Big Time Catch Up

Wow, I cannot believe I haven't blogged since August. Andy has told me several times that I need to catch up, but this fall has been so busy and whenever I've had the time I haven't wanted to get on. It's like the task of catching up is too daunting. I'll try to keep it brief.... This year Lyla started preschool at our church, First Baptist of Boerne. They have an amazing program for 1-4 year olds. We waited until she was 3 because we really wanted her learning to be purposeful. She goes two days a week from 9:30-2:30. She loves it! I think she was a little scared at first. Lyla, like me, is very shy and doesn't just make friends with strangers. When we took her to her orientation and realized her preschool classroom was in the nursery class that she just moved out of (and cried at every Sunday when I dropped her off) she shrunk back. It took a little convincing that this was preschool and not Sunday School. She met her teacher, Miss Michelle, who is the sweetest woman and found candy and a watch at her seat. She was sold! My biggest concern was the nap time. Lyla gave up naps at 2.5 and I was worried she would hate preschool because of the nap time. I warned Miss Michelle, who quickly put me at ease by saying not all the kids nap, but they are peer-pressured into staying quiet. (And they get to pick out a candy/prize from the prize box if they are good during nap time). From what Miss Michelle has told my Lyla doesn't fall asleep often, but she does stay quiet. Lyla quickly made a few new friends, Logan is her favorite. She still tells me she doesn't like nap time. A great story I have to share. One time Andy picked her up and on their way home Lyla started freaking out that she forgot to bring her mat home. She told him all the other kids took their mat home today. So they went back up to the school. Andy found out that the nap mat covers were sent home to be washed. Lyla didn't have one. She was very sad that she was the only kid who didn't bring their mat home because she's the only one in her class without a nap mat cover. Talk about pulling at a mama's heartstrings. Andy and I discussed is this just the beginning of keeping up with the "Jones" or is she really feeling left out. We decided to order her a nap mat....I found a good deal on etsy and Lyla picked out the design. It came in about a week later and she was in heaven! Miss Michelle said Lyla was so excited to bring it to school. Lyla was suppose to sing at her first Christmas Program this year and woke up that morning with a fever. I was totally bummed out, but she was happy that I still got to spend some time at home with her. Mommy time is always her top priority.

Halloween was quite an event in our house this year. Lyla decided she wanted to be Tinkerbell. I found a cute and easy costume on pinterest and sent it to my mom. She's always made our costumes and lets be honest...like I really have the time. My mom created this beautiful costume that on Halloween Lyla decided she didn't want to wear it. I thought telling her she couldn't go to the neighborhood party and trick-or-treating would work. Nope, not my strong-willed child. Long story short, after 2 hours of both of us crying, many threats and angry words, Lyla and I ended up on the couch watching a movie. Finally at 7:15 she said, "I really want to go to the party, but I don't want to wear my costume." This mommy finally decided the battle wasn't work it, let her pick out anything she wanted to wear and off we went to catch up with her friend Bailey for trick-or-treating. It was definitely one of those situations where I didn't know if she was just being head strong and I needed to stand my ground, or if there was some deeper issue going on that at 3 she couldn't express. I felt like a total failure as a parent for the first time. I guess it's just one of the many times when what I have planned, won't go as planned. I'm just thankful that we both made it through and she had a great time. (And no, she has never put on the costume again!)

The rest of the fall has been filled with football games. It's still my favorite time of the school year. Yes, the weekends are shorter, but I love Friday Night Lights. And Lyla loves football season as well. She looks forward to seeing the "football boys", riding the bus and hanging with the dance team. This year she has a new best friend, one of my officers. Jessica and Lyla have a love for each other that is just so precious. Lyla can name almost every girl and know who has what to offer (game on their phone, make up, candy, etc). Our football team had a very successful year. We played up until December 8th in the State Semi-Finals. 15 games makes for a long season, but it was a great ride and I loved every minute of it.

Back in August I received a call from my boss (from the dance company I work for) saying they had an extra spot for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Staff if I wanted it. I jumped at 7 days, all expense paid trip to New York City. Andy and I decided that since my trip was free we could afford for him to travel up to NYC as well. He found a great deal at a different hotel and spent the week. I have to tell you this was the highlight of my year! I loved working for Spirit of America. It's a great company and I fine-oiled machine. I loved walking in the streets of NYC, running in Central Park and visiting some cool places. Radio City Christmas Spectacular was just that....Spectacular. I was in awe of the Rockettes. (I'm secretly praying that Lyla will be tall and talented enough to audition some day....) I figured out the subways system, thanks to Andy. Really, he figured it out and helped me. He's so amazing at reading maps, and knowing directions. We enjoyed catching up with friends and being in our favorite city. One of my former students, Paige, now lives in New York and we spent Thanksgiving with her and her brother and sister-in-law. It was very different from my big family dinners, but so much fun! We are already making plans to take my team next year!

Back in April I decided that I wanted to run a 5K. I've never been a runner, but have always wanted to be. I decided that I could work towards 3 miles. I told my family at dinner and decided, well, it's out there now. I started training over the summer and ran my first 5K in October for my sweet friend, Kristi's son's scholarship. Leo passed away 2 years ago in a freak daycare accident just before his first birthday. Both Kristi and her husband are athletes and graduates from Texas State, where big Leo now works. They decided to set up a scholarship fund in baby Leo's name and this 5k is one of their fundraisers. What a perfect thing to run for! After I finished (sick as a dog I might add), I decided I wanted to run a half marathon. At this point I was already up to running about 5 miles, so I figured I could get to 13.1. I first thought, I'll run the Rock-N-Roll in 2013. That would give me a year. Fast forward a month and I decided I wanted to run my half before my 30th birthday in July. I'm currently up to about 8 miles on my longest run and I've signed up to run my first half marathon on January 27th. I can't believe it!

Well, hopefully that somewhat catches me up. Merry Christmas!