I should known better than to re-start up my blog during my maternity leave shortly before returning to work. How silly was that?!?!?  Of course, I had very little time or energy left for writing or recording life's events.  Scrapbooking as gone by the wayside too. I know I need to make time, and I do make time between Adam going to bed and Avery's final feeding (she takes an evening nap still). However, usually when I sit down at the desk to do something for me I first need to clear off the clutter of the week....notes from day care, projects that Adam made and I am unsure if it's something to keep or get ride of (when I get rid of his stuff he freaks out because I threw away a circle that was part of a train....WTF?  How was I to know that....and really?!?!? is it that important?), or other random paperwork. If by chance I get thru that mess I am usually to tired to be creative, Avery is up and ready to eat, or it's time for me to go to bed!  So....I am making time, I am just too damn tired.  Maybe I should try to make the time for creativity right when I get home....only problem, child/husband interruptions!

At least tonight I find myself in front of the computer for a few minutes to catch up on the blog. I actually feel a bit behind tonight because I put of my bath for a bit to talk to a dear friend (I enjoyed our conversation emensly!) but I find that the time is earlier than I though. Bonus!!!!  I even did a crap load of dishes, cleaned the living room and master bath toilet, played with the kids and put away a ton of clothes. Guess I am not that behind!

Going back to work after having a baby is weird.  One day I was just chillin' at home with Avery, lazy and free. Just loving her up in my yoga pants. Feeding her whenever she wanted and we would nap whenever we could. The next day I am getting both of us ready (not in yoga pants), putting 6 bags into the car, dropping her off at day care and then throwing myself back into the kindergarten classroom. CRAZY!!!! Luckily, I had a wonderful sub and had set up some great structure and routine before my leave start over Thanksgiving break. It was pretty easy to get the kids back into my methods of teaching and classroom structure. Although the first day back was so funny, I told them that I felt like it was my first day of school! They loved helping me get settled back into the routine. Even though I wasn't with my baby all day I was surrounded by a loving class and staff that was happy to have me back.

After being back for a month it's gotten easier but it's still nuts. I NEVER sit still.....except to pump and even then I am checking email and worried that a custodian is going to bust in....even though I have the sign on the door!  I am pumping 3 times a day and I feel like I never really have any down time. At least before I could hid away during prep or lunch with friends for a bit. Now lunch is rush, there is usually a bizillion meetings at prep and I just can't stop. Good news is I am getting in my 10,000 steps and then some!!!!  Plus, then I get home and it's go go go!  I do usually get in a bath, some reading and wine a few times a week and sleeping has been amazing.  The last few days Avery had gotten up twice again to feed but before that it was only once.

All in all, life is AWESOME! I will take the craziness here and at work. I look at what that means for me....I have a job I love and a place I love to be 5 days a week. I also have an amazing family and friends who keep me busy and connected.  Life is good!  Here are a few recent pics to prove this :

Crafting Weekend~ A Success!!!!

I spent this past weekend with 14 wonderful ladies from the elementary school where I work. We met in Altoona at the Stitch Supply Co. for an amazing weekend of crafting, laughing and good old bonding.  I was a bit apprehensive of the weekend away because I had already been away from home in mid-January for a scrapbooking weekend.  Things went really well that weekend and I was sure there was no way I would have another successful weekend away...but I did and so did the family!  Erik is a pro with both kiddos! Maybe I should go away more often;)  Even though I love the get-a-way with friends and having some time to myself, I missed Erik and the kids so much!  Here are a few highlight pics from the weekend:


Time to get crafting!


The first round of ladies to arrive.  We started to craft and drink! Great Friday night!!!!


Playing Card Against Humanity....great bonding!!!

Starting Once Again!

Ha Ha! I have to laugh at the number of times I have "started" this blog.  Seems like I get going around this time of year and then by mid-spring no more entries.  Wonder why that is.....life is busy, yes but maybe I have other outlets that I am more found of/connected to....like Facebook. However, FB doesn't allow for full expression.  So, here I am again trying out the blog.

The reason for re-discovering this blog again is two-fold (love that term)!  First, I am involved in a parent book club at school and we are using Blogger as a form of group communication. Therefore, logged into that blog and was immediately connected to my own blog. Funny how that works!  Second, I am home on maternity leave and have more time and thought to put into the blog.  Let's see how it goes!!!!!

Since it's been a while here are some highlights since I last wrote in March of 2015, almost 1 year ago! My highlights:
* Becoming pregnant in April 2015
* Attending a New Kids on the Block concert with Brooke and Allison (I have lost count of which number concert this was for me...Allison would know :))
* Deciding to sell our house and move to Hudson at the end of the school year
* Trips to Hayward and Florida with family in the summer of 2015
* Buying a house and moving to Hudson in August 2015
* Getting settled in our new house and town including a new church for us and daycare for Adam
* Welcoming Avery Lynn to our family on November 26th (Thanksgiving night!!!)
* Enjoying maternity leave with Avery

It's been a busy year since my last entry. So many wonderful things!  I will take the next couple of entries to catch up on some of the fun of the past year!!!!  For now though enjoy the day!