My Hero.

My Husband is UH-MAZE-ING! Today he completed his first triathalon. I could not be more proud of him. He is such an inspiration. When I got pregnant with Noah-Shannon was the most supportive husband ever. He took care of me, started using a body pillow (not kidding and still uses it), and he even gained weight with me. :) Shannon literally gained about 50 pounds. What a guy:) He weighed about 240 at his heaviest and now he weighs under 175. Once Noah was born and the weight wasn't leaving Shannon started biking. Now many of you know that Shannon is not calm, chill or even mellow. Whatever Shannon does he goes at it with full force! Well all of a sudden I was married to Richard Simmons-minus the glitter, 80's Reeboks, and man love. Seriously.

Our friends Bryan and Christine are super awesome. We love hanging out with them. We have known them for years and they are such a blessing to us. We attended each others weddings, they come over and cook for us at our house (you seriously need friends like this) and they are athletes that inspired Shannon. I tend to be less inspired by athletecism as you can see from my BMI. We watched them do the Solana Beach triathalon in July and Shannon was set. He decided that day that he was going to be a triathlete. Shannon and Bryan trained and prepped, we bought some spandex, and I cooked a carb fest last night. Fast forward 9 weeks to today and Shannon and Bryan are competing in the Mission Bay triathalon. Shannon did the whole thing in one hour and eleven minutes!!!!

This is Shannon at o'dark thirty getting the bike ready in the parking lot.

Noah was extremely happy for 5:30 am.

Shannon's mom and cousin Janessa came out to support Shannon in his big race.

Shannon was so excited before the race.

Bryan and Shannon before the swim.

We got Noah to hold the sign and cheer for Shannon for about ten seconds.

The athletes started in the water in the Bay. It was crazy. Christine and I ran down the beach in order to catch Shannon coming out of the water. It was exhausting.

Then we ran to the bike path to cheer on Bryan and Shannon!

This is the end of the race where Shannon was crossing the finish line. He was so inspirational.

After the race Shannon was ready for more:)

He was so pumped up.

The boys in all their spandex glory!

Shannon is the most amazing husband ever!

Here is a comparison picture of Shannon from one year ago. He really is awesome. We are so thankful for the Crosby's. They rock!!

Travel is good for the soul.

Hello Friends...

Lately I have been so focused on work and stress that I almost forgot to take time out for myself...I said almost. A couple weeks ago our family went to our most favorite place on earth. Mammoth Lakes. Shannon and I started a tradition last year that will be our summer vacation spot forever. Shan mountain bikes, and I relax in the mountains. This year we went to the same resort, but this time we brought more family. Grandma Anita (shan's mom), Aunt Linda and cousin Jon joined us. We got a bigger condo and had the best time. We laughed, danced, ate, explored Yosemite, and had a quiet moment of reflection for their late Uncle Bobby. We are already looking forward to next year and bringing even more family. There is something about getting everyone together that just brings joy to me.

Then a week later I got to fly to Denver to meet up with my best friends from college. The three of us have really remained the best of friends. Even though we live in three different states, we have managed to keep in touch. They know me inside and out, we are there for each other in the most joyous moments, and our darkest days, and they are truly my soul sisters. We all had our first baby within three months of each other and then Minta had her second by the time her first was 13 months! She is busy. We love to conference call, laugh, and even cry together. There isn't anything that I wouldn't do for these two. I cannot wait for our next girls weekend getaway.

Here is a picture journal of the last two trips...

Minta and Rece with baby Jack. He is the most laid back baby ever and his cheeks are so kissable.

We took Minta out for dinner one night without the babies. It was magical.

Seriously...Minta is super mom!! She made the best Indian food for us AND the naan was even from scratch. She is the most amazing cook.

We busted out our dorm shirts one night and laughed so hard I peed my pants. Yeah.

This might be the moment I peed my pants:)

I love you girls!!!

Noah loves Mammoth Lakes.

Walking with Uncle Jon and Daddy. My fav pic of the vacation.

This was near the entrance to Yosemite. It just took my breath away.

The family at the overlook of Dome rock. It was magnificent.

Dome Rock!

A highlight of the trip was teaching Noah how to throw rocks in the river. The boys thought that they would be cute and bend over like Noah.

Attempting a family pic in Yosemite.

Rock throwing at its finest. It was so awesome!

Family pic over a stream. Are we adorable? I love my little family!

Yeah...This picture will be ammunition for life!

Hanging out in the village.

The boys dancing after a long bike ride hence the shorts!

Playing with snow at the top of the mountain. It was his first snow!

Riding in the gondola with grandma!

Family pic.

God's beauty is amazing!

At the lookout with a crabby Noah.

Comfortable with being Uncomfortable

Things have been pretty uncomfortable in the Childress house lately. I was driving to tap class this morning and realized that for the past 6 weeks I have been in a state of non-comfyness. However I had an "a-ha" moment today and realized that I am comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Here are some of the things that are uncomfortable.

1. Tap class-I love Saturday mornings. It is my time. I get to the dance studio, put on my shoes and dance with 30 other adults. It is hard, and I am terrible. Today I learned how to buffalo. I find myself practicing steps throughout the week. I will be at the copy machine and my feet will just start going. It is frustrating because in my head I am so much better but in actuality the connection from my head and my feet are not getting along-it's a whole west side story/jets and sharks war going on. I will let you know who wins....I am signing up for the fall semester. I am going to conquer this battle.

