It's been CRAZY, It's been FUN, It's been a ZOO!

We've had a FANTASTIC week.  I LOVE being home with my precious girl!  We have had beautiful weather all week... Praise Jesus!  :)  And we've just HAD fun!  We decided to stay an extra night at Pop and Granma's, so we returned on Monday.  Tuesday, it was cooler here, so we stayed at home pretty much and did the necessary "chores."  Wednesday we had our annual Spring break lunch with Rebecca and made a trip to Babies R Us for some goodies.  And yesterday... yesterday we went to the ZOO!  Below are a few of my favorite pics from the day.  We met up with a bunch of my friends from school and their "littles."  GREAT fun!

Spring Break WOOHOO!

A much needed break!  We are beginning our break visiting "Granma and Pop."  A nice, relaxing weekend with my in laws.  We don't have much planned for the week ahead, which is awesome.  I hope I have some time to get a little more organized at home, but mainly I plan on spending a lot of good, quality time playing with Nancy Carolyn.  Of course, I will probably spend more time playing than getting organized. But that's what it's all about right?  I'm also going to try to be better about blogging on a regular basis :)

Nancy Carolyn these days is a LOT Of fun... I know I say that every post, but each day she is more and more fun.  I also know that all of you with kids know exactly what I mean.  She is talking more and more- saying actual words (or they sound like words to me).  She likes to dump all her toys out and plays with something for like a... second.  She LOVES to read and LOVES to be outside.  I'm hoping this week is nice so that we can spend a lot of time outdoors. I'm ALSO hoping to take her to the zoo one day. 

I've been spending a LOT of time thinking about next school year and ways I can go ahead and prepare to make life easier.  I've started a wish list of items I want need  for going back  into the classroom.  Anyone want to donate to me?  :)


And because no post is complete without a picture...

This was last weekend at cousin Ellis's first birthday party. 

On my mind

I'm sure most of you that keep up with the blog are on facebook.  I've had a lot on my mind lately.  My school is losing points (teachers), which gifted was one of the points we lost.  Since my co-teacher has seniority over me, that put me on the displaced list.  For about a month and a half, I haven't known what I would be teaching next year or where, but I was still guaranteed a job with the county.  This week, the issue was resolved.  I am SO thankful.  I had many feelings over the last month.  I was mad, sad... I felt unwanted and unloved.  I had many moments of peace when I had truly given my worry to God.  Isn't God amazing in that way?  Anyway, on Tuesday morning, a principal sent out an AP basically to "scout me."  She observed me and we talked.  I really liked her and she understood my concern about distance and the importance of keeping NC with her current daycare provider.  Later that evening, I had an email from the principal to come for an interview on Wednesday.  I was able to leave school early on Wednesday to visit the new school and interview.  Wednesday night, I received a phone call from the principal offering me the position.  Thursday night, we talked again and I officially accepted her offer.  It is such a relief to know that I have a place... that I was WANTED.  During my interview, the principal shared with me that she is very picky- she handpicks her staff.  She scouts many, interviews few and then of course, accepts even less.  I felt very honored that she CHOSE me!    I feel very good about my decision and am really excited about a new adventure!  I LOVE my school family and will miss them tremendously (I've been there twelve years) BUT there's always facebook right?  hahaha

Other not so exciting things going through my head last week- 

• ways to save money so that I can get a new car...
• ways to find make time to coupon... I mean REALLY coupon (like Drena coupons)  
• finding a church home... do we stick with the church we've been attending?  Do we find a new one in the area we've been thinking of moving to
• that I need to get serious about WW.  I've lost about 3 lbs total, not stellar but it's slow and steady that wins the race right?  BUT I do need to be better about making good choices and logging every day.  I just get busy and forget.
• ways to grow my 31 business (anyone want to host a party??)
  
  And now, I need to get ready for CHURCH!
  
  

March Madness

March has just begun and already we're staying pretty busy.  Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, I pick up NC and we go back to school to run/walk with the Girls on the Run (Sole Sisters).  The girls LOVE NC and always want to push the stroller around the track.  They say she is their mascot "Girl on the Roll"  NC loves seeing the big girls and sometimes fusses in the stroller, I think she wants to run/walk with the big girls.


We started swim lessons yesterday at Dynamo.  NC wasn't sure what to think at first. She had a death grip on my arm, but then once she realized that I wasn't going to let her go, she let go and started having fun.  She loved putting her face in the water and was getting the idea of kicking by the end of class.  It definitely wore her out and she was asleep about 2 minutes after getting in the car.  I'm already looking forward to next week.

That's about all going on with us, just staying busy and enjoying our time together.

February Flew

February just FLEW by!  I can't believe that today is already the last day of the month and that March is upon us (YAY March).  I love March for a few reasons (yes, my birthday month is the main reason) BUT it also means that Spring is on it's way... Spring break, Spring weather, Easter.  LOVE MARCH!  Of course, the past few weeks have felt like Spring has arrived.  I seriously hope it has and that it's here to stay!  One can hope right?


Nancy Carolyn LOVES to go outside.  She likes to walk around, especially on our porch.  She also likes when we go to the little park in our neighborhood.   Here's a few pictures from one of our visits.

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Life just gets in the way

So, I always think I need to do better at blogging and that I WILL.MAKE.TIME.  However, life just seems to get in the way.  We've had a busy few weeks and today is the first Saturday in a while that I'm enjoying a "lazy morning" (still drinking coffee and in pajamas at 10).  I totally should be taking a shower and getting ready for the day, but... I'm not!

Just a few updates in the Hartley house. Nancy Carolyn is WALKING.EVERYWHERE!  She's still doing the "monster" walk all over the house and it's as cute as can be.  It's her preferred method of travel now.  She'll crawl SOMETIMES.  She loves to carry things around with her as she walks - sippy cups, little people, etc.  She's very funny.  :)  She has 7 teeth (4 top and 3 bottom) and is a great eater! 

As for me, Thirty One is GREAT fun!  We just launched the Spring/Summer catalog and I'm hosting an Open house/drop in next Saturday.  I can't wait to show off some of my NEW stuff :)  I was promoted last month to SENIOR Consultant, which is very exciting.  


This week I hopped on the bandwagon and began the new Weight Watchers program.  I KNOW what I need to do to eat healthy and how to make healthy choices, I just felt like I needed SOMETHING to hold me accountable.  Everyone that is doing the new program is really enjoying it and having success, so I thought I would jump on the bandwagon.  My goal is to lose about 20-30 more pounds.  AND to fit into the dress from Black House White Market (or is it Black Market White house)?  that Chris gave me for our wedding.  I want to wear it out for our anniversary in April.  We're planning on going somewhere nice and fancy (Woodfire Grill and Flip Burger have been mentioned).  I'm also hoping that the weather will warm up and stay warm so that I can get back into running regularly.  I actually miss it.  We're actually starting a new program at my school called "Girls on the Run" for the third-fifth grade girls.  I'm looking forward to helping out with it on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I think NC will join us most days!  :)


and because no post is a fun one without a picture... Here's a picture from our friend "LR"'s birthday last weekend.