The End of Summer

Today would have been my 22nd first day of school. But it wasn't. This could have been my 6th year of teaching, but I won't be there. As the teachers and students in my area began a new school year today, I couldn't help but reflect on where I am now and how different my life has become. Last year, I sat in my classroom at the end of that first day of school and I cried. I was pissed. I was starting yet another school year, no closer to being pregnant and I was angry. I didn't want to be there. I wanted to be at home taking care of my baby, a baby which did not yet exist. I always wanted to be a stay-at-home-mom. Teaching was something I loved to do, but it wasn't my dream job. Being a stay-at-home-mom was my ultimate dream job. So there I was facing yet another year in a job that I had a love/hate relationship with. I was emotional, I was hormonal (from all the failed fertility treatment attempts), and I was pissed. I hoped and I prayed that would be my final school year as a teacher. And it was. In fact, I chose to had to leave in the middle of the school year.

Being a teacher is one of the most emotionally, mentally and physically demanding and difficult jobs out there. Going through invasive fertility treatments is one of the most emotionally, mentally and physically demanding and difficult experiences a woman can put herself through. Having to do both of those things together made for one of the most traumatic times in my life. I was a hot mess. I hated everything. I cried about everything. I was literally having an out of body experience all the time. I felt like I was up on a cloud, looking down and watching this person who I did not even recognize completely fall apart. There was nothing I could do about it. I had to give up something. I couldn't do it all. My family, my happiness, and my sanity is worth far more than any career could ever be. So I left teaching. Maybe one day I'll return to the classroom, but until then I am going to enjoy living out my dream job.

As I watched everyone return to the classroom today, I can't help but be thankful for my experience as a teacher. The good, the bad and the ugly. I learned so much about myself, our educational system, how to be a parent, and how to effectively be a part of a child's life. I know that I will be a better parent because of my experience as a teacher. 

There are things I will miss about teaching. The kids. My classroom. My co-workers. School spirit. Coaching volleyball. Watching kids who were once struggling, finally understand. Hugs. Handmade cards. Being a positive role model for kids who really need one. Creative projects. School supplies. Making kids feel special, loved and proud of who they are. Field trips. Changing someone else's life for the better.

There are also a lot of things I will not miss about teaching. But I will not get into the specifics of that here. Unfortunately for me, it was getting to the point in which the bad was starting to outweigh the good. Nowadays, majority of people who enter the teaching profession leave within the first 5 years. What does that tell you about the work environment we provide for our teachers? Just saying.

Today sort of felt like the first day of my new life. My new life where my identifier is no longer "teacher", but "mother". Teaching is no longer my profession. Yes, I still have a teaching certificate, but being a teacher no longer defines who I am. Mommy is my new profession and I could not be more excited. This is exactly what I have always wanted and I am feeling very blessed to have the opportunity to be a stay-at-home-mom.

While all my other teacher friends were back in the classroom today, I was in my neighborhood with my other stay-at-home-mommy friends from my church group doing this...perfection.

Lorelei (3.5 weeks), Peyton (9.5 weeks), Mary Claire (7 weeks)

The summer is now over for kids, parents and teachers. I haven't really noticed because not much has changed for me. I can't believe that summer is really coming to an end already and that Peyton is over two months old. This was a great summer for me, thanks to Peyton. However, I am ready for fall. Ready for football, pumpkin beer and more than anything, cooler weather. The heat of summer is very difficult with an infant. It's so hard to do anything outside with Peyton right now because if it's sunny then I have to worry about heat and sunburn. If it's not sunny, then I'm fighting thunderstorms. Once it starts to get dark, then I'm worrying about mosquitoes. Basically, there is no good time to be outside in the summer with an infant. Peyton and I are ready for some fall weather! 

I hope that all the students, parents and teachers had a wonderful first day of school today! There is nothing like the fun and excitement of the first day. I used to love that. I always thought teaching was very unique in that you get to "start over" and have a new first day of work every year, no matter how many years you have been teaching. Good luck to all and I wish you a spectacular school year! 

I've also been thinking about all the ladies who began Panhellenic Recruitment at Florida State today. This time of the year always reminds me of how much I loved Recruitment week when I was in college. That week changed my life freshman year because it brought me to Phi Mu. In the years that followed, this week was always my favorite part of being in a sorority. It was a time to reconnect to our sisterhood and remember why I joined Phi Mu in the first place. Good luck to my Phi Mu sisters at Alpha Epsilon this week with Recruitment and best wishes to all the Potential New Members who are in search of the perfect home :)

Needless to say, I'm feeling very nostalgic this week. Reminiscing about college, Phi Mu and Recruitment. Saying goodbye to teaching and learning the ropes of being a full time wife and mommy. Peyton and I just love getting to spend all day together :) I can't wait to see what new challenges and experiences being a stay-at-home-mom will bring! 