2. Noah-He is our miracle. After two miscarriages, we got pregnant and waited to see if the pregnancy would be viable. Then into my second trimester we were told that Noah might have down syndrome. We decided not to do testing because we were already in love with him. My whole pregnancy in the back of my mind I thought Noah would be born with downs. Then he was born, and healthy. At his first year appointment our pediatrician wanted to have Noah tested for Autism because Noah wasn't pointing and vocalizing yet. Three weeks later Noah wouldn't shut up. We have continued with the autism screenings and so far he is not on the spectrum. We are in a constant state of unknown with him, but whatever happens we are all in. Noah is the tasmanian devil with blonde hair, big giggles, and fancy dance moves. I have never met a 19 month old that can run faster, or jump higher. He keeps us guessing, he is full of mysteries, and being his mommy is awesome!

3. Scabies-yes I have it. Don't worry I am not contagious. I have been treated. No-I don't know how I got it. Did I have it with no insurance-yes. Did I live in misery-yes. As soon as my insurance kicked in I went to the doctor and got gnarly medicine. YES-I went to my new job, and started a new school year looking like I had scabies and my arms were UGLY. No-I don't have a picture to show you. Yes-I am feeling much better. Over the fact that I have scabies yes. Can I laugh about it now-almost, and I have the scars to prove it.

4. Work-Starting a new job after being at the last one for 9 years was rough. 2 1/2 weeks in I love my job. My students are amazing, the 7th grade team rocks, and I am getting acclimated to my new digs. This week we were surprised by the 7th grade parents with a catered lunch. They sent a card telling us 7th grade teachers how happy they were with the opening of the school and the work that we are doing. Another awesome surprise was one of the parents who I hadn't even met yet gave me a Hunger Games poster for my classroom as welcome gift. She had heard how much I loved the series from her son, and hooked me up! My classroom, lesson planning, rolling out the program, is all a work in progress. It is constantly a whirlwind of learning at work, but it's all good.

I am working on living peacefully in a constant state of discomfort. It's kind of like having hemorrhoids but being on a red carpet at the oscars-you look amazing but underneath that fancy dress you are a mess. Everyday gets a little easier, and a little less painful:)

I'm jealous of myself!

hi party people...I have been so stressed out the last two weeks that I decided to take a moment to reflect and be thankful. This new job I got is amazing, however it is insane-but in a awesome way. I am so stressed that my body has literally broken out into hives. So in addition to meeting new people, writing curriculum, setting up my classroom I am wearing long sleeves and pants to cover up my body. They probably think I am such a weirdo. Well....I am. When I reflect on being thankful I am reminded of a particular spring break where my girlfriends and I went to Florida. When we pulled up to the beach house that we were staying at my friend Rece screamed "I'm jealous of myself!" So in the spirit of being thankful I am "jealous of myself" for the following reasons...

My husband-he is such a gift to me. He makes me laugh, he is my best friend, and I wouldn't want to tackle life with anyone else.

My little Noah-I love that Shannon and I created him. He is perfect, joyful, and loves to dance.

My faith-I love that my family can worship together at Eastlake church. It's amazing.

My mother in law-She is such a help and blessing to me. She is a wonderful example of what a mother's heart is.

My Sisters-In all the craziness, they know me. I love them and even though we are far away we abuse our phone plans daily.

Family time-going to the park, walks, coronado concerts, dance parties, dinner time, going to disney, car trips, reading stories, snuggle time in bed.

Sarah H.-amazing. bacon.

The Taylor girls-laughter, memories, growing older, these friendships have lasted the test of time.

The Eastlake girls-parties, playdates, and pee your pants laughter.

My tap class-i feel sparkly.

A good bath in my soaking tub.

My bed

pizza

glitter

hearing someone laugh

My new work team-it's like the three of us were meant to work together.

My students-they make me feel like I was born to teach.

going to target.

new school supplies

my home. -i love every angle, and room of our home. It's my dream home.

swimming with noah

riding my bike

my dvr

my morning routine of quiet time with God, eating breakfast, all while the boys are still sleeping

My life is not by all means perfect but if you don't take the time to sit, reflect, and be thankful then you will lose yourself. I mean Oprah says that we should always take the time to be thankful-she is the queen.

My last week at Montgomery...

*this blog is from my class blog to my kids*

Hi Everyone!!!!
So I have my first day yesterday but I won't meet my new students till the 20th. I thought about you all alot. Thank you for making me feel so loved this week. The cupcakes, food, cards, gifts, and letters were so special and I will treasure them forever. I will put up all my new gifts in my new class. Ray-I decided that I would wear my new necklace on the first day to make me feel brave:)

Karamel red velvet cupcakes! yummy:)

Cupcake party!

The boys eating cupcakes!

My little Josie<3

Thumbs up Zidane!

Cupcake party!

My 8th graders came to say good bye:(

Group hug!

1st and 2nd period.

4th period.

5th and 6th period.

I will miss the best way to start my day:)

My favorite Neufal.

My 7th grade girls!

Kenny pre-hair cut

Kenny's new do!

The best way to end my day!

Zidane!

Cha Cha Cha!!!

Max and Juan and who is the awesome lady in the background!

My 5-6 girlies!