What a difference

I'll be honest. 

I hit a rough patch last fall, and had an awfully difficult time seeing far off in to the distance to June.

Each day was a challenge, and I longed for Friday. Weekends were a physical break from the classroom, but hardly a mental break. The challenges and anxiety consumed me. I wanted to do it all. I wanted to be the doting wife, loving mom, attentive daughter, thoughtful sister, and talented teacher. Yet I felt constantly defeated and craving a few more hours in each day.

It took time.

It took talking.

It took patience.

It took perspective.

It took the support of my family and friends.

It took hormones to get back in balance. 

And what a difference. 

I now look forward to my classroom. I look forward to my kiddos, their silly stories, their handdrawn illustrations, their homemade crayon candles. I look forward to the crowd of kiddos around me with questions, anecdotes, stories, and concerns. (Okay, maybe not that crowd that follows me at the start of the morning bell...)

But I'm having fun again. As odd as it seems, I knew I was feeling better when I started baking again, when I started crafting, when I took time to see friends again.

I'm back.

And here's a peek at that fun I've been talking about..

A Giveaway; Five on Friday; Mommyhood

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First off, be sure to head over to Oh' Boy 4th Grade to enter Farley's fabulous School Outfitters giveaway-- $100 to spend? Yes please!

Earlier this week I had high ambitions for blog posts for Tech Tuesdays...

  and Throwback Thursdays...

and those days came and went without more than a few minutes spent in front of the computer. (Blogging mommas--what's your secret!?) :) But that did mean more time with this munchkin!

With it being Friday, and all, here is my Five on Friday. 

{one} 
 

Don't get me wrong, I love summer. And I love hot weather. But I've had enough of this oppressive heat wave. (Today's heat index hit 104.) A morning stroll has become a part of our daily routine. I need it. Getting out of the house with the babe is not the easiest feat. (Change her, feed her, change her, soothe her, pack the diaper bag, prep a bottle, ready, set, go!) So daily walks are great. The dog is super happy, I get fresh air, some sun, some exercise, and it often soothes Miss K to sleep. And after a day like today when napping was not on her agenda, a walk would have been wonderful. But alas, cabin fever set in--for all of us. And days when morning walks aren't possible because of the weather or our schedule, an evening run has done wonders for the long days, busy days, and slow days. Hence, while I practically live in running gear. So for those reasons, I could not be happier for next week's more tolerable weather.

 

{two}

We are loving Miss K's nightly sleeps. Footie pajamas and these velcro swaddles have been the answer! I haven't seen 3:30 am in over a week! She typically wakes anytime between 5:15 and 6 now. While it still makes for a long day--napless for Momma--I'll take it. I do wonder what life around here will look like come late August when school starts again...

{three}

I desperately want to tackles folders upon folders of TPT classroom goodies. (That is no exaggeration.) I cannot. find. the. time. Nor do I see any time in the near or distant future. I am finding I need to choose the ones I want to create the most and the rest will wait. The idea of having enough time to CREATE new TPT products sounds impossible.

  I'm struggling to find a balance with mommyhood and third grade and it is so.hard. Reality is that it will only get harder come late August. 

 Just picking up a book and getting through one paragraph as been a challenge. When Miss K is content/napping, it's a mad dash to eat breakfast, shower, pump, prep the bottles, empty the dishwasher, switch the load of laundry--napping..reading..TPTing takes a backseat--way in the back.

{four}

Yesterday was the hubby's birthday and it began with blueberry muffins--a birthday tradition that began on his doorsteps ten years ago. Miss K and I brought him lunch and surprised him with cupcakes and the fixings for an ice cream sundae bar. Tomorrow is our annual birthday barbeque here at the house for friends and family.

{five}

I received this email yesterday,and it revealed some fabulous news! Woohoo! My class is getting a set of 5 iPad minis! This makes the two iPad workshops I am teaching in August all the more valuable!

Today started with morning snuggles,

and lacked any semblance of a good, solid nap, 

was filled with on-and-off-again fiery, ugly cries,

dragged, and dragged, and dragged...

but then, moments after one of those cries...

and after another...

I may not always know exactly what you need or what you want, and I may doubt myself every hour of every day, 
but my patience and love for you will never falter. 

I love you sweet Kensington.

The one about de-stressing

How I de-stress:

- bake

Fall weather and Pinterest have inspired me to try a few new cupcake recipes. Getting excited...

- pinterest

I could easily spend hours searching and pinning, browsing and pinning...Pinterest could be an entry in itself. I get such cute and clever (and delicious!) ideas.

- run

While I find myself not 100% motivated to run some afternoons...I feel so good while I run and once I finish. A little over 2 miles today in 26 minutes. Proud of myself. :)


- clean

Ellie gives us plenty of reasons to sweep--often.

- make lists

I need to organize my endless thoughts and tasks from phone calls to return, cards to send, chores, groceries, and want-to-dos in one place. I am in love with Blue Sky's mousepad/to do list.

- mindless television

Real Housewives series...Big Rich Texas...Long Island Medium...the list goes on...

- read trashy magazines

Lately it's been US Weekly...I'm backed up a few issues. Not good at all.