First day

Well, we survived our first day. Not just survived....the boys LOVED their new school and teachers and were both asleep by 8!
I had a great day too!
We are really going to have a great year!
I even got some good pics this am....









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Throwback Thursday

An Ode to the Throwback Thursday that so many people on social networks are doing, I thought I would do one today. I won't be doing one every Thursday, that's just too much to remember! 

I was reflecting today on my blog, how it has evolved and changed and become somewhat on the back burner of my priorities. I've blogged before how I don't know how much longer I will do this. All of my friends that started around the time I did, have quit blogging. Only a few remain! I like blogging when I can, but really, with all the social media out there, why does one still need to blog??!! 

I love reading blogs from friends, but also from people that I do not know. I can't promise that I will blog more, but I think that this Throwback Thursday picture is a reminder to me as to why I started blogging in the first place....my boys. To journal our adventures, successes and mishaps along the way. Life has a way of taking over and making us forget why we do a lot of the things that we do or have forgotten to do. Here's to you and hoping that you take the time to think back and reflect on something from the past, good or bad (hopefully good!).

Wordless Wednesday

Brotherly love



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GratiTuesday

This week I'm grateful for:
1. My hubby going to HEB
2. My boys having a plethora of books to read
3. Again, my MIL for taking care of my babies while I go to class
4. The ability to run
5. To be an American
6. Date nights
7. Sundays-church and nap!




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GratiTuesday

It's just past midnight and we are at the beach...but before I go to sleep, here are a few things I'm grateful for right now.....
1. My sweet family
2. Friends who are just like family
3. Sand between my toes
4. My life proof phone case
5. Watching my babies laugh and smile playing in the waves and on the sand
6. Local candy shop
We've had another great trip to our favorite family beach.
Did a few new things this time and that was awesome.
What are you grateful for today??




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GratiTuesday

I saw this idea on Twitter, and thought it would be a good thing to add to this blog....at least it almost guarantees a post every Tuesday! As long as I can stay on top of it and remember!
It is actually a bit challenging to think of things to be grateful for in a world where we take so much for granted.
so, here it goes......
This week I'm thankful for:

• my supportive husband for understanding the crunch of summer school classes
• my mother in law for taking care of my boys while I'm in class and for offering "late days" so I can do more work at school
• both boys swimming alone now
• the ability to take time off of running, and not feel guilty
• upcoming quick beach trip with my favorite guys
• being able to wear a bikini at the age of 36 :)

Give it a try. What are you thankful for right now? 

complete classroom envy

I posted a link a while back of this teacher's Zebra/Pink/Green room....
but THIS is her room now and I have complete total classroom envy!
I've stalked her on her blog, Teachers Pay Teachers and Teacher's Notebook and bought/downloaded a LOT of her things for my new room! One thing I love about her room is the shelving/storage which I will not have. I LOVE the colors of her room and can not wait until August to set mine up!
People outside of education do not understand the time and money that we teachers put into our rooms, but we do it because it's ours and the students' second home! I'll be hitting up Target, Dollar Store, Garage Sales, maybe even Goodwill for shelves, buckets, tins, books......
The basis of my room is Zebra with the rainbow colors splashes!
Can't wait to meet my 4th graders this fall!
 http://flipflopteacher.blogspot.com/2012/08/classroom-tour-2012-2013.html

what my dream classroom looks like

Teaching in Flip Flops: 2011-2012 Classroom (Still Under Construction):
OMG I need absolutely EVERYTHING in this classroom!!!!!!
I really do want to make my 4th grade room look like this!

Baseball

Both boys are playing baseball this spring. That means we are at the fields 3 nights a week with games and practice. Then Saturdays almost all day!
We are all loving it. Things are busy, but considering its for baseball, we are all ok with it!






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Marathon sadness

I didn't understand the importance/meaning/pride that goes into the Boston marathon until I became a serious runner (not that long ago!). It's THE biggest and most important Elite marathon in the world. The finish line is permanently painted on the street!
You can't just sign up for it. You have to qualify or be invited.
What happened yesterday is sickening/saddening/unspeakable.
The running world has dedicated this whole week to victims who were killed or injured and their families, by wearing race shirts all week and running in their memory and honor.
My boys and I will do our part too in that. After all, it's the least we can do.
I am a runner. I will never get to Boston to run, but I will definitely always respect this race and the sport.




