silence

Every year, my dear husband goes on a retreat with the men in his family. This retreat usually falls the weekend before Christmas and is always a time for him to refocus and center himself for the new year. Ever since I have known him he has gone on this retreat and I was always a little jealous of the time he spends away growing closer to God and reflecting.

Switching gears to my life - for the past 6 years I have been volunteering on and off with our church's Lifeteen program and have LOVED every single minute of it. Every fall we go on a retreat but I am always leading a small group, giving a talk, or running around in the background. I'm ministering to others and not being ministered to. While this is fabulous and I love the opportunity I am being given to serve others - I have been feeling lately that I am running on empty. This is a feeling that has been pretty consistent the past year or so...just very worn and disconnected from my faith life.

Well what do you know - a little opportunity for me to retreat has popped up! But this is no normal yay Jesus clap your hands, sing some songs, play some games retreat (like the ones I have been helping out on as of late)... it's a silent retreat.

One little detail I left out about my husbands retreat, is that it's silent. Well for the engineer-computer-nerd-type, I would imagine that being quiet for a few days isn't that big of a deal. I talk to people, a LOT, every DAY, as my job. I am constantly making to do lists and taking notes and writing and planning and... silence is hard for me. So needless to say...I'm a little nervous.

I should be finishing up packing right now but baby was hungry so we had a snack and I decided to write a few thoughts down. I'm thankful that some other ladies I have gotten to know through church are coming on this retreat as well and while it will be silent, I won't be going about it alone. I think it's going to be eye opening to spend so much time with my computer and cell phone completely turned off and my mind turned on to God. I'm ready for the challenge and the hopeful refreshment I'll be receiving this weekend.

Prayers are greatly appreciated & I'll be praying for you too! 

Bumpdate: 16 weeks

I have yet to really delve into the depths of pregnancy details because not much has happened. Aside from the exciting discovery that we were having a little babe (which is a post all on its own) nothing has really rocked the boat as far as how I feel or look. This past week I started to feel a little bit more bumpy in the tummy area and today I really felt like I looked pregnant. However, the above picture may or may not be an accurate depiction of bump-age because it was taken after a full day spent at the Texas State Fair. So not only is that my baby in the bump but a food baby comprised of almost everything fried that the fair had to offer. Things really have been pretty easy thus far in the baby journey and I'm praying that they continue this way. My first trimester rendered minimal nausea and no morning sickness for which I am the most thankful. Really, the biggest change has been my endurance during the day and how easily I get tired (falling asleep at work, when your work involves 20 eight year olds, is usually frowned upon).


The biggest excitement: I'm pretty sure I felt a few movements today at the fair (somebody thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate pie shake I was having). Little jumps like muscle spasms or twitches which was pretty weird but also pretty incredible.

On to another week of growing a human!

seven quick takes

Joining Jen and some other lovely ladies for a quick Friday recap of our week. My goal next week is to actually post this on Friday. ;)

1. New name! - So I have been "blogging" (I say that because I am still a member of the consistently inconsistent bloggers club) for a little over a year now and up until this past Sunday the title of my blog was still the place holder of "in progress."  A part of me appreciated these transition words because I felt that the lent themselves to where I feel I always am in life - a state of progress - but I have been wanting something a big more permanent. I was inspired by the following picture that was taken at our engagement shoot two years ago at one of my favorite places in the world Cafe du Monde.

 

Sorry I'm not sorry I may have just caused you to drool.

2. Bumpdates! - I have taken a 12 week photo and a 13 week photo the past two weeks and have meant to post them on Sunday but they have slipped through the cracks of a packed schedule. I am planning on making up for lost time this week but honestly... no one is missing much. I have a slight bump after I eat dinner most nights but really have little to show for my pregnant self at the moment. I just inherited some maternity clothes from the wonderful, Heidi (my waistline thanks you!) and placed my first order for maternity pants from Loft and I'm ready to make good use of them all!

3. Reading list: Currently on the lookout for a new book to read. Preferably one that does not involve caterpillars and talking cats and dogs. It's hard reading during the school year but I was able to accomplish a goal of reading at least ONE grown up book this summer, I think I might be able to do the same during the year...maybe.

4. School: It was a tough week this week. It has honestly been a tough couple of weeks but we are making it through. Just really challenged with this group of kiddos this year due to some extremely varying learning styles but they are pushing me to provide for them and meet their needs. It is just going to take some extra preparation on my part and sacrificing some time on the weekends. Teaching is also a job that unfortunately lends itself to self comparison and I've caught myself doing that this past week more times than I would like to admit. Time to rest assured that I am doing everything I can do and that I am a good teacher... that is just one of those things that is easier said than done.

