Saying Good-Bye...For Now

This day has been very bittersweet.  This morning I said good-bye to my KinderKids for the summer.  Normally, this wouldn't be such a big deal. But, for the first time in eight years, I will not be going back to school in the fall.

That's right, friends...Mrs. Koehn is taking some time off from full-time teaching.  While this is something that I have been considering for awhile now, it was still a very hard decision to make.  You see, teaching is part of who I am...from the time that I was teaching my stuffed animals using the teacher's manuals that my librarian Mrs. Johnson would let me check out, and for the past 8 1/2 years...I have lived and breathed teaching.

Not just the teaching, though...the kids. I love my babies!!!  Teaching children, spending time with them, watching them as they learn new things, and grow to love learning as I do makes my heart smile.  I got to thinking last night of all my students that I've had...starting with my first little kinders in Mrs. Lagadinos's class when I was student teaching (they are now freshmen in high school)...to my fourth graders in Mrs.Colbert's class (I watched many of them graduate high school last night)...to my four classes of kindergarteners at Tuckers Crossroads Elementary (the first of which are now eighth graders)...to my last four classes of kindergarteners at Elzie Patton (my most recent below).

My 2011-2012 KinderKids

Wow.  What a journey I have been on with these amazing groups of children.  I have smiled and laughed daily, seen an abundance of growth and change each year, watched "lightbulbs" go off constantly.  I've sang, danced, played, taught, built, created, dreamed, and learned right along with them.  I've given and received bear hugs on a daily basis, wiped tears, fixed boo-boos, looked on as first teeth have been pulled, mended hurt feelings, and cheered them on when they told me "I can't" or "I don't know how".  I have attended birthday parties, ball games, recitals, and graduations.  I have visited the hospital when one was too sick to come to school, hugged and loved on two of my sweet girls at their daddy's funerals, and wiped tears from the cheeks of another when he missed his brother who went to heaven far too soon.  Their lives have been woven into mine for the past eight years. 

But, recently I have felt the desire and calling to stay home and be more present for my own children.  After much consideration and prayer, I know that this decision is the right one.  I have faith that this new path will lead to amazing things for me, my boys, and our family.  But, letting go of what I have held so dear for so long is not easy.  A friend commented not too long ago on one of my blog posts that said "I can't imagine walking away from a job you love, but to walk towards something else you love even more might make it easier."  And that couldn't be more true.  (Thanks, Tracey!)  Knowing that I will be able to spend more time with my boys during these precious years makes it worth it.  Teaching will always be there after all, but my sweet boys will only be little for a short time.

Leaving off tonight with words posted this morning by my wonderful, amazing, friend (and former co-worker...sniff, sniff) Kristle Chalos...just another reason that leaving teaching is so hard...my AMAZING teacher friends!! 

“20 years from now you will be disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the one’s you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. 

Explore. Dream. Discover.”

~Mark Twain~

Till next week friends!

Brittany :)

P.S.- As I said, I am giving up full-time teaching.  I will be working part-time; Tuesdays and Thursdays at a local preschool with one of the most amazing women I know!  Shannon Stephens...I cannot wait for this new adventure with you!!!

Good-Bye PreK, Hello Kindergarten!

Ah, May....it brings many things.  Flowers, sunshine, warmer temps, lightening bugs, and...graduations.  This past Wednesday was Chandler's last day of PreK!  Though they didn't have a formal "graduation" (this is just the beginning, after all), we did have a celebration of the first year of schooling complete.  Let me just tell you...this seems impossible.  It seems like just yesterday that I was taking my sweet boy in to his first day of PreK....and now all of a sudden he is finished. Just like that!  Though it went by all too fast, what a difference this year has made!

Chandler's first and last day of PreK

I mean, just look at the difference!  On the left is my sweet, little baby, and on the right is my KINDERGARTENER!  What??  Impossible!  But so many other changes have taken place in my sweet Chan this year.  And I couldn't be prouder of the progress that he has made!  He has not only grown like a weed this year, but he has learned everything he needs in order to be prepared academically for kindergarten, learned how to think through his actions, use his words to express himself, take turns and share (even when he doesn't want to), & follow directions and rules from adults (even when he doesn't want to).  He has learned how to think outside the box, how to build and create, & how to relate to others' thoughts, feelings, and experiences.  He has learned and used new vocabulary words (good ones), and become interested in concepts and ideas that were brand new to him.  He has grown so much...academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally.  And I have his super loving, super awesome, super amazing teacher to thank for that!

