Daddy Boot Camp

First, thank you for all your sweet comments and prayers for my family.  It is nice to have a blog community in addition to all the people that love us at home. Please don't think that I'm being insensitive by writing this post in light of yesterday's announcement... Now, more than ever, I am SO thankful for the Lord's timing and the way he has blessed Jeff and I (as well as my entire family) with this gift of new life, right in the midst of our loss.  We are confident that Granny would want nothing more than for us to be celebrating.  So... the show will go on.

That said, remember I told you Jeff would be attending Daddy Boot Camp this weekend with a friend of ours from high school who is also expecting?  Well, he survived!

The hospital in Richmond brought in three "veteran" dads with their new babies to show the guys little glimpses into their futures.  Jeff said one of the guys was sweating and red-faced and looked like he hadn't slept in days... Another had his own "dad kit" and was out on his first solo-venture.  At least they'll have realistic impressions right?!  Overall, I think they learned a lot.  There is SO much emphasis on the mom during pregnancy, that I was glad they had this opportunity.  Now, I need to get myself to some classes so Jeff doesn't feel like the family expert!

Anyway, they left with t-shirts and official certificates.  Hilarious and adorable.  I just know Jeff is going to be the BEST dad.  (And Daniel won't be too bad himself!)

Daniel and Katie are expecting a baby in just two short months. It was really fun to talk about pregnancy and parenthood with them. (Here they are with their two awesome goldendoodles - Fritz & Shroeder.)

I also got to do some shopping at Short Pump, and we ate great food... A nice way to spend Saturday before the difficulties of Sunday.

By the way, if you are interested in this Daddy Boot concept, check out this article from Time magazine a few years ago.

Granny

I'm just checking in to ask for prayers for my family... After a long - but courageous and graceful - battle with lung cancer, my Granny passed away this afternoon. Jeff and I were able to get back in town in plenty of time to be with her and say our goodbyes, and she was surrounded by her whole family at home when she died.   I'm thankful that she did not suffer long --- as her health declined rapidly just over the past few days.  Really, we couldn't have asked for a more peaceful and beautiful day of being together and remembering.   Granny always had a positive spirit, and I know she wouldn't want us to be so sad.

Anyways, I'll probably write more later this week.  Until then, please pray for Poppy as he adjusts to a new life without his bride of 61 years and my family as we make arrangements etc.

 "Don't let this throw you. You trust God, don't you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I'm taking."  - John 14:1-4 (The Message)

simpl E print

Today on Kelly's Korner, bloggers are sharing "What You Make."

Mine is a bit of a stretch... but, I recently started a little business (and I use the words "started" and "business" very loosely) in handwriting.  *I know, who really hand writes anything anymore? 

Anyway, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to at least show off my cute new business cards - designed by Tricia Nae (of course).

Look familiar? (The gray box is covering my phone number... FYI.)

I have dreams of one day having a whole line of  little businesses - simpl E design, simpl E events, etc. etc. - but for now, handwriting it is!

This all got started a few weeks ago when my friend asked me to address her wedding invitations.  When she showed them to the print shop who did her invitations, the owner said my writing was the "new thing"  (I know if this post was any good at all, I'd scan in some of my writing... But, I just don't have access to that kind-of stuff.  It sort-of looks like the font on my card.  That will have to do) and asked if he could give out of my name to his clients.  I feel quite "under qualified," but I just don't pass up opportunities for a little extra shopping money like that!

So... here I am.  Hopefully soon, I'll be hand addressing envelopes for all sorts of things... And, who knows how this will evolve.  For now, I pretty much just love the business card design.  Haha!  Oh yea, email me if you might have a need for some simpl E print.  And, don't forget to go check out all the other awesome things people are making at Kelly's blog.

We're heading to Richmond after school today to visit some good friends of ours who are also having a baby.  Tomorrow, Jeff and the husband are going to "Daddy Boot Camp."  How cute is that? Anyway, I'll post my 20 week picture and update on Monday.  Have a great weekend!

