Where's My Breath?

Will took swim lessons last week and he loved it!

I had low expectations going into it.  My hope was that he wouldn't be afraid of the water and that he would learn proper technique.  I didn't expect him to learn to swim in one week.  I know Will, and I know that Will doesn't like trying new things.  Sometimes he has his mind made up before he ever tries something new.  I talked up swim lessons before we arrived and I showed him his teacher, Brooke,  on facebook.  She's a former student of mine.  He thought it was fun to see her on facebook and he seemed to be pretty excited about learning to swim.

I'm happy to report that Will did so much better than I expected.  He didn't show any fear of the water.  By the end of swim lessons he was going under and picking up dive rings.  He would go down the slide. He learned to float and he can swim for a little distance.  I wouldn't trust him alone in a pool, but I think he made great progress for his first swim lessons ever.

So, where did the silly title to this blog post come from?  He was doing head bobs with Brooke, and after going in and out of the water several times, she helped Will out and said, "Catch your breath." and Will said as serious as could be, "Where's my breath?"  while he looked around for it.  Brooke and I just couldn't keep from laughing.  So cute!

Here's Will ready to get in the water.

Will working on his "Big T Little T"

JUMP!

Splash!

Will wanted to play with the rubber duck thermometer.

Here's Will with Brooke.  She was just the sweetest teacher.  She taught the lessons from her parents' pool.  They have a beautiful backyard.  Their home is just on the outskirts of our small town.  You can see a big pasture behind their backyard. 

He looks a little like he's carrying a torch.

Floating!

Slide!

There's my boy underwater.  So proud of him!

This was the cutest face.  He didn't like getting his face wet at the beginning of swim lessons so I had to share this one just to remember the look he would make when he'd gone underwater.  When Will would get nervous he'd tell Brooke, "Take me back to the step" that was his comfort zone.    By the end of the week, I didn't see this face very often.  I'd say we made a lot of progress in one week. 

In fact, I know we made progress.  Will was sad swim lessons were over.  I look forward to next  year and I know he does, too!

You + Me = Forever

Mark + Michele = Forever

Nine years ago today, Mark and I said "I do" and we haven't looked back since.  It was such a happy day.  I don't have very many photos from our wedding and these two photos captured the genuine joy and excitement of the moment. The first photo is us leaving the church and the second is us leaving our reception.

We don't have a perfect marriage but we have a very happy marriage.  Last year I received two of the biggest compliments I have ever been given.  They were from two teachers that Mark and I work with. 

One told me that she knew that Mark and I would be married forever.  I thought it was interesting that she used the word forever.  I'd never really thought about it that way, but I think we have approached marriage with that mindset.  Marriage is forever. 

The other compliment came from a younger teacher who told me that our marriage wasn't normal.  What was normal to her was the dysfunctional marriages we see all too often around us.  She told me that what Mark and I have wasn't the norm, and I considered this one of the biggest compliments we've ever received.  Usually I want to be normal, but in the context of our conversation abnormal was just fine. 

If I knew the secret to a happy marriage, I'd write a book and spread the message.

So far here's what has worked for us.

Love God

Love each other

Spend quality time together

Make our family a priority

No big secret, but that's what seems to work for us.  I think each couple has their own approach that works for them, but many of the happy marriages I see have similar priorities.  If you are married, I wish you many happy years together with your beloved.  If you are single, I hope you find someone who you can live with happily forever.

Holding Hands

My grandparents were never the most affectionate couple, but every time we take my grandpa to visit my grandma in the nursing home they hold hands. 

It's precious. 

They've been married 70 years.  Isn't that amazing? 

I feel so blessed to have them in my life.  I shared this photo on facebook and there was an overwhelming response from friends and family who left the sweetest comments.  I wanted my blog friends to see it too.

Georgia On My Mind

Since we've been home, I've had Georgia on my mind.

While on vacation we stayed in Dawsonville, Georgia.  I enjoyed meeting Mark's extended family. I wish I had more photos to share of our time together. We also visited Cumming and Dahlonega.


