First Christmas

It's been forever. Four months to be exact since I last logged in to the ol' blog.  In my defense, I have been writing though...grocery lists and Thank You cards count, right??

Two days before Christmas and I keep catching myself staring at this sweet baby girl (who's not so much a baby but a toddler these days). This time last year I was only imagining what being a Mommy would be like. This year...I'm watching in wide eyed amazement as this beautiful, perfect mess of an angel shows us what Christmas spirit looks like in action. She points out the tree on command. She smiles at and causes others to smile no matter where we go. She manages to show up when we least expect it with the ONLY breakable Christmas ornament on the tree. She thinks every gift has a book in it (thanks to the 25 books of Christmas). She has the sweetest, "Thannnkkk youuuu" I've ever heard. She experienced the beauty of Rhema strapped to my belly with hats, mittens and blankets wrapped around her because it was 22* outside and she still managed to boast a smile and dance right along with the twinkling lights. She asks for & points at  "dat!" while I'm baking sugar cookies. 

She's by far the best gift I've ever received. She adds an element of magic and fun to everything we do. Her daddy and I are as excited to experience Christmas morning with her as I imagine we used to be for ourselves. 

I don't know what it is...but when I watch her sleep all I see is a beautiful angel. When she's awake her bright eyes shine with wonder and excitement, but when she's sleeping there's an unbelievable sense of peace of beauty that covers her face. I know I'm biased but to me...

She. Is. Perfect. 

Merry Christmas...

from our home to yours. 

Let the year begin

Well we made it! Meet your teacher, Parker's first days at the sitter and the first two days of school are in the bag! Unfortunately added to the list of "firsts" is P's first big virus. That made every event so much harder. 

But...

We

Made

It.

I have 47 super sweet kiddos. 26 in my homeroom and 20ish in my afternoon class. I am excited to begin our first REAL week. The fun and games and "get to know you" stuff are great, but the meat of school really begins the first full week. I can't wait to dive in to teaching and developing the reading & writing skills of my 4th graders. 

Life is...tough. But I'm going to focus on the positive if it kills me. I think that's the key this year. There's always something to frown about...but I would guess that means there's always GOT to be something to smile about too. 

And...well...if I can't find that little positive thing- I'm going to try really hard just to keep my mouth closed. 

Happy Saturday 😎

UGH

So Parker baby is going to the sitter tomorrow. Granted it's only for half a day and it's at the home of a lady where two of my friends send their little girls. It has nothing to do with not trusting the sitter. I'm sure she's wonderful. It's the idea that I have to leave my baby. Leave. Like...walk away and trust that she will be just as sweet and innocent and full of belief that the world is a nice place that lives only to adore her after being with someone who's not me all day. 

Sweet Lord I'm going to be a hot mess. 

I know she's going to be fine. I know she's a good girl. I know she loves people. I just have this overwhelming desire to protect her. That's normal, right?

Maybe...by some chance Mikey will hit the lottery between now and Tuesday and I can be a stay at home mom. Maybe my school district will decide that it IS a good idea to bring your baby to the classroom when you teach. Maybe pigs will finally get their we'll deserved wings. 

There's always hope, right?

Say a prayer for my little family. Keep my precious girl in your thoughts as she goes out on her first big girl mission. And by all means, take an extra nerve pill for this Mama who is trusting and praying the hands that hold her sweet baby tomorrow will be full of love. 

Slowly

*I typed this last night but somehow forgot to post it...

The slow fade of Summer is speeding up. Tomorrow P & I will embrace unpacking a hellacious amount of stuff in a brand spankin' new classroom. When I say "we'll" be unpacking I mean; I'll be wading through boxes questioning my late-in-the-school-year packing process while she'll be plowing through the middle of EVERYTHING with the walker that somehow survived my childhood and was passed on to her by my grandparents. As freaking crazy as its going to be, I'm glad she'll be there. I'm not trading even one of my free days with her if I have the choice. ❤

My "peace-out Facebook" decision is going well. There's really no reason to carry my beloved phone around. I actually find myself wishing I had my camera instead of the phone now. While Parker baby still loves "I-stuff", I don't have to feel like I've ignored her 10x while I checked to see what someone else's kid is doing. I can watch that girl grow and change and just soak her the heck up. Guess what else. When I'm having a conversation (especially with my husband) I have the ability to make eye contact again. I'm not "listening" while I randomly post something to Facebook or check a status. What I'm learning is: the most important things...the things worth paying attention to- are happening right in front of me. And what's even more of a lesson is: the "thing" that's happening in front of me...is just as important even when I don't share it with the whole world. 

Mikey and I laid on the floor with Parks tonight while she played. Talk about a happy baby. We tickled and played with her some, but mostly we were just there. She loved it. We didn't have to DO anything. We were blessed with a hundred smiles and laughs; and we made the perfect prop for practicing her pulling up/standing skills. 

Dude, life is good. When I make that statement it's even after I've rolled my eyes or cursed under my breath as I've become exasperated throughout the day. Still, when the bell rings and the curtain comes down, life is good. Mike, P and I have a beautiful home, family & friends who love us and huge hopes and dreams for the future. I'm overwhelmingly thankful.

I urge you to give it a try. Put down that phone. Lay in the floor and play with your kid. Go for a jog (or 50 if you are doing the 50 Day challenge) with your husband. Look someone in the eye and have a convo without an electronic device nearby. You just might hear yourself uttering the statement, "Life is good" as you wrap up an ordinary Monday. 

