Christmas 2013

I'm back dating this because yes it is January 2nd and I am just now getting around to posting about Christmas.

So, Christmas this year was so much fun! I know every year will continue to get better and better with Beckham. I have a lot of family so the holidays are always a crazy but fun time of year. Christmas Eve was crazy because Butch was supposed to be home at 11:00. He ended up getting a little delayed and wasn't supposed to be in until 4:00, and then around 2:45 Beckham and I were getting ready to leave a little early because I needed to run by Brookshire's and possibly get the car washed before we picked up Daddy. I was literally pulling out of the driveway and Butch calls me, freaking out saying he is already in Shreveport. It turned out he had his time zones a little off and he was in Shreveport at 3:00 instead of 4:00. We were already on the road so he had to sit and wait for us for a little bit. Then, Christmas Eve evening we went over to Maymay and Daddy Mac to do a super fast Christmas because we had to be at Butch's parents at 6:00. We didn't end up getting there until 6:30 and guess what? I got zero pictures at Maymay's....ugh

Anyways we opened presents and did a light supper at Grami & Pop's Christmas Eve night. Beckham was somewhat over the whole 'opening presents thing' he loved the presents once they were out of the box and working but he didn't care much to open the actual presents. Then, Christmas Eve night Santa came and I was so excited for Beckham to wake up and see all of his presents! He ended up sleeping until 9:30! Whoop whoop! When he woke up he walked into the living room kind of in shock. All of his new toys covered most of our living room and it was like he didn't know what to play with first. It was so hilarious!! We stayed home and played with all of his new toys for a few hours, then we got ready to go to Grami's house for a traditional Christmas lunch. Everything was so delicious and we were all in food comas afterwards. Beckham ended up taking about a 2.5 hour nap. Then, when he woke up Beckham and I went over to my Dad's parents house to do Christmas with them. We just opened presents and visited for a few hours. Butch wasn't feeling good so he stayed home.

Then, the morning of the 26th Beckham and I headed over to my Mom and step Dad's house in Homer. We had Christmas with them and opened presents and all of that fun stuff and then around 11:00 we all headed over to my Uncle Jon's house in Monroe. We had what we called 'Gimber Christmas' which was all of my Mom's side of the family. (Her Dad, Aunt and her kids, her brothers, their wives and kids...etc) It was so good to see everyone. The last time I saw most of them was at my Uncles funeral a few months ago and we said then that we were sick of only seeing each other when someone died. So, I hope we keep the tradition alive of seeing each other more. My Mamaw was truly the glue to our family. She held everyone together and made sure we saw each other often. It is at her house in Arcadia that I have some of the fondest childhood memories, especially around the holidays. Mamaw never hesitated from hosting huge get togethers at her house. I can still remember 2 or 3 huge pans of dressing, rows and rows of pies & cakes, and Mamaw always made a huge fruit salad which was her favorite. There would be ham, turkey, every side dish imaginable and her house would always be full of people. I cherish those memories when our family was much closer and I hope that one day we can be that close again, especially now that I have Beckham I want him to know all of his family and be close with cousins like I used to be. Hopefully, one day I will also have a house that I can host big gathering in like my Mamaw did. Okay, anyways I kind of got off subject but back to Christmas. We ate and ate and then ate some more at Jon's and all of the kids (and some adults) played outside most of the day. It was a great day- I wish Butch would have been able to enjoy it with us.

 Christmas Eve

 Christmas morning

Compare to last year.

Merry Christmas!

I passed..........

First I have to say I passed the GRE yesterday and am OFFICIALLY a graduate student...whoop whoop!! I am registered for my first class and just purchased the required book! After the test I was thinking, "I'm glad that's over", but honestly it is just the beginning. But, I am excited, motivated and ready to get it going. However, I plan to thoroughly enjoy the next two weeks off from work before work and then graduate school starts. I brought home four books that I hope to read before I start grad school. Three of which are Harry Potter- don't judge me. I am amazed that I haven't read the Harry Potter series yet, granted the whole magic/wizardry theme is not really up my alley, but I have recently become more into sci fi so I'm thinking I will like them. I bought the entire set for me my classroom at my school's book fair this year.  A friend of mine is currently obsessed, so I've got to at least see what all of the fuss is about.

