living room sneak peek

Here's a little sneak peek at the pillows and curtains my mom and I made this week. Okay, so Jan made most of them, I did a little pinning (which I'm terrible at), ironing, and snapping on some grommets. It was definitely a labor of love at points, but I couldn't be happier with the outcome- curtains especially! I can't wait to see them up at the house along with some other projects that Aaron took care of while I was in the burgh this week! Stay tuned for lots of living room/house project updates next week. For now, here's my mom's handiwork and a new pattern I found to change up the look a little. (I'm still searching for the perfect olive green or mustard yellow to complete the pillow ensemble.)  Whoop whoop!

ahh summer, how i love thee

bittersweet

That was today. I have been anticipating this day for the last 15 months. The day that would finally be my last as a teacher and the end of being a working mama. And while I am full of joy for this next chapter, I couldn't help but be sad to leave Downingtown. In fact, I was a blubbery mess this morning. Amidst cleaning out my desk and writing thank yous to the many people that I have come to know and love, I couldn't get the lump out of my throat. Saying goodbye to the school that made me a teacher and that gave me the opportunity to teach and invest in the lives of over 500 kids was hard. It was weird to leave something that I love so much and had worked so hard to become. I went to lunch with friends from the social studies department and then ran a few errands with Sara. Missy texted to tell me that she was hanging out with my friend Carla and to pick up Everett over there. I pulled up to the house and saw a few cars of friends that I recognized. My mind was kind of a blur and I was in my own little world as I walked around the back of the house. Kids were playing and I assumed they were having some kind of Providence (my church) mom's gathering. I walked through the doors and there were 10 of my friends yelling surprise! I cried. My sweet friends threw me a surprise party to celebrate my "retirement" and new career. It was such a blessing, so unexpected. I felt so loved.

So, today was bittersweet. There were lots of tears and moments of pure happiness with the realization that Everett is my only job from here on out. And, I'm thankful for 5 years in a career that I have loved and that has made it hard to leave.

buddies

Everett and Nolan. Nolan and Everett. These boys love each other, partially because they've been subjected to hanging out regularly because their parents want to! As they've grown, the boys have started playing and interacting and loving each other.  It's so fun to watch!  Saturday we were hanging out with the Lusby's at my in-laws pool. We got a one year update pic to compare to our pictures from last year. It's crazy how quickly these two have grown from tiny babies to crazy toddlers. Yeay for great friends and especially for great friends with a great kid! 

sometimes you just have to stop and play in the puddles

Sometimes I have to stop myself --- stop myself from saying no Everett, you'll get dirty. Sometimes it'd just be easier to tell him no because I don't want to clean up the mess afterwards. But, at the end of the day, I want to be a mom who seized those opportunities, a mom who played and laughed and got dirty with my kid, a mom who took the time to enjoy these fleeting moments. So we did. We got dirty and wet, but it was well worth the smile on his face and his squeals of laughter. It's a good reminder for me that in the busyness of life sometimes you just have to stop and play in the puddles.