Another week in the books!

We are finishing up our third week of school, and starting to hit a stride.  Mady loves school, not a surprise, and has adjusted to going five days a week with no problem.  Owen on the other hand is not a fan of MDO.  He still cries every time he is dropped off, but his teachers say he is doing better during the day.  Sweet boy, he is such a mama's boy.  Or I should say mummy's boy, since that is what he calls me now.  Apparently we have a little english child, because he says it with an english accent.  He's so fancy.  It will get better, at least that's what everyone tells me.  And I know from experience from my sweet girl, who is no longer a baby by looking at this picture below.  Ugh, time flies so fast.  We have to remember to enjoy every minute.

As for me, classes are going really well.  It feels so good to be back in the classroom.  The first test is next week, so I'm keeping busy, and we'll find out soon how well these guys are actually paying attention to me talking.  It's always a little nerve racking to see the grades when they come in.

It's funny how the anticipation for new beginnings can make you so nervous and anxious, and then when it comes and you're in the middle of it, you realize it really isn't that scary.  It feels like this has been our normal for more than three weeks now.  So now comes my favorite time of year.  Time to enjoy football, pumpkin flavored everything, and cooler weather!

Goodbye Summer 2015

It came, it dragged a bit, and just like that it was over.  Mady already had her first day of school this past Thursday, and Monday Owen and I will start, and we can call summer officially over.  It was a good one.  There were no big trips, but lots of late nights, popsicles, movies, playdates, Schlitterbahn fun, and laughs.

I had a bit of a breakdown Thursday when Mady started Pre-K.  I cannot believe my little baby girl is now in Pre-K and is going to school everyday this year.  It's only the mornings, besides one day a week, but it's still everyday.  I think during one of my moments I cried "But she'll never be home on Tuesday and Thursday mornings again!"  Because Christmas break, Spring break, and summer don't count, right? Now on Monday, I start working, and Owen will go to MDO.  My sweet boy is starting school, and I know there will be tears, from both of us.  Poor Nick, having to deal with this irrational, emotional, dramatic woman!!

My bookworm

My goober

I am so, so excited to start teaching again though.  I had several meetings last week to gear up, and man, I can see that I'm at a different level now.  It's a lot different from where I taught before, but it will be challenging, which I am excited about.

So, because there just isn't enough time in a day, we'll cut this off and leave a few pictures from our sweet summer.

Chick Fil A lunch dates

My people.

My baking "helpers"



Bahn Fun!

A little fishing 

Our quick College Station getaway.  We'll be back here in less than a month to take Mady to her first game!!

Love these sweet friends!

Moments before Owen got stuck in the Century Tree

And babies have to get check-ups too before they head to school.

Back in North Texas

For a week anyways.  Nick had to head up there for work for a week, so we decided to tag along.  We spent the week busy catching up with friends, but it was so good seeing everyone.  There just wasn't enough time to see everyone or do everything we wanted to.  Just means we'll have to go back! By Thursday though, I think we were all exhausted and ready to come home!

I miss SuperTarget!

These kiddos are getting too big!

 Hotel Life:

Snacks by the pool

Little Curious George and snacks

Their love for each other melts my heart

Sundance Square:

Trinity Park:

Eek!

The kids first baseball game!  And because of our cool connections, we got to see part of the game from up close!

Happy Birthday America!

Food, friends, and fireworks!  That sums up our Fourth of July this year, and we all had a blast.  We grilled out at home, hung out with friends, and then headed to Landa Park to watch the fireworks.  I think we may have started a yearly tradition!

I woke Mady up the night before to come down and help me make these.  She was so excited, and we had a blast.

Started out with some lunch at Chick Fil A!

His first time having chocolate milk.  I think he liked it!

Slip n Slide!

 Firework time!

One year later...

We have officially been in New Braunfels for one year!  How in the world?  This time last year, we left our first home together and came to this town not knowing a single person.  Last summer was a time of adjustment, and Nick and I both found out that moving, especially with kids, can be hard.  I left this move in God's hands, and then when it got a little hard, I doubted His decision.

But oh man, what a year it has been.  Now, one year later, we love where we are.  We have made ourselves a home here, with an amazing church, great friends and neighbors, a sweet preschool for Mady, and just an overall wonderful community.  I look back at this year and see that God has been faithful.  Last fall I joined Bible Study Fellowship (which has been such a blessing) where we walked through a study of Moses.  It was a great study, but one of the points that stuck out for me as we neared a close was to remember to look back at your life and reflect on how God has been faithful to you.  In a culture that says look ahead, never behind, that stuck out for me.  When we look back and reflect on how God has been faithful to us in our past, we can walk forward in faith knowing He will be there.  That's not to say things will always be easy, because we know its been promised to us that it will be hard, but we know we are not in that walk alone.

Going from that point, in the fall the Hampshire house will undergo a new transition as I get back into the classroom.  I will be teaching part-time at Texas State University!  I'm excited to get back in the classroom and teach because I have missed it, but there's also hesitation and anxiety that comes with changing the status quo, being away from home and the kids more,  and also with teaching at a higher level.  But it is just another chance for me to trust, and walk forward in faith ;)

Summer has started, which has never been my favorite season.  I'm more of a fall/winter kind of girl because I am not a huge fan of the heat.  Maybe it's because of where we live now, but I am loving summer so far.  Lazy days, late nights, fishing, playdates, trips to the pool and playing outside are just a few things we spend our time with.  Just the other night we went out with friends to Gruene to listen to music, visit, and let the kids run around and play.  We then headed to the park to find fireflies.  That was a first for both Mady and me because I have never seen them before!  It was worth the wait because seeing them with her for the first time was so fun!  That will definitely be a repeat!

So here is to soaking up every minute of summer, and enjoying it with my three favorite people!

Swim class!

GC kiddos!

These guys had so much fun during our quick trip to see the Barnett's!

This guy cracks me up.  Love him!

She's catching more fish!