Dad Day

Everybody is posting pictures of their weddings with their daddy and smiling pictures and posed cheek kisses, and I thought about doing that too, but changed my mind. My dad is not the sentimental type, so he'd probably just peer over the top of his glasses at the photo, check it out in detail for about two seconds, and then just keep scrolling. I could get him some fancy gift, take him to some fancy place for lunch, but he'd rather get a dry-fit material shirt and eat a simple rack of ribs from Rib Country. 

My dad is a very simple man. He is perfectly content with his fizzy water, a Tom Clancy book, Listerine strips and a cool, quiet house as he is some big Father's Day party. He'd rather rock Jonah to sleep and hold the little dude than probably anything on earth. 

I always think about my simple, sweet dad on Father's Day, and it think about the things that he taught me. They may not make themselves evident at all times, but he instilled them in me nonetheless.

He taught me to work hard. Not only that, do it right the first time so that you don't have to waste time doing it again. (Two words dad: dog food) My dad has the best work ethic of any person on this planet. If you want to count on someone to do a job right, well, and thoroughly- call him. And if he can't, he will find someone who can.  

He taught me to work hard for what I have. Don't depend on others to just hand it over- work for it. Earn it. Deserve it. And if you don't get it- oh well. No sense in worrying about it. You don't and won't always get everything you want. 

He taught me to appreciate what I have. Don't be real sorry and lazy.  I (and Jack) keep a clean home, well-maintained vehicles, and clean clothes. I take care of what I have.  I appreciate the roof over my head, the car I drive and the clothes on my back because I worked hard for them . I appreciate them. Did I always do that when I lived at home- nope. (I'm convinced that there's this disease you contract as a teenager that voids your brain of all conmon sense and basic knowledge. You only get rid of this disease when you no longer bear the word "teen" in your age description.) I didn't always appreciate what I had when I was younger, but looking back now, I had everything I could've wanted or needed. Anything I didn't work hard for or appreciate- I see now that my dad did. 

How did I think  the lights in our house cut on EVERY SINGLE TIME I flipped a switch? How did food miraculously appear on our table EVERY NIGHT? How did we have vehicles to get around in? TV to watch? Oh, you want a piano? How did my butt manage to be in church every time the doors were open? I get it now. 

Thank you dad for being a great leader and influence in my life. I hope that I make you proud. 

Summer-time Blues

Ahhhh Summer. We are right smack-dab in the middle of it. My newsfeed is a constant rotation of bonfires, pool days, cookouts, fields of fireflies, cold beverages, expensive boats, and sun kissed, smiling faces. I truly love this time of year. It's like everyone is more relaxed and laid back during these next couple of months. Except me. I'm not.

Today, life got me like a metric ton of bricks. This morning, Jack went to school. You know, the one he works at and I don't. I'm sure I sound like a big spoiled brat with what I'm about to say but I just don't care. He went in his school, in his classroom, and I didn't get to go. I didn't get the comforting feeling that we were in the same building, with the same people, with the same friends anymore. We don't share common students, and therefore we won't have common stories to share and compare. I'm not just down the hall from him. I can't just waltz to the freshmen hall to grab a snack from his fridge, and heat up my lunch in his microwave. I can't just pass by him in the hallway and be greeted by an adorable wink and crooked makes-me-melt-every-time smile.

My heart hurts.

Most people think we are crazy and just don't see how we work together day in and out. However, I don't see how MORE couples don't do what we do. Both of  our parents are together majority of the time, and they are happy. My parents own a business together. His parents are happily retired together. This kind of relationship is what we KNOW. Both sets of parents seem happy, and both have been married for a combined total of at least 65 years. I want that too. I LOVE being with my husband. He's my best friend, and there's no one on earth I would rather hang out with.

We truly work better together. It was like a comfort blanket thing knowing he was  right up the hall if I needed him for something or if he needed me. We shared classroom supplies. We shared advice. We kept one another up to date on school happenings and deadlines. I really just used all past tense words. It's going to be so different doing this alone. I'm sure I'll make new friends, and I'm sure Jack will too. I don't know a stranger, and neither does he. I know it could be worse- we both could be unemployed, sick, or worse. I realize my problems are trivial in the grand scheme of life. I realize how blessed I truly am.

It's just another season. This too will pass. In the mean time, pity party for one, please.

Askin' All Them Questions..

I love the "Questions" song/video on YouTube. It never gets old, and I may or may not know all the words? Anyways, I stumbled across this little survey this morning on Facebook and decided to fill it out for Jack and him for me. Enjoy!


1. What is something your husband always says to you?

"Let's go!"He loves to go places, eat at new restaurants, and try new things. I'm more of the homebody. Also, "okay!" Anything I ask for or suggest he agrees to 99.9999% of the time.

2. What makes your husband happy?

Camden- his son. He loves that little boy more than anything! Time with our family turns him into this big teddy bear. I'd also say baseball. It's a close second.

3. What makes your husband sad?

In relation to #2, not getting to see Camden as much as he would like. Also, Jack is such a passionate teacher, and I know firsthand that it makes him sad to see his students not care and not try. It breaks his heart. He's even broke down crying in class before. His students KNOW how much he cares for them!

4. How does your husband make you laugh?

When he tries to dance. He has no sense of rythym. Lol.

5. What was your husband like as a child?

He was a little mischievous boy! He also talked and asked questions a lot, and now he is getting his payback for that!

6. How old is your husband?

He is 33! He will be 34 on November 9.

7. How tall is your husband?

Really dang tall. 6'2 or 6'3. But I love it!

