A blur...

This past week has been a blur.  I am writing for Caden today.  If you missed it, Caden wrote the Captiva update a few hours ago (see older post to see our awesome vacation pics!)  I have been on an emotional rollercoaster.  Heather posted these pictures on her blog and now I am a puddle once again.  We met 6+years ago through our maternity nurse (shhh). We knew we would love to have balance, but didn't know each other well.  We have worked so hard to make our classroom the best that it can be, in the names of our career and families.  We joke that we talk more to each other than our husbands, but sadly, that is true.  We work so well together, it feels like a divorce. She also posted this picture of Caden and Finley.. two chunky monkeys who were both born a month early, and were blessed to have Moms who were able to find each other.  Where am I now with my decision???? No where, my brain and heart are battling each other over this decision.

I mean, is it strange to think I might not come up with ridiculously cute owl mugs complete with flavor packets for Teacher's Appreciation week!?!?  Truthfully, if I were to go back full-time, many things would need to change around here.  My Pinterest Days would be over...

Thanks to my ACL surgery, I no longer will play soccer anyhow, but I have become part of SAMMY'S, a ministry group for Moms and I love it.  I am a small group leader for Sammy's as well.  We had a painting party this week, here is my peacock.  Yikes, I actually did this, it wasn't easy, my palms were sweaty, it would have been way more fun with wine (it was at our church, we should've broken into the communion wine), but nonetheless, it was a great outlet and I worry that with full time teaching, would I have time for "me time?"

At our church, I teach 4K Sunday School, as well as serve on the Church Council (3 year term) as an education rep. If I teach full-time, will I want to teach on Sundays too?!?!?  Here are the boys leading church last Sunday.  Cooper's class led call to worship (Father/Son/Holy Spirit) complete with the sign of the cross.  They were adorable.

We love our pastor- he is hilarious and carefree.  He relates so well to the kids because he is a big kid himself!

And here Caden is... he recited the ENTIRE Lord's Prayer by memory.  He practiced it well but what I learned about Caden is how fast he can memorize something.  Clearly, he gets that from me :)  I didn't have it in me to correct one verse... "Our Father, Who AREN"T in Heaven"... OK, that is too funny to fix.

Speaking of Caden... I can't tell you how awesome it was to get this in the mail this past week.  We received a "sunshine postcard" from his teacher.  This is something that most teachers dread taking time to do, but we know how much parents and kids love receiving them.  Caden's reading has taken off... he reads Magic Tree House chapter books with us (we take turns on each page), he reads books to us now (his favorite book to read to us is The Day the Crayons Quit), and I think reading has developmentally taken off.  He is now above grade level (oh wow, that is amazing to say).  I was worried this year as I know he doesn't love to read, it has been hard at times to motivate him, but he is doing it.  Yay for Caden.  Again, can I continue to support his learning if I am wrapped up full-time with my career?  Will I have the energy and patience for my boys after working with Kindergartners all day?

Last Sunday, we went to Jimmy's 3rd birthday.  It was awesome to see his excitement for his presents, Ninja Turtles, cupcakes, etc... They have a new park across the road from their house and it had everything a kid could love at a park plus more (Hello, Zip Line!)  Of course, I enjoyed cuddling with my goddaughter (yes, we were asked to be Ava's godparents last weekend... we are so honored and blessed).  Her baptism is next month!

Our boys are growing too fast.  Will I notice this when I am full-time, tired and stressed?  My Sundays will be so different as I don't stress if we are in the cities visiting family on Sunday afternoon when I don't teach on Mondays.

Today, Caden's school hosted a color run.  It was a 3 mile course and I even walked the entire thing.  I am reminded about my ACL injury when I do stupid things like play kickball with my left foot in the yard with the neighbors or attempt to run away from the color throwers on the run.  Yep, this surgery is needed.  Anyhow, Cooper was determined to run the entire route (all 3 miles of it, ha!)  He did run, quite a ways, and then poor Chris had to carry him for a bit.

 Cooper got nailed with every color....

 Caden ran off and on throughout the course and was ready for a full bottle of water at the end!

Caden's babysitter and future wife (so he says) and Trevor, his good buddy from class on the color run route.

Today was the last day of Sunday School this year.  We decided to do Minute to Win It games for a little fun.  Vaseline nose/cotton balls relay....

Cookie Nose (get a cookie, start it on your forehead, and wiggle it with your face to your mouth... OMG, these pictures crack me up!)

 Farmer Cooper had "dress like a farmer" day in 4K.  He is even cuter than Bachelor-Farmer Chris.  His outfit was hodge-podged together... GAP shirt, Chris' Country Jam cowboy hat, Disney Ship's Pirate scarf, and skinny jeans, LOL.  He looks cute and look how beautiful my flowering rhododendron bush is in the background.

Soccer started yesterday morning.  I feel terrible, I watched the games and took one lonely picture.  It is strange cheering from the sides.  Caden's coach played soccer growing up but hasn't coached.  Cooper's coach has no experience at all, AHHHH!  I am going to try to keep my mouth shut  because I do not want to be THAT parent.  I am fairly sure I will live vicariously through the boys this season. . This might be a looong season.  Caden's team got beat pretty bad, but he scored one goal and was on his way to the 2nd goal (they only had two goals in the game) but the opponent took the ball from his foot and scored for him.  We called it an assist.  Cooper scored a quick goal, his team won, and we were seriously amazed by his ability to play positions by instinct.  They are both so different but it is so fun to watch them play!

 

It was my last day of teaching this year on Friday.  I haven't hardly had time to think about my surgery tomorrow (Monday).  It is a big surgery.  Our students were so sweet on my last day.  I had lots of hugs, sweet notes from them and when I walked into the classroom, Heather had put this special book together with the class.  I also received sea salt truffles (yum) and an iTunes gift card.  It was so thoughtful!  Anyhow, back to my surgery...I am put all the way under, am intubated, and then will wake up with a hip to ankle brace and bandages all over my leg.  Please pray for my doctors, nurses and for strength and patience through all of this.  While I am "sitting on my couch" here are some suggestions by our students on what I should do....

Color with the boys

Tell the boys what to do (notice my big smile while I am laying on the couch, ha!)

Take a nap (will do!)

And my favorite... boss my kids AND husband around...check!  Most of all, I hope I can make a final decision about my career next year and move on.  God has always taken care of me (right Laurie Jo), so now I just need the patience and power to listen so that I can find closure and prepare for the next step. Wish me luck!