There's no way to catch up...

for all the things that have been happening since our last post. I really don't have time to do this now, but I wanted to post something.
So here's a little post about Everly's big girl haircut. She is almost 27 months old and has never even had a trim. I really didn't want to get her hair cut yet but I was getting a little stringy at the ends. She had two layers in her hair and Brett and o agreed to cut it even with the top layer, which meant all the baby curls were gone :(
Everly acted like a complete pro after a little bribery from me. I promised her that we would walk down the street when we were done to see a giant Pooh bear in a store window.

Yeah...I'm typing this on my blogger app. I may have to back and rotate the pictures when we get internet at our house. We've lived here for almost two months and haven't had time for them to come out to set it up. Yes, we are that busy!

In one of the pictures Evie is chewing her finger. That is her nervous habit.

I Can't Sleep!

It's now 3:28 am and I've been awake for an hour or so. Now that I am awake I can't go back to sleep. My mind is racing. So many huge events are going on with us right now. We're moving from the only house we've ever lived in since we have been a married couple. We weren't supposed to close until August 9th,but all the paperwork is complete so they want to close this week. Luckily we have 10 days after closing to move. I am excited about moving. We're moving near our farm land and the whole family will get to see each other more often.

School is also about to start back. I have to start on Monday...yikes! I thought I was going shopping on Friday for my "back to school" clothes. Not that it's a big deal...but when exactly am I going to make that happen now. Then there's my classroom. I think of something new everyday that I want to do or needs to be done. I am in the process of painting my desk now. I am so thankful that one of my former students,Meg, came over today...check that yesterday to help keep Everly company while I worked. She's actually a pretty good painter too.

I thought maybe typing some boring random post would make me sleepy...no such luck. Sorry to bore everyone. I guess I'll go back to playing this Sushi Bar game on my phone. I'll probably stay up all night trying to beat it. Oh yeah and if there are any typos please forgive me. I always go back and read my posts and find several...yeah reading teacher who can't spell. That's the way to make our future brighter...ha! I just don't know of a spell check on the Blogger app. If you do, info me please!

Our Summer in Photographs

This summer has been filled with probably not as much fun as it should, but I had a big task to complete...a new classroom. Unless you are a teacher, you probably don't understand all that goes into that task. I am so very grateful that I had to work on it this summer. We've tried to sprinkle in some fun along the way.

 This sweet girl turned TWO in June. I still can't believe it. Here she is riding at her party. She doesn't like anything motorized, so this was perfect for her. This sharp ride belonged to the skating rink, but I found her a brand new one at a flea market for a third of the price of a new one. So proud!

 Glad she likes to come to school with mommy. This is her leaving one night. She takes that baby every where. She is still lovin' her pink boots...as you can see!

 First movie for Evie and her friend E.I. (Eli). They saw Winnie the Pooh with the SES camp kids. I was thankful the movie was less than an hour. Everly was not really into sitting still! I think they sat in this chair for about a minute.

 Swimming with Daddy. We tried to swim as much as possible this summer, because someone was taking swimming lessons this summer and she loves to show off her skills.

 Celebrating the last day of swimming lessons with friends with popsicles. We can't wait until next year!

At school with Mommy. A future teacher in the making? This is her new cheese face!

Mrs. Mack is back!

After crying my eyes out for while about not being rehired at SES, I proceeded to enjoy my summer. I secured a part time job for the fall and knew that I could substitute every day. I prayed about the situation. About a week or two after school was out I got a call from the principal. There was going to be a fourth grade unit added because of the number of students. This teacher would only teach reading...which I love! She told me that I was being considered for the position along with several others. Exciting news but I didn't get my hopes up. I also got a call from B's alma matta...Opp.  They also had a fourth grade position open. I interviewed with them, but their position was temporary. A few days later E and I were on our way to shop in Dothan when I got them call that I got the position at SES. I was so thrilled. We went to the teacher store that day just to buy something, anything that I could use in my room. Later that week I volunteered at Kids Kamp with a civic club I am a member of when I got a call from Andy, another local elementary school. I ended up not interviewing with them because the board meeting to approve my employment was that night. I told the principal that I would hate to waste her time. God is so good. I went from having no hope to having three opportunities for a job within a matter of weeks. I'll leave you with a picture of my room in progress. It is right next door to the room I had last year. I am so excited to be back at SES with my wonderful students and coworkers. I hope Miss E will be going with me when the time comes for her to go to kindergarten.

