Meet Blake!

Meet Blake:

She is a black Subaru Outback and we are all in love! She is a 2013, but she looks practically new! Brad and I went to get her on Saturday, and I am already in love. I think this car handles better than anything I have ever driven, and it's just so comfortable. We also love all of the trunk space! I have a feeling she will take us on many adventures!

Issa for the Win

I am slowly trying to get my office under control. Since my amazing graduate assistant went and graduated, I have not had anyone to keep my life together. I honestly had no idea how much she did to keep the office running smoothly and not looking like a hurricane hit until she left. It was a very full circle moment because I remember Dr. T. calling me shortly after I graduated with the same realization. 

Alas...I have to be a grown up and take care of my own mess, which is often a series of post-its so I don't forget random bits of information. Thankfully, Issa made me this:

How cute is that?! I love how it looks, and now I have a cute way to display--and not lose--all my little scraps of information.

An Adventure and a Guardian Angel

We had a bit of an adventure last night. Brad was out of town, so Mom and I thought we would take the kids to our favorite Mexican spot for dinner. Unfortunately, they are moving to a new location and were closed last night. We changed plans to go check out a papusa place, but I only had a vague idea of the location. I put the address in Google Maps and off we went!

We were almost there, and we ran out of road--literally. The paved road just ended in dirt. Actually, it ended in mud. I tried to do a three point turn, but the car got stuck. Very stuck. We tried rocking. Mom and I tried pushing. The kids helped with the pushing. Nothing. We called AAA.

As we were waiting for AAA, the very kind man who lives where the road ends came home. He told us we were on a private road, and I apologized all over myself and threw Google under the bus. He just shook his head. Apparently this happens often. Then the magic happened. This kind stranger offered to help us out. He went into his own garage to bring out boards and a shovel. He wouldn't let me help. He tried to talk me through rocking it out. He actually got in the car to try to rock us out. He talked about his life and his building career. He talked about his frustration with the lack of road. He couldn't get us out.

We told him AAA was on the way, but he insisted on waiting with us because it was dark and we were stuck. When AAA did get there, the tow truck guy said a whole lot of car words I don't understand, so our new friend Ray stepped in again. He understood and made it happen. He actually turned my car around once the tow truck got it out of the mud.

I offered to pay him for his time and materials (those boards will never be the same), but he refused. I will send something in the mail--I know where he lives. I also called the city to see if they could at least put up a no outlet sign and let Google know the road actually ends. It seems the least I could do.

It's absolutely hysterical now, but I am so grateful my kids got to see a slice of all of the good that is in the world. We talked a million times about how I want them to be like him. I know will never forget Mr. Ray or his kindness...

It's a Good Thing I Love Him

Evan has become anti-coat. If there is no snow on the ground, he is convinced his sweatshirt is enough. I appreciate when he gets to school he often ends up in just a t-shirt because his classroom is warm, so I understand that in his little brain a sweatshirt is an extra outer layer. However, it was 29 degrees when we were leaving this morning, so I made him grab a coat. We compromised on his heavy jacket, which he carried to the car because he already had his backpack on and it was time to go. He was supposed to put it on in the car so he would have it for recess.

I got to work and found this:

Yep. There it is. Keeping my back seat nice and warm. Bless his heart.

An Open Letter to My Kids' Schools

To all the grown ups in my kids' schools:

I know today is a hard one. We dropped our kiddos off into your hands in a soft lock down because police are searching for an armed suspect not far from you. This one isn't a drill. It's real. I also know my kids are safe with you. Thank you.

This isn't about that, though. This is about you. I've been at your desk before. I've gotten the message that this isn't a drill. I know that pit in your stomach. I know how tight your nerves are today. I know you sat at your desk and sent up a million prayers and composed yourself before that first bell rang.

Because when that bell rang this morning, you fixed your face and you are teaching. You're telling kids to blow their noses. You are teaching with your eyes on the door. You are showing kids a new way to solve a problem. You have redesigned your lesson to keep your kids against the walls and away from the window. You are teaching kids how to listen and how to do math. You have already thought of the excuses you will make for the extra police cars and helicopters for the little ones so they won't be scared. You have rehearsed your speech about what is really happening so you can fake confidence and serenity when you tell the older ones the truth. You will have hard conversations with older kids. You will exchange meaningful glances in those rare moments you actually get to see another adult. Today will be hard.

You will spend all day looking into your kiddos eyes and knowing their families trusted them to you. You know this every day. But today, the weight is heavier. I feel it with you.

When we sign up to be teachers, days like today aren't on our minds. They become part of our reality. We accept that responsibility even when the world doesn't see us do it.

