Chris Hartley ... You are an IRON MAN!!!

My hubby is an IRONMAN!  He has been training since January with the awesome TEAM in Training.  I began to feel that many of his teammates were apart of our family.  (I know they, as a TEAM they were a family).  After much training, we flew to Arizona the weekend before Thanksgiving.  The race was in the Tempe/Phoenix area.  The weather was BEAUTIFUL!  Such a great day!  Chris's parents went with us.  We luckily made it to the start to see everyone's flailing arms begin to swim.  I wasn't sure how the day would go but it went pretty well.  We ended up staying at the race site all day.  I wanted to see Chris every chance we could.  (The bike was a 3 loop course and so was the run).  Chris's goal was to complete the race in 12 hours... He crossed the finish line (He was second from his TEAM to cross) at 11:35!  AND he looked really good running around the corner to the line.  We were SOO proud!

We stayed the week in Arizona.  We drove up to Flagstaff on Tuesday so that we could go to the Grand Canyon and see some other sites.  It is definitely a beautiful country and so different than here in Georgia!

Year End Review

I've been thinking a lot about the past year today (and yesterday).  I even took the time to reread all of my posts from the past year (There were not as many as I hoped).  Here are some of my thoughts:

• We had a pretty great year, for the most part.  As Nancy Carolyn continues to grow and bloom, she just amazes us everyday.  We are so incredibly blessed by her.  She is quite a character (which I've mentioned on more than one occasion), with a very sweet soul.  She is a lot like me and a lot like Chris.  I hope all of our good qualities.  She definitely makes life SO.MUCH.FUN!

 

• The year has been a challenging one.  In fact, if you had talked to me a few weeks ago, I would've told you it was a horrible year.  But in reflection, it was not a horrible year.  It was challenging- a growing year.  Chris trained for his first IronMan, which took him away from us quite a lot... but it was SO worth it to see him cross the finish line (I need to post about our Arizona trip... that's coming up) I lost my beloved gifted position at my Minor home.  THAT was tough, but was snagged by a wonderful  principal.  I've moved back INTO the classroom which has been a growing experience.  I have mixed feelings about school, in general.  I feel that I need to make a change.  My new school, which I do like, is just SO.FAR.AWAY.  I feel that I spend time that could be spent with NC, or being a better teacher is spent in the car.  Also, this year was challenging in that we got pregnant and were so excited only to lose another baby in a miscarriage.  Honestly, I haven't quite recovered from that and have really struggled with being happy since that loss. 

• In reviewing my goals that I set for the year, I really haven't done well with achieving my goals.  When school started this fall, I stopped running.  I actually even signed up to do the Publix Half in March, but had to drop off the TEAM because I honestly could not find make the time to run.  I would like to think that I have been eating fairly healthy.  Not the greatest, but not horrible.  I gained weight with the pregnancy and have struggled to lose it.  (I think the depression played a little on that).  We have not found a church home... mainly due to Chris training on Sundays.  We attended church with my dad (NC and I) for the majority of the year.  BUT since the race, we did try Sunday school at the church we have been attending off and on for a few years.  I think we're both ready to get involved. (YAY!)  And time with God, honestly, it's been minimal too.  I'm SUPER excited that I have the Jesus Calling app and now book (thanks Sue!) to hopefully help me focus on spending some time with Him.  PLUS I just recently started reading Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts, which I just love her daily emails that I get every afternoon.

 

• Thirty One has been really good to me.  I recently promoted to a director.  I've managed to set some goals and achieve them.  My current goals are to maintain 2 parties a month and to grow my little team.  I really LOVE the company, want to share how awesome it is, and just the amazing opportunity that can be found in it.  God is definitely at work in the company!  It's been a nice supplement to our income.  I'd love to see if I could make it a full time job, instead of something I do just for fun.  This is my motto for my 31 business.

 

So my goals for 2012...

• I hope to grow our family.
• I hope to be healthy and find some sort of routine to run or do SOMETHING.  I want to have an active lifestyle to set an example for my girl.
• I hope to find a church home (FOR REAL) and get involved. 
• I hope to find something that will make me happy (jobwise).
• I hope to grow my business.

What are your goals for the new year?  I wish you and yours a blessed New Year!

And another app

Trying another app with my iPad.

Testing

Just seeing what all I can do...

Love! .... And a fall recap.

I love being home with NC everyday. We are having lots of fun together. We are currently working on potty training. I can't believe my sweet girl is going to be 2 next month! She is growing up so fast.

This past fall was quite hectic and busy. My new school is very far and learning a new grade level has been challenging. The winter break has been much needed!

Chris finished his ironman in November, which also had us quite busy. His goal was 12 hours and he finished in 11:36. I was so proud of him. We spent the week out in Arizona and celebrated Thanksgiving there.

Nancy Carolyn is quite a character. She is very smart (I think). She has started speaking in some sentences. One of my favorite things she says is "NC doed it" (or whoever she wants to do something). She is quite active and has a sense of humor too. Just love her to death. :)

Hopefully...

Merry Christmas y'all!

I have been a horrible, slacker of a blogger...BUT hopefully that will change! My fantastic and very generous husband (Santa baby) gave me not only my first pair of diamond earrings today but also an iPad! Yay! So I'm hoping that I'll now how more time to blog on a regular basis...

