A honeymoon, 6 months after pt.2

Our second morning started with a long walk to donuts and coffee. And me forcing Josh to let me take pictures of him. I kept saying "I need your picture or it ruins our vacation!" He eventually let me, since I let him take pictures of me like this. The bear was very frightened.

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We made it to the first tram ride in Ober Gatlinburg, which was beautiful. 

The day I was packing Josh made sure I knew to bring warm clothes and reminded me that I wouldn't have fun if I was cold (I'm ALWAYS cold). Well both days it was sunny and in the 70s and I was sweating. And I had nothing but thermals, sweaters, cords, knee high socks, and boots. Womp.

Somehow this guy talked me into getting into the creek. 

The leaves were the brightest and most colorful I've ever seen! 

After our lunch and walk in the creek we were driving and saw a dog trying to cross a busy street.We pulled over and a sweet puppy came right over to us. He wasn't wearing a collar so I called a non-emergancy police department number who connected me with a no kill shelter called PetsWithout Parents. When we got there we discovered the dog ( who we nicknamed "Charlie") had 
a chip, but it had not been registered. Apparently a lot of dogs are not and not much can be done if
they are ever lost :(  Since Charlie was still there when we left, we stopped and brought him a toy, 
took him on a walk, and donated some money wishing we could do more. 
I hope that our little puppy friend finds his family, Josh hopes that he will be able to go back and 
pick him up. So I really hope he finds his family!

Monday morning we had another trip into the mountains. And a stop (the third stop, my husband is obsessed) to buy cider and caramel apples for home. 

I think it was great that we finally had time just for us for a few days since he left this week for training.  Can't wait for the next vacation already!

A honeymoon, 6 months after pt.1

                                 Well... we finally took a few days to spend time together.
And being that it was our first trip since getting married, 6 months after getting married, a mini honeymoon?
Josh and I drove (ok, he drove) ... to Gatlinburg, not getting there until super late Friday night. We woke up early (I woke first and pestered him awake, as usual) and started the morning with a walk to Flapjack's and I tried the s'mores pancakes. So much sugar. And I loved drinking from the mason jars.

We went to the outlet mall ( J.Crew factory, woo!) and made it to an exotic petting zoo. Which had mostly regular petting zoo guys, but some odd ones also. I was pretty tickled by the whole thing and Josh took pictures of me the whole time giggling. 

Camels, horses, ponies, donkey, zebra, zonkey (?!), emus, goats, pigs, reindeer, and a few others.

I loved that zebra and Josh was pretty excited about the kangroo. Who looked super furry and cuddly, but was not into getting his picture taken.

After lunch at AppleBarn (best apple cider ever) we spent two hours driving into the mountains, did the  aquarium, and walked a few miles around Gatlinburg, we finally had dinner and went to bed. 

It was the most relaxing, long day I've had in forever. 

Lately...

      I've worked so much the past few weeks that I'm just plain exhausted. Being in a brand new school with toddlers, my work for the day is never really over and there is never any time to catch up. There's always a toy to clean, a new assessment to do, a lesson plan to write, diapers to check, a child to hug... ok so maybe the hugging part isn't too bad. 

But there is a lot of snot. So. Much. Snot.

I'm hoping that my room gets a third person soon so that my days are 'normal' again. I had such a nice summer eating and hanging out that I'd like some time to do it with my husband especially since (here it comes...) its almost fall! Bring on the pumpkin, please! Oh, and corduroy pants.

Planning

I feel so lost when I'm not able to look directly at a calendar when talking about future plans. I was told long ago that my ADD affects the way my brain manages time and it would always be a struggle. Well, it is.
So in order for me to remember things, I find myself telling people I know will remind me. Example being the bridal shower, for a wedding that I am in, was today. Thank goodness Allison remembered.
I try to use my iPhone, but I dont care for the way it's set up and planners have always helped.
I spent too many days looking before finally purchasing this pretty one from Target. On sale too :) It may be silly, but I love writing in a fresh new book.
I made sure to write the wedding date inside also, just in case!

New School

Today is my first official day at my new building. Everything inside is brand new, as well as this being the first time many of the children in the area will be in a school setting, but with some of my co-workers from my last location.
I really, reeeaally did not want to start here. It's not that I don't love toddlers, I do. I just never had this in my plans. So here I am, with what may be first day jitters, wondering why I got out of bed, yet knowing I'll be ok. Just need to give myself time to adjust and see how it goes.
And on a good note, I do love that they kept this building original architecture on the outside. The eagles and lions around the outside are awesome. See...I'm finding reasons to make myself like it already!

He's home!

That husband of mine is home! I left Tuesday night with his mom and aunt for the 8 1/2 hour drive to MO. I honestly don't travel very well. I wiggle, get headaches, feel sick, feel exhausted... But maybe I was too excited to care?
Wednesday morning was family day. It was a little strange not seeing him for 5 months then all of a sudden he was in front of me, dressed up and shaved face. Ah, and the rules that we weren't allowed to hug long or hold hands was the worst! Even so, we had a nice lunch and spent the day together. He showed us the museum, shopping centers, and where he had trained. I had no idea it would be so big!
I could not sleep at all that night and was so happy when it was finally Thursday and time for graduation. I didn't cry, but when he introduced me to all of his buddies and drill sergeants, they all had so many nice things to say, I was blown away. He was so dedicated and helpful and hard working the whole time he was there. I'm so proud of him!
About 30 minutes after leaving we stopped, and after changing into jeans at a gas station, I finally got a big hug and kiss and then cried like a baby.

Look what I did

I had a pair of pants given to me a few years ago. The fabric and print were so lovely that, even though the pants were not at all my style, I couldn't bear to get rid of them. Plus $90 pants from Anthropologie, with the tags still on... I just kept them.
Since getting my new dresser, I have been going through my and husband's clothes and closets. I almost feel as though I'm nesting. Ha. So I found these pants by elevenses and it popped in my head to cut them!
The sewing job I did is pretty horrific, but then again I don't really know how to sew! Might have to get a more capable person to tidy them up... But I do think they turned out pretty cute!