Fall 2017

I'm not going to lie - Fall 2017 was a difficult one.  Even bracing myself for the transition of going back to full-time teaching, there were many nights where I came home questioning my decision.  It was hard getting into a routine - between the kids' extracurricular activities (cross-country, cello, girl scouts, basketball) and my extracurriculars (cross-country, liturgical choir, forensics, parish council), lesson planning, homework, cooking, cleaning, it was difficult to maintain a balance and some sanity!  I missed my mornings at the gym.  My time to sew or blog or read or be.  I missed being able to fully be present to help with homework or reading.  I felt frantic.  Always.  Add into the mix finding out that my mom was sick.  And then Justin started a new job himself.  It was almost unbearable.

But, somehow, (gratefully!) shortly after Fall Break, I started getting into a rhythm.  An imperfect groove.  I even found that it was possible to leave work at a decent time and, shockingly, still make it to the gym at least once a week.  Yeah, the laundry is often waiting and the cooking has had to be limited to "easy" or "instant pot" most days, but we're starting to get there.  And, I must say, I'm happy overall.  I have always loved teaching, and I am grateful to be back in the classroom - especially at a school that I love and where my children are - and, thankfully, it just took a little time to get back in the figurative saddle again!

First Day of School Pics:

It was my first day, too!

This picture makes my heart melt. 
She was so happy he was going to be at the same school as her!

Labor Day Weekend:  We planned a quick getaway to a small Georgia lake resort with Lissie's godfamily!  It was such a relaxing weekend with good company, conversation, and - of course- the beach!

My birthday:  Another low key birthday in the books.  It's getting to the point where I sometimes forget how old I am.  Has another year really gone by?  Haha.  We celebrated with lotsa cakes and, of course, noodles for a long life.

Fall Sports:  The kids and I did cross-country this year, and Xavier decided to forego martial arts to try a new sport - basketball.  In October, Justin and I ran the Bourbon Chase relay race with friends.

Running through the bourbon trail and stopping at a few distilleries en route!

It was a hilly course, but look - horses!

A celebratory shot of bourbon at the finish!

Camping: We took two fall camping trips.  One with friends to a lake in Kentucky to jumpstart Fall Break.  It was a rainy weekend, but we did manage to stop by Mammoth Cave.  The other trip was with our church at the not-so-far Montgomery Bell State Park.  We opted for one night at the last minute since we weren't up for another soaked adventure!

Halloween: Despite not knowing anything about Pokemon, Xavier has been fascinated with Pikachu and somehow ended up being him (it?) for Halloween.  Lissie opted for a fairy.  We did Trunk or Treat at school, which was rained out so we had it in the gym.  We also did Haunted Museum again.  And, thankfully, I had somehow convinced the kids that that was enough candy and we didn't need to go out on the actual night of Halloween for more goodies.  (I'm pretty sure I won't be able to get away with that again!)

We also ventured to Cheekwood Harvest and Franklin's PumpkinFest to roundout the pumpkin festivities.

Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving was very lowkey.  Mom had just had a second surgery, so I opted to purchase a precooked turkey and a Honeybaked Ham so I could focus on the sides I like best anyway.  At the last minute, we invited some close friends who were not feeling up for cooking, either, and we all enjoyed a lovely feast.  Xavier, more than all of us as he somehow forgot his "full" button and literally ate until he got sick.  

Other Random Pictures:

At a Sounds Game with church, and they made it on the camera.

Not so bad after just a few months.

She finally got over her fear of ponies/horses and got on one at the Greek Festival

The Arndts came!

Opting to read at our annual Ryan/MBA rivalry game

Taking care of Mr. Mikey, his class pet

Rockin' those cowboy boots

My little girl scout

And scientist
(they did a few Vanderbilt Research Studies)

Skating!

Just a couple of dogs

Summer 2017 Recap

Ah, summer.  It seems so long ago that we created our summer fun bucket list, and I know this belated recap won't do it justice.  I want to document our memories anyway if, for no other reason, than to be able to look back on it later.

As they always are, Summer 2017 was a busy one that went by in a blink.  Between Lissie's first summer at the Y's day camp, both kids helping me out at the preschool camp, Vacation Bible School, the kids' first venture into Camp Widjiwagan, mini-road trips to Chattanooga and Beech Bend, and our big San Destin and Asheville vacation destinations, there really wasn't that much time left to do much else!  Most of that spare time (that is, when I wasn't setting up my new classroom for the fall) was spent lounging at the pool - time made even sweeter now that both kids passed the swim test so I could (finally!) sit back, relax, and read a good book whenever I wanted a break from the water!  In fact, we spent so much time outside that Lissie's jet black hair turned a sun-streaked brunette.

Chattanooga:  Immediately after Lissie's graduation, we headed off to our favorite quick road trip spot, this time with Ruby Falls in mind.  It was a fun kickstart to our summer!

We quickly found the hotel pool to goof off in.

Ruby Falls selfie

We couldn't go to Chattanooga without venturing to our favorite splash pad!

Kentucky Down Under and Beech Bend Park:  We had gotten a groupon to KDU with the intentions of using it during Spring Break.  But with Justin's passport fiasco and us having to spend an unintended few days in Atlanta, we had to postpone this little getaway.  Well, we had to use the Groupon up so the first chance Justin had two days in a row off, we drove up to KY and then stayed in a hotel to also check out Beech Bend Park, thanks to a couple BOGO admissions deals I had scored.

At a really cool ice cream store/playground/farm we stopped at en route

Even in the hotel, we supported our Preds during the playoffs

Sandestin:  Ah, the beach!  All the seafood, the sun, the splashing, the pooling, the memories!  Never mind that during Xavier's birthday trip, he donned a double ear infection.  He still had a blast, and he absolutely loved seeing one of his favorite preschool teachers again!

He turned five at the beach!

Stinky's!

The kids were hopeful to find Diggy again, but they scored a replacement with Miss Merry Christmas.

Asheville: We finally visited the Biltmore Estate, a place where my mom has been wanting to visit forever.  It was gorgeous!  And I loved how family-friendly everything was.  The kids enjoyed an audio tour from the perspective of the family pet - it definitely made them more interested in seeing the mansion (and the promise of ice cream at the end didn't hurt, either).  We also visited a few waterfalls, ate scrumptious foods, and tired the kids out with miniature golf and swimming. 

Other Fun Summer Moments:

Fire pits and s'mores with friends

He passed the swim test first!

She had to get to the Y as soon as she could to pass it herself, haha



Hunting for crawfish



Checked out Hatcher Family Dairy one day



Lissie finally learned to ride a two-wheel bike!


Father's Day at Monell's


L started cello lessons!


Because sometimes Mommy didn't want to go to the pool!


 We went to Nolensville for Fourth of July fireworks since they did theirs earlier in the week!

 


The kids did Camp Widji during Fourth of July week,
so we got to spend the day with them having a picnic, doing archery, riflery, banana boating,
and swimming!


Somehow Justin also convinced me to rent a bike and go on a bike ride!


Blueberry picking!


Teddy Bear Picnicking at preschool camp!


We read the book, now we watched the movie!


My bookworm swimmer.


Game night!

Not a bad summer by any means.  Loved all of the memories and getting to spend quality time with my family.  It was bittersweet, knowing that life was going to change quite drastically in the fall - with both kids in full-time school and me heading back to teaching full-time.  We soaked up every moment of the summer, as a result!