Happy Heart

I'm an art teacher.

 

I spend my day (sometimes nights/weekends) planning/prepping art projects for 330 students at our school. I lesson plan. I do research and I spend my time getting inspired. I love my job.

 

 I've always said that I have SO many things I'm interested in, that I've never had just one dream job. My brain works non stop on things that can be created. I love to do a lot.

 

 Sometimes lessons come from ideas I see on pinterest (thank you, God, for pinterest!), pictures I've read in a book or sometimes they pop up in the middle of the night when I'm going through my neverending to do list.

 

I don't teach from a book. I teach from my heart and I think that is important.

 

My point is, is that I am always thinking of what is coming up and how I can tie a cool project into a lesson that our students will not only remember with fond memories, but learn something from. Like every other student loving teacher, my creativity often goes straight to them and not necessarily to me. Which is okay. I like it that way. Most of the time. :)

 

But sometimes, I need my creativitiy to clear my mind. Since becoming a mom I crave that creativity even more. I think because my day to day is so strategically planned and I have gajillion things to do at every waking moment. I think it's an outlet. An outlet that I love and miss. 

 

I don't want to ever forget that part of me. Because yes, I am a wife. A mom. A teacher. 

And those are three of my favorite jobs I wouldn't trade for a second.

 

But, I'm also the same girl that needs to get her hands dirty and create. Which sounds silly since I do that Monday-Friday, but I mean for me.

 

Sometimes my projects are small... it always varies:  it could be a new recipe, a pillow cover, new curtains, a kitchen makeover while my husband's traveling out of town for a bowl game, a crafting and cocktails session with my family...

...

But this week, it was two new ikat paintings for our master bedroom.

 

 

And it sure felt good.

 

 

What I'm Loving Wednesday

WILW:

Three posts in one week? Who am I?? :) Linking up with Jamie again, here we go!

...

I'm loving that some of our 2nd graders did a living history museum in our Library. They had a dot on their hand and when you went around you could push it and they became their historical character. Here I am with Rosa Parks. It was SO cool!!

I'm loving that we are only two days away from Spring Break!!

(Via)

I love waking up and running into this little guys room and seeing his squishy cheeks every morning.

More than that I love that his "405 Pride" OKC Thunder onesie my mom bought him last year, fits him.

I love that the last three nights that same little precious has slept 9 straight hours, then an additional 4.

It's downright exhausting being a growing baby.

I love that me, my mom and Garrett will be crashing my cousin Savannah's senior trip and going along side Gaybra for a girls (plus Garrett of course) week trip over Spring Break. Pure bliss.

And of course, I love this man. I'm so proud of the family that we've built. There's no one I'd rather do life with. :)

Happy Wednesday, friends!



3 months...

Garrett Asher,

You are honestly THE cutest thing I ever did see. I don't believe I will ever get over the fact that you are mine. Even when you look at me like I'm crazy, (see above) my heart still just gushes with pride.

You turned 3 months old on Valentine's day. So it was only appopriate to document you in your cutie onesie that I made you. You are quite a ham. Such a flirt. :)

...

This month we didn't have a doctors appointment. So I have no clue on your stats, but what I can tell you is you are growing like a weed! Your cheeks, in particular, are just so squishy- I steal all the sugars I can get!

You are smiling non stop and cooing. OH the cooing. It is music to my ears. Sometimes, (and by sometimes I mean every minute of the day) we sit and have conversations for as long as you'll let me babble and you just babble right on back. I pray that we will always enjoy our conversations together and you will always feel so safe to tell me whatever is on your heart. You smile at me when you notice I'm looking at you or when you hear my voice. If someone else is holding you, but I'm right there, it's like you only have eyes for me. Bless you, I know that won't last forever but my goodness does it make me feel good now. You are my whole world. I didn't even know a love like this existed. It's like every day that passes just gets better than the day before.

You have been rocking your tummy time and have even begun to roll. You don't fully go all the way over but whether I lay you on your front or your back you go immediately to the side. It's like you know you could go further, but why bother. The side seems to be perfectly fine with you. Who knows, maybe you'll be a side sleeper like your momma?

Everytime I see your precious little tootsies, or squishy little hands I can't help but think of the verse in The Bible  that says "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Because you are, my babe.

...

You're starting to fit in 3-6 month clothing and I already have a huge box full of things you have outgrown.

Each milestone we cross seems to be more and more bittersweet for me. I'm SO proud of you, but I also can't believe that you aren't a "newborn" anymore- even my emails now say "infant". Sigh.

You are sleeping like a champ. Mimi tells me all the time you are spoiling me, but keep it up sweet boy, Daddy and I love it!

 Speaking of Daddy, the two of you are the cutest things.

You guys thumb wrestle. Bless it.

You spend most mornings together and two full days a week are just Daddy/Garrett days. I love coming home from work on those days and hearing all the details about what the two of you have done. He sure does love you and boy do you love him. I like to think I'm your favorite, but the way you light up when he is being silly with you is something I wouldn't trade the world for. I just know the two of you are going to be best friends and make so many wonderful memories together. I try hard not to look too far in the future, because I never want to miss a moment and try to be thankful for the now-but it's hard when I know how much fun the two of you will have with Lambeau and playing sports in the yard. I just feel so much pride thinking of all my boys giggling together.

All in all, you are still the cutest. We love you more than we ever thought possible.

XO,

Mommy

Chicken Salad

I am one picky Chicken Salad lover.

I don't love mayonaisse, so it can't have the slightest taste of that or I'm out.

I like it to have grapes.

 I prefer pecans over almonds.

And I need it to look pretty.

If those things sound like you too, then you will LOVE this salad like I do.

I got it through Pinterest via my Aunt Gaybra. It is supposedly the Neiman Marcus recipe? Who knows if thats true or not, but I changed it up a bit & took it to Recipe Club this last week. Even the pickiest of my friends thought it was good. That is when you know it's a hit. :)

I didn't take a picture of the final product, dadgum. But you get the idea. Grapes, celery, chicken, pecans, dried cranberries, salt, parsely, mayo... and the (not so) secret ingredient, coolwhip. Game changer. 

Try it and let me know what you think!