Wow... It's been a while!!

I have been wanting to do so much at school that I have left my blog to get dusty. So, I will begin cleaning my thoughts out, then bring on the pictures. That, however, might have to wait until Sunday.

During my time away, I have done a lot of thinking. Serious thinking, and silly thinking. Here are some of the highs (and lows)!

I need a haircut, and am thinking of getting highlights. I don't know what to get but need to decide today or tomorrow because school pictures are Friday!! EEK!

I like makeup. I am not really a girly-girl so I am not really sure how to apply it.

It bugs me that I can't test nail polish before I buy it. I don't want to to spend $7 for a color I don't like.

I FINISHED MY FIRST 5K!! HOLY CRAP!! I honestly didn't think I'd be able to do it, but I did! Jessica, Maria and Brian helped as much as they could. I threw a lot of things at them and they stayed by my side. I plan on doing more running so I can improve my time (45 minutes 53 seconds) next year!

We found a fun place to eat... Pizza Ranch! I've always wanted to be able to have A slice from a couple of different pizzas. Here, you can!! They even have dessert pizzas that are scrumptious!

I hate my eczema/psoriasis/allergy!! It is making me ANGRY!! I hate how my hands and feet are always in pain. I hate worrying if I am going to bleed on things. I want to be able to wear all kinds of clothes. To top it all off, I feel like I am getting arthritis in my hands. There are some days my hands are so stiff, usually in the morning. However, I STILL wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

I like cake. I really like cake.

I am thankful for my job! I love what I do and enjoy every minute. Even when it's challenging and draining. I love what I do and am thankful for it everyday!!

I want to be the best Mommy ever! I want to give Adelle everything I can and then some. I want her to feel happy, safe and loved of every minute of every day. I think I'm doing a good job, but I think I am so self-conscious that I don't let myself believe it sometimes.

I want to be the best Wife ever! Brian is an incredible person and I work every day to care for him the way he cares for me. He is truly my best friend. He and Adelle are the best part of my day!

I want to have another baby. I want Adelle to have a little brother or sister to play with. Thoughts of having another little one to hold and care for are consuming. I think about it when I'm at work, when I'm home, when I'm driving and when I sleep. But I'm scared. I am scared about if I can get pregnant again. I am scared about how long it will take to get pregnant again. I am scared about when we'd actually have the baby (a due date) and if it would be during school or during the summer. I'm scared about what that would mean for us financially. Daycare. Teaching. Everything. I know that people say it's really never a perfect time (financially) to have a baby, but my fear feels almost crippling at times.

What have YOU been thinking about?!

Last Day of Summer

Today is the last official day of my summer vacation.

This is very sad for me and I am taking it kind of hard! I love being home with Adelle and I love being able to watch her grow and discover. She has changed so much in her 8 months, and I am very fortunate to have had these few months, but it still makes me sad.

Don't get me wrong, I am passionate about teaching and I love what I do. I am excited to get back to it, and meet my new students too!

Adelle will also be starting a new daycare on Monday. We are happy about this because she will be 3 or 4 blocks away from me, but there is always a nervousness about starting something new. Maybe that is just with me?! We need to make sure we have things ready for her to go: immunization records, diapers, wipes, formula, extra clothes. I hope I don't forget anything!!

Today though is for us. We will make the most of it and have a blast! We are visiting Daddy for lunch, a tradition we started when we first got together, and Auntie Angie and Cousin Lila will be visiting this afternoon. It will be a happy day indeed!

First Sleepover

Adelle had her first sleepover tonight with Bruce and Sharon. It was really hard to drive home without her, but it was good to have her with people we trust.

Our daycare provider has the week off, so we asked our families if anyone would want to watch Adelle while I was at school. While all of them jumped at the chance, Bruce and Sharon took her on Monday and Tuesday, and my Mom took her the rest of the week. It wasn't until , oh I don't know, Friday night that we realized we didn't have to work due to the holiday, but Bruce and Sharon took her anyway on Monday so Brian and I could have a day of errands.

It was fantastic!

First we had lunch, then we went to a movie (in an actual theater), then we ran a few errands (Target and Walgreens). When we got to the house, Adelle was just eating and we out her down for a nap. We figured it would be fine because we had ordered pizza so by the time we were finished eating, Adelle would be up and we would head home. Well, it didn't work out that way. The pizza was super late and it was past Addie's bed time so we thought, "why take her home when she is going to be here in the morning?!" So we made sure they had enough supplies, put Addie to bed, then left before I could break down. It was SO hard leaving her!!

I think it was better to do it like that, because I didn't have the chance to think about it. It was a quick decision and it turned out just fine. I hugged her extra hard when I picked her up though!!! ;)

7 Weeks Old = First Day Back Already?!

I am so very lucky to have been able to take off 7 weeks to get to know our beautiful little girl! I am very blessed to know she likes to be held close when she is fussy and facing outward when she is awake. I am happy to know she doesn't mind 'strangers'. However, I was completely devastated to be away from my Sweet Girl!

I love my job. I love getting in front of the kids and interacting with them. I love teaching and I missed it while I was gone. I also missed my students - they are kind and enthusiastic which helped! Another thing that helped was talking with my friends! Knowing they have been through this, or are there to support me is a great feeling!!

It's a good thing that we are having friends watch her at first - instead of a day care. I think that would have traumatized me! By the way, we've found a great day care not too far from the house. She's young and very organized. We found her through our friend, Kelly, who graciously posted a message at her work. We didn't even know about it! We are SO blessed to have such caring friends! Anyway, Adelle will start at Grow With Me Family Childcare in April when a spot opens up. Until then, she is with Gina and her adorable twins (Jeremy too at the end of the day)!

Again, we are blessed!