Memorial Day

I love three day weekends because of all the time I get to spend with my boys! Summer is near and for that I am beyond excited but it is still not the same as three day weekends because Brian is working. Man, I wish he would have finished his teaching degree:)

Today we celebrated Memorail Day by BBQing with some family and friends. Katrina, Louis, and Lori were able to join us for a little bit! My Aunt Midge, Uncle Dan, and cousins Korey and Kim and her husband Jonathan and son Aaron came over too.

We grilled hamburgers, brats, and a hot dog for Jackson. We also enjoyed lots of fruit, potato salad, spinach dip, and brownies! I always eat way too much on days like this:)

The rest of the day was spent having fun out in the sun!

Trying to blow bubbles!

Playing washers

Brian set to work yesterday to create what we needed to play this fun game. It is a favorite at all Hartzler get togethers. If you get three ringers in one turn you get to sign the board. Ofcourse Brian accomplished that feat on the first day of playing! Uncle Dan and I did dominate for a few games:)

Jackson must have been warm, he dumped a whole cup of water on himself. He was such a trooper today! He was outside almost all day and was exhausted tonight. He was soundly sleeping by 7:30.

It feels like summer to me, I would love to sleep in tomorrow... I guess that will happen Friday:)

Play Day...

At The Little Gym

Jackson was not shy, he joined right in with all the other kids. We decided to visit before we signed up to see if he like it and what it was all about. He liked it and we liked it so we are signed up for the summer session!

In The Pool

After Jackson's nap we all jumped in the pool. Daddy dunked Jackson for the first time today and he liked it the first few times. Each time in the pool he gets better at kicking his feet. I think he will be swimming by the end of the summer:)!

In The Chair

Jackson's new favorite thing to do is say "up" and then climb up on our big chair. He tucks in a blanket around him and then either reads his book or types on his laptop. It is so darn cute! He doesn't want any help or anyone sitting by him.

At Target

After dinner at the ghetto Schlotzsky's (love their sandwiches) we headed over to Target to pick up a few things and left with a lot of things!! Seems to always be the case. I was trying on hats and Jackson wanted one too. At one point I looked down and this is what I saw:

That is two different color flip flops! How EMBARASSING! I wanted to leave right away but Brian made me walk around the whole store like that. I felt like everyone was starring at me. Yes, I even went to dinner like that!

In The Bathtub

After all that play Jackson was one stinky boy:) There is no objection to the bathtub. He still loves his baths and looks just as cute in his hooded bath towel!

And after Play Day, tomorrow must be Work Day. We will be cleaning the house, yard, and pool for our BBQ on Monday!!

I'm Smiling!

These are a few things I just can't seem to live with out right now:

Instead of soda I have been drinking Crystal Light Green Tea Peach Mango. Not sure how much better it is for me, but at least it is not a Diet Coke.

I love Target's soft pretzels. I probably eat at least one a week! Next time your there try one out, you will thank me:)

Another drink mix I have always loved is Nesquik! I have recently started drinking it again every night for my bedtime snack. I love drinking it with a spoon.

The infamous Nedi Pot. I have used this once a month for the past few months and I am sold! I have not had any sinus problems and it was not nearly as bad as I had imagined.

Flip flops (sandals in general) and pedicures. I can't believe I never had gotten a pedicure until about a year ago. I always said, "why would you waste money on something you can do yourself?" Bow was uneducated!! I am so glad someone twisted my arm to go!

Lazy Day of Some Sort

Today was a great day because we had no set agenda. We didn't even change out of our workout clothes until late in the day, and I never did do my hair or make up after I showered.


Brian and Jackson were up by 5:50, thankfully they let me sleep in until 7:00. By 9:00 we had gone to Old Navy, Target, and Wal-Mart. We had also taken a bike ride and picked up our pool tags!
Jackson went down for a nap around 9:30, and I was off to spoil myself with a pedicure. Let's just say I was embarrassed with what I looked like when I saw who was sitting next to me. Maybe next time I will shower and get ready before going? or maybe not?:)

I got home right when Jackson was waking up from his nap. This morning we decided to buy him a swimsuit with the floaties right in it. He needs more time to really get used to it!

After lunch, Brian couldn't hold his eyes open so I sent him to bed. Jackson and I played, read books, and sang Lynelle Pierce songs together. (Dad you would be so proud I still remember the words to all the songs.)

When Brian got up, I put him to work hanging pictures. Our bedroom has been empty long enough.

Our master bedroom had one accent wall of light blue paint when we bought it. We painted it a darker shade of mocha. The lighting in these pictures do not show the true color of our bedroom. We didn't hang too many pictures, but it makes the room feel more like our bedroom now.

Master bedroom looking out to the hallway (with new picture of Jackson hung)

Master bedroom looking into the master bath (with star hung above our bed)

Master bedroom looking into attached room (with wedding picture hung above dresser)

When you walk through the door in the above picture, you will enter my workout room. I enjoy having this room for many reasons a) I can get to my "gym" in seconds b) I can workout at any time c) I actually have a place for my equipment. However, I hope this summer it gets a lot more use!

