We've been enjoying our first year in our new home, but are just now starting to really put the improvements into it that we wanted to! We laid new flooring in our bedroom and bathroom earlier this year, and now we've moved on to light fixtures. This usually results in me reading the directions, Banks reminding me that he's an electrical engineer and doesn't need the directions (HA!), and both of us getting frustrated. Needless to say, it's not coming along as quickly as I would like. I have found so many things that I would love to get to decorate the house, but the budget will only allow us to do a little at a time. Next big projects: painting cabinets and clearing the back yard out! Maybe it will be done this time next year. :)
Banks and I took a 5 year anniversary trip to Sandals Grande Riviera in Ochos Rios, Jamaica in June. We stayed for 5 nights/6 days, and it was fabulous! My parents graciously took on the boys while we were gone, and we loved every minute of it. We had zero cell phone service while we there, but luckily, we were able to FaceTime with the boys over the wifi for free. It sure beat the 5 minute phone call from the hotel room that cost us $40!
Banks & I at dinner on the dock.
view from our balcony...
Jake turned 2, and Cole turned 1! They're growing up so fast. Jake's birthday fell in the middle of FCAT for me, so he had an "easy" party at Zoinks, which is full of bounce houses. It was perfect, because he loved it, and all we had to do was show up (and pay the bill). Banks had to travel to St. Louis for work over Cole's 1st birthday, but we had a fun playdate with a few of his little friends at the house. He had cake for the first time and loved it!
I graduated from University of Texas at Arlington in August, with my M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. I am happy to have my weekends back, but not quite as happy to start paying those student loans back in the near future. I decided to take more time with my family this year and go back into the classroom, so I resigned my position as Dean of Students at Imagine in June. On October 8th, I will be starting a new job at a local elementary school working only part time. I'll be delivering supplemental instruction in reading and writing to students who need it, between the hours of 8:30-12:30. I'm so excited to be able to continue my career while having more time to spend with my kids. This is a HUGE answer to prayer, and I am so grateful!
Our precious angels
Jacob Banks started preschool last month at Temple Israel. He goes Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and absolutely LOVES it. He is learning so much about sharing and friendship, which is what I really wanted. We were driving through a parking lot yesterday and a few high school girls were taking pictures together. Jake pointed at them and said "Look Mom! They're best friends!" I had no idea that he had any concept of such things, but I was happy that he did. :) Meanwhile, Cole Matthew is enjoying the 6 hours a week that he has my undivided attention, and he can play without his toys being snatched from his hands (the whole sharing thing hasn't been perfected quite yet).
1st day of preschool
Nathan, my oldest, younger brother (if that makes sense), moved to Colorado last month. We usually only saw him a few times a year, even when he lived in Orlando, but now I feel like we will REALLY miss him. :( Aaron and Ethan are both in state now, so that's good! We really missed Aaron while he lived in Illinois. I just selfishly want all of my family to be near me...the one huge downside to living in Tallahassee, and the one reason we're considering leaving in the future. Jacob prays for his extended family every night. It always cracks me up when he prays for his "uncles and aunts...and uncles again". It's like he knows that they need extra prayer. :)
We are now heavily involved in football season! To say that we were looking forward to September would be an understatement! After 4 home games in a row, we can now relax while we're away, right? Umm..NO! We're traveling to Tampa this weekend to watch the FSU vs. USF game, and we are really looking forward to it. Tomorrow we will head to my parents' house and stay with them. Thankfully, they are keeping the boys for us on Saturday night while we attend the game. It will also be nice to sleep all night long (and past 6:30 am) while we're in Tampa. Thanks, Mom & Dad!
So, it's my goal to post less on Facebook and more on here, but we'll see! :) It's just too easy to update Facebook from my phone!
Hopefully, my next post will be a bit more timely...
GO NOLES!
Great blog! I'm so glad things are going well. Your anniversary trip must have been amazing! I love seeing pictures of your boys, they are adorable little guys.
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