Firemen and Five Year Olds

Today has been one for the record books. The fun began at school this afternoon when I explained to my 20 kiddos that I "had a baby growing in my belly." Of course they were excited and had lots of burning questions. After one of my kids shouted out "I KNEW IT!" (I guess I am really getting more of a bump than I thought!) One decided to announce to the class that they all "need to be nicer" to me which of course I totally agreed with. I then told them that they would have to make sure to help me stay safe at school and that their hugs would need to be a bit more gentle. You know so they don't squeeze the baby out and all. That comment got them going! On their way out they gave me the most gentle, sweet hugs I have ever gotten. Their hugs were followed with screaming down the hallway that Mrs. P was going to have a baby! This day will certainly be a day of teaching I will not forget!

A few hours later the excitement just kept coming. Around 9 I started to hear a noise. At first it sounded like the refrigerator doing its usual moan but them as the night went on it got louder. Around 9:45 I was certain a puppy/dog/something was under our house. Of course the hubs was on duty and no where in sight. After an initial inspection I gave him a call and instead of suggesting I call a neighbor he sent the fire station down the road to come to the rescue. Just imagine 8 grown men in in uniform in their TWO fire trucks pulling up to my little old street. They got out of those trucks on a mission. At this point I was worried it was just my imagination and that I was about to be humiliated. Fortunately they all confirmed they heard something too. After crawling under our house they decided to take it inside making their way into the attic.

Once one firefighter made it into the attic three more decided to join him. Four firemen later we still have no animal in sight but I will tell you... this has got to be one for the record books. Both for me and for them. I have to say I feel reassured to know that when I am in need of help I know I can count on the boys down the street! Now I know why they say the fire department is a "brotherhood." I guess tonight they came out to help their little sister.

So I've been a little MIA lately... Here is my excuse!

That's right y'all... my eggo is prego! The hubs and I are thrilled to announce we are expecting our first child in November. The past three months have been a whirl when (hence my absence and lack of postings) so I figured it was high time to let our little secret out to the world!

This whole story starts just around the same time I wrote my last post. Back in March when I was headed to Texas. We had been trying and I had a little hunch things were starting to happen. When the hubs dropped us off at the airport I can still remember telling him something was up. Ya know girly stuff that I hadn't really experienced before. I went to Texas... had a blast, ate lots of yummy brisket BBQ (oh my LORD where has THAT been my whole life - I must dedicate an entire blog post to that subject alone later), and spent some QT with my daddio. Although we didn't get a turkey who would have thought I was actually "baking" my own!



Fast forward two weeks later... we are at Outback and it hits us that Miss Susie has not yet graced us with her presence. We stopped by CVS on the way home and low and behold the rest is history.

At first it was hard to believe because literally I felt like nothing happening. I kept wondering around aimlessly thinking this couldn't really be happening. My prayers had been answered and I was certainly not worthy of such a gift/miracle. On April 21st we went for our first ultrasound (again... another topic completely worthy of a separate post) and it was confirmed. It was amazing to see such a tiny blob of life. It was official SOMETHING was happening!

Today we went to our third appointment. This time they did a ultrasound and we were able to hear a heartbeat! I must say nothing in the world could have prepared me for that moment. I had an idea of what I thought it would be like but it was beyond my wildest dreams. As soon as the hubs saw the image on the screen he literally shouted out, "WHOA... No way! That is amazing." My thoughts exactly honey! Our little one was moving all around and even waved to us (I say it was more like a high five because our kid will just be cool like that)!

I am happy to report that our turkey (Let's see... due date one day before Thanksgiving plus turkey hunting trip to Texas... you know that ridiculous nickname was just too natural for us.) is right on track measuring at 13 weeks and a half weeks with a strong heartbeat! I promise I will post a picture later. The quality of this shot was not that great so I am going to need to work on it a bit before it is worthy of the internet.

With the first trimester behind me I am just going to continue to pray for a safe and healthy pregnancy and that my child will inherit his father's hair and ears.

Oh and just in case you were wondering, fortunately I have not been hugging the porcelain thrown... that is until today when I took my vitamins at the wrong time. Try explaining that to a group of 20 kindergartners!

This Time Next Week...

