Our Lazy Weekend

Sometimes it's nice just to stay home and not have to be anywhere. This was one of those weekends. Well, actually, we originally had plans with friends today to celebrate Memorial Day, but that didn't work out, so we stayed home instead. We got Chandler a little pool, and we enjoyed watching him play in it for the first time, and we grilled a few burgers. Otherwise, we didn't really do anything but enjoy the company of each other and the laughter of our rambunctious and silly little boy.

It was actually a nice change of pace. It seems like we usually have a jam-packed schedule when Brent is off work, and this time we pretty much stayed home other than going to church on Sunday. I wouldn't trade these moments for anything in the world...

Monday-Workday

Today was the first Monday I've had in a long time without students, but don't be fooled...I worked hard! Many of these things will only make sense to fellow teachers, but here it goes!

* Faculty meeting with yet another introduction to new standards-CCGPS (the third set of standards I've been introduced to during my career, and I'm just finishing my 8th year of teaching)

* RTI action plans and graphs x15

* Class Rosters for next year- because I believe our input is crucial for next year's 2nd grade classes

* Updated Permanent Records (FTE#s, Report Card Grades, Attendance, Assessment Data)

* But the best part of my day??? I came home to my husband cleaning the kitchen! It was definitely a nice surprise, and it got me in the mood to do some cleaning myself.

Miscellany Monday

So, I have a new favorite snack...Veggie Straws!

Made by Sensible Portions, these tasty, crunchy snacks are so much more healthy than regular potato chips, and the portion size is in bold right on the package. My mom first introduced them to me a few weeks ago, and I was so happy when I found some this past weekend at Sam's Club. It made my day!

Date Night

This past weekend, Brent was off work, so we decided we wanted to go out on a date. I lined up a babysitter for Saturday evening, and that was that...so we thought! We came to realize sometime around noon on Saturday, that we had both forgotten what it was like to actually go on a date with each other.

I mean, we haven't been out together, just the two of us, but a handful of times since Chandler was born, and for a long time before that, we really didn't go on dates that much because Brent's work schedule prevented it. Yeah, I know... almost 6 years of marriage, and we were left kinda dumbfounded on how to plan out a fun date!

At first, we thought we'd go see a movie, but when I checked the local listings, none of them lined up at a time that worked for us. (4:00 p.m. was too early, and 9:00 p.m. was, needless to say, too late.)

We ended up dropping Chandler off around 4:45 p.m. and heading to The Attic in Clarkesville for dinner. (If you've never been, and you want to splurge on a nice but casual meal, you should try it!) Since a nice breeze was blowing, we opted to eat our meal outside. We even ordered an appetizer, which we almost never do. Our food was wonderful, and the company was even better. It was nice to be out as a couple.

With comfortably full stomachs, we headed over to the bowling alley at the Old Clarkesville Mill, and we bowled three carefree games together. We laughed and conversed, and really just enjoyed our time together.

Around 7:15 p.m., we ended up near Demorest Park at the old Demorest Lake. We walked across the footbridge leading to the Swanson center, listened to the tree frogs and running water, and watched the other wildlife around us. Then we sat back in silence for a while and watched the sun fade away as dusk approached. It was time to go pick up our precious baby boy.

Now, I know this date doesn't sound like much to some of you, but for me, it is one of the most memorable dates I have ever had. First of all, I got to spend almost four hours with the man I love. Sometimes I just need a reminder of how blessed I am to have him in my life. Secondly, we really didn't have a set plan when we left our house, and so we just went out and did what we felt like doing...together as husband and wife. I am so thankful for this date night, and I cannot wait for the next one.

Miscellany Monday-Weekend Recap

This weekend marked a first for Chandler, and for me...He had his first planned sleepover away from home. Granted, it was at my parents' house, which is one of his homes away from home since he stays there 3 or 4 days a week, but still, I've only been away from my baby one time over night, and that was a few months ago when Brent and I both had a horrendous stomach virus. (That time, my wonderful in-laws stepped up to the plate, and I was so grateful! I could barely take care of myself, much less a baby.)

Thankfully, my parents did bring toddling Chandler by the school for a little while so I could at least see him for a few minutes, but I sure did miss my cuddle time before bed. It's one of my favorite things, and I look forward to it nightly.

The best part about a sleepover? I got to sleep in until 9:00 a.m., and I haven't done that in a long time!

Before I Became a Mother

I became a mother on Friday, February 5, 2010 at 7:21 a.m. Chandler Jarrett McKay weighed 7 lbs., 11 oz. and was 20 inches long. He is a special gift from God, and I am so thankful to be his mother! This poem is dedicated to him.

Before I Became a Mother-
I slept as late as I wanted on Saturday mornings, and I never worried about staying out late if I wanted to.

Before I Became a Mother-
I took long showers and shaved my legs almost everyday. I brought a lot of papers home to grade, and I regularly spent lots of hours after school in my classroom.

Before I Became a Mother-
I cleaned my house each day and it was pretty much spotless. I never tripped over toys, and I didn't worry about making sure my cabinets would lock.

Before I Became a Mother-
I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, chewed on, or peed on. I had complete control of my mind and thoughts. I rarely forgot things, and I slept all night every night, without a care in the world.

Before I Became a Mother -
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could give him shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin or laugh. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep and wonder how the time could fly by so quickly.

Before I Became a Mother -
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much.

Before I Became a Mother -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby, or to dry his pitiful little tears, or to receive his wet, sloppy kisses. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I Became a Mother -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure everything was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment, or the satisfaction of being a mother. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I became a mother.

Thankful Thursday

1. I'm thankful for our precious baby boy, Chandler Jarrett, who just happens to be 15 months old today. We prayed for him for a long time, and he has blessed our lives more than we could have ever imagined! He is into everything, climbing on everything, and walking everywhere now. Perhaps chasing after him will help me get in better shape!

2. I'm thankful for good books that make me reflect on the important things. Right now I'm reading this one. It's deep, but it's good! These ladies have inspired me to begin my own list. Perhaps I'll share it on here soon.

3. I'm thankful for my wonderful group of coworkers. We work hard, we laugh and cry together, and we really work as a team. I am going to miss those who are moving on to new things next year!