One door closes as another one opens...

School has been over for a couple of weeks now, {In case you hadn't noticed the increase of school-aged children out and about} and it is slowly starting to sink in that the door to that part of my life has closed for the time being.

The end of school with my third graders was all around pretty wonderful. Once the testing in April was over-- I felt like I finally had free reign to do whatever my heart desired {within instructional reason, of course} and to soak up every last bit of them. I wanted to live it up and make them remember their last bit of third grade every bit as much as I will. We dug down deep into the roots of Oklahoma and why our state is so special, we visited the pyramids of Ancient Egypt - exploring mummies and other treasures, we read books outside and had an extra recess or two...topping it all off with a pajama palooza at the end complete with memory pillowcases and books. I wish I had paused to take a pic or two of our fun, but the truth is--I was right there in the thick of it with them. I do, however, have this little gem to keep, along with all of the other memories in my heart. 

My love language is words of affirmation, so this made my cup runneth over. Big time.

After the last kiddo left and I wiped away the bittersweet tears, it was time to pack up 5 years worth of classroom memories. Files, books, games, mementos, and other things that will carry me through shall I return to teaching one day,  got placed carefully in boxes. The process was easier than I thought in some ways and harder in others. At first, I was unsure of what to leave behind {since we are moving houses too, I don't want to lug around things that will be not too hard to replace}, but then the process picked up the pace as I reflected and worked with a focus on what wonderful things are to come from this closed door...

Behind the Door

Here are some more bits and pieces from around my room and the school, treasures and snapshots of a place that was my second home. 

A canvas that I made, what a wonderful sentiment to remember.

A class flag from one of my 5 groups. This particular group was called the "Porter Hound Steaks"...they were with me the year I got married and my name changed from Porter to Basset. The name fit. 

These pictures of my office were how clean I wish it would have ALWAYS been!! Needless to say, it wasn't always a priority.

My school's mascot is the Jefferson Dragons. This is a wood carved version of our Jeffy.

My sweet school. What a wonderful community you are- within your walls great things have happened and what great things there are to come!

And as I once again reflect on that closed door-- I think yet again of the wonderful door that has just opened. And, take a look at what is on the other side of it, waiting and counting on me.

As a friend once told me, I can't freeze time while I figure everything out to be able to stay at home. The bug won't be a baby forever and I won't be able to get back these years. For this, I am truly grateful for closed doors, but know that I couldn't have gotten to this next one without what was behind the first.

Other Floridian Adventures..

After the Doctor was presented his diploma we got to celebrate...and boy, did we ever celebrate! If getting your PhD calls for Disney and the beach, maybe I should go back to school too. ;)

MC ate it all up- the beach was a bit scary at first, but once she got a feel for the sand and the water, she became her usual animated self. 

These pictures definitely say it all:

Fun in the sun- you bet! Can't wait to take her back!

And, as if playing beach bums was not enough to make us happy, we got to venture to the happiest place on earth next.

I was curious to see how the bug would take meeting all of the characters in costumes, foregoing usual naps for ones in the stroller, and the heat/humidity that is Florida. At any given point at Disney there were the sounds of babies, toddlers, and older children melting down, and we were lucky that our little bug was not one of them. We were able to enjoy all of the animation and delight that the dreamland had to offer. MC already had a little spark of joy about her while we were there for a short time, I can only imagine what it will be like to take her there when she can truly appreciate it all.

We were lucky enough to visit both Epcot and Walt Disney World. And, although I love me some Cinderella's castle, I must say that I think I enjoyed Epcot more. Perhaps it was because the bug could ride almost every ride with us, or maybe it was just the culture of it- either way, it was an amazing place. Both places definitely lived up to my own childhood dreams of visiting.

They give you buttons to help personalize your visit- they have them for other special occasions too, like birthdays.

My mother-in-law and I kept giving Adam a hard time because of all of the pictures he was taking without people in them  (of the scenery, etc.) -- so she had to jump into one. I love her.

The whole Basset Bunch at Epcot.

My other sunglasses decided to take a swim in the ocean, so I upgraded at WDW. Best. Souvenir. Ever.

MC loved meeting all of the sweet characters- especially Aurora.

The visit to see Winnie and Tigger might have been more for Mama this go around than our sweet one. However, she did not get scared by them- which I am grateful for!

Adam and Gareth LOVE Paddington Bear. We were in luck, they had one with MC's name all over it. She loved on him the rest of our time there.

Mickey and Minnie were so sweet with her. MC loved Minnie - she touched her nose and tried to give her kisses. She absolutely lit up.  I loved our moment, though brief, with Mr. and Mrs. Mouse.

 And the love for Mickey and Minnie continues...

Of course, we couldn't miss a chance for a picture with Cinderella's castle.

On the Winnie the Pooh ride, waiting for Daddy to join us. 

What a wonderful and precious trip. I hope that whatever vacations come your way this summer- you have safe travels and memories that you will want to share over and over again.


And with all of these memories that I've just shared with you, I hope that you...

Paging Dr. Basset....

In early May we got the wonderful opportunity and privilege to travel to Orlando to see my brother-in-law, Gareth, graduate with his PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Central Florida. We were so proud and beyond excited that we got to share this moment with him.  


Before we could get a chance to celebrate with him, however, we had to get there. To quote my husband..."packing for myself, a wife and a 1 year old for a 5 day trip= packing for 5784 people."


Besides the actual baggage, I felt like I was carrying so much more. I was carrying so many emotions on what an airplane experience would look like with a  {very mobile} baby. She loved the airport and watching the planes, and 3 out of the 4 plane rides were not too bad. The last leg home was the hardest. Stresses from check-in that morning, a messy diaper, and a very tired baby who did not want to be confined= LONGEST hour on a plane that I have ever experienced. I felt like we earned some badge of parenthood or something.

I love this crinkle nose! It is one of her newest expressions and not to mention one of my favorites.

Checking out the runway with Daddy.

Once we got to Orlando- we were so happy to see this guy. MC loves her Uncle Gareth, especially his hat...

Congratulations, Dr. Basset- we LOVE you!

 {Since his recent graduation we have had more reason to celebrate with the news of Gareth's hiring on with Boeing in St. Louis. For those of you that read this that do not know my love and connection for the city of St. Louis, I am happy for this news in every possible way. My dad grew up there and we would visit my grandparents often. I now have best friends that live there, and NOW...we are glad that Uncle Gareth will be so much closer to us too!}

Springing into Summer...

Spring is drawing to a close. From Spring Break on- it has felt like a blur. The downhill slide of the school year always feels like that, but this year it was especially true. 


Here are some highlights from the ending of Spring:


Spring break was a bit rainy, but we were able to catch a sunny day and take the bug to the zoo. This trip was a bit more memorable than her first one. We saw her point and interact more with the animals and the people around us.


Here are some pics from that day:

 I got to feed the giraffes and could not have been more thrilled. It truly was a dream come true. (For those of you that may or may not know of my love for giraffes)

We recently got a Zoo Friends membership, so I see many more trips in our future.


Spring also brought many concerts, Easter and Mother's Day, baby's first plane ride and trip to Orlando (that will have to be an entirely different post), and the ending of the school year (also another post). In the hustle and bustle of the ending of the school year, I didn't get to document or photograph everything that I wanted. I am hoping that this will change- that my camera (or my phone) and I will be better at capturing moments. Moments that I don't want to forget and moments that I want to assign a word or more in order to share. However, with a very mobile and aware 1 year old, that could be a more challenging feat than I think. 


I love that with each holiday (or each day rather) she is constantly absorbing new information and learning. In fact, just today she saw me hanging her diapers outside to dry and she picked one up and did what I was doing. So simple- yet so sweet to see her mind working and trying to figure out what she is supposed to do.


Here are some last Spring pictures as we get ready to usher in the warmer months...

 Discovering her Easter basket goodies...

 Easter brunch on Great's (my great-grandmother) china...

 Nana and Papa reading the Easter story book they gave her

 Who says you can't play with bubbles inside?

Sharing smiles and cuddles with Ouma...

Attempting sidewalk chalk for the first time...