Happy 2nd Birthday, Julian!

Today my "baby boy" is officially a toddler! Two years old; I can't believe it. I've been taking a trip down memory lane the past couple of days because of his birthday and World Cup Fever.

The World Cup graces us with a month of soccer every 4 years. I think back to 4 years ago-summer 2010. I was in my mid 20's, had just gotten out a serious relationship, and ready to have some fun. My friend Karen and I would go to Fox Sports Grill when it was at the Shops of Legacy and watch all the games (she was rooting for Uruguay, I was rooting for the US and then Spain). Little did I know at the time that my future husband worked only a mile up the road and in a few short months we were going to reconnect at Pete's Piano Bar (Justin and I have known each other for 10 years but that's another story for another day). It's crazy for me to think back on the woman I was only 4 years ago, and the woman I am now.

Flash forward a few summers later to 2012 and Justin and I are married and with a new baby boy. It's funny how "seriously" you take having your first child. All the classes and stuff you think you need to buy. How scared you are of every little thing your newborn does (or doesn't do). Julian was always a great baby. Always happy and always ahead of the game when it came to crawling and then walking. He must have known that Justin and I were new to the whole parenting thing and decided to take it easy on us. Now he's singing his ABC's and counting and naming his shapes. He's going to give me a run for my money, I'm afraid. He's very communicative, very observant, and thinks he can do everything. He's got a bit of a temper at times-hmmmm, which parent does he get that from ;-). He loves his family and his grandparents so very much, and he's starting to get along with his sisters (haha).

Julian, you have changed my life for the better, and I thank you for that. Thank you for teaching me about love and life. I'm so proud of who you are today and can't wait to see what the future holds in store for you-I know it's going to be great! Your daddy is counting down the days 'til you can start playing team sports, while I am itching for you to be the next Hugh Jackman. Happy birthday to my most favorite little boy ever!

Happy Father's Day and 1st week of summer!

Ah, summer, we meet again my friend <3. 

It's hard to believe that I just finished my 7 1/2 year of teaching-you have no idea how old that makes me feel. A few weeks ago I was driving home from work and one of my students that I taught when I was at an elementary school drove up to me and starting waving and yelling hi out of his window. My former students are now driving! And in just a few years, they will be graduating! I'm not sure if teaching gets easier or harder over the years. Every year has its challenges and its proud moments. I'm not going to lie-I always look forward to summer very much (I challenge you to find a teacher who says they don't look forward to it), but I have really been looking forward to this summer. I've spent all school year with 160 kids, and now it's time to spend the next few months with my 3 most favorite kids of all. We have a lot of fun in store for us Summer 2014. Sleeping in, playdates, swim lessons, relaxing, watching the World Cup, and our very first trip together as a family to South Padre! It's going to be great.

Happy Father's Day to my best friend! 

Enough about summer; today is all about celebrating my best friend and father to my children. I can't believe how gracefully he handles taking such great care of me, Julian, Eve, and Kena. He always has an unending supply of hugs, kisses, and smiles for each one of us. Our kids love him so much-you should see how each one of their faces light up when they see their daddy. Julian just thinks the world of Justin. It does make me a little envious sometimes that Julian turns to his daddy for everything, but  I know we will have different bonds with each of the kids.  Fatherhood is something that Justin was meant for and I'm glad to be on this journey with him. He is the glue that holds our family together! It has been a great weekend-yesterday I got to spend it with both of my wonderful father in laws and today I got to spend it with my own dad and granddad. 

I'm looking forward to this week-the twins turn 6 months and Julian turns 2 years old! Where does the time go??? This time last year we were sharing the news with everybody that I was pregnant with twins. Crazy!