Swimsuit Season

Do those two words make your heart beat a little faster?  It makes me want to crawl in a hole.  Every woman’s nightmare, right?

This year, my search is even more difficult with a growing belly.  Let me tell you, if I was smart, I would be creating a line of maternity swimwear.  Do we lose all sense of style just because we are having a baby?  Seriously.  I’ve searched the internet far and wide and still coming up with just about ZERO for style.  That’s a disappointment in this day and age.

I have also come to the realization that most women must be incredibly proud of their behinds. Most other women must think this is their best feature, by far, and want to bare it to the world.

I am not, however, one of those women.

Finding a suit that fits and flatters is like finding the lost city of Atlantis.  It doesn’t exist. Yet we spend tons of money every year, hopeful that we will discover this treasure.

The rest of the week, we’ll focus on some potential options.  Some that show promise…

And for a funny, I thought you might enjoy this little clip from The Middle-

Can you relate?  🙂

#swimsuits

Last Day of School

Today is the last day of school, hurrah!  I know as a parent, I’m excited.  And I also know the teachers have to be cheering as well!

Empty Classroom

“Empty Classroom” by criminalatt via freedigitalphotos.net

Speaking of teachers, I’m going to do something rather embarrassing.  I’m going to give a little shout-out to a teacher who has been very special in the lives of my two oldest.  She was both their kindergarten teachers.

This year I nominated her for a local radio station’s teacher of the week.  And she won! Much to my chagrin, my name was also announced as to who nominated her.  I wasn’t smart enough to be discreet!   Winning the award also means that she gets to be in the pool for potentially winning the teacher of the year award.  I’m so happy for her.

Through some oversight by my local small-town paper, only her photo appeared with the news that she had been honored with teacher of the week and not the reason WHY she had been nominated.  Like we have so much more important news to share here in our little corner of the woods.

So, since it is the last day, I wanted to share my nomination form and give her, and all the other great teachers out there, special thanks for what they do every day for our kids.  You all deserve a break!

“Mrs. Wonderful Kindergarten Teacher is one of the amazing teachers here. We have phenomenal teachers in our school system, but Mrs. WKT stands out. She teaches kindergarten and I can’t imagine the undertaking it is to get twenty wiggly bodies to learn- especially very important tasks such as reading, counting…tying shoes. But not only does she accomplish teaching these tasks but she excels at it. The children are taught their potential and encouraged to achieve it. The classroom is always in control; she keeps the kids engaged and excited. I think she is remarkable and she deserves, like every teacher here, to be recognized for their exceptional work with our kids. They are making our future brighter. And to be recognized brings satisfaction that their efforts do not go unnoticed.”

Happy Summer Mrs. WKT!  And all you teachers and parents out there!!

#summer

The Big News

Stork Arrives

“Baby Arrival Announcement Card” by digitalart via freedigitalphotos.net

I cannot keep this under wraps for long…We are expecting baby number four!  And we are so happy about it.

After baby number three, I thought we were done.  We moved and, in the process, we got rid of all of our baby stuff.  The only things that were salvaged were the car seat (now expired) and stroller and the pack ‘n play.  But something inside just wouldn’t let me comfortably say that we were “done.”  And so many people told me that you would KNOW when you were done.

I would have a Duggar-sized family if I had all of the modern conveniences- a maid, a chef, a personal trainer, a nanny, a chauffeur, a gardener, a personal shopper.  But I live in the real world where I am all of those things.  Not to mention that I have full responsibility for raising my kids.  So we take one child at a time.  The good news is that my kids are all potty trained, can dress themselves and will be big helps to me when the new baby arrives.

What does this mean for Style from the Sticks?  A few new additions to go along with our new addition.  I promise this blog will not turn into solely all things baby.  I will try to do some maternity fashion because it is a struggle for many of you, me included, when you know that you’ll only be wearing those clothes for a few months.  But I will also keep plugging away at “regular” clothes so those of you not expecting won’t be yawning in the corner.

I can also promise you that there will be some sketchiness to my blog once baby is born. I do have three children and I promise that I’m dedicated to this already. I know how to juggle the workload and I will not disappear like some bloggers do.  I will keep you updated when the time comes.

You may have to endure some whining from me as I struggle with lack of energy, lack of mobility and hormonal changes.  Who am I kidding?  That’s every day.  🙂

Oh, and in case you missed yesterday’s news-

In true summer fashion, I’m giving up trying to blog on the weekends.  It just isn’t happening. With all the summer activities, trips and vacations, I’m trying to be realistic.

I’d like to try to post at random a few Beauty Shop Saturdays.  But no promises!

I am going to try to do a better job live tweeting and snapping photos for Instagram.  If you don’t follow me on Twitter, my handle is @stylefmthestixs and my Instagram is stylefromthesticks.    

Most importantly, I can’t stress enough- every baby is a gift from God.  Every baby is a blessing.  Every baby should be celebrated, no matter what.  If this baby has challenges, we will not love what God has given us any less.  I have learned that every day is a gift. Tomorrow is not promised. My healthy children now may not always be.  I might not always be.

Be happy today.

#baby