Summer fun!

Summer is flying by! I've been spending most of my time with a very busy TWO year old. I'll have to do a complete birthday post soon. We've been swimming alot, had playdates with friends, gone to story time at the library, and playing with her newest obsession Baby Doll. I am so blessed to have gotten another job at the school I love so E has started going back to her school a little more while I get me room ready....yeah need more posts for these things too. Right now E is taking swimming lessons with two of her future classmates. They are learning things like floating on their backs, holding their breaths, and "picking apples" (paddling). Wednesday after swimming I asked her what she wanted for lunch and she told me pizzzza. We went to Pizza Hut for the lunch buffet. It was our first time going to eat just the two of us. We had so much fun. We'll definitely do it again soon. I'm ready to get my classroom complete so I can spend more quality time with my big girl before the crazy fall begins.

The death of me!

Yes, these little babies right here are going to be the death of me! E's Gimme ordered them for her back in the fall and they finally fit. I let her wear them on Memorial Day and she pretty much hasn't taken them off since...well except for yesterday morning when she took off her black Crocs and threw them across the floor and marched to her room to get her black polka dot mary janes. I did not fight this battle! I just let her wear them...at least she picked something that matched.

Last night she slept in these Teva sandals and right now she is prancing around the house in them. I think she's beginning a new stage where she wants to pick out her own clothes. She sticks firm to her choices too. If she would only learn how to put these shoes on instead of following me around holding the right one (it won't stay on) in her hand screaming "Shoe off!!!!".

School's out...seriously!

So, I knew when I accepted my position in December that it was an emergency hire and I would have to reinterview for a position in the spring. Our school earned almost two additional teacher units on top of the positions that another emergency hire and I were working in. I love the school I worked at. It is where I would love to see Everly learn and grow. As spring got closer the more nervous I got and the more excited the students became. I interviewed in early May. By this time we were informed that there would only be one position total at our school, mainly because of proration. My emergency hire co-worker and I (who I also graduated with) knew that one of us would definitely not have a job in the fall at our school. Both of our interviews went wonderful, so we thought if we didn't get a job at our school maybe we get one at another one of the county schools. Either way, we were going to be happy for one another.

We had to wait almost two weeks after our interviews to find out the verdict. My poor students...that was the most stressful two weeks all year! We were called into the conference room at the same time. I already knew what this meant...neither of us got the job! I do not know the person that got the job, but I've seen her around. She looks nice and hopefully she will do a wonderful job. It just stinks when you've poured your heart into something and it's gone. I described it as being broken up with...it's the only thing I could compare it too. I cried all night and woke up at 2 am and cried some more. I cried the next day and woke up at 2 am the following morning. Heck, I'm crying right now!

My fellow co-workers and the parents couldn't have been more supportive. I am so thankful to each and every one of them. They made me feel loved and reminded me that this is all in God's hands and he has a plan, even if I can't see it yet.

SES will definitely always hold a special place in my heart. I went to observe there a little over two years ago when I was very pregnant with E. I remember walking in the halls and the smell hit me. It was the same spell as my elementary school. Then and there I knew this is where I wanted to intern. Low and behold I ended up interning with the very teacher that I observed with, who is now a wonderful friend. I was ecstatic when I was offered a job even before I graduated, this is unheard of. The children are wonderful and the faculty like family.

Teaching is my calling, that I know. It's what I have wanted to be since I was 9 years old. So many great people and opportunities have led me to this occupation...finally. I got a job at the Elmore BOE when I was 17 and worked there six years while I was trying to go to school part time. Finally, 12 years after I graduated high school I finished college. 