Unplugged

A crazy thought keeps entering my mind. It's unheard of. It's bizarre really. I think it's time to...dare I say it? Put down my phone and unplug. There so rarely is a time you look at someone and don't see an electronic device. I am the world's worst. The hubs and I have our phones glowing so often even Parker baby is interested (interested is an understatement...that girl is obsessed with getting ahold of her Mama or Daddy's phone). I love my phone...but sites like Facebook have become a bit of an obsession. I check it too too often. 

The way I see it, I waited quite a while for this little family I have. This little girl and the sweet hubs I've been blessed with are worth my undivided attention. Plus, there are things I'm missing out on (like reading and blogging/writing) that I'd like to get into again. 

So on this eve of Parker baby's 7month birthday, I'm writing to tell the Facebook world, "See ya later." I'll definitely be back once school is underway and I've started learning how to better balance life (although I think that may ALWAYS be a work in progress). You can follow me on Instagram (runthrulife) though (I use it to edit pics of P) or on twitter (amc_runnergirl), I haven't got in to that enough to allow it to rule my world yet...plus I think I want to use it in my classroom. 

Before I go I must reflect and share a bit of what month six with this precious girl has held:

First--Crawling (although it resembles more of a crazy inch worm wiggle...she's all over the place) 

Sitting herself up to play

A sweet little razor sharp tooth (who knew such a tiny little thing would be so cute!?)

Two words (or as she says them PHRASES): "Mamamamama" and "Dadada" 

A black eye. 

And get this- at the end of the month; pulling up to EVERYTHING (which hopefully explains the black eye).

After that list, I bet this "get off Facebook for a bit" decision doesn't surprise anyone. Sweet little Parker baby requires ENERGY. 

Peace out Facebook. See ya soon. Follow the blog, friends. Or jeez...just call/text me. If I don't answer give me a bit...I've got a baby to chase down and kiss! 

July 4th

Fourth of July baby. God bless America. As we drive home tonight looking at all the incredible fireworks going off on either side of us, I can't help but wonder if people even remember what this day is about. We are pretty friggin' lucky to live here...in a place that allows us to make whatever kind of life we choose for ourselves. It allows us to raise our children the way we choose, to have the freedom to say what we want and be who we feel we need to be. It breaks my heart just a little when I think about what our founding fathers would think of the country they pieced together for us. I hope. I pray we are on a journey that allows us to love each other, to look past stupid exterior blemishes & see people for who they are on the inside. I feel like so often what's being done under the cover of love or peace is actually soaked in greed and selfishness. 

Oops. That was a soap box. My apologies. 

I'll go back to being in awe of the beautiful display in honor of our country's birthday that's popping & sparkling all around us. I'll think back on this precious day spent floating with family & friends. I'll glance back at the sweet little miracle snoozing in her car seat & smile. I'll thank my lucky stars I was born a country girl who believes wholeheartedly in a God who has a perfect plan even when it makes no sense to me. I'll be thankful I was raised to love my Mama (& my Grandma) with my whole heart & I'll do everything I can to raise my daughter to do the same. 

God Bless America.

Family. Dude, you guys rock & I become more thankful for you each year. Now, I'm off to love this girl, kiss my husband & hopefully fall asleep to the sound of our country celebrating! 

Happy

This girl is precious. 

I know I'm her Mom & it's my job to think so but the little thing just shines. There's no doubt. 

We were sweating at my sister's yard sale today...& even in the sticky icky humidity she offered a sweet smile to anyone who spoke to her. 

She has eczema. It's red. It's raw most of the time and it just looks downright painful. At five months old she scratches in her sleep and we've gotta keep those little fingernail daggers cut or else she causes her neck & arms to bleed, but still she is the happiest little ball of sunshine about 95% of the time. 

Parker is happy. She's sweet and extremely smiley. But a sleeper she's not. She's queen of the cat naps. You'd think being nearly as sleep deprived as her Mama would cause her to join her Mama on the brink of cranky butt insanity...instead I tell you if you pull this sleeping baby out of her car seat and walk into an Old Navy, as soon as she hears the music and sees the people she starts smiling and dancing! How's that for loving life?

On the eve of Father's Day I just want to say how much Mike and I love our little bundle of bumps and smiles. Even after five months of no sleep we still hold to the belief that we have the absolute most beautiful little bundle of baby girl we could've ever hoped for. 

We love you Parker Grace Curtsinger. Thank you for teaching me what it means to be happy. 

5 Months

Parker baby has reached the five month mark. We are now enchanted with: regular earth shattering squeals, belly laughs, & vacuuming the living room cause Miss Thang rolls around it to get what she wants! Sister LOVES food: sweet potatoes, green beans, peaches, bananas, apple sauce, pears...pretty much if you'll give it to her, she'll eat it (& even perhaps on accident murmur, "Mmm"). 

The sweet baby doesn't sleep through the night yet, but Lord it's not for trying. Girl just loves her Mama & can't go more than 2 hrs without a snuggle. ❤

I am completely exhausted & more in love with her than I thought possible. Doesn't mean "I need a break" doesn't cross my lips & sweet thoughts of a weekend getaway won't cross my mind but I honestly kinda like being attached to the little beauty. Someone asked the other day what I did before her. I'm sure my response was supposed to be, "I don't know!"...when it actuality it was, "Walk out of the house without ten bags, not pre plan everything & sleep more than two hours at a time..." That being said, when I do let one of her Grandmas have her for a few hours I miss her like crazy & can't wait to get back to her. 

The little tornado has taken our hearts (& lives) ripped them to shreds & put them back in such an order I have a feeling they were always supposed to be in.