i'd say that pretty much sums it up.

 

Two more days...

two more days.

It's been a crazy, and hectic week before Christmas break.

EVERYONE is ready for some time off.

I recently found a poem about what we're all going through.

I'd say it hits pretty close to home right about now :)

 

'Twas the Week Before Christmas

by Amy Oelschlag

 

'Twas the week before Christmas and all through the school,

The teachers were trying to just keep their cool!

Kids' papers aren’t finished, they don’t want to work,

And when I try to make them, I feel like a jerk!

I’m tired, I’m cranky these kids have it coming,

But I stop and think, what a Scrooge I’m becoming!

So I tune out their chatter and I try to enjoy

The last days before Christmas with each girl and boy

They are so excited, and buzz with holiday cheer,

An then strange homemade presents begin to appear

Be-glittered and fashioned with craft sticks and glue

And of course there’s a “Best Teacher” mug… or two

The last day, they come as candy crazed creatures

But then it’s TWO WEEKS of break…

I love being a teacher!

 

Two more days...

two more days.

 

xoxo, wife :)

and then we became godparents.

Ty's cousin Carmen gave birth to a precious baby boy about 7 or 8 weeks ago.

His name is Bentlee.

He is adorbs.

We were honored when she asked us to be his Godparents.

Last night was his baptism.

 

Here's Bentlee with his mom, dad, and our Pastor.

 

 

Making the sign of the cross on his forehead.

 

Bentlee was a trooper. He didn't cry as much as some babies do!

 

Ty is signing the Baptism Certificate.

 

Here are Bentlee's parents with the Godparents.

 

 

 

 And then we became Godparents.

Bentlee already has a special place in our hearts, and we will do our best to make sure that we help his parents lead him in a Godly life.

We love you, Bentlee!

 

xoxo, wife.

 

 

 

 



the time my husband gave my dad a panic attack.

I mentioned yesterday that we went to see my Grandma in the hospital over the weekend.

We got on the elevator on our way back to the car.

Ty pushed the button to go down to the ground floor.

 

 

My dad (ever the germ-o-phobe) said, "Ew, he pushed it with his fingers!"

Because my dad would have pushed that same button with some other part of his body...preferably a part of his body that was secured inside a Hazmat suit.

But to prove some kind of point (who knows what that point was), my genius husband then proceeded to LICK his fingers that he'd just pushed the buttons with!

I thought my dad was going to faint.

We were in a HOSPITAL elevator for crying out loud!

We had a few laughs and jokes about what kinds of yucky things were now inside my husband's system.

Then as soon as we got home, Husband promptly took some vitamin C.

And my Dad likely took a Xanax.

 

Germs: 1     Husband: 0    Dad: -1    Me: -20 for having a husband who would do something that gross.

 

xoxo, wife.

 



weekend recap.

Yet another weekend that has come and gone too fast.

 

This weekend, Ty and I went to visit my grandma in the hospital.

While we were there, we ran into Santa.

Since Ty refuses to go with me to take a picture with the REAL Santa (as I listed in my December Manifesto), I figured I'd have to settle for this guy.

 

 

 

 

Later that night, my parents took us out to dinner.

 

 

 

 

Aren't they cute? :)

 

 
It was delish. Oh, and please ignore my husband trying to photobomb down in the corner.

Today after church, I went to the grocery store, then started working on some stuff for school this week. Normally cutting things out of construction paper for my kiddos is something I absolutely hate to do.
But after the tragedy at Sandy Hook the other day, I was thanking God for those 24 little stockings I got to cut out.


We've been learning some things about economics lately, and I put together a project in which they will make a collage of things they WANT on one side of their stocking, and things they NEED on the other side. This is a very important lesson for this time of year. :)

Bubba was also pretty excited that I cut the stockings out.



Then my mom popped over to surprise me with a gift from my Great Uncle.
He MADE these ornaments for Ty and I to put on our Christmas tree.
Thanks Uncle Dick!
We love them!





The weekend isn't totally over yet, but I won't bore you with the details of what is to come.
Stuff like folding laundry, coming up with some fun stuff to do with my kids this week, watching Christmas movies on tv while I do all of that...
Oh, and hot chocolate.
Yes, there is definitely some hot chocolate in my future.

Happy End-of-the-Weekend.

xoxo, wife.

how to: be a kindergartner.

***I had originally written this post about a week ago. After the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School yesterday, it made this post that much more sentimental. I detailed the things Kindergarteners do that absolutely annoy me and make me want to pull my hair out, but then at the end, speak about the heartwarming things they do. All those things cancel out the bad...ten-fold.

