New School:: Update

This post is a bit delayed.  Such is life. 

 

We moved Easton from the school he'd gone too since I returned to work from maternity leave in April.  When we moved to our new house, we knew we'd eventually move him to a school closer to home.  This was NOT a decision I was looking forward to.

 

Not because the new school would be bad, or less than, but just different.  I've taken Easton every day but maybe 5 days since he started.  I picked him up.  I went and nursed him on my lunch break.  We we both comfortable there.  We both had friends there.  Friends we would miss dearly. 

 

Lance is now the responsible party for the most part.  He takes him and picks him up most days.  He knows his friends.  He sees his teacher.  He hears the first words out of his mouth when he gets in the truck.  He gets the trinkets (mulch, rocks, random sticks) Easton puts in his back pack every day.  He's getting what I used to get.

 

Yes, my commute is a little more peaceful, and a lot more quiet.  But I miss that little face in the backseat.   I miss our funny conversations.  I miss his music selections.  I miss his funny stories about his friends in the afternoon.  It makes me sad knowing I don't get to participate in that part of his day anymore. 

 

I know this time is good for he and Lance.  They get donuts more mornings than I'd like to admit.  They stop at the gas station in the afternoons for a snack.  They get that time together that they didn't have for 3 years. 

 

But for now, it's what we do.  I leave the house at 6:45 to make it to work by 8 and return home by 5 most days.  Some days he's not even awake before I leave.  It's not ideal, but it's life.  We're adjusting to this new 'normal' and trying to make the best of it.  

 

I do believe it's making me more intentional with my time that I do have at home.  With dinner, packing lunches, bath & bed, it leaves little time for fun.  So we must make the most of it.  Lots of afternoons are spent outside before supper.  Lots of times after bath are spent in the Bonus Room playing.  He helps me a lot in the kitchen.  We bike ride.  It's not easy only getting 3 hours a day with him.  Especially when those are the most tired hours of his day.  It sometimes leaves for exhausting nights but it's a season.  This time won't last forever.

 

So, here's the first day/week at his new school {in phone pictures---sorry for the blurry ones, I was trying to blur the kiddos and the school t's}. 

 

To say I was PROUD of how he marched right in on day 1 is an understatement.  We took him in, put up his lunch box, back pack and nap mat.  The children were already up front in the common area about to start their morning devotion and we were going to encourage him to sit with them and we'd head on out.  He wanted to 'tell you bye at the door' first.  He hugged us and turned right around, never missing a beat, never once acting unsure.  We had nothing but good reports all day at how well he was adjusting and how his new friends loved him.

 

 

And nap time was a welcome relief for him. They are on the go all the time at the new school. Changing rooms, doing different activities in different locations, even walking to the local libraray. I really like that about this school! 

This was our Friday picture!  We made it through the first week!



It's been about 6 weeks now since he started.  He's doing so good.  He's had a few rough days where he didn't want to stay but he jumped right in after drop off.  He really is a trooper.  There's definitely a transition happening though.  And maybe it's just being 3.  But we're struggling with listening, some back talking and a little bit of 'tude.  I don't know if it's new friends or if it's just new everything or just adjustment but it's taking extra patience on all of our parts.  But we'll make it.  He's a good boy and we're so thankful at how wonderful he has done with this!  Kids really are far more flexible than we think they will be. 

 

Give them the confidence and the encouragement they need and they will soar!

 

 

Head on over to Bridget's blog and check out her mother's day: part i.  If you don't read Bridgets blog, you should.  She's one of my FAVORITES! She's real.  She's hilarious!  She's a wealth of knowledge about all things natural.  She's a wonderful mother- to a few kids that became her own after their mother passed away and she married their father, her professor, (love story here- it's amazing, inspiring, tear inducing) and one really cute little fella that she birthed. She's a wonderful writer, style that's amazing.  Just an all around great gal!   Head on over and check her out!

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My own little taste of Blissdom

I reeeeaaaaly wanted to go to Blissdom.  But this year, I didn't feel like it was my time.  But next year, I'm there.

I wanted so badly to go to the Handmade Marketplace on Thursday but I'd heard it was for Blissdom Attendees only.  Four of MY FAVORITE Handmade Idols were there.  Gussy Sews, Allora Handmade, The Pleated Poppy & Lisa Leonard were among the greatness that was The Handmade Marketplace.

After all the tweets that were going out about it, I almost faked sick and made myself a Blissdom badge.  I decided against both.

However, Saturday morning, I checked my twitter and it was blowing up about a Pop-Up-Shop going on at Blissdom in one of their hotel rooms.  Hoopla?  I'm there.

After a call to the MIL & SIL, we were all set up to go!  After three trips around the parking lot and finding 1 of 3 free spots to park, we were on our way in.

To say I was excited would be an understatement.  I've read these blogs forever.  These girls are part of my morning routine.  They inspire me.  The motivate me.

We made it in and the first person I see is Maggie.  I couldn't believe it!  I was so excited.  The room was filled with so much color and happiness.  Ruffles, rosettes, posies, jewelry.  Lots of pretties.

The girls were all so sweet.  Even though they didn't know who I was {well...Maggie did....we've exchanged emails on a few occasions} they were so welcoming and kind! I also got to meet the adorable Hayley of The Tiny Twig.  So much fun! 

It's so strange to see all of them in person, when I've only seen them in pictures for so many years. But I can assure you they are even more beautiful in person!  These ladies radiate beauty and confidence and you feel the same when you are in their presence.

