Catch-up

I hope that you all had a great Memorial Day weekend and if you got a chance, Thanked a soldier. I wish that I could have seen one, but I try to do it everyday so I think it'll count. We went to a local cemetary where there is a Veteran memorial, and Nate's grandpa's on it. C liked looking at the flags.



The second to last day of school there was a bittersweet moment at the final assembly that goes along with my patriotic feelings. . . This year we (the entire school) sang "The Star Spangled Banner" every Monday morning. At this final assmebly we gatherd as a school and sang and the entire gym was filled with the beautiful words to that song being sung by adults and all the children. Except for one teacher,who didn' even put her hand over her heart. I understand our privlidge of "Freedom of Speech", and I understand that you have a choice to participate. However, because you are blessed to have it also means that you should at least respect the country that you live in, you might not agree with everything that its government does, but there are those out there servicing for us that deserve credit and support. Urgh made me sick - and still does. She prides herself one giving so much to her students, having her own children what have taken away from them; and yet, she had an opportunity to teach them about respect and didn't.

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Mother's Day: It was a nice day! We went to church with my mom.

I think she's beautiful! So proud to know I look like her! Love you Mom!

Then in the afternoon we spent it with Nate's Mom (&Dad) and grandparents. Here's a four generation picture. C definilty was more interested in Denise's necklace than looking, hopefully we can get another one with her looking.

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My birthday was so much fun! My students were so excited to celebrate with me, the made a giant birthday card and sang to me a day early (just to make it last longer), a mom brought doughnuts, Nate brought cookies and we had a fun time to boot! I usually hate my birthday and would rather celebrate it on a different day, since something bad always tends to happen. I love birthday's and this year was a confirmation that mine rocks too!

I think there's some truth to astrolocigal signs and personalities. I think mine fits me:

TAURUS TIDBITS:
Ruling Planet:
The ruling planet for Taurus is Venus. This planet's action is gentle and harmonious. It governs beauty, charm, emotional contacts, possessions, unions of all kinds, singing, art, culture, sweets, and moral character.
Color:
The color of choice for Taurus is pink.
Gemstone:
Taurus' star stone is the Emerald.
Lucky Numbers:
Taurus' lucky numbers are 2 and 8.
Compatibility:
Taureans are most compatible with Virgo and Capricorn.
Opposite Sign:
The opposite sign of Taurus is Scorpio.
The Perfect Gift:
Soft fabrics, floral scents, cookbooks, flowers, candy
Likes:
Gardening, cooking, working with hands, music, romance, high-quality clothing
Dislikes:
Sudden changes, complications, insecurity of any kind, synthetic fabrics
House:
Natural sign of the Second House. This house focuses on values, freedom, earning ability, possessions, and inner and outer resources.
Strength:
Dependable, patient, musical, practical
Weakness:
Stubborn, uncompromising, possessive
Charismatic marks:
Solid, big bones, tendency to gain weight
Best environment:
A secluded home close to nature. Good food is also important. Beauty and comfort are a must.

http://astrocenter.astrology.msn.com/msn/ArticleAstrologyHomeV2.aspx?sd=20090421&GT1=21001

Click on the link if you want to read more. (Thanks Wendy!)

How well do you know me? Can you tell the ones that fit me without me identifying them?

O, My! It's been crazy and I have so much to catch up on!

• C's 6 month appointment
• My 26th Birthday
• Teacher Appreciation
• Mother's Day
• First and second tooth
  
• **And they were all in the same week!**

Sorry, but it won't be on this post! Tomorrow is the last day of school for this year and then its to start on my SUMMER To-Do List. I know, I've aways got something else I have to get done. It's better that way. I can tell you for sure what's the top 2 things are:

1. Spend lots of time with my sweet baby!
2. Take some naps!

O how I wished I would have relaxed during my maternity leave instead of trying to keep up with school work and my other job. So, my goal is to take 1 nap a week. Simple, I know. But, its hard for me to take naps and these last few months I really needed one. A perk to being a teacher is having a summer break, so I intend to get a nap or two in.

*No I didn't say the biggest perk is summer break, I truly dispise that statement. For those who mean it should find a new profession. And for those who think we don't need it, should have 20+ kids, 7 hours a day, prep, plan, organize and assess; then let me know how you feel about breaks. :)

First Weekend in May

This first weekend in May was fun. Nice and relaxing! Of course it would need to include some time with the horses, the little one and roping to feel complete :)

Hello Zima!

I get the biggest kick out of this picture. I was just taking pictures and knew I'd framed her in with the ears, but I didn't realize till later that it was so dang cute!

Speaking of those ears (and the entire horses head) - it was a disappearing act that Boo was a little perplexed about. It was there one minute. . .

And the next, it was clear down there! How does it do that!

She's practicing holding the reins - death grip on Zima's mane.

I already posted one of my favorite pictures in the last post, but this one comes in close second. I just love how its just frozen and all that movement is just begging to keep going. No, the rope isn't around his head - just caught at the right time to look like it.

Sweet little one - hanging out in the back of the truck watching Dad rope and Mom take pictures.