One of my parents came to talk to me after school one day. She said that she had prayed daily that I would get the job. She quoted a very fitting scripture. I know it was from Jeremiah and I remember the gist of it...but of course I was crying again!! 
I think this is it-
Jeremiah 17:7-8
  "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

If this wasn't it...it's what I needed to read today. As of now my plan is to substitute a lot and keep my faith in the Lord...and pray!!

Camping Days 2 & 3

On day two of camping I had to go buy a swimsuit...yeah...couldn't find my one that fits(long gone are the days that I had a draw full to choose from) and we needed to go to my favorite store Target to buy a few items that first time campers didn't know to pack. While we were out we also went to eat at Shuckums. I had a delicious baked oyster trio and B had an oyster po boy. E will pretty much try anything that we do. She ate crackers and cocktail sauce. Healthy...I know! We got back and headed to the beach. At the state park they have two swimming areas. We chose to swim at the pass. It was so clear and beautiful and we felt really safe having E there. The water was really shallow for a long way out. I was really worried about how she was going to like the beach. Last year she had a breakdown in the sand when we went to Orange Beach. No problems at all this year. She loved it! I'm talking about making sand castles and everything. We were only out tree about an hour. It looked like she was getting sunburned but thankfully she didn't.  We headed back to our campsite. E took a nap and B went fishing. I sat out under our awning and did yesterday's blog post. The weather was absolutely perfect. When B got back he started a campfire and I took E across the street to the playground. She was fearless! She went on all the big slides, ladders, and tunnels...until she tripped on a step and bit her tongue pretty good. It took a while to stop bleeding.
We had camping favorites hot dogs and fire roasted corn for dinner.
After dinner E and I took a walk to the shower house. She got her second ever shower. The first was also here earlier in the day. When we got back B made one of my all time favorite foods s'mores!
Last night E and I really didn't sleep so well. She slept between B and I since fell off of her bed the night before. We feared she would so we had lots of pillows on the floor. I was freezing and B thought E was too, so we slept really close to her. I felt her and she was burning up. She and I got up to sat on the sofa. I was afraid she had a really high fever and I didn't have anything to treat it. After I held her for a few minutes she cooled off. So we got on the single bed with her Disney princess comforter. My gosh...I was still freezing. This popup has the most powder AC I've ever felt. B says he offered to turn it down but I refused...I really don't remember. Evie seemed to wake up every thirty minutes. Neither of us rested well last night. We woke up to a completely cooked breakfast. Yummy! B took E back to the playground while I went to shower. He said she was still hesitant. We packed up and headed home a little later.
Before we go camping I would really love to get a granny bike with a wicker basket and baby seat. Everyone rides bikes A LOT while camping. I think E would love it too. Also I would love to start C25K. A very fit family had their popup in the spot next to ours. The father and daughter would get up every morning and go for a long, long run. This girl was so fit. Brett noticed that I would just watch her. He reminded me that I could do it too...I used to do it all the time.

I know this is very, very long...but I wanted to make sure to include lots of details of our camping adventure...including this stynx lizard that appeared when we pulled and funny enough when we left.

Camping Day 1

Yesterday right after church we set out for PCB. It only takes about an hour and a half to get here. We decided to get everything set up before we headed out to the grocery store. The pop up is really is easy to setup and we got everything unpacked. We decided to just pick up some steamed from my favorite Buddy's seafood, but we were 10 minutes too late. They were closed. So we went on to my very favorite grocery store...well besides Fresh Market...Publix. We had their seafood department steam crab legs and shrimp. We got some crab dip and key lime pie (one of my very favorite desserts). We sat out under our asking complete with rope lights and devoured our meal. I think we were all in bed by 9:00. I don't think a baby could be more happy than Evie was last night. She filled her little Vera Bradley purse full of rocks and went to town. I can't wait to watch her around the campfire tonight. Today has been amazing also. I'll post about it soon. I hope this looks good. I am typing on the new Blogger app on my phone. E is awake and B is back from fishing.

Vacation Home

This coming week is my spring break and we have bought a vacation home! Ha! Probably not exactly the kind you imagined when you read this blog title. We bought this pop-up from Brett's friend at work.