I want to have that kind of effect on people.  When they are with me, they feel on top of the world.

                {Annie & Maggie}                        {My Loot}                               {Annie & Jess}

Absolutely an amazing Saturday!  So much fun to meet these girls!

Now Sunday.  Sunday was a planned day.  One we'd planned for weeks and counted down the days.  I would FINALLY get to meet my long lost soul sister, AP.  

I have read Ashley's blog for a long time now.  Probably since almost the beginning of ILYMTC.  We've shared many emails, tweets and comments over the years.  A friendship built over the world wide web.  I never really believed in frienships like this.  But they do exist.   

I picked Ashley up after her whirlwind weekend of Blissdom. When we saw each other, it was like we'd known each other for years.  Like we'd done this before.  Like we'd hugged many times before and we were just reconnecting.  I love how small the world really is.  Its so much fun to have friends like this!

Eight of us got together for brunch on Sunday morning at the Copper Kettle.  It was lunch by the time we were seated, but that didn't keep us from having a good time.  

From left to right:

Lauren{and Claire}, Yours Truly, AP, Laura, Elizabeth, Jen, Amber{and Abby}

I felt like I've known these girls forever.  Most, I really only 'met' about a month ago when we started planning this brunch, but we got along like we were long lost friends.  I look forward to getting to know each one so much better and continue with these friendships for a long time. 

It was such a wonderful day!  Good good, great friends, sunshine.  Good for the soul.  

As with the good things in life, they always go way too fast.  And this day was no different.  Ashley and I spent some time at Starbucks after our brunch and then it was off to the airport.  It was bittersweet sending her off.  It just went way too fast.  

It really is amazing how strangers can get together and meet for the first time, but feel more like a reunion of long, lost friends.  

No, I didn't officially get to go to Blissdom, but for now, this was more than enough for me. 

It's a special gift.  Blogging.  And these girls.  

Did you feel that????

It's funny how everytime I start to wonder if everythings "ok" inside...I get a little nudge from my angel that says "yes mommy, I'm in here, and everything's ok."  I know its not only our baby, but Jesus reassuring me that He has got our little one in His hands.  Well tonight was one of those nights. 

I got home and got a wild hair to pull up all of my summer flowers out of the front beds since a frost is probably just nights away.  So, with Kirby in tow, I did just that.  I pulled up all the small flowers first, but next, NEXT, were the MAMMOTH Lantana that I planted at the beginning of Summer. They have morphed into some of the most beautiful, colorful, THICK & STRONG flowers I've ever planted.  If you need a hearty plant, this is the one for you. 

I digress...anyways, after getting all the flowers up- using a lot of my might, too much I might add- I start to wonder, "is everything ok inside?"  I kept asking Lance for reassurance if he thought I could have hurt anything while pulling and tugging on those flowers.  He said he was sure everything was fine.

So, I had some dinner while Lance and Tyler (Lance's oldest younger brother) worked on some honey-do's around the house.  Then as I sat and watched Grey's Anatomy, here came that sweet little nudge.  Most of the time when I try to get Lance to feel, it's not quite strong enough for him to feel...but tonight it kept up so we tried again.  We sat there for a brief moment, and then, there it was....HE FELT IT!  I've been wanting so badly for him to feel it, so he could connect like I do and finally, he felt it.  I said "did you feel it?" and when I looked up at him- it was so sweet- I could tell that yes, he could feel it.  He kept his hand there a little longer, but nothing more- but that one little kick was enough for tonight. 

I can still feel "it" as we speak and for that I am thankful.  As I sit her and update my blog, a blog I read daily, MckMama is posting tweets about her sweet Stellan who is fighting for his life while batteling severe bouts of SVT going on 48 hours now.  Please pray for this family as they decide what steps to take next. 

We go to the doctor for our 20 week ultrasound and check up on Monday.  We will then know if this "it" is a boy or a girl.  I cannot wait to find out what this little angel inside of me is.  I can't wait to put a name with this baby and all of the things that come along with finding out if it's a boy or girl!  I sure hope he\she is in a position where we can tell what the sex is.  Please keep us in your prayers as we go on Monday and also keep Stellan and his family in your prayers. 

We have so much to be thankful for. 

Back soon,
Annie

What a nice surprise!

So, today I received a nice surprise on my front porch.  My new internet friend, Rene Williams, sent me a FABULOUS New Mommy Care Package!  In it was an abundance of new mommy goodies!  She had included Your Pregnancy Week by Week, SuperImmunity for Kids, Pregnancy Pampering Kit, some vitamins, a Green Juice and some post-its stating that I am the Queen!  This was such a nice surprise! 

Rene and I became friends by way of her daughter, Scarlett Lillian writer of a blog I love to follow on her life and her incredible photography career.  Scarlet emailed me a few months back letting me know that Rene was coming to Nashville!  I picked up Rene from the airport and we visited a few times while she was in town.  She came back to Nashville a few weeks back for a conference.  We were able to spend time together then, though it was brief.  Rene has become a spiritual mentor to me, as well as a close friend.  I look forward to a growing relationship with both of these amazing women!

Rene and Scarlett are both participating in a Marathon on February 21, 2010.  Rene is a Breast Cancer Survivor and Scarlett decided to run in her honor and in memory of her Father, Johnny Williams had lung cancer and went to be with Jesus on Feb 21, 2009.  Please visit their blogs and even donate if you feel led!  I know they would be very grateful for your generosity!

Thank you Rene for this wonderful Care Package!

XO- Annie