Party Like It's 1999!!!!!!

For the past 8-9 months, I have been helping plan my 10 year reunion for Bradley Central High School. Man, what a job that was!!!! It was stressful at times, but worth it in the end. We had a great time Saturday night at the Convention Center in Chattanooga. The ballroom looked great, and about 114 people attended. That does not sound like very many for a graduating class of 502 people, but it was just enough for us! I had a great time seeing almost all of my best friends from high school. It is amazing how some people seem to stay the same while others are very different than what you remember. I had a great time but don't plan on planning any other reunions any time soon.

The planning committee Shemayah, Me, Autumn, Ami

The ballroom
Autumn and I put our husbands to work so we could mingle! Go Alex and Lynn!
My very handsome husband.....sweater vests are so hot! My best friends!

The Golden Girls reunite! Karrie, Brooke, Me, and Hollie
My best friends from high school! Jaclyn, Brooke, Karrie, Me, Hollie, Autumn, Jessica, Jaclyn

Autumn and I showing off our bellies! I have 8 weeks left and she has 11!

Just some cute pictures!

Here are just some cute pictures (in my opinion) that I have taken over the past few days!

My dad made Klara a table and chair. She LOVES playing at the table with her new tea set from my mom.

Klara is sitting in her "Popeye's" rocking chair from his childhood. Popeye is what she calls Jerry, Alex's dad...or at least that is what it sounds like!

Klara loves her baby doll! She was supposed to be napping, but this is how I found her.
Playing with her best friends, Jeremiah and Sadie.
I just threw my baby doll in the sand box!
I tried forever to get a picture of her smiling, but this one will do.

Beginning of Fall Festival Season!!!!!!

Fall is my absolute favorite season of all! I love the weather change and most of all the beautiful leaves. I also LOVE all the festivals that come in the fall. I look forward every year to Nillie Bipper, The Apple Festival, and Pumpkin Town in Athens (this one is the best!). This year we are also planning to go to Coker Creek. I was not expecting the festivals to start until late September and October, but lucky me saw a sign for the Red Clay Arts and Crafts Labor Day Show. I was so excited because Nillie Bipper was held at Red Clay for years, and since it has been moved I have not visited Red Clay. So off we went! This was the first year for this particular festival, so there was not a very good turn-out. I had read online that they expected about 100 vendors/craftsmen. This was not the case. There were only about 10. However, we had a good time walking around and eating yummy festival food! Klara had so much fun on the inflatables. I didn't even think that she would be able to stand up in them, but she was running everywhere. She looked like a little mad woman! It was a nice way to spend the afternoon!

I am gripping my bag of cotton candy and kettle corn! The kettle corn was Alex's, but he thought it would make the picture more interesting if I held them both.

Klara is sitting on the stairs of one of the model homes.

Klara is grinding her teeth in this picture. She did it ALL DAY LONG! Jumping in the inflatables...her hair is starting to come undone!

Preparing for Zachary

I have felt a sense of urgency lately to get things ready for little Zachary's arrival in November. It is not that far away! I only have 10 weeks left, but I will more than likely have my c-section 7-10 days before my due date. So that puts me at about 9 weeks left! I feel some days like I am ready, but other days I feel I have so much left to do and buy. The first major step to prepare for his arrival was to get Klara out of the crib and into her bed. Check! Klara is officially out of her crib, and the crib is in Zachary's nursery. I have also been buying random cute clothes that I find and have been hitting all the consignment sales. I have found some really cute boy clothes! I must admit that I still think girl clothes are cuter, but I have been pleasantly surprised at the cute boy clothes. I really love puppy dog themed clothes and flannel shirts! I still need to buy a lot of things, but I pretty much feel prepared!

Some of my favorite outfits for Zachary

Close-up of his sheets and blanket
Zachary's crib
One of Klara's twin beds....the other mattress is on the floor so she will not fall and hurt herself.

Random Updates

Here are some random updates on what we have been up to lately!

On Saturday we went to Atlanta to celebrate our cousin Delaney's first birthday! We had a great time! Delaney is such a sweet little girl! Here are some pictures from the party.....

Klara loved the balloons!

cousin Delaney

I have also been working with Klara trying to get her to take naps in her big girl bed. We would love for her to be out of her crib by the time that Zachary arrives in November. It has been quite a challenge. Thank goodness I am with her at home and can spend plenty of time with her practicing napping on her big bed. We originally had her twin bed set up, but then we decided to take it apart and just put the mattresses on the floor. We were afraid that if we got rails to put on her bed that she would just climb over them and fall even farther onto the floor. It has worked out nicely. I lay down with her and read her a book, and then we sing some songs (mainly "Jesus Loves Me"). Then I simply leave the room. I lay on the floor outside of her room and peep under her door (this is challenging with my huge belly). I watch her little feet move around her bedroom until I see her feet disappear back into her bed. I then go downstairs and look in the monitor to make sure she stays in her bed. I am probably being paranoid, but I just want to make sure she is safe. She has taken naps in her big bed now for several days in a row! I am so relieved! She seems to love it also.

Klara's best buddy also came over to play with her several days last week. They had so much fun together! Now that Klara and Jeremiah are both walking, it is so funny to watch them play together. They would just babble and laugh at each other. I wish I knew what they were saying!Here are some pictures of their adventures!

playing in the sandbox.....Klara is relaxing and Jeremiah just got the nerve to get in.

Eating lunch! Yummy!

Sitting on Klara's big girl bed!

Klara is also saying more and more prayers these days! Of course we always say our prayers at the beginning of the meal, but now if you put something new on the table during the meal she thinks you need to say a new prayer. She puts her little hands together and prays all over again. It is too funny! She was standing at the window in the playroom a few days ago and started to say a prayer. I guess she was inspired by the beautiful day! I tried to get it on video. (I tried to rotate the video, but could not figure out how. Sorry!)

Jeremiah 29:11

It is back to school time! For many that means new pencils, pretty bulletin boards, and a room full of new students. Sigh. Some days I really miss those things. I went in to my old school yesterday and volunteered for a few hours. It felt so good to have adult conversation and to feel "professional" again. Don't get me wrong....I love staying at home with my precious baby, but I know God has called me to be a teacher, and I miss it. However, I know I am where God wants me right now. I can never get this time back with my daughter. I love being the first person she sees when she wakes up in the morning. I love watching her get oatmeal all in her hair at breakfast and then trying to comb it all out! I love reading books to her and hearing her try to read with me. All of these things are precious, and I know I would miss a great blessing if I was not at home with her. God keeps bringing to my mind the scripture Jeremiah 29:11. I know God has plans for me and a great future. For now those plans include being a stay-at-home mommy, but I know one day I will be back in the classroom with wonderful new pencils and bright shiny bulletin boards. I just have to trust Him, and know that He knows best. For now, I will just keep having "class" with Klara and soon-to-arrive Zachary. They will be the most important "students" that I will ever have!

Memphis

For the past five days, Klara and I went with my parents to visit my sister for a few days in Memphis. We had a great time watching our girls play with each other. Klara and Macy love each other so much! Klara just soaks up everything Macy does and wants to copy her and follow her everywhere. It is a precious thing to watch! Here are a few pictures and videos to show more about our trip!

Looking at the ostrich at the Memphis Zoo
Giraffes
Catching birds at the bird exhibit. The girls loved this!Klara talking to Mara
Playing in the playhouse
Our little dancing queens!

Singing "Yes, Jesus Loves Papaw" with Mimi