It's been a while

Hey there. I wonder if anyone still stops by here. It's been quite some time since I've written. I think about writing here almost every day, but my time is being sucked up with work and toting kids to and fro after work and the meeellion other things that are still expected like food on the table and cleans clothes. This is the week of Thanksgiving, and our school district is off the entire week...insert the Heavens opening up and the choir of angels singing "Hallelujah" with me in the lead. I need this week off like a dog needs to bark and wag its tail. This mama is T-I-R-E-D!! 

I thought I would take a few minutes to reflect on some things I've learned about myself since returning to the classroom. I'm not super proud of some of these revelations. 

1. I am NOT Superwoman. Not even close. I don't know how my working mom friends have done it all these years. 

2. I never realized just how much I LOVED being home. I like it a lot. I miss it…a LOT. 

3. Teaching is hard. Like real hard. 

4. I am not that great of a teacher. 

5. I get frustrated pretty easily and wish I could paddle some of my students on a daily basis. 

6. I like feeling appreciated, and teachers don't get that much. 

7. This teaching gig might not work out long-term. I think there is a season for everything, and quite frankly, my season of teaching other people's kids probably ended when I quit to stay home with my own. 

8. I'm not good at figuring out what to eliminate from my schedule. 

9. I need a lot of help and a lot of sleep. 

10. I really like week-long Thanksgiving breaks. 😁

So, what's new with you? Reading anything good? Making anything great? Try any new recipes or gadgets that have changed your life? Are you finished with your Christmas shopping? I am super excited to say, for the first time EVER, I have started. It's been an aspiration for as long as I can remember, and this year, I started shopping before December! Y'all, this is big…HUGE! 

October weekend

Kelvin and Carleigh headed to the ranch for youth weekend to get a big 'un! She's one cute gate girl. 

Scoping the scenery. 

Their sunset. 

5th grader and Kindergartener ready for the Fun Run. 

Cora and her girlfriends. 

Waiting his turn. 

Aaaaaand she's off! Gave it a good go for about half the race, then a bad quad cramp got the best of her. She was crying big tears on the other side of the course and didn't get to finish. She was so disappointed. :( 

Almost ready. I was too slow to catch his finish. Awesome roll stunt across the finish line. :) I think he came in 4th. He ran hard! 

After the run, we went to Luke's soccer game then headed back to the Fall Fest for some fun. 

We made it to the pumpkin patch too. 

We missed Careligh, but we didn't forget to get her a pumpkin. 

Givin' me some pumpkin peace!

I think October might be my favorite...well, one of them anyway. I wonder what Octobers are like in heaven. Do they grow pumpkins and watch the leaves on the trees change colors? Do they run through corn mazes and have three-legged sack races? I hope so. I like to think Emma and her friend Celia are having a ball this fall. I hope they are carving the prettiest pumpkins and eating caramel apples and popcorn balls like there's no tomorrow. I miss her. Now that the kids are so independent, I wonder how our lives would be different with her here with us. I like this stage...no diapers or diaper bags, no wiping hineys, everyone feeds themselves and the big ones can even cook some things themselves. I'm sure Emma would have loved cheesy grits like Luke and pancakes like all of them. I wonder if she would have liked gymnastics like Cora or preferred dance Iike Carleigh. I guess there will always be a hole, a yearning and longing. I look forward to the day we see her again. 

October blessings to you! 

Food and other stuff

So, we have been eating since I've gone back to work, but sometimes it's cereal for dinner, or sandwiches. We have eaten out WAY more than I am comfortable with. I have made menu plans for almost every week, but usually I don't get to stick to them as religiously as I used to for one reason or another. This week I made chili Sunday night, so the kids and I had that Monday with Freetos and cheese, of course. Kelvin had a dinner meeting for work he had to suffer through eating New York strip and asparagus, or something awful like that. Yesterday morning I threw all of the ingredients into the crockpot for Slow Cooker Lentil and Brown Rice Tacos. There isn't a much sweeter thing than coming home to dinner already cooked in the crockpot...except maybe my little kindergartner still being excited to see me and running up to me to give me a big ole hug when I get home. Tonight we had leftovers, and tomorrow night it will be Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad for which I will use rotisserie chicken, because it's quick and easy. I might even ask the nanny to cook the pasta if I can remember.

I sat down the other day to edit some soccer pics, and got a whole two completed out of fifty or so. Welcome to my world. Luke's team is doing well. He is still playing goalie most of the time, but occasionally he is getting to play the field.

