Winter Break

My Winter Break was so busy! It began with a snow day on Friday, Feb.12. So, I had ten days off from work. It was great, but it went by way too fast!

I have pictures to share from two major highlights from my holiday.

First, here are my beach pictures. Oh, yes, I went to the beach on my Winter Break. I am aware that most people do this on Spring Break!

I went with two ladies from church. We are planning to go to Tybee Island, Georgia, for our annual ladies retreat. So, we needed to go to there to take a look and let planning for the retreat begin.

The beach at Tybee is so beautiful. I've been, but it was YEARS ago. And, I just didn't remember just how pretty it was.

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On Saturday, I went to a baby shower for my sister. She is scheduled for a C-Section on April 1st. She already has a boy and now she is having a GIRL!

It was such a nice shower! The ladies at the church in Gray worked very hard to make it a special day for our family.

There were several fun games. Everyone really enjoyed the belly-measuring game.

Allyson measured her belly, too!

Here's my mom, Robbi, and my sister's mother-in-law, Prissy

My sister looks like she's about to pop, bless her heart!

I can't wait to meet my new neice!

Please pray for a smooth delivery.

I am a Working Mom

Today, I was asked if I wish I could stay at home with Allyson. This question caught me off guard. It really is comparable to asking a Stay-At-Home mom if they wish they worked outside the home.

It's a personal choice.

I Am a Working Mom.

Honestly, I have very little support. Just about all of my close friends with young children have chosen to be stay-at-home moms. All my blogging buddies, friends at church, hmmm...I'm having trouble thinking of ANY of my close friends with young ones that work.

I have worked very hard to be where I am in my career. My choices have come with many sacrifices. How did I get here?

Well, it all began when I was a kid. I knew I'd go to college. I got pregnant very young, but I was adament about finishing college on time.

I had a single mantra to carry me through. "Men die and men leave. I will not depend on a man to support me."

I became a teacher in the Fall of 1999. I received a Master's Degree in 2002. I taught middle school until January 2008. And, I currently have my dream job as a media specialist (school librarian to those of you that didn't realize the title changed. :))

To become a media specialist, I had to get an add-on certification in Instructional Technology/Media and pass the GACE and go to FIVE interviews and get rejected four times. But, I am finally where I want to be in my career.

I'm saying this to remind myself and anyone that thinks bad of "working" moms that we working moms have a lot to offer our children.

Because of my income and career:

• I can help support my family.
• I can provide a lifestyle that will provide my child with many experiences that will help her to learn and grow.
• I can instill an example and a drive for her future goals in her career.
• Because I went to college she will be twice as likely to attend college herself.
• I can show her the benefits of working.
• I can also show her that she will be able to support herself and be independent.

Could I quit my job and stay home? Yes. But, I'm not going to.

Being a working mom is a personal choice. This is a decision that I have made and I feel it is the best decision for my family.

Do I sometimes feel guilty for the time I'm not spending with my child? Yeah, sometimes. But, I make up for it by making the most out of the time we do have together.

How do I feel about letting someone else raise my child? What!? Someone else is not raising my child! She may be at daycare having a story read to her, a meal served to her, or being taught to wash her hands. But, her father and I are raising her.

We are the ones faithfully taking her to Bible class and church. We are the ones instilling values and expectations for her behavior. WE are raising her. The daycare is just that. They are taking CARE of her during the DAY.

So, as you can see I have some pretty strong feelings about my choice. I certainly do not judge anyone for making a choice to stay home. So, likewise, please don't judge those of us who work. We all make choices and decisions that can be hard and have pros and cons either way.

It's simply a personal choice.

Loves!

There are many things we love here at Pace Place. This post is about three of them.

1. SNOW!!!!

Here are our snow pictures from the weekend.

#2. Valentine's Day!!!!

I set a special table for our Sunday lunch on Valentine's Day. There were candles and our cards we had exchanged. We had pork chops, rice, carrots, rolls, and heart-shaped rice krispy treats.

Mike told me that I'm cheesy.

Allyson asked whose birthday it was.

Ahhhh, I just love holidays. I know they really do appreciate me. :D

(Disregard the mess on the bar looking toward our living room. We are renovating!)

#3. My new Bible Class!!!!

I just started teaching 1st & 2nd grade mid-quarter on Wednesday nights. I have co-written the curriculum for this class. I have learned so much while doing all of this. We have very engaging lessons and my students are so sweet!

Here they are wearing the (almost) Full-Armor of God. I told them to pose as warriors for the picture. :D

I only had two sets of armor so they had to share.

They look great and I just LOVE them.

So, there are three things that we love.

THE END! :D

Allyson's Prince

This post is dedicated to Allyson's Prince Charming. Perhaps you didn't know that our little princess has her own Prince Charming. But, she does.

His name is Daddy.

Besides, Mommy (Mom, as I keep getting called lately!) Daddy is her very favorite person.