5. Things on my heart:  We are heading down to NOLA for Thanksgiving again this year and I'm ready to be with the other half of my family. We vacationed with my in laws at the beginning of the summer and spent a good chunk of time with them down there and in Florida but it's time to head back. I love it down there and I'm definitely missing some special people (and beignets, let's be honest).

6. Date night: We went to go see Gravity last night and HOLY. MOTHER. COW. GEEZ. That was probably THE most stressful movie I have ever seen in my entire life - but also the most amazing. Sandra Bullock, that lady, I completely underestimated her acting abilities. If you haven't seen it I won't elaborate but as a person who is extremely freaked out by space travel I thought it was an amazing movie and I got over my fears pretty quickly. It's great.

7. And here are more engagement pictures... because after pulling up the beignet picture I just had to look through all of them, naturally. All photo cred goes to our amazing photographer and friend, Jessica Renee Photography.

Happy weekend!

lovin' on blogs

Follow my blog with Bloglovin!

Ever since google reader disappeared into the land of formerly wonderful things that made my life happy and better I have been on the search for a blog reader that would be easy to use and more importantly import all of my favorite blogs into one place. I settled on Bloglovin' via some friendly recommendations (I've also heard good things about feedly and have been wondering if I should give that a shot...) and now you can follow the blog over there!


Happy Thursday!

7 quick ones

Rejoining the world of quick takers and following Jen and the lovely bunch for 7 quick ones!

1. My students have been cracking me up this week. I know that more often than not I catch myself complaining about long hours and extra stress, but my kiddos this year really know how to make me realize why I went into this profession in the first place. For example the note below: 

Best part of my day. One of my students decided to use her free reading time to write a friendly letter to a student in the class next door and ended it with "I love you more than chocolate pie." These are serious friendship commitments we have going on here in 3rd grade. We don't mess around.

2. It feels like fall outside. It actually felt appropriate to drink my Pumpkin Spice Latte this morning.

3. We had our 12 week appointment yesterday and everything in babyland is going swimmingly! I celebrated this stellar report with aforementioned PSL and bagel+cream cheese this morning. My doctor was having a tough time finding the little one's heart beat so we ended up getting more sonogram pictures. Not complaining! It was pretty funny because it ended up that the baby was alllllllll the way in the back hiding and just chillin' like a villain with it's hands behind it's head. Hopefully that chill attitude remains throughout this pregnancy and upon entering this world. ;)

Head and hands are on the left side and big ol' pumpkin belly is on the right. 

4. Realizing I'm running out of takes and you're only half way through... I might need to add more excitement to my life. 

5. I've been thinking a lot about vocations lately - but I supposed that could be it's own post so I'll leave it at that. It tends to be a topic with some heft.

6. Going to the new Alamo Draft House we have now to see Elysium and munch on some delicious food. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe these wonderful creations to be only a Texas thing. If you haven't been yet - you should go it's a wonderful time. They have strict no talking and texting rules and have pretty good food and the best popcorn to have ever entered my mouth. Go.

7. Contemplating whether or not to do bump updates (bumpdates if you will - the words are begging to be combined) on the blog.

Have a happy!

4.4.2014

This week we finally let the cat out of the bag and told our family, friends, and coworkers the news that we have been keeping secret these past couple of months. We are so happy to finally let people know and share in this joy with us. I still can't believe that there is a little baby growing inside of me right now; I'm sure that will feel more real as the weeks progress. We are just so lucky and blessed to have such wonderful people surrounding us who are so excited for us.

:)

why I teach: the first few weeks of school

Yesterday marked the end of our second week of the new school year. How two weeks can feel like two months, I will never know. The beginning of the year is always filled to the brim and I always feel like I can't handle the constant movement - but I can, because I love it.

I was taking some time this morning to catch up on my blog reading and came across this post. That had a link to the following documentary series premier:

There have been moments these past two weeks where I have felt more tired, more challenged, and more drained than I did my first year teaching. I know that this is a common feeling in our school right now and my grade level isn't dealing with half of the curriculum changes other grades are having to deal with. With everything that piles on my plate in August every year, I have never worked in an environment that keeps me more motivated or self reflecting. I am always learning something new about myself and being pushed to be more patient, kind, and caring. This year is going to be the best one yet, I can feel it. My kids are wonderful, my team is awesome, and I am ready to accept any and all new learning challenges that will make me a better teacher and person for these little people I get to work with every day.

Some snapshots from these past two weeks or so:

 our happy learning space

 fresh year, fresh new pillows for our reading corner

sweet little first day of school present

Now I'm off to clean, grade, and enjoy this beautiful Saturday!