Dear Brooke

Dear Brooke (though I will call you Brookie!),

Today is your Birthday. You were born at 3:11pm weighing 6 pounds even. And it stands 5:25 and we still don't know your length because too many people are lined up to see you. That is how much you and your parents are loved...cherish that. I have loved you since I found out your were in your mom's womb....cheesy, but true. You had me wrapped around fingers that weren't even formed yet. And we have anxiously awaited this day! We have been calling you stubborn for a while now...which by the time you read this I hope it isn't so much true! (I have to start out by saying...anytime your Dad or I would try to feel you inside Mom's belly...you wouldn't kick until our hand left her belly! Stink pot!) You woke your mom up at 4:00 am most mornings...and then boy did you let her know when you were hungry. You were determined to stay in there. You stayed in longer than you should have so they had to take matters in there own hands! ha! Your mom went into the hospital at 7:00pm on 5/30/2011...but not before she had to stop at Arby's...had to get that last meal in before it was push time. Of course...I don't know how much she ate because if there is one thing about your mother you need to know...she is deathly afraid of needles (although she does have her belly button pierced..shh..don't tell her I told you! That is a whole other story for a later time though)  She was more afraid of the IV than anything else...so when she found out she wouldn't have to have it until the morning she was a pretty happy camper. Until 5:45 in the morning when they couldn't get it in her right hand so they had to try the left! But needless to say she made it! (She said the IV hurt worse than the epidural! I am so proud of your mom!) They broke her water a little before 8:00 a.m. and she actually went all the way until 10:15 before she got her epidural so she did good! Then a little after 1:30 she started pushing you outta there! You waited an hour and a half before coming out...but I will never forget the moment when you did. One of the proudest moments for me! See, I didn't technically get to be there...and I don't even want to explain how devastating it was to learn that I wouldn't be there...but those clever parents of yours reminded me that technology was pretty cool and that with our phones...I could be in the room even though my body was in Texas (called FaceTime now...although you can probably teleport by the time you are reading this.) So that made me feel a little better...but just a little. Nothing would make me more happy to be there in person...but circumstances being what they are I had to stay in Texas. But one thing you must always know...my heart was in Arkansas the whole time. Boy was it a cool thing to watch your momma push those last two pushes and then hear you cry. Then of course Nana (who was giving me the play by play the whole day) brought the phone to you so I could see your sweet face! Wow...the love that fills me as I even think about it still! My cup runneth over...yes...that is an old saying...far longer than I've been alive....although I am not old...I will always be your young, beautiful Aunt, ok?...I thought we would agree! And as I am writing this at 5:42 p.m. Nana sent me a text message (which is probably an ancient thing by the time you are reading this) telling me you are 19 inches long. I can't wait to hold you. I have cried for 3 days now (yes...your Aunt is an emotional sap when it comes to you.) I keep picturing everyone getting to hold you but me! I know...I am selfish...but what can I say...you are the most precious thing in the world and I am stuck in Texas...never move to Texas...ever. I digress. Anyway...I want you to know how much I truly love you and how spoiled special you are! Our lives have changed forever and I am so happy that I get to be your Aunt! You have a special place in my heart that will always belong to you! If nothing else, remember that! I can't wait to tell you stories, hear you talk, watch you crawl and then walk, I can't wait to see you play, see you dance, and celebrate your birthday every May. I can't wait to make you giggle, hear you sing, and watch you wiggle. I can't to see your wit and charm , play with your hair , and hold you in my arms. I love you sweet girl...to the moon and back....

 (though you call me Lulu!)

Can I Get a Mint?

So today I ate lunch and really needed wanted a mint. I was in the hallway taking my kids to the restroom so I couldn't walk to my room to get them.  I asked one of my boys to go get the green, round thing of icebreakers mints off my desk. (All my kids have seen them and he assured me that he knew right where they were.) And this is what he comes back with:

Looks just like mints doesn't it? 

I then said to him...thank you honey, but I don't think that is going to help me with my breath.

So then one of my girls says, "I know where it is! I will go get them."

She then comes back with this:

Ok...I will give her round...but still not mints and definitely not green. I have no words...I just shake my head and pick another sweet girl from my class to go get them off my desk....and she comes back with:

YAHOOO-OOOO! 3rd times a charm...

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen...that's my class...and year in a nutshell!

Bless their hearts!

Love You Mean It,

Pocket of Memories

 It has taken me a while to post a blog because I have been at a loss for words for a while now. I lost my grandfather this week and it caught me off guard. I realized that I am certainly not ready for this stage in life. I have always considered myself lucky to have all my grandparents...but now I realize that this is it...these are the times where life is most precious. These are the times where I need to get in all my time...and I missed my time with him. It's so disheartening to know that it has been 6 years since I have seen my Tennessee family. It's not because I haven't wanted to but life has been so absolutely crazy for me with getting married, finishing school, having to work to stay afloat, moving to Texas, becoming a teacher, using vacation time to get to Ohio for Matt's family and Arkansas to see mine, and now moving back to Arkansas. And now...I could not make it to the funeral because I have to work and get things ready for our move because we still have a house to sell and the craziness of life goes on....

