The Thankful Post

Oooh here you are post that saved instead of posting and doesn't have any pictures! Wonderful to see you. Good to know I'm still thankful for all things below...

A few things I'm feeling especially grateful and thankful for this year...
-Becoming a wife. Our quick decision to get married before he left for basic training may not have been how I originally thought it would happen, but whenever has life gone how I planned? (Hint: never!) Marriage isn't easy, but its wonderful. Don't tell him I said that.
-My new family. Josh has given me a mother in law, a sister, a brother, and an aunt. They've gone out of their way to make me feel loved.
- Allison moving home. I've known her my whole entire life. She takes care of me and is number one whenever I have an emergency. I look to her for advice, guidance, and for the best home made meals. Seriously. She can cook. *Bonus that she gave me Paighton, who I love dearly **Double bonus. We will be welcoming a little man this spring. I can't wait to meet him!
-Elyse. Not only is she the smartest and most hilarious young lady I know, this girl finishes collage and joins the peace corps. She left in October to spend the next 2 1/2 years in Ghana. Her big heart amazes me. Learning about life in Africa really puts all of my silly problem into perspective, and makes me thankful for little things.
-My mom. She is kind, silly, and oh so wonderful. I'm so lucky to have a friendship with her and even more so that I can call her mom. Plus watching her dance is hilarious, she's good for that, too.
-H&M. I've babysat these two for just over 5 years. Forever. The other night M asked me if I had any kids (a question he has asked me since being able to ask questions) I told him no, of course he knows I do not. He thought a moment and say "Yeah kinda, Ash. You kinda got kids because you got us." And I died from the adorableness.
-xo

Christmakindlmarkt

Last night after Paighton's indoor soccer game and dinner, we made our way over to Germania.
Allison wanted to go to Chrismakindlmarkt, and I had no idea what she was talking about, but a craft fair with food? I'm game.

Here is a crappy phone picture of inside. There were German toys, cuckoo-clocks, ornaments, lace table cloths, and the most adorable nut crackers I've ever seen. The large one that looked like the rat king made my heart melt. But he was too expensive. I'll be wishing I would have gotten him anyway.

Sigh.

Paighton and I had hot chocolates. Even though the area was covered with heaters, I was still freezing. As aways. Allison and I grabbed some pastries to go. HUGE cream puffs and also an apple strudel that I meant to share with Josh, but I forgot when I snuck a bite this morning after breakfast, then ending up finishing the whole thing. Whoops.

Not sure why I had never been to Germania before, probably because I'm always (always) working (ugh!), but I'm glad we did.

Can't wait to go to more Christmas fairs with my BFF!

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.

.

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!