Chan & Mrs. Susan on the first and last day of PreK

Mrs. Susan has been a blessing to us this year!  I have been so in awe at the beautiful job that she did this year with Chandler and his class.  Especially since this was her first year as a PreK teacher!  I have taught with Mrs. Susan for the past four years, and always thought she was a great teacher.  But, know I truly know that she is far more than great!  She is the AMAZING!  I am so grateful for the dedication, patience, love, and knowledge that she has poured into these children this past year.  She was the perfect fit for my wild and crazy kid, and I know for certain that God sent her to PreK for many reasons; one of them being my son, and 19 more were his friends that went to school with him each day.

"Thumb"body loves Mrs. Susan!  Her painting from the PreK kiddos.

Group hug!

Chandler also had the privilege of spending his days with two very special and lovely ladies that helped Mrs. Susan.  They, too, made a positive difference in the daily lives of these kiddos.  We have been blessed to have Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Stephanie, too! 

Chan & Mrs. Lee

Chan & Mrs. Stephanie

 

Though it seems nearly impossible for me to have a child ready to enter kindergarten, I suppose it must be true.  They tell me he is ready.  But this Momma just may not be ready!  I fear I will be the sobbing, weepy parent on the first day of school that is made to leave by the teacher because she can't control herself.  We may just have to do some practice drop-offs...something to prepare Momma Koehn!

Chan's PreK friends at Circle S Farms

One last thing: I totally loved this Pinterest idea that I think everyone has seen at this point.  I bought Chan the book Oh, the Places You'll Go! (which happens to be one of my favorites) and had his PreK teachers sign it for him.  The plan is to have his teachers sign it each year. 

Messages from PreK

I will leave off tonight with one of my favorite quotes ever from Dr. Seuss, one that I put in my kindergarteners' portfolios at the end of each school year.  It couldn't be more appropriate.

"So be sure when you step.  Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act.  Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.  And never mix up your right foot with your left.  And will you succeed?  Yes!  You will, indeed!  (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!"

Till next week friends!

Brittany :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Yay for Mommies!  Today is Mother's Day and we have been making our usual holiday rounds to celebrate.  Last year on Mother's Day we did the same, but with only one little one tagging along with us (still waiting on Liam, though my water broke on Mother's Day night).  So, this was my first Mother's Day as a Mommy of two!  I am so very blessed that these two sweet boys call me Momma.

Mother's Day 2012

And this couldn't have been more precious...Chandler's song that he learned at school and sang to me this morning (and a few other times this past week):

As I was having my coffee this morning, watching my boys play, I got to thinking about some of the things that I have learned from the most important Moms in my life.  As I have said before, this journey of motherhood has me learning new things everyday, but I have also learned so much from watching these pretty fabulous Moms in action.  And I was lucky enough to get to celebrate with these wonderful ladies today. 

My Mom, me, Granny Vera, sister Andrea, & brother Woody

Liam, me, Jus, BIL Mitch, MIL Denise, Trev, & SIL Carly

So, what have I learned so far??  Well, here are just a few things that I have learned along the way either on my own or from one of these ladies:

1. A mother's love knows no bounds...at all.  None.

2. Being a mom isn't easy.  In fact, it's the hardest job on earth.  

Which is why Moms have Moms; for job training.

3. Sometimes Moms need a break, and that's why we have Grandmas.

4. A mother's love isn't always squishy and sweet.  Sometimes, kids need tough love.

5. Take time to spend with your little ones and slow down.  You really will blink and they will be walking, then riding a bike, then starting high school, then leaving for college.  Savor every moment.

6. Let them be little. 

7. As a Mom, you don't always get it right, so learn to laugh at your mistakes and/or learn from them.

8. Sometimes when our children come to us, our heads and our hearts won't always know what to say or do to make it better; that's why God gave us arms to hold and carry our children through these times.

9. It is entirely possible to love your child before ever meeting them.  And that love really does grow bigger each and every day.

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. "

~Washington Irving~

Till next week friends!

Brittany :)

Happy Birthday, Liam!

Though his actual birthday was Wednesday, today we celebrated ONE YEAR for our sweet baby Liam.  We have been super busy all day long!  In fact, this is the first time I have sat down today.  I feel super accomplished though...three loads of laundry washed, dried, folded, and put away, dishes done and put away, house semi-cleaned, birthday party prepped, thrown, and cleaned up, dinner with parentals, and a blog post!  I'm on a roll :)

But, the bulk of our day was spent getting ready for Liam's birthday party.  I decided to go with a Sesame Street theme for his 1st.  I had super amazing plans to do lots of fun themed games outside...but alas the rain took the party out of that part.  We still had a great time celebrating though.  Here are a few pics from our day, starting with his pretty cute birthday invitation:

Bought these on Etsy

Cake & cupcake table

Sesame Street cupcakes

Food table...I had some super cute signs to make for the goldfish and cookies, but ran out of time :(

Dining room, still using our Liam banner made by the fabulous Kristle Chalos for our baby shower

Liam's month by month pics

Party favor bags, one of my Pinterest ideas.  Super love how they turned out!