We had a Mexican beach vacation all planned out when Brett came home with this idea instead. For the same price we were going to spend on one vacation we could have many, many vacations. So we went last weekend and made the purchase. It sleeps seven if you can believe that. It has a queen bed on one end, a full on the other, the u-shaped table lets down to make a full bed and the booth table lets down to make a single bed (Evie's bed). My only requirement was that is has AC...which it does and a heater with a thermostat. It has an awning that lets out in the front and you can cook inside or bring the gas stove outside and it hooks on the side of the camper. Who knew that pop-ups could be this nice? I am so excited about it!! My parents had a pop-up and we always loved camping.

Our first family trip will start tomorrow and I CAN NOT wait! We're going to St. Andrews in Panama City Beach. Perfect timing too, because our Realtor is showing our house to a young couple after church (please pray it sells soon!!!). We're spending our day today cleaning and packing. I think we're even going to spend the night at B's parents tonight to start the vacay a little early. I might even give a little update from the wilderness...ha ha. I got the Blogger app for my phone now. Maybe I can keep up with this thing a little better now!

Lately I've Had the Strangest Feeling...

Remember that song? I think it was by Jodeci...
Anyway, lately I have been really down about Daddy. Maybe it's just seeing pictures of his headstone and knowing that it truly is real. He won't be here to see Everly grow up. Now that she is talking so much more and showing her hilarious personality I can imagine them interacting. If you knew my daddy, you know how much of a character that man was. I think it rubbed off on me alot. I would rather be known as a little crazy than a stick in the mud.
Another reason I'm probably so down is because Easter is upon us. This was a holiday that we always celebrated with the whole family. What to do? What to do? Should I try to plan something here at our house or is it easier for us to travel? No one has even mentioned it. I think we are all a little scared!
We bought a pop-up camper over the weekend and I am so proud of it. I have so many wonderful memories of camping with my family. No it's not a luxurious vaction (I gave up a trip to Mexico to buy it) but the memories we make will be more meaningful to me.
I guess I just needed to get a little of this off my chest. Take pictures with your loved ones this Easter. We didn't take a whole group shot last year. I would give anything to have had one more family photo.

What's Up with Us?

Over two months and no post! I guess nothing really exciting has been going on and we've been so busy that I haven't had time to post. I've been getting adjusted to my teaching position and all that goes with it. Last week and this week we've been completing testing in the fourth grade. Funny, I have been posting on my class blog. You can check it out at Mrs. Mack's class. It is a useful tool for parents I think.

We now volunteer as small group leaders for sixth grade at our church. Last night was our first official meeting as solo leaders. We had the boys last night. I don't have brothers...so wow! was this eye opening. We really enjoy the teachings of our youth pastor. We feel like we're learning as much as the students are. We're also involved in a small group book study of David Platt's book Radical with three other couples. It has been truly life changing. It is so nice to be able to share and learn in this small group setting. Another big deal for us is our house is officially listed! I have been praying that it sells sooner rather than later. I am still commuting about an hour each morning even though the school I work at is only eight miles from our home. I take E twenty minutes away from home to her school. I know the easy thing to do is to change her school, but I won't do it. These ladies have kept her since she was seven weeks old. I am comfortable with her there and I feel peace knowing that B's mom works right next door. Her care is much more important that my convenience. We bought 42 acres between my school and her school. Hopefully we can get out of "town" and out to the country soon.

Brett has been gearing up for another busy hay season. Right now he is getting all the equipment ready and some odd and end projects that needed to be done around the farm. He's also the chairman for our county Young Farmer's group. We have a petting zoo for all the kindergartners in the county. He's held several meetings for that and we attended the state young farmers conference in Huntsville in February. We always have so much fun at those with all the families from our county and the others that we have met from throughout the state. He has also gotten to go turkey hunting a few times.