My Clean Girl

Addy has been SOOO stinky and stringy looking lately.  Seriously, she took being a teenager a little too seriously for my taste and went for a "grunge" look these last few weeks.  

Luckily, she still lives under our roof and "grunge" is not our style... So, today, she got the chop.  Her hair that is.  Take a look at my clean girl:

Jeff emailed me this picture at work after he picked her up.  Doesn't she look so cute?  Part puppy, part lamb, part Labrador - all with a big bushy tail.  Her perfectly manicured feet are my favorite... Just this morning she looked like the Grinch with big tufts of hair growing between her toes.  

I just love it!  And, at least I tell myself, she feels a lot better too. More confident and thin.  You know, all the things a haircut does for us gals.

(P.S. I know it looks like we live with dirt floors... I prefer to call it au naturale/ rustic hardwood... Speaking of "grunge.")

So... this is basically step 1 of "Operation: Get Dog Ready for Baby."  We want to keep her clean and try our hardest to cut down on extra hair around the house etc.  (Probably impossible, but worth a try!)  We figured we'd go ahead and get started now with some of these things so that she won't feel like this "darn baby" ruined her life.  Haha.

Step 2 is teaching her not to sleep in our bed.  This is proving to be quite a process... Probably a good thing we allowed ourselves five months. So far, she goes to bed on her bed but, sneakily finds her way back into ours throughout the night.  I know, deep down, that we need to close her out of our bedroom - but it just breaks my heart.  (I'm going to be a freak mother - let's just get that out there.)  Any tips?

We're taking a class next month called "Introducing Your Four-Legged Baby to Your New Baby."  I'm so excited for it.  I'm sure I'll have lots of info to share then.  In the meantime, what did you do to prepare your dog for a baby? Please share!

Ramble

I don't have anything of value to write today... It is 3:45 in the morning, and I'm awake because I had terrible heartburn.  I'm drinking water, and surfing the internet, and diagnosing myself with every horrible pregnancy-related condition because that's what I do when I am up in the middle of the night.  It's not good.  So, I decided to blog instead.

We had a good weekend.  Two of my mom's college girlfriends were in town with their daughters.  One of them (the daughters) has a 16 month old, so it was fun to talk pregnancy and baby with her.  She was real and honest, which I appreciated a lot.  I always feel like I'm prepared for what this pregnancy will bring - ultimately, a baby, but also all the symptoms and changes in the next 20 weeks - but then, I realize you can't ever really be fully prepared.  I think that's a good realization.

On Saturday we had brunch together and then just hung out and visited and went shopping at one of my new favorite "boutiquey" stores --- not that I can buy anything. I'm on the fast track to HUGE, so it would be a waste of money. :)  Later, we had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants The Homeplace.  It is family-style country cooking way up in the mountains.  We don't eat there often - mainly because the wait is long and you always feel sick when you leave from overeating - but it is the perfect place to take out of town guests.  It was a treat.  It might also be the reason why I'm having heartburn.

Then yesterday, we had a Realtor call and want to show our house... So, we skipped church and spent the whole morning scrubbing and making her look as good as possible.  (Ultimately, I think she looked pretty darn good.)  I'm realizing that I can't do nearly as much as I used to without getting tired and groggy.  For example, around 11AM - I had been cleaning since 8 - I HAD to take a small nap.  Poor Jeff.

Anyway, it's always interesting to prepare our house "to show."  I wonder what people think of us when they look in our fridge and our pantry (all the baked Cheetos and Doritos, for example), and our closets and basement, etc.  I wonder if people can tell I am pregnant.  Or that we are high school sweethearts and got married young.  Or Christians. Or, that I'm a teacher, and we like to entertain... All the things I base my identity on, but who knows if it comes through in my house.  It's a weird experience really.  I'd love to be a fly on the wall.

So they looked, and we wait.  That's the name of the game.  Every time I just want to sell our house so that we don't have to "prepare" it to sell anymore - not that we've really done that much.  But really, I'm just thankful that people are interested.  Jeff and I both feel like March will be a good month for us.  Don't know why, but we just do.  For a job and our house.  Can you pray for that?  

