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.