Day.Thirty.Six.

I have to really get focused and stay on top of this blog! Write EVERY day. That is the goal. I am going to get on that!

Today, after work, I headed for the chiropractor. I definitely needed it. My lower back was really bothering me. I got my re-scans done to check on my back's progress. I am feeling much better now that I have seen the chiropractor. He is amazing!

Off to Beavercreek :)
I love to organize.. anyone who knows me knows, everything has a place.. and it should be in that place! (haha) I headed to help Michelle sort through all of the shower gifts from this past weekend and set it all up. The nursery color is fabulous and the twins are definitely blessed. I got to spend time with Michelle as we folded tiny clothes, organized butt cremes, and stacked towels. I am so excited for her. It is going to be such an amazing experience and I can't wait to babysit! ;)

After all of that organizing, I headed home. (It is normally about an hour-hour fifteen minute drive..) As I was driving up the road, with no warning, there are signs EVERYWHERE, "Road Closed". So, I had to figure out another way to get home. whew. Tack on a few (20) minutes.

When I got home, I passed out in the chair. I don't remember going to bed!
Up and at em' early for SACC! It is a busy, crazy, tiring life.. but I don't know how else to live. I work hard and succeed. Look at this fun quote to keep me motivated:

(what is another 10 minutes?)

-Alexis-

Day.Thirty.Four.B.

*Two*Peas*In*A*Pod*

Michelle's baby shower was RIGHT after the baptism. I am uploading the pictures from the shower. I was in charge of decorations, cake, and cupcakes. I think that it all turned out wonderfully! It looked great and the twins are going to be well dressed, diapered, and spoiled. Special thanks to Laurienne for helping with the decor! :)

Here are the details: 

 Cupcake/Cake Tower

 A Bit Closer...

 *New Cupcake Stand*

 Yummy!

 Two Peas <3

 -Sign In Table- 

 Frame, BABIES, Advice Cards/Jars, and Banner Fun

 Gift Table

-Homemade Banner: Two Peas In A Pod- 

 Close up...

 -Table Setting-

 Frozen Peas in the Jar (just a fun touch)

 Place Setting with Cake Pop Pea Favor :)

 *TWO PEAS*

 -Cupcakes-

 Cake Topper

 Family at the Shower

 Momma<3

*Best Friends*

If you have any questions about how anything was made or where it was found, let me know and I will be sure to contact you via comment on how! Many things were inspired by pinterest... of course.. :)

Off to start my spring break... with a nap!

-Alexis-

Day.Thirty.Four.A.

THE DAY IS HERE! Bring it on!

Mia Grace and Zooey Claire were baptized this morning! It was such a blessing to see them starting their journey as Christians. Beautiful dresses, jewelry, family, and God. It was gorgeous... and they did a GREAT job! Check out a few of the pictures:

 <3Family<3

 The Bracelets I Made for the Girls

 Mia Grace... giving the stink eye...

 -Zooey Claire-

*Me and Papa:: He Smiled!*

::Surrounded by Family::

 With My Mia

-Double Duty-

Immediately after the baptism... BABY SHOWER!

So, I headed straight for the baby shower. Good thing my mom and sister were home and able to help me get all of the stuff to the shower. I will do a separate post about the shower. So many pictures to share! It turned out fabulous and the world is going to be blessed with two beautiful babies! I can't wait to meet them! Stay tuned for the shower update...

May God Bless Mia Grace and Zooey Claire! They are blessed already with wonderful parents and a loving family. <3

-Alexis-

Day.Thirty.

Thirty Days!!! I am feeling accomplished!

Well today, school went wonderfully. We made jellyfish out of upside down paper plates and crepe paper! The kids loved them! They were swimming everywhere!! It made me smile just to watch their sense of wonder and their excitement.

After the bell rang and all of my kiddos where safely where they needed to be... my brain, for some strange reason, turned to MUSH!? I walked down to talk to a fellow teacher for a minute.. and forgot that I was supposed to tutor. I tutor the same child every Tuesday and Thursday for the past 4 months? strange...