She loves to...

Pretend to be a teacher and make her daddy be a student.

Rub "him's" elbow.

Cuddle in his lab and watch Arthur when we get home in the afternoons.

And, play at the park, which is really a school playground.

When asked what Allyson likes to do with Daddy she says, "Read stories to him. Color with him.
Draw with him. And, climb on him."

And, her Daddy pretty much does whatever she asks. Which is why she's so in love with him.

Happy Valentine's Day, Daddy! You are my Prince!
Love, Allyson

By the way, I used Picnic for the first time. Very cool!

Valentine's Day Survey

I saw this Valentine's Survey on Kristen's blog and thought I might fill it out as well! Thanks for sharing, Kristen!

1. When was your "engagement" anniversary: MLK, jr. weekend 2005

2. When is your "marriage" anniversary: March 26, 2005

3. How long have you known your spouse: about 5 1/2 years

4. How long did you date/court before you were engaged: 6 weeks!

5. Where did you meet your spouse for the first time: A cookout at a friend's appartment. I was with someone else and I actually don't remember meeting him!

6. What is your spouses name: John Michael

7. Do you have any children yet: yes

8. How many: One, for now

9. Do you have any house pets: no

10. Do you own a house or rent: own 2; we rent one out.

11. Do you live in the country or town/city: outskirts of town

12. What is one of your favorite activities together: ummm...look at us! Eat.

13. Do you have a favorite vacation spot: a cruise

14. How many siblings (including in-laws): 6

15. What church do you attend: WR Church of Christ

16. Is this the church you were married in: Yes

17. What is your favorite restaurant to eat at together: Shahenshah Diner (Indian), Longhorn

18. Do you work or stay at home: Work-Elementary School Media Specialist

19. Where did you honeymoon: Vegas

20. Leave a piece of marriage advice: Love means putting someone else's happiness first; which in turn, will make you happy. (Does that even make sense? :D)

July 2009-Elegant Night on our cruise

June 2005 Camping Trip-Helen, Ga

Allyson's 2nd birthday-Aug. 2008

A Baby, a Deal, and the Circus!

Before we get into all of that, I got my hair cut and colored today. It was looooong overdue! I hope my hairdresseer doesn't decide to have another baby anytime soon!

And, now take a look at this beautiful new baby! Our friends, Jody & Melissa had a baby last Wednesday. Her name is Piper Addyson. She's such a sweet thang!
And, here is the deal of the week! Five years ago, when Mike and I were dating, he gave me a Bulova watch for Christmas. It was starting to get worn, so I asked for another one for Valentine's Day. Well, my old watch just completely quit keeping time at all last week. So, I asked for an advance on my V-Day gift. I shopped around and found one I liked Tuesday at Kohl's for $399. The sales lady said to come back on the weekend and it would be 33% off. I thought that would be worth the wait. Mike takes down the serial number and finds it on eBay. For $167 and FREE shipping!

So, it's the deal of the week. It came yesterday from California. Love it! Hope it will last five years like the other one!

This morning we went to the circus in Macon. My whole family went. My dad's birthday is tomorrow so this is how we celebrated. Very fun!

We went to the pre-show. Here's my wonderful dad in a ringmaster's coat (or, maybe a clown's! haha) with my wonderful mom!

Allyson had just gotten a tattoo and now a clown's nose.

My clown!

They brought out an elephant during the pre-show. I'm glad we came early. It helped us get a little more money's worth out of our ticket prices.

Caleb and Allyson-BCF-Best Cousins Forever!

Here's the three of us. This could also be a "before" picture of my hair! (Rough, I know!)

The finale! It was a great show!

I had to take this picture of my mom and dad buying Allyson and Caleb whatever they wanted as we were leaving the circus. My sister and I agreed that we'd never been so spoiled. This stuff is so pricey! Allyson got a $16 horse. For that price at Target it would come with a Barbie!

My little clown!

Nachos for One

I have created a new and Yummy! snack. I have made this for myself every night for the past week. It may not be "diet" food. But, it's certainly not "junk" food!

Nachos for One
You'll need:
Tortilla chips (I prefer Tostitos Scoops.)
1 and a 1/2 slices of Pepper Jack Cheese
Your favorite salsa (I prefer Pace picante sauce medium. BTW, we own this company. Not! I wish!)

Directions:
Spread scoops on a microwave plate. Keep them close together. Lay sliced cheese on top of chips. Put in microwave for 32-40 seconds. Sprinkle salsa over chips and melted cheese. And, voila! A culinary masterpiece of a snack!

You could make this snack healthier by using multigrain/baked chips and low-fat cheese. Also, this is an easy recipe that older kids can even do.

If you decide to try this snack idea, I hope you enjoy it! I did get this idea from a side that I saw at our new Mama Goldberg's Deli. However, it was Doritos with melted pepper jack cheese. So, at least my way, you get some veggies!