Ugh

I'm not feeling the whole blog this lately. I've been way too busy with other things, and haven't been great at keeping up with it- sorry!

All three of us are doing great, and enjoying the Spring weather. Work is going well, and John is studying like a mad man for his LAST board exam at the end of May. There is only a 40% pass rate, but I'm confident he'll do great! Avery is growing and learning more and more everyday, and she is such a JOY! We recently has new granite countertops installed, and they look amazing! It's crazy how much different the kitchen looks with just new countertops. They are much easier to keep clean, and give the kitchen a very smart look!

Nothing else too important or ground breaking is happening with us.

I'm still here

In case people actually do read the blog and are wondering why I haven't posted, by only excuse is that I've been crazy busy lately. Busy, but enjoying life!

Avery is at an incredibly fun age, and each day gets better and better with her! She says lots of words, and is super active! She is non-stop, which sometimes drives us crazy, but I know it means she's developing well and is exploratory. We confirmed my suspicion that she is indeed allergic to eggs. That clears up a lot, and now we have Epi-Pens on hand if she has a bad reaction to something. I love my time after work with her, and on the weekends. It really makes me miss being a stay at home mom. I'm so looking forward to the summer when I get to spend even more time with her, and now that she'll be a bit older, we can do some really fun things this summer!

Work is going really well, and I feel like I'm making a difference in the life of my students. I love my co-workers, and couldn't ask for a more supportive staff to work with!

John and I decided a few weeks ago to leave the church we've been attending for almost 6 years, and try new churches. So far we've tried two churches (1 church we've been to twice on a Sunday morning, and 1 church we attended their Saturday evening service), and have really enjoyed this new experience! We've both been sorely missing men's/women's ministry groups where we can learn from people 'older and wiser' than us. I also really want to be able to start attending marriage and parenting workshops/seminars at the church we settle in. We narrowed our search to 3 churches in the area which are local, have small groups, men's/women's groups, and great children's programs. We're being realistic about how long it will take to find the right fit, and have a goal of two-three months of trying our new churches. Hopefully it takes shorter, but we're prepared if it ends up taking a while.

I've been working out pretty consistently since right after Christmas. I hate getting ready for it, but in the middle of it, and afterwards I love it! I've seen some results, but nothing to brag about.

Life is good, and we feel immeasurably blessed right now!

Shake your boom-boom and repeat

For the last three and a half weeks I've been a member of the YMCA, and have been working really hard to make it a priority to go to the gym as often as possible!

John has been awesome about working his schedule around mine so that I don't have to bring Avery to Child Watch at the gym. I don't mind her being watched there, in fact I usually end up having to bring her twice a week, but when she's been watched by someone else all day, I like for her to be home with either both or one of us after work.

I've been enjoying the classes A LOT, and even go to Zumba off-site at a studio near my house taught by the instructor I really like from the Y. I've recruited a lot of friends: Kelly, Claire, Lindsay, Jenna, and Jess over the last week! It is SO much more fun working out with girlfriends :)

Although I haven't shed a crazy amount of weigh yet, I have lost a few pounds since Christmas, and certain areas are more tone, which is what I'm going for.

This is a huge deal for me, and I celebrate it before, during, and after every single workout! I hate, loathe, despise, and dread working out, but it's a must and so I am going to do whatever I need to in order to get my mind in the right place.

John has been really encouraging, and so have some of my friends- especially the ones who know this has been a struggle for me. To give you a little taste of Zumba, I added a video for you to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJhuJV4ei8&feature=related

The story of K & A

I just love these two kiddos! Naturally I love my own, but I love Kai like my own, too! These two were born three weeks apart, and had a due date one week apart. Different in almost every way, but get along so well and truly love each other! They make each other happy, smile, and laugh...what more could you want in a friend?!

Rest

Me and my Dad
John and Avery...she had SO much fun!
Avery opening her Christmas present from Kai


All of us at the carousel in Hampton

We were able to do a lot of resting and enjoying Avery over Christmas! Although she is far from chill and laid back (she's as active and crazy as ever), we were able to really enjoy her and soak her in! I don't think I have ever enjoyed a Christmas break as much as I did this year! The past week and a half was spent with John and Avery, lots of friends, and my family. The weather was beautiful, and we spent LOTS of time outside! I love my little family, and can't wait for making more fun memories with John and Avery!

My Crowded Mind

My mind has been crowded lately with thoughts...

* Christmas is 4 days away!

* I heard something really cool that I want to do when it comes to giving presents to Avery on Christmas- give her 3 gifts. That's what Jesus received. If it's good enough for Jesus, it's most certainly good enough for Avery Dorr!

* I dressed up like a reindeer today for work. I love seeing the kids faces when I walk into a room.

* One kid told me I make a cute squirrel- hmmmm.

* A friend made 50 cake balls (aka heaven in your mouth) for me to hand out to my staff for Christmas. Monica is one heck of a gal!

* Avery knows when she is being naughty, and will often say 'no' to herself when she's doing something she shouldn't be doing. Too funny!

* I've made dinner 3 nights in a row this week....I am on a roll!

* I hate folding laundry with a passion. I have an ungodly amount of laundry to fold tonight.

* My next door neighbor has become one of my favorite people.

* Why do I need to have my mouth open when I put mascara on? I've tried keeping my mouth closed, but I still stretch my face. I look plain old weird.

* We've been part of our new community group for almost 2 months now and I love the people I share my Tuesday nights with!

* We sold our house in Newport News the end of November, and John put an offer on a house (as an investment/flip property).

* I love to play Dominoes.

* If I had a disposable income I would get a massage at least once a week.

* Gouda cheese and crackers are hit your baby good.

Any given day...

On any given day, I am rushing a kid to the bathroom so he doesn't have an accident in his pants, teaching beginning word sounds, problem solving on how to pull a chair out straight without the legs getting crossed with other chairs, listening to home life issues, tying endless shoelaces, dispensing hand sanitizer to all, taking sick books to the hospital (a.k.a. taping the torn pages together and stapling loose pages back in) and correcting crap for clap when doing word sorts. I love my job, the people I work with, and the kids I get to teach!