’s house too. They are SO much fun! Audrey finally decided she liked Griffin and even played with him. Brandon made some bubble solution and blew bubbles with Drew in the kitchen. I’m sure Nana loved that!

Saturday was spent at home. I love the peace and quiet on the farm there. Bran and I got up and ran since I missed Saturday’s WCR clinic. I really should do a post about that soon! I had a 12 minute mile, which isn’t great, but better than staying at home on the couch!

We took Griffin up to see my grandpa’s baby goats that afternoon. Griffin rode in the ranger for the first time. I think he loved it! However, when Bran started driving through the field, I didn’t love it so much. There was nothing to hold on to except for Griffin, and I was afraid I was going to fly out of that thing!

Nana also had a photo shoot with Baby G.

Those little Carhart overalls, camo boots and onesie, and Carhart hat were killing me with cuteness! He looked like a little hunter. He just needed a little toy gun!

That evening, Bran and I got away for a few hours. We ate a burger at Freddys. They have the best french fries eva! We made a quick trip to Target for some Boogie Wipes for G. I don’t know what we would do without those things! Afterwards, we walked around the Landing and ate some delish ice cream from Marble Slab. Divine.

OH! And I bought a pair of jean capris from Kohls in my pre pregnancy size! AND they were half off! woot woot

If Saturday wasn’t crazy enough, I went to my sister’s house at 8:45 that night and she fixed my hair! I have a slight ombre going on now.

This is by far the longest my hair has EVER been!

Today, we got up and went to Silver Dollar City. My wonderful mom kept Griffin again. I will be eternally grateful. Bran and I have had very little alone time, so to be able to get away again… It was heaven.

Their new roller coaster is AMAZING!!!! Seriously, it’s one of the best I’ve ever been on, and I’ve ridden a ton of coasters. Bran and I were both thoroughly impressed!

So now I’m back at home relaxing on my big comfy couch. Seriously, best weekend. Good for the soul.

Griffin and Daddy

Look what they left me! Love those two more than I can express!

Valentine’s 2013

I LOVE my man!

Valentine’s Day 2013 was pretty good. Bran has never been very good at the whole “romancing” thing. In fact, I’ve yet to receive a birthday card, let alone a gift, in the eight years we have been together. :/
I still love him though. I just remind myself it’s not about the “stuff.” I went all out for his birthday this year, and now Griffin’s birthday has my attention, so I didn’t really have any plans or expect anything for V-day. However, Brandon made reservations for us to enjoy some WONDERFUL dessert at TheCakePlace. I had a brownie with ice cream drizzled in caramel and chocolate sauce. Brandon ordered Crème Brulee. Both were so delicious. I really, really need to stop eating that crap though. My baby weight is never going to go away at the rate I’m going! It’s been a year for goodness sakes!!

Father’s Day, Project Life, and Carrots

Brandon and I have been enjoying our new normal with Griffin. Every time I think we’ve finally adjusted, something changes! Griffin is changing daily it seems. This week he has been transitioning to formula as well as solids. Oh. My. Word. I have never smelled anything more nasty than what my son passes in all three forms: solid, liquid, and gas!! GROSS! But anyways, Griffin had carrots for breakfast this morning. His face was hysterical. He wasn’t so sure about it. He ate about 1 1/2 Tbsp. I thought he did pretty good!



Pictures of babies eating baby food gross me out. I’m not sure why I’m posting these or even took them. Vomit.
Rewind two weeks…. Brandon celebrated his first Father’s Day! I loved Mother’s Day and soaked up every single second. Holidays are SO fun! Brandon however doesn’t really get into them. But since it was his first Father’s Day, Griffin and I had to make it memorable!

Brandon is now the new owner of a 42 inch flat screen! It’s so not cute right now. We need  to hang it on the wall and are in search of a new TV stand. In fact, we spent all day going to several different places in town trying to find one. It was exhausting.

Daddy’s mini-me

I’ve started scrapbooking again, but with a different approach. I love buying the cutesie paper and all the embellishments, but honesty, it was way expensive and I put way too much pressure on myself to make every single page cute and innovative. So as a result, I never did anything. Enter: Project Life. I stumbled across Project Life on Pinterest (where else of course?!?) and after some research, I ordered the kit from Amazon. It’s more of a glorified photo album, but itsn’t that what scrapbooking is anyways??

