Pregnancy Update

I'll be 7 months (28 weeks pregnant) this Friday. While a lot has happened and some days feel long, it seems like this pregnancy is whizzing by. I am so excited to hold Juliette Grace in my arms, but I am feeling pensive and reflective as her birth draws closer. Here are some of my thoughts:

- If Juliette decides to come on time, we only have a little more than 12 weeks with just the three of us in our home.
- I'm more scared of labor than I was with Belle (I guess because I know what to expect...)
- What will Juliette look like? On Friday, my doctor told me she's small (not unhealthy or anything). I told my doc that Belle was a week overdue and 6.5 pounds and my MD told me that Juliette will probably be a little baby too.
- I CAN'T believe that Belle is almost three. I remember the day she was born... (enjoy the picture above).

The Five

Jackson and I are going to celebrate our 5 year anniversary this Friday. Five years. I can definitely say that I love Jackson a billion times more (or a really really high number) than I did on our wedding day. He is awesome. Here are five reasons why I love Jackson Perdue:

1. He loves God and lives out his faith.
2. He makes me want to be a better person (Christ-follower, student, teacher, mom, citizen, etc.) because he's always striving to better himself.
3. He makes me laugh- a lot.
4. He's an incredible dad (his two daughters are two of the luckiest girls on this earth).
5. I love the way he loves me.

No More Teachers, No More Books!

Ok, well there may still be a teacher, but the teacher (with a Master's) will be me! Dah...Dah-Dah-Dah... Duh...Duh (this is supposed to resemble the Pomp and Circumstance tune). Today I finished my last class and now have a Master of Education Specializing in Best Practices. I am SO thankful to God for his blessings and provision in allowing me to further my education. I could not have done this without Jackson, my best friend and partner. He made a lot of sacrifices (praying for me, making dinner, watching Belle extra, cleaning the house, etc.) to help me earn this degree. I also couldn't have done this without my mom. My mom watched Belle for countless hours while we worked and completed hours upon hours of school work. I'm especially grateful for God's timing in that I finished this milestone before the birth of our second child. I have been in school while doing life for about two years. Now, I can just live life. Today is a day to celebrate!

Flying Solo

I finished my 'solo week' today. I'm ecstatic on the inside, but tired and ready for the weekend physically and emotionally. My first grade placement is very different from the third grade placement I had at the beginning of the year. My third grade solo week flew by and it hardly felt like a solo week. Third graders are so much more independent and I think that the class was overall an 'easier class'. The class I'm currently in is (according to my master teacher's 21 years of experience) the most difficult class ever. Incessant tattling, crying, squirming, oozing, and touching.... I feel as if I should get some sort of plaque or recognition for solo-ing in the first grade class this week. I guess that's called a teaching credential. I have 3 instructional weeks left until I'm an official teacher of California.

Belle rocks!

Belle is awesome. She has such an amazing personality. She's really smart. Her sense of humor is really coming out. Overall, she loves life. Jackson and I have realized that she has a natural taste for the finer things in life. For example, she loves tea and having tea parties. Most girls do, but Belle truly thrives on 'cheering cups' with us and sips her tea with her pinky finger up at all times. She loves pedicures and can say, "pedicures". At least every other day she exclaims, "Let's paint toes!" We have started making fresh orange juice (a trend that won't be able to continue at the rate Belle wants it to)and it's of course another one of Belle's new favorite activities. Sometimes, it's been a challenge to get Belle in the bath tub. I recently brought out a blow up pool toy and Belle now clamors to get into the bath. Her most recent love is lounging in the bath on her floatie and while the water from the faucet hits her toes. I love having a girl... I love being Belle's mom.

Good Stuff

Today was the first preview service for the church Jackson and I are helping launch. I had a great time and am excited to see what the future holds... what God is going to do.

Can't Wait

I've always been known for my over zealous anticipation (this is a nice way of saying my impatience). When I was young, I would bribe my sisters to tell me what presents they or my parents got for me. I was agonizing over when Belle would come three weeks before she was even due. Wouldn't you know she was born a week after her due date? Patience does not come easy for most, and it certainly is a struggle for me.

Right now, I just 'can't wait':
-For my hubby and I to be full-fledged teachers and have teaching positions

I know there will always be something that I just have to have or can't wait to have, so for now, I will choose to be happy with today. I get to sport a fellow teacher's school logo polo for the last day of 'Vote No on Drugs Week', teach math and language arts lessons to an awesome third grade class, and give sweet Belle a kiss and hug when she wakes up. Can't wait!