this early bird is not catching any worms

Oh. I feel like my head weighs ten pounds and is currently clouded with feathers. That makes sense, right? James woke up a bit early this morning and I was in such a deep, hard sleep that it took a couple of the shouting, "Momma, I'm up!!"'s to actually get my butt outta bed. And now that we are up (at 7:45 no less) I still can seem to function. My head is all fuzzy and my body is apparently filled with lead. Of course, being in this state, the most natural thing for me to do next is blog about it, right? I knew you'd agree. I might just come back later to read this post and think that I am crazy, because I don't think I am making any sense on here.

I'd better get coffee. And cereal.

Peace out.

Holy cow it's May.

And that means a lot of things....

-Three more weeks of school! Though I love my sweet girls that I teach, I cannot wait for summer. And sleeping in. And not getting out of my pajamas until noon.

-Clara is just about three months old. Again I say, holy cow! Where did time go? She is just about the sweetest girl I have ever seen. Her little personality is starting to bloom, and it just seems to be covered in smiles and giggles. She's starting to get into more of a routine, which is nice. Her awake and nap periods are pretty consistent now, and once I put her down around 830 for bed, she normally is out for a good 6-8 hours after that. (Now, if only I went to bed at 830 too...) She is just a little gem. My little sugar plum.

- It's almost summer! There are a lot of things planned for this summer for the Hocker family, but a lot are hinging on where Dave will be working next year. They talked to him, and unless some other restructuring happens, he doesn't have a job at Gull Lake next year. But we aren't worried, trusting that God knows what is in store for our family of four (nice rhyme, I know). I'll probably be going to California for a time with Clara (Ho-Ray!), we might take a family trip to Colorado, we are for sure taking a family trip up to the UP in August, and Dave has a golfing trip in June with some buddies. Then of course there are the small little fun things we'll do around here. I just can't wait.

- It's almost our four year anniversary. I don't know why, but for some reason I am really excited for this anniversary. Maybe because we have two kids or maybe because it actually seems like a while to be married and out of that 'newlywed' stage, I just feel it is a good sense of accomplishment. And not only that, but I feel like our marriage is thriving and so good and am lucky to be his wife every day. It's a good life.

I think that's about all May brings. Today, it is bring lots of showers - definitely lovin' the thunderstorms!

Here are some recent photos for ya'll...

James reading Thomas, to himself, wearing a Thomas hat.

Coloring with chalk

James doing the hurdles. We've been going to ALOT of track meets this spring!

Sweet girl!

Helping dad out.

Easter 2010


Easter girl

My Walking Buddy

So lately James and I have been having daily walks because its been so beautiful and sunny out and completely warm. Its been so nice it would almost be wrong not to get out. Anyways, we have this little route that we always go on, and there are things that we are accustomed to seeing now, out on the road. Of course we point the normal, cars, trees, birds we hear chirping...but there are some unique things that come up on our radar. Like, half way along our trip there has been a woodpecker. Now, we have only heard him twice. Thus, on every other walk we go on and don't hear him, we have to have an in depth conversation as to way. "Is he napping?" "He must have moved to another tree." "Is he waking up?" and back and forth and back and forth until we move on to another subject. It's pretty cute. Then we always walk around the parking lot of the Catholic church by our house. There is a statue of Mary out front of the church, and every time he excitedly points out "Mary!" and once we pass it "Mary Go?" He really likes Mary. Then, we always make a stop and sometimes walk on the lake. It's been frozen for a while, but with the warmer temps I tell James that I don't think we can walk on it anymore because the ice is melting. He looks at me with earnestness and says "Uh huh, can walk." He really doesn't believe me sometimes.

Also, I tell him every time, "James, I like walking with you. We are good walking buddies." Then, with all seriousness that only a two year old can have, "No Momma, me not walk. Me ridding..." He got me. How true that is.

So it's been nice because I am getting exercise, but more importantly, it is precious time that just he and I can share. I also hope that it helps he know that he is completely special and loved even if there is a new little one in the house.

Speaking of....

Sweet Sassy Molassey I'm Tired

There are things roaming around in my head to talk about, but I am to tired to do so now. Maybe if I write them down here, I'll expand more on them later. And they are all completely random and vary greatly on the scale of silly to serious.

- Grandma's funeral...it was very sweet and dear for a very sweet and dear lady.
- The car ride to Indiana for her funeral...two kids, 10 hours in the car all in one day. Surprisingly easy.
- Admitting to myself that I like to watch some Disney channel shows.
- How much of Sam's trifle I can consume in one sitting
- Going back to work tomorrow
- My slimy and organized house (Anyone want to trade work at all? I hate cleaning bathrooms, and Lord knows mine needs it).
- Why the medals for the Olympics were bumpy. It really bugged me.
- Why my daughter won't sleep well for naps (I'm blaming Corie right now...)
- The return of my sweet boy.

That's about all I can get out right now. Mostly, I want to go snuggle with my husband. So I will. Goodnight.

Those Olympians better watch out...

...because I just got out my bright blue running tights. That's right, I have once again entered the world of exercise and fitness. It's been a good six month break, but it felt so good to get out there today. Since it is two weeks since Clara's birth, my midwife said I could start walking. Thank you sweet Jesus! I've felt so locked up in here. Anyway, so today Dave was home and I was able to "step" out for a while. Seeing that it is like, 8 degrees, I had to get prepared. Shorts and a t shirt just wouldn't do it in these conditions. I whipped out my running tights from high school and put them on. Seeing as they are skin tight and bright royal blue, I did feel like an Olympic speed skater at the starting line, though a lot less in shape and a loss less good looking in it, I'm sure. And don't worry, I didn't just wear the tights out as I fear that sight alone would have set people off the road. I put on sweats and bundled up, ready to face the elements.

Let me tell you, it was absolutely amazing to get back outside. It was lightly snowing and the ground was slushy. This slushy part is especially important to note because every time that a car came by, well, I got wet. I went about a mile and a half and I don't believe I've felt that good in a long time. So I am hoping for many more times like this to come.

Okay, well both kids are up from their naps now, so I can't go into all the extensive details that I felt about being outside and walking today. Just know it was beautiful and good for my soul. Amen!