Brooks

She texted and said, "I have a baby!!"

My heart sighed with relief and my mouth arched into a huge smile.

All night long, I had been texting with Casey's sister, Donna, and she was kind enough to keep me right in the loop.  The whole day I was crazy anxious.  I kept checking my phone, texting Donna, praying, and hoping that Case and Brooks were going to be okay.

I remember this same anxiety last June when Rex was born.  Not being able to be at the hospital was painful.  We (the girls) encompassed Case in prayers and kept a check via texts.  Once we knew Case was in the "homestretch" we switched over to a text with me keeping the girls posted from my texts with Donna.  I'm eager to show Case that string of conversation!

After a very long day, I finally got the happy text from Donna, and then the heart relieving, never-been-so-happy-to-hear-my-phone-ding text from Case.  She said, "I have a baby!!".  I texted back and said, "You have a baby!"

My hands are anxious to hold him.  My arms are eager to hug Case and make sure she's okay.  My heart, though, oh, my heart is so happy.

Welcome to the world, Brooks!  You have so much love surrounding you!

Moments - Special Memories from 2013

Last year, I made the resolution to blog more.  Mainly, I wanted to do this as a cathartic way to release my thoughts and what not.  I have the same resolution this year...among many, many others.  What better way to start 2014 than looking back at the wonderful moments that 2013 captured?

I thought about just doing a huge photo dump, but that would entail loading and posting over 100 pics...and in the words of sweet Brown..."Ain't nobody got time for that."  Instead, I decided to do a top 10 of sorts, except they're in no particular order!!

Rex's Birth - As stated before, I think one of the top moments of 2013 (and my life) would be the birth of my nephew.  After a long wait (stubborn little thing), he was finally born on Friday, June 21st.  Holding him for the first time is a memory I will never forget.  Being able to watch him grow has been such a treat!  Making the little steps that all babies make (rolling over, teething, finding his voice, cooing, smiling, etc) and watching him develop has just been amazing.  I wrote more here and I'm sure that there will be just a few posts about him in the upcoming year!

Baby Journi - Our family is growing so much!  In addition to Rex, earlier this year (March 14th to be exact), my cousin welcomed her beautiful daughter into the world.  I was fortunate enough to make it into town and visit the evening of Journi's birth.  I am beyond excited that they will be traveling back this way.  Watching my family grow is a cherished memory and beautiful thing.

Casey and Kelly's pregnancy - Still in the world of babies, 2 more miracles will be born in the upcoming year!  Both Casey and Kelly found out they were pregnant in 2013.  We are so excited to have new little babies to welcome into our group!  Case told me via a picture in a gift bag - she said she had gotten me a present for mother's day.  I jumped up and down and yelled and was ecstatic!  Kelly's story is funny because it was so us.  We played phone tag for an entire afternoon and finally got in touch.  She wanted to facetime me and then told me the good news!  Lots of little ones to love! Finding out about Case's pregnancy can be read in more detail here.  Excited for all my besties!

Teaching an AP Course - One of the more difficult things I've done in my career happened this past year.  In January, my principal asked if I would consider teaching an AP course within our English department.  I knew that it would be a challenging class to teach, but I welcomed the opportunity.  Throughout the past semester, I have most definitely been challenged.  I've been overwhelmed at the literature, vocabulary, writing, test, so on and so forth.  However, I know this is making me a better teacher.  Maybe not a sane teacher...but, I know I'm growing. More details about my thoughts on the training can be read here.

A perk of all of this is that I've gotten to go to extra training.  This included the AP Summer Institute at Wake Forest this past summer.  The best perk was that one of my best friends is getting ready to teach an AP course too!  It's nice to experience the same things with someone you're so close to!

Visit to Philadelphia - One of my closest friends moved up to Philadelphia a few years ago.  I have wanted to go visit for a long time, but finally made it work this past July.  We ate, walked, toured, talked, and caught up.  It was a wonderful visit, and I'm hoping to make another trek up there again!! Way more details and pics can be found here.

NCTE Conference in Boston - I was able to travel up to Boston and attend the National Conference Teaching English.  It was INCREDIBLE.  If you are an English teacher and ever have the chance to go - GO!  I learned so much and also got to visit a beautiful city.  The presenters and workshops were some of the best that I've ever been to.  I was able to see many of my "teaching heroes" speak as well as young, enthusiastic educators hoping to get their passion out to others.  I was also able to spend time with one of my best friends, Emily.  She traveled to the conference as well.  Always happy to spend time traveling with a friend!

Memorial Weekend Beach - My best friends and I usually try to make it to the beach at least once a year.  For the past six or so years it has become a tradition that we always look forward to.  It's gotten harder as our lives have gotten busier to find a long weekend that fits seven schedules, but we try to make it work.  This past year we traveled during Memorial Day weekend and had a great time!  We missed Case (she was traveling back from Mexico), but got an awesome surprise when she facetimed and shared she was pregnant!  We enjoyed the sun, water, and sand, but most of all, being together.  More pics and details written here.

Baby Showers - I've gotten to celebrate not one, or two, but three babies this year!  (Technically, four, but we haven't had a shower for Kelly yet!!).  The year started off celebrating Baby Journi and her sweet Momma, Katy.  I threw my sister a shower in March to celebrate the arrival of Rex.  Brooks had two showers that I got to attend in November and December!  These babies sure are loved!

Carrie's Walk - In October, I walked in honor of my dear friend Carrie.  We celebrated her fight with Juvenile Diabetes.  It was a wonderful day and they raised a ton of money!  I wrote a post about Carrie earlier in the year.  If you ever have the chance, please help to support this amazing foundation.  Carrie is one of the strongest people I know, and I am so proud to call her my friend.

There were so many more...beach trips, sweet baby snuggles, watching Stevie graduate from Betsy Bus, ending my 5th year of teaching, traveling all over to see friends and family, finding out Brooks' gender at the reveal party, hearing the sweet heartbeat of Rex and Brooks inside the womb, and so many more.  I hope 2014 has more memories in store!