My Best Friend's Wedding

Jared, Peyton and I traveled to Tallahassee this weekend to see my best friend, Casey, get married! This was Peyton's very first road trip out of town and we didn't want to go through all the hoopla of spending the night away from home with her, so we decided to just go over for the day and come back that same night. I was super nervous about traveling that far in the car with her, but it actually went pretty well. We didn't need to stop nearly as much as I thought we were going to have to and we made pretty good time. She was very well behaved during the wedding too and basically slept the entire time, so mommy had time to catch up and visit with her friends.

We had a great time celebrating Casey and Tom and the wedding was a perfect representation of them. Plus, I got to meet baby James for the first time which was super exciting. I wish them the very best as they embark on this new life journey together.

 It was great to be reunited with these amazing ladies that I'm so blessed to call my sisters. 

Peyton's first road trip to Tallahassee!

 All dolled up in our monogrammed dress for Auntie Casey's wedding!

The ceremony and reception took place at the Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy which is basically out in the woods almost to the Florida-Georgia state line. I loved it, especially with all the little rustic details that Casey used to highlight the Southern charm of the venue. I had no idea this place even existed, but it was beautiful. The perfect location for a good 'ole country wedding!

 Peyton's very first wedding and she basically slept through the entire thing. Mommy win. 

 Phi Mu love :) 

 Phi Mu sisters and now mommies together!

Peyton (1 month old), James (12 weeks old), Preston (6 months old)

Congratulations to my Phi Mu sister and very best friend. I love you. LIOB

Throwback Thursday

Oh my goodness, a post about something other than being pregnant, a mommy, babies or Peyton? I know, shocking. I'm sorry y'all, for the obnoxious baby takeover on my blog. I want to promise that every single post I write from now on will not be about Peyton or mommy stuff, but let's be honest...most of them probably will be. However, in my defense, I literally can't think of anything to write about because my entire world now revolves around Peyton and nothing else. I promise I'll try to get creative and come up with something else interesting to write about. Here's a start...

Since this upcoming weekend is host to the 53rd Phi Mu National Convention, I decided that today's Throwback Thursday should be dedicated to my Convention experiences. Technically, I should be attending Convention this weekend serving as my Alumnae Chapter's voting delegate because I am our Chapter President, but it was just too soon to leave my little legacy's side so I had to send someone else in my place. I am super sad about missing out on my 3rd National Convention, but it's worth it because I think I may have found something that I actually love more than Phi Mu :)

Throwback Thursday: Phi Mu National Convention

My first Phi Mu National Convention - 2008 in Orlando, Florida. I was President of our Collegiate Chapter at FSU, Alpha Epsilon, and thus served as our chapter's voting delegate at Convention.

 2008 Carnation Banquet

All of the awards I had the honor of accepting on behalf of our amazing Collegiate Chapter!

My second Phi Mu National Convention - 2012 in San Antonio, Texas. I was President of our Alumnae Chapter here in Jacksonville, and thus served as our chapter's voting delegate at Convention. 

 2012 Carnation Banquet

Even though I attended Convention that year as an Alumnae Delegate, I still had to represent my amazing Collegiate Chapter. Fun fact: Between collegians and alumnae, Alpha Epsilon had more Convention attendees at that 2012 Convention than any other Phi Mu chapter!

And one more that's not a throwback picture...I know you didn't actually think that I would get through an entire post without including a photo of Peyton :)

Peyton wants to wish all of our Phi Mu sisters a fun time at National Convention this weekend!

Throwback Thursday

Five years ago today, I graduated from Florida State University. I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. I am so grateful to have spent 4 amazing years in Tallahassee and thankful to FSU for providing me with an outstanding education and so many fun memories, as well as introducing me to my husband and some of my closest friends. Therefore, today's Throwback Thursday is dedicated to this day 5 years ago when I was honored to graduate from my beloved alma mater. Go Noles!

I may have become a little nostalgic in the process of writing this post and gone a tad overboard with the amount of photos...

Throwback Thursday: FSU Graduation

May 1, 2009

 Graduation present from my Phi Mu family :)

 Phi Mu Senior Bar Crawl

Celebrating after graduation at Ken's

The best part about graduating...finally getting to sign the ceiling at Ken's!

Congratulations to everyone graduating this weekend, including my husband who has earned yet another degree from Florida State and graduates with his Masters of Business Administration on Saturday!