Please know I see you. I appreciate you. And I hope you take some time to fill your own cups tonight. You did good.

All is Well!

First, thanks for all the texts, calls, and emails checking on us! I know it's been a minute since I posted; we've just been meeting ourselves coming and going:

1. We have all had the plague. It's a lovely, ever-evolving virus that wipes you out for a few days. We had it in shifts, so I feel like it's been roughly twenty years since no one needed cough drops.

2. Work has been insane for both Brad and I. February is hands down one of my busiest months, and Brad is running two companies. No big.

3. Everyone is fine, but the van had a fender bender. It wasn't that bad, but the van was that old. Insurance totaled it out, so we are car shopping.

4. We hosted the third annual Science Extravaganza at New Hope. This was Brad and I's last year, and it went off without a hitch! We will run back-up for next year's chairs before we graduate out of elementary.

5. Issa has had two dance competitions! PrimeTime was only a competition, and she killed it:

 Both her solo teacher and I were in tears afterwards:

 Her confidence on stage has grown exponentially:

 And the lines in this piece suit her so well:

 Her poise:

 Her strength:

 It was amazing.

This weekend, Issa and I headed to Concord, NC for Radix. Her team had a great weekend:

 And I so love these dance friends:

 And her teachers:

 Ms. Brooke has a special chant that she does with each team, and it works:

These girls were awesome!

So...we are tired, but we are good! Hopefully March will let me post more!

A Very Happy Valentine's Day

We had a perfectly lovely Valentine's Day at our house. It was a Thursday, so it was our usual crazy. Issa had dance, the boys had the dojo, but I gave my students alternative assignments because no one wants to be sitting in a class on Valentine's Day at dinner time.

We had our usual festive favorite: meats, cheeses, and fruits. We ended with chocolate mousse in chocolate cups topped with berries--thank you Weaver Street. Alexa had a shockingly good love song playlist, and we told the kiddos about our first day, which was on Valentine's Day 21 years ago.

It was such a simple evening, but it was so perfect. After the kids were in bed, Brad and I spent a lot of time talking about the Valentine's over the years. We've grown up together, and the holiday has certainly taking many different shapes over those years. I think this might have been one of my very favorites, though.

Mood

Neela is my spirit animal right now:

As soon as I make the bed in the morning, she snuggles into the pillows. It's been cold and gloomy. I'm still fighting this virus, and it's the busiest week of my academic year. I would also like to snuggle back into my pillows.

A Very Big Weekend

Issa might be running away to join the circus:

 One of the dance enrichment opportunities was to go and take a class at Circus School. Issa was the only one from her studio who chose to go, but she fell in love with the trapeze:

 I can't believe how strong she is, and the teacher was surprised how quickly she caught on:

 She even got pretty good with the silks:

 It was so fun to watch:

 And she's pretty sure she wants to go back.

Evan also decided to cut his hair:

 The mop top is gone, and I think he aged five years. I think I've finally stopped doing a double-take every time I see him.

Sunday, we girls headed to the ballet:

It was another beautiful afternoon, and it was made even more special because we bumped into Lauren A. there!

It's another full week, but we are going into it very happy...

Yin Yang

After I posted the picture of our frozen fountain last week, we have been in the upper 70s all this week. Mother Nature, go home. You need some sleep.

It has made for great running weather, though! This morning, I was doing my longest run yet and truly feeling great! I was enjoying the weather, and just thinking that maybe, just maybe, I could be good at this.

And then I fell.

It seems I was so busy enjoying the stars I didn't notice the gumball on the road until my ankle turned. Lesson learned. Look at the stars standing still; look at the ground while running. My left ankle is sore and my right knee is a scraped up mess.

But...I'm going into two rest days, and I have high hopes for another great run on Monday.

To West Coast and Back Again

Issa and I spent the weekend in Reston, VA for her first convention and competition of the year! While some things were very much the same, there were also the some major differences. To start, usually we got to West Coast in SC, but this year we traveled North--same teachers different hotel. We also traveled with Breah and Ellie, which was truly lovely. These girls were thrilled for the extra time:

 And I love hanging out with Breah. She doesn't mind driving in traffic; I don't mind navigating. It was a match made in heaven.

Saturday morning, we were up bright and early to start dancing. I was the only parent with this lovely crew:

 Not gonna lie: that was a bit much. They danced so well, though, and I absolutely love watching my girl do her thing!

Saturday night, Issa competed musical theatre. Her teacher had her skirt for a new hem, so we headed down to the competition in most of her costume and sweatpants:

 It amused me greatly. And this crew did a great job:

 They earned four stars and took first in their category!