8. What is his favorite thing to do?

I really can't pick just one thing here. Travel, be outside, play/watch baseball, and make other people smile. He also really loves running! (Weirdo.)

9. What does your husband do when you're not around?

Miss me like crazy and text me. Lol. We really are together most of the time, so honestly I don't know.

10. If your husband becomes famous, what will it be for?

Well we have applied to be contestants on The Amazing Race, so I think that would be a possibility.

11. What is your husband really good at?

What ISN'T he good at!? He is such a handy man and surprises me every day with things I would never think to be able to do. However, if I had to pick on thing, I would say he is REALLY good at cooking breakfast!

12. What is your husband not very good at?

Singing and dancing. He's quite lacking in the musical department. (Love you anyways babe!)

13. What does your husband do for a job? 

He teaches Algebra like a BOSS!

14. What is your husband's favorite food?

I honestly have no clue. He is always trying new foods and loves most everything he eats. (A true man.) He does really love barbecue though and has craved it a lot lately!

15. What makes you proud of your husband? 

What makes me proud of Jack is that he is always able to find positives amongst negative situations.  His positive outlook is contagious!

16. If your husband were a character, who would he be?

He would probably be one of the Avengers or Marvel superheroes.

17. What do you and your husband  do together?

EVERYTHING!!!! Except teach together. That's gonna be a new one this year. :(

18. How are you and your husband the same?

We are alike in many ways. We both love to travel, and we love to go new places. We have similar likes and dislikes. We both have such a drive to see our students do well and it's nice to have someone to vent to when they don't. ;)

19. How are you and your husband different?

I mentioned earlier that I am a homebody. Although I do like to travel, when I am home, I want to be HOME. I like to make the most of my mortgage. Also, I'm hesitant at times to try new things (as in foods.) He is very social and will try absolutely anything!

20. How do you know your husband loves you?

Well, I know he loves me because he tells me multiple times a day, and shows me by taking such good care of his family! He always makes sure we are happy and will do anything to keep us that way. It's also so awesome to hear other people tell me just how happy he seems and how his demeanor has changed and how they can tell just how happy he is with me. It's a great feeling for other people to notice things like that.

21. What does your husband like most about you?

He definitely likes my goofy sense of humor, and I'm sure he loves my curves. ;) lol.

22. Where is your husband's favorite place to go?

Anywhere with me and anywhere he's never been. I know he really likes Southern California- as in San Diego.



Now it's time for Jack's answers about me. Enjoy!

1. What is something your wife always says to you?

I love you.  How'd I get so lucky? Can you do me a favor? I miss baby Jonah.

2. What makes your wife happy?

Hopefully me. A clean house. The words bunny and poof.  Baby Jonah. 

3. What makes your wife sad?

Not listening to her, especially if she is asking you to do something.  Being away from her family. 
Her not feeling wanted/respected by her family.

4. How does your wife make you laugh?

Her quirky one liners/questions.

5. What was your wife like as a child?

Quiet,  kept to herself, but smart and intelligent.

6. How old is your wife?

28

7. How tall is your wife?

The perfect height(h)!  THERE IS NO H IN HEIGHT BECAUSE H'S ARE EW!  5'8" I think?

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

Facebook!  Take drives through the country with the windows down, go to the beach, see baby Jonah, go on vacations.

9. What does your wife do when you're not around?

Get in bed or on the couch and get on Facebook or pinterest!  She will sometimes clean when im gone.

10. If your wife becomes famous, what will it be for?

Becoming a professional blogger.  She is an amazing writer and she has an uncanny way of getting her point/view (s) across to readers. 

11. What is something your wife is really good at?

Arguing.  That is why I think she would make a great lawyer.  She is good at writing.  She is amazing at motivating students. 

12. What is something your wife is not good at?

Loading the dishwasher.  I always have to reorganize so that more can go in it.  Part of it may be my OCD too.  I wish she would see the good in situations more than the bad.

13. What does your wife do for a job?

Be my wife.  That is a job in itself. But she is amazing at it!  Oh, and she is a teacher and even more awesome at that.

14. What is your wife's favorite food?

Mesican.  She loves some chips and salsa!

15. What makes you proud of your wife?

EVERYTHING!  Proud of her confidence, proud of her intellegence, proud of her thoughtfullness, proud of her witiness, proud of her beauty, proud of her accomplishments, proud of her strength.  There would be less to type if this question was "What are you not proud of?"

16. If your wife were a character, who would she be?

Cinderella.  Two reasons.  1.) She loves Cinderella and 2.) She has been rescued from a broken heart and tough road.  She is now loved and cherished by her knight.

17. What do you and your wife do together?

EVERYTHING!  She is my best friend and I wouldnt want to do anything with any body else. 

18. How are you and your wife the same?

We finish each other's sandwiches!  We think alike.  We are almost always on the same page.  We like doing the same things.

19. How are you and your wife different?

I try to see the good side in everything and know that things happen for a reason.  My wife sees the worst case scenario and it tears her up which tears me up to see her like that.

20. How do you know your wife loves you?

Because she has stood by my side through tough times and great times.  She encourages me and supports me.  She does things that I like, sometimes, even if she doesnt like to do it (ie. Running).  She praises me when I accomplish something and she tries to lift me up when I dont.  She is my shoulder to cry on when I am feeling down.  She will listen to me when I need to complain. 

21. What does your wife like most about you?

My legs ;)  Hopefully my experience in situations.  My words of encouragement.  My willingness to do anything for her at a drop of the dime.  My respect for her.  My love for her.

22. Where is your wife's favorite place to go?

Anywhere warm.  She does not lke to be cold.  Preferably a beach, but Vegas, North Georgia, or Phoenix will also do.