Life is for those who LIVE!!!

So I kinda like doing a review of the year going month by month.  Even if nothing spectacular happened.  Looking back at last year's review was tough.  But I see how far I've come in a year, and still how far I have left to go.      2014 was a tough year of grieving and moving forward with the new life that I have now.  My life is so different than it was a year ago, two years ago and three years ago.  Sometimes those days feel like a lifetime ago.   January 2014   Watched Luke teeter totter and FINALLY start to walk.  Watching him figure out the whole walking thing/ shoe thing was hilarious.  At first he acted like they were bricks and refused to walk in them.  He quickly got the hang of it though.  He also got his first real hair cut (besides being shaved bald at 5 months lol).  Big boy also turned 1!!!    1st hair cut    Baby boy turned 1 and LOVED cake        

I feel like Luke has gotten so big in the span of the past few weeks.  weighs 28 lbs Haven't measured him since last Dr. visit has 12.5 teeth - all molars are in and now the tooth before the molars is coming in wears size 5 diapers wears size 3T clothing wears size 7 shoes Takes 1 nap - approximately an hour and a half during the day Favorite movie:  Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue Funny sayings:  "I hold you" when he wants you to hold him.  says "bless you and thank you and please often".  Says "Lubb you" and "brock-e" for broccoli.  He speaks all the time and repeats all of the things you say.  Has officially started potty training and has gone pee pee on the potty multiple times a day and today went poo poo on the potty for the first time!  He even told me today that he had to pee before I asked him.  I can't believe that we are going to be potty training before the age of 2!  Luke did his first sports class.  It

So I've seen this list going around on Facebook, and at first I thought that it was just another cheesy trend.  But then I read some of the reasons behind the books and I felt such depth of emotion.  It made me want to weep.  Books are so valuable.  They take you to new worlds, show you a new perspective of life, teach you how to do something new.  They open up doors that would never be open without the ability to read.  So powerful.  So here is my list of the 10 most influential books in my life. 1.    Of course, the top of my list starts with the Harry Potter Series.  It is so much more than a story about magic.  The themes that are woven through out the entire series are timeless.  Friendship, loyalty, love, courage, intelligence, good vs. evil.  The literary genius that is J.K. Rowling is outstanding.  She created an entire world, thought about every action from beginning to end, used foreshadowing and tied up loose ends.  I got to the point where characters started dying an

Sometimes I look down at this sweet boy who is walking next to me and I CANNOT imagine my life without him.  I know 100%, without a doubt, that I was born to be his mama.  I am the best possible person for him.  Very few things in my life have ever felt this right.  19 months - At what point do I stop counting months and start counting years???  I'm not ready!!!  weighs approx. 26.5 lbs - he lost a lot of weight after getting sick  33 inches tall has 11.5 teeth - most of his molars are coming in right now at the same time wears size 5 diapers wears size 2T clothing wears size 7 shoes Takes 1 nap - approximately an hour and a half during the day Almost always sleeps through the night - we literally just lay him down in his crib and walk out the door.  He puts himself to sleep.  He's such a good boy when it comes to going to sleep. We currently have battles over brushing his teeth without his blankie.  He wants to take it into the bathroom with him, and we don't

Luke: weighs approx. 27 lbs not sure how tall has 8 teeth and one coming in wears size 5 diapers wears size 2T clothing wears size 6 shoes Takes 1 nap - approximately an hour and a half during the day Almost always sleeps through the night Someone asked me the other day what Luke was like.  I was a little taken aback because I couldn't find the words to say to explain him.  Mostly because he's such a complex little guy.  So in honor of his (almost) 17 month milestone, I thought I'd try to capture some of his essence.  Luke is such a bright ray of sun.  He is generally pretty happy and he loves to laugh.  And when he does he laughs way deep, down in his belly.   his big ole grin He also loves food.  There are so many times that I feel like there is no possible way he could STILL be eating.  But he keeps saying "more" and signing more.  he's a happy boy for food! He also likes to be scared.  Many hours are spent by running around a

Every year the LA department reflects on what they've learned from teaching.  Here are some past posts 5th year , 2nd year , 1st year   What I learned from my 6th year of teaching: 1.  I distinctly remember how I felt at the beginning of this school year.  I was really depressed.  I was back to where I met Brittany, and it was painful.  I saw her in all the places that we shared, and all of those places held memories of her.  I had to stop putting my room together to cry my eyes out, and then continue putting posters on my wall.  I didn't think I had anything to give to these students.  I was emotionally out of the game.  But somewhere along the line I realized that here were kids who were counting on me and who could bring me joy if I let them.  I realized that you can't stop loving people because you have lost someone.  The only good, true thing in life is love.  I'm thankful that I pushed through my sadness and opened my heart to these amazing kids.      

Luke: weighs 25.6 lbs is 31 1/2 inches long has 7 teeth wears size 5 diapers wears size 2T clothing wears size 6 shoes Luke has grown so much!  He is starting to climb things He is really interested in books and likes to look and them and turn the pages tries to sit and eat like a big boy using forks.  really he just uses his hands mostly and holds the fork in the other hand Enjoys coming on runs with me