Coffee CubBuster

This is absolutely my favorite time of year!!!   FALL!  Did you know we already passed the actual calendar first day of Autumn? Yep... it was a whole week ago. It's okay if you missed it, you can have a party now. Plus, we've only had a few crisp mornings, hence by reluctance to scream from my deck, or blog just yet.  But once I flip that calendar to October tomorrow, it's on!!! This fall will be an entire new experience because I'm carrying a little one inside of me. Is it possible for me to pass my excitement on to my unborn child? Well... I plan to do everything in my power to make this munchkin love the most colorful, breathtaking, aromatic, and blissful time of year. Decorations will be put up this week, harvest candles will burn, and soon the hubs and I will make our annual Pumpkin run and carve! Some great firsts I've experienced with this pregnancy include, but are not limited to: 1. First time eating Ramin Noodles as an adult 2. First time falling ...

Yep.... the world is going to have yet another Smith! Although this will be the first CubBuster kid. :)   Matthew and I are so excited to announce the expansion of our little family. Baby Smith should appear sometime during the first week of April! I am just grinning ear to ear! The past three months have been completely new, nothing like we would have imagined. My palate has completely changed, my routine has completely changed, and my outlook on life has also been adjusted.  God is so good though, and we are thankful that our little one is growing strong. With a few "scares," we are thanking God every day for this baby, who continues to fight.  The craziest thing is that I didn't enjoy coffee until recently! Well, Baby Smith didn't like it, but now I've found some great decafs, along with the occasional enjoyment of one cup of regular. Phew... More to come on this new adventure, but here's to Baby Smith! ~MamaBuster

Who knew that my husband would be such a natural at the "Wii - Get up and Dance" game. We had a great weekend filled with friends and food this weekend. Friday night was "speed gaming" at the church with the young marrieds group (an awesome rotation of every possible game-night favorite and then some) and there are no words for how my husband's competitive nature would enable him to get into the somewhat feminine dancing contest. Enjoy... (sorry honey).  We also cheered on the Dawgs with some friends and tried not to scream during the frustrating first half because their precious  little girl was finally sleeping in the next room. I ended the weekend with back to back baby showers on two opposite sides of town. The cute basketball bellies were bouncing and the convos have changed now from fashion and friends to diapers and drool. WOW.... I'm getting old. ~Caffeinated Cub

Who says you can't find fun things to do for free? Labor day weekend has proven to be relaxing, inexpensive, and free of academia. Matthew and I went to the "Celebrate Freedom" Concert in Marietta. An awesome free concert with a bunch of different Christian artists and good ole-fashion fair food and fun! We just so happen to run into our lovely friends- B and D with their family. They are champion fair-day fans! These special children were both saving our "free space" and sitting in a broken chair. Another great free  attraction in the ATL- "The Big Chicken" While we didn't stop for fried chicken after stuffing our faces with other fair food, we had the option of staring at the big fat fried chicken! What could be more fun than that?   We ended the weekend at Lake Lanier. Another free, fun, family time. Weather was great and relaxation was had by all!  Happy Labor Day!!! ~FreeBuster

In between the grading and errands of the weekend, Matthew and I spent some much needed time outdoors. We went back to the place where our journey as the Smiths began-hiking on Kennesaw Mountain. It makes you feel like you are somewhere far away from Atlanta. It was the perfect day for it too! You can almost feel the fresh oxygen spilling from the trees- sure beats a red pen and paper There was even a reenactment happening during our visit. These folks actually travel around kind of in an Amish existence dressing, living, and acting like it's still 1898. Now.... back to the grading. Keeping it balanced is what it's all about! ~CC

I've only had the kids at school for a week, but it feels like so much longer. Seriously, who decided on how we were going to keep track of time the way we do anyhow? I was talking to one of my co-workers, and we decided that summer never really happened. It was a dream, and then we woke up and school/work was still happening. It never ended. Time is an allusion. Instead of a week, I think the past seven days were more like a decade. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, but my body is going through some kind of shock right now. I went from zero to 190 miles per hour. Okay, who am I kidding, I'm never at zero, but I was pretty close, and now I feel like I could fall asleep while I'm typing this post.... I may just have.... No amount of caffeine can help this kind of exhaustion, it's just the body adjusting to the new agenda. Kind of like when you've stayed away from the gym for winter and that first thaw of frost opens you up to physical exercise, and then your ...

School has officially started for me, and my teachable teenagers will be booming into my room in two days! I can't wait to shape those minds of our future! :)   However, my summer projects are a great reminder of the joyful color and peace I had for two months. :) I found this great idea on Pinterest and thought it would add a great accent color to any room in my home! I still have to put it all together, but here's what the finished product will look like with a little more subtle turquoise: I have it all painted and ready to be assembled!  More pics upon completion! (may be quite a while though now that school is in session... hope you weren't holding your breath.) ~CC