Sunday morning we were back to dancing:

 I truly cannot believe how much Issa has grown. I still remember her first convention when she spent most of the time looking over her shoulder at me, completely lost. This year, she rocked it. Her highlight was getting positive feedback from the ballet teacher on her strong arms and shoulders. My highlight was just watching her truly enjoy learning and dancing.

The studio rocked it:

 And these two both made the stage for scholarships!

 Issa was a finalist, and Ellie won a scholarship for next year!

We got home at 9:45 last night, so this morning was a tight turn. It was absolutely worth it, though!

It's Cold

Compared to the Midwest, we have no room to talk, but this happened...

Our poor fountain in the center of campus is a bowl of icicles, which I think is gorgeous. I am certainly lucky to work in such a beautiful place.

This Kid Cracks Me Up

Evan asked me to take this picture yesterday morning:

He wanted to send it to Aunt Shannon to say thank you for the most cozy, comfortable sweatshirt ever.

You may notice it's a sweater. And he's wearing it with sweatpants. I pick my battles and just took the picture so he could text.

We were halfway to school when he looked down and said, "Wait a minute. Is this a sweater?"

"Yep, Buddy, it is."

"Oh well. It's still the coziest sweatshirt ever!"

He is a hot mess, but he's my hot mess.

I Took Pictures!!!

This post should be titled 2019 Company Showcase, but I so very proud of myself that I got pictures of every costume!

We don't have production costumes yet, and we were down a mini who had the flu, but these six were ready to rock before the show started:

 Issa loves her tap costume because it is super comfortable and soft:

 We got her musical theatre skirt when we arrived yesterday--so glad it fit:

 I love that she is wearing Grandma's earrings and broach for this one:

 This lyrical has an applique that is straight from the devil:

 I had to sew it on while she was in it, and she has the nerve to make this crazy face when I tried to take the picture:

 Dance sisters and the best:

 Jazz is very fun this year:

 And I love the simplicity of her solo costume:

She was so nervous to do her solo. Friday's rehearsal ended when she threw up thanks to a migraine. It was not exactly the best way to go into Showcase, but she rocked it!

I love, love, love watching her on stage, and I just know this is going to be an amazing season!

A Bad Run

This post will serve as apology to any of my neighbors who had the unfortunate bad luck to witness my run Tuesday night. Yikes.

I usually run Monday, Wednesday, Friday, but the temps were dangerously low Monday. So...when they got slightly warmer Tuesday afternoon, I headed out for my first run of the second week, which added 30 second to the run times. (I'm using a Couch to 5k program that gradually increases your running while decreasing your walking.)

Here's the good news: I'm learning to love the run, and I can do it! It feels great!

Here's the bad news: I discovered after the fact that I had no idea how to run in the cold. I bundled up. I wore a hat. By the mid-point, I was so hot. My hat would not stay on--even under my hood. As it slipped it pulled my ponytail out. I was trying to adjust all of this while running. I'm sure I looked a hot mess. During my cool down, I started to freeze. When I got home, I couldn't stop sneezing. It was a mess.

Thankfully, I turned to the hive mind of my running friends on facebook who helped a girl out. I am not appropriately equipped for today's run (layers, ski mask, etc.). Of course, I live in NC and it will be 50 today and I need none of those things.

It may have been ugly, but this girl isn't giving up.

My Kids the Big Kids

We made a quick trip up to DC this weekend to visit Tim, Amy, and Mara. Mara is six month old now, and it was the first time Issa and Evan got to meet her!

We always have such a good time with these friends who have become family. It was absolutely freezing up there, so we spent the weekend inside playing board games and playing with Mara. It was perfectly lovely.

It was also a smidge surreal. I'm still not quite used to my kids being the big kids. Watching Issa easily pick up Mara and carry her around. Watching Evan swoop in with a toy or build the tower ten million times so she can knock it down. It was perfectly lovely.

It's a Dental Miracle...

My children have very special mouths. Issa's is so tiny; Evan is part shark with all his extra teeth. Taking them to the dentist always drums up some kind of crazy I-didn't-even-know-that-was-a-thing nightmare. I find myself wearing pearls and cardigans in some kind of subconscious plea to the their teeth that if I look put together perhaps they can get it together.

This morning, it worked!

I took both kiddos to the dentist, and the lovely hygienist came to get me after their cleanings and she said, "Everything looks great! See you in sixth months!"

I had to clarify that she meant both children and she had in fact looked in their mouths. The latest x-rays show Evan's front teeth are just above the gum line. No one has any new surprises. I just don't even know what to do...

2019 is off to a running start...

For the past few Januarys, I have made plans to become a healthier, more balanced human being. It generally looks like me going all in, 110%, until about March when one thing falls apart and I can't manage and getting really frustrated and in a funk because I decide it's some character flaw of mine--super healthy.

So this year, I opted for a different approach for the same goal, and it's working! Instead of jumping in and killing myself (and probably those around me), I've made two or three small changes each week starting the week after Christmas. Thus far, I've:

1. Upped my water intake to the 64 ounces recommended (instead of the ridiculous number I used to pick for no good reason). Most days I drink more than that, but it's a nice, manageable goal.

2. Added a cup of detox tea to my afternoon routine. It's a nice mid-day pause and energizer in one.

3. Went back on my healthier meal plan. I use Always Hungry, which has been a great book for me. Basically, no sugar, no white potatoes, no processed grains. I feel so much better!

4. I've replaced my nightly wine with a mocktail. I've actually had a lot of fun pairing herbs or fruits to pop into sparkling water to match my meal. I realized the wine was more about the ritual, so I changed the ritual. I'll still have a glass of wine occasionally, but I noticed I sleep better without it.

5. Speaking of sleep, I'm a solid seven hour girl now.

6. I've gotten my skin care routine back as a routine!

7. I added a yoga moving meditation to my bedtime routine. I sleep like a rock after it!

8. I've added two morning flow yoga practices to my week--Tuesday and Thursdays mornings at 5:30 I'm on my mat--because no one interrupts at 5:30 am.

9. And what I'm most proud of: I've tied my running shoes back on the other three weekday mornings. The world is still dark and quiet, and I can run without wondering what's happening at home or who is watching my pitifully slow self. It feels good--cold--but good.

I'm leaving the weekend as rest days, which gives me a break so I don't burnout this time, and I am feeling so much better! I'm telling you, 2019 is going to be the year I get it together!

Dress Rehearsal

This weekend, we had Issa's dress rehearsal for the dance season. Since it was such a huge event, I took no pictures. Oops.

It was a great dress rehearsal, though. Issa and I have finally figured out how to do this thing, and it was super low stress--exhausting--but super low stress.

The dances looked so much cleaner than in years past, and we have no tights this year! It's a miracle. What I am most excited about, though, is that Issa is wearing one of Grandma Luzny's broaches and earrings for musical theater.

I just love watching my girl do her thing. Now on to the season...

My Apothecary

I've been dabbling in essential oils for about a year and a half now. I tried them at a friend's recommendation, and I couldn't believe how effective they were. OnGuard really did help us stay healthy; Breathe cleared a cold in record time. When I fell and majorly scraped my leg, lavendar and tea tree oils healed it without a scar, and a PainFree herb blend was the only thing that touched the pain. I became a believer, and I happily purchased oils and then tinctures from professionals.

In early December, Brad and I went to an herbal medicine workshop with a licensed herbalist, and I learned a lot about making your own oils, vinegars, and syrups. I did some digging, and I started playing. Then my lovely sister set me up with the beginnings of for some real herbal work, and Brad gave me more than half of the cubes in our room for my little apothecary.

I started playing with vinegars because they are easiest:

 I made fire cider, which is good for just about everything, and I have Five Thieves Vinegar steeping right now, which is great for cutting colds short.

I also made my first balm:

It's a cayenne-based balm for muscle and joint pain, and it did seem to help Brad's neck.

I also made my first "pills":

 These ginger balls are good for upset tummies and preventing motion sickness. Issa is anxious try them out on our next car trip. How can you go wrong with ginger, cinnamon, cocoa, and honey?

I made an herbal blend that stirs into milk to help us drift off to sleep, although no one has needed it yet, and I'm waiting for a few more herbs to arrive so I can make my first tinctures!

Right now, I'm mostly having fun reading, learning, and puttering with my herbs. They do seem to help, and I imagine it's worth a try!

A Walk in the Park

This weekend was absolutely beautiful! After all that snow in December, it was in the mid-sixties and sunny this weekend. It was just too pretty to stay inside, so Brad and I decided to head to Gold Park for a walk:

I always forget how pretty the walking trails are here, and it was lovely to just walk and chat. The best part: we stumbled upon a small herd:

 They were across the river from us, so they didn't seem to mind us one bit:

 The kids were too busy with their art and science kits to join us, but we came home to this:

Yes, that's an umbrella on the landing ledge. Apparently, the sun was glaring through the front window, and the devised that solution. I do love raising problem solvers.