Fun in the Sun

I love July. It's the glory days of summer and the long days give way to extra time for fun to go along with the mundane. This weekend we had a full weekend and I know we will all be dragging tomorrow. But it will be worth it for the memories made.

Saturday morning our friend Ava had her second birthday pool party. Georgia decided to do a little bit of everything while we were there so we found ourselves in the backyard as much as in the pool :)

The birthday girl blowing out her candles. Happy Birthday sweet Ava!

Georgia and her "boyfriend" Thomas taking a spin in the car. Maybe this will be the same scene in 14 years or so :) We love sweet Tom Tom! 

Saturday night we had six of our couple friends over for a cookout and cornhole. I never remember to take pictures when we have a get together but we had a lot of fun catching up with everyone!

Sunday we did something we never do. We skipped church to go to the lake. When we go to the lake we always go on a Friday or Saturday but it seems like every weekend we have a birthday party, reunion, shower, wedding, etc. and this was our last chance to go before school started back and our lives get too busy for the lake. I hated missing but I knew a day with family was what we needed. He knows our hearts and knows one weekend won't make us wayward :)

We went to Lake Malone and used our friend's cabin. They have a gorgeous view! We took both babies so the cabin was so nice to have.

I'm sure there's an identical picture of me driving the boat at her age. If not a picure at least a memory. She thought she owned the lake!

Georgia's first time swimming in the lake. We went back in a cove to get away from the wake and when we would yell it would echo off the rocks and water. She loved that! 

No easy way to get in and out off a boat so might as well make the most of it.

She brought a toy fishing pole from the cabin on the lake, so precious.

We came home late afternoon which gave me enough time to get everyone bathed, fed and in bed early to get extra rest from a busy weekend. And now mommy is going to try to get in bed at a decent hour herself. I'm thankful for days filled with fun, friends and family.

A peek at our week

I don't talk about my job much on the blog because I like to primarily focus on family things but it's been such a big part of my week I feel like I should share a little. I am the director of special programs for our school system (my largest program being school nutrition) and I will have one year under my belt next month. And what a fulfilling, challenging, crazy, fun first year it has been. Just to give you a little idea of what my first year was like, the night before the first day of this job I found out I was pregnant. The school nutrition program was selected for a major state review this year. We are a smaller school district so we all wear a lot of hats so that meant learning lots of new policies and procedures. And not to mention I was brand new with no experience in education. There were days I didn't know if I was going to be able to do it all.

But I made it through somehow and now I am busy gearing up for a new school year. I was off from spring break until after the fourth of July weekend on maternity leave-such a blessing! I know it's hard to take off that much time at a new job but I knew those days at home with my babies I will never have back and my boss fully supported me so I did it and don't have any regrets. Starting back to work in July has also been nice because we have a relaxed schedule and I don't have the constant interruptions of an average school day. I live about 4 miles from my office so I can go home and feed Jack in the middle of the day. It's been a very easy transition for all of us.

I am so excited about the new school year. Three of our schools are participating in CEP (community eligibility provision) which means students will receive breakfast and lunch each day at no charge. One of our schools we are doing a satellite breakfast in the gymnasium which is new and will give students another option for breakfast. Last year I felt like I was behind the eight ball constantly since I started my job after the school year had began with minimal training. The fact that I have done everything at least one time now gives me confidence in fulfilling my job duties. 

So it's been a busy few weeks gearing up for the school year but it's rewarding work and I know things will get back to normal once we establish routine. I miss Marcus and the babies but I go nonstop while I am at work so that definitely helps pass the time.

Enough talk about boring work stuff, let's talk about these two cuties instead :) My brother that lives in NYC turned 24 on Monday so since we wouldn't get to see him we "baked" him a cake and sent him a cute picture. Baking the cake was Georgia Grace's idea. She loves everything about birthdays.

She went to AKK two days this week to play with her friends. AKK was on vacation for two weeks and she said, "I wish my friends would come back to Grandmomma's house". Melted my heart!

I mentioned our craigslist stroller a few weeks ago and here it is! It's a City Select by Baby Jogger. It came with the second seat but we bought the infant seat adapter until Jack is big enough for the other. So far we love it. It's not for jogging but I don't really plan on using for that purpose. It has Georgia's approval! Jack also enjoyed the ride.

Hot temps call for some water table action

I know he's mine but y'all he's just so handsome. 

Jack Porter says, "Fri-yay"! He's the happiest baby boy there ever was. He's smiling 95% of the time. He loves to be held and talked to. He just has the best baby personality.

Happy weekend y'all! It looks like great weather for us so I plan on being outside as much as possible. Summer is going by too fast.

Swims and Friends

Even though we are on a relaxed summer schedule, weekends are still the most fun part of the week. This weekend we beat the hot temps by doing a lot of swimming and evening activities. 