This tragedy really hit home for me. I can totally put myself and my students in that situation, and imagine the fear that took place in those rooms. Those little babies were probably screaming for their moms and dads, terrified about what was happening. I imagine what I would have been trying to do in those horrible moments, both trying to comfort and protect them...telling them I love them. Because I really do love them. Each and every one. And now I look back at this list of things they do that annoy me, and I'm so grateful that they are safe, happy, healthy, and able to do these things that make me want to snap sometimes.
So, without further ado:

How to be a Kindergartener:

 

1. Say your teacher's name about 20 times in a minute.

2. Pee your pants every few days.

3. Pick your nose. Then either eat it...or wipe it on the kid next to you.

4. Refuse to tie your own shoes, buckle your own belt, or zip your own coat.

5. Ask to use the bathroom 57 times a day. And then still pee your pants.

6. Tattle on your friends.

7. Make sure you miss the toilet/trash can and throw up on the floor.

8. Lose your lunchbox, sweater, mittens, homework, and lunch card. All in one day.

9. Break all your crayons the first day you open a new box.

10. Leave the cap off your glue stick.

11. Tattle about every little thing...even if it has nothing to do with you.

12. Spill your lunch all over your school uniform.

13. Roll around in the dirt at recess so your mom and dad get mad at your teacher.

 

AND

 

14. Give your teacher a million hugs a day.

15. Give compliments to your friends when they write a good story.

16. Get that bright, excited look on your face when you read a book for the first time all on your own.

17. Apologize when you've hurt someone's feelings.

18. Say, "I love to read." It warms your teacher's heart.

19. Learn lots every day.

20. When someone is sad or hurt, make them feel better.

21. Show your homework proudly to your teacher each morning, because you're so excited that you can do it by yourself.

22. Grow into an independent thinker, and establish a love of learning.

23. Let your teacher hug you at your kindergarten graduation...and don't be surprised if she cries a little.

24. Come and visit your old classroom when you're in first grade.

 

Every single one of these things happen daily in my classroom. And today I am reminded of just how blessed I am to have been given this group of kids...these sweet, innocent souls that I get to spend 8 hours a day for 190 days with. I now know that on Monday, they will be given hugs that last a little longer. I will pay closer attention when they tell me all about the hot dog they had for dinner last night. And they will KNOW how much I truly care about them.

 

xoxo, wife.

"deer" husband,

 

I know that I'm REALLY bad at appreciating your hobby.

I often don't understand it.

But I try to.

 

I know you've been waiting all season for that "trophy buck" to mount and hang on the wall...

{in the man cave, of course.}

I know you've been frustrated that things haven't gone the way you planned.

I know you were upset when you shot two does the other day but only recovered one.

I know you put your heart and soul into this hobby.

I know that you view hunting as more than a "hobby."

I know that you've spent a lot of time researching this year.

I know you've gotten a lot of recognition and respect from others in the deer hunting community.

I know that your dream is to make hunting your sole form of income someday.

I know that you'd be good at it...if it ever gets to that point.

And I know I'd support you if we both feel that's what God has in His plan for you.

 

I know that I complain about hunting.

I know that I roll my eyes a lot when you're talking about it.

I know that I make fun of the whole thing.

I know I don't show as much interest as I should.

And I'm sorry.

But I also know that I'm so happy you have something you do that you love so much.

And I know that as long as you keep your priorities straight like you have been, that I will always be ok with this hobby that takes you away from home a lot in the summer/fall.

I know that I love you.

 

xoxo, wife.

 

ps. I also know that I will never like venison.

I know I'll never let you hang a deer in the entry way of our house.

And I know that it will always be unnacceptable in my book to house deer pee in our freezer.

Just thought I should throw that in :)

memories of a christmas past.

Way back...

 

-When my future husband had hair the same length as mine

-When we decorated his first tree as an adult living on his own

-When the tree topper of choice (for him) was a bird feather

-When I was still trying to hook this guy for good, so I didn't complain about the feather

-When we were both still poor college students

-When we were 20 and 21 in 2007,

 

We celebrated our first Christmas together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a lot of love and laughter to be had that night.

I remember feeling so grown up...celebrating my first Christmas with this amazing boyfriend.

We exchanged presents and kisses.

 

Now five years later, we're coming upon yet another Christmas celebration.

I cannot believe I'm still lucky enough to celebrate it with my most favorite person.

The tree is decorated (with an actual star, since I now feel comfortable to speak my mind about dumb decorating ideas.)

We'll exchange presents and kisses.

And it will be amazing.

 

xoxo, wife.