{virtual} coffee date

Happy Saturday lovelies!!!

If we were having coffee together I would just gush on the fact that I finally broke down and bought a milk frother, and may I just say it was the best money ever spent!  The picture above wasn't used with it, clearly that is no foam at all.  This baby makes foam.  Real foam.  And it instantly makes my kitchen feel like a buzzing coffee shop.  When you are ready for a homemade tea latte, come on over!!! 

If we were having coffee together I would share with you that back to school night was probably the smoothest it has ever been.  There is something special about this group of parents.  Over the summer I was having a very difficult time with getting motivated to go back to work this school year.  I really relied on God and He is ever faithful.  All of the parents were so amazing, supportive, warm and left me feeling all sorts of loved afterwards.  I'm pretty excited for this school year!!! 

If we were having coffee this morning I would confess that I have a problem.  A bread problem.  It all started with the gluten free mango banana bread.  And then there were these beautiful zucchinis just sitting in my fridge so I decided they couldn't go to waste.  Hospitality has been on my heart, so I decided to bake some chocolate chip zucchini bread for my neighbor and my director to brighten their weeks.  I really want to try to share the love and push myself out of my comfort zone to show God's love.  Well there was one mini loaf left, and throughout the course of the week I've eaten almost the whole thing to myself.  And I've given myself an utterly horrible belly ache because of it.  Note to self: lay off of the baking for a while :) 

It we were having coffee this morning I would tell you that our cat is a funny character.  We have actually been having a difficult time with regards to keeping her with the baby coming.  She is cute as can be, but she is also crazy bipolar.  She likes to bite, nip, and scratch you.  She also has a couple other unfriendly characteristics, and we just knew it wouldn't be right to have that around a baby.  Originally we thought about giving her to a shelter, but my heart just couldn't deal with it.  So in the meantime we are trying to love on her, breathe in the adorable moments (like when she lays in the funniest ways when we get home), and pray about what to do.  We are hoping to find a family to adopt her, but have no idea where to go from here.  

If we were having coffee together this morning I would share that I've been trying to be more productive this week, and it feels good.  All summer long we have been in a huge flux situation with where to live, and I promise I will be back on Monday with an update to that!  So I haven't done anything that I wanted to get done before going back to work.  Now that things are finally settling down, I can finally start crossing items off one-by-one.  I've had a vision for a while to hang antique plates above the mirror in our dining room to add some character.  After I went to the flea market a couple months back and found the plates, I was just waiting to finally hang them.  Originally I wanted to hang them above the frame, but as I was cutting out circles from newspaper (because I finally took my time hanging things on walls) I decided to go a little bit more creative.  We taped the newspaper circles up to see how it would look and the husband give it a thumbs up.  In no time at all were the plates hanging up and my heart was delighted with joy to have this lovely little spot now. 

If we were having coffee together this morning I would tell you that today we are going to Home Depot to paint the nursery!!!!  I'm so excited and can't wait to have it finally painted and start moving things in.  More to come!!! 

it's that time of year

My head is spinning, there are endless to-do lists, my feet are killing me, I'm afraid that as soon as I assume a horizontal position I will pass out and never wake up...yep, it's back to school time!

Summer has almost officially ended.  School starts next Tuesday and I'm in the throngs of teacher week.  I feel like "Teacher week" should be noted as the week where you thought you had things together and then realize you don't, walk around blurry-eyed trying to keep track of all your lists, and feel ever so grateful for one more week.  I must say that even though I've only been working two days, it has definitely taken a toll on me.  And I'm pretty sure this pregnancy of mine is telling me to take more rests, slow it down a bit, and drink a lot more water!  

I thought I would show you just a couple pieces of my classroom to see what all I've been up to...

(Keep in mind it's a work in progress, and lots of the mess all around has finally been picked up)

Our God is an amazing God!  And today was pure evidence of that.  Over the summer our school went through some big changes.  Difficult changes that rocked everyone.  It has left us as teachers with a heavy job of gaining family's faith and trust again.  Our staff has undergone so many changes, so much that a third is brand new.  

Today we had a staff development that just showed the power of God working in and through a community.  We as a staff had to go through lots of different challenges and obstacles, work together, communicate, listen, and encourage others.  While doing so we were always thinking about what the implications were for our jobs.  At the end of our experience we were all just blown away with how uplifting and supportive our staff is.  Everyone was completely on board, they were helping others, and they were committed.  As a staff, we needed this.  We needed to see the hope.  We needed to see that amongst so many changes and challenges, we can rise and meet these challenges head on.  God has replaced our fears with hope.  

Now I'm off to prop these feet up, guzzle a gallon of water, and pass out! 

homemade tea latte {recipe}

This past week, something beautiful happened.  Very beautiful...and dreamy.  

I discovered how to make a tea latte at home!  Side note about Jamie: I have a fascination with frothy goodness lattes.  Whether it be espresso or tea, just give me some of that foam and I will drink it!  

Coffee has always been my first love.  And tea has always been there for when I'm sick, ready for bedtime, or desperate for some warmth.  However, this pregnancy does not like coffee.  I was devastated at first but then counted it a blessing in disguise because it wouldn't be that hard to give it up.  Now don't get me wrong...lattes still hit the spot.  

I've been craving something warm in the mornings, but want it to be creamy and dreamy.  Those two things are a must!  So, I grabbed some tea and researched how to make foam at home, and ta-da!  I had caught onto something amazing!!!  Follow these steps for a beautiful experience at your lovely abode....

Step 1: Get out all of your all stars.  I just purchased this tea from Trader Joe's, slightly hesitant as I'm not a breakfast tea drinker, and it has forever changed me.  Delish! I used coconut milk but almond milk would be just as divine.  Grab some agave or honey (if desired) and a mug that will warm your soul.  

Step 2:  Steep your tea bag for 3-5 minutes in hot water.   

Step 3: Froth your milk.  I used this method using a mason jar in the microwave, but it doesn't make as much foam as I'd like.  So today I'm breaking down and using one of the million BBB coupons to get this frother.  

Step 4: Add your agave or honey. 

Step 5: Pour in your milk.  

Step 6: Let that foamy-goodness settle on top.  

Step 7:  I choose to sprinkle mine with just a touch of cinnamon to add some spice, again, totally optional.  Sip, enjoy, let it warm your soul and melt all your worries away.