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Boston-other runners blogs

http://therunchat.com/2013/04/a-time-to-unite/



http://skinnyrunner.com/2013/04/16/keep-running-head-high/


http://www.runblogger.com/2013/04/boston.html

Boys weekend at the Ranch

So I have been to the ranch a few times. And I hate it! Hate. It.
I'm leaving it all to the boys. It's their escape. It's their bonding time. They went this past weekend and my sick self stayed home alone all weekend.



I layed on the couch and caught up on 2 of my shows and ate sushi and ice cream and painted my nails.


It was a great weekend. I did a little shopping too! Oops! Then had to clean out my closet and dresser.


I'm so glad the boys have fun and I know their daddy loves for them to go.


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Too sick to run

I'm in love. Deep in love. With running. I never thought I would be. I miss it when I can't or don't. But there's a huge difference between those two. You see, I don't run everyday. I take 3 days off a week from running. My off days are good and I know that the next day, I'll be running the next day. I even woke up way early during spring break to run before everyone woke up! But not today. Today I was too sick and skipped my run. When you choose not to run, it's one thing. But not being able to run because of the fact you can't breathe out of your nose or you're wheezing after 2 miles, sucks. I miss my shoes. I miss the pain. I miss the sweat. I'm breaking down and heading to the dr today for meds stronger than what I've been taking.
I can't wait to lace these up again. Hopefully in a few days.



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My first half marathon

This past weekend I accomplished something I never thought I could. Something I kept saying "one day".....
A HALF MARATHON! That's 13.1 miles of running.
I first laced up some running shoes two years ago to the month. I started with the couch potato to 5K program (that's 3.2 miles). Two years ago, I never thought I'd run 3, let alone 13!
I ran several 5K races and loved the excitement of race day!
So back in October, I decided to start training for the half marathon! Honestly, that wasn't enough time! And I didn't train enough hills! If you're gonna run an Austin race, you MUST train hills--lots of hills. Big hills. Small hills. Hills.
I started waking up at 4:30 in the mornings and running with my training partner, who has run several halves and a full! I was eating like a runner and getting the fun runners gear!
The Austin Livestrong Half Marathon was the hardest thing I have ever put my body through, except my 2 crazy childbirths!
I've never pushed myself like this and it was amazing! It took me 3 hours! That's 3 hours of running/walking/hills/hills/hills/wanting to quit!
I can't say that I enjoyed the actual race, but the months and weekend leading up to it were amazing and I felt like superwoman when I finished!
It's taken me 4 days to feel normal again and I start running again tomorrow!



My training partner and friend, Erin and I pre race! So excited!



Biting my medal!;)



The night before, I got all my clothes ready! These shoes are now retired and still have my chip on them!



My gorgeous medal! It's hanging on my bed!



Recovery--ice packs on knees, compression sleeves on calves, and my new shoes my sweet hubby bought me for accomplishing this half!



Erin and I had to stop and get a post race coke! It tasted so good. It had been a month since I had one!



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obsessed

I've become absolutely obsessed with running. I'm sure all my twitter, facebook and instagram friends are sick of it. Except for those whom I met because of the social media and the sport! I have my first half marathon in a short 2 weeks. I say first because no matter how hard it's going to be, I will run one every year. Maybe two!
So, I look to Pinterest for Running Inspiration!
Run Happy!

2013

Goals (not resolutions!)

• Run more and better
• Get professional family pics done
• More dates with the hubby 
• Read more 
• Go to bed earlier! (always working on this one)
• Blog more!!!! (or quit!)
• Go see my family in Waco more often
• Go hunting! 
• Trust fewer peeps
• Move up grade levels (which also means moving schools)
• One on one time with each boy more often
• Talk less, listen more
• Kick ass in grad school classes
• Big 10 year wedding anniversary trip!
• Take Drew to his first college football game
• Cook new things
• Tiny upgrades in the house
• Keep my car clean(er)
• Grade papers at school more often
• Keep my dogs bathed more often (I hate stinky dogs)
• Run a HALF marathon (or 2!)
• Get Drew running more
• Bite my nails less
• Get more pedicures and massages
• Be late less often

These are things I want to accomplish or do better this year. Most are just things I need to do so I'm putting them here for myself and you. So, if you see me over the next 12 months, you might ask about these things! What are your goals or resolutions for this year?