the walker boys and me...: keep calm and carry on....

Motherhood is such an emotional ride. So many things change forever when you hear that faint little fluttering heartbeat for the first time. I'll never forget that day. My baby boy was growing inside me, and my life was forever different. Jeremy instantly became more than a husband...a father to my son, the head of our family, and my love for him still overwhelms me. Although I criticize myself a million times a day for so many things, I know I should spend that time being thankful for those amazing boys that I share my home with and enjoy the life we have. Disasters like the recent Oklahoma tornado and the Sandy Hook shootings bring this into perspective for me.

I am a teacher. I have been for 10 years. I teach young (very young) kids, and any time that I see news scenes from tragic events that involve teachers and students my heart stops for a minute. Teachers give their lives for their students in these terrible events. Teachers are found lying on top of little bodies, protecting these most precious little beings, and hopefully allowing some mamas and daddies to continue to have hearts that beat and love that grows for their little ones. I would give my life for my students. No doubt. It's just something that is deep in your soul when you are a teacher...that certainty that you will protect your students no matter what. It's what I signed up to do. Those little people walk through my door each day, and their families trust me to do just that. Now that I have my own little person I have had to find the strength inside me to do the same....trust another human being with my child's safety, happiness, and his life. It's an amazing thing, to look at another person....someone who is not his mama, daddy, or family.....and knowing that they would give their life for his. As I let my own kiddos go a week ago, I am thankful that we all made it through this school year, safe, happy, and (a lot) smarter. Today I said goodbye to an amazing lady that I always knew would give her life for my son's. That has been an amazing feeling, and I hope we will find it again. She is a special lady. She loved my son like he was her own. I am so thankful for her, and I hope she knows what she has meant to our family. Thank you so much, Jeanette Dempsey. You are a gift. My son loves you deeply, and that means so much.

Thank you for being a teacher who would protect her own. The Walkers will miss you!

Now it's time for me to "keep calm and carry on"....and enjoy my summer with my boys. As things slow down for me a bit I hope I can show them how much I love them and enjoy our family. Jeremy and I will soon celebrate 10 years of marriage. I really can't believe it's been that long. I remember our first date like it was yesterday, and I remember waiting for him to call me with my stomach in knots. I remember walking down the isle to him on our wedding day with complete certainty that I should spend my life with him. I trust and love him completely. I have for almost 13 years. He is an amazing father and husband. I forget to tell him and show him that too often. Happy (almost) 10 year anniversary to us! 10 of many years to come....