Brian installed a new ceiling fan and recessed lights with a dimmer for me. While he was installing them I was a bit nervous, but it all turned out perfect in my eyes!

He painted the walls a dusty purple (again the color looks much better in person) and then today hung the collage of pictures on the back wall. I am going to order some saying to put above the pictures since the wall is rather large. Did you notice Jackson's pack and play that is so he can play while I work out if needed:)

My dad gave me a flat screen TV and Brian hung it. I love my workout room!

And after dinner:

Of course we made a trip to the Splash Pad. Jackson's face tells it all!

Lazy day? You decide!

Just the Two of us

It was a warm and beautiful afternoon when Jackson and I got home from school today. I decided to brave the water and take him swimming. The water felt awesome, it was a tad chilly for the first few seconds. I must say I am pretty proud of myself, Jackson must be making me tough:)

Jackson loves to splash around on the top step of the pool. Then he thinks he can walk right off and into the rest of the pool. This weekend we are going to see if we can find a suit with floaties in it.

The sun was bright! I know we are going to spend lots of time here once school is out, YAY!
I am debating whether or not to do mommy/baby swim lessons with him or little gym classes with him. Is the swim lessons too basic and something I could do with him at home?

Brian had to work late, so he missed out on the fun! I was glad to soak up some sun and relax a bit this afternoon as this week has been a very long and hetic one.

Looking forward to summer days where it is just the two of us each and every day (plus a playdates everynow and then)!

Time for Sticky Notes?!?!?!?

Friday night we went to Aloha Night at my school. It was a party to say "good-bye" to the students leaving our school and going to the new school, and "hello" to the new students coming to our school next year.

Jackson and I dressed in ourAloha attire. It was pouring out so the party was all moved into the school. Jackson liked watching the kids jumping in the bouncer, but there were too many for him to go in.

There wasn't too much he was interested in so we headed back to my classroom. I needed Brian to put him to work for a minute.

As soon as we walked in, Jackson made a beline for the library.

Book browsing for his "just right" books

"What a good book! I am thinking that lion is going to win because he has big, sharp teeth. It also reminds me of when I went to the zoo last week and the lion was huge and scary looking. That would be a text-to-self connection!"

On Saturday morning it was raining again. We made our way to the Scholastic Warehouse Sale. All the books there are 50-80% off. I was able to get like 25 books for $45. I got some great titles and I am excited to share them with my students tomorrow. This will get them excited for independent reading, we have to finish the year strong.

Of course, Jackson had to get in the book shopping too!

Taking a break to read a page. I bought Jackson a board book by Mo Willems. It is called The Pegeon Has Feelings, Too! I was so excited, his books are funny and great for fluency. I had never read this one before. It might be my new favorite!

After that we took a break from books and went to the mall to let Jackson play since it was still raining.

Jackson loved this car, he kept going back to it and wanted us to put him in it. Not sure why, the steering wheels were missing and the doors didn't open. He was trying to open the doors like he does on his "car".

These cars are cool!

A Sunday night read. My boy LOVES to read. I hope it continues and last through his whole life!

The title of this post but confuse you if you don't teach in Cy-Fair or use a Reader's Workshop approach. My students read independtly for about 40 minutes a day and partner read for about 20 minutes a day. They use sticky notes to record their thoughts while reading.

Anyways, do you think Jackson is ready? Ha!

The rest of the weekend we spent doing the normal; taking walks and bike rides, playing at the park and the splash pad, and cleaning the house!!!!

God's Love

"Love is patient and kind, Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth. Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always remains strong. Love never ends."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7

I have read those verses many times before. But, have really been reading and applying them the last week. In my Bible study, Max Lucado says to replace the word love with God's name. God is love, our only perfect example of true love, so how perfect is it to put his name in that verse. It has been so powerful in my life this week! I am living in the overflow of God's love and trying to let His love shine through me wherever I go and whatever I do.

And I DO LOVE this little guy!

Mother's Day

Brian and I are blessed to have great mothers. We are who we are today because of their Godly influence on our lives, their love, patience, and guidance. We appreciate all they do for us and will never be able to thank them enough. We love you both and are glad we can call you our mothers and our friends!



I had a wonderful Mother's Day! Brian always respects me and lifts me up as a wife and a mother. He made me feel even more special and appreciated today! Thank you Brian!

Jackson and him let me sleep in, made me a photo card, a hand written letter, and a photo book of Jackson's first year. Brian used the entries I used for each "month" post to create a book. We had a day of relaxing and playing outside. We walked to the park, then Jackson rode his bike and drove his car, and then we rode our bikes to the park. (Jackson now loves bike rides and his helmet, and I couldn't be happier!) What a perfect day.



Dear Jackson,
I am so blessed that you are the one that calls me mom. I can't believe God entrusted me to you. It is truly my greatest honor to be your mom. I promise to pray for you daily, raise you in the way of the Lord, hold your hand through the tough times, be your biggest cheerleader, support you in all you do, sacrifice my needs for yours, and love you unconditionally for all of your life.
Love, Mom



Here a few pictures of me and my boys and Mother's Day: