Nursery school, here we come!

What an emotional day....it was Everett's first day of nursery school! Nick and I know that it is going to be a great school for our little guy, but I swear it sure is tougher than I thought on us! I left early for school today as I am preparing for my kindergarteners to arrive on Monday. All the way to work, I am thinking of my sweet little one and how much fun he is going to have at school. (Of course, my stomach was in knots and I couldn't focus on the new book I am reading.) Nick got Everett dressed in his preppy little "first day of school" outfit that I laid out the night before, a seersucker shortall with a monogram of course, then they walked down the street to school. Of course it was raining this morning, but Everett was ready for his newest adventure. (Meanwhile, I am at work with the phone in my hand waiting to hear how the drop-off is going).


Everett arrived at school and started playing right away, recognizing some of his new buddies from the transition time last week. All was going well....that is...until daddy LEFT!  Everett was so upset...so naturally, once I found out, I called the school to check on him....as an early childhood teacher (and a mother) I should have known his little meltdown would only last about 2.8 minutes. I was right. The director of the school put me on hold and walked right to his classroom to check on him (I really appreciated that, by the way). When she picked up the phone from his classroom she said he was cruising around pushing the shopping cart. Y'all, he LOVES a darn shopping cart...especially the ones at Target! Just like his mama! I found this so amusing. I also think he has a small crush on the director because she said as soon as she walked in the room he started smiling and waving at her! Oh dear, we better watch out! Needless to say, our little fella was just fine! I resisted calling every hour like I wanted to. Instead, I left work a little early to pick him up. I walked in and he ran over to me, arms wide open with the greatest smile on his face. I got the biggest bear hug ever from him. Then I said, "Everett, give mommy kisses." He looked me right in the eyes and said, "Ok, ok, ok!!" and planted one on me! I love my son so much (and I think he knows it!) Then we packed up his things and prepared for our walk home in the rain! He waved goodbye to his class as we left. I can already tell he loves his school family.


As I was walking home, I thought back to the memories of my first days of school. I remember from elementary school to high school my mom had a tradition of making chocolate chip cookies on the first day EVERY year! Seriously, we never missed a year. She was always home that day or left work early to be at the bus stop waiting so we could make cookies and drink milk. It's such a precious memory so I thought I would start it with my family. Everett and I got home and we poured our milk and started baking chocolate chip cookies. We made a picnic on the floor together and enjoyed every bite....ok, so, I gave him the cookie part without the chocolate since he is so young. I ate the parts he couldn't have! I toasted him with his sippy cup of milk! I said "cheers" and we clanked glasses....he thought that was hilarious! Then I asked him to give me a high-five if he liked school today, so he did!


Poor little thing isn't used to one nap yet, like they have at school. He was so wobbly and tired that he was walking around the house like a tipsy sailor just laughing and playing. So I made his dinner, and he finally pointed to the bathtub...and that folks ended our evening at 6:18pm!!! He is sleeping like an angel, my dear little nursery school angel!


I am a more relaxed mom tonight! Thank you, Nick, for taking the hard job...dropping our little guy off each morning!! I love you both!

Love is in the air...

Today I feel so blessed, it is my sixth year wedding anniversary with Nick. We met eleven years ago this month in college. It's amazing how the time has flown by. I vividly remember this morning, August 20th, 2005 as I woke up so excited to encounter the moments of the special day. I relaxed at my parent's house and laughed with my dear friends and family as we anticipated the ceremony at five o'clock that evening. Once I arrived at the church, we all gathered in the same room where my mother got ready for her wedding. It was there, that I too, prepared for my wedding. I could not wait to put my wedding gown on and walk down the aisle. I peeked out of the windows to see the guests arriving at the church...I was like a kid in a candy shop..."is this all for us", I said to myself?! I waited longer, not so patiently, for the word to make my way to the sanctuary. It was there, I stood arms linked with my two dads, waiting to turn the corner. Just then, I heard the organ and trumpets, the music of Trumpet Voluntary began to ring through every crevice of the church...it was our turn...it was our moment...I was ready to begin my walk to marry the greatest man I know! That hour began the next chapter of our married lives.

I try so hard not to take for granted what God has given me in my marriage. I am blessed to spend everyday with my best friend. I will always treasure my husband for being a sensitive, encouraging, helpful, loving, protecting, and caring man. I wanted to dedicate my writing to him today. I try not to let a day go by without telling my husband how much he means to me. We should share our feelings with all of those we care about in our lives.

Bee in my bonnet...

Seriously, sometimes I wonder where these ideas come from...so, I woke up this morning, nice and early with the sun, thanks to my sweet son, and decided, hey I should paint my bathroom! What?! That's right, I wanted to paint the bathroom in the apartment we rent...but wait, it get's better...I wanted to paint BOTH bathrooms, different colors at that!! All of this happened during one morning nap. Thanks, Everett, for sleeping over two hours! I tell ya, the designer in me NEVER stops. I feel like I always have the desire to update something here or move something there.

Honestly, my best advice, which I learned when I moved from a house to an apartment, is to pack up some of your favorite accessories and use them again at another time! I should take my advice more often. I tried it the other day with a picture frame that I had stored away. Well, what do ya know? I have fallen in love with that thing all over again...it's new location is perfect and it makes me smile every time I walk by it. That may also be because our wedding picture is in it!

Remember, a little project can really change the day! So...save money, shop at home, and don't stop being creative! A little buzzing around never hurt!

Taking a step...

Well, it's about time that I finally started writing again. It's been over a year since I have had the chance to sit down and let my words flow. There are so many thoughts in my head as I wear my different hats. I thought it would be so much fun to share my moments of being a wife, mother, sister, daughter, teacher, designer, and friend. The older I become, the more I realize how much I learn from those around me and from the daily happenings in my life...whether big or small. That is why I decided to title my blog "Enjoying the Small Stuff." Life is too short to miss the smell of fresh cut grass, a sailboat passing on the water, a slice of watermelon in the summer, a good song on the radio, a random gift from your mom, a belly laugh with your sister, a visit from a dear friend, walks around the neighborhood, the birth of your dear friend's baby, a sweet kiss from your husband, and oh my goodness....a smile as big as all outdoors from your son!!!

See, y'all, we have a lot to talk about over the next year. Let the fun begin...

In the past year and a half so many wonderful and challenging things have happened. We made a move from the South to the North....enough said. Let me tell you, I have learned to ignore the stereotypes and make my own opinions. Do I love and miss living in the South? YES MA'AM! But, do I love where I live now too? YES MA'AM to that as well. Now, let's be honest, I miss my little house with flower boxes and a picket fence. The cozy feeling of walking around an old neighborhood and sleeping with the windows open is so wonderful. I love being able to leave for work when I should arrive because it was at the end of my street. Things are a little different here so close to New York City. There is no house with window boxes, but there is an unparalled view of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline just outside my apartment. I still have an old neighborgood to walk around and lots of yummy food to eat (that's an entirely new blog, ladies and gentlemen). As for my commute to work, well it's a tad bit further...two train rides and thirteen blocks of walking! I told myself not to stress about a structured workout...this will do just fine!

In the midst of changing where we live, we added a new member to the family! Everett is thirteen months old and I have learned that I should have the attitude of a happy little toddler. There are no worries and stresses for him. He laughs at everything and will smile at anyone who walks by him.  It has made me so joyful to look in his beautiful blue eyes and see the world the way he does. It's always a rising sun and a glass half full for him. That's the lesson I am taking with me today!