The Last Drop of Summer

Well, I had all intentions of finishing that recipe series before returning to school, but we just got too busy trying to squeeze out as much fun and relaxation as we could this last month before starting school. Every last drop of summer, every last drop of sunlight, every last swim in the pool, ride on the 4wheelers, etc. You get the idea. And the day has finally arrived. Today is the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! I love the first day of school. All those brand new pencils, papers, notebooks, calendars, new boxes of crayons, markers, scissors, book bags, lunchboxes, uniforms, etc. Oh, the essence of order and purpose! It's like a new beginning. A chance to make new friends, catch up with old friends, start a fresh with a new teacher, learn new things. Wow! The possibilities are endless! So, we are off for that purpose today. A new school year has begun and we are excited to see the wonderful things God has in store for our family. Good-bye Summer, see you next year...

First Beach Day of the Summer

We had such a wonderful day at the beach! Oh, how I love the spring!!! Sand, Surf and Sun!!!

Graduation Night

Graduation Night for JA!

My little family - Abigail, JA, Laura and Me!

My Mom and Mickey with JA

JA with his Papa Tom ( above left) and his Great-grandmother, Hazel (above right)

JA with Big sis Abigail (left)

My little man graduated from Kindergarten last night and it was awesome. He is growing up so quickly and is so handsome! Oh, I love him so much... yes, I love his sister's just as much... He's just my little man and very dear to my heart. I think his sister's feel the same way. They love their little bro!

~Congratulations JA~

My Smart Little JA

My son, JA (pronounced like the name Jay) just did the most amazing thing tonight. Well, I as his mother, thinks it's pretty amazing if you ask me! So I thought I would brag on him.

I have so enjoyed having a boy as my youngest child. After having 2 girls, I love seeing how God made his brain and body to be so different than the girls. Albeit my children are all very much alike in their loud mouth, very independent, no nonsense approach to life - my son definitely thinks things through differently than the girls.
Okay, on to what he did that I think is so cool. Friday night, we won a HUGE family night game box with all assortments of games, popcorn, bowls, a blanket and lots of goodies from a silent auction at their school. So bright and early this morning he begins to play with a game called Jenga. He didn't ask for instructions on how to play, but sat down in the living room and proceeded to do a fine job of removing the pieces, placing them on top and continuing until the structure eventually fell. Later this morning, when I asked him to please put the game away, I hesitated, wanting to tell him the quickest and easiest way to put it away (just reassemble the game, as if you were going to play it, and slide the container over the top of it, turn it right side up and put the lid on). After all he is only 6 years old and I wasn't sure if he would get frustrated trying to dump all the pieces into that little tin.

So, in my hesitation, I decided to go about my chore and check on him later. I wanted to see if he could figure out how to get it put away properly. Low and behold - to my surprise, I walked in a few minutes later, he handed me the game, perfectly assembled in the box. I smiled a proud mama smile and asked, "JA, how did you get it all back in so quickly and correctly?" He said, " I turned the lid upside down and stacked all the pieces on top, then I slid the tin over the tower and shut the lid."


That might not sound like a big deal, but I was so proud of his ingenuity! He figured it out all by himself! I just love the way God made our brains, even children. It shows that we don't have to teach them everything, but being a teacher, it's hard to get out of that mode and let them learn it for themselves sometimes. God gave them a wonderful mind too! I hope that I hesitate more often and allow my children to figure it out more for themselves. More proud mama moments would surely come!

Echolocation - My Daughter's Favorite Bat Song

This is my daughter's newest favorite song! Her teacher, Mrs. Law, has been teaching them about owls and bats. It never ceases to amaze me what an awesome memory Laura has. She has spent countless evenings recounting every detail of all the different kinds of bats and owls. Bats that have hair, bats that are big, bats that are small, how bats use echolocation. She even has a cute bat mask she made in school, that she sports where ever I will let her! haha!

I hope you enjoy the following video. It's the new favorite dance song in our house... echo...echo!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mwoOyOleGc&feature=related

HGTV Teen Host - Abigail West

Clutter, Clutter Everywhere!

Never Ending Clutter!

Help, I'm drowning....

Take a minute to CHILL....

Ahhh... Progress... finally...

And for the grand finale.... we present

Teen Room Makeover

Starring Abigail West!!!

Starring... Abigail West

Videographer... Mom

Annoying Sibling... JA

Thanks to the Awesome Painter ... Dale

More thanks to the Awesome Organizer and Decorator - Meme

Special thanks to Megan, Nana, and Aunt Kim

for the wonderful decorations and bedding.

Spring Break Fun

We had a wonderful spring break and it's only half over... we have spent a day having a picnic in the park and playing, then spent a day with family and friends playing ball and having a cookout.

The rest of the week is for cleaning out, doing some decluttering and redoing my Abigail's bedroom - painting and new decorations. Stay tuned for HGTV... My Crazy Life Style.

Now, that's attractive, Laura!!

Did you know sticking your tongue out helps you run so much faster?

Here we go round the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush....

Play Ball....

And she stands ready to hit a home run....

Long-Tall-Sally.... strikes a pose!

Cute sisters!