Love the blue eyes and John Deere overalls.

Proud Papa - Happy Little Girl

"Should she be able to do this yet? Before long, we're headed to the store for Dt. Cokes together."

I [heart] faces contest

I love finding cool websites/blogs and stumbled across this one that has fun photography contests. I thought I'd enter this week because I love the guest judges' site and I think the prize comes from her. This week's theme is hats and here are my submissions:

{Same hat - different expressions. Sorry it seems a little dark again.}

My Talented Friends!

I have been meaning to do this for a while {sorry, its been a little crazy} but I wanted to share how amazing my friends are! Beautiful and talented - their husbands are so lucky! I just love seeing what they are up to and love sharing it with others!!

**Click on the logo or picture to go to their site**

Urbane Photography

Joni takes beautiful pictures and has such a creative view! I just love seeing her creativity come through! She was so kind to share some of her amazing insight with me. Can't wait to see more!

Curly-Q's Kira is so creative and makes adorable handmade cards, wipe cases and bibs. I love her vintage, feminine flare. (Hope you don't mind I took this pic of one of your adorable cards!!)

Wendy's site has her fondant cakes, announcement cards, photography and I know she sews too!

Brittny has these adorable bows! I just love how they perfectly match the outfits!

Ashley and I went to college together and now she's running her own business selling her creations! They are so cute!

Ashley has this blog set at private for now (I keep telling her to change it - the masses want to see!) but she made Charlize's announcement cards and makes a variety of others!

Bowlicious Gifts

Jamie has these adorable bug bows that I just think are simply adorable! If only Boo had any hair! She also does diaper cakes that are so cute!

So Please CHECK THEM OUT!

If I missed posting about yours, please let me know and forgive my absent-mindedness.

Six Months

I know, we've already taken family pictures - but I wanted to try for some more. I asked my friend Wendy to do it because I love her style and look, "They're Great!" Check out her KWBale Blog and see what she's up to. . .

About Boo:

• Full of personality! She can smile and talk like crazy, but if she doesn't want to - she won't.
• Has a big tounge - well, its usually sticking out just a bit and tends to get in the way when eating food.
• Likes to pull things (blankets, burp cloths) onto her face, but hates to have a shirt on her face when getting dressed.
• Is an independent woman. Don't bug her when she wants to go to bed - she'll give a look and turn away. She's also not much of a cuddler and likes her space.
• Loves to play UFC fight with Nate. Roll her around, grab a leg and pull - she's all full of giggles.
• Signs milk. We haven't worked on any others yet.
  
• Can sit up on her own, but doesn't do it very often.
• Can roll from belly to back, but not from back to belly.
• No teeth yet, but she's been drooling for months now.
• Has a squeal/squeek for talking and laughing every so often.
  

About Me:

• I'm not near as interesting as the bebe, but my life has changed too...
• I lost all the baby weight (50+lbs) by four months. I think most of it was from stress though. My flat abs have gone to my baby - she does pikes and sit ups all the time. Maybe eventually they'll come back to me :)
• My hair has kindof stopped falling out - at least it there's not as many handfuls pulled out of my brush everyday. I finally got it to the length I always wanted and then it started falling out. urgh!
• I have been blog bouncing and seeing all these women sell their crafts and start their own business' makes me want to do my own - for the simple fact that I want to be home with my little one. I've sold some stuff and started playing with my photography, but have come to the realization that these other woman are stay-at-home-moms (not that it means you have endless amounts of time either, just a different time frames to work with) and while I still work a full time job, I can't overload myself. I'll work on it during the summer and see where it goes from there. I get paid for knowing how to organize curriculum, teach and assess to check their learning. So, for now that's where my focus sits (behind my family, of course). Plus, maybe my hobbies should remain hobbies so I'll continue to enjoy them.
• I am grateful for my job and the opportunity I have to have summer, weekends, and certain holiday's off. I love being a teacher, but I LOVE getting to be home with my family. When I'm at school - I am a teacher. After the bell rings, I get to me a mom. That way I give my all where ever I am.
• I am blessed to have GREAT friends. They've been a huge support to allow me to ask questions, give me advice and share their knowledge on so many different things.
• I am blessed to have a beautiful, healthy family. Nate loves me, supports me and encourages me. He knows my weaknesses and who I truly am trying to be. ( I hope he knows I try to do that for him too. )
  

Yummy Lunches

Actually I have the best husband who makes the best lunches. :)

Then when I went back to work after having Charlize and was (like every new mom) frustrated with trying to shed the weight, he started making me lunch when he made his. O, his lunches are so much better than anything I'd ever made myself before. Like today's had a yummy ham sandwich, vegetables (carrots, celery, green peppers and broccoli) to dip in Ranch, a banana, a cheesestick, and an oatmeal cookie for desert. {There's extra so I can have a healthy snack at afternoon recess and not eat junk food.} Oh, so good!

People wonder why we go to bed around 9:00 - its because he wakes up at 5:00 and gets all this stuff done (he even unloads the dishwasher every morning!) I am so lucky! :)