Snow Week Recap

That snow day I prayed for turned into a snow WEEK. What a wonderful time spent in my jammies watching mindless television. We made homemade soups and snuggled with Elsa. In fact, due to icy conditions on some back roads, schools were closed to students today and we will all be back again tomorrow. The most productive thing we did was take down our Christmas decorations. (yes....they were still up....judge away!)  Not a whole lot to report from last week, but enjoy a few pics from my early "spring' break. Only 3 weeks until the real one! :)

Second round of snow

Elsa enjoying another day of lounging 

Homemade Zuppa Toscana Soup--YUM!

Ice Storm 2015

Well, we waited for snow. We got ice instead.

(Won't lie, I'll take what I can get as far as long weekends are concerned!)

The forecast was predicting anywhere from 5-8 inches of snow for us, which is completely unheard of for Tennessee! I was really looking forward to some snow fun, as I haven't seen any significant snow since I was a kid. Unfortunately, the storm shifted, so the day was a mix of sleet, freezing rain, and some snow. When we got up this morning, our street was a solid sheet of ice, as was our walkway and driveway. When the weather let up, we spend the first part of the morning scraping, shoveling, and salting the driveway and front porch. (As well as unfreezing the truck!) Thankfully we took the time to do that, as the precipitation started right back up, covering the driveway (and everything else) AGAIN. (Thankfully, we were able to re-shovel since we had salted it). We got a kick out of watching the kids in the neighborhood attempt to "sled" down the ice. It was also pretty scary as we watched many cars spin out or slide while trying to go up the hill next to our house. According to the news, most of the major highways and interstate systems around us are covered in ice and are shut down. The mayor came on to tell everyone to stay indoors and not get out on the streets unless absolutely necessary. Craziness!

All I know is, I am not complaining and I am ready to stay in my sweatpants another day! Wahoo!

That's ice...not snow

Good luck going up the street! Again, ICE, not snow. YUCK.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! 

We are celebrating by watching Shark Tank reruns, cooking dinner at home, and waiting for snow! 

Perfection. :) 

I hope everyone has a romantic day full of chocolate!

Thankful for my sweetheart. Our 9th Valentine's together; 5th as a married couple. I'm looking forward to many more! 

Purpose

Today was my post-op appointment. I wasn't overly concerned about going in to the doctor, as I have been feeling empowered this week--much better than last. (Although, let me tell you, being at an OB's office after miscarriage is not the place to hang out.) The exam went very well: the surgery was a success, everything looked great, and I was given the all clear. Also, I had a very good heart to heart with my doctor, which helped alleviate some of my apprehension. (some)

As I was leaving the building,  I paused for a moment to reflect on all of the events leading up to today. It's only been four weeks since I cried in that very parking lot after the first ultrasound. Four weeks. Is that all?? It feels like a lifetime ago we saw our little Bean for the first time. So much has happened in such a short amount of time.

Like I said before, this week I have felt overall better than last. Something I've learned (am learning) through this period of heartache is not allowing myself to dwell about what might have been if we hadn't of miscarried. My morning commutes are often long, so I've been using that as my quiet time to listen and talk with God. I have found myself pondering the "what-ifs" during this time and that is when this revelation was laid on my heart: every life has a purpose, no matter how short or long that life is lived. Although our baby's life was much shorter than what we wanted, Bean's purpose was full-filled in those brief weeks he was with us. There are no 'what-ifs' for his life. Living this is a task easier said than done, but I am working on it!

God is the author of peace, not confusion, even when reality is hard to accept.

Tuesday Giggles

Ah, to be a kid again :)

#15 is true--but is done as a couple, ha!

Thanks for the laughs, buzzfeed! Enjoy!



15 Reasons Valentine's Day Was Better in Elementary School

Bliss

Weekends are the greatest. Seriously. 

This time of year, my weekends are usually run by winter guard. However, this is the first year since high school where I am NOT involved in WGI, in any form or fashion, and I won't lie... it is kind of awesome

Now, don't get me wrong. I absolutely love the performing arts and the pageantry of WGI. However, I have been overdue for a break, and the events leading up to my absence in the activity (as anything other than a spectator) couldn't have happened at a better time.

Saturday morning we slept in and then took our time getting ready for the day. We ran a few errands around town, which was lovely, as it was nearly 70 degrees outside! The yummy weather and crisp blue sky has made me so anxious for spring time. It was a gorgeous day! (What a bummer, it is supposed to drop back in the 20's this week. ICK.)

That evening, we decided to attend the WGI regional that was in town. We had a great time watching all the finalist performances, while being overly critical of costuming, music, and the inability to be entertaining. Surprisingly enough, I was completely content just watching. There was no time at all I wished I was still designing or working for a group. It was great to just watch and enjoy! I am looking forward to attending a few more shows this season and NOT having a panic attack during scores. Another great part of the evening? Going home afterwards....without having to worry about students or parents. (*Side note---I loved the time I did work for groups...but I enjoy having less stress in my life). :)

Sunday morning, we had a late breakfast at Cracker Barrel...one of my favorite guilty pleasures. I put together our lunches for the week, took a nap, and just lounged. (remember how I said i would gladly stay in my jammies....I wasn't kidding!)  I really don't think we could have had a better weekend! Tomorrow we are going to start eating better. The past few weeks, we haven't really been watching our diet, and I think that could also attest to my feeling so worn out. I am looking forward to eating some better foods and getting back to the gym!

 I am so thankful for weekends like these with my hubby and I am looking forward to some more in the near future! 

**Please note, while I am glad to be free of my WGI shackles this year, I absolutely do love the activity...so I am attaching some of my favorite photos from the past. Blog posts are always better with pictures! :)

Desoto Central 2013

Capella Winterguard 2008

Capella Winterguard 2009

Desoto Central 2012

Father Ryan 2014

Such great times with great people! :)

Longest. Week. Ever.

Um, yes. Snow dome strikes again. MT teachers are still waiting for our favorite "holiday"....sigh.

What an incredibly LONG week. I don't know if it was the evaluations, the false hope of two snow days, the indoor recess,the full moon, or all of the paper work I've been trying to catch up on.....but holy smokes! Yikes, It's been a crazy one.  All I know is I am unbelievably happy to be in my jammies, and I will gladly stay in them all weekend!

I don't know if it was from the exhaustion, but I have been feeling exceptionally vulnerable this week. I''ll have long periods of times of feeling fine, only to see a facebook post or a commercial....and the next thing I know, the water works are back in full force.

I guess that brings me to my next update (in response to this frequent question): How are you guys doing?

I suppose we are doing as well as can be expected. We are both completely engrossed in our work, which definitely doesn't give either us much time during the day to dwell on our personal stresses. In particular, I have had a bit of an empty feeling this week, and I am attesting that to some serious shifts in hormones. I have felt that every time I turned around this week, I've seen  pregnancy announcements or precious pictures of newborns. Seriously, baby book. Even today leaving work, I watched as a sweet toddler called "mama"  as he toddled around the office. I am tremendously happy (and want to continue to be!) for all friends and others who have been blessed with these littles; however, I am struggling immensely with feelings of bitterness and jealousy. I am praying for peace, comfort, and understanding daily.

We talk about Bean often and discuss our feelings, which I am finding a little easier. I'm still not good at actually speaking about him without crying, but I have found that writing has helped extensively. I am incredibly appreciative for all of the women and families who have reached out to us and shared their own experiences of miscarriage with us. We have felt so encouraged by your words and your stories, and for me personally, you have helped me feel so much less alone.

1 in 4 is not just a statistic: It's me.

Memphis/Super Bowl Weekend

Over the past few years, we've enjoyed hosting Super Bowl parties. However, with everything that has been going on over the past few weeks, we couldn't have planned anything even if we had wanted to.

Since Christopher had some work to do in Memphis, it gave us a good excuse to make a take a quick trip for him to work, to see my family, and for me to hang out with my bestie. 

Jana and I spent Saturday together checking out possible wedding venues for her June wedding. (YAY!) We had a wonderful time laughing at terrible decor,fake floral arrangements, questionable soundtrack music, and of course, just being together! It was great to be reunited with my best friend, as we don't get to hang out very much anymore. I can't wait to start getting her bridal shower plans underway. June will be here before we know it! :)

Before driving back home, we had a yummy Memphis BBQ dinner with my family. I enjoyed the "normalcy" of our short trip and it really made me start looking forward to some exciting events that are coming up in the near future. More things to help keep my mind occupied.

Super Bowl Sunday was the first relaxing weekend we've had since the middle of January. We enjoyed  Chicago Pizza and hot dogs for dinner (compliments of Christopher's Aunt Sandy) and watched the game in our pajamas. We didn't really care who won, since the Packers were taken out by Seattle. Thankfully,this years game was much more exciting than last years. Unfortunately, I was so disappointed in the commercials! During the first hour, about 3 or 4 made me cry. I so look forward to comedic relief during SBS, and I feel like they kind of dropped the ball. Thankfully, FIAT and Doritos did their jobs. Oh, and Liam Nesson. That was hilarious. 

Now, I'm sitting here listening to the rain.....waiting for the temperature to drop below freezing.....and waiting for this to happen....

C'mon, Carol Birdsong......I'm going to need you to call me tomorrow!