Anyways, we've been having a ball around here lately. I finally got all of Butch's Christmas ready for him to come home. I am so excited about it I could scream!! I can't wait for Christmas Eve, he will be home and I can finally give him all of the goodies I have been stressing over lately. I'll share everything later but just in case he's reading this- I can't give it away!!

I am planning on getting some stuff to make Christmas candy/cookies tomorrow or Monday. I will post on how all of that goes later; because, with my little helper, there is honestly no telling.

Cue photos:

early Christmas from family in Baton Rouge

I told him if he sat there and smiled then I'd give him my keys, promise kept.

December happenings

December has been so much fun so far! Here's a bunch of random things we've been doing. Beckham had late fall/Christmas pictures that turned out so stinkin cute! I've got a picture of a picture of our Christmas card, I'll have to scan some others to post here. I absolutely love them!! He is such a little baby model. Our tree is decorated, we have the cutest Santa Mickey in the front yard (didn't get any actual lights on our house this year since Butch had to leave for work). I have some cute Christmas decor around the house and back porch; I had a poinsettia for about 4 days but somehow I managed to kill it. I swear I can not keep any kind of plant alive-it drives me insane! I have been wrapping presents like crazy and our tree is seriously overflowing and I'm not even done yet! I mean, I'm about 90% done but not completely. We are having Santa pictures taken tomorrow, which I'm hoping goes well. He's around so many men with beards it should be fine. We will see. We attempted to see the Christmas train a last weekend but he was a little sick (just snotty with a cough) and when we got there the line was around the parking lot so we knew it would be a while before we got on the train so we decided to skip it this year and try next year. :( Beckham's friend, Jake turned one on the 6th so we went to his Saints theme Birthday party. Beckham was so cute and sweet to the other kids. He shared so well and we had a great time. Unfortunately, we had to take Butch to the airport that same day because he had to go back to work. But, he will be home in time for Christmas....or that's the plan! Hopefully there isn't any delays or bad weather!

Here's a photo dump.

Thankful part four

It has been a hot minute since I posted here so I thought it was more than due time. The past couple of weeks have been so much fun around here! First, the hubs was home for Thanksgiving (he wasn't last year), I was out of school for a WHOLE week, my Mom and step-Dad, Johnnie came over for Thanksgiving and Mom stayed the weekend, andddd I did some major Black Friday shopping. Fun stuff for sure!

Thanksgiving was filled with food, family, and football of course. I ate more than my fair share but that's nothing new. Beckham napped right after we ate so we didn't get a family pic but I did get a few good ones.

So, my Mom made the comment -something to the effect of- that there's nothing like being thankful for what you have on Thanksgiving, only to leave at 4:00 to start shopping for more things.... and if I'm being honest that is SO not what Thanksgiving should be about. Stores are slowly but surely opening earlier and staying open later. Did I save a ton Thursday night/Friday morning? Yes. But, in general am I spending less money because I hit the deals on Black Friday? No! I've got my budget in my head and that's what I spend. Period. I just love shopping and especially buying presents for people. Don't get me wrong I bought myself a few things too that I totally didn't need but, I got 90% of my shopping done in one day! Plus- when I'm able to get good sales I can buy more for my friends and family and still spend the same amount. At least that's how I look at it so just leave me alone! :) The bottom line is while I am still (and probably will always be) trying to find contentment with my life, I just really love to shop and any reason I can go shopping then I am ready to roll!

