American Pride

I heard something tonight that I don't get to experience too often.

Maybe it's because when we go out to dinner (even in the middle of the week), Brian changes out of his uniform and into civilian clothes. Maybe it's because we live in an area that is heavily populated by military - 2 Air Force Bases within 8 miles of each other and 1 Navy Air Station just down the road 30 minutes - and even more retirees who decide this is "home" after they end their military careers. No one sticks out because everyone seems to have a connection to the military.

Whatever the reason... I was caught off guard tonight. As we sat down and got settled in our booth at a local restaurant, Brian still in uniform from a long day at work, an elderly man got up from his table and came right over to us. "MSgt, I want to thank you for everything you do for our country" are the words I heard as I dug through Abby's diaper bag. As I looked up, the grateful man had extended his hand and Brian met it with a firm handshake as he held Abby in his other arm.

Maybe it's because this man walked in Brian's shoes in his younger years and appreciated and valued the role that all military men & women play in todays world. Maybe it's because his grandson is serving overseas somewhere and doesn't get to see him often. Who knows.

Whatever the reason, hearing those words spoken to Brian put a lump in my throat in a matter of a second. I guess I'm surprised. I'm not new to the military lifestyle at all - quite the contrary. I grew up a military brat, my dad in the Air Force for 22 years. I saw my dad in his uniform everyday. Pride is something I have always felt seeing him in his Blues or BDUs. As a military wife, I also see Brian in his uniform everyday and the pride in him is just as strong. But what I felt tonight is something stronger than pride. I don't know what to call that feeling, but what Brian represents & stands for (in his uniform) to me and so many others is pure "American."

9-months old

Abby is 9-months old. Where has the time gone? Seriously. It just seems like August was here... although that month was pretty "blurry"... pregnant, Abby is born, pratically no sleep, figure out feeding schedule, Brian deploys. All in 3 weeks. Somehow the following 8 months after that just flew by... Fall, return to work, Holidays, New Year, Spring Break... Brian home. BAM... our little girl is 9-months old.

Today's dr appointment was good and thankfully, uneventful:

weight: 17 lbs

height: 27" tall

head: 17.25 cm

Abbigail is still quite petite... still in the 25% category for her age, but man does she make up for it with the milestones she has hit. I certainly don't remember Thomas crawling at lightening speed at 9 months old OR pulling up and cruising the furniture at this age. I just know Brian and I are going to blink and she will be attempting to walk. What happened to my little newborn baby girl?

Pictures below are random ones from the week... Abby is usually doing something that is just ridiculously funny. For example... below is part of Thomas' bedtime routine: potty, brush teeth, (tubby bath) and get 'jammies on. But as you can see "Nosey Rosey" is all up in Thomas' business and wants to break up the boy party in the bathroom.

Daddy was attempting to read the newspaper at Grannie's house tonight before dinner but as you can see... she really just wanted Daddy's attention & wanted to do whatever he was doing. She actually looks like she is kicked back and checking out the comic section. Too funny!

Testing Insanity

As I mentioned yesterday, these last few weeks at school have been the beginnings of what we like to call "May Madness"... not to be confused with March Madness with the NCAA basketball season. Similar, but the madness is centered around the review sessions (both during school, after school and even on weekends) leading up to the 3 total weeks of AP & IB testing that goes on in May. OK... so this doesn't have the competition element, as well as the huge upsets & come-from-behind victories that the basketball tournament has... but in the land of high school... this is a big deal (well... at least for teachers). I can only hope it is for the kids too.

Because several of my students read "HeckLures Adventures," I will refrain from taking out any of my stresses here (because God forbid they think I'm venting about them personally). But preparing for daily reviews over material that covers an entire year (which is much harder than a college level class which only spans a semester), ensuring students are not only engaged but also motivated to dig deep and commit to studing probably more than they have ever done for one single class before all to try and get college credit on this end of the year standardized test. Auuughhhhh... the pressure!

Every year I anxiously await review time... in a way it allows me to really see what my students have ultimately learned over the course of the year. It is very, very rewarding - HOWEVER... mentally draining (I'm sure for them as well) and by this point every year (days before the exam)... I'm ready to be done with my students and I'm quite sure that they could care less to see any more of me. I guess really it is the stress doing that to us all... I mean, between all the extra review sessions I have held... I've seen them quite a bit more than usual. I think really by this point - we have been over exposed to each other. I mean that lovingly... but the truth is... I'm ready for summer. A break (relatively short this summer... only 6 weeks) that allows me to clear my head, reenergize my brain and start fresh in August.

So... my darling 9th graders will be taking their first ever AP exam on Thursday morning... I always say a quick but meaningful prayer to the "AP Gods" with hopes that each of them had a good night sleep, some brain food for breakfast and that the stars will be aligned as they answer both mulitple choice questions that cover 10,000 years of history and write 3 essays which cover chunks of time from the course. Certainly not easy to do... let alone for a 14/15 year old to do.