Life Lesson Learned: Don't let the craziness of life keep you from the ones you love.

My Papa was a great man and I am going to miss him so much. He taught me how to swim. He literally threw me in their pool when I was a baby and said that was the only way to teach a child how to swim! He was so full of life and laughter. One of my favorite things about him was waking up to hug in the morning and hearing, "Good Morning Baby." I am so incredibly sad that I won't hear that again...and to nobody's fault but mine. I let life get too busy.  Time is so incredibly precious and I thought I had more time. My dad and I used to make a trip every year...one of my favorite past times...something that we are going to have to start doing together again. A part of my heart is in Tennessee and I wish I could be there with my family celebrating the wonderful life that my Papa had. He will forever be missed and loved...but I know I will see him again and that is the most comforting feeling in all of this. Thank you God for the Christian family that I am a part of...and the hope it brings for the ones we have lost along the way...

Love you Mean It,

How Do You Spell Geery?

So Friday we went on a Field Trip to see Rio and then to the park. It was a fun day but ended like this:

 He is so sweet. He didn't feel well all week and then got cleared by the nurse to go to the field trip because his temperature was down...that lasted about 4 hours and then it spiked to 103. Figured I better get him off the poor kids and let him lean on me...this is how he ended up:

 We bonded that day! He is normally really quiet  lively but bless his little heart...he wasn't feeling well...so I had to play momma. This is the day that I realized that I am momma to about 21 8 year olds! But the good thing about this was Monday, he came in with a smile and tried really hard to do the right thing! That's a huge step for him and I feel like we progressed a lot! 

Moving on...Monday I decided to have them write cards during an extra 15 minutes we had. While they were creating their cards I was being asked time and time again how to spell things. But never in my life had I been asked to spell what he asked me to spell. He looked at me and said, "Mrs. Eastridge, How do you spell geery?" I had him repeat himself 20 3 times because I have never heard of geery. And so I asked him to give me a hint...because I thought...maybe it's slang for something. And he told me it was like a chain. And in my head I was thinking...hmm...must be some sort of chain I have never heard of. He then proceeded to tell me..."you know...like earrings and a watch." THE LIGHT BULB WENT ON! ( I would have given a millions bucks to see my face as the light bulb went on!) I proceeded to write on a piece of paper J-E-W-E-L-R-Y. 

And that, my friends, sums up my job!

Love you Mean It,

Happy Mother's Day!

Did you think I would forget? 

Well, Maybe you did...but I surely didn't. Some things you need to know about my mother:

1. She loves God and raised me to do the same.

2. She would do anything for anyone!

3. Despite my efforts to say otherwise when I was a teen, she is a pretty cool woman!

4. She is funny.

5. She would do anything for anyone.

6. She is an excellent baker.

7. I am her favorite...shhhh...don't tell Andrea! HA!

8. When I say I am her favorite she doesn't say otherwise...nor does she say otherwise when Andrea says it!

9. She is smart!

10. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better Mother. She bandaged cuts, held hair while I was sick, held my hand when I was scared, wiped my tears when I was sad, but more importantly and still to this day, she wraps her arms around me tight and tells me she loves me and that I am her baby girl....that will never get old...not matter the years that go by. I am proud to be her baby girl! Love you Mom!

27 Things At 27!

This is me...Friday morning...the morning of my 27th Birthday. The morning I realized that I am 3 years from being 30 and there are so many things I want to accomplish while I am still considered young!! So, I made a list...a list of 27 things I want to accomplish at 27. Here goes:

1. I want to be a better wife, daughter, sister, and friend!

2. I want to get out of debt!

3. I want to run a 5K.

4.  I want to grow in my relationship with Christ by reading through Shannon Ethridge's Completely Series.

5. I want to spend more time outside.

6. I want to spend more time with my family in all regions of the U.S.A.

7. I want to grow my business with Arbonne and be well on my way to Regional Vice President and my Mercedes Benz.

8. I want to eat healthier.

9. I want to learn to sew more things.

10. I want to find the place where we are going to settle down.

11. I want to look like I did on my wedding day!

12. I want time freedom!

13. I want to grow a garden.

14. I want to be more intentional in everything I do.

15. I want to keep a plant alive.

16. I want to paint more often.

17. I want to go camping more often.

18. I want to learn to sing and play guitar!

19. I want to spoil my nieces and nephew!

20. I want to donate time and money to important issues.

21. I want to lead someone to Christ.

22. I want buy another hammock (one that squirrels won't chew down!)

23. I want to slow down and take it all in.

24. I want to learn to drive a standard.

25. I want to wear a swim suit (that's a huge step for me!)

26. I want to be more confident!

27. I want to show love to everyone around me!

What would you put on your list?