I Wanna Go Fast

This past weekend, Cody and I + his family headed to Talladega, Alabama so Cody and his brother could go really, really fast!

Last Christmas, Cody's mom gifted him and his brother a gift certificate for the NASCAR Racing Experience. Once they were given the gift, the two boys picked a track they wanted to shake n' bake at - which turned out to be Talladega. Since the racing experience crew travels to different tracks each weekend, we had to wait until May when they'd be back in Alabama.
We live only about two hours away from the track, but since we had to be there early in the morning, it made more sense to get a hotel nearby on Saturday night and then hit the track Sunday morning. Once we arrived at the track, the boys checked in and received their awfully cute fire suits and buzzers. Before they could tear up the asphalt, the program holds a "driver's meeting" like the real drivers do Sunday mornings. In the driver's meeting, they're introduced to their "crew chief" and watch a tutorial/safety video. Friends and family are more than welcome to attend, and drivers for the day are encouraged to ask questions before jumping in the cars. 
Once the driver's meeting was over, we headed to the track, where you wait your turn to get in the racecar. Each driver has a buzzer, kinda like a restaurant beeper, and when it goes off, it's your time to get fitted for your helmet. While you're waiting for your turn, the racing experience offers a ride-along program for those who don't feel comfortable getting behind the wheel. Cale's fiance', Anissa, decided she wanted to join in on the fun and paid for the racing experience with a professional driver. Not only can you enjoy the ride a little more since you aren't having to be in control of the car, you get to go faster than if you drove by yourself! She absolutely loved the experience! Totally on my bucket list!
Finally it was time for Cale to get fitted for his helmet, and hop in the car. As Cale was whipping it around the track, Cody was getting prepped for his turn in the car once Cale came in from his laps. We were able to watch them from a stand on pit road, which was really neat! Cody had the best time pretending to be a real NASCAR driver and already wants to do it again. We had the best time, and I strongly encourage anybody with a need for speed to check it out! (a great father's day gift idea also!)
*I'll pre-apologize for the photo dump I'm about to pour onto this blog post. But it's the best way to get out all these cool pictures to everybody involved in the experience! 

 

Summer Goals

It's summer break for this teacher and I couldn't be more relieved. The end of the year is always such a whirlwind, and this year proved to be no different.  If you've been a reader for awhile and you've got one heck of a memory, you know the beginning of last school year was a struggle for me. Although I grew as a teacher (especially in the patience department), it was a tough year from beginning to end. So for summer to finally be here, I'm completely thrilled and ready for a break.
Last summer was one for the books - with our wedding last June and our honeymoon trip to the Bahamas - it'll be a tough one to beat. Although this summer isn't quite so eventful, there are a lot of things I'm really excited for! I'm really looking forward to the time for myself and of course, spending time with friends and family. This summer will probably my last one by myself, so I want to take advantage of the next few weeks before I'm completely consumed with school. 
So in honor of my summer vacation starting, I've created a list of summer goals I hope to accomplish by August!

one || put myself on a schedule
With everybody working during the day, and little ol' me sitting at home with my dogs, I want to make sure that I'm being my most productive self. My goal is to be most productive in the morning and early afternoon - waking up early, exercising, chores around the house, working on school plans, blogging, etc - so by the time Cody comes home from work, I'm able to relax and enjoy my time with him. 
two || exercise
My excuse during the school year is normally "too busy to workout" and although it may be true some days, now I really don't have time as a way out. Whether it be a yoga DVD, walking on the treadmill, or walking Maci through the neighborhood, I want to be active.
three || read a book or two
I used to love reading, and then it just became a lost cause. So with my down time this summer, it would be a great way to relax and take advantage of this time on my hands.
four || create unit lesson plans
Although I probably won't start this until the end of June/beginning of July, I knew I wanted to start creating lesson plan units as soon as I found out I would be staying in the same grade level. A lot of my time is lost during the school year working on plans that I probably already planned the year before and forgot. I started in May working on science units, so hopefully I can knock out some more units to benefit me this school year.
five || enjoy a week vacation with my husband
The Bahamas aren't on our destination list this year, but we are spending a week in Maryland/Delaware to visit Cody's relatives. We're hoping to spend some time exploring the area's attractions and maybe hit the beach at some point. And hopefully enjoy some time just the two of us.
six || celebrate a year of marriage
This Sunday marks one year since we tied the knot last June! I seriously can't believe it! We haven't made official plans yet for the day, but spending the day together will be more than enough!
seven || decorate our house
Now that schools out, the decorating bug has bitten me. I'm hoping to start putting together our kitchen and living room before summer's over.
eight || enjoy friends + family
Kicking back and relaxing with loved ones sounds like the perfect summer to me!

A Weekend of Blessings

I've been absent from this little blog of mine, and I believe it's been a common theme since the beginning of the year. Each time I've felt like I have a chance to calm down and catch my breath from every day life and maybe start blogging again, I'm swept away with another busy week. But I'm pretty sure my relentless busy weeks have dwindled down a bit now that summer break has officially started and I'm fully taking advantage of this summer of relaxation. 
Now, I won't guarentee a steady number of posts each week - some may be better than others. But I will try and get back into the swing of things around these parts, and hopefully pick back up on a blogging trend. Fingers crossed!

Laying in bed last night, I was thinking about how great our weekend really was. Memorial Day weekend seems to be lost among society's obsession with BBQ's, clothing sales and beach trips. But it really hit me this year that it's more than just an "official start to summer." It's really a time to remember those who have fought and died for our freedoms, and for those who continue to protect us so we can enjoy time with our loved ones each and every day at the BBQ's and days at the beach that will consume this season. After thinking about the true meaning of Memorial Day, I realized all the events Cody and I experienced throughout the weekend are blessings that are possible because of the those brave enough to protect us.

Our blessings started on Saturday, where Cody and I headed to an annual charity car show that a local car dealership puts on every year around this time. It was important to me to do something Cody really loved, and we were able to do it with his family joining along. Cody's dad entered their older model jeep, which placed in the top 25. How lucky and thankful I am to be able to spend time with my husband, doing something that he loves to do, and with my new family, who takes me in as their own.

After an afternoon at the car show, we headed to my mom's house, where my family would be there to celebrate our many May birthdays - Cody, my grandfather, and my aunt. We all joined up for hamburgers, hot dogs and French onion dip. And wrapped it all up with opening presents and eating a delicious ice cream cake. The true blessing - surrounded by some of the people I love most, all in the same house, at the same time, laughing and enjoying each other's company.

We're lucky to have such amazing friends. Especially friends that will drive you an hour and a half away to take your anniversary pictures! Sunday, we had planned on taking some anniversary pictures since in just a couple weeks, Cody and I will be married for a whole year! (picture above, but more to come) I knew I wanted Ashley to do this for us, because she always makes you feel so comfortable and is so sweet all the time. She didn't even hesitate when asked, and she took us to the most beautiful mountain lodge I've ever seen! Her husband, Paul, and daughter, Nora, tagged along and we're so patient so we could get everything we wanted done. We enjoyed dinner together afterwards and were even able to see their new house that they'll be moving into in just a few days! 

 

Monday was spent with the cutest little butterball of a boy. I rarely get to see my other best friend, Brittany, anymore, so it was such a blessing to spend time with her, Luke and that precious baby bump! We spent the morning and early afternoon chatting, catching up with my mom at her house, and eventually meeting up with Cody for lunch. 
The weekend was brought to end when Cody's brother and fiance, my sister and her boyfriend, all came over an evening of grilling and hanging out. It was the first time we've had both our siblings over together for a meal together, and we we're really glad it went so well in our home. Yet another blessing to end the weekend.