In addition, my sassy Seniors (I have other dear words to describe them... but again... some of them read my blog... they claim because they love me and find it interesting that I have a life outside of school) will be taking their IB History Exam tomorrow & Wednesday and then will officially be one step closer to earning their IB diploma. I have a great group of Seniors - I'm truely blessed with great students - but what is more is this is my first group of Seniors that I had back when they were just the baby freshman. It really is awsome to see them come Full Circle (and I would like to think because they have matured)... and to hope that I played a small (probably very small) part in all of that.

I'm truely blessed to do what I do every day. As with any profession, there are difficult days... but to have the opportunity to work with teenagers is very rewarding. Not only to see the "lightbulb go off" when they finally get it or maybe even when they figure out how to write a better thesis statement/essay OR even when you know that you have offered a listening ear to a student who trusts you enough to share their struggles or their fears with you and to know that you will not judge them... but only validate their feelings, point them in the right direction or reassure them that things that they are going through are really quite normal. Any or all of that makes every day as a teacher (even during May Madness) worth it all.

Happy Mommies Day (Weekend)

Happy Mothers Day to all the mommies and mommies-to-be out there... hope your day was magical with your loved ones!

Friday night was a special date night for Bri and me... just the two of us out at Pensacola Beach enjoying some drinks, the sunset and some good seafood. Thanks to Grannie & Poppie for giving us some "us" time to enjoy.

Saturday morning I was busy with a 2 hour review for my IB seniors who are getting ready to test this week... I'm sure I will blog about that later this week... it has been a VERY busy few weeks as all of my students are either gearing up for AP or IB tests and this teacher has been almost as busy holding extra review sessions.

Despite being busy with school in the AM, we took Grannie out to dinner on Saturday night to celebrate Mother's Day with her. We hit up one of her favorites... Olive Garden... Most important though was spending a little bit of time with her and making sure she got to love on her grandbabies. Here is a quick shot just after dinner... Abby & Daddy "talking" and playing.

On Sunday after naptime, we headed over to see Nana's house where we celebrated Mother's Day with her and Aunt Jen... nothing better than a beautiful day and you can fit some pool time in before an incredibly yummy Prime Rib dinner.

Abbigail & Daddy swimming

Aunt Jen helping Thomas along as he gets more comfortable with the deeper end of the pool. Thomas has always loved the water, but this summer we are insisting that he wear some kind of floaty (either arms on on stomach) because he is such an enthusiast around the water. Today was day#1 and he really liked this kind... see the pictures below. I'm going to keep the arm floaties handie but I feel much better knowing that he has a little extra safety strapped to him. Don't get me wrong... that is certainly not enough. I'm certainly an advide believer that kids need to not only feel comfortable in/around the water as early as possible, teaching a child how to swim as early as possible is one of the best ideas. So... whether it is from me (former Red Cross Swim Instructor/Lifeguard) or if we go to the local YMCA for some lessons, I really want Thomas to be doing some basic swimming by the end of this summer.... if not for any other reason but "safety".

Thomas was loving the jumping in from the sides of the pool and making a big splash!

Here he is with Daddy going at it alone... not to shabby for less than 3 years old. Now we just need to emphasize the "kicking" and the "reaching to pull the water past you" is... I'm sure he will get it quickly once I start showing him that sea turtles do it!

Getting ready for the JUMP!

What a special weekend... to spend it with not only my children...

but my mom & mother-in-law also! I'm truely blessed!

Her Daddy Time

Brian has been home 3 weeks today... and Abbigail has opened up to her Daddy and smiles when he enters the room, loves to climb and crawl all over him and the two of them are getting to know each other & make up for the last 8 months of missed time.

In the last 3 weeks, Abbigail has not only added another tooth (total is 3... one of which we call her "snaggle" tooth), but has found her "forward" & "up" gear and is crawling with speed EVERY where and pulling up on anything she can reach & hold onto. Daddy might have missed the last 8 months... but he is back in time to witness the beginnings of a very mobile Abby & her exploding personality.

This little girl is one determined stinkpot... I find it hilarious that she has moved up the timeline of EVERY baby milestone... sleeping through the night, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, pulling up... so far... but tomorrow she could add another one at the rate she is going - anything is possible.

"Day out with Thomas"

Last Sunday (the day we were flying home from Key West), Grannie & Pop-Pop bought tickets to the "Day out with Thomas" Wales West Light Railway train ride which was going on in Silverhill, AL (about an 1.5 hours away). As you can imagine, any young little boy (and girls too) were in hog heaven taking in all the sites and hands-on experiences it offered. Grannie made sure to pack a picnic lunch they enjoyed after the trainride and lots of great snacks too!

A busy little boy playing

I can only imagine what his facial expression was when Mary & Tom pulled up to the railway and he saw Thomas the Train & all his friends there... "priceless" I'm sure!

I'm sure Thomas is yelling "ALL ABOARD!" at this very moment when the train started to leave the station.

Enjoying the train ride

Thanks Grannie & Pop-Pop for treating Thomas to a wonderful day & memories that I'm sure will never be forgotten!