Ok, I'm feeling a little better now.  Thanks for reading my ramble.  I'm going to try to get some more sleep so I'll be prepared for another work week.  Have a good Monday!

Waiting for Superman

I know a lot of teachers read my blog.  So, this post is especially for you. But really, I think we all should be interested in this.

Have you seen "Waiting for Superman"?

Credit

It is a documentary on the American Education System. It's tough.  It's good... But it hits hard. 

The opening scene struck me: The creator, Davis Guggenheim, says that all his life he'd been an advocate for public schools; until... he had kids of his own.  And, suddenly, his personal beliefs mattered less than his fears about the education his children might or might not receive.  So today, he drives past three public schools every morning to drop his children off at an expensive private school.

I'm a product of public schools.  I've devoted my life (quite literally, really) to the public school system.  And, frankly, I think both have been rather fruitful.  But, I'm one of the lucky ones.  I grew up in, and teach in, an excellent school district.  Who knows where I will be in five years (wow, that sounds close) when Baby C is starting school.  Suddenly, things look a lot different.

The movie focuses on student achievement, graduation rates, school lotteries, teacher performance & tenure, and tracking.  It makes you think.

It reminds me why I'm a teacher --- because I really do believe in the public school system, and I really do believe that I can influence the future and the world by the role I play in the classroom every day.  It also reminds me how blessed I've been in life.  And, it reminds me of the reality of the world we live in. 

There's a call for good teachers.  They are really our only hope.  Guggenheim recalled his own "superman" experience, "In the 10th grade, I had a teacher who changed my life - he was hilarious and fun and, even though I was a C-minus student at the time, he saw great things in me.  If I didn't have a teacher like that, I wouldn't be a filmmaker now, I wouldn't be a storyteller, I wouldn't be invested in the world or care so much about our public schools." 

There ARE good teachers out there: teachers that love their job, that care about their students, that are willing to invest the extra energy in creativity.  Please don't lose hope.  ESPECIALLY, if you are one of those teachers.

Teaching isn't easy.  We run up against road blocks all the time.  Budget cuts. Standardized tests. More obligations and less time.  I admit, it's been a hard year for me too.  But, ultimately, we are doing one of the most important jobs in the world.  Because, as the movie states: "We've tried money, passing laws, and the latest reforms; but, the one thing those who work in the trenches know, is that you can't have a great school without great teachers...Look past all the noise and the debate, and it's easy to see: nothing will change without them."  Man, what a calling! We don't hear that enough.  We forget it too easily. 

So, be reminded. 

And watch the movie.

That's all.

Not Much to Say Today...

Except this:

One of my colleagues just asked if I would be here for "The Writing Test," which is THREE WEEKS from now.  As in, are you going to have the baby before then?

I mean, really?  I'm almost NINETEEN weeks pregnant.  Pregnancy lasts FORTY weeks.

I know people say ridiculous things when you are pregnant.  I was prepared for this. But, honestly, I'm still caught off guard sometimes.

I know I'm big.  I feel huge.  But really, do I look like I'm about to pop? Have you ever seen a woman who really is "about to pop"? Am I that much bigger than every other 19 week pregnant lady in the world?  Really?  (18 week picture here)

(And, not to be vain or brag or awkward... But my weight gain and measurements are right on track... Maybe even on the low end --- which is only because I was overweight to begin with... But still.)

Just had to vent.  And maybe warn you not to say things like that to pregnant women.  I don't really care if you touch my belly... I'm fine with that.  But, could you please just tell me I look cute and not like a gigantic beast?  That's why I like you blog readers.  (Among other reasons.)

Thanks.

P.S. Because sometimes when I write these part-serious-part-satire posts people get confused and think I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown or something... I'm not REALLY mad.  I'm mostly just amazed, and a little frustrated --- in a light-hearted kind of way.

Wedding Wednesday: Anthropologie

A lot of bloggers participate in "Wedding Wednesdays."  And, with the recent release of Anthropologie's new wedding line - B H L D N - I couldn't resist the opportunity to join in!