While it is really cold here in Louisiana right now like, ice storm/freezing rain cold.Yeah. I'm not loving it but I really do love this time of year. Saturday after Thanksgiving Butch put the Christmas tree up and then headed out to go hunting, Mom was packing up to leave and Beckham laid down for a nap, so I decorated the Christmas tree. I did it while Beckham was asleep because he is so super busy right now I was dreading him tearing the tree a part, so I thought if I did it while he was asleep he wouldn't see me 'touching' the tree so maybe he wouldn't either. Long story short our Christmas tree is up as well as most of the decorations. Grami ended up letting Beckham put some ornaments on her tree so I got an Elmo and Mickey ornament and let him put them on our tree and he has done so well with it. He literally has no messed with one thing. He points to different ornaments and says what they are but he's not terrorizing like I thought he would! And I don't mean to make it sound like he's a terror, because he is not at all. He is just so smart and mobile; I honestly didn't know how he would react to a giant tree in our living room. He hasn't even messed with any presents! Proud Mama moment.

Anyways, I kind of got off subject there with the Christmas happenings. Today I took Butch back to the airport. But I am so excited he will be home for Christmas! He literally comes home on Christmas Eve so I am praying that he has safe travels home with no flight delays. Today was a mess because his flight was delayed three hours so we were literally just sitting in the car waiting, he was starting to worry because he would miss his next flight so he'd probably have to sleep in the airport and the stress was just building; and then he got an email that the cancelled the flight before him so his flight was moved up an hour and half so he had about thirty minutes until he could board. Which meant he would make his next flight and be back to work on time.  Hopefully that was a sign that he will have a smoother time getting home on Christmas Eve. I sure hope so.

So, as the last post in my Thankful series I truly just want to acknowledge this time of my life. I read somewhere something about if you spend time thinking about what is going to happen next you miss what is happening right now. It really hit me hard that while I do have this 'to do list' in my head I need to just stop and savor this moment that I am in. I have a wonderful relationship with my husband, I have the most precious son in the whole entire world, the best family and friends anyone could ask for, a roof over my head, food on the table, and more blessings than I deserve. I am sincerely grateful, thankful, and appreciative of all that I have, even when I forget to acknowledge all of my blessings.

Thankful part three

I have often bragged about the fact that Beckham was over a year old when he had his first 'sick' visit. And even then it was a germ in his hip that had already pretty much gone away by the end of the doctor visit.

So, last Tuesday I took off work to go pick up Butch from the airport. I knew that Beckham had a little cold and I talked to the nurse Monday to see about what I could give him. Monday night I could tell that he really did not feel good. He literally laid on the couch and watched an entire episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and him laying still for that long is a rare occurrence around here. He ended up falling asleep on the couch that night.

Anyways, we woke up Tuesday morning to get Butch from the airport. He was still visibly not feeling well; coughing a little, but mainly just looked really sleepy. He surprisingly didn't fall asleep when we got home, I think he was too excited that his Daddy was home. When he would cough he would get choked and throw up and this went on for a couple of hours. He was literally just spitting up phlegm. He eventually took a nap and when he woke up it was like he was still sleepy. He was real lethargic and just kind of laying around everywhere. I noticed he was wheezing and taking really short breaths. Also, I kept noticing how pale he looked. I thought it might have been from being so nauseated earlier. It started to worry me so I had a friend (that's a nurse) come over. She said he was retracting and needed to go to the Emergency Room to get a breathing treatment. Uhhhh.....what? ER with my baby? I started to freak out. I called the nurse to see if she could call ahead and get us to a room quicker because she said we didn't need to wait very long. She explained that retracting meant he was struggling to breath but still getting air-just not taking good breaths. She told me not to worry (yeah right), it happens a lot and to get to the ER as soon as possible. I started to pack a bag in case we were admitted and it all became a blur. I was a mess. I was so scared and stressed and rushing and trying not to cry at the same time. As we were driving to the hospital I looked over to Butch and said I do not know how parents with sick babies do it. It took all I could do not to cry in that moment and cry now as I'm writing this. It was definitely the scariest moment of parenthood so far.

Thank God everything turned out to be okay. His vitals were good but not great. His saturated oxygen level was 92 when we got there and once it went up to 100 we were able to leave. So, 5 hours, 4 breathing treatments, and a round of steroids later we were headed home. We ended up having to have a follow up appointment with our Pediatrician the next day. He was acting pretty normal while we waited (an hour.ugh!) he was breathing a little heavy and the nurse said his saturated oxygen level was still fluctuating from 89-97 which meant it was low, and he was getting good breaths but they were few and far between. So, now we have an inhaler, steroids, and cough medicine for the next few days but it is a far cry from what could have happened. Our pedi said she didn't think he had asthma it was probably just triggered from the cold. She determined it to be a lower respiratory infection.

It really made me appreciate one of the most simple, yet often taken for granted things in life, our health.

 Mr. Nosey at the doctors office.

high five for Friday

Today has been a really good week-definitely worthy of a HF4F!! I don't do them every week but I felt it was necessary! Here's a recap:

1. I found out the hubs is going to be home for Christmas!! YAY! I am so beyond excited I can't even tell you! I was stressing over it to say the least but it turns out Butch had been working to get his schedule switched around for weeks! I love him!

2. I also found out I won Teacher of the Year. Whoohoo! It's actually for the 2014-2015 school year but they announce it the year before because it is a TON of work! It is an honor, and I am grateful but I am starting Grad School, have a 1 year old, etc. I hope I can get it all done ugh it's going to be a full plate for the next few months.

3. #selfies I'm not sorry I just used a hash tag. It was needed. Lately I've been wearing my glasses more-and apparently taking selfies. Ha! I've never been one to take them but whatever. Random.

4. Wednesday was a Professional Development day at work which basically means we are in meeting all day long. Sometimes we get an hour or so to work in our rooms but not that day. I literally sat and listening to different speakers talk for hours. Some of it was valuable information but the whole time I was sitting there thinking I had so much work to do in my room. Anyways, I got about ten minutes in my room before I left and got my sign hung. Update: It fell the next day... :(

5. Lastly, I am starting to order some Thanksgiving outfits and Christmas presents. It's getting me all excited and feeling festive! Here's the Thanksgiving shirt I ordered for Beckham.

Thankful part two

Every single day for the past sixteen months I have said thank you to God for bringing Beckham into our lives and making me his Mommy, so this week (and every other week really) the entire focus is on him. He is my favorite subject and truly my greatest accomplishment. 

Dear Beckham,

You will be sixteen months old in four short days. Where did the time go? I am beyond obsessed with you. Everything about you. You are the sweetest, kindest, smartest little boy in the entire world. You amaze me everyday in your actions and comprehension. I love watching you learn and grow everyday. I especially love watching you with other kids, especially Jake. It's like you know he is younger and not as strong as you. You love to pet his head and push him in the car. You're always so gentle. You love to hug him and kiss his head. You always bring him a toy when you see him or even give him the one you are playing with. I would definitely like to take credit for teaching you to share but I really believe it is most likely just in your good nature. Even when you're mad (usually for not getting your way) and someone gives you something you always say thank you, it comes out more like "tantoo" but I know what you mean. When I say we are going bye bye you start saying shoes and go get my shoes. They always match. When you're hungry you say bite or eat; and when you're thirsty you say drink or milk. I've (I say 'I' but everyone really has) always talked to you just like we talk to each other. I can baby talk with the best of them but I've always wanted to teach you correct vocabulary-I knew you'd do the baby talk on your own- and you do! You can just about tell anyone exactly what you want, when you want it. If you can't say the words you will point or lean towards whatever you want. 