This is everything I ordered. Page Protectors, a binder, the Core Kit, and some matching paper. The page protectors have different sized slots for inserting pictures or journaling cards. So instead of spending an hour on a layout, I get one done in about 10 minutes or less. The entire album will be color-coordinated and will be a sort of yearbook for our family. I do one layout a week to document the events from that week. Since I started late in the year, I’ve had to backtrack a little, so a lot of pages have what I like to call “Flashbacks.” Becky HIggins, the creator, is coming out with a Baby edition later the year. I cannot wait to see it!!! I haven’t decided if I will backtrack and do one for Griffin, or wait for our next baby.

Here are the first two layouts in the album. I am in love with this product. Quick, easy, and to the point. Just the way I like it!

Four Blessed Years

Today, Brandon and I celebrated our fourth anniversary. And I didn’t even snap a picture. Boo!!



I’m so lucky to have found him. He makes me a better person.



It seems just like yesterday…



God has brought us so far. Brandon and I dated for three years before we got married. We were at the point where we could finish each other’s sentences. Our first years of marriage were easy peasy. Yet, it’s amazing how much more I have learned about him and how much he has taught me…. about love and about himself.





Such wonderful memories!! To celebrate our anniversary, we left the babes at my good friend and fellow teacher’s house. He did wonderful as always. Bran and I spent the evening in Conway. We ate at Fujis, a Japanese steakhouse, and did a little shoe shopping before coming back to get G. We had a lovely time!

I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us in the next four years!

So behind!

I have so much to catch up on… my first Mother’s Day, Griffin’s dedication, my week back at work, and a first for baby G!
So first, three weeks ago was a very special day for me… my first Mother’s Day. I was SO excited to be able to celebrate this special holiday with my boys and family. The day before, Brandon gave me the best gift to date (besides Griffin of course)! Just to give some background, Bran does not have a stellar gift-giving track record. In fact, we’ve been together for seven years and I have yet to receive a birthday gift. Gah! But he pulled through and gave me something I’ve been wanting for awhile… an iPad!

As you can see, I’m way too “connected” these days!!
We drove up on Sunday to celebrate with my mom and her side of the family. She made a delicious lunch and strawberry pie for dessert. It was awesome. I hope I can be half the mom and woman that she is. My mom is truly the best!

Let’s see…. That week Griffin got his three month pictures taken by a sweet photographer here in town. He was so serious the entire time and would NOT smile, but she managed to get some cute pictures. My school celebrated their 25th year. Zach Hocker, the Razorback kicker, made an appearance since that was his former elementary school. He is our local celebrity! That Saturday, Griffin went to his first “friend’s” birthday party. Our youth pastor’s son celebrated his first birthday. It was outside and so HOT, so we couldn’t stay too long. Instead, we went to Shoe Carnival and Hibbetts. I got a new pair of sandals and some work out clothes, while Bran bought a new pair of Nike Shocks. Way too expensive if you ask me!!
Sunday, the 20th, was another special day for my family. Griffin was dedicated at church. Pastor Morris said many kind and inspiring words, and Griffin did wonderful on stage. He was tired and fussy right before we went up, so I thought he would have a melt down, but he was a champ.






The best Nana and Papa!
We were supposed to go to Bran’s parent’s house for lunch afterwards, but his grandpa got sick and had to go to the ER that morning. My parents ended up taking us out to eat at McAlisters. I love that place!!!
The next day was super sad… It was Griffin’s first day at the babysitters. I had 12 amazing weeks off with my baby, but I had to go back to work the last week of school. It is going to be so hard and exhausting being a working mom come August. Griffin has a wonderful babysitter. I feel so fortunate to have found her, but I’m still sad that I will miss so much. He went to the sitters Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, but I smuggled him in to school with me on Thursday and Friday. And thank goodness I did!!! Because on Friday (May 25), he rolled over for the first time!

He’s been working on this for at least a month! He finally made it all the way over. I’m so proud!
Wednesday, our fourth graders were promoted to fifth grade, so a lot of kids didn’t come back to school on Thursday and Friday. Promotion is always bittersweet. I will miss this group of kids so much. They were an awesome class! Next year, I will be in third and will loop with my class. That promotion will be extra hard after spending two years with those babies!
Last night, we went to the Gotcher’s house to celebrate the end of another successful school year. Griffin got a lot of extra loving. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many people that love him and are willing to help me with him. Being away from my mom and family can be hard, but having such a great support system eases the pain.
I am leaving out so many details over the past three weeks. So much has happened. I can write at least five different posts that I’ve crammed into this one. I must do better!! I’ll leave you with some pictures.

Even Griffin has his moments. Ha!

Funny story about my homemade Moby wrap.
I must remember to tell that later…

New picture wall

Just hanging out with Momma!

My Project Life kit came in! Must post about this too!

Just a few of my favorites.

3 month post coming up….