Make it Count

So, in my relationship, Miles is definitely the book smart one.  He can do math (I don’t like to be that specific), he can research and read nonfiction (I am too ADD for that), he remembers facts (do not play trivia games with him), and he is just intelligent in that manner. 

I, in comparison, have to take pride in my social skills, my adaptive nature, a love of learning, my philosophical understanding of the way of life, etc., etc. 

I think we balance one another out.  We don’t lack completely what the other has; however, we are strengthened through one another. 

That all being said, I’m sure you can understand that it still takes me by surprise sometimes, when the scale slides away, and Miles throws out some perfectly appropriate statement about life.  This is what occurred after I had rearranged our calendar in the kitchen for February (yes, on February 15^th-ish).  He goes to that extra day we have this leap year, and adds the phrase, “Make it Count!” 

Since that happened, I keep thinking, “Am I making it count?  Am I doing enough for my family, others, and myself?”  Leave it to Miles to write something so quickly and simply that has me thinking for days… 

Today I am at work.  I’m tutoring after school, and then I was thinking of this and that that needs to be knocked off the to-do list this evening. 

Is that making it count?  Is that what I should do today? 

To me, making it count could be that I just have an extra day this year to complete simple tasks.  Maybe it’s that I could spend an extra moment thinking about an issue in the world or my own life.  It could also be that I could skirt my responsibilities and go for a walk, or find that chair for the nursery, or go do something else fun.  I guess as long as it counts to me, it is okay.

Whatever it is you decide to do today, big or small, remember it’s a day you don’t always get, so -

Make it Count! 

 

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today we are celebrating my mom.  I'm one of those lucky people, whose mother had really high expectations, really sweet hugs, and never gave up or in while I was growing up.  I can't thank her enough for being that type of mom to me. 

I can recognize and celebrate her today - celebrate her path of growing up.  They must have been some good years to make her into the special woman she is today. 

I love you , Mom, Happy Birthday!!

30 Weeks Bigger

I am feeling soooo pregnant lately.  I guess I am pretty pregnant (30 weeks), so that should justify and explain things.  However, it is crazy to feel so immobile, puffy, tired, and just plain big.  I made the mistake of looking at some older pictures, so now I can really see how much my face seems to have puffed, especially. 

It's no secret to those around me that I love my baby already.  I love feeling her move and hearing her heartbeat.  It's also no secret, that despite that I love her and am ecstatic that she's joining this world, I do not love being pregnant.  That's one reason I haven't shared a lot of side-view pregnancy shots.  I don't feel like myself, like it's me in the picture. 

Everyday, Miles is surprised that I am bigger.  Everyday, I am surprised that I am bigger.  That baby and I keep growing!  So, I thought I would start to share a few more pictures of this recent growth. 

I'm getting to that point where everyone asks when you're due and strangers do not hestitate to assume pregnancy.  My students love it.  I teach 8th grade students who are oh so good at calling you out about things and observing your looks.  Well, this week two embarassing pregnancy moments occurred.  One was that I caused in uproar in one of my least sympathetic classes, when I dropped a flashcard and struggled to pick it up.  Another was on a day the staff all wore our tie-dye shirts to promote a school-wide read, one of my students said, "Mrs. Schneider, it's like yours is 3D tie-dye!" 

This picture was last Saturday evening, at a wedding. 

This one was taken at work this week.



Progress

Since Craftastrophy 2012, we have made quite a bit of progress in the nursery! 

The nursery now has both painted pegboards on the wall, and the changing table/dresser is set up, too. 

It's in the plans to stain wooden knobs for the dresser, so it will look like it's an actual set with the crib.  Looking forward to that and knocking more stuff of the to do list over the next couple of months!

A Bouquet and a Boyquet for Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day, y'all!

Miles is always so wonderful about getting me flowers for Valentine's Day.  This year was no exception; some beautiful roses beat me home today. 

I usually just cook dinner, but don't really buy a gift.  So, this year, I decided to make the male version of a bouquet, what I like to call the boyquet.  Here it is in all its glory.

Hope everyone had a sweet Valentine's Day!!

This Last and This Past Weekend

Last weekend we celebrated my mom's birthday early, so the whole family could be together.  It was an awesome day at the rodeo and stockshow.  I know she loved being surrounded by all of her grandkids and children.  We really enjoyed being with her to celebrate!  Her true birthday is at the end of the month, and I'm hoping there will be more cake family fun at that time.

I'll have to celebrate my 60th birthday years early to look that great!

This past weekend Miles and I escaped the responsiblities, obligations, and anxieties of our real lives and went to the lake.  It was just us and just what we needed - a bit of rejuvination, a bit of fishing, a bit of rest.

Jacks was intently watching Miles fly fish. 

A quick self-timer pic before going out for an early Valentine's dinner date at the Harbor.