Football Wife - Tami Taylor, Watch Out

"54 days till football season."

Those were the first words I heard the other morning from my sweet, sweet husband. 

Good morning to you to my dear.

Wee wittle babes.

Football is a big deal in our house. 

Schedules and budgets revolve around football games.

Once upon a time, I wanted to have a fall wedding. 

But was quickly told that could never happen.

We recently got rid of cable.

Which means we got rid of our ginormous sports package. 

It hasn't been a big deal so far, however fall is quickly approaching 

and I can feel Robbie's anxiety rising at the thought of missing some game on ESPN.

Don't get me wrong...I love it and couldn't imagine our lives any other way.
Our "football family" are some of the best friends we have.
And the Saturdays we spend tailgating are too fun for words.

Plus, there's something totally hot about seeing Robbie so passionate about something.

He literally lights up anytime he talks about a game or a play or a team or something else I don't always understand.
But his passion for it is probably one of my favorite things, and one of the things that makes me love it so much too.
Well that and all the delicious tailgating food.

The obsession is about to take on a whole new meaning as we kick it up a notch in the Dunn household.

Robbie got a job!
And not just a job, the job.
The job we prayed for and wanted for him, without even really knowing we wanted it.

He'll be teaching high school American History at a school about 35 minutes from our house.
And he'll be coaching football.
So many dreams come true.
Because you see, as passionate as Robbie is about football, he's equally passionate about History.
That same light comes on his eyes anytime he talks about it.
After all the struggles that we've been through these past few years, and after all the hard work I've watched Robbie put into this, I am so proud to finally see him doing something that he not only loves, but is called to do.
He is going to be an amazing teacher to those students, both on and off the field and I could not be prouder.

I also don't hate the fact that I am one step closer to fulfilling my dream of becoming Tami Taylor. ;)

All I know is...

...Holly always has the best blog ideas ever. Snaps to her.

...season 1 of Keeping Up With The Kardashians is pure TV gold. 

...my Mexican vacay recap is typed and ready to publish....as soon as I upload pictures. Because really why would you want to read about Mexico when you can look at Mexico instead?

...my inability to sit around and do nothing is really a problem. And for some strange reason the only solution I see to that problem is to get another summer job waiting tables. Which, hypothetically, is fine. Until you know, the job actually starts. 

...Lauren Fitz has the most fun hip-hop Zumba videos on YouTube. I'm slightly obsessed. And I don't even typically like Zumba. 

...I have no rhythm which makes my new found hip-hop Zumba obsession quite comical. Good thing Roxy and Willow can't laugh out loud.

...if Willow's picky eating habits are any indication of how my future children are going to eat I am in for some serious trouble.

...homemade pancakes for breakfast taste just as yummy on a weekday as they do on a weekend. Just sayin.

Happy Hump Day y'all!

I love America

Disclaimer: I really had every intention of blogging everyday last week but obviously that didn't happen. I'm trying, I promise.

I wanted to recap our trip to Mexico because I still haven't done that and I think it would be good for the whole grieving process I'm currently going through as I withdrawal from unlimited drinks, food, and sunshine. However, after such a patriotic weekend it didn't seem quite right to pay tribute to another country. No worries, that will happen tomorrow.

~

July 4th.
I have such a love/hate relationship with this holiday.
Obviously I love America and I love any excuse to eat hot dogs and drink beer and enjoy all of the other freedoms I'm able to because of the selfless people who put their lives on the line for little ole me.
But living so close to the beach and smack dab between two rivers I kind of hate the hoards of people that flock to the pool/beach/dock on July 4th. It's a tad overwhelming.
Also, my history-loving husband looooooves to focus on every technicality that comes with this holiday, sucking the fun out of all of it.

Either way....I can hang with the best of them, which is exactly what we did.

I braved the 3908457 splashing kids at the pool Friday afternoon. Then Robbie and I met up with some friends out in the "country". Something about July 4th makes me want to be around big, open fields.
After meeting their four pet chickens and learning about egg fertilization, we enjoyed hamburgers on the grill, corn hole in the backyard, and shut gunned beers on the porch. #merica.

Saturday we rearranged our living room (I'm on a kick and can't get enough) then met up with some friends at the pool (with only one totes adorbs splashing kid) before scooting back down the county with my dad to enjoy a low country boil with cousins. After everyone else went off to watch fireworks, Robbie and I headed back into town to meet up with some friends for cards, beer, and lots of laughs. And pretzels...we ate a lot of pretzels.

