School.

I haven't been very clear with most people about what I am doing back in school. I changed my mind so many times about what I was going to do to keep my career moving forward after I had Thomas. I wanted to make sure this stuck before explaining again. I think the lack of confidence and indecision are the two main ways I struggled with postpartum depression. It's fun to see those two things falling back into place. (By the way, would you e-mail me if you struggled with postpartum depression? I studied it in school but only now can look back and see the effects for me personally. I'm curious how it has effected other women. Mine didn't start until 6 months post-delivery and continued until about 12-13 months).

Anyway what I am doing in school is getting my teaching license. I was an Elementary Ed. major for 1 year in college and am now finishing that up. I want this degree because if I teach for two years I can then apply for school counseling jobs in any state. And I've decided after much deliberation, research, and observation that school counseling is the right fit for me. So, I'm hoping to teach 3-6 grade for the last 2 years that David is in school. We'll see if that works out. He wants to be a Stay-At-Home Dad and finish school part-time. I have three more very part-time, easy semesters and then will student teach (in a paid position!) in the Spring of 2010. I love having direction and knowing I am called to help young people in a structured environment like an Elementary School in addition to raising a happy son. Schools are where societal change happens. While this is my plan, and it feels awesome to have one, I'm also holding it loosely. I know more babies and unexpected things are also in our future. Plus, student teaching will help me know for sure whether I'll be ready to go back to work full-time. Maybe I will wait until my kid (s) are older before doing that. We'll see...

How have you all balanced work and kids? What do you do outside the home to pursue your passions and dreams? This process has helped me appreciate David so much. While we are definitely aware that he will be the primary breadwinner, he wants to see me succeed too. Do you all think it is important for children to see their mothers accomplish things in a work environment? I was told recently that by having anything other than Thomas to focus on that I am sending him the message that he isn't good enough for me to be with full-time. I don't know about this. He is a pretty confident little guy and knows I adore him even though he stays with my mom on T/R mornings so I can go to class. What do you other women think?

Pure Joy.

Tommy Sam and I flew a kite this morning before some storms rolled in. With no trees, no cars, and just enough wind in the air, our driveway was the perfect place for this adventure. Tom shrieked in delight when the kite went up saying, "Wow, Wow, WOW!" Then when it crashed abruptly he cried out with a passionate, "Ut Oooh." When he got to hold the string his whole body lit up with joy. What a sweet little boy I have. Now if the two of us could just figure out how to not crash the kite into neighbors' houses... :)

Book Reviews

I've been enjoying two non-fiction books lately. The first one is called "It's All Too Much" by Peter Walsh. You may have seen him on Oprah. This book gives very practical ideas for de-cluttering. A few of my favorites include: 1. Turn all the clothes in your closet facing backwards on a hanger. When you wear something turn it around when you put it back. Anything that is still facing backwards after a few months needs to be given away. 2. Once you get your house where you want it to be, everything that comes in the door must be traded for something going out. I bought new shoes last week, so I put a pair in the give-away pile. 3. Put all kitchen appliances in a big box in the middle of the kitchen. When you use something, put it away in a cabinet. At the end of a few weeks anything left in the box you don't really need.
I have used many of these ideas (not legalistically) and am proud to say that my house now has very little clutter. I can clean up any room in 5 minutes and have spent less time looking for lost things. Getting dressed and doing my hair are much easier because I only have products and clothes to choose that I actually use. I did keep anything with sentimental value or "a few times a year" items like entertaining platters or formal dresses, but the day-to-day is clutter free!

The second book is a little devotional David's parents gave us. It is written in the first person as if Jesus is speaking directly to you. This perspective has helped me connect with God more in the few minutes I make per day to actually sit down and read something/pray/journal. Here's an excerpt from yesterday's writing:
"I am both a God of intricate detail and overflowing abundance. When you entrust the details of your life to me, you are surprised by how throughly I answer your petitions. I take pleasure in hearing your prayers, so feel free to bring me all your requests. The more you pray, the more answers you can receive. Best of all, your faith is strengthened as you see how precisely I respond to your specific prayers."

Make an Andrew

This is my friend Allison's little guy, Andrew. He is the youngest of 3 boys and has a 100% chill personality. He will even lay his head down on your chest while you hold him. After David got to hang out with him all morning he kept saying, "Let's make an Andrew." I keep trying to remind him that most babies are not like Andrew and there is the whole getting fat and loss of sleep factor. Andrew, I love you, but I'm not quite ready for a little guy like you at our house. Thanks for being nice to your mommy and daddy by being laid back, though.

