Oh hey. It's me.

Oh heyyy.

Just me.

No biggie.

Trying to think back to the last time I've ever been this spotty in blogging.

Life.is.a.whirlwind.right.now.

And I HATE that I begin every single blog I write with something about "sorry it's been awhile", or "many I'm sure busy". Grr.

So obnoxious.

I'm just not sure I'm ever going to be able to catch my breath! And I know I'm not the only one. I feel like everyone in my life is just beyond busy. Is it going to be like this forever? And we don't even have kiddos yet - SHEESH!

Just wanted to let you know that I am still alive. Sort of.

Trying to get through my first parent-teacher conference experience. I keep telling myself things will slow down "next month". I've been saying that for about 5 months now. I really think it will though...

But I do have the world's BEST hubs. I found this little gem hanging out in my teacher bag - just begging me to hydrate myself and prepare for all of my talking with full days of teaching and then parent conferences at night. So sweet. Love him.

How is YOUR life? Do you feel like you don't even have time to think?

Lovin Life

Good news.

I have my formal evaluation tomorrow morning,

where a ridiculous amount of planning is involved.

And, it's conference week (and a half).

And I have 7:30 a.m. meetings every single day this week.

And grades are due by 4:00 p.m. tomorrow.

But guess what?

I don't feel anxious/nervous/stressed.

At all.

And you know what's even better?

I did not go into work at all this weekend.

Not even for an hour.

This is a breakthrough for me, people.

I mean, I am the girl who went in to work straight from

a full day of flying with two layovers and a jam-packed weekend

of wedding festivities. And no sleep.

But I didn't go in this weekend.

And let me tell you,

it.felt.good.

I think this means I'm getting the hang of things.

(Or that I'm burnt out and simply learning

to just be okay with never, ever finishing things. Ever).

And for someone who lives by one giant to-do list,

it is pretty stinkin hard.

But I'm slowly trying to let things go.

Proof that I am still ME in the midst of all that is my chaotic life right now:

*Can't wait to share some photos from a VERY special wedding weekend...pics coming soon!

**I MISS all of my bloggy friends. I promise to (hopefully) start getting back on the bloggy wagon again soon. I am trying to keep up with everyone!

xoxoxox ;)

Cheers to 28

In light of my recent 28th birthday, I figured I'd dedicate this post to age.

I know. 28 isn't old at all.

But it's so close to 30.

And I can remember thinking 30 was borderline-elderly.

In fact when I was little, we threw an "Over the Hill" birthday party for my aunt when she turned 30.

Depressing.

But my body and mind are terribly torn.

They're not sure whether to take sides "get over it you're old"

or "forever young".

So, let's hash this out.

Proof that I am Old.

1. I desperately crave sleep. In fact, last night, I came home from work and took a nap for 2 hours. TWO HOURS. On a Monday night. Normal? Nope. Just old.

2. Anytime Mr. Ruby and I go out, we constantly find ourselves saying, "Let's go somewhere quieter." This past weekend for example, a bunch of us were out after a wedding. We were suddenly overtaken by a plethora of yawns and desperate attempts to hear one another by yelling, "eh, I can't hear you over the loud music".

So, we decided to call it a night.

3. When asked by my best friend what Mr. Ruby and I did for date night, I got embarrassingly excited and blurted out, "We went to TJ Maxx!!"

4. I am in bed by 11 most weekends.

5. I look at high schoolers and think , "Their mothers let them wear that?" and "Kids just look so much younger these days" and "Kids aren't as grateful/respectful and/or have it much easier than we did growing up."

Proof that I am STILL Young.

1. I often eat peanut butter and jelly and applesauce for lunch. And sometimes even macaroni and cheese for dinner.

2. Mr. Ruby and I still have some of those "we are probably way too old for this, and we are up way past our bedtime" nights.

3. I still laugh when someone toots in class. And yes, I am a teacher.

4. I still shop at Forever 21. Yes, I'm aware I should probably start dressing more "womanly", but I refuse. Forever young!

5. I have a feather AND tinsel in my hair.

Desperate attempt at youth? Or proof that I'm forever young.

You decide. ;)

Did that just happen?

Aside from my daily flubs, mishaps, and awkward moments that go along with working in an elementary classroom, there hasn't been anything to horrifically significant in quite some time.

So, of course I was due for something BIG to happen.

We're talking speechless, sweat-right-through-my-shirt, somebody please dig me a hole so I can jump right in.

Last Friday, my sweet husband skipped lunch at work just so he could go home, pick up my sack lunch that I left in the refrigerator, and bring it to me at school.

So, I texted him to just go ahead and pop into my classroom so he could meet my kiddos. I figured it would be fun for my curious fourth graders to meet "Mr. Green", who always gets used in my all of my examples in class.

My hubs has never seen me in classroom action, so I was a little nervous. And he's not really used to being around kids, so I was nervous for him too. I know. I'm a nervous nelly. About everything.

Well, he walks in. All the kids get super excited and all, "Hi Mr. Green"!!! We were a little late for lunch, so I felt rushed. I told the kids they could ask Mr. Green one question.

So, hands go up. I skim the room quickly.

I call on a boy, whose name has been changed, and suddenly regret my decision:

Me: Alex? What is your question for Mr. Green?

Alex: Do you...like boys?

Mr. Green: (anxiously looking at me like, "please help") Umm...

Meanwhile, the entire class of fourth graders are admiringly and innocently looking at Mr. Green waiting for his reply.

Of course I jumped in to save the day and said, "You know, like do you like to hang out with your friends", and he answered the question without missing a beat. And then he left to go back to work.

After I dropped the kiddos off at lunch, I laughed so hard, in the hallway, by myself - that I thought my ribs might crack right in half. I quickly ran to my phone and had a text message saying,

"Well. That was awkward."

I laughed throughout the entire day every time I thought about it. All.day.

Seriously? You get one question and you ask if my husband likes boys? Poor thing really didn't mean anything by it at all...he gets confused easily. But I'm still not quite sure what he meant??

Best birthday present in the entire world.

My sweet, supportive hubs. ;)

Funfetti

So, my birthday was on Friday.

28 years old.

Oh my wow.

Where has the time gone?

But it was a wonderful birthday.

And I'd like to share lots of fun birthday-ness I got to celebrate with.

However, I'm so tired, I can't even think straight.

So I will just leave you with a quick snapshot.

Meet Intyce:

The new love of my life.