Last Day of PreK 2019-2020

Today I woke up early (I was a bit emotional last night anticipating the day).  First thing I did was workout, make breakfast, and showered to prepare for my last day of PreK.  This year will always hold a special place in my heart.  (The last class I taught before having Micah all graduates high school this year)  This was my first year in 4 day PreK, I was in my own classroom (I didn't have to share a space) I worked for hours making the room exactly how I imagined for my 16 little friends.

Today we had our final goodbye.  We invited the family to join us one last time calling it Stop & Go.  A couple weeks ago I went in and cleaned out my classroom gathering the kids things into yellow bags.  I then brought home all of their portfolios and bound them together adding a few extra surprises.  

I placed all of the bags on the fence and took my place on the other side.  The families lined up just as they would for drop off but this time parent and child were invited to hop out grab their bag get a quick picture and say our goodbyes.  When I say the kiddos have grown so much over the past couple months I truly mean it.  

I look forward to seeing them in the hallways next year as they stop in to pick up siblings.  Times goes by way to fast but I am so thankful for the time we shared together.  I received so many thoughtful notes and kind words that brought tears to my eyes.  Here is to the Class of 2033!

I Hate This

Somebody Like That

Banana Bread

One of my favorite ways for my boys to wake is with the smell of something delicious in the air.  Yes, even on busy school morning I make muffins, waffles, pancake and yummy breads. (this is not the box kind)  One of our go to favorites is a recipe that my good friend Sahana gave me a few years back. (I believe it was originally a Betty Crocker recipe but I've altered it a bit) I consider it to be simple and I always have the ingredients in the house.  So, today we started our morning with Banana bread.  I have passed this recipe on over the years with many of you but thought I would post it here so you ALWAYS have it.

Banana Bread Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup soft butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp milk
1 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

I start my throwing my bananas in my mixer to get them mashed up.  I then throw in all the other ingredients minus the chocolate chips and nuts until everything else is blended.  Then  I add the chocolate and nuts.  My boys prefer I leave out the nuts so I do more often than not.  I throw in more chocolate to make up for the missing nuts. (Another change to the original recipe.  They also prefer that I make mini loafs.  I put them in the over at 325 for 40-45 mins.  If I make a standard loaf I bake it for 60-75 mins. 

Enjoy!

Katydid

My sister Katelyn is one of my best friends.  Our relationship has grown and changed so much over the years.  I was just 10 years old when she was born.  I had begged my mom for years to have a little sister.  I wanted to mother a little baby so badly.  I still remember the day we found out that my mom was pregnant.  I was so excited, my little dreams were coming true.  I can remember picking out bottles, bedding, tiny dresses all for this sister I would one day snuggle.  I was excited to share my room with her.  I made sure her bed was made perfectly and ready for her,

The night she was born (December 27th...she shares a birthday with my Noah) I can remember waiting by the phone for the call that we could see our new baby sister.  We went into the hospital and there on the other side of the glass was our little Katydid in a warmer.  I knew we would forever share a special bond.  From that point on I mothered Katie as my very own.  Anything a mother would do for their baby I could do.  I bathed her, made bottles in the night, rocked her to sleep.  She was my whole world.  

Later when Katie was 18 and graduated from high school she moved in with me and my family.  I had just had Josiah (he was maybe 3 weeks old) and Micah was 2.5 years old.  I can remember her watching me as I managed the boys.  I can only hope and pray that I was a good role model for her.

Last August when Katie told me she was pregnant, I was excited but shocked that my baby was having a baby.  Then when we found out that she was having a little girl the excitement started to bubble over.  I knew that this little girl would be loved enormously.  I couldn't wait to be a part of her arrival, even if it was just preparing meals and cleaning up.  I just wanted to help and support Katie however I could.

Katie went into labor on March 24th, then later delivered her on the 25th.  I stayed up all night exchanging texts with Katie and eventually only Nick.  The next morning I was having my surgery. (pictures and updates helped get me through the process)  With the pandemic we didn't know when I'd be able to visit and finally meet Edith.  This was heartbreaking to me, I had been waiting for this day for so long.

