Showers of Friends

Kim CAME! It was so kind to have "my Kim" truck all the way to Bentonville for one of Harry's showers! It was icing on the cake having her there!

My shirt says "Deliver me Oh Lord" Psalm 140:1 and boy am I praying that right now!

Rachel and Kirk gave us my favorite gift (car seat cover)! She is one of my favorite people! All who know her well know how big of a heart she has! She even made sure my favorite desserts were there. She has been so excited about Harry's birth! I am so glad Chad made such good friends in school!

Pettifors and sugar cookies from Rick's Bakery!
Chad loves it when Harry gets anything with a Nike sign on it!
Dezi helped me open all of my gifts at the church shower! I am talking to my friend Holly! She is another one of those friends I just adore and feel she is a God given blessing to me! I prayed God would put girlfriends in my life here and she is more than what I asked for!

Harry and Brooklyn! Best Cousins!

Who will Harry look like?

Giving Thanks 4 Weeks Before Harry

I have tons of great pictures to post but, I thought I would just write a note, so I will remember how blessed we are! Tis' the season to give thanks! I will post pictures a bit later! This blog is by no means to brag, I just want to remember this humble feelings forever! You may see my pregnancy hormones soaking through this blog!
Harry was blessed with 3 wonderful showers over the weekend and we were showered with so much love, support and great gifts! We received every single thing we need and wanted! Our community group is throwing us a shower in 2 weeks and I did not know what to tell them to get us, we have everything we need! EVEN DIAPERS! Chad did the math and we have enough diapers for 4 months.....this could change, we will have to take some sizes back! Do we really know how many diapers is enough? We have over 1000 diapers!
The interesting thing about the showers is they were 3 completely different groups of people!

Our Friday night couples shower were some of our friends Chad has grown up with and their families. These people have taken me in and treated me just like I was part of their family! We always have fun with this group and let me tell you they are SHOPPERS! They are your group of friends that you KNOW will give you the stuff you really WANT, not actually need! We received my favorite things at this shower!

Sunday afternoon was our church family's shower. It was at a dear friend of mines house and 40 of our friends and family attended. I will end up writing 70 thank you notes just from that shower! This church family has taken us in and shown us more love and support than I will ever know. It is humbling feeling to have such excitement from your church family where you were not raised. It has been such a blessing to be involved in such an active congregation. I believe this family has given us (Harry too) some of our closest life long friends. Harry already has 5 friends who will be close to his age, their moms are super cool! We received all of the other things we NEEDED! Usually at church showers you get a lot of stuff you have to take back, not this one, only had to take back 2 outfits...because they were SIZE 5T! I am pretty sure the person who gave that to me assumed I would be receiving so many clothes I would need bigger sizes! One big hit was Harrison's gift to me, YES my baby sent me a diaper bag to the shower, he said he talked his Dad into buying me one of the diaper bags I wanted! It was a fun surprise and a precious gesture! I have 2 of the most generous and thoughtful boys in my family: Harry and Chad! I was so appreciative of the plethora of friends who attended the shower but, Kim coming to support Harry was one of my favorites! I treasure any time I get to spend with her! Chad and I are going to visit her and Adalie tomorrow in Tulsa (we have to get as much time as possible with our sweet Adalie)!

Monday was my school shower and boy was I impressed at how much my coworkers support the birth of Harrison! This shower was filled with books, gift cards, and diapers! Harrison will be clean and smart because of the staff at my middle school! It was so fun, the teachers put a lot of work into making it special for me and Harry!

Chad and I sat trying to sleep last night discussing how overwhelmed we are with the love and support Harry already has before his even born. I tear up thinking of all the people who care so much about us! We both have amazing families and wonderful friends!

One person I have realized I love and appreciate is Chad's mom. Sandy has to get the award for the most supportive and caring mom in law! She calls after ever doctor's appointment wanting to know every detail about it! She is constantly buying gifts for us and others. She listens to every detail of things not everyone else cares to hear about, like how I put Harry's curtains and books up. She makes sure we have not only what we need but, what we want. An example of this is that I wanted a shelf from Pottery Barn so bad and Chad made me wait so long it went off the market! She found someone who could make one like it especially for Harry's room! She puts thought into her gifts. She knew we really didn't need anything for Christmas so she offered to hire a house cleaner to come after I start back to work when Harry is here! If that is not a great gift to a new mom, I don't know what is! Well, the best gift she ever gave me was her son, of course! I want to give thanks for Sandy! I love her and appreciate her so much, I know she knows this, because I constantly tell her but, just a little more of a reinforcement of how blessed I feel to call her family!