Last Monday, before we headed back to Texas, we met up with Katie from The Southland Life in Athens. 

I didn't realize that Dawsonville was so close to so many other Georgia blog friends.  If I would have known, we could have a big blog gathering.  I would have loved to have met Cha Cha from Sit Relax and Read, Pam from Relatively Reagan, Angie from Life With Ike and Kat from Pretty in Pink and Green.  We hope to make it back to Georgia in the future and when we do I'll make sure to meet those lovely ladies in person.  I don't know why I've ended up having such a blog connection with so many Georgia folks.  My grandpa's family is from a town called Ellijay and maybe those people are descendants from the Evans' or Thompson's.  If so we could be distantly related, who knows!  Even if we're not, which we probably aren't, I'm thankful for these ladies and finding such kindred spirits even if they are 850 miles away.

As far as my visit with Katie, I was a little nervous. I adore her blog and think she's one of the nicest and most genuine people in the blogosphere, but I didn't know if we'd click in real life. Well, we did! I shouldn't have worried one bit. The conversation was as natural as if we'd been lifelong friends. We had plenty to talk about and it was so neat to sit in talk in real life. She suggested we eat at a restaurant in Athens called Last Resort. It was a winner! Mark's parents were with us and they enjoyed it just as much as Mark and I did. After lunch, Katie gave us a tour of the University of Georgia. Katie is a UGA alum so it was fun to hear all about the customs and traditions. Ben slept most of the tour, but Will enjoyed seeing everything. Will and Ben both say "Katie" when they see me reading her blog. They just loved her, too!


Katie and I in front of the Arch on the UGA campus.
{We didn't walk under it!}

In front of the stadium.

Katie giving Ben a coin to throw in the fountain.

Will posed for a photo in the university bookstore.

Katie was so thoughtful and gave me this beautiful pedestal milk glass dish.  It would be perfect with fresh peonies in it.

It's found the perfect home above my kitchen cabinets with my other milk glass treasures.

 She also gave us some peanut brittle that was homemade by her grandmother.  It's to die for!  So delicious and highly addictive.  I had to have some self-control so I didn't eat all of it at once.  I have no photos of it because it's all gone!

Thank you, Katie, for making my trip to Georgia so fun and memorable. 

Blog friends are real friends!

Happy Father's Day 2011

Happy Father's Day to best dad in the whole world!

I love you, Mark!

Thank you for being such a good daddy and example to our sons. 

We are lucky and blessed to have you in our lives.

Father's Day Wish List

My husband is a really frugal guy.  He never makes big purchases for himself, which is really considerate, but at the same time, sometimes I wish he would splurge a little.  I know I've shared before that we don't buy big gifts for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.  We usually just buy what we want or need throughout the year and call it even.  I keep trying to convince Mark that he "needs" a new grill, iPad or set of golf clubs.  He's not easy to persuade.  I'm thankful for my frugal husband because I know he has our family's best interest at heart when he does without.  But, since he won't let me buy him a big gift for Father's Day, I decided to make a list of the top 3 things I would get him if I did splurge.

Weber Grill

He's been eyeing a Weber grill for a while.  Maybe one day he'll get a new one.  Our grill is on it's last leg.  I fully support a new grill because that means he'll do a lot of the cooking in the summer.  We love to grill out and this grill would make it that much easier and fun.

iPad
Out of all of the items I've listed, this might be the one that he actually buys for himself.  I'm okay with that because that means I'll get to use it, too. 

Golf clubs

Mark played golf quite a bit before we got married.  We were so broke when we first got married that he stopped playing.  We're thinking about joining the local country club in a few years when the boys get older and they could swim while he (or we if I learn) played golf.

{Images}

What gifts are you giving for this Father's Day?

This year Mark will receive some handmade cards from the boys and one of his favorite home cooked meals.  I'll let you know if he decides to buy one of the things I've shown you.

Happy Father's Day!

Trying to Beat the Heat

It's June.

It's 100 degrees.

It's going to be a very long summer.

The only relief from the heat is water.

