First Family Outing - 7/19/16

We walk in the door, put our name on the list and wait. There isn't a spot for us to wait comfortable, so we are scrunched in by the bar area, wishfully hoping that our little tot doesn't wake. The first thing I noted was how loud the restaurant was. The silverware crashing on to one another, being rolled up to place on the tables. The glasses clanking together where the bar tender is putting the clean ones away. It brings me great joy that I am empathetic for my little boy. I love that I can try to put myself in his shoes in all our first adventures to try and relate to what he may be hearing, what could be startling and recognizing all the new things for the first time just as he is.  Our first family of three outing was a riot. We sat down for dinner, all was going accordingly to plan. I had pumped before we came and prepped a bottle, so feeding could be done by me or Dad. I also, get a little anxiety about nursing at the dinner table. I went to give him his bottle and to my surprise the lid wasn't screwed on properly. Therefore, half of it on me and the other on him. It seriously looks like I peed on myself and I feel like the sticky you get from a sucker. I make the journey to the restroom to clean up as best as I can. Wishing I had an extra outfit in the bag like he does. I make a mental note to self, while I am nursing I should go ahead and keep an extra outfit on hand as well.  

Now  we are out of the milk we had planned to use and get us through our grocery shopping adventure that was next on our list.  This was a big outing for two new parents. We were going out to dinner at Olive Garden and  HEB. We muddled our way through dinner, were thankful for our food, he was peaceful, packed up and made our way to the grocery store. As we walk  in the door I get a whiff of that unpleasant smell that screams somebody needs a diaper change. That smell that will come natural to you for years to come.  I give my husband the defeated smile, grab the bag and let him carry on with the list while I go change the little nugget. To my dismay the cleaning restroom sign is displayed.  So, I'm waiting in line with the others until I start to feel something wet. Yup, the diaper was leaking poop on my hand. Don't you worry,  I took it like a solider, held my baby close and waited. It felt like eternity, but we made it. We got all cleaned up and ready to go. Or I was ready to go, and he was ready to eat, again.  So, I would have to go find a spot in the pharmacy area to sit and nurse. Thankfully it was late, they were closed, the waiting area would be dark and calm. Jason is ready to check out about the same time as I was finishing up. I swaddle my bundle of adventure up and joined Dad in the walk to the car. I never made it past the front section of the store but, was proud of us for trying and most importantly getting out. Getting out can be the hardest thing to do for new parents. It seems so daunting. 

I have missed writing my blogs, I have all these little entries I scratched down when I was able over the past two years and decided today is the day I bring writing back into my life and get all these little scratches of notes into an entry.  I am reflecting on this memory and start to feel anxious when I think about what taking two little guys out will be. I wonder what our first family of four outing will look like. Cheers to motherhood, it is a beautifully messy thing. 

A change in paint can symbolize a change in LIFE!

We are rushing like a mad woman after a bulldog she just busted tearing up her flower garden to meet the delivery company with our Best Buy purchases. I just had to have my taquitos fresh from the Whataburger, nowhere else would do. Gracefully, we had a key under the mat so, the boys already had the ginormous statue of metal also known as a refrigerator heading towards the front door. I flung open the truck door to only hear a screeching stop to the moving process. The front door was indeed too small and needed to be removed in order to accommodate the size of this appliance. I take a quick moment to ponder on size. Should you be purchasing something that is too large to get through the front door or should you just have a bigger door? Anyhow, the cooler box makes it way in and looks stellar. 

I waddle my way through the garage door in the utility door to be greeted with the crisp, cool air scented of fresh paint. The painter had finished painting the living room ceiling and the purple walls in Maxwells room where no more. His room is almost ready to roll. I stand around his room, taking some photos, so I can document this whole process. The sun is shining as bright as a car with brand new headlights on a pitch black night. I can feel the warmth from the sun. I get this overwhelmingly sense of peace over my body and big smile on my face. I realize in this very moment that the road, story and life experience that Jason and I are creating for our little man all start with this room and home. We are laying down his path in everything we are creating. He has freshly new perfectly light gray painted walls, with soft, fluffy brown carpet, two big windows that look out to an awesome big back yard that will ultimately be his playground. God is good, Life is good. I am thrilled to start this adventure with him. He is indeed getting something I as a child wouldn't have even been capable of dreaming of having. This is the goal of everyone that came from a life like mine; we want to do better for our children than was done for us. This is really happening. I have reached the success and wish of a lifetime. To have my very own, healthy and happy family. To be able to provide for a child as a child should be and to most importantly be able to just enjoy the greatness of life.  Okay, back to the house. 

There is this bird chirping, annoying squeaky noise that I can't figure out. I scrambled around the house like a child playing hid and seek until I solve my mystery sound. It is what I think to be a fire alarm in the front room. However, it is like 20 stories up on the highest part of the ceiling. Who in their right mind places something that high? Another "issue" to resolve. The joy of being a homeowner, one issue leads to another one. 

Moving right along to the washer and dryer delivery and installation or perhaps not moving forward at the moment. I am going to leave this with shut eye for now and this is going to be continued. Weekend two was a little more eventful and not 100% in a good way. 

#mauldincasa #keylesshouse

Old School

I have an address book that I was given as a gift from my roommate Lucia about 10-12 years ago. This book has certainly seen better days. Not to mention the fact almost all of my married friends were still listed with their maiden names. If they have been married long enough I may have made a scratch through the name and updated the information that way.

I made a new year resolution a few years ago to stop using a yearly planner/organizer and I have successfully gone digital in all of my calendar/organization needs. My boyfriend and I even share our gmail calendar and love it. We very rarely ever have to discuss anything about the activities on the calendar. We know what to expect and plan for. As far as the address book goes I still feel a little attached. I do have some friends addresses placed in my contacts on my phone, but it isn’t my preferred place to get that information from. I even tinkered around with contacts on the icloud some since that is a pretty easy way of updating the contacts. No matter what I looked at it was still going to be the "old school" book for me. 

I liked to look back at my planner at the end of the year when I would purchase a new one to see where all the year took me. As I am looking through my old address book to update the new one I find myself thinking and reflecting more about the people that have come and gone in my life by choice or chance. There are the people that have died. There are people that I have no idea where they are now. There are people that I try to decide if they are worthy of making an entry in the new book. Anyhow, as I was doing this I thought to myself I wonder how many people really keep an address book anymore.

Do you?

The Lock Down

I was sunbathing, sitting criss cross in the middle of the driveway where the sun was shinning so bright I needed to wear my sunshades in order to focus. This was weekend number one of being house owners. I think it is about 3:00 p.m. on this breathtakingly beautiful afternoon. It is 60 degrees Texas style and the second evening in a row we have been at the new house at this time of day. 

The sunsets on what will be Maxwells side of the house. The streets are fairly silent. I hear an occasional car drive by, a few dog walkers and some laughter of children playing. The one thing that stands out to me the most is woman walking alone, carelessly talking on their phones and so unaware of their surroundings is something I am not used to observing. I wonder to myself if I will ever get back to that comfort zone of being able to carelessly take walks alone. 


I have learned how air filters need to be installed properly and that we have three different sizes. I am so thankful we have a few months to take time to really learn all about the house. We also, figured out how the garage door openers work and got new batteries for them. It may be the consistent scare the city crime has caused to run through our veins, but we spent many hours today figuring out exactly how we are going to control the safety to our new cave. I had no idea all the logistics there are to keys and getting all the doors locked and secure. 



I am thrilled to become a key less running household! 

#mauldincasa

Farewell and Final Awards 5th grade Student of the Year

I get the honor and privilege of announcing the recipient of this year’s student of the year award. There are many students that deserve this award, but unfortunately we can only pick one.  

This student exemplifies all the characteristics we look for in a student. They have maintained a wonderful relationship with their teachers and classmates. This student is not only kind, but respectful and is always willing to help other classmates academically and socially. If there is a classmate that is struggling with behavior or content area this student will give a tap on their desk or pat on their shoulder to try and help get them back on task. This student always turns in all assignments, homework, is self motivated and understands what is expected of them in order to be successful. This student’s ability to explain their thinking process to me and other students helps immensely. This recipient is very bright, hardworking, well disciplined, and an inquisitive student. 

He, yes I did say he passed all of his STAAR test, exceeded progress on them, participates on the basketball team, loves to read, attended all extra curricular Science events and drastically improved in Math this year and he only missed one day of school this year.  

Could you all please join me with a warm round of applause to congratulate Demariun Deckard for receiving the outstanding 5th grade award. Demariun please come receive your award.  

Congratulations and thank you for being a stellar student.   

Third time has to be a charm!

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Year

Thankful for Thursday Thanksgiving

What am I thankful for in no particular order -

1. My BOSE speakers in my car, so I can listen to my music extremely loud

2. For all my friends

3. My good health
4. The luxurious food options I get to choose from
5. Gummy Bears
6. My apartment

7. For my job I had at EWN

8. The team of teachers I work with

9.  Navigation
10. Family support I have
11. House shoes
12. Wine

13. Birthday celebrations

14. Coffee

15. My job

16. My college degree
17. Games
18. My car

19.Impromptu outings

20.Sunshine
21.Jason

22. My Hair

23. Flowers

.















24. A good quote

25. Jaxon

26. US

27. The Spa

28. The money I have in my account

That is a wrap and cheers to next year. I love you all. Sincerely, Ms. Burkley

28 years in the making

Following your dreams can be daunting, but I am doing it and the whole experience feels surreal. It has always been my dream to be a teacher, but due to financial and fear I opted to withdraw from the program and get a B.A. instead. After graduation I made a pretty nice salary and never thought twice about the choice I had made to change degrees. However, after a few lays offs, getting fired, quitting and then winding up at a place that I enjoyed everything about I somehow found the courage to apply to a teacher certification program.

The idea of applying was pretty easy to decide, it did not cost very much and there was always the chance that I would not be accepted. Finding what program I was going to apply to served me a challenge. I finally decided to get over it and just do it. I applied and a few days later I was accepted. Then I had to sign up for that hefty 4500.00 program fee that had actually talked me out of doing this in the past and then the classes begun.

I barely got one class completed when I realized I had a state exam to study for and pass as soon as possible. This test would have five domains (English, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Theater/Arts/Health) and 47 competencies divided up in each of the domains. The actual test would be 140 questions, five hours long and each group would be weighted on a different scale. I was terrified, but there was no turning back. 

I studied every free moment I could find. I had Ruby come over and chitchat politics with me, so I could learn about Social Studies since this is her passion in life. I had Jason spend a weekend teaching me the child like Math equations that I had forgotten or never really learned in the first place. I listened and watched more you tube videos than I ever have to learn about phonetics and phonology.  I poured my heart and soul in it for three solid weeks.

It was test day, I got lost (go figure) and thought I was going to miss my arrival time and they would not let me in. I managed to make it in time and was ready to go. I really enjoyed taking the test because I had worked so hard to know everything it was fun being able to understand all the questions. Then I looked up at the clock and I was on questions 62 and only had two hours to go. Needless to say I freaked out and walked out of that exam just knowing I had bombed it. I did not even look for my test scores to come I was that certain I did not pass. I was discouraged. I had no idea how I was going to find something to motivate/inspire and lift me back up. I have never worked so hard for something and felt like such a looser for not doing well. I would have 60 days and another 120.00 to take it again, but if I did not have the drive to study for it then that option was not going to do much for me.

I checked my email and noted I had one from TExES and thought that was strange. Then when I clicked on it I realized it was my score from my test and that I had passed. I was so shocked I had to have someone else look at it to make sure I was reading it correctly before I would think about sharing the news. I would be so embarrassed if I did not really pass. What a sigh of relief and moment of joy.

I log on to my online certification program to work on my second class now that I have that test done  and I see that DISD is still hiring for teachers, so after deep discussion with my Aunt I decide to apply. I get a reply and they want to interview me immediately. I am not able to make it that day, but they settle for a phone interview the following morning. That goes very well, so they want me to come in and teach a class discussion. I am freaked out. I have never been in the front of a real classroom. I do not know the first adult thing about preparing a lesson plan. They seemed pretty easy to come up with when I was a child.  There were no rules and the cabbage patch dolls did not talk back.

The principle emails me some guidelines on what I needed to teach on. The subject is Science and the section is over Energy. I am going to discuss the lesson over insulator and conductors. Jason and I go over to my Aunts on Sunday to get some help from her and my cousin Laura. Everyone works on getting an idea/plan together.. Jason and I head head back to Dallas to hopefully make it work. We were up until 3 a.m. preparing for this.  

I went in to what will now be my classroom of students that I will now be teaching at 8:30 a.m. that 21^st day of October that also just happen to be my 33^rd birthday and I nailed it. There were teachers and staff watching me from the hall way. The principle was observing me in the back of the classroom and recording me with her ipad. However, I managed to not get nervous. It was just me and those 4^th graders. My desire to try and keep them focused blurred everything else out. 

I left that morning with no idea if I got the position or not, but I knew I did a superb job on my lesson. As soon as I got home and parked the car I just starting crying like a little baby. They were hard, happy, heavy and very heartfelt tears. I could not believe I had actually taught in front of a classroom to a group of real children. They even sang me Happy Birthday and were sad to see me leave. It was a dream and now a reality.

The principle called me later that day to let me know I got the job! She wanted to make sure to deliver the news to me on My Birthday! 

Hello, my name is Ms. Burkley and I will be teaching 4^th grade Science and Writing starting Monday, November 4^th. ;-) More to come.....

Weddings - East Coast First

Whirlwind of love from East coast to West in consecutive weekends. They were two beautiful events that I felt special to be a part of. I met a lot of people and got to know some others better than I did, so time well spent.

July 12-14-2013 Lisa and Will's wedding @ Sea Island Georgia - The Cloister
http://www.seaisland.com/accommodations/luxury-hotels/

J and I spent our weekend @ St. Simmons Island http://www.stsimonsguide.com/ it was equally as fun to venture out on, but a lot less exclusive. There are places and things I would have never experienced if we would have been all tucked away on the island @ The Cloister.

Typical Kristina desire I wanted to get to the beach as quickly as we could, so we got all checked in to the hotel, had some amazing sashimi/sushi and then off to the beach. It is just what I vision it being like in The Hamptons or on Cape Cod. I have not been to these places, so I must place my reason for comparison of this to those is strictly from the movies. We walked along the shore line, seeing so much wildlife in the water and on the beach. I couldn't get enough of it, but Jason eventually made me put my shoes back on and make plans for dinner. We went to our trusty Trip Advisor app to check out some reviews on a local joint. It treated us well enough and we enjoyed our dinner at Crab Daddy's.

 The one and only full day means rise, shine and get to the BEACH! We got our stuff together and headed to the wharf to hit some shops, get some food and then to the almost overly crowded beach. We met a nice fella sitting next to our blanket that assured me that we would find a sand dollar. After several hours of the hunt and lost time, I was sad to say good-bye with no sand dollar in hand. Next time perhaps, I smile and thank him for taking time to explain the sand dollar searching rules and helping to try and execute them as well. We had a wedding to get to.

This place was so fancy. We had to check in with the attendant before we could even cross over on the island. There was a rather large number of attendees for a destination wedding. There were over 220 to be more precise. The room the ceremony took place in was one of the original parts of The Cloister, so it was a non air-conditioned room that we were all lovingly fit in to. The ceremony was very sweet and well put. The little cricket tucked away was adding some humor and noise to the prenuptials as well.

There was a bag pipe that lead us from the ceremony to the reception. The walk was in good company with the people sitting next to us, that we had just met. It was right at sunset and the trail could not have been more perfect. It was so beautiful. We made our way over to cocktails and snacks while waiting on the Bride and Groom to make the grand debut. Then it was dances, speeches, dinner, dancing, cocktails, cake, dancing, cocktails, send off and well there were a lot of cocktails/dancing that was done. This band was amazing and the crowd participation was amazing. We had so much fun we did not want the night to end, but our sleepiness had other plans for us. No after parties for these old fogies, off to bed we went.

I am relentless and convinced we have plenty of time to go to the beach one more time, make our place in the sand, search for sand dollars a little more, go back to the wharf area to eat a lunch outside/beach view and make the trek over to this Jeckeyll Island we have been hearing about all weekend. Oh and did I mention our flight does leave on this day as well?

Do you think it all happened? Absolutely and really wasn't that rushed. BAM, what an awesome weekend.

I kept reading a little statement throughout the islands that said, once you get some island sand in your shoes you are sure to be back and I certainly believe it. I fail in love with all these little island and places in Georgia. I will definitely be back one day!

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your special day and we wish Will and Lisa a lifetime of happiness!

#stsimmons #weddingweekend #jekyllisland #lisaandwillmurphy #sanddollar