Thanks big sister for helping me get my stance just right.

Can we say future model?

Well, what can I say... he's 6 years old.

Easter Fun!

Laura had such a great time today during their Easter Celebration Party. Mrs. Dickerson, their room-mom, planned a wonderful craft, lots of fun food and games. Laura was hopping her bunny around all afternoon!
JA had a fun time making a suncatcher with bits of tissue and a black outline overlay. He is so cute, he was paying such intense attention when he was laying out those pieces of tissue.

And here is my sweet Abigail(right) along with her friend, Meranda. They did an egg drop race today and got egg on them thoroughly.

Here are all my little chickadees! That's Julie in the middle with all the little one's we teach, after they hunted eggs. I look forward to some fun with family and friends during spring break!

Redneck Fun!!!

Dale's favorite truck of the night

This Saturday, Dale and I went to watch his niece, Kerrigan, play in a softball tournament. Wow! I was so impressed at how well all of those girls played, especially Kerrigan. They played 4 games that day and it was exciting right down to the end. It was a most wonderful spring day! A nice break from all of the rain we've had lately. I can't remember a nicer day - sunny, cool, breezy - a perfect SPRING DAY!!!

Sweet Kerrigan

And as if we didn't have enough fun hanging out with family and watching softball all day (11am-7 pm).... we were on the way home and what did we pass, but a good ole' redneck Drag Race!!! YEE-HAW!!! We drove by and said "Sure, let's go watch some racin'!" I must say it was my first drag race and it was so much fun! We can't wait to take the kids back one weekend so they can see it! The boys, I know, would absolutely love it! Dale and I had a wonderful time, and even ran into a few folks we knew. What an absolutely great end to a fun day? And to top it all off - D and I went mud boggin' today - and got stuck! haha! I'd have some pictures but I was to busy helping him push, drive and get us out of the mud... needless to say - we had to do some washing of the old boots when we were done... lol! I just love being in the country!

SOCCER SEASON

SOCCER

Soccer has begun! Need I say more? If you are new to my world, let me clue you in... all three of my children usually play soccer. And as my life would have it - all three of my children play on different teams! All have practice at different times! And all have games at different locations in different counties, sometimes - usually all on the same day!

So when I look a little haggled on Sunday morning, even a little tanner than the week before; you will know that I have been faithfully cheering on my little squad of soccer players and yelling my brains out from the side lines.

(yes, I am that mom! Just love me anyway)

Happy Fall Soccer Season!

Fiber, Anyone?

This is a copy and paste from my old blog.... Because it has been soooooooooooo long (thanks donny for point that out EVERYTIME) since I have blogged anything new.... I decided to put this blog up for all my new friends to read. No, I do not still have this bread business, but I will be glad to bake a loaf for you anytime, just ask. And, yes, for all my out-of-state readers, I will gladly ship some to you! haha! I hope you enjoy!

Fiber, Anyone?

As I mentioned before, I began a bread baking company this summer. I am calling it "The Bread Lady." I use 100 % whole wheat flour. Big deal, you might say, however let me give you a little background. Once wheat is milled into flour the nutrients immediately begin to oxidize, thus causing the flour to be far less nutritious than when first milled. Within 72 hours, all but about 20% of the nutrients are gone - you're left with basically cardboard. Ever wonder why the "whole wheat" bread at the store taste like cardboard? Now you know why!

Anyway, with my flour being milled right in my kitchen and baked immediately, the nutrients are preserved, the taste is 100% better and you reap the benefits of awesome nutrition.One of the most amazing benefits of fresh ground whole wheat bread is the amount of fiber it contains. Combined with the nutrients naturally found in fresh flour, the fiber is more easily digested by the body and therefore absorbed into the intestines and produces a very "regular" system!

Yes, I'm talking about constipation! Like you don't have that problem! Honey, it is a huge problem, you just can't get away from that. Well, my family and I have been enjoying the benefits of a "regular" system for a while now, and every customer I have (in their own discreet way) has found a way to comment on their new found "regularity." It is completely amazing how happy people are when they are "regular."

Now for the fun part! We have (had) a Basset hound, named Sallie Mae. We were leaving on Tuesday night for VBS and it was pouring down rain. As we were leaving the dog darted in the door. Because it was raining, we were late already, the power had just out (need I continue?) I just let her stay inside. We returned several hours later to find her "happily" greeting us at the door. We immediately realized why she was so happy. There on the flour lay the tiny crumbs of what was left of a WHOLE LOAF of my cinnamon raisin bread (yes, the fresh ground whole wheat kind). Yes, my dog had somehow managed to get a loaf off the counter, out of a Wal-mart bag, out of the bread bag and eat the entire thing. So within a few hours she was "regular!" (twice in the house) Needless to say, she won't be coming in the house anytime soon! So, happy eating! And I hope you stay as "regular" as our whole family!

Home Sweet Home

Well, by the looks of my living/dining room, I am home and halfway unpacked! My washer and dryer don't believe me yet... still doing a weeks worth of laundry for 4 people. This could take a while. Nevertheless, we had a wonderful time; both my mother and I, oh and my children too. God was ever present on this trip, from the drