If she wants to rock, she rocks...

Every time I sit in the rocker in Abby's room, I think of one of my favorite songs (She Rocks) by one of my favorite artists, Eric Hutchinson.....but I digress.

The nursery is coming right along, and I am so happy with the sweet little rocker we rehabbed for the room. I found an old thing beat up thing on Craigslist and had a vision!

Jared worked hard to sand it.

And paint it.

Then we recovered the seat, and Mom made an adorable little pillow.

So cute! Soon I'll be rocking (and rolling, thanks Eric Hutchinson), with my little munchkin!

Stacey

Cutest Closet

So one of my favorite past times lately has been perusing through Abigail's closet. I'm definitely liking it more than my own closet these days! I just can't get over how tiny and adorable all of her clothes are and how soon there will be a little body in there to squeeze.

Last week I made some little organizer tags to separate her clothes by size.

Did I just give away how Type A I am? :)

Stacey

Friends

This week is the last week of the summer school I've been helping with for the students in my program. It's been really fun to see the students get to be with other kids who are blind and get to try and learn new things everyday. I've been especially enjoying eavesdropping (I mean listening) to some of their conversations.

Today I overheard this:

Little Girl: "I haven't had a friend for 3 years."

Little Boy: "Well, you have one now."

Are you kidding me? My. Heart. Was. Broken. Slash Happy. My students remind me everyday how blessed I am to have my health, a great family, and today...great friends.

Great friends across the miles.

Great friends I can share anything with.

Great friends I've had for ages.

Great friends that make me laugh and be myself.

Thank you to all of my great friends! I am so blessed!

Stacey

From the heart

How is it possible that I have yet to see, hold, or kiss my little baby, but I am already so infatuated by her? I am now 33 weeks...so only 7 more weeks to go. And while I've got plenty to do before she gets here (i.e. sleep), I could not be more ready to meet her. With every kick, squirm, and jab I feel, I get more excited to tickle those toes and kiss those elbows that I am certainly feeling of hers.

In the mean time, I am piddling away in her nursery organizing and making the space perfect just for her. This week I made something to hang on her wall! It's a little heart...since she's already grabbed ahold of mine.

Stacey

Feeling Crafty

So I've been feeling extra crafty lately...not in the casting spells kind of way, but in the arts and crafts kind of way...so don't worry.

After our sonogram a few weeks ago when the technician literally laughed out loud about how much hair Abby has...bows are in order!!!! So this week I made Abby a cute little bow organizer.

This project was SUPER easy, and I think it turned out really cute, so I thought I'd share.

I covered a canvas with extra fabric from her bedding.

I added ribbon by hot glueing the ends on the backside of the canvas.

Viola! Perfect on the inside of her closet door.

Stacey

Hello, Cupcake!

This weekend I made some yummy cupcakes for my friend Paige, and I thought I'd share the greatness, along with my secret!

You have to check out the Cake Mix Doctor... she doctors cake mixes to take that boxed cake to the next level. It makes cakes extra yummy....but they are still super easy.

Here's the recipe:

Devil's Food Cake Cupcakes with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Cake:

1 package plain devil's food cake mix

3 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 1/3 c buttermilk

1/2 c vegetable oil

3 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Mix cake mix, cocoa powder, buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla in mixing bowl. Blend well.

3. Bake (18-20 minutes for cupcakes, 28-30 for cake)

Frosting:

6 oz white chocolate

1 package cream cheese, room temperature

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

1. Place white chocolate in a small saucepan and melt over low heat, stir constantly. Remove from heat and let chocolate cool.

2. Place cream cheese and butter in mixing bowl. Beat with electric mixer until well blended. Add white chocolate and blend. Add vanilla and confectioners' sugar and blend. Beat until the frosting is fluffy.

Enjoy!!!

Stacey

My First Year

This year has been quite a year of change- graduation from grad school, moving to Texas, my first year teaching, buying a new home, and finding out that I'm having a baby! It's been fun sharing the ups and downs throughout the year on this blog because what an adventure it has been!

Wrapping up the first year of teaching was bittersweet. Actually, I take that back...it was pretty amazing. It feels great to have the summer ahead of me and a fully year of experience behind me. They say the first year is the hardest... and just so I don't forget, these are the lessons I learned this school year:

1. The beginning of the year is crazy. It's chaotic. You need to clone yourself. But it get's better. (Hip hip hooray for Abigail's due date and getting to skip the craziness this year!)

2. Never underestimate your students or yourself. One of my students in particular this year taught me that the sky is the limit. He came into the year not knowing the whole braille alphabet, and he left a reading lover who passed the TAKS test. Reaching for the stars pays off.

3. Follow your gut. There were many times this year I felt conflicted about the way things were done or decision that needed to be made. I trusted my instincts, and it paid off in the end.

4. Never stop enjoying the students. There were a few times this year that I got caught up in deadlines, testing, etc. When I stepped back and remembered to have fun, laugh, and love on my kiddos, it made all the difference for all of us.

5. Make friends...and stay out of the drama. I can pat myself on the back for doing this pretty well this year. You have to reach out and use your resources. You have to make friends at work to laugh with and support each other....yet you have to stay out of the chitty chatty teachers' lounges with too much drama.

6. Remember how lucky your are to have this job. For one, I have a teaching job. For two, I get to work with some inspiring and unique kiddos. I get to plan lessons just for them. I get to teach them the fun stuff. I get to make a difference and change lives. I get the summer off. :)

Looking forward to many more teaching adventures, and thanks for letting me share them with you!

Stacey

Pinned

SO....I had great plans of writing a post about all of the things I've learned in my first year of teaching, seeing as how tomorrow is my last day of school.

However.

I found this website.

And now I officially know where my time will disappear to this summer.

Here are just a couple of projects that inspired me and have been added to my summer to-do list.

Blackberry Frozen Yogurt

Make ahead freezer meals

Nursery Decor

Happy Pinning,

Stacey

Whirlwind

The past few weeks have been a complete whirlwind! So fun, so special, and so fast! We've had friends in town, a baby shower in Abilene, 2 baby showers at work, and I'm wrapping up the end of my first year of teaching! Plus, I swear I can see my stomach growing by the second. In a good way.

All in all, we feel very loved, blessed, and excited!!

Here are some photos from the special shower that was given to us in Abilene. These ladies have been friends of Jared and his family for a long long time. They spoiled us with goodies for our little nugget.

Stay tuned for pics of the nursery projects, teaching reflections, and summer school adventures...

Stacey