Wedding Photos

I was going to post some wedding photos that I took with my own camera, but the photographer's blog is so much better. Here's the link for a few of Callie's wedding shots: after you look at them you will see why I a. want to lose a few more pounds, b. have a hard time with the money thing/Lisenbys, c. loved being pampered all week. Enjoy!
www.michaelcarrphotography.com Click blog and scroll down to Garrett and Callie.

More St. Patty's

This is Sullivan, son of our newer friends Anne and Dan. He looks like a grumpy old Irish man. Love that face! Sully's older brothers are Beckett and Teague on the scooters.
Elliot is Thomas' friend from music. She is currently in denial that the baby in her mommy's belly is a boy. She claims she is having a little sister that wears pink.
Findlay and Aiden are also music friends and neighbors. They won the best decor award. Findlay enjoys marching on her tip-toes and making silly faces.

St. Patrick's Parade Revival

Today we re-started the annual Dreher tradition of a St. Patrick's Day Parade. It was pretty cold, so we went up and down the block and then inside to play. We had traditional Irish music, decorated wagons, and party horns. I think David and I had more fun than the kids.
Thomas rode in the wagon with Andrew Cloud, the youngest of the Cloud Clan. He kept stealing Andrew's toy and throwing it out of the wagon.

Hadley is 5. Her mommy and aunt were the grand marshals of the original parades when we were kids. Look at those teeth! Hadley twirled her baton just like her mommy did.


Sydney is a music and park friend. She has the most beautiful hair and is very polite. She brought her special green frog that used to play music until the dog "kicked it."
Piper lives across the street from us and is just a few weeks younger than Thomas. Her uncle is a Nascar driver!

Callie's Wedding

We are still in Houston for Callie's wedding. It was a beautiful affair complete with a string quartet, security guards to protect George and Barbara Bush, and a bridesmaid dress that cost more than my wedding gown- by double. David and I both agreed that being rich and important is kind of like getting high. It's really fun for a few hours but leaves you feeling empty and lonely. We are excited to get to know Garrett and enjoyed spending time with his low-key family. We also had fun watching Tommy dance with Mia Grace, his date for the evening. Many pictures to come...

Going Green

We've been getting ready for St. Patrick's Day at our house. We are having a parade on the 22nd for all of Tommy's friends. They are going to decorate their bikes, big wheels, strollers, and wagons and spread Irish Luck around the neighborhood. This tradition was started by my parents in the late 1980's. We'll be the McLisenbys for the day.

And speaking of green, I've been trying to make some small changes to help the environment lately. I have always felt overwhelmed by the idea of caring for the planet and other than recycling pop cans and plastic haven't done anything. I believe we all play a part in the earth's deterioration and need to do what we can to help. David and I both bought re-useable shopping bags and we have switched to cloth napkins. We recycle everything now, including paper, at the bin near our house. The last thing I want to do is slowly switch cleaning supplies and laundry detergents to ecco-friendly products. Has anyone done this? I'm hoping it will also help with Thomas' asthma. Any other simple ideas?

Olive Oil and Handmade Cards

My brother and I have teamed up recently. He needs creative gifts to give to clients, and I need to make money during nap time. It's the perfect arrangement. For sales assistants I have done a gift bag with handmade cards, organic granola, and dark chocolate. In case you didn't know, Kansas City is the headquarters for Hallmark Cards. Thomas and I had a fun trip to the distribution center to pick out the ones we wanted in the bags. The brokers (my brother works for John Hancock) get a bottle of Olive Oil. I ordered this from David's cousin, Kimberly and her husband Adam. I'm not a big cook and don't have keen taste buds (except for junk food), but this oil is awesome. They own a vineyard in California. Let me know if you want to buy some b/c I have a few extra bottles.

A Few More...

Here are a few more pictures with my new camera. I'm getting a little better and starting to figure out all the settings. I can't wait to take my photo class in the Fall. Photography...another way to create in the suburbs.

On this one I cropped left and zoomed in a little from the original below.

For whatever reason I just love this face. He does this serious look whenever he is concentrating. Notice the drool. And my sepia setting!