I'll be in the great state of Texas! I know you may be thinking I am visit for all the other touristy reasons someone may visit. Oh no. You are mistaken. Next weekend my daddy and I are going turkey hunting! I feel so blessed to have this awesome opportunity. Not only have I never been to Texas (well there was this one time I had a lay over but that doesn't count) I have never been turkey hunting out of the state. I feel pretty official if I must say so myself and I am really looking forward to it. I even got to go shopping for more camo! I am ready! Bring on the turkeys!

Here is my huntin' buddy and partner in crime. My daddyo.

Stop Hunger Now

This weekend everyone that attends our church was urged to volunteer in some capacity within our community. The messages this month have focused on "Full Service." There were a menu of options available for us to choose from. We chose to participate in the Stop Hunter Now event.

For those of you who are not familiar, Stop Hunger Now's mission is to feed the hungry around the world. Did you know that every 6 seconds a child dies from hunger? It is hard to imagine. What makes Stop Hunger Now different than other relief organizations is that they distribute their meals through schools. They do this to help children stay off the streets and to motivate parents to send their children to school. As a teacher that was something I could appreciate!

Our challenge was to help our team of 800 box 100,000 meals. It was am amazing process to be involved with. In just forty minutes our team of 200 boxed over 30,000 meals! We started out helping make the meal bags. Each bag contains soy protein, rice, dehydrated vegetables, and a flavored vitamin powder. Once we rotated out jobs I began helping "run" prepared bags to the weighing station while the hubby started helping box the sealed meals. I finished the day refilling supplies those making the bags needed.

All in all we were so thankful to be able to participate in such an awesome project! This project has opened our eyes to realize how easy serving can be. We hope to become more involved in the future with other projects such as this one.

Below is a video of a Stop Hunger Now event that took place a couple years ago here in North Carolina. The video helps explain the process and how the organization works. It also features local colleges, including my alma mater Meredith College, which was fun to see!

It's the simple things

It always seems to be the simple things that makes us the happiest. Today while checking my mail, I noticed one envelop didn't look like the others. I recognized the handwriting and as fast as I could I tore it open! Inside I found our newest photos of my beautiful nephew! Inside was a sweet handwritten note from my sister-in-law. Snail mail... what a treat! Handwritten notes and letters are a thing of the past. What a treat it was to open the mailbox today and not find only bills or junk mail!

Ironically a blogger I follow wrote about the same topic today! On her blog she had posted a video of a teacher who writes handwritten letters to his former students on their birthdays. All 2,500 of them! There are students who have been getting letters for years! It is an amazing story. As a teacher it inspired me to think of ways to show my students how special they are during the short time they are in my life. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did! Maybe you will feel inspired too.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun!

My hubby is a firefighter. That means he works every other day for 24 hours with four day breaks here and there. It can be confusing but he loves his work schedule. I enjoy it too and believe it is why our marriage is so solid. Of course I miss him when he is working but what I enjoy about his schedule is on the days he works I am able to have some independent time to myself. As an only child I enjoy spending time alone. It also helps me appreciate the time we do have together much more! Another part I enjoy is the time I am able to spend with my dear friends and family.

Yesterday while he was on duty I had the best girls day! It started with lunch and cupcakes with my awesome friend G who was in town for a visit. We then did a little bit of shopping. The afternoon was topped off with a mani and pedi... my favorite treat! To end the day I went over to my friend KK's for an awesome homemade dinner! We later meet another friend out for a drink! What a day of fun filled with my girl time!

I love the fact that I was able to spend time with three of my favorite ladies in one day! I feel so lucky and blessed to have such awesome friends in my life. They are the most fun and most genuine girls I know!

Winter Wonderland

A miracle has happened in our great state of the south. It has snowed AGAIN! Believe me that is something special as it usually never even snows once! This time something really special happened. The snow stuck to the trees and not the roads! That means two things: a beautiful snow scene and no cabin fever! I couldn't be more thankful. I am convinced that snow this pretty is God's way of saying he loves us in winter!

Last night after a great dinner with friends we trekked home in the snow. We had been keeping an eye on it while we watched the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. Around 11:00 we decided we better get on the road since it was starting to stick a bit. Preston let me drive. It was my first time in 25 years of life that I drove in any type of winter weather. Thankfully it was a success! Driving in slush is not as hard as it looks.

I guess you could say two miracles happened! I survived driving in the snow and our neighborhood looks even pretty this time around.