About Me

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I am a wife and mother of 2 amazing kids. My oldest is 6 and we call him "Bubba". My youngest is 5 and we call her "Moonie". We love life and try to find the silver lining no matter what the situation. I love to "make lemonade"! :) I like to try new recipes- vegan ones mostly- as we have food allergies in our house. We strictly avoid all dairy, eggs, and tree nuts. Cooking and baking safe foods for my family is very important to me- and a challenge I enjoy.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

When they send you home with a brand new baby, they don't tell you all of the things you can expect.
The overwhelming love... the sleepless nights... the feeling of having your heart beating in another person's body...

One would think that after almost 7 years, those things would have decreased. Nope- not the case.

On the eve of Bubba's 7th birthday, I am again amazed at what a truly incredible creature he is. He makes me so proud to be his mom. He shows love and compassion... he is very demonstrative and I am soaking it up while I can because I am afraid that will change as he gets older. He is a hard worker and really tries to do his best at school. He loves praise! To be told that he did a great job is reward enough for him. :) He is a fantastic big brother and is always the first to try to calm his little sister if she is upset. He is smart like his daddy. He can find good in just about anything. He has a strong will, a soft heart, and a ready giggle. What a great mix!

I can't help but reflect on all of the firsts we have had over the last 7 years. All of the typical firsts (sleeping through the night, first foods, first dentist visit, etc...) but we have also had so many others. First touchdown in football. First birthday party at a friend's house without mom or dad there. First field trip at school. First sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa's. First tooth lost. First trip to the hospital. First bike ride without training wheels. First running race. First play date. First time in a cave. First exposure to the fragility of life. First roller coaster ride. First school award. The list goes on and on...

While I look at that list and feel sad at all the time that has passed so quickly, I can't help but be grateful for the time and opportunities I have. I am grateful to have every minute with my family and to make these cherished memories.

I can also take away from all of those firsts is this- we are all constantly getting new opportunities. We can try something new and have our own firsts. I wish I could do it with the zest for life that Bubba has, but nobody does it quite like him! But I think I will try. ;)

Happy birthday, Bubba! I love you to the moon and back, sweet boy!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Change....

Anyone who knows me knows that I fear change. I can handle it if I have to, but change scares me. A LOT. (Hard to believe for a traveling special education teacher, huh???)  I seldom look for it. The really crazy thing is that I know that change is inevitable. Necessary even. So what is a person like me to do?

Moonie is now 5 years old and getting ready for kindergarten. That is almost painful to write. She will be entering kindergarten in the next few weeks and I am not ready. SHE is ready. Completely ready. I get teary just thinking of it. When did she grow up? Where did the time go? She is smart and and funny and an amazing little person... and ready to grow more. I am trying to wrap my brain around it. I never want to hold her back from being all that she can be because I am not ready for it. So... I will adjust. I will cheer her on and look back 6 months from now and be even more proud of the child she is because she is growing and learning like she is supposed to.

Bubba is going to be 7 in a couple of months. Every day he is looking more and more like a boy instead of the toddler I still see in my head when I think of him. He is smart and kind and a lover of life. He feels everything and shares generously. I could not be more proud of him. He is ready for first grade and football and all that life has to offer. He has no fear of taking on challenges and adapting to change. He is curious and thirsts for knowledge. There is so much I can learn from him....

I am blessed to love what I do for my career. Teaching is magic to me. I feel lucky to have other people trust me to help guide their children to adulthood and give them some of the skills they need. I am having a hard time this year as our district seems to be going through some changes, too. We are adapting to district wide changes (curriculum, testing, structure, organization, support, etc...) and the biggest issue to me is the staffing changes. We as a district have lost some AMAZING teachers this summer. They have retired or moved on to bigger and better things. While I am always happy when a person is able to be true to themselves or fully realize their potential, I am sad for our loss. I am sad for my loss of having those people who always find a way to motivate you on a low day or make you laugh on a really rough day. I mourn the loss of those who praise you when you do well and see the value in what you do. I know that in order to grow, change is needed. I also believe that life brings certain people into your life to change you- to teach you how to grow or what you don't want to be. I am curious to see who I encounter this school year...

So in this season of change for me, I am trying to embrace it. I am trying to believe that everything around me is happening to help me grow. I hope it is happening to teach me important life lessons. Kids have a powerful way of teaching us the important things if we choose to listen: to live each moment... to be in awe of nature... to love without regret or reservation... to share without expectation... to take what comes... and to be honest with everyone. So as I grow up and face another school year filled with all sorts of changes, I will take another cue from my kids and try to embrace the change. They will continue to teach me how to grow by pushing me outside my comfort zone. I guess that is where all of the growing happens...