E has probably had the most going on. She has been battling allergies. We thought she had RSV, but were so thankful she did not. Miss E weighed 24 lbs. 2 oz. at her appointment. I can't believe it!! She is growing so quickly, even though most people still think she is tiny. I love being her mommy. She is my world. Her personality is so bubbly. She loves to sing and dance. About two weeks ago we went to the zoo. I was talking to B and telling him how I need to learn to bake a coconut cake. She starts singing patty cake!! This is the second time I "accidentally" found out that she knows a song.
These are her favorites as of now-
Hokey Pokey (or Pokey Pokey) as she says
Pattycake
The Wheels on the Bus
Jesus Loves Me

She has counted to nine without making a mistake. She recognizes several shapes, especially a circle. We're working on recognizing letters and numbers now with flashcards...kind of like a homemade "Your Baby Can Read". I am amazed daily at all the things she knows and learns. I worked with some children while interning in kindergarten that came to school knowing less. That just breaks my heart.

E still loves books and likes to "read". She really seems to be studying her books. I know this is getting extremely long winded, but I just wanted to give a general update on us.

Shoney Bear

Yesterday I was pretty sick. I had fever off and on all day. My momma called to check on me last night and we started reminiscing. Here birthday is coming up pretty soon, so I invited her to come stay the night with us and we'd take her to dinner wherever she wants to go. She said that she would as long as no one sang to her! She began talking about one time that my dad took her out for her birthday and she was so embarrassed when the staff began to sing. She was talking about how dad had set all of this up. A few hours before he passed away my dad was talking to my uncle on the phone. He said that he had a special surprise set up for he and my mom's anniversary (he passed away three weeks before their 3oth anniversary). As momma talked I was taken back to a very happy time in my childhood...birthdays! We didn't have a lot of birthday parties, but we did usually go out to eat...complete with singing! We were members of the Shoney Bear birthday club. You would get a free meal during your birthday month. My birthday is on the first so we'd always have to go the weekend after my birthday. The staff brought a hot fudge cake (I'd love to have one RIGHT now) and sang. Gosh, I miss those carefree, happy days. Hopefully Everly will have as many fond memories of her childhood as I do of mine. I can't wait to host my Momma soon at our house...who knows? maybe we'll have her surprised by singing. I know she really would care at all now! I think we've all learned in our family to live life to the fullest.

Also, a huge thanks to my sweet husband this weekend! He's done it all (I mean down to sweeping and mopping floors and making pumpking bread)and taken care of me. Thanks honey! Love you :)

How many words?

A few weeks ago when we were at Dr. E's he asked me how many words that E says. I said alot, but that wasn't exactly the answer he was looking for. I guessed between 30-40, but I really think it's more than that. Here's my attempt to see exactly how many...

People
Mama, Dadda, Daddy, Pop, Gimme (still only seldomly...wonder what's up with that), Mamaw, Papaw, Rah-Rah (Sara her teacher at school), Weesa, Huhsen (Hutson), Embeth (Emma Beth), Nick, Ka care (Katy Claire), Mafhue (Matthew), Mary, Danny, Soosie (Susie), Rose, Pooper (Cooper), Zane

Places
home, cool (school), Auburn, Bama

Things
Micka Mouse, Mimmie, boo (what the cow says), Oso, nana (banana), bites, bubbles, jacket, shoes, Crocs, Nikes, socks, pants, tree, Jesus, bible, book, Aubie (she loved watching the National Championship game), touchdown (with her hands in the air), W'gle (War Eagle!), teeth, bwush (brush), bow, wet (pointing to her diaper), cup, duece (juice), milk, yo-gurt (two syllables), banket (blanket), bye-bye, wuv (love), teese (cheese), Nemo (but she means Elmo), Abby (Abby Cadabby), buce box (juice box), cookie, chips, bubath (bubble bath), baby, keys, trac trac (tractor). fen toast (french toast)

I know that's not all, but that list includes about 70. I guess I should count again before we go to her two year appointment. She is so much fun now and I am so proud to be her momma!

18 months

This sweet thing turned 18 months old on December 23rd. Her 18 month appointment was on the 28th. She is such a big girl now and wants to walk every where. The nurses had a fit over her new Vera Bradley bag that she got for Christmas. They took her all around the office to show it off, because she was not going to let it go! She didn't even want to let me hold it while the nurse weighed her. She had it loaded down with her doll bottle, cell phone, and keys and of course we couldn't leave Mimmie at home.