Santa!

I

Stationery card

Seasonal Chic Christmas Card

Browse our collection of Christmas card designs.

View the entire collection of cards.

random thoughts

• Time?  Where does it go?  I have all these great ideas and great intentions but time just gets away from me and I don't get any of it done or get to try any of it.
• The first 9 weeks is over.  I'm going to attempt to be better organized so that I don't spend all day Sundays grading papers.  Also, that I don't end up trying to cram in all the grades needed on the last two days of the 9 weeks (EEK!)  I'm also vowing to be better prepared than I have been... I feel like I've just been feeling my way through... stumbling more like, barely treading water.
• I want to make bows for NC.  MUST MAKE TIME.
• What am I spending my Saturday afternoon doing today?  Browsing teacher blogs.  There are SO.MANY.OUT.THERE... all have great ideas that are inspiring me to be a better teacher.  What I want to know is how they have the time to blog all their great ideas???  I wish I could figure out time to update this one more and possibly create my own teaching blog???  
• Speaking of time, how do full time working moms make time to exercise???  I totally need to do that again and am completely struggling to find time. 

Playgrounds, Apple orchards and triathlons OH MY!

September was a super busy month (aren't they all these days).  We started the month by going to a Braves game with Pop and Granma.

The weather has been so nice, we've spent a lot of time playing outside.  We went out to Grayson for my cousin's daughter's birthday party (She turned 2 this month).  NC had a GREAT time playing with her cousins and I LOVED seeing my cousins. 

We also drove up to Hillcrest Apple Orchards to check out the Apple Festival.  Nancy Carolyn LOVED playing and picking the "bapples"

And last weekend we spent in Augusta for the Half Iron Man.  Chris and the "team" completed the half and they all rocked it.  Next up, Ironman Arizona in November.  To say that I'm ready to have my husband back is an understatement.  I think he's going to make a shirt for me that says "Ironman Widow" and one for NC that says "Ironman Orphan" since we're on our own so much.  Anyway, Chris had a PR race by 19 minutes.  NC and I saw him run but while he was swimming (we were eating breakfast) and cycling- we were playing. 

Despite how September started out for us, it ended up being a great month.  I LOVE my little family and can't wait to see what the rest of Fall has in store for us. 

Sadness

Again, most of you have heard of our recent sad news.  I went to the doctor this past week and discovered the baby's heart had stopped beating a few weeks ago.  :(  We are so very sad.  I still continue to find joy in our sweet Nancy Carolyn.  She continues to amaze me everyday with the new things she says and can do.  It's amazing how fast they grow up and can do things on their own!  Her new favorite thing to say is "GOOOOOOOOO dawgs!"  Makes me smile :)

My secret is out

So my secret is out... Adventures of the Hartley 3 will become the Hartley 4 in March... (need some help with a creative title-feel free to post suggestions).  We are VERY excited to welcome another little one to our family.  I haven't been feeling the greatest which is ONE reason I haven't posted much.  I found that if I spent any amount of time on the computer, it made me feel sick... which sucked when browsing Pinterest or ALL.THE.FUN.TEACHING.BLOGS that are out there!  Who knew there were so many!!! 

The start of school has also put my life into a whirlwind.  Most of you know I changed to a new school this year AND I'm back in the classroom.  So I've felt very much like a first year teacher at times.  It's hard learning new school procedures when you were at your previous school for 12 years.  And believe it or not, the last 3 years of being out of the classroom- things have changed... more paper work, higher expectations, etc.  Combine that with first trimester ickiness and tiredness... AND a 19 month old- Life has been interesting!  :)

Nancy Carolyn is quite a character.  Her personality is very much like Chris's... SHE.IS.FEARLESS and is very much "boy-like" in her energy and playing.  Don't get me wrong, she loves her babies, but she is VERY energetic.  :)  She also has a strong will and a hard head- which she comes by honestly (and I know is part of being a toddler).  She definitely makes life fun!  I love her exploding vocabulary and how she can communicate more and more each day!  My favorite things she's said and done recently is doing the Tomahawk Chop (chant and arm movement) and ANYTIME she sees the Braves on TV or hears the game on the radio, she now says "Go Braves"  LOVE HER!!!

Chattanooga!

We headed to Chattanooga a few weeks ago.  Chris competed in the triathlon on a relay team, this time.  I think he enjoyed it.  It's definitely one of my favorite races to watch.  We stayed an extra day so that we could have fun and play.  We took Nancy Carolyn to the Children's Museum (SO FUN!) and to the Aquarium.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our trip.

Fourth of July!

We had a GREAT 4th of July.  We didn't do much but enjoyed each other and spent time together.  We played in our pool and Chris smoked some yummy ribs.  We had a few friends and family over to enjoy the yummies with us. 

Wearing Uncle Zach's hat :)

Children's Museum

Back in June, we visited the Children's Museum with the Wrights.  This was our first trip to the museum in Atlanta and I'm sure it won't be our last.  NC had a GREAT time exploring all that there was to explore.  There was a lot she wasn't quite old enough to do, but I think she just enjoyed watching all the big kids that were there.  It was a fun visit with Kristin and her boys.