Back to School

August is always the fastest month of the year. Somehow, lots and lots of days have gone by in the blink of an eye. It's back to school time, and I definitely get pretty dorky this time of the year. Like...I love school supplies. Love 'em. I love getting my room ready for a new batch of kiddos. And I love getting excited about meeting all of them on the first day of school. I think it's pretty safe to say that teaching is what I was meant to do, and although I would really, really, really love to be a stay at home mom with my Coopy, I really do love what I do and am thankful that I have a job that allows me to be home at 3:45-ish, on the weekends, for holidays, and that sweet little summer vacation that I'll never get tired of.

Tonight, I'll keep that thankfulness in mind as I conquer a mountain of work I really should be doing. I'll keep that in mind although I'd really just love to go to sleep now, at 7:02 p.m. And I'll keep that in mind as I feel the tingly tiredness of my legs from running around like a crazy lady all day.

It's good to be home. Have I mentioned that? :) On the first day of in-service, we had a district-wide breakfast with a speaker, a hilarious skit, and some introductions of new staff. Of course, new staff had to stand in front of the cafeteria, with 300ish (my best guess) people staring at us while we were up there. I was introduced by my mentor, Mrs. Wynette Wright. She's the sweetest thing ever. I have to admit, though, that while she was up there, I really wasn't listening to what she was saying about me. Instead, I got all nerdy-emotional when I looked into the crowd and saw so, so many familiar faces. That's never happened before! I've been a few places....and been to lots of inservices at those places, but it was so great to know people in the crowd.

And then....I started thinking that a lot of those people have so much to do with who I am today. Because of school hours/practice afternoons/game nights, I spent more time with some of those people than I did with my own parents during the school year. Those people were difference makers to me and I gotta say.....it's good to be in their presence. It's good to be their colleague. It's good to be HOME! Maybe someday, somebody will stand up at the front of the room and say the same about me. Maybe someday. :)

Just call me the Geek Squad

I learned how to make my very own blog signature tonight! Was it worth staying up until 1AM? Ummm.....YES!

The twos. The terrible ones.

Hello, terrible 2's! I've been expecting you. Just not this soon! :)

Terrible really isn't the best word for it. Mischievous is a better fit, i think. Sometimes it's reallllly funny. Other times it's realllllly not. But it is always, always interesting.

Some recent pictures of some of this terrble two-ness that I've (somehow) timed just right....


You're looking at a mountain of salt and pepper covering Mr. Sheep up.

Pretty sure this one's a goner... Whoopsie.

THIS dryer incident happened in (not exaggerating) less than 30 seconds. He works fast. Didn't you know that purses, water guns, pillows, boots, balls, and rubber ducks went in the dryer?

Saving the best for last...these two 'praying pictures' look real innocent, don't you think? Welll....these days, when Coop gets in trouble, he feels the need to talk to Jesus right about the time I start to 'count to three'. I hope he's praying for mama, too!

Wanna know the best part? He won't be 2 until October 5th.
Oh, BROTHER!

A New Adventure!!!!

OK, friends.... I have an announcement to make.

I'm starting a second blog. It's called "Why Didn't I Think of That?" and the address is www.caseythecopycat.blogspot.com

I JUST created it, although I've been planning it out in my head for days. It's super plain and only one obligatory explanation post is there at this point, but I'm making this official announcement so that I'll stick to the plan and not let an idea go out the window. If I KNOW people are looking, I'll KNOW I better post away!!!

Go ye therefore and follow that blog!

that is what you are

Sweetness. Pure Sweetness. That is what you are.
Joy. Pure Joy. That is what you bring to my life.
Beauty. FULL of beauty. That is what I see when I look at you.
Love. Pure Love. That is what you are.

These are a few of his favorite things

This summer, my precious little CoopCoop has become exxxxxxtra particular about what he likes and what he doesn't. He likes things done a certain way and if they're not, well....get ready for a meltdown. (hmm....wonder who he gets that from? :)

As sneaky and clever as I try to be, nothing less than what this boy wants is what this boy will settle for. It can be painfully frustrating at times, but this strong headedness is bound to come in handy when he's standing up for what he believes in one of these days. I'm just gonna keep telling myself that....whisper under your breath about how naiive I'm being! Ha ha! :) You have my permission!!

I'd love to share a few of his favorites with you.

Meet....the supper plate. Breakfast or lunch may not be served on this plate. Only supper. And his food better be on it come suppertime!


Ketchup must be served in this spot. And in his defense, it really is the perfect ketchup spot....

This is the family of cows we can absolutely not go anywhere without. At this point, they have not been named.... But, thank you Uncle Jerry for teaching him how to tell if it's a "boy" cow or a "girl" one. *cringe!*

And then there are the boots. They have walked, run, and jumped a million miles. "Mama, boots!" is the first phrase I hear when he wakes up as well as immediately after he gets out of the bathtub. On more than one occasion, the boots have taken precedence over the diaper after his bath. I do love to watch him walk in them, though. He suddenly becomes a little bow-legged and his voice gets a little twangy-er. He's added extra syllables to words I never knew you could. These boots are pretty special, though. I originally thought they were my brother's, but I was digging around in some old pictures the other day, and lo and behold....2 year old me was posing by the Christmas tree in those ugly things.

YES, I realize that this toothbrush has a pink handle, and NO, Cooper has never seen an episode of Pokemon, to my knowledge. But...."T" gave him this toothbrush and it was love at first sight.


Here's a two-fer. I saved my favorite for last. Favorite pajamas and his "phone talkin" spot.

Unfortunately, I think he has inherited some of my quirky, OCD, perfectionism traits. And don't even ask how many times I've heard my mom's voice in my head, saying "Just wait until you have kids!!!"

Amber Marie

25 years ago today, a little songbird was born.

I was so proud to be a big sister.

We grew up fast and she remembers a whole lot more of our memories and stories than I do, and I sure am thankful that mama took as many pictures as she did since a dozen years seemed to happen in the blink of an eye.

I like to look at all of those pictures. In the midst of all the hairspray and curls, we had some fun.

Most of the funnier stories are stories about how we never got along. And I mean it when I say we never got along. She knew how to push my buttons and I sure knew how to push hers. I know this may come as a surprise to y'all, but I've been known to be just a tad bit bossy :) and my sister had a temper that couldn't be matched.

I'll let you in on a little secret, though. I sure was especially proud to be her sister when she sang. She's got a voice that could move a mountain and I wanted everybody to know that she was MY sister.

She's been there for me in ways I never expected her to have to be. I am so, so thankful for that. It only took 25 years, but I think it's safe to say that although we have our moments, we are not just sisters. We're finally friends.

CoopCoop FINALLY said "Ambie" yesterday. I like to think of it as his very own birthday present to her. We're lucky to have an Ambie like her. Very, very lucky.

Hope you have the very best birthday!!