Formally Introducing Mackenzie Taylor

Well this post is so long overdue, to say the least. On August 18, 2013 my sweet niece was born! She was perfect...let me tell you! She is the first baby girl since I was born, so as you can imagine Mackenzie is just a little spoiled. ;)

She is deeply loved by all and she is growing and changing so much already. Girl is not even 3 months and has already rolled over from her back to her belly! (In case that didn't blow your socks off, most babies don't do that until at least 4-6 months!) Guess she is trying to keep up with her older brothers and sister. Sheesh!

I got to keep that sweet baby doll all day this past Friday, and we had a blast! (My school gave us the day off because we had conferences last week. So nice to have a break!) We did lunch and a little Christmas shopping with my mom. Growing baby slept almost the entire time! Below are some more pics of Mackenzie. My most current ones are still on my phone, so these are a little old.

Wearing the headband I bought her!

Also, on an unrelated note, I have been looking for a few good books to tie me over until Emily Giffin's newest book come out in May of 2014. I saw this giveaway from the Christian romance author, Julie Lessman, and am so excited to start reading A Light in the Window! I went to school with the author's daughter and we also cheered together. I have never read any of her books, but like I said, can't wait to start this one! Especially since her daughter is the cover model, how fun is that?! Check out her website and the promo video here. Who doesn't love a good romance novel?! Especially one written from a Biblical view!

Happy Reading---and don't worry more pictures of Little Miss to come!

Zane's First Birthday

Remember this little guy...?

Well he turned ONE year old on August 10! (I know, I know...late!) His mommy and daddy threw a small party to celebrate the blessing that he is. This sweet baby boy has brought so much joy and happiness into this world since the day he was born and I am so honored to be his "Auntie Meghan". I love this little guy so much my heart aches!!

Photos were hung of Zane from each month of his life during his first year. Can't believe how much he has changed!

Table full of yummy food!

I made a "chalkboard" sign of all things Zane

His sweet momma working hard on the yummy food

Just a little game of Peek-a-Boo

So much love!

Tearing into gifts!

Of course one of his favorite pressies was from none other than yours truly... ;)

Giving my little buddy some lovin'

Telling secrets and giving Eskimo kisses

Cake time!

We take really great pictures...try to not be jealous...

 M&V...what a great party to celebrate your wonderful boy! Looking forward to many more birthday parties filled with last minute crafts! ;)

Running

image via

I don't like running. Not right now at least. I've never been a [good] runner. I always blamed it on being a dancer and having "different" muscles and not playing sports. But now that I am in my mid-twenties (ummm when did that happen?!) and I am trying to create habits and routines that should have been established long ago, I am struggling. 

I'm sitting here after running a mere 2.23 miles. Each step of those miles my body ached and pleaded for me to cease. And I began to hear lies in my head... "You are too out of shape to run." "You are too slow." "Every car that drives by you is judging how bad of a runner you are." "Just give up, there is no hope for you." I will be honest; many times I believe those lies. I buy into them. I give in to what Satan is telling me to knock me down and to keep me low. But in the midst of my (literal) pain, I prayed. And I prayed hard. I wasn't going to get further than 1/4 a mile without praying. My ear-buds weren't staying in and my shins were screaming with pain. Frustration was taking over. I continued to pray. I had to stop and walk often. I pushed through. I came up against a hill. I made myself run up it.  By the grace of God, I finished my 2.23 mile run in one piece. He helped keep my mind clear and motivated. It took me 14.5 minutes to run each mile, but I didn't give up. Even though I want to run a faster mile and I want to enjoy running I have to remind myself that at least I got my hinney off the couch and did something active. I'm a little embarrassed to even publish how slow of a runner I am, but hey...I ran instead of being a vegetable and watching tv. I have to continually remind myself that it doesn't matter if I'm slow now. I'm working on it and I will improve. Things that are worth attaining require hard work and are typically challenging. Running isn't my favorite thing. I don't know if it ever will be easy for me. But I know that when I actually train and keep a consistent running schedule, it is definitely easier than when I take a long hiatus. On Sunday I am running my fourth 5k. I've walked more races, but this is the fourth race that I have (semi) trained for and tried to run the majority of it. I didn't start training in enough time to be good and ready. But I'm going to run it anyway. I will pray and push through! And I am even excited to do it, despite my rough training sessions. And I am grateful for a sweet friend that I can share these struggles with, and who encourages me to keep pounding the pavement. I have to remind myself that there is nothing like pushing myself and crossing the finish line, then being rewarded with a medal. (Not to mention the self gratification of completing the race!) So, the point of this post is to remind myself in a few months where I started (again) with running. That even though it is hard, I CAN DO IT! God will provide a way. I will be a better runner. I will stick with it. I will pray through it. And maybe, just maybe, there is someone out there reading this that is also struggling with lies that Satan is telling you about getting fit and being healthy. Don't listen to those lies. You can do it. It will be hard and you may have some set backs and bad days, but the glorious thing is that tomorrow is a new day. Push through it and pray through it. We all have different journeys and demons we battle, but there is ONE God who hears our cries and wants to help us overcome those struggles. 