So, have you checked it out yet?  Although I'm sad that it's way past my time, and my friend Amanda just barely missed it with her wedding last summer (this stuff is so her); I'm still excited to browse the pages and daydream.  My new sister-in-law maybe?!?!  My sister one day?

Of course, the clothes are pricey and not exactly traditional; but I am LOVING everything about the line.  They thought of everything --- including bridesmaid dresses, shoes, accessories, and even little cover-up cardis etc.

Here are a few of my favorites to "wet your palette," if you will:

Anthropologie, what took you so long?

A Sister

No, I'm not announcing Baby C's gender... And, I'm definitely NOT going Father of the Bride II style and announcing my mom's pregnancy. 

But, this is just as exciting:

I'm going to have a new sister!!!!

Congratulations to my brother-in-law Daniel and his brand new fiance Jayme!!! They got engaged last week and are planning a Fall (ish) wedding.

We are SO happy and SO excited to have Jayme as part of the family!  Plus, we honestly weren't sure this would ever happen for Daniel. ;)

Even better, Daniel said: and I quote:, "I am giving all my decision-making power over to Elizabeth."  Woo Hoo!!!  Wedding planning here we come!

What an exciting year it will be for the Chapman family!

Valentine's Day (Love Story Part III)

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm was home sick from work today --- I've been fighting a bad cold and decided rest was just what the doctor ordered (especially since most medicines aren't allowed anyway).  So, nothing too exciting to report; but, at least I got to be with my Valentine...

Tonight, Jeff is making one of my favorite chicken-in-the-crockpot dishes and we are planning on watching The Bachelor (my choice) and playing the board game Sequence (his).  I feel lucky and loved. 

Anyway, in honor of V-Day, I thought I'd finally write Part III of our "love story."  If you want to check out the first two parts click here and here.

...

The night before I left for Clemson, Jeff and I had a sweet dinner at a restaurant called The Angler. As a gift, I made him a little calendar of the next ten months that I'd be away, complete with all of our "visits" marked.  We didn't consider breaking up, but we also weren't naive about how hard long distance would be.

Jeff would be staying in Roanoke, attending a local college, and starting a new job.   We were excited about his opportunities, but knew that the transition into two such different worlds would not be easy. 

We were also a little crazy strict about our "visitation schedule." I wouldn't have a car at Clemson my first year, so seeing each other would be dependent on Jeff making the six hour trip and me finding a ride home for breaks etc.  We also knew that it was really important for us to make friends and establish an identity in college apart from each other... So, we decided we'd see each other once a month to start.  In hindsight, I think this decision was funny (four weeks felt sooo long) but, I think it made all the difference.  A LOT of couples don't make it from high school through college - especially at different colleges.  But, God really gave Jeff and I a wisdom beyond our ages (and, trust me, it didn't come from us) about how to allow ourselves the space we both needed to grow-up and figure out who we were during this important time of our lives.  I am more grateful for that time than I ever realized I would be.  And, I honestly believe that I love Jeff more and better because of it.

That first year, I spent many a night sitting in the hallway or in the bathroom talking to Jeff.  I cried a lot.  We cried a lot - every single time we left each other, to be exact.  If I'm being honest, I'll say that we fought a lot too.  We missed each other.  We got jealous.  We were "too busy" to talk and felt "left out" too often.

Our first year was not easy.  Our experiences were really different.  And, a lot of the time it felt like we couldn't really understand each other.  I remember going to a church that year that LOVED to preach on dating and marriage.  I would call Jeff every Sunday and demand that he be more of a "spiritual leader," when - in reality - I was really the one that needed to learn to relax and be led a little. (I could write a whole post on this... Maybe I will one day.)

But, we both believe (firmly) that love is work, and love is a choice.  I don't know why or how we got that when we were only eighteen, but we did.  When one of us was ready to "give up," the other was always confident and strong.  We knew that God is not a God of confusion, so we trusted that if it was ever time to "move on," we'd both be on board.  Jeff was patient with me.  He made lots of trips.  He spoiled me rotten with care packages and dates when we were together.  My new girlfriends thought I was the luckiest thing in the world, and the boys got to know Jeff and respected our relationship.  The more we got to know each other's "new lives" the easier it became.