Backdrop for cake time...another Pinterest idea, but it isn't centered :-/

This party brought to you by the Letter L and the Number 1

Mommy & the Birthday Boy

Smash cake

Here we go!

 

Let's do this.

Not too sure.

Little squishy.

Yea, he decided it was okay.

How real men eat cake.

Opening presents with friends

My big 1 year old

Happy Birthday, Liam!

We had a great time and a great celebration of the last year we've had with Liam.  Looking back it seems like this year has literally gone by in an instant.  Is there some way to slow down time just a bit???  Why must our babies grow up so fast???  I MUST slow down and remember to savor each and every day that my sweet boys are little!!

I shall leave you tonight with words from a fabulous children's author.  I started writing this in Chandler's birthday cards on his first birthday and have each year since, which I will also do with Liam.  Words couldn't be more true than this.

"I'll love you forever.  I'll like you for always.  As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."

~Robert Munsch, from Love You, Forever~

Till next week friends!

Brittany :)

Liam by the Month

I cannot believe it.  Really.  I actually do not believe that a year has passed since our sweet Baby Lamb joined us and turned our little party of three into a super happy party of four.  IMPOSSIBLE.

Koehn, Party of Four!

My fave of me and Liam after his arrival

  So grateful to Wendy Hardin for capturing the beauty of this child of mine at 6 days new

Yes, today we celebrate Liam's first birthday!  I feel like the past year has gone by in an instant.  Throughout this whirlwind of our baby's first year we have watched him grow, and change, and learn, and even begin to exhibit tiny little tidbits of his very own personality.  We have watched his big brother love on him, and gaze at him as if he were the best gift ever, and get angry with him when he finally learned to crawl and wanted to touch, grab, hold, or slobber on every single one of big brother's toys.  And for every single day of the past year with our newest addition, our love for him has grown bigger and bigger and bigger.

So, to recap some of his growth and changes in the past year, here is Liam by the months:

Not too thrilled with Mommy at this moment

Chunky Monkey already packing on the pounds

Lil Slugger

Always so content to lay & watch, still not quite propping himself up

Full of personality at five months!

Sitting by himself at six months (but still hasn't rolled over...)

Sweet smiles at seven months

Look at those leg rolls!  Oh, and speaking of roll...we finally rolled over at 8 MONTHS!!

Thoughtful at nine months

Big boy at ten months

Standin' and steppin' at eleven months

Birthday Boy!

 Happy Birthday to my Sweet Baby Lamb!!  I thank God everyday for the blessing that he gave us twelve months ago.  Love, love, love you sweet boy!

"Before you were born, I carried you under my heart.  From the moment you arrived in this world, until the moment I leave it, I will always carry you in my heart."

~Mandy Harrison~

Till later this week friends!

Brittany :)

P.S.- Yes, I will blog again on Saturday.  I missed last week's post, so I have to play catch up :)

P.P.S.- Sneak preview: I will be blogging on what will hopefully be Liam's amazing Sesame Street themed 1st Birthday Party!  Can't wait...so much to do!

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's SUPERCHAN!

So, today (April 28th, even though technically it is just past midnight, making it the 29th,  which means I am late posting again...urgh) is National Superhero Day.  Being a mother of boys, I need to know things like this. 

Chandler has been sick most of the week with a fever virus.  Poor fella was so super excited about going camping with his aunt, uncle, and cousins this weekend after his soccer game.  He woke up today without a fever for the first time since Wednesday.  But, since he had a temp last night I didn't want him to go to his soccer game...or his camping trip.  Instead, we had some fun at home.  Being National Superhero Day and all, we decided to play dress up.  There are a few pics of him below being all superhero-y.

And all this superhero-ness got me thinking of a quote I love (that you can read below), which got me thinking about the character traits that superheroes have.  The obvious ones come to mind first; strong, brave, courageous.  But, superheroes are also selfless, determined, intelligent, humble, have a strong moral code, and are always willing to uphold peace, justice, and goodness.  Wouldn't it be amazing if everyone lived that way?  I sure hope to instill some superhero qualities in my boys along this route of growing up.  And some really cool gadgets and superhuman abilities would be cool, too...but I doubt I can make that part happen.

Superman

Because he "really can't fly", he climbs trees instead

Captain America

Thor.  This one just makes me laugh.

Spiderman.  We don't have the costume itself, so we had to improvise with blue clothes and red soccer socks.

Woody is a "good sheriff", which makes him a superhero to Chan

Good pirates find treasure, and according to Chan that makes them superheroes, too.  And they also all wear tie-dye in case you weren't aware.

My personal fave, SUPERCHAN!!

"You don't raise heroes, you raise sons.  And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, 

even if it's just in your own eyes."

~Walter M. Schirra, Sr.~

Till next week friends!

Brittany :)