Everyday since sweet Eddie was born Katie sends me pictures and I would long to snuggle that sweet girl.  About a week ago Katie told me she was open to me coming to visit.  I know she's worried about returning to work and possibly bringing something home to the baby.  I've been quarantined (Yes, I'm a rule follower) with a trip to the store every couple weeks.  I had mentioned i might just drop everything and come at some point.  I woke yesterday and dropped the boys at their dads and came home.  By 11 I decided that this was the day.  I got in my car and drove just over 3 hours to finally meet my sweet girl.  She is absolutely incredible.  When i held her for the first time my heart instantly started to fill.  These last few months have left me feeling a bit empty, she is a filler!

Yesterday and today watching Katie with Eddie she is a natural.  As I watched her bath her, and settle her into her bedtime routine i started to cry.  My baby sister is now a mommy and a really good one.  I wish I could have stayed longer and helped more.  I left just 24 hours after arriving to head home to my boys.  I am so Thankful for the last 24 hours

I Picked Right

This morning I was reviewing somethings I had written awhile back (on my dating like a mother blog) all the way back to September 16, 2017.  This brought tears to my eyes because I still remember that night and that couple all those years later.  I had briefly forgotten but then it all came back and brought a smile to my face instantly!
Below is the exact post I made all those years ago...

A couple weeks ago i was at dinner.  I noticed the couple down the way were out celebrating their anniversary.  I looked across the table and i said, "they're so cute, and they're celebrating their anniversary.  I heard the waiter congratulate them" I then joked, do you think it's their first or second marriage?  He quickly responded, first.  As they got up from the table and headed our direction, the question was asked.  We couldn't help but notice it's your anniversary and were wondering how many years you are celebrating.  The women responded 64 years.  My date then said, "whats the secret?" The women hemmed and hawed for a moment and said something about putting up him the little stuff. The gentleman was making his way over and quickly said without even thinking said... "I picked right" 

He picked right.  I sure hope i get the chance to pick right.  Choosing someone to spend your life with is simple but so hard at the same time.  It's a simple but complicated commitment to working through the good and the bad, maybe even the dark times.  Finding someone who you can love and hate at the very same moment never wavering on the commitment you made to one another and your family.  No one said this would be simple.  I guarantee that the couple in the restaurant experienced all the highs and lows that life brings.  But, they made it that far together.  Certainly there are deal breakers (and boy did i experience those) but i'm optimistic that it's out there.  I AM going to pick right!

Fight Song

I still remember the first time I heard this song.  One of my good girlfriends (Cassie) tagged this as MY fight song.  She would call me randomly when she would hear it and tell me to turn on the radio and turn it up real loud.  It fit my story perfectly.  And it still does.  Today while I was mowing the lawn (Another thing I do all on my own) this song came on. This is my fight song, I've taken back my life.  I lost everything I ever knew and fought so hard to stay afloat but I did it.

I am still riddled with fear and uncertainty.  The worries I wake up with daily some days make me not want to get out of bed are numbing.  But I've still got a lot of fight left in me.  These past few months have kicked me on my butt.  I felt like I lost so many things that were important to me. I know I can do hard things, and handle it all on my own.  I just don't want to.  So, put me in coach... I'm ready.

Why would anyone make this choice?

I absolutely love Kristina.  I saw this posted yesterday and it's so true.  The first time I saw one of her videos was her one about single moms.  I cry every time I watch it.  If I can find it I'll post it as well.  Okay so i could only add one video, So hopefully the link below works.

https://youtu.be/KUEDImzAjSg

Doin' Fine

I'm doing fine enough to know that everyone's a little broken
Fine enough to learn that hearts are best when they're wide open

Flat Ms. Mary Beth

I've been on a lot of adventures over the last week.  Here are just a few of the pictures I received...

Classroom Shut Down

Today I went into school to close up my classroom for the year.  Last week when I signed up for a clean out day I wasn't sure how I would feel or react when I walked into my room.  I didn't sleep well last night not knowing how today would go.  

I woke up this morning just like any other school morning.  If felt good to be in my old routine.   I arrived at school about 8:30.  I walked into my room and just stood there for awhile taking it all in.  My classroom was frozen in time.  The calendar was still set to March 12th, the weather was up.  My question of the day was up and ready, centers were up in baskets.  I then started to fumble around trying to figure out where to start.  I finally decided to start by labeling the grab and go bags.  Then I was able to start to fill the bags with the kids belongings.  

Not long after that my assistant showed up and started working on cleaning out the cabinets.  From there we continued to work until the room was bare.  It felt sad because everything was left in the middle of half  done.  I ended up bringing home two tubs of thing.  The next couple weeks i'll be working to finish the kids portfolios.  

This was not how I saw my school year ending but I'm thankful for the time I did have with my precious class.  Grab and Go will NOT be likely without tears.  When I arrived home this afternoon I felt completely exhausted emotionally and physically.  The tears didn't flow today but I was drained.

These past 4 months has changed so much of my life.  I had experienced a lot of loss.  I've finally started to close chapters and realize that there is light at the end of the tunnel starting to show.  I look forward to what comes next and what is planned for me.  

Below are some of the photos I took before the close up and those after.  

And one of my Birthday Boy!!!

Middle School Be Like

Middle school can be one of the most challenging times in a persons life.  Only a parent can truly understand parenting one.  These videos capture a middle school boy perfectly!!!  The other evening I was told to google "Trey Kennedy Middle School" and to say thank you later!  Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!  I needed this... I don't always understand my boys especially whats going on in my 12 year olds mind, but now I know it's ALL normal.  Enjoy, and Thank me later!

Happy 40th Birthday Michelle

Today my best friend and big sister turns 40!  She has been by my side since day one.  She has always been there for me never leaving me alone.  She's cheered me on and encouraged me along the way.  When I couldn't stand on my own two feet she held me up.

It breaks my heart that we can't celebrate this milestone together.  I hope she knows how much I love and appreciate her not only as a sister but as an Auntie.

As young children I have so many amazing memories!  She was always my 'sis' and I followed her everywhere (Even when she wanted time with her friends)  I looked up to her and wanted to be just like her.  Still today I look up to you Michelle and am SO proud of the incredible wife and mother you've become.

It's a given that if 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' by Whitney Houston comes on we race to the dance floor and always find each other there.  When I need someone you are always looking out for me and a constant.  Thank You for that!  Thank you for being my big sister!  Thank you for telling me it will all be okay!  Thank you for loving me exactly how I am!  Happy 40th Michelle!!!  I Love You to the moon and back and down the choo choo track!   We will celebrate soon!

And Tomorrow Josiah will be 10! How can this be...

Birds, Birds, Birds

Something most people know about me is that I don't like birds (with the exception of the cardinal) It's always been a fear, I'm not really sure why.  Maybe it's from watching Birds as a young child and the fear of having my eyes pecked out.  Anyways... two days ago while working out in the front room I noticed what looked like a nest in the window.  The next day I thought about it all day, thinking how would I get it down.  

This morning the boys said they'd help me so out we went.  I taped two poles together and assigned Micah the job of removing the nest (He can run faster than I can)  Well, we quickly realized that he was to short.  There was only one girl for the job.  So, in my pajama pants, hunter boots, bed head and glasses I went for all.  The coast looked clear.  The mother bird that was perched on a nearby tree had left.  I was successful (Micah decided this would be a good time to record his mother) but then the mother bird returned and we all went running.

When approaching my house please don't go to the door.  There is a very angry mama bird because we removed her nest (NO eggs were in there) Every time I open the door she starts making tons of noise to let us know how unhappy she is.