We grew up a lot that year.  I, especially, learned a lot about my God and who He made me.  And, how to love.  In fact, at the end of the year, we even decided that long distance WAS good for us... And Jeff accepted his admission into Virginia Tech for the following year and turned down his offer from Clemson.

The next three years brought many more trials and great experiences for both of us.  We each made lifelong friends and continued to learn about ourselves and our relationship.  Our Junior Year, we even got to spend six months in London together through a Study Abroad program that both of our colleges supported.  To date, it was one of the most wonderful things I've ever done... And, I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anyone else.

I'd say, early on, we both knew we were in this for the long haul.  I am SO thankful for God's protection in our lives and for giving us that peace early on.  However, we had NO IDEA what that meant, or what the road to "the long haul" would look like...

TO BE CONTINUED... (Read Part 4 - My Milk & Honey story - here.)

I love you Jeff.  Happy Valentine's Day!! I'm sure we never would have imagined that we'd be where we are today nine years ago... But, I love you more now than ever before!  Thank you for being my valentine, my best friend, and the only person in the world I'd want to go on this adventure of life with.

18 Weeks

I can't believe it's been two weeks already... I've said all along that I thought this pregnancy would fly after 20 weeks.  I am even more confident now!

So, here I am at 18 weeks pregnant.  (As much as I loathe the word "preggo," I still find myself wanting to type it all the time.  What does that mean?)

This was taken last night right before we left for a couples shower for our friends Andrew and Allison. Thankfully, this is one of my Kathryn's "regular" dresses that still works with the bump. (For the record, approximately one hour later, I slipped in my "cute boots" at the party, dropped a full plate of food, and caused a huge spectacle.  Thank goodness you can get away with a lot when you are pregnant.)

And, a little update:

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 18 Weeks

Size of Baby: About 5.6 inches long and 6.7 ounces OR the size of a sweet potato!

Maternity Clothes: You know where I stand with this...  Still struggling to get by and slowly converting to 100%.  (At least Shabby Apple started working for me... I'm OBSESSED with their maternity line.  One of each please!)

Gender: March 2nd is the date!!!  We are so excited!  I feel really confident about what it is, but I'm going to hold off on sharing until after the reveal - so as not to skew the poll results, of course.  Don't forget to vote!

Movement: A few times I've thought I felt something, but it may have been wishful thinking.  I'm hoping it will be obvious soon.

Sleep: Not bad lately.  The compromise is off.  Snoogle now sleeps with us every night.

What I miss: Hot dogs.  My sweaters.

Cravings: Direct quote to Jeff yesterday -- "I am just really craving artificial cheese right now."  Haha!  But, on a better note, I'm also LOVING fresh berries of all kinds! 

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good honestly. **Side Note** I have always had some pretty major lower back issues that I worried a lot about before I got pregnant.  Jeff and I seriously thought I'd have to be in a wheelchair or something. Besides one flare-up right around eight weeks, it hasn't been a problem at all!! (Knock on wood.)  I know it is still "early," but I am just SO thankful that I've made it this far with no pain! 

Things People Say: Well, Poppy continues to amaze me.  Yesterday, he said, "I think that baby's going to come in April... You look way too big!"  And, "I can tell your cheeks are getting chubby."  At least I love him a lot.

Best Moment(s) This Week: Planning our Gender Reveal Party!  Getting a baby gift in the mail from my mom this week - a cute pillow & changing pad cover.  And, catching Jeff flipping through a Serena and Lily baby catalog. ;)

(Another) Story Worth Sharing

First, remember my friend Libby?  She finished her chemo this week!!! Six hard months, and she is still as beautiful and encouraging as ever.  If you haven't been in a while, check out her blog here.

Second, I have another story I want to share with you...

Meet Baby Juddah:

Last Sunday, he was sitting next to me in church.  And, I'm just going to be honest, I didn't hear a word of the sermon.  Have you ever seen eyes like that in your life?  Jeff literally had to contain me in my seat.

Later, when I got to talk to Cherrie - Juddah's caregiver - and hear his story, I fell even more in love.  Juddah is from Korah, Ethiopia -- a city that, literally, serves as the "trash dump" for all the surrounding areas.  He and his twin sister Sarah were born in October among urine soaked towels with no food or clean water.  While Sarah seemed to be developing normally (although very small) with her mother, Cherrie - an American missionary with Project 61 - could tell baby Juddah was not healthy.  Finally, weeks after his birth, a doctor in Ethiopia diagnosed him with hydrocephalus - a life-threatening condition indicating that there was fluid around the brain. Then, sadly, he explained that in Ethiopia they simply "do not treat" this condition; only in America would things "be different.

Juddah at ten days old, when Cherrie first met him.

So Cherrie, unsatisfied with that answer, began her search to find an American hospital that would donate the services Juddah would need to survive...

Right before Christmas, she heard from a neurosurgeon at Carilion Clinic in Roanoke.

With permission from his mother, Cherrie packed up the now three month old Juddah last month, and moved to Roanoke for a strenuous six months of appointments, surgeries, and recovery.  Cherrie and Juddah are living with a family from my church, the mother a nurse at Carilion, during the process.  And, already, staff at the hospital and other members of the community are rallying around those precious eyes - raising money and donating clothing, food, etc.  Many of the nurses are even looking into making a trip to Ethiopia next year to serve.

You know, in the media, we hear a lot of BAD news.  We hear a lot about all the horrible things people do.  But, this story is one of encouragement and goodness.  Thanks to the unending commitment of a team of missionaries and the generosity of a hospital and its staff, baby Juddah will go back home a healthy little boy.  And, when he's old enough, Juddah will be part of Project 61's education mission, which pays for 250 children who were living in the dump to attend boarding school.

That's a story worth sharing.

If you'd like to read more, visit Cherrie's blog here.  Or, if you don't have HOURS to spend reading this story from the beginning, check out the article in our local paper today here.

All photos are from Cherrie's blog.

Maternity Clothes

Friends, I am struggling with my clothes these days.  At only a mere 18 weeks (almost), I feel as big as a whale and am uncomfortable in most all of my "regular" clothes. It turns out I will NOT be one of the lucky ones that can get away with the "rubberband trick" or just buying one size up for my pregnancy.  No, no.  I will be a maternity clothes girl through and through.  Of course. 

Which brings me to my dilemma...  What does a pregnant girl wear to look cute and still feel comfortable?  Especially one that - in the words of my dear mom - "is pregnant all over, not just in the belly"? 

It's incredible how cute maternity clothes look when you are NOT pregnant.  Now, I just browse the aisles of Old Navy and Target mourning the loss of cute spring dresses and disgusted by the ugly prints and gigantic tie-in-the-back elastic bands in the maternity section.  Ugg.

In their defense, you know how much I love Old Navy's maternity "skinny" jeans. (Thank you ON for calling them that!)  But, unfortunately, I can't wear these every day of my life.  And... I think I can make it (although it won't be cute) in cotton dresses and black stretch pants (they aren't really stretch pants, but that's what they feel like) for regular work... But, I have FIVE weddings and a prom to attend between March and May.  I would really prefer to feel like a cute-pregnant there.  Is that too much to ask?   

**Oh, and don't get me started on the hot summer... I'm already having slight panic attacks at the thought of sleeveless tops/dresses. Dis.gus.ting.**

I know many of you have been there and managed to still look adorable. Please share your tricks! What did you wear to "special events" during your pregnancy?  Where did you shop? 

Thanks friends!

P.S. Has anyone tried to go to Shabby Apple online lately?  I LOVE their dresses and I know they have a maternity line, but every time I try their website it takes SOOOO long to load.  What gives?

No Blog February?

Don't worry... I'm still here.  In response to D's text last night: No, No Facebook February, does NOT mean No Blog February.  Sorry friends for my impromptu nine day blogging sabbatical.