She now weighs 21 lbs. 14 oz. ( I never thought we'd make it over the 20 pound mark)- 20th percentile
and is 31 inches tall-40th percentile. Dr. E always makes me smile when he says most ladies prefer to be on the slender side. He even commented on her purse. He said, "That looks like a Vera Bradley. Aren't you just a Gucci baby!" I love it when he is in a good mood and we can joke. E did great with her shots and didn't want me to comfort her...she wanted her purse! Can we say girly girl? I love my priss pot! I have had the best time staying at home with her yesterday and today (we have a weather day today).

We're about to get out in the cold and buy a few ingredients to whip up some game day grub! Our team (yes E's too...she's in a house divided) is playing in the national championship tonight. I've taught E to say Aubie and War Eagle! She'll be dressed in her #2 Cam Newton shirt tonight, made by my sweet friend Mandi. She has a new Aubie shirt to wear to school tomorrow. She'll wear it either way, because I am so proud of my Tigers...but we're ALL IN for a victory!!!!

My Christmas Vacation...

was spent in my classroom. I would try to get there before 9:00 and sometimes I would be there at 9:00 at night. I just wanted it to be perfect. I took over for a teacher that retired mid-year. I went through tons and tons of stuff. Brett and his dad cut down a bookcase and hung up my television. Brett built a coat rack. I sorted and filed and threw away old things. It was a job! I could have had all summer and it still would have been a job! I am so proud of the way it turned out. I officially started on January 3rd and the students came back on the fourth. I am teaching fourth grade Alabama History, which is ironic because my very favorite teacher ever taught fourth grade Alabama History and it was then that I decided I wanted to become a teacher. I was hired for an emergency position, so I probably won't have this job next year. Hopefully, I will get to stay at the same school. It is a wonderful place and I would love for E to be a Tiger one day!

 Before

After

Two checks!

I can not believe that I did not blog about one of the most exciting times of my life. They say pictures are worth a thousand words...so I'll post lots of those and maybe that will make up for it.

Well....I thought I would post a lot of those. I can't find my "real" camera. Here are a few from my graduation (the others are on my MILs camera). It was December 10th. It was such an exciting day. I couldn't believe that it was real until they called my row to walk to the stage. I have wanted this since graduating high school, but life (and choices I made) kept getting in the way.

I knew this day was going to be hard for me. I cried on the way there and didn't do my eye make-up until I pulled up in the parking lot. I knew how much this day was going to mean to my dad and how proud he would have been of me. When they lined us up in the auditorium, I had to sit next to this girl who really, really drives me nuts. All I wanted to do was sit and listen to the directions. She came in with three bags of stuff and was doing her hair and make-up while we waited to walk. Isn't it funny how God can send you a blessing when you least expect it? As we walked into our graduation ceremony, I like everyone else was looking around for my family. I found them and it looked empty, someone was missing. My dad was supposed to be up there with a big grin on his face, waving so much it would be embarrassing....but he wasn't. Tears started to fall from my eyes. I didn't want to cry, but I couldn't help it. The girl who drives me nuts looked at me and said that this was happy and I shouldn't cry. She was right, it was a happy occasion. I had to hold back tears several other times.  Then, I had to laugh out loud when I tripped on the way down the stage ramp. At least it wasn't on the way up, that was my biggest fear!

Also, while on stage we had to shake hands with Chancellor Hawkins and several other men. The last one asked me, "Do you have a job?" I replied with a huge smile and "yes!". He said that he could tell by the smile on my face. It was (and is) a wonderful feeling to know that I graduated and got a job within days of one another. That only happens to a very small fraction of graduates. Two of my life's goals happened in one week.

Graduation was such a fun day. My momma and sister came down (and they didn't even get lost). We all went to lunch afterward. We don't all get together often enough.

I have thanked the Lord many, many times in my prayers. I have also thanked my husband and in-laws. I hope they all know that I couldn't have made these dreams come true without their help. I got to check two things off my Bucket List and I am absolutely thrilled!