Ben received a couple of cool water toys for his birthday and the boys have been begging to play with them.  Today was the perfect day to break out the sprinkler water ball and splash mat.

A good time was had!

The sprinkler water ball and splash mat worked double-duty.  The boys were entertained and it watered the grass.  

Next week Will starts swim lessons and I hope he takes to the water like a fish and learns quickly.

Road Trip Teaser

While I'm sorting through 300 photos from the road trip I'll share a few of the favorites that I took from my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Newfound Gap

 elevation of 5046 feet

The views from this location were spectacular.

Another view from Newfound Gap

I love trail markers for the Appalachian Trail.  I have numerous photos of AT trail markers on the east coast. I especially like this one because it gives the distance to Maine.

This was at our hotel/resort in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  The boys liked rocking on the balcony.

Just Do It

I have a million other things I should blog about right now, but instead I have running on my mind.

Mark and I were runners before we met and we continued to run until we had children. 

Children change everything. 

Our lives became so busy that we just didn't make time for running. So if you've never really heard me talk it about it on the blog, it's because we haven't been runners for a very long time.  I've never talked about exercise a lot on my blog because, well, I don't exercise.

That's about to change.  I'm not going to become obsessive about it, but I am going to try to make it more a part of my life. 

What's brought about this sudden change?

The scales!  Ugh!

AND

A few unflattering photos from vacation, which I will not be sharing, made me realize that I have to change my lifestyle.  The camera doesn't lie.  Oh, how I wish it did.  The photos from vacation confirmed what I'd refused to believe.  I've let myself go. 

I'm going to try to eat less sugar (or as my grandma would say "sweets"), drink more water and exercise.

I'm putting this out there more for me than anyone else.  I hope it's some sort of cyber-accountability.

Goal: Look Better and Feel Better (both inside and out)



Flattered and Giveaway

Stop everything and go to my best friend's blog.

Angela's blog, Unexpected Elegance, is turning one!

She's having a generous gift card giveaway.



 The winner of the giveaway will receive a $50 Pottery Barn Gift Card.

Who doesn't love Pottery Barn?

The giveaway will close at NOON next Sunday June 19th.

Also, while you are there, check out the sweetest post she shared about her blog and our friendship.

Read it here.  I'm so touched and flattered by all of the kind things she said.  I truly appreciate her encouraging words.

Last summer I shared my thoughts about her here in this post titled LYLAS.

I think the world of Angela.  I consider her the sister I never had.  She's just one of those friends that will be a friend for life.  I can't tell you how much I talk about her (in a good way). I'm always saying, "Angela did this...Angela did that..."  She's so very talented, creative and inspiring.  I'm thankful to have a friend like her in my life.  She makes me a better person.

Now, don't forget to go to Unexpected Elegance, become a follower, and enjoy getting to know Angela.

Road Trip 2011 Sneak Peek

We spent the day in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park yesterday.

Beautiful!

I'll post more later.

Party and Packing

We had Ben's 2nd birthday party on Saturday.  It was so much fun and he had a great time celebrating with friends and family.

This morning it's so rushed that I don't have time to write a proper post about his birthday, but I will get that written soon.

Things are so hectic because we are leaving tomorrow at 5a.m. for Tennessee and Georgia.

#1

Ben's Go, Diego, Go! Party

Judge me if you want to, but I'm not a party planner.  I went to Party City and Ben chose a "Go Go" party.  (Go Go is what he calls Diego).  I know no one is going to "Pin" it on Pinterest, but who cares.  The party was for Ben and he loved it.  If he liked, it that's all that matters.  Plus, it was easy on mom and dad so I'm good with that.  I'll take a theme party any day.

Ben with his balloons.

Cake and ice cream

Blue Bell ice cream from Texas is the BEST!

My friend, Brandi, always makes the boys' birthday cakes.  They are delicious.  She always amazes me with her creativity.  

#2

Our SUMMER ROAD TRIP is here!!!

It snuck up on me!  Mark and I usually have our summer vacation planned by February, but this year it was a little different.