Sunday was a pretty laid back day. My mom and step-dad have recently sold their house and are now going through the never-ending process of cleaning out and packing up 22 years and one blended family's worth of stuff. It is being quite the chore and all hands are on deck so I spent some time Sunday afternoon helping with that. Let me tell you...the stuff we've found could be a blog post in and of itself. It's been interesting to say the least.

Now here we are, Monday again. And I've created a long list of "to-dos" for the week. "Watch Netflix"  is not on it. Time to be a productive member of society again. We'll see how it goes.

Whadup July?

Holy July batman!

How is it already July?

Don't get me wrong, normally I love the start of a new month. 

There are few better feelings than turning over a blank page in my planner.

But in the summer, I feel like the pages turn way too fast. 

And I just love summer so much...I don't want it to be over. Ever.

Wahhhh.

Anywho...I feel like now that it's July my summer has officially started. 

I know technically, I've been out of school since the 6th of June.

But with workdays and trainings and then our Mexican vacation I haven't really had much time to cross  some items off my summer to-do list...until now. 

I normally hate these monthly goal posts mainly because I suck at actually keeping them, 

but there are several things that I want to get done this summer before school starts back up.

Plus I made this cute little checklist (because I have way too much time on my hands) to stick on my fridge and keep me on track.

Shred, White, and Blue Challenge found here. 

Clip Art found here.

Guess who back, back, back again?

It's meeeee!

Y'all, I have missed this little piece of blogland.
So so so much has been going on since I last popped in (30488098 years ago).

First and foremost, it's officially summer time and the livin is easy.
If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times. Having the summers off is so nice.

We wrapped up the school year with awards, end of year parties, our favorite school memories, silly string, happy dances, talent shows, and lots of other end of first grade shenanigans. This past school year has honestly been my favorite to date. Don't get me wrong...I have loved every single student I've ever taught. And the end of year always brings time for reflection and gratitude for everything I've learned from each set of crazy kiddos I've had. However, this group of kids touched my heart in such a different way than my other groups. I was reminded this year why I became a teacher. And as excited as I am for a break, I was a little sad to see the year come to an end.

Anyway...with that being said. It did come to an end and after a week of workdays cleaning and packing my room plus two days of reading trainings, we packed our bags and took our crazy, dysfunctional blended family to Mexico.

Yep, you read that right!
Mexico!!

I'll be posting several detailed recaps throughout the week (more than one post in a week say wha?) so be on the lookout for those.

Until then all you need to know is it was wonderful and I've been in withdrawals ever since we got back. Una cerveza por favor? The views were breathtaking, the weather was perfect, and the people were muy amable.

I want to go back...like yesterday.

The More Gangsta, the better.

So...it's June. Which means my over-zealous workout Barbie goals of May are complete. Well kind of.

Let's review shall we.
I started the #1800minuteschallenge to complete 1800 minutes of physical activity in 60 days (which I know is technically much longer than just the month of May but it ended May 31 so I'm recapping it now.)
I also started #4weeksfit (I was all about a good hashtag challenge apparently) where I set specific fitness goals for the month of May.

And here we are, my hashtag challenge timeline expired and it's time to fess up.

I failed. I mean, I didn't complete them the way I had planned. I mean, I blew them out of the water.

I'm a very goal-oriented person. But I'm also a very indecisive person. I tend to make my goals as they're happening instead of before getting started.

For example...the challenge of timing my workouts and wanting to reach 1800 minutes kept me motivated to stick to a regular workout routine. But my goal shifted from focusing on the duration of the workout to the intensity of it. All of a sudden, I became more motivated and interested in increasing my running speed and distance. Which, coincidentally was one of my 4 Weeks Fit goals. I didn't reach 1800 minutes. I didn't really get back on track with my gluten-free diet. I did better and I'd say I'm sitting at a solid 70/30 60/40. #whompwhomp I didn't join a gym.

But even though I didn't reach those specific goals, I met others that I didn't even realize I had.
And I realized things about myself that I hadn't before. And isn't that really the point?

For example, I ran 47.75 total miles in the month of May.

My typical "run" is a 3 mile route.

And I can do it in about 26 minutes on average. Which is 3 minutes faster than my last 5K time.

That's huge stuff y'all.

Saturday I ran 5.5 miles in about 50 minutes. And yesterday I did 4.5 (with Willow) in about 40 min.