Friday night we went to our friend Lola's birthday pool party. It was the perfect night for a swim. We were going out to eat after the party so I didn't wear my swimsuit and she swam (with her puddle jumper) like a big girl with her friends. It's exciting to watch her grow and blossom but also makes me sad to give up my baby a little more everyday.

She means serious swim business with her tongue out. She has become so comfortable in the water this summer.

And brother bear is growing up in ways of his own. He really wants to roll over, it won't be long. 

Saturday we spent the day in my mom's pool and I didn't take one picture. It was so hot I stayed in the water the entire time. Georgia went under water several times and jumped in without me catching her! It was a fun pool day.

Saturday night we had our neighbors/church friends over for a cookout. It was hot as blue blazes but these kiddos are troopers. Marcus smoked a boston butt that was delicious, my mother-in-law made coleslaw for us and I fixed some fresh corn picked out of my cousin's garden. Kathrine and Mary Ellen brought watermelon and chocolate cake.

Beating the heat in the jeep with Ava. These girls are nine months apart, I hope their friendship will continue to grow! It makes my heart happy they will grow up with each other in the same neighborhood and at church.

Sweet, sweaty friends :) We all stayed up past bedtime but that's what summer is all about.

Enjoying a little chocolate cake to get them extra hype for bedtime ;)

Would NOT look at the camera for a picture with her momma. This girl was given an extra dose of stubborn when God made her :)

You know it's been an extra fun weekend when you fall asleep on the couch at 6 pm. Bless her! We're breaking all the bedtime rules. 

I'm thankful for a full weekend filled with fun and friends. I never want summer to end.

Out and About

It's the middle of July and it's hot. The weatherman said in his forecast tonight that the breeze would feel like a blow torch. Needless to say we try to avoid being outside in the middle of the day unless it involves water. 

This summer has been a fun one but it's not because it is filled with big, extravagant trips or entertainment. We've learned to enjoy our surroundings and we know there will be plenty of days for traveling and outings once the babies are older. Right now some sidewalk chalk and a water table provides lots of laughs and giggles.

I didn't realize when I had Jack that I would refer to both of my kids as "the babies". I do that pretty often. And when people ask their age and I tell them "____ weeks/months and two" I get a lot of weary looks and exasperated sighs. But I love having two "babies" and two nurseries, two cribs, two rockers. God's timing is always what is best for us.

Chatbooks are the new big thing to hit the social media scene. I LOVE them! Once you download the app you can sync your Instagram feed and print or customize from your phone photo album. I made one for Georgia Grace filled with pictures of Jack and some of her and Jack. I saw a post today where a lady was making photo recipe chatbooks and it was genius! I'm currently brainstorming ways to make Chatbooks even more fun for our family. The possibilities are endless!

We went to a birthday pool party for our buddy Aiden Sunday night. Daddy stayed home with Jack so I could get in and swim too. We had a lot of fun and our girl gets braver in the water every time she swims.

And she has swam a lot this week! So has mommy. We went one evening to my mom's to avoid the heat and applying sunscreen-so much easier!

Right after sunset, just beautiful!

Wednesday night we went to Owensboro for some BBQ at Old Hickory and to see the new riverfront. Marcus has been but me nor the kids had so we were looking forward to it. A family picture in front of the Ohio River was warranted :)

They have the nicest playground I've ever seen. Millions and millions of dollars was put into it and it's so elaborate and detailed. She could have played all day here!

Swingin' like a big girl by herself

Aunt Shanna with her niece and nephew. Uncle Jake is gone on storm duty this week.

Pa, Georgia, Ma and Jack-such a sweet picture. I think Jack was needing a nap ha! 

Some years I am not sad when summer ends but I think this year I will be. These are just the best days that I want to last forever!

Jack is THREE months old!

Jack, you are already three months old. You sure didn't stay a newborn long enough to suit your mommy. 

• You probably weigh 13 1/2-14 pounds and are about 25 inches long based on my measurements. You're in size 2 diapers and 3-6 month clothing, you have outgrown all your 3 month pieces :(
• You don't have a set eating pattern, we just feed you when you are hungry. You are still exclusively nursing and receiving breastmilk in a bottle. I would like to make it one year like I did with your sister but you are a bigger eater so we will see how it goes.
• Your hair is long and blonde with some curl to it. Your eyes are dark blue. You have long eyelashes like your sister. 
• We continue to swaddle you for bedtime. I can already tell that will probably be hard to break you from someday. You are still sleeping in a bassinet by our bed because you like to nurse early in the morning and it's easier this way. During the day you nap in various places-swing, bouncy seat, carseat and ergobaby carrier.