Baby Shower #3

We had our third and final baby shower this weekend and it was a blast! I absolutely love how all three of our baby showers were so unique from one another and really fun in completely different ways. This final shower was a co-ed cocktail party for our college friends. When my sister-in-law, Erika, volunteered to be in charge of this endeavor, she asked me what I really wanted out of this shower. I told her that I wanted it to be #1 co-ed, #2 have plenty of alcohol (just because I can't drink doesn't mean that everyone else should have to suffer too), #3 no participation required (I didn't want people to feel obligated to participate in activities like playing games or watching me open presents) and #4 for everyone to have a good time. I know that some people aren't really a fan of going to showers (especially boys), which is why we opted for more of a cocktail party vibe than an actual baby shower. Jared and I did the same kind of thing for our wedding shower. We had a big 'ole cocktail party with a party bus, and it was probably definitely the most intoxicated bridal shower I've ever attended. So when our baby shower this weekend didn't end until 2am with cigars on the patio and girls dancing in my mom's kitchen, I wasn't remotely surprised. I think we successfully had the most intoxicated baby shower ever (I mean everyone in attendance graduated from FSU, what did you expect?) and I'm so glad that everyone had a good time. That's what I truly wanted :)

 Thank you so much to our fabulous hostesses for throwing such an awesome shower!

I loved the invitation! It was just so me with the quatrefoil, the colors, and the Vera Bradley pattern.

Jared and I are so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing friends and family during this very special time in our lives. Peyton is really lucky to have a ton of awesome "aunts and uncles".

Thank you to my wonderful mommy and Peyton's "DeeDee" for letting us invade her home for our party.

I did open presents at the request of the girls at the shower, while the boys hung out on the patio smoking cigars. 

Peyton and I received so many beautiful gifts which of course included some FSU goodies! I might have the best dressed child on gameday because basically half of her wardrobe is now garnet and gold, which is obviously a must in our household!

Jared's mom passed down her own mother's (Peyton's great-grandmother) pearls for Peyton to have. I absolutely love pearls and I was given my very first set of pearls from my mom when I was initiated into Phi Mu, so I am very excited for Peyton to have her own set. Plus, I just love family heirlooms. What a very special gift for Peyton from her Gramie. 

I was thrilled to have my Phi Mu family with me this weekend celebrating our little legacy!

I loved being reunited with my little, grandlittle and great-grandlittle!

 Peyton's Gramie and Auntie Erika!

The boys spent the majority of the shower on the back patio with their beer and cigars, and I don't blame them. I'm glad they got to hang out and have their man time together :) 

Celebrating our little PBR with some PBR tallboys!

A little thank you gift from me, Jared and Peyton for our shower hostesses! Monogrammed Lilly Pulitzer coolers! I might be going to buy one of these as a birthday present to myself here soon. 

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to our shower and celebrated PBR with us! 

Ahoy, It's a Boy

This past Saturday, we threw a baby shower for my best friend, Casey, in Tallahassee. She is due on Easter, only about 7 weeks ahead of my due date, and I am so excited that we are both having babies around the same time and embarking on this journey together! The baby shower was so much fun and I especially loved getting to spend time with some of our Phi Mu sisters.

Casey and I met on the front lawn of Phi Mu on Bid Day back in 2005. Both of us came to FSU not really knowing anyone, and from the moment I heard her start talking I knew we were probably going to be friends. Being from Dixie County, Casey had a deep southern twang and a small-town conservative way about her. I could tell she was my kind of people and we instantly bonded. Plus, when she really got to talking, her super southern-speak would come out and most of the other girls in our pledge class couldn't understand what the heck she was talking about. Since my dad is originally from South Georgia, I grew up around all those little southern-isms so I always understood her completely. For the past 9 years, our bond of friendship and sisterhood has been ever growing. We started as strangers, a little recruitment fate made us sisters, and now we have become life-long friends.

In honor of our "meet cute" and our notorious tendency to do everything together in college, we decided that it would be funny to take maternity photos together in our Bid Day t-shirts. I'm sure that no one in Phi Mu ever intended for Bid Day shirts to be worn over baby bumps, but leave it to us to do something this ridiculous.

 Sisters, best friends, and now mommies!

Casey at 35 weeks and me at almost 28 weeks

That Bid Day t-shirt was definitely a tight squeeze, considering mine is a size small and it's been washed like 1,000 times and I'm probably about 30 pounds heavier in this photo then I was on Bid Day.

We sure have come a long way since Bid Day 2005

Now, on to the actual shower. I was in charge of decorations because we all know that my crafting/decor abilities far out weigh my cooking skills. Casey has decorated "little dude's" nursery in a nautical theme so I thought we could incorporate that into the shower as well.

This diaper cake was my pride and joy of the shower. Many hours of labor and 160 diapers later, this masterpiece emerged. I actually had a lot of fun making this diaper cake, so much in fact that I took pictures along the way of how I made it. The blogger in me couldn't resist the opportunity for a tutorial blog post (read here!) on how to make a diaper cake.

I made this banner as well, which was fun and super easy...much less time consuming than the diaper cake. It is being featured in a how to tutorial here on the blog. (Read the post here!)

The other hostesses did a great job preparing all the amazing food, included some delicious treats (like chili and pulled pork) not pictured on the table here.

Casey and her shower hostesses

 The proud soon-to-be parents!

Casey with my family

 It's getting a little difficult for us to pose in pictures together because our bellies get in the way. 

Congratulations Casey and Tom! We can't wait to meet little dude!