And it's kind of easy. I mean I still spend a good portion of the whole thing convinced I'm dying, but I haven't keeled over yet. I remember when running non-stop to my mom's house (exactly 1 mile away) felt like a hug accomplishment. Because it was. Now I just have bigger accomplishments.

Also, my sense of direction has gotten a lot better since I've started running. I've lived in New Bern my whole life but I'll admit, I still get turned around in certain areas and street names? Fuggeduhboutit. But now that I'm running, I'm a lot more aware of where I am and where I'm going. (Literally and figuratively I guess.)

I've also learned that I get really pumped up if I can listen to vulgar rap music while I run. #turndownforwhat

Sex, drugs, and alchy-hawl? Check. The more f-bombs the better. Sorry mom. It just is what it is.

~

Anyway...a little bit of bloggy chat for you. I realize that my posts lately have been a little sparse and probably a tad redundant. Right now I'm blaming in on the craziness that is the end of the school year.

But I have a confession to make....I don't need blogging like I used to and it shows.

When I started my blog I was in desperate need of an outlet. It was the end of my first year teaching, I was consumed by the stress and disappointment and reality of the career I had chosen for the rest of my life. Robbie and I had just moved back to our hometown and we're struggling with finding our "new grown-up" place in it. I was figuring out how to be a wife and share a home and pay real bills and take care of two very cute, but very needy dogs. I felt like I didn't know what I was doing and I needed something, un-school related to throw myself into for at least 30 minutes a day. And I did. And it worked. And I loved it.

Flash forward to now, the end of my third year teaching, my almost fourth year of marriage, and I'm in a completely different place in my life than I was two and half years ago. A better place. A more secure place. And in this place, I still love and enjoy blogging, but I don't need it and the "therapy" it provided for me like I used to. Which in a way is a bit of a celebration because I'm now more emotionally stable ha. But it is a change and I'm trying to carry the blog with me through that.

Like I said, I set and create goals as they're happening. So bear with me.

It's Here! It's Here! It's Here!

The last week of school with kids is finally here! And I could not be more....conflicted.
Don't get me wrong - I am definitely ready for a break. Summer vacation is calling my name and it sounds so sweet.
But there's a lot of changes coming up in the school year ahead and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous about them.
This year has been one of the best so far and I'd be perfectly happy jumping right back into it come August....after a nice, relaxing summer break of course.

Nevertheless, summer is coming and for me that means no more alarm clocks, packed lunches, and stuffy dress codes.
I'll admit, having summers off gives me the tendency to become quite the bum.
I have no problem spending my days in a bathing suit and cover up or shorts and a t-shirt.
I occasionally also have no problem spending my days in my pjs but that's neither here nor there.

For me, summer has such a laid back feel.
And my clothing style tends to match that mood.
Getting "dressed up" is a big deal, and even then it's nothing extravagant.
Having a fresh tan means less make-up and windblown "beachy" hair means less blowdrying.

In the past, sun dresses have been my weakness.
But lately I have been swooning over cute shorts.
There are so many cute colors and patterns that I can still feel lazy laid-back while looking pretty darn cute. I consider that a win-win.

Meet a few of my fav styles.

{1.} Denim shorts are a staple, but I had a really hard time finding a pair I love. I recently found a pair very similar to these from Target and they're almost perfection. 

{2.} Chino shorts are another staple. (Who am I kidding...all these shorts are staples apparently.) JCrew has the best, in my opinion, but I'm loving these from Target a whole lot too. And my wallet definitely loves them. Plus there are sooooo many different colors! I'll take one of each please and thank you.

{3.} Then there's all the fun styles and patterns. 

{4.} I had to explain to someone what seersucker was the other day. Regardless, these seersucker shorts from Lily are to die for. And the scallop edges...be still my beating heart.

~

Now, it only seems right to not just tell you about my favorite summer fashions but to also tell you about my favorite summer spending habits. Robbie and I work really hard throughout the school year all year to pinch every penny we can. Being a teacher's rough, y'all. But during the summer when I have a few extra minutes to breathe think make a few extra doll-hairs, life tends to be a little easier. 

Something else that makes life a little easier. Gift cards. Robbie and I are both gift card hoarders. They are like gold at our house. (My birthday's in April, for future reference.) Something else we love at our house - online shopping. Which is why Raise is my new favorite obsession. It's a new marketplace where you can buy discounted gift cards to your favorite brands and sell your unused gift cards for cash. You know what that sounds like to me? Cha-ching - hello new clothes. And for me...hello new summer shorts in every color/pattern/print imaginable. Hell to the yes.

Happy shopping y'all.