Spur of the moment, Mark's dad decided that he wanted to go to Georgia to see relatives.  We contacted them and they said come on.  We would have had things planned a little sooner, but Mark's dad had to have a biopsy of a growth on this thyroid.  Thank the Lord the results came back benign.  We are all set to go now.  The reservations have been made and the bags are almost packed. 

His parents suggested going to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park before we went to Georgia.  We plan to stay a couple of nights in Gatlinburg and then head to Georgia.

Mark and I are obsessed with the National Parks and even more so after watching The National Parks: America's Best Idea documentary by Ken Burns.

I can't wait to see the Smokies.

#3

Packing and piles of clothes.

There's a method to this madness.

First let me say, I'm an organized person.

Second, I'm a list maker.

Third, I also have ADD after having children. 

Not real ADD, but what I call Parental-Onset-Attention Deficit Disorder.  I could dedicate an entire post to that, but what I mean is that I never complete a task now that I have children.  If I'm in the process of trying to do something, like pack the suitcase, it never fails that I have to stop to change a diaper or refill a sippy cup.  I don't ever finish what I start.  Because of this, I have to heap similar things together so when I find time to pack I can throw the whole heap into the suitcase.  As I type this very sentence, I'm having to stop to refill a sippy cup, see what I mean.

You can see the piles of clothes by the front door waiting to be packed in the suitcase.

So far this is mine, Will and Ben's.  There are still a few things in the washer/dryer and Mark's stuff usually gets packed last. 

#4

I have a compulsion when it comes to packing supplies like diapers and baby wipes.  I know that i could easily stop by a Wal-Mart or Target and buy another package, but I feel compelled to pack like we're going to be gone for 10 months instead of 10 days. Just ask my husband, he'll confirm this issue of mine.

Do you see three package of wipes in the suitcase already?  I plan to take more, too.

#5

Because I'm a list maker, this is a list for me.

Things to do:

VBS-It's at the very end of June.  There's still material that needs to be handed out and information/advertisement signs that need to be hung up around town.

Schedule Swim Lessons--The sweetest girl in our home town is teaching swim lessons this summer, and I need to get with it and schedule Will's lessons.

Write thank you notes for Ben's gifts.

Give graduation gift to a graduating senior at our church.

Ben's Two--Year Photos, When we come home from vacation his photos are the very next week.

Our anniversary--our Nine-year wedding anniversary will be at the end of June.  Don't want to forget that.

#6

Silly and embarrassing iPhone story.

Last night I was up really late (1a.m.) packing and getting things ready for the trip.  I checked facebook from my phone and was going to save a friend's cell number from her contact info on FB.  Well, it accidentally called her!!!  I was hitting everything I could to stop the call.  I was horrified.  It's a good thing that she's a good friend.  I emailed her this morning and told her the whole story and she got a good laugh out of it.  Thank goodness the call didn't go through and she said even if it did she wouldn't have been upset.  Bless her heart!  I tell you what, the learning curve on this phone is killing me!  I don't know if I'll ever get the hang of using the phone.  I'm sure there will be many more embarrassing incidents.  For the record, let me apologize in advance if you ever receive an accidental phone call from me.

#7
I plan to post a couple of things from the road. Forgive me if I don't comment on your blogs.  I promise I'm still reading.

I also plan to have one of my best friends, Terri, write about the transition from being a full-time working mom to a stay-at-home mommy of three.  Even if we don't get that done in the next couple of weeks, I still want her to share her thoughts with you on the subject.  She's one of the smartest ladies I know, and she's an aweomse mom.

Two Today!

Ben is two!

Today is Ben's 2nd birthday.

I made these photo collages with photos of Ben at 10 weeks, 1 year and 21 months old.

Since I couldn't decide which one I liked the best, you get to see them all.

We'll celebrate tonight by taking Ben to eat and play at Chick-fil-A and going to church.

We're having a Go, Diego, Go! party on Saturday with family and friends.

He loves Diego, which he calls "Go! Go!"

Happy Birthday to the most precious little two-year-old I know.

We love you so much, Ben!

photos by Lauren