StuCrew Fun - Life

Hello from Quarantine

4/2/2020

I honestly don't even know what day it is. I don't know how many days we have been "staying home". Our life has been off track since March 3, 2020. That stinking tornado.

<-- You wanna Pin that? Go for it!

Life was going to be a little odd for all of our DCA family. The administration worked tirelessly to find temporary housing for our kids... When it looked like we were going to open back up for school, COVID-19 took over. And we, like the rest of the country, opted for distance learning.

We received word that school (hopefully) will resume on 4/27. Reagan is counting down the days. Riley is loving life. Remy is wondering where all his people are. The introvert in me is thrilled, but it is starting to get to me. I'm sure Stu is over-the-moon to be with us all the time. All. The. Time.

The Aftermath

3/11/2020

In the week following the tornado, I have been in a haze. I think I'm just know coming out of my shocked state. It has been almost an out-of-body experience. Like it's happening to someone else.

A few things have caught my attention though. And I want to share just a few observations.

1. God's timing is incredible.
In my last post, I talked about the moments the tornado actually made its way through our neighborhood. I didn't discuss our school at all. Donelson Christian Academy, the amazing school all three Stus attend and the place I work, was devastated. The preschool is completely gone. Nothing remains of Remy's section of the school. The lower elementary wing was wiped out. It is a pile of rubble.

Had school been in session when the tornado reared its ugly head, I don't think I'd be here to write at all.

The Night of Nightmares

3/9/2020

I knew the rain was coming. On my way home from work, the radio DJ mentioned the yucky weather we were going to get. Apparently some nasty cells would be moving through middle Tennessee between 1-4am.

I listened. Well, half-listened. I was thinking about other things... I was tired. It had been a long day. I was hungry.

We went to sleep pretty early. I think the entire family was in bed by 9pm.

I was not sleeping well. Between Remy's intermittent screaming and Stu's obnoxious snoring, sleep was just not happening. I dozed in and out. Around 12:30am my subconscious zeroed in on the flickering power. And I was slowly pulled from my dream.

I lay there watching the sky. The lightning storm was insane. I remember vaguely thinking the storm had rolled in early. It was not quite 1am yet.

At 12:47am (isn't odd how we look at the clock and the numbers just stick sometimes?), I got up. Nature was calling. I thought I should go now before the power goes out and wakes up the baby. I was still standing next to my bed.

The next few things happened so quickly I am not even sure if I am recounting them in the correct order.

Stus Go Camping

10/8/2019

I like the idea of camping. I think.

I like the idea of glamping... I could never tent-camp. I know that about myself. But there are some really incredible RVs with all the creature-comforts of home available. Stu and I toyed with the idea of RV living while traveling the country. The only hang up there is income.

Anyway, back to the present. My brother- and sister-in-law have a hard pop-up trailer. And they have been kind enough to let us borrow it from time to time.

Trading Flip Flops for Cowboy Boots

6/10/2019

Ok, I probably will not rock cowboy boots.

We are moving to Nashville, Tennessee! I can't quite believe it. Stu and I have been trying to move our family out of Florida for 13 years. And it is finally happening.

As our wedding approached in 2006, we went to Nashville for job interviews (Stu even had an official offer from a police department) and shopped for houses with a realtor. Then some conversations happened, decisions were made, and we stayed in Florida. Since then, we have randomly attempted to find jobs in various other states... I think at least 10 states have our resumes. The doors never opened.

So we stayed.

And dreamt of four seasons.

Let's Get Caught Up

12/8/2018

It's been a while since I have really blogged and posted. I have thought about it... I just haven't done it.

I don't know if it is some kind of strange nesting thing, but I've had this strong desire to really keep things private lately. As someone who has been writing about and sharing my life for almost 8 years now, the privacy thing seems out of character.

When I think about potentially giving up the blog, I almost hyperventilate. I love this thing. This website has been a labor of crazy love and obsession for years. I don't know who's reading it, but I know someone is. Instagram has been my easy, go-to posting spot for the last several months. It's kept fairly up-to-date, although I never post live. In any case, I think now would be a lovely time to quickly review the past few months and catch you up on the Adventures of the StuCrew.

Third Trimester and Bumping Along

As I am sure you know, we are expecting Baby 3 in January 2019. As I am writing this, I am 32 weeks preggers. My hope is to make it as close to my due date as possible. Riley was born at 34.5 weeks though, so I am already getting my bags packed. His birth was a total shock and I was NOT at all prepared for the doc to send me to the hospital. Even though 32 weeks is a bit early to pack, I don't want to get caught off-guard again.

I'll write up a post about this pregnancy and its ups and downs soon. It'll appear on the Parenting page. Keep an eye out for it.

Homeschool & Doctor's Appointments

My Wandering Soul

2/13/2018

I have this crazy dream.

I'd like to get an RV, pack up the hubs and kids, and drive. Not for a week or two. I mean for like a year. I want to drive all over the country. I want the kids to learn things through experience. I want to write about it and document our adventures.

Doesn't that sound fun?

Big Heads, Big Laughs

1/15/2018

A long time ago, my Dad printed photos of my sister Jackie and attached them to sticks. We thought it was funny to bring Jackie-on-a-stick to all the family events the real Jackie was unable to attend. I wish we had known then about this company: Build-A-Head.

In the interest of full disclosure, I was contacted by Build-A-Head to see if I'd be interested in getting a set in exchange for a post. I jumped at the chance. I knew the Stu monsters would get a kick out of getting giant pictures of themselves.

Fall 2017 Recap

10/30/2017

How's it going? What's going on in your world?

I feel like it's been a while since we spoke. Life is good, we really can't complain. Let's quickly recap things...

The Monsters

As you know, we started a new school. And the kids are THRIVING there. Stu and I were SO incredibly proud when both kids found out they were going to be Students of the Month! Both!

Hurricane Irma

9/13/2017

Hurricane Pro:
- There is plenty of time to get the house boarded up, buy water and food.
- They boost the economy (water, gas, hotels, food, etc).

Hurricane Con:
- Duh, they cause an insane amount of damage.
- They are disruptive to our lives, way of life, and livelihoods.
- It can feel like an eternity of time passes.

Obviously, these are not complete lists. They are my snarky thoughts as I am feeling them at the moment. I am coming out of my hurricane hole. Irma put me in a funk. This felt like the longest storm - and I was around for all the 2004-05 hurricanes and went without power for weeks! Irma drained me mentally, emotionally. She stressed me out.