Then, on my way to meet a friend at Polaris, I got two text messages. One from my friend asking to meet earlier which was perfectly fine... but I was still frazzled from missing tutoring. (I am obviously not one to make mistakes like this...) Then I get another text from my friends from my old school asking, "what time are we meeting, 4:30 or 5?" Immediately, what runs through my head... we are meeting? I thought that was Friday!? Again.. brain has lost it! (I will shop for the shower.. tomorrow) Here is a wonderful quote that sums it up:

(Courtesy of Pinterest)

After it was all straightened out, I got to see Courtney as she met me to drop of Michelle's gift AND Jennifer and Christine. Christine even had the babies! (I know, she is not a baby per say, but 2 is still a baby in my eyes) The little one even let me hold him and enjoyed my company!

I must say, I am glad that I am friends with people I work with. They are encouraging and never let me think about the negative. I am blessed with friends who care about me and really support me teaching. Dinner definitely reminded me that I was made to teach! (Thanks girlies<3) The journey has not been easy, but my day will come. Thank you for always supporting me Jennifer, Christine, and Khadine. You are truly a blessing in my life. We don't see each other often, but when we do.. it counts! This reminded me of you:

(Courtesy of Pinterest)

When I got home, I got straight to work on the cleaning. I have neglected to do it the past few days, so today I caught up. The kitchen is what I was dreading. I did a quick clean... I will organize next time. The dogs seem to be so calm when I clean up, then AS SOON AS I SIT DOWN, one is hitting the bell to go outside and then it is chase each other time, for about 10 minutes of constant barking and running. ((I hate when the vacuum lines are gone and I JUST vaccummed-They give me a sense of accomplishment!))

I am off to read some more of The Leader in Me and about writers workshop for Book Club Thursday morning...

Enjoy your night.
-Alexis

Day.Fourteen.

Sunday. I really enjoy Sundays. Today, I had the chance to catch up with my best friend Michelle! We got to spend the morning together looking for maternity clothes for her ever-growing belly... the babies even gave me a little kick! They love me already. I really don't know where I would be in life if Michelle wasn't part of it, so today's blog... all about Michelle!

Michelle and I grew up in the same small town in the Ohio Valley. We didn't go to the same elementary school, but by middle school, our small private schools had dances for us together! We all would crowd into a church basement dancing in circles of girls and circles of boys. We really didn't become good friends until high school. Of course our lives were full of boy drama. Michelle drove me to school because she drove passed my house.. so why not! I will never forget the multiple car rides in her white corsica with the squeaky door. She drove me to school the day my mom slapped me for agreeing with her that morning that I was being a B*tch. Michelle just laughed as I got in the car! (thanks friend)

Senior year came and FLEW by. I knew I wanted to go to college, but didn't know where. Michelle said to me one day, I am going to Ohio Dominican. I respond, "cool, I'll go too!" (looking back.. wow.. what a way to handle that gigantic life-changing choice) We headed to ODU (parentless), two small town girls and we got lost. I mean REALLY lost! We were in downtown Columbus... scared! No one could help us either. We persevered and made it to ODU orientation at least an hour late. We got to the campus and we liked it. We were going to be roomies of course and we already had the room decor picked out! (Crazy Daisy of course...) College came and went. We spent so much time together and I wouldn't EVER change that experience. Michelle and I are a lot alike and we have our differences. We know how to work together well. (whether it would be on school work--both becoming teachers-- or at Hoggy's waiting on people and bringing them their BBQ) We grew up together and here we were in college. I met John one day at ODU and we hit it off pretty well! We would hang out a lot. Michelle and I really needed a change of pace in our relationships. (true story... what were we thinking!) So, John and I had a brilliant idea...set Michelle up with one of his friends. Well, the initial set-up didn't happen, but Michelle did find a friend she eventually fell in love with. Two friends dating two friends. (perfect scenario) Michelle and I always were there for each other (still are). We call to vent, we call to laugh, and sometimes we call to cry. God gave me a friend and I couldn't have asked for a better one.