Even with nine days under my belt, I still don't have much to talk about.  Here are a few highlights of what I've been up to:

- Friday, we had our 16 week (even though I was only one day from being 17 weeks) check-up with the doctor.  Baby C is growing right on track and everything seems great.  Our BIG appointment to find out the gender (and also check major organs and such) is on March 2nd.  We are literally counting down the days! (Lots more on this to come!)  In the meantime, Jeff and I were watching one of those crime TV shows the other night, and the opening scene was this horrific murder - I've never heard someone screaming in so much pain and agony.  It was too much to handle, so I asked Jeff to change the channel until that part was over.  Anyway, when we switched back we realized it was not a murder scene, but a labor scene.  Awesome.  I prefer focusing on things like nursery design and baby names for at least a little while longer... :)

- We finally had someone contact us about viewing our house on Saturday afternoon.  (It's been on the market since mid-November; and, although we know this isn't exactly "selling season," it's been slightly discouraging to get NO attention.)  Jeff and I worked like DOGS all day and, if I do say so myself, our house has NEVER looked better.  We pulled out all the stops, even big vases of fresh flowers and chocolate chip cookies straight out of the oven.  For a minute, I contemplated not selling.  :)  Anyway, we heard from the realtor on Monday and she said that the people really loved our house, but are looking for something with one more bathroom.  Bummer!  Oh well, we know how to do it now; and, we're hoping this house showing thing takes off as the weather warms up!

- I also had a little "gig" this past week addressing wedding invitations for a friend.  I think I have nice handwriting, but I've never been asked to do anything like this before.  It's a big wedding, so from Thursday to Monday, I addressed over 200 invitations -- each one done very meticulously, and many re-done several times (thank goodness she had plenty of extras).  I didn't mind doing this a bit - in fact, I kind-of loved reading all the old Southern names (perfect for someone naming a baby); but, it definitely made me appreciate my uncle who did this major task for us (for free!) a few years ago.  It is SO easy to forget all that goes into planning a wedding... For example, I bet you didn't know that if a male is invited with a date, you say Mr..... and Guest.  But, if a female is invited with a date, you say Miss.... and Escort.  (Sounds sort-of inappropriate doesn't it?)

Anyway, now you know what's kept me from blogging.  All that, plus watching The Bachelor (I am SO over Michelle), grading massive stacks of papers, and napping whenever I can.  ;)  Clearly, I haven't missed Facebook at all!!  (Anyone else participating... how's it going for you?)

No Facebook February II

Welcome to February friends!  And, goodbye to Facebook!

For the second year in a row, I'm celebrating NO FACEBOOK FEBRUARY! 

I don't have super deep reasons for this decision.  I think it is just a good practice to take a break from mindless stalking & comparing every once in a while.  (Especially as a I continue to grow bigger, get more pimples, and lose more hair!)

There will be one change from last year:  Instead of giving my mom access to my FB during my month off, I had Jeff change my password last night so that neither of us can access it until March.  (Sorry Mom!  I'm making a detox decision for you too... Plus, you always have dad's account.)  I'm a little sad that I will probably miss the birth of a few babies that I've been "following" with weekly pregnancy updates.  But otherwise, I'm certain I'll survive.  (Trust me, I did it once and lived to tell about it.  And, to my knowledge, I didn't lose any friends or miss out on any life shattering news.) Who knows, maybe I'll even get some things crossed off my 30 Before 30 List with all this extra time on my hands.

**NOTE**If you are having a party, will you please just send me a email or text message invite the old fashion way?  Jeff is totally unreliable to check his own account, so that won't do.  Thanks.

So... Anyone want to join me in this challenge? Come on' it'll be fun!  Leave a comment and let me know if you are going to attempt the impossible in the next 28 days. 

I even made a little button you can post on your sidebar to tell your blog readers:

I got a little lazy with this one.  Since there is no 'grab code' just install as a Photo Gadget as your sidebar and link to http://www.emyselfandi.com/.  (If you don't mind.)  You can also use this image as your FB profile picture for the month if you want - that's what I did!

Game on!