Lessons to learn

Since it is November, I can proclaim loudly about how thankful I am for teachers. Not only because they give me a loooong break each weekday, but also because they are giving me something so priceless. An education for my children. It is not lost on me how important their job is. It isn't just teaching them the ABC's and math facts, it's noticing how each child absorbs them. How quickly they catch on. How fluently they read. If they comprehend what they are reading. For each student in their class. Teachers are amazing. It makes me realize how over my head it would be if I was homeschooling. I don't know about all those little milestones you need to watch for. What's normal, what's not. I am forever grateful that somebody else does.

P/T conferences are always a little emotional for me. I realize I might be strange, but I am always keeping those emotions in check. Always willing my eyes to stay unmisted. My kids are amazing and make me so proud. (I'm so thankful that they got their brains from their dad.) While the transition into this new school was rough for all, me included, this year is phenomenal. We found our sea legs. I didn't really realize until now how difficult it was for my kids to make that change. Was I in denial? or Did I see it for what it was? I had teachers from last year check up with this years teacher. That speaks volumes. Ugh. But we made it. And we're stronger for it.

The only less than happy part was the discussion that I had with Logan's teacher about his hip issues. The poor guy is really going through a rough patch at the moment. I'm not sure if his physical therapy is adding to it, rather than detracting. The pain is so intense at times that it wakes him up at night, screaming. I don't know what hurts worse, his hips or my heart. This tough little guy has yet to complain that he was handed this trial in his life. That is so amazing. Although it doesn't pay to dwell on the fact that he has to deal with it, I won't be mad when it is just a memory.

For today, my sunshine is teachers and those three students that I love so much.

Thank you, veterans!

Including my dad. Yes, there were people on the wall that he knew, sadly.

For those who recognize the people in this picture: I know it seems odd that my dad, my MIL, my SIL, Logan and myself (behind the camera) were in DC at The Wall together. There is a perfectly logical explanation for this: we were there for a graduation of the person that ties us all together. Just so you know.

I got the blues. And the purples.

Oh, that was hard to convince me, wasn't it? I thought it over for a split second. Yes, you can see my coat! Just warn me next time so that I can fix my hair for you.
I had a few requirements as I was searching for my coat:

1.) COLOR 2.) Architectural detail 3.) Something I could dress up or down

Sorry for the fuzzy pictures. This is my backup camera. The other needs to go in for repairs. But sending it off immediately is not how I roll. I heard things get sweeter with time, so I take mine when I feel like it.

The coat as it came.

The coat with my touch.

And, since you were probably wondering: what was hiding under the coat. Purple pride!

The true story of the cheap lady and her husband's dog

Did I mention the $90 coat that I cheaped out on? I figured I could catch it on sale. Boy, did I call that one! I found it on sale for $60, used an online code to get 20% off and then used a $20 coupon I had, also. I got it (with shipping) for around $40.

My dog promptly ripped the packet to shreds. (Because, apparently, the UPS guy did not have the energy to use my front door and ring the doorbell.) The only reason the dog hasn't died yet is because the coat was unscathed. True story. Zane said the dog is "so cute". That's why the confettied package is still on the driveway, while the coat is safely in the house. Another true story. It'll keep him busy while I am wearing said coat out for coffee with the girls tonight. I'm sassy like that. Sassy in my new, inexpensive coat.

eta: Turns out, my kids had far too much energy to expend it in our house. So a certain mom sent them outside to get fresh air and pick up confetti. Z got off easy.

Welcome, Laura, to the blogging world! Check out my talented cousin!

Sugar and spice and everything nice. That's what my day was made of.

Yesterday, It all came up daisies. Or whatever these flowers might be. I want to rewind yesterday and enjoy it for its simple happiness.

After dropping off the kids at school, I filled up my empty tank. Quite literally. I have an 18 gallon tank. I put in 18.03 gallons. That made me happy. I'm glad to know that my vehicle and I have something in common. We can both run on fumes.

That's not even the best part of the day. My husband showed up for a brief period of time during the middle of the day. We never get that lucky because he works too far from home. And. He brought me flowers. That's not even the heart-melty part. He also brought some for Izzy. His girls at home, he says. Pitter, patter. I love getting flowers. Some women claim they don't. I have a hard time believing that. Who wouldn't want to be reminded, every time they see their flowers, that their husband loves them and thinks of them during the day?

And I'm officially done peck-peck-pecking my way through the texting world. I bought a phone with better texting capabilities. If you can't lick em, join em. Yes, Aimee, I was officially waiting to see if this texting thing would really take off or not. You never know.

When I came home from soccer, I heard this little voice in my mostly dark house say, "Mommy, I can't sweep because I'm scawed." There is nothing better than snuggling and protecting your babies after a blissfully happy, yet simple day. And going to bed knowing you can sleep in because the school kids have the day off. I really want to rewind.

You know what else I hate? The dumb trees at Target. They don't move out of your way when you are walking and digging in your purse at the same time. Annoying.