Our Paradise...KW

We're back. We are rested and feeling very rejuvinated now that we have spent 4 days in our paradise... Key West. I'm sure I have posted way too many pictures (that is an ongoing problem I have) but I'm sure you will have no problem getting the gist of our mini-vacation.

Just like our first trip in late 2008 to Key West, we opted to stay at a local B&B... this time our choice was the Key West Harbor Inn and it was absolutely fabulous! If you have never stayed at a B&B before, you are missing out. Think personal service, very comfy accomodations, fresh breakfast every morning pool side (at least in Key West), FREE Happy Hour (at this B&B), and an incredible location! If you are headed down to the Southern Most part of the US anytime soon, definately consider staying there but be warned... plan early... it is very popular!
Me & the Mr. ready for vacation...
... so bring on the SUN!

Can you tell this fisherman wants to be out on the water?

On Friday afternoon, we headed out on a boat with hopes of doing some Key West fishing. Boat was good (at least in the eyes of Captain Brian)... notice the name... "Boo Ya". The intentions were to fish for tuna, Sailfish or even some AJ....

Leaving Charter Boat Row... feathered friends lined the docks.

Heading out of the inlet harbor we happened to notice some very interesting boat houses (all built on barges)... not sure you insure that? Homeowners or Boat insurance?

Located right smack in the middle of the island is also Key West NAS (Naval Air Station) and wouldn't you know it... this is some of their base housing - on the inlet heading out to the Gulf. I know, I know... Brian is already doing some research to see about a position down here (fat chance, but he is looking). How wonderful is this?

My fisherman getting into his groove. Mind you, this is the first time he has been on a boat since returning... he really was like a kid in a candy store. Only thing better would have been Brian on OUR boat fishing in the Gulf. Mind you, the whole idea was to run offshore and really confirm all the wonderful reports about fishing in the Keys. Unfortunately...

... winds were horrible and the wave height off shore was 4'-6' (a bit too rough)... so we were stuck fishing inshore. That meant we were fishing with every other "Tom, Dick and Harry" AND worse yet... we had to fish for Tarpon. Brian and I confirmed that afternoon that it is NOT at all what we are interested in doing while on a boat for 4, yes 4 hours. We were in one spot and did not catch one damn fish. I won't even tell you how much we spent. It hurts to think about. Instead, I caught...

... a bird.

Yes, a bird. This stupid bird (Frigate) was trying to get all the cut up fish (chum) that the captain was throwing into the water and him and his buddies were nose diving right between our lines and wouldn't you know it... he got caught on my line. Damn. On top of that, as soon as we pulled him in to untie him from the line, a stupid Tarpon hooked on my line and helped himself to my bait. Stupid bird.

Dang it.

Yes, he is fine. Don't worry - he is off telling fishing stories with his buddies. He is still a stupid bird though for getting in my way.

Stupid Tarpon fishing...

See this smile? It's not because I'm really enjoying fishing... its because I'm with my sweetie and we are drinking beer together AND because I got a lot of sun that afternoon.

Crappy day fishing; good drinking and sun day; excellent sunset coming into the inlet.

Saturday Brian finally caved and agreed to go and rent bicycles with me and go check out the southern end of the island. Here he is tailing me (and talking smack most of the way). He probably won't admit this... but he really did have a good time with me and it was awesome to just ride down any street we wanted, stop anywhere and just be outside!

We stoppped for lunch a block from the SouthernMost Point at this great little cafe on the beach... any place that lets me see this as I'm eating and enjoying a beer with my sweetie is a good place!

Exhibit A & B (his and her beers)

Waiting for some good food. Speaking of food - we enjoyed an abundance of Conch Cerviche, Fried Conch, Shrimp, Tuna, Grouper and way too many beers, Mojitos and daquiris to think about. It was fantastic considering I do not drink very often (especially when Brian is gone... too much to do and be responsible for... namely my little munchkins) - we endulged in every way possible down here.

Exhibit C... OMG... yeap... saw a few of these down there. Brian and I just cracked up each time we thought of this guy (apparently he is a well known attorney on the island). I wonder if my sister works with any attorneys like this?

Back on our bike ride with Brian leading this time.

Saturday night at Sunset Pier

I'm sure Brian was wishing we were on the boat with these fine folks drinking some cold ones... but our spot wasn't too bad if this is what we saw.

Can you tell we have been sun-kissed (red noses and tan lines are a give away)?

The crowds waiting for the sun to set and the entertainers are doing crazy things...

Sunday morning... waiting for the taxi to arrive. We certainly looked like tourists (then again, everyone does) didn't we? It was an awesome couple days down there. I definately can see this becoming (if it isn't already) our annual getaway place that we go without children. Speaking of... a huge thank you to Grannie, Poppie & Nana for tag teaming and watching the kids while we enjoyed ourselves. We couldn't have enjoyed this without your enormous help. We love you.

One last Key West kodak moment together...

... and one more for good laughs!