We have had times of excitement, happiness, sadness, nervousness, emotion, devastation, and we have always gotten through it. There were times that one of us would fall apart, and the other was there to put the pieces together. I would not be the woman I am today without Michelle. She gives me strength to get through the tough days and encourages me that there is tomorrow.

Fast forward... graduation! Michelle and Adam are engaged, John and I are engaged! Michelle and Adam move about an hour away to be by Adam's work. John and I are in Columbus. We both got married. (maids of honor who couldn't make it through a speech if we were being PAID!) *I was a blubbering mess... but to my defense, she got married first.. it was hard to let me best friend go*

Now, here we are, both looking for full time classrooms and on the road to a family. Michelle and Adam have been blessed with TWINS! How exciting! (and I am already an honorary aunt... no big deal)

I know we aren't sharing a bedroom anymore, sharing a kitchen and eating dinner together everynight, or working on schoolwork together, but in many ways as we grew up and inadvertently apart, Michelle and I have remained so close. We talk to each other often and try to visit as much as our schedules allow. Today, spending time with my preggo friend made me realize how blessed I am to have her and her family (the Grant Avenue one and the Fieldcrest one) in my life. They are all so supportive and full of life and love. I can not wait to be there when my friend brings a baby girl and a baby boy into the world! The twins are already blessed with amazing parents. I pray nightly for their development and growth. I pray that they will be successful and seek education. I pray that they are kind and loving. I will add to my prayers tonight... that they will be blessed with a friendship that Michelle and I share.

Here are a few pictures of me and my best friend throughout the years. I have a few that are on an old and broken computer that I *wish* I could share:

Oh Boy... I think that of all of the wonderful experiences we have shared, there are not many pictures we have to choose from.
More picture taking must commence!

<3love you mich

-Alexis-

Day.Twelve.

It has been a few days, so I am going to try to catch up! Friday... Friday... Friday... What can I say, you bring a sense of relief and accomplishment after a long week in Kindergarten. I am still super focused on the job search! I have everything updated, printed, bound, and ready to go. Bring on the interviews!

After the school day on Friday, I got to babysit the kids I nanny in the summer. Mason (8), Kennedy(6), Hudson(4), and the newest addition Stella(5 months) had big plans for me! I decided we would try to adventure out. I need to prepare myself for the summer and getting out of the house. I somehow wrangled John into joining us for dinner. So, off we go in the 'nanny van'! We headed to get John at school and then off to Steak and Shake. Yumm! Well, as we arrived, the oldest three were behaving and excited to eat out, Stella on the other hand, did not like the idea. She wasn't tired, hungry, wet, or hurt... just being sassy. (She gets it honestly from her older sister) So, the only way that I could get her to be calm and not crying... stand and bounce. So, that is what I did, the entire meal! John gave my arm a rest for about 3-5 minutes, but she preferred me. Whew! That was a long meal! Needless to say, I am in for it this summer, but I wouldn't do anything else! I have loved these kids for the past 2.5 years and they are just amazing. Stella will get older in front of my eyes this summer... I am excited!

I am looking forward to spending my days playing, relaxing and having adventures with the fabulous four! They are going to be a handful at times, but it is all worth it!

-Alexis-

Day.Ten.

Today was very productive on the homemaker side of the picture! I got to go to the chiropractor. Who would have thought that an alignment would alleviate so much pain. I went to the store and got to get the invitations for my best friend's baby shower! She is expecting twins, and I am nominating myself as an official aunt. She is going to be blessed with a little girl and a little boy! I am looking forward to getting the decorations for the shower and helping with the nursery!

As many are thinking, it is only a matter of time...well, yes, but I would like to keep my dream alive to become a full time classroom teacher. I know that is sounds silly when I read it back, but the truth is, I have worked and worked to become a better teacher. I have continued my education, worked in different grade levels. I am ready! I want to reach my goal, get settled in, and then think about adding to our family.

I must be on my way... I have invitations to rhinestone! Every girl needs a little rhinestone in her life... or maybe that is the dancer talking!

Here is how they turned out--> *blurred for privacy*

-Alexis-