I had a couple other posts that need to be written, but this was on my heart. Sometimes you just need to get something off your chest to be able to carry on. Now...off to ice my sore muscles! ;)

Second Year, New Classroom

Well the new school year is in full swing now. My new group of kiddos are pretty darn awesome, and I'm really enjoying getting to know them! I'm still teaching 6th grade language arts and history for the same school, but I've been relocated in the building. I moved a few classrooms over and even though my last classroom was my favorite room in the building, I'm enjoying the new one. Moving your classroom is no joke, y'all. It took a lot more than I thought. Luckily, the day I began setting up, two former students were in the building and were willing to help. Bless their hearts!

My classroom is a big rectangle, so it was a little difficult to set up. But, I'm pleased with how it turned out! 

On a (fun) side note, my sweet friend, Lindsey, is getting married next Friday! A couple Saturdays ago her sister, and maid of honor, hosted a bachelorette party at a winery in Illinois. It was so much fun! I cannot wait to celebrate and be part of her special day on September 27! 

While at the Weingarten we bumped into a local news anchor and co-host of Great Day St. Louis (not to mention, one of my business partners), Virginia Kerr. Is she not the cutest little thing?! (Thanks for taking a picture with us!!)

Minky Baby Blanket Tutorial

Well...once again it has been waaaay too long since I've written a post. Now that it is in the middle of summer and 8 months has passed since my last post! Oh my...

Almost a year ago my best friend had a sweet baby boy. (I can't believe he will be 1 in August!!) I made that little bundle of joy a minky blanket based off a tutorial I found via Pinterest. So just in case you know someone who is about to have a baby, or maybe you just want a minky blanket, here are directions for the blanket I made.

Materials:

1 yard of cotton fabric (I used a print)

1 yard of minky fabric

thread

scissors 

sewing machine (duh!)

Step 1: Make sure that you have cleared a big space so that you can lay your material flat to pin. Lay the minky fabric right side up. I used my kitchen table, but using a carpeted floor might work better so the fabric doesn't slide. Then, on top of the minky, place the cotton fabric wrong side up on top of the. (You will flip the blanket inside out once sewn, so make sure you sew the right sides together.)

 (Minky right side up)

 (Cotton fabric right side down-on top of the minky)

 Step 2: Make sure fabric is lined up and pin all the way around.

 (Fabric pinned-it is helpful if the minky is a bit bigger than the cotton)

Step 3: Begin sewing the fabric together. Make sure you remember to remove the pins as you go, you don't want to stitch over the pins! I did about 1/2 inch inseam. Sew all the way around the blanket, BUT make sure that you leave an opening so that you can flip the blanket to show the right sides. I believe that I left a two inch space-but it has been almost a year so  can't exactly remember. HA!

 Step 4: Flip the blanket right sides out. Iron the blanket, focusing on the edges. Make sure your iron is on a low setting. *Tip Before You Flip* Trip the corners of the blanket before you flip so it lays flatter.

 Step 5: Flip the raw edges under and pin. Then begin sewing along the edges. I lined the edges of the blanket up with the edge of the foot. This caught the gap I had left open and then I continued to sew along the edge of the entire blanket to give it a finished look.

 (As you come to a corner, just turn the blanket and continue sewing.)

 Here is the final product! It was super easy, and cheaper than buying a minky blanket from a boutique. If you didn't want to use a minky fabric you could use whatever super soft fabric you wanted. I think it turned out cute, though!

Good luck making your own blanket, let me know if you have any tips that you found when making your own! Those babes are going to love it!