NJHS

These 4 letters - NJHS - have been nagging at me all school year. They stand for National Junior Honor Society and every time I see them, I think of the dynamic group of kids I have who I'm responsible for helping to do something noble and needed for the community. It can feel like a daunting task...

Their vegetable garden

 While the kids have been peer mentors and volunteers at evening events since September, this garden has been the most fun and rewarding project they've done to date. The ideas came from students, and I had a blast purchasing the materials, soliciting donations, and generally pretending like I knew what I was doing. Along the way, the kids learned about annuals, perennials, mulch, what a raised bed is, what verigated means, and most importantly how it's fun to get covered in dirt.

 

Replacing two dead shrubs with two new rhododendrun bushes.

 

The kids will come in over the summer to earn community service hours (needed for graduation) while they water and weed.  We're off to a good start and hope this is project is one that grows with the kids.

New Beginnings

About 2 weeks ago, Tucker's new boss invited us over for dinner. I got to meet many of the AFGE crew and everyone got to meet Margot. She ran herself ragged until waaay past her bedtime, which she loved.

 

 

Beth, Tucker's boss, and her husband Alan made us feel right at home. Beth is also from west Texas (Bovina) and made us all feel at ease, the way Texans do. Great music played all night, and when the torrential down pour set in, we all relaxed on the big screened in porch by candle light. It was not your average office gathering, that's for sure. 

At the end of the night, Beth brought out a cake that read "Welcome Tucker, Meghan, and Margot (!) to AFGE". I couldn't believe how thoughtful and kind it was. We felt very welcome and humbled and Tucker looks forward to working hard with such wonderful people.

20/20

It's hard to believe that I've already passed the mid way point of this pregnancy. Over the past few weeks, my belly has become more basketball-esque, and Baby McD #2 is kicking day and night. It's a really good feeling.

I hesitated to post the picture below, simply because it feels so personal. Yet, I think this little guy is precious, and as this blog is serving as our family's scrapbook for the time-being, I thought it deserved a place here. Isn't he a cutie?!

 After I came home from the doctor visit, I spent a some extra time playing with Margot, and put her to bed a bit later than usual. Though she knows to say "baby brother" when I ask her what's in my belly, she has no idea what's to come, and my heart breaks a little for her. Knowing that things are going to change reminds me to stay in the moment with Margot more often, 

and appreciate the way things are now.

We know that hindsight is 20/20 (you saw that coming, right?) and for the next half of this pregnancy I'm going to try my best to slow down more, enjoy this time with Margot, and enjoy (what may be) my last pregnancy. There are no do-overs, so when I look back at this brief phase, I just want to feel I enjoyed it as much as I could.

May, so far...

I know I am always saying this but things have been so busy lately. Tucker has been traveling and our weekends have been filled with yard work, parties, and fun. I must also confess: I haven't been whipping out my camera for every life event that's happened. It's kind of been nice.... 

Anyway...here are a few snapshots of what we've been up to.

Last week, Margot had a check up with Dr. Gitterman. It was the most laid back check-up yet, mostly, I think, because I've stopped worrying about every little thing. She's a great eater, sleeper, walker, chatter, and is exploring everything. She's loving her little life, and we love her.

As you can see, Margot enjoyed showing off how big she was while we waited for the doc.

Here are Emma and Margot at Chase and Brice Lamont's birthday party last weekend. We all got to ride the train through Cabin John Park and see a magician.  It was the quintessential kids birthday party, seriously. Thanks Helen and Steve!

 On Sunday, Tucker, Margot, and I went to my school where Tucker so kindly installed a raised bed for my National Junior Honor Society students. It was oh-so-peaceful, just the three of us. The kids will be planting vegetables, shrubs, and flowers later this week, (or whenever the rain stops). 

While Tucker so kindly worked, Margot and I explored the courtyard. She loved school!

Margot, being her happy, silly, sweet self!

More soon!

Le Deck

While I've referred to our house as "the little house that could," with all it's potential and the love we've put into it, our back deck was "the little deck that really shouldn't have." Really.  

At some point last fall, we gathered bids to rebuild our old deck and realized how unsafe it was. No part of it had ever been to code; not the beams themselves, not the stairs, not the way it was anchored to the house...not even the nails that were used, fergodsakes. How did we not discover this when we bought the house?! It's been a lesson...

We counted our blessings,  pinched our pennies, and decided to rebuild...just in time for the warm weather.

Sayanora old deck! We won't miss you! 

    

We expanded the deck, making it deeper and wider.  Of course, we made sure that every part of it was done to code, and safe for little people, especially.

Our contractor has been great. His schtick is that he only builds decks and screened-in porches.  We trusted that he was the right person for the job. The name of his business is sort of a clever play on words...

"Home Deck". Get it?  Kidding... We like how no-nonsense he is.

And here's where we are now...

 Tucker is in the midst of staining and sealing it.
That whole "pregnancy card" is really working out for me...

To see the final product, you'll need to come visit!

On Patrol

You know Margot means business when she steps out of the vehicle.

The weather has instantly turned into summer and we LOVE it! It's been in the 80s for the past few days and it feels so good. We've spent afternoons in the yard, evenings on the deck (pics to come), and nights with the windows open. This weather can stay as long as it likes!

Kiawah

With a little luck and good timing, Tucker, Margot, and I recently went on something referred to as a "vacation". While we make trips to see family and friends as often as we can, vacations with just the three of us haven't been something we've done. Since Tucker's time off between jobs and my spring break lined up perfectly, we flew to Charleston, SC, rented a car, and were able to explore Charleston a little while spending the week on Kiawah Island.

Margot had grits for the first time and loved them. I remember liking Cream of Wheat as a kid, but these southern grits were a whole different story....savory, buttery, and a whole lot of goodness.

Kiawah Island is a pretty incredible place. It's about 10 square miles and much of the island is protected land. We stayed at the resort there which encompasses almost the entire island. There are beaches, bike paths, tennis courts, pools and golf courses all over the island, though it felt more like a small town than a resort. 

 It was chilly the first couple of days we were there, but the sunshine still felt wonderful.

 We fell in love with Charleston. It felt similar to Georgetown or Baltimore, just with a very strong southern flare and palm trees! We ate all kinds of fresh seafood, biscuits, po' boys, fried green tomatoes, and ice cream, which made it really feel like vacation.  The French Quarter was our favorite part of the city.

Our last night on Kiawah, we had dinner at Jasmine Porch which was one of the restaurants at The Sanctuary Hotel. (Think: the southern version of the Sagamore). 

It was a perfect way to end our stay in South Carolina.

In the lobby at The Sanctuary.

As usual, Margot had the best seat on the plane on the flight home.

While vacation with Margot was a little different than vacations in the past, (dinner at 6pm and in our room by 7pm every night; staying in for nap time in the middle of the day; up at 7AM!) it was nice to have some time away from home together in a slightly warmer, beautiful place.