A bit of what's floating around in my head...

*My son just got over his first cold. It was his first bout of illness of any sort and he handled it like a champ. For the most part you wouldnt have really known he wasnt feeling good as he continued to smile and play. He had one day where he spit up some and was kinda cranky but then the next day he was right back to his ol self again. I'm thankful that he has had nearly 4 months of great health and that he continues to do so well!
*Aaron and I are going out to a movie tonight :) This is an extension of our Valentines celebration. I think its sweet how excited he is to be going out with me.
*We are in the process of trying to figure out the best usage of Aaron's days off this year. There are so many things that we need to do and another list equally as large if not larger of things that we would like to do. Please be in prayer for us as we seek to make these decisions.
*I am loving this recent weather we are having. We have been taking advantage of this weather with a few more trips out of the house and walks around the neighborhood. Hopefully in the next day or so we will be able to walk around the lake as well.
*I love hanging out with my son and watching him experience the world around him. I love being able to make him smile.
*We love watching the Biggest Loser. Such inspiring stories and it is amazing to see how far the contestants come each season.
*Husband and I are in the midst of taking a Crown Financial class at church. We have always been eager to pay off our debt. This class is a great springboard for that goal and also gives us a great heavenly perspective on our money and possessions. As a result we will be going out to eat less and really cutting back on any nonessentials.
*I still havent ordered my wedding album :(. My goal is to get that accomplished by the end of this weekend.
*I would like to plan a game/movie night this weekend. Anyone wanna come play?
*I am in the process of organizing little man's photos. Hopefully I will be better about sharing more of them soon. I love to take pictures of our little one and love sharing them too! Pictures are such a treasure. I need to do a better job of capturing him on video as well.
*I havent been able to wear my wedding or engagement rings since about July and I miss them.


Often my life feels like one giant to do list, a list of things I need to do and things I'd like to do. I love where God has me most of the time and yet there are so many areas where I feel I could still improve/work. I'm hoping that as a result of cutting back on spending money there will be more time at home to enjoy our sweet little family and to work on these to do items.

Two weeks and two days, 16 days, 384 hours

...................until our wedding day!!!!!!
While the big day is quickly approaching my to do list is ever growing! I am amazed at how many things are still left to be done. When I lay down at night my mind is usually racing with all of the things that are left to be taken care of. I have stayed up WAY too late over the last couple of weeks looking at bridal bouquets, picking out pictures/songs, emailing various people involved, writing thank you notes, etc.
I can understand why I have heard so many brides say they are ready for the whole process to be over and that they just want to be married.
Throughout the last year I have really tried hard to enjoy the process of planning a wedding. I dont want to wish certain seasons of my life away. I dont want to live each season wishing for the next. I want to (as much as possible) enjoy planning a special day to celebrate our wedding with family and friends. I want to be honest when I tell people I'm excited about the wedding, excited to be getting married. I am excited to be getting married! We have waited a LONG time for this special day!
I am very excited to see everyone who is coming to join us for our special day. I cant wait to all of the things we have been planning over the last couple of months come into realization. I cant wait to be married :)

Movin on up...

Well, I'm not moving up per say, just to the other side of the lake. This weekend I will be moving as much stuff as possible into the house that Aaron and I will be renting for the next year. NO, we will not be living together....at least not until September. The plan is for me to move in now, get settled, have a place to move my school stuff as well as wedding gifts, and then Aaron will move in in September.

Life has and will continue to be super busy crazy for the next couple of weeks. For the record here is a quick recap of what is going to take place over the next couple of weeks:
*Finish up teaching: complete with assessments and c. folders and kiddos
*Move my house this weekend
*Go to Charlotte to order wedding bands and visit IKEA
*Organize my classroom into things I might use while out of the classroom, grade specific stuff, etc
*Bridal shower at school
*Revisit the guest list for the wedding and order invitations
*Move out of my classroom
*Organize and learn how to live in a new place

After June 12th (the last day of school) things should start to calm down a bit. At least thats what I'm hoping for. I'm hoping for a few days of rest before I have to kick my behind into full blown wedding mode. If anyone wants to come and help with any of the above items or wedding stuff please let me know!

Reflecting

The end of another year cannot help but bring about some reflection on the year that is ending and hope and desires for the new year to come. While I have never been one to really make a New Year's Resolution I have felt some stirings in looking at how life has been going for me and how I would like for it to go. I think part of this is in light of Grandmother's passing as well as looking forward to starting my married life during this next year.
During the last couple of months I have realized more about my own personal limits. I know more of what I can and cannot handle and am getting better at not trying to load my plate down.
I have also realized how valuable my friends and family are to me. I would not be where I am AT ALL without them. They have been there in ways I cannot even begin to describe during this last year. They have helped to shape me into who I am today. Losing a loved one brought me to a place of cherishing those that I love! More than ever I want to make time for people. To actually call them and hang out instead of saying I'm going to do so. To travel to see friends that are far away.

Other "goals" for the year (hopefully longer) are to grow in my relationship with the Lord and with Aaron. And also to be more consistent with taking photographs and putting them to use instead of just on the computer. I would also like to get back to blogging and adding photos to the blog--feel free to hold me accountable to that!

love you all and thanks for checking in

one week down, one more to go!

Today is National Pregnancy and and Infant Loss Day. Take a moment to pray for all of the families that this impacts.

On a lighter note:
Today will be my last real shot to get my paper written. I will also be packing for the Chrysalis weekend and trying to get as much school stuff completed as possible. Keep me in your prayers friends. One week left until my crazy to do list must be completed! I am already beginning to feel the load lighten! Hopefully I can keep plugging along and get all of my work wrapped up. Back to work!

two weeks

In two weeks I can breathe, relax, feel somewhat back to normal....or at least as normal as my life can get right now. Two weeks from now I will have finished my thesis (for better or worse), been head logistics on a Chrysalis Journey, put together report cards for my kids at school, completed parent-teacher conferences, gone to a bridal show only to get the $1500 free gift package, had a workshop at school, worked the fall festival and mega parties at school, been visited by the worlds most wonderful Turners, and anything else that the good Lord feels like throwing my way.
I am to say the least feeling overwhelmed. I have made lists on top of lists. Learned that I can live on little to no sleep without completely killing anyone, although I am sure I am not the world's most pleasant person to be around right now.
I am learning that my wants and desires are not what is facing me most on my to do list right now. I am struggling with how to deal with that.

For the most part I am venting. There really is nothing anyone can do for me right now except to pray. Pray that first that all of this pushes me into the loving and supportive arms of my loving God. Pray that not only do I finish this and feel the glorious thrills of completion but that somehow throughout all of it that God is magnified.

Two weeks...