• You are the happiest and smiliest baby there ever was. Anytime someone talks to you you flash them a dimply grin. You are going to be a heartbreaker there's no doubt about it.
• You are VERY active. Your granddad describes holding you like holding two catfish HA! You are constantly moving some part of your body.
• You are easy going and laid back. You love to be held and cuddled. 
• This month you have really started paying attention to your sister. You love when she plays with you and you think she's really funny. She thinks you are one of her baby dolls :)
• You have no trouble riding in a vehicle and most of the time you fall asleep. We take you with us everywhere now. It's easy to get out and do things since you are usually content with whatever we are doing.
• You like to stand up on our legs and you have a strong grip. Mommy can't wear her hair down when I'm near you.
• You love your paci, specifically your wubbanub that has a puppy attached to it. You also enjoy rattles, activity chairs and anything with lights and bright colors.

See what I mean? So so happy!

And not only do you have to share the spotlight with your older sister, but your doggy brother too. He wanted to be a part of your monthly pictures.

We love you Jack Porter Harrison! Our hearts have grown so much because of you.

Class of '05 Reunion

I am behind on everything right now and this is the reason. My ten year class reunion was this weekend and being our senior class president the responsibility of planning the event was on me and one of my best friends Shira who was our vice president.

We started planning everything at the beginning of the new year. We had a committee meeting in March and from there we made decisions on date, location, venue, etc. by class vote (we used survey monkey). I wanted to be as democratic about the decision making as I could be; this was our class reunion, not just mine.

Through the surveys, our class voted to have the reunion at Indian Hills Country Club in Bowling Green on July 11th, 2015. When we were searching for possible venues my friend Fawn mentioned IHCC because of a work connection she had there, and as much as I loved the idea of having it there I was worried that it wouldn't be in our budget. To my surprise it was as affordable as any place and it included everything we wanted eliminating the need to contract things out. A definite win-win!

 

Most of the room set up and ready. We had 52 attend which I was pleased with. I would have loved for there to have been more but it's hard to find a date where everyone was in town, off work, etc. Out of a class of 130 it was a good turnout!

Selfie stick class picture :)

My date forever and always. I appreciate him for allowing me to take a little time out of our lives to plan this event. I had to go to some meetings and spend time making preparations for the reunion and he always allowed me to do it. He is the best!

BCHS Class of 2005. This group will always hold a special place in my heart. You probably won't find a more diverse group but at the same time a group that gets along better than us. Not once did we have an argument through the planning process of the reunion which I hear is a feat in itself. I love my class!

We didn't plan a lot of events because we wanted the night mostly dedicated to catching up with classmates. We did remember our classmates that are no longer with us, recognized our service men/women, did a flash back to 2005 and gave away a few funny awards. This is Shira doing her step back in time-so fun! She did a great job!



On the right side of the table we lit three candles to remember three of our classmates that our gone but not forgotten-Beth Flener, Haskell Hudnall and Seth Drake.

We gave out a few awards just for fun. Render came all the way from Hollywood, California so he received the award for farthest distance traveled to attend. It meant so much to us that he valued the event and his classmates enough to do this. He's the best!

And then Garrett received the award for most dedicated classmate since his wife Monica was due with their second son SATURDAY. We were nervous we might have to move the party to the hospital! These two are so fun!

And last but not least, Kayla earned an award for finding a babysitter for five kids! Amazing. We thought that deserved recognition :)

I knew everyone would come ready to take pictures to remember their class reunion and I wanted a way to capture the event in a picture. Becky's husband Travis made this for us after I found the idea on Pinterest and it was so much fun!! Travis is a perfectionist so it turned into a pretty big project but I'm so thankful for him and the finished product.

These two right here are my forever friends. High school was so much more fun with them by my side. 

Some things never change. Love them both!

Just for fun we decided to recreate our senior personalities-

Most school spirit. And maybe most hair growth ha! Time has been good to us both. (Midriff showing and a ribbon belt-WHY?)

Most likely to succeed. We tried to replicate our poses as best we could, he nailed it.

Friendliest. How did Hank know to wear a sports coat?!?

Biggest rebel keepin' on keepin' on

Our athletes. Shira claims she can't run a mile now but I have faith she could!

Our class clown all day everyday

Most political-in loving memory of Charles Seth Drake

Most argumentative posing to perfection

Teacher's Pet-and guess what? Now she's a teacher!

Biggest gossips-this group was so fun we voted for three.

We also recreated our royalty pictures-2005 Bearfest King and Queen.  They just keep getting sexier with age.

Football homecoming King and Queen. Rocking the same smirk and smile :)

Clay and I grew up together and lived in the same neighborhood. He lives in Alabama now with his sweet wife Andrea and they are both pharmacists. So proud of him! 

Miles may separate us but we will always take a little piece of each other with us.

Our reunion couldn't have went any better. The venue was perfect, food was delicious and the company and conversations were the best you could ask for. It felt like old times. Even though our high school days are long gone, taking one night to celebrate them is something special.