Since I am the queen of planning, I can honestly say we are ready for a baby! Harrison's room is not COMPLETELY finished, so pictures may not be for a another week or so but, it is gorgeous to me and I am ready for him to come see it! I stood at Kohl's waiting to return an item and there was a baby waiting in line with me. I stared and stared at him just dreaming of having Harrison to wait in line with. It sounds so cheesy and so cliche but, I hadn't felt the huge desire to have him in my arms until today when i felt the relief of having all the items to take care of him confidently. I am so ready for this precious gift from God to be in my arms I can hardly stand it! Now I will be counting down the days! I have been working on my scrapbook (mine is digital, I am not good at cutting and pasting and I basically enjoy doing one from an online sight anyway) and the title is Here We Go Harry: Adventures of Chad, Amanda, and Harry Chapter 1! We have so many lessons to learn and journeys to go on together, I am thankful we have a family of loved ones to help us through them! Thank you to all the people who care so much for us. I pray I am able to show them our appreciation and love as much as they have shown us.

Suprise Suprise

My Bunko group is one of my favorite treats of the month and this month we decided to meet at PF Changs! I was already excited about the food, but the big excitement was that they surprised me with a shower for Harrison! They all gave him sweet cute gifts! Those Bunko girls know how to shop, there was no doubt they would have him in cool clothes! It definitely boosted my spirits to have some of my favorite girls surprise me!

Another big surprise was when my friend Beth surprised us with our car seat! Chad and I pulled in from church last night to find a huge box on our front porch! We raced to open it and there it was! It took us a while to realize who it was from but, we ripped the box to pieces and found Beth and Matt's name on it! I miss her so much, I can't wait until their next visit! Who would have thought Chad and I would be so joyful over a carseat! Times have changed!

I am so blessed to have such thoughtful friends!

35 weeks and a prediction!

Harrison is destined to be an ESPN junkie! He is already a generational Razorback and Cardinal fan before he is even born. Most people who know me, know that I come from a family of sports fans! I am a coaches daughter, my brother is graduating in May to be a coach, I have 3 uncles who are coaches, my granddad, great granddad, and great great uncle are were all successful baseball players, and my husband played college basketball! I would never put the pressure on any child to be an athlete but common sense would tell you that Harrison will be a lover of sports whether he plays or not! I am writing about this because the year of Harrison's birth 2 big things have and are happening to his favorite teams!

Cardinals won the World Series!






The Arkansas Razorbacks are in contention for a National Championship!







Disclaimer: Harrison's mom is by no means athletic nor does she consider herself a big sports fan, unless one of the teams above are playing in front of her (not on TV)or her love ones are coaching or playing in the game then she puts on her game face!

Harrison's future high school was on ESPN this morning as well! They were on for their awesome sports facility and programs! Just another plus on to my theory!

6 weeks left!

We had a first shower on Friday night! It was so nice to have Chad's office celebrate the birth of Harry!
Saturday was special because we met Caroline! Chad was love struck!
Some may think it is too early but, for this Warehouse we are ready for Christmas time!

Welcome to the World Caroline Brenleigh Dean

My brother and sister in law had their 2nd little girl last night at 10:30! Olivia has a sister who is 6 lbs and 13 ounces at a length of 20 inches! We are so excited for them, more pictures to come when we get our hands on her!

And a side note, Harrison had the hic-ups for the first time last night, what a treat it was for his dad and mom! I guess he was overwhelmed with excitement about his new cousin!

Halloween is over let's Hear it for Santa!

Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends
Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends! Enjoy!! Everyone has time for a few moments of fun! Don't be a scrooge!!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Totally wraps them!
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White lights
4. Do you hang mistletoe? nope
5. When do you put your decorations up? I have already started!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Grandmother Georgia's gravy and stuffing
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Watching my brother throw a huge fit when he got 3 of the same gift (that flashlight that shined 3 different colors
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? When I found the box to my scooter "Santa" gave me in the 2nd grade
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We use to open one gift on Christmas Eve but now we open all of them, since we all have other places to go.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? With bright fun ornaments!
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it- not the ice
12. Can you ice skate? yes, I need some practice
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? hmmm.....probably giving my dad a card that made him cry.....I am much more of a giver than a reciever
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Seeing everyone one and my favorite part is watching the kids open gifts
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? I am going to go with Amy on this one...Memaw's Chocolate Pie and Grandmother Georgia's Sweet Potato Pie in close 2nd
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? My grandmother's best friends would carol to us on Christmas Eve....they are all to old now but, it was fun at the time and of course Christmas Shopping
17. What tops your tree? bow
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? giving and shopping for the gifts, except this year has not been as fun as the previous well shopping for Oliva, Caroline, and Brooklyn has been super fun!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Jingle Bell Rock and of course SANTA BABY
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? yuck unless they are crushed in hot chocolate



Tag if you read this your it!

7 weeks until Harrison!

Chad's sister, Hannah, had to take pictures of hands for her journalism class and asked us to pose. I thought this would be my 7 week post!

8 weeks left

The bedding is finally finished, the bows aren't tied and the room is not complete but here is a glimpse!

Land of Opportunity: VEGAS

My Aunt Roz is a child psychologist and is able to take Charlie to work with her. This means he would be used to make kids feel comfortable and feel better. He was born for this opportunity. I think I would feel guilty not giving my dog this opportunity. Chad and I are so heart broken to send him off and I know the transition would be tough but, for right now we are doing what is best for Charlie. I am NOT posting pictures because....he is so gorgeous you would think I was crazy for giving this PERFECT precious animal away. Chad and I did make a deal that we can get him back or we will get one just like him if we decide we need a puppy.

Should he stay or should he go now?

I have to preface this blog with, it was never my idea, I would have never dreamed I or Chad would consider this idea! The only reason the idea even came up was because my aunt brought it up and sold me on the idea! She wants CHARLIE! She is willing to pay any amount, fly and take the best even better care of Charlie than Chad and I could possible do! Is this crazy, my baby, giving up on him, shipping him to Las Vegas? The selling points:
Rozlind is the most gentle animal lover I know, the only person I would even consider having Charlie stay with(well my mom's other sisters would be good candidacy as well).
She would feed him the expensive organic dog food that we feed him now.
She would walk him daily and send him to doggy daycare each week for a day.
She would get him groomed a lot more regularly than us!
AND THE BIG ONE: He would no longer be an outside dog!

That is what made me like the idea, I hate that Charlie has turned into an outside dog, he did because we left him in the house so long he got bored and broke into a ink pen, ink all over the house.....paw prints of blue ink in every room! I am just so torn! When we were talking about getting a dog, I specifically told Chad I DID NOT want our dog to be put outside. With Roz, he will be in most of the time and loved on constantly.
When Harrison is old enough to be asking for a puppy, we will be wanting another baby! Chad and I are so stuck with the big decision. I don't feel like Charlie is a burden by ANY means, he is far from that, he is a bit high maintance, but I like that about him (go figure)!
The part that gets me is I really do not feel like Charlie will get the undivided attention he deserves when Harry arrives, he hasn't really since we found out about the baby. I want him to get the most love possible and it seems that Rozlind would be better to him than us. Any thoughts? Please don't judge me, I am HUGE DOG LOVER!

Only 9 weeks til Harrison

Not much to post on this countdown week. Chad and I have all the hostess gifts ordered, labels created, announcement list typed up, cute stamps bought, registry finished and 25 meals frozen(lots of help from Rachel). My friend Rachel and I spent all day Saturday chatting and cooking, it was so fun, her mom gave us 2 super easy recipes for enchiladas and lasagna! We also cooked white chili and poppy seed chicken. We plan on making it a ritual, it is so much more fun with a friend. Chad and I did a lot more of the meals and have around a 100 drops of Cowboy cookie dough frozen. Chad's parents were so kind to let us use their freezer for a majority of it. We are going to just start cooking double of the meals we normally cook.
Chad keeps reminding me that I should post pictures, so I will work on that! Keep Harry in your prayers he has been pushing all over my belly...he is obviously ready to get his picture posted on our blog!

"Let's Hear it for the Boys"

Most of you know I am a girls girl through and through! I would much rather spend my time with a group of girls than boys any day! Of course Chad is a BIG exception! I knew from the day I found out I was pregnant that it was Harry, but I still had a thought of hope that we would have a girl, I have always wanted a little Georgia! I was by no means sad that I was having a boy but hope that the next one will be girl. I have to say God is Good for many reasons! One reason God is so good is because he put 90 kids in my class and out of those 90 kids the boys are so much fun! Last year I really had a heart for my girls and this year those boys have stole it! I tell them all the time how I really hope Harrison turns out like them! They are not the most academic kids in the class nor, the wittiest but, they are respectful, smart, have a great sense of humor and really don't sweat the small stuff. They are boys, not boys trying to be men, or boys trying to impress everyone but 100% pure boys who LOVE their moms and getting dirty. I I know this is kind of cheesy to write about but, I am so thankful that God gave me what I need and a boy is it! I also think He knew I was not ready to share Chad's heart with another girl!
"Let's give the boys a HAAANNDd, Let's hear it for my baby...."

10 week count down

Only 10 more weeks until Harry is due! It has really hit me this last week that I will be a full time mom, not a babysitter, not a friend to just love on a baby, not a teacher to teach someone how to read and write but a full time multitasking MOTHER! It gave me a little anxiety this week so, I put a list of things I would like to do before I become a mom and then a to do list to make me feel a little bit better about his arrival coming so soon.

Go on a 4 more BIG dates with Chad(one's where we go out of the house and spend quality time eating at restaurants that are not so baby friendly)

Have all my Christmas presents wrapped and labeled. I only have 4 more to buy YIPEE!

Have my thank you notes stamped and addressed to those I know are coming to the showers.

Have all my hostest gifts with their notes ready to go for all the showers before November (we have 5 showers in November)

Announcement list with addresses in excel for labesls finished and organized.

Harrison's room organized (clothes washed, toys disenfected, everything in it's spot)

House deep cleaned

20 meals and cookie dough frozen(for company and those exhausted days to come)

Regular clothes organized in guest room closet

Reread and skim through top 3 baby books and Breast Feeding book

develop pictures stored on computer and of Harrison's cousins, friends, and immediate family

I am sure there are so many more things I am so behind on, feel free to remind me!

Baby's weekend!

Best parts of the weekend: cuddling with 2 perfect babies, feeding and looking at Adalie and playing with James, watching to fun beautiful roommates turn into fun beatiful moms, watching 2 great dads in action, James's Halloween costume, rocking Adalie, catching up....i could go on and on!

"going to kentucky"

I'm going to New Orleans
I going in the air
I going to New Orleans
to show Adalie some care!

Happy and Entertaining Weekend

Chad and I had a fun and busy weekend! Friday we spent celebrating Harry Bear's birthday (Chad's dad)! I absolutely adore Harry! He has taken me in and treated me like his own since I met him! He is a big teddy bear. I think it is why I love the name Harry so much! My nickname for him has been Harry Bear (I think it will stick)! To celebrate his birthday the family came to our house to not only check out the progress on Harrison's room, but the eat yummy Southern food!
Saturday morning Chad and I woke up bright and early to a cook breakfast, he was preparing for a day of football and I went to a Just Ducky party and of course spent too much money! Just Ducky is a children's brand and they have jewelry as well!

Saturday night some friends of ours invited us to eat a Mermaids and go to a off Broadway show Aida! It was so much fun! The musical was written by Elton John and we loved it! Sunday was church, naps, and life group! I have been so busy lately I am finding it is affecting my blogging addiction!

Happy Belated Birthday

My 2 favorite baby girls were born on the same day! Adalie Grace and Olivia Kathren! Olivia is a year older and stole our hearts from the beginning! I think that is why we were partial to having a girl first! I thought I would write a few tricks of Olivia's and post some pictures from her Hawaiian birthday bash!

When you say "Preeety Baby" Olivia poofs her imaginary hair!
When you make a kiss sound, she stops what she is doing to do it back!
She gives great kisses when you ask.
She loves to dance and laugh to music.
She is great at faking a laugh(taught by her dad)!
She says bye bye if you act like you are leaving!
She has concepts of print down pat! She loves any book that has a beat or rhyme!
She is yours forever as long as you have a cheese puff in your hand!
She loves her Grandbo and Glamma!

In the pictures you will notice one of her birthday party at Grandbo's and Glamma's house! Those are all of her cousins on my dad's side! Dezi is missing from the picture! They are all girls except for the twin boys who are waiting to teach Harrison how to tackle and charge! Olivia has a little sister coming in November and we are exstatic!
The picture of my dad (Grandbo) is Olivia giving him kisses after playing in her cake! She is just a doll and we love her so much!

Adalie, is my "honorary neice" who was born on Tuesday as most of you know (Kim's blog) and I am dying to get my hands on that adorable baby in a few weeks!

Moooooving on towards 7 months!

Chad and I can not believe Harrison will be here in 3 months! I probably won't post too many pictures of myself due to the fact that I am gaining weight by the minute! I don't feel like I eat that much but, if packing on the lbs is what it takes, bring them on! If I can't do it now, when can I do it! Also bought a new toy, hence the pictures! I am 6 months in this picture!

Prayer Request

My mom has been having some medical problems and had gone through extensive tests here in NWA for the last few months without answers. They now want her to go through even more at a hospital in Little Rock she will be getting a Cat Scan and a Spinal Tap. They are hoping to know the problem by Oct. 2nd. The doctors are assuming cancer or MS right now. Please pray they find out what is wrong, so they can know how to fix it! I have known for a while but, it hit me when I saw worry on my dad's face, so foreign to most of us! I have been fine but, I catch myself getting mad because there are so many people who are hypocondriacs and are constantly complaining about their aches and pains and refuse to eat right or exercise. My mom runs 3 miles a day and eats healthy with a medical problem that worry doctors! I am not asking you to feel sorry for us but, to pray that the doctors will find the problem and know exactly what to do to fix it. Thank you ahead of time for your support and prayers.

Interesting find

This is a piece from the Washington Post:
"Anthropologists and linguists who have studied children at play have noted that girls form bonds by telling secrets. Here too Brizendine fines "a biological reason"; "Connecting through talking activates the pleasure centers in girl's brain. Sharing secrets that have romantic and sexual implications activates those centers even more...It's a major dopamine and oxytocin rush."

This explains so much about my 6th grade girls! This explains so much about all the lessons learned about not telling secrets!

Ode to Chad

Please bare with me while I brag on my husband. He commented tonight that I never blog about him and all the other "blogging girls" are constantly doting on their spouses! I know this may be a bit cheesy and is not my style to gloat but, I really do believe God had put me with the most perfect man for me!

Since I have been pregnant Chad has been not only supportive but an overjoyed involved "predad".
He painted Harrison's room and put up the chair rail in one week after we found out Harrison was a boy. He goes garage selling with me, studies consumer report for the best baby gear, appreciates the work I do for Harrison(detail work), loves other people's babies more than before, complains that we have to wait to long before he comes, discusses how he wants to be a supportive Christian Dad (like ours), he takes me to get cookie dough at 9pm, does tuna runs every so often, has sympathy pains, is very concerned when anything is sounds off, and many more things I probably overlook.

I knew I was going to marry Chad when I met him, and I told him I was going to marry a Chad when I met him. You see, although us Christians believe that the Quigi board is Satan(it could be), I was intrigued by it because my 6th grade teacher told us that it told her she was going to marry a Bob, sure enough...she did and he is a preacher! I went home and did it that weekend with 2 different friends at 2 different times.....both times it said I would marry a Chad. I didn't really believe it but for 12 years the thought was in my head that a Chad could possibly be my future husband. Some people do not believe that story but if you knew me well before Chad (Lauren, Kim) you will remember me telling you I thought I would marry a Chad.
Okay enough about the love at first sight stuff, let's talk about how perfect he fits with me and my family!
I am very outgoing and can be a bit to much for some quieter folks, Chad is the quieter folk, if we were both like one another....No one would want to be our friend...it would be annoying! He is patient, kind, easy to be around, thinks I am funny(most important part) and has a passion for Christ and a love for life. He is wellrounded a

Favorite websites

I really don't have anything fun going on but, I thought I would make a list of my favorite websites since I have been a soon to be mom! I always love hearing about other new ones! If you have a favorite, share the source!


Baby information:
www.verybestbaby.com
www.babycenter.com
www.pregnancy-info.net

Baby clothes:
www.hannahanderson.com
www.windmillkids.com/
www.jollyrompers.com
www.ebay.com

Decorating ideas:
www.dimplesanddandelions.com
www.rosenberryrooms.com
www.babybrowns.com
www.potterybarnkids.com (wall shelf I want)(catalina magazine shelf)

Diaper Bag I want from this website:
www.reeseli.com (ebony swirl)

Well that is all I can think of for now, I obviously have nothing exiting going on in my world, happy surfing!

Heartburn=hair?

If the myth is true that heartburn means that your baby will have hair than Harrison is going to be a gorilla! Neither Chad or I had much hair when we were babies and do not expected Harrison to but, at lifegroup tonight I had 3 moms tell me they swear that is how you know if your baby will have hair! That has been my biggest annoyance with this pregnancy!

Good note and a NEGATIVE ONE

Exciting News:The verdict is in and Harrison will be having 2 girl cousins! Not only is my brother having a little girl, Madeline but, Chad's brother will be having a little girl, Brooklyn, coming January 1st. Now, Harry will have 2 girl cousins the same age as him and 1 a year older! He will either be learning how to give tea parties or trying to teach them to wrestle! Harrison's room is almost complete, his bedding should be finished this weekend and his decor is half way up! I know it won't be COMPLETE until November but, I would like to get the big time consuming stuff done before school starts! GO Chad...the COOLEST DAD for all his hard work on Harrison's room!


I deleted the negative one....bad kharma!

Lost my Camera

Such a bummer! Don't expect any fun pics for a while! Any suggestions for "baby's first camera"?

Top 5 Most Asked Questions this Week

Question 1: So, What is your Nursery Theme?
Answer 1: Harry

Question 2: (asked my parents) So, your pregnant, when will you be leaving?
Answer 2: Mrs. Smith, I promise that my pregnancy will not interfere with my ability to teach your child.

Question 3: What colors are you using for your nursery?
Answer 3: A aqua torquisish robin egg bluish with a pea olive avocado green accent and some chocolate brown.

Question 4: Why Amanda, that is so not like your to stock up at a good sale...
Answer 4: My husband has put me on a cash only budget, yes it sucks, and is pretty much miserable, I have $4 left until Saturday, can I borrow some milk, so my child can have some calcium?

Question 5: How are you feeling?
Answer 5: Absolutely great, I love being pregnant!

On a ROLL

I am in a not stop can't stop rush, I think I will blame it on my 2nd trimester energy boost! Workshops, school starting, team meetings, faculty meetings, literacy meetings, PTO meetings(I forgot to add that to my favorite thing about school, I am PTO rep. for the teachers), baby bed shopping(yes, still), baby room painting, penny pinching(totally wears me out), and Harry shopping! I am not complaining, except for the penny pinching(blame Chad), I just love feeling so good pregnant. I would like to thank Harrison for my boost of energy and being such an easy baby to carry! I can't wait to get the nursery done and post pictures! My vision is coming to life, I just hope that it looks good together! It is a slow process, the fabric has been bought and Chad is putting up the chair rails on Sat.
I went to Barnes and Noble and got a list of all the picture books that have the name Harry in the title! Keep me updated if you hear of any new ones! I love the Horrible Harry books and Harry the Dirty Dog Series! Chad and I also just bought the Happiest Baby on the Block DVD to watch on our date tomorrow night!

Summers out for School

I am one of the many people who loves getting new school supplies and it is that time! I don't officially start back until next Tuesday but, boy am I excited with all other kiddos! I am not going to ramble about how much I love my job, but I do LOVE my job! I decided to get my more excited about my job, I thought I would write about the things I love about being a 6th grade teacher:

- June and July (just a joke, well kind of)
- Middle School Philosophy
- Teaching writing(one of my favorite things to do....okay not so much journaling but I love writing reports and narratives).
- Feeling almost every day that I am making a difference.
- Kids, I love all ages but my favorite to teach is 5th and 6th grade....I stop when they start gaining attitude:)
-The challenge of making learning fun at a age when school is only for socializing.
-Learning with them.
-Assuming at the beginning of the year that I will not like certain students and them proving me wrong! I leave then end of the year having an individual appreciating and love for each student (there may be one or two I struggle loving as much).
-Using my passion for reading.
-Sharing a passion for literacy with colleagues and 11 year olds.
-Teacher appreciation week.
-Planning Hour
-Decorating my classroom
-Expo Markers
-Kids finally "getting it"
-Kids who want to work hard for me
-Kids who work hard
-Watching 5th graders turn into 7th graders
-Telling a parent how much I enjoy spending my day with there child.
-Constantly letting students know how proud I am of them!
That is enough for now, of course with any career there are negatives, but to start out this year, I would like to remind myself of the good!
Don't be surprised when I blog about the reason I hate my job! That should come around March or April!

Harrison Dean Ware

What a week! Chad and I found out we are having a baby BOY! Are we very excited? ECSTATIC! Although I have always wanted a little girl first because I just like hanging out with girls more! I have had friends and family members that have encouraged my insecurities! Kim reminded me that I have grown up with a family of sport lovers and had a lot of guy friends growing up and in college! I guess since I got married I don' talk to boys as much as I use to! Spending time with Baby James was also another turning point to my appreciation of baby boys! Chad was kind of hoping for a girl first to but, boy is he excited about Harry! He is currently painting Harrison's room! Our friends Linda and Doug bought Harry 3 adorable outfits and one of them resembles the Springdale Bulldog's uniform! Chad has already said he will not like any other outfit as much as that one! We have to get him a Harding Bison warm up outfit now with Chad's old number on it! I know this is a rambling blog but, I am so excited and forget to tell everyone the little things that I am suprisingly EXCITED about! I also bought Harrison's Easter outfit (it is white smocked and was on sale)! When we were at the doctor's office the sonogramer kept talking about how active Harrison was. I don't have access to a scanner but I am happy to tell you how good looking my son is! His legs are so long....they are longer than his body and his feet are big too, even the sonogramer was in shock of his big feet! He must take after his father's side! He had a little nose with full lips and a pretty big forehead!
I think this is enough about Harry for now, I have had too much fun choosing colors and fabric for Harry's room, I will take pictures when it is done!
Thank you for all being so excited in our little joy. Harrison is so blessed already to have people caring about his life!

Oh.....and trust me....I am not stopping until I get my little girl(Georgia)!

These are a Few of my Favorite Things

I stole this idea from Kim's blog. All that is below....is for now, my favorite things change quite often!

1. Saturday Mornings listening to Reggae music and cooking breakfast with Chad!
2. Eating fresh summer vegetables from friend's gardens or from the market: favorites include green beans and red potatoes.
3. Cuddling with Charlie(when he is clean).
4. Expo Markers, I use them everyday during the school year, I never get sick of writing on the board with them. I can't imagine having to use chalk everyday!
5. TARGET

6. The smell of Christmas.
7. The feeling of Santa Baby moving in my belly.
8. Abuelos
9. Wedding and Baby Showers (for other people of course)!
10. Steel Magnolia quotes and comparing people to characters in Steel Magnolias!
11. 80's music

12. Trips to the salon
13. Elizabeth from The View

14. Long talks with my mom, that are usually us laughing most of the time.
15. Revlon Color Stay Lipstick
16. Going to the Movies...only with popcorn and a big Diet Coke!
17.Grandmother Georgia's House
18. Playing with all of my little cousins and niece!
19. DVR
20. Teaching the 2 year olds at church
21. Cookies from the mall (The Cookie Factory)
22. I think shopping gives me more enodorphines than working out....that is why I do it more!
23. Lifetime
24. Bunko
25. Scrabble (especially playing with Grandmother and Chad)

Cousins

Santa Baby is already so blessed b/c he/she will have 2 cousins that are the same age as he/she is. My brother, Paul and his wife, Tessa have there 2cd child due in November(they think it is a girl). Chad's brother,Scott and his wife Amy have a baby due in January, 2 weeks after Santa Baby. Family functions will be so much fun having a play mate every time! I only had one cousin that was close to my age,Ashley, http://heathnashley.blogspot.com/ . She made going to Grandmother and Granddad's house that much more fun!
I need to get a picture of me and Tessa together but, here is mine and Amy's bellies. The other picture is of Mimi with her 2 pregnant daughter in laws! I had to add a picture of the soon to be dad's showing off their bellies as well.
Scott and Amy live about 20 miles away and I am sure it will make life easier for both of us to have our babies so close. I am sure they will grow up being like siblings!
Paul and Tessa are getting ready to graduate and Paul will be looking for a coaching job! I cherish my years sitting on the bench with my dad while he coached basketball. Doing my homework on the bus and having a team of older kids give me extra attention. I am hoping they will move close, so our baby will be able to experience that as well.

Exciting news....I finally felt Santa Baby move....WOW! Chad happen to be sitting beside me and was able to feel it kick just a little bit. I am still glowing with excitement! I just love my baby!

The Name Game

I had assumed since we got pregnant we would name our son Harry Luke or Dean and our girl Georgia Ann. Harry is Chad's dad name and was a family name until his mom decided she did not like it and stopped the tradition. Luke is a name my grandmother and I have always loved. Dean is my maiden name and I always knew I would use it but liked it with the name Louis better than Harry. Georgia is my grandmother's name and Ann is Chad's aunt's name and my sister's middle name. A wrench has been thrown into the mix when Chad admitted that he would like the name Harrison if he knew the boy would be called Harry. I know we have 2 weeks and we may not even be worrying about boy names....but it is kind of fun and we will have an identity for this Santa Baby. We are now making some other ideas for names. I am making a list of my favorite names and then will tell you the 2 we are deciding from for a boy and a girl. I have to say my dad is partial to Dean and mother in law is partial to Harrison....it kind of pushes the first choice. I just LOVE Harry!

Favorite names that must be used .....but I don't think I can produce enough kids:
Harry (Harrison)
Dean
Louis
Theodore(Teddy)
Luke
Girls:
Georgia (Georgie)
Joyce(one of my favorite aunt's name)
Gloria(Chad's only aunt's first name)
Ann
Elizabeth
Kate
Brooke(Chad's brother is using that one)
If you have a favorite combination....please let me know.
We will for sure use Harry and Georgia for our first girl and boy....just not sure which! Any ideas will be greatly appreciated!

Branson Shopping Trip

Rachel and I decided to spend the day shopping in Branson this Saturday while our husbands were on a float trip. It just happen to be the Santa Clause Convention and Santa's were everywhere....in normal clothes! It was a great day trip! I got lots of Christmas shopping done and of course a few things for myself! I figure I better to it now before I find out if Santa Baby is a boy or a girl because, it will be hard not to buy lots of stuff for this baby! I thought I would write a few of the highlights of the day.

• Spending hours on our feet at 2 outlet malls and a regular mall. We got the best deals at the Tanger Mall and we found the best stuff at Branson Landing(new mall).
• Lunch at the Hard Luck Cafe. This is a cafe off the strip where people who are trying to make it in some of the shows work. They sing while you are eating! One of the servers was on American Idol. The food was okay but, the experience was a lot of fun!
• The very best part of the whole trip was when Rachel's father in law called and told Rachel if we found him he would give us $100. He and his wife were shopping at the same mall we were at. He called an hour later and said he would give us $50 more....we found him after running in every store and he gave us $150 more! By this time we were exhausted so we decided to leave and go back home. He called again and told us the same thing! He was planning on doing his for 4 more hours! Santa Doug made our Saturday Christmas in July! Doug and Linda have been close family friends of Chad's family for years. I have been blessed to become apart of their friendship! I am so glad Chad's best friend married such a great person! It makes it easier to stay in touch with their family!
• Kringle's Christmas Store was our favorite shop in Branson. It had 3 levels of Christmas decoration! We could have stayed in there for hours and if St. Doug was around...we probably would have! This store is located in the same center as Hard Luck Cafe.
• Spending quality girl time with a girl who knows how to shop was definitely another super fun highlight!

4th of July

Great Company
Great Food
Great Fireworks
Great Dogs

Family Reunion

We had the greatest time visiting my grandmother this weekend. Two of these pictures are right before the family reunion. Mom, wanted to show off her strawberry shortcake!Her house has always been my favorite place to go. She lives in the quiet country of NEA. I am adding a picture of Dezi b/c it is so cute! Dezi has the chicken pox and absolutely hates the word chicken now! I should do a blog on Dezi funnies!