Occasionally one gets by him, but not without him diving for it and eating some dirt!

This poor little guy just doesn't have a chance. 

Seems to be a theme with playing soccer and his tongue hanging out.

The beautiful white, puffy clouds opposite the big black rain-filled ones that dumped on us seconds after I took this photo.

Well, it's bedtime around these parts. Hope your week is going well. Happy hump day!

Most wonderful day

Kelvin and I took off work on Friday because we were headed to Frederickburg with the Fam for the weekend. After checking the weather again on Friday morning, we decided to stay home...80 percent chance of rain. We sent the kids to school and had a day  with just the two of us. It was like butter. We had the best time. We ate lunch at one of our favorite joints on the water, sipped one of our favorite drinks at another place enjoying the view of the water from the patio, and ended the day eating some bang up good elk steak and kicking up our feet around the fire pit. 

I wish we could do it all over again tomorrow.

A little comfort food

Does anything say comfort food better than chicken pot pie? I don't think so. I got to make this beauty last night.

I found the recipe on Bev's food blog. She is hiLARious! I love reading her stuff...makes cooking so fun! Anyway, check out the world's best comfort food recipe here. Adjust according to what you have and what you like. I didn't have pearl onions, but I did have a yellow onion, so I diced that baby and threw it in the skillet. I had a frozen bag of chopped kale (because don't we all? ;)) so I tossed that in the skillet too. I also had a bag of frozen peas and carrots and they got thrown in the mix as well. I bought the Kroger brand pie crust, because it was cheaper, and that's how I roll, and I haven't taken the time to learn how to make my own...don't judge!

The rest of the week we are having Italian Sloppy Joes, Blueberry Waffles, grilled steak and roasted veggies, and Salmon Burgers.

What are you having?

Kind of a month in review

I guess this is kind of month in review, but starting from the most recent...kinda. Really, it's all over the place...welcome to my world...

It's that time of year again. He's getting some field time this year. Crazy thing...it was mostly cloudy, but I got a LOT of sun watching the game...major raccoon eyes!  

Saw this on Pinterest. Such a good reminder. 

We went to the Rice Festival cook-off Friday night. This little doll melts me. 

It's a blurry mess, but this is Luke and Kelvin on the upside down loopy coaster. Kelvin is holding his cowboy hat with arms outstretched. They had a ball! Luke, Cora, and I road the spinning teacups just prior to the loopy ride, and I almost lost the bbq and beans I sampled before we hopped on the cups. I was pretty green the rest of the night. It was sheer delight for Cora and Luke. 

A couple of weekends ago, we went to the Gator Fest. The kids took an airboat ride, and Carleigh got covered in mud. She was still pretty! ❤️

My precious friend, Courtney and her husband, Michael. I've been friends with Court since our freshman year in high school (which was just the other day.) I love her BIG! She organizes the Gator Fest Motorcycle Ride which gives a portion of the proceeds to Emma's Hugs...so awesome! 

Carleigh was thrilled to take a pic with Mr. and Mrs. Gator. 

Kelvin and I rode the bull at the Gator Fest...

And the following weekend at HOPE Under the Stars fundraising event for Batten Disease Research...

We are pretty much semi pros. We looked for the bull at the Rice Fest, but they didn't have one. Smh!

I love our time at the ranch...

This man makes my heart skip a beat...

Hope your September has been full of fun and surprises. Here's to a happy fall, y'all!

Back in the saddle again

In the spring, Kelvin and I had a heart to heart and decided I would return to work...like the kind that gives you a paycheck. The decision did not come without much digging in of heels on my part. I love being home and available for our kiddos, and volunteering for school functions and with other organizations. But, as our kids get older and closer to doing things like driving and going to college, I began to see the benefit (or should I say God began changing my heart) of me returning to work now to begin saving for later. And since Cora was starting kindergarten in the fall, this seemed like a good year to get back in the saddle. So, after a crazy summer of on again off again with different job opportunities, just one week before school started in August, I scored the perfect job as assistant choir director with a precious Christian lady in the same school district which our kids attend! Such a blessing! I would be lying if I said I wasn't worn smooth out. This transition has been the hardest thing I've done in a loooong time. When I say I'm tired, I mean like pregnant tired! I have a completely new appreciation for working moms. I had a feeling what they did was hard, but I really had no idea. We are in about our fifth week of school, and we are starting to find our groove. Laundry is getting done, as long as the kids bring theirs down, and we have eaten at home more often than not, even if it is at 8 o'clock at night. I'm still worn smooth out, but thankfully, I have the world's best husband to take up the slack. I'm thankful for a job that allows me to be off when our kids are off, and I can't wait for Thanksgiving break! Today, we had a little cool front come through. The air was so nice this morning. I hope our break is as lovely. But who am I fooling? Even if it's raining the whole week, I will enjoy the time at home snuggled on the couch with a good book, hopefully reading aloud to the kids. I know of at least one who will listen. 

More award festivities

We completed Thursday evening in Cleveland with a beautiful award presentation at the Ritz. The VP who introduced Kelvin was very gracious and invited me to the stage with him and Kelvin to take a photo since the award was given to Kelvin for his work with Emma's Hugs. I am SO blessed. We mingled, ate good food, mingled some more, and finished off the evening with some more good food. I probably gained five pounds over the course of the week! I was so impressed with all of the award winners. Lubrizol has some special people working for them. They were all superior at what they do. Kelvin was in good company. Of course, I forgot to take a single photo during the awards ceremony or the rest of the evening. :/

Friday morning we woke early and loaded the bus for Canada. OH.MY.GOSH! Y'all, I am in love! Canada was just plain gorgeous! We visited Niagra Falls first. There is a reason it is one of the seven wonders of the world. There are no words to do it justice.

Hopefully I can find some time real soon to post the pics of the rest of our time in Niagra on the Lake. It is one of the loveliest places I've ever seen. 

Award-winning husband

Kelvin has been with the same company for more than 24 years. Lubrizol has been a good company for him. They have provided a platform through which his gifts and talents can shine. I was bursting at the seams with pride when one of his former supervisors called and asked me to help him gather some letters of recommendation for the Lubrizol Founders Award, for which he wanted to nominate Kelvin for his outstanding community service with Emma's Hugs. 

Established in 2001, the Lubrizol Founders Award is the highest recognition that Lubrizol offers to its employees. The award celebrates the rich tradition of excellence and accomplishment in the workplace and the marketplace established by Lubrizol's founders. Recipients of The Founders Award consistently ensure that internal and external customers receive an exceptional level of service. The Founders Award also recognizes those employees who, like the founders, dedicate their time and effort in service to the community. The Founders Award honors our hidden heroes—those men and women who contribute to the pursuit of our vision by going far beyond what is expected and giving their best efforts every day.

the photo on the company website announcing Kelvin as one of the winners 

What a blessing to know others see Kelvin in the same light I do and want to honor him for his hard work and determination, as well as his big heart!

The company does things up right for the employees (and their guest) who win this prestigious award. The festivities are based out of the headquarters in Ohio, which began Wednesday evening. A limo delivered us to The Ritz Carlton, in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, where we have stayed in one of the penthouse suites! Eeeek! So cool! So far, I haven't tripped and fallen or anything crazy like that! Wednesday evening we had cocktails at the Ritz and dinner at a place called Johnny's in downtown Cleveland.

Riding to the Ritz in style!

A room with a view! 

Veal on the bone at Johnny's

Let me just say, Cleveland has done a super great job of revitalizing their downtown district. It is beautiful! I was thoroughly surprised and impressed! Thursday, there was a reception at two of the company's locations in the area, and man, was that an incredible experience. When the award recipients and their guests walked in the doors, the second floor foyers were packed with every single employee, from the CEO to the head custodian, and everyone was clapping and cheering. The applause lasted for a solid five minutes. It was something very special.

I'm so glad I got to be a part of something so cool. The rest of the day was spent around Cleveland visiting the different venues the founders founded and continue to support through their foundations today, including the Botanical Gardens and Severance Hall. We also had a photo op at Pier W. The view was amazing! Last night was the big dinner and award presentation at the Ritz. The company did not disappoint! Again, the award winners and their guests walked in the gala hall to roaring applause. Each recipient was asked to come to the stage where he was presented with a beautiful award and just as beautiful accolades. The rest of the evening was spent meeting some of the most gracious people on the planet. We have been treated like royalty so far, and the weekend is just beginning! This morning, we are headed to Niagra on the Lake in Canada!! I can't even tell you how excited I am. We will stay at the Prince of Wales Hotel, do the Maid of the Mist boat tour at Niagra Falls, go on a jet boat ride, take a helicopter ride, take a winery and brewery bicycle tour, go for a couples massage, get a pedicure, and more! It's good to be the guest!!

More to come...