Our friend Haley had her baby boy, Peyton yesterday and it has really brought me back to the day you were born. I remember almost every second of that first day, from when we checked into the hospital at 11:00pm to when you were born the next day at 3:15pm. The funniest thing was when your Daddy said to me, "I can tell you one thing, I don't like looking at you in that hospital bed." He was so worried about us the whole time. He loves you so much baby boy and works in Alaska just for you. He wants you to have the best life we can possibly give you even if that means he has to sacrifice his time with you. Even though he does have to work away from us you still love being with your Daddy. Your favorite thing has always been to ride the Ranger and I don't see that changing for many many years. Your Daddy can't wait to take you hunting and fishing either. Grami has even taught you to say Butch, although it comes out more like "Buu" and you don't say DaDa much anymore, now it's more like Diddy. Which your Daddy loves! If you ever read anything from this blog, I hope you read this. You have made me your Daddy and I the happiest two people I believe exist in this world. The joy you have brought to our lives is immeasurable. Each day is an adventure with you. To call you a blessing is a complete understatement. You are so much more than a blessing; you are truly a one-of-a-kind gift from God. I love you more than you will ever know and am so incredibly thankful for each day I get to spend with you.

Love always,

Your Mama

Dear Beckham-12 months old
Dear Beckham-6 months old

move it Monday

This is not a normal move it Monday but I was so productive yesterday I just have to brag share. It's no surprise or excuse that because I work Monday-Friday, when I finally get home to my sweet boy I do not want to clean or do laundry. blahhhhh It drives me crazy. For one reason, when I'm trying to fold clothes Beckham thinks it's hilarious to knock over the piles; and another is because I just flat out hate doing laundry. Actually I think I hate laundry period. Dirty laundry, clean laundry, folding laundry, putting laundry away, etc. When I'm rich I will pay someone to just do my laundry for me! Or just send it all out to be dry cleaned. HA! wishing....kidding! Anyways, even though the hubs is at work Beckham and I still make a ton of laundry-how? I don't know. The whole taking baths, wearing clothes during the day and then pjs at night probably has something to do with it. 

So I tryyyy to get at least one load done every couple of days but it has just not happened lately. So, yesterday Beckham apparently was really sleepy because he took about a 2.5 hr nap at 10:00 and then another 2 hours around 5:00. Needless to say, I did not lay around on the couch watching Food Network like I so desperately wanted to. No- I graded eight stacks of papers and put them in the grade book, made this weeks lesson plans, updated my school blog, did four loads of laundry (washed, dried and put them all away-whoohoo), put away all of my Halloween decor and rearranged the fall stuff, swept, mopped, cleaned my washing machine (think bleach and a toothbrush clean), unloaded, reloaded, and unloaded again dishes in the dishwasher, cleaned out my refrigerator, while Beckham was between naps we went to Walmart and got a few things. Annnnndd last but certainly not least I watched the Saints kick butt. Sorry Cowgirls! Who Dat?

Thankful part one

It's November, five days in to be exact...when did that happen? This year is seriously flying by and I really need it to slow down. While I am in complete agreement that every month/day/second of my life I should reflect on all that I am thankful for however; like many I get caught up in the hustle and bustle of day to day life and most of the time sometimes forget to reflect on all of the wonderful blessings in my life. Personally, the month of November reminds me to appreciate all that I have. While I try to count my blessings throughout the year, for some reason I always get extra appreciative during the holiday season. I absolutely love getting together with my family, celebrating holidays and making life long memories. So, I've decided to do a weekly thankful post for the rest of November.

The topics in these posts are not going to be in any particular order, just things I am thinking about at the moment.

The first of every month I sit down, organize all of our bills, talk to Butch about them and then we pay them. This may not sound like anything special. Everyone has bills, and most everyone tries to pay them on time/ in full. While I realize it is more difficult for others, I am so grateful that we do not struggle. In no way am I bragging. Butch and I work extremely hard for our money. Fortunately we have never been in a situation where we absolutely couldn't pay bills. Yes, some months are a little tighter than others, but luckily we are financial stable. This is not a materialistic blessing, to me at least. I am thankful that we both have jobs that allow us too provide the necessities for our son and each other and then some. I know I am fortunate to have a job that I absolutely love and although he does not love his job, the time he gets to spend with us at home is, "worth it" in his words. Not having to struggle to make ends meet is an incredible blessing that I know others are not as fortunate to have.

Similarly related to our finances is the fact that I seriously have a dream job. I am completely obsessed with my school and students. I truly love going to work. Is it perfect? No. Do I make a lot of money? No. If I could just teach it would be wonderful but for anyone that is a teacher or knows a teacher, you know that is not the case. There is a lot more that goes into my profession. However, since I was in high school I knew I wanted to be a middle school teacher and my dream was to go back to Herndon. I am so incredibly thankful that the timing could not have been more perfect when I was hired for my current job. God has impeccable timing.

Something I have been struggling with lately, well since Beckham was born is our living situation. Do we have a house? Yes. Is it my ideal situation? No. Did I ask to live him when I found out I was pregnant? Yes. And that is always Butch's response. I wanted to live here. I did and love our location, but honestly we are outgrowing this house. We are comfortable, don't get me wrong, but as Beckham grows his toys get bigger along with everything else and I can't even imagine having another baby in this small house. I did want to live here because when we found out we were pregnant we were renting a house that was way too big, expensive, needed way too much work (that we couldn't do because we were renting) and the list goes on. So, our alternative was moving into one of his parents rent houses that his Mom was actually in the process of remodeling. I knew the location would be perfect and did not realize how quickly we would outgrow the space. Butch and I discussed living here a year or two. It will be two years June 2014, so roughly seven months. I am already planning another baby in my head and it just stresses me out to think about living in this house for much longer. With all of that said, we have a house. It is small but it keeps us warm in the Winter, cool in the Summer and dry when it rains. It has all of the necessities we need to live a healthy life and honestly, good things come to those who wait. We are not in any kind of rush, per say....I am mostly because of future hypothetical plans. But, if need be we could live here forever. I don't know what the future holds for us. I am grateful that we have a house and a place to call home.

This first week of November, I want to think about and appreciate our home, our careers and our financial stability. I never could have imagined this life. Three years ago I was in such a dark place. I did not think I deserved this kind of happiness. I am forever thankful for Butch coming into my life during that time. God truly only knows where I would be.

move it Monday

I am so excited to finally have another move it Monday post!! Honestly, my gym time has been non existent since about August. School is back and I honestly have not made time for exercise. Saturday we participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and by we I mean 147 participants from my school including myself, Beckham plus my Mom and friend Paige. Back when I was working out regularly Beckham and I used to walk the 5k route around our town but that was about 2 months ago. However, I had no doubt we could finish just knew we would be slow. Thanks to my Mom having to stop and stand in line for the port-a-potty for about 20 minutes we ended up coming in just about last. Not the very last people walking but pretty darn close. We completely lost all of my friends and students from school and the majority of the pack of people but nevertheless we did finish-which I am very proud of!

I have to say we had a ton of fun! We had to wake up around 6:00am to get going and be there by 8:00am. They did a little warm up around 8:30 and the race started at 9:00. There was soooooo many people there it was awesome to see all of the men, women and kids sporting their pink and the Susan G Komen foundation. It was mine, my mom, Paige and of course Beckham's first 5k and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope to do another one soon. I know we will for sure do the Susan G Komen Race again next year.

Did we finish in an hour and twenty minutes? Yes! But, we finished and that's all that matters! I am so proud of my Mom for trekking through and not complaining at all, once we found a bathroom...lol She is also trying to get me to participate in no makeup November but I am not too sure about it. I like the concept of inner vs outer beauty but my makeup is my comfort zone! She told me that God created me perfectly and I added that God gave me bags under my eyes. haha!

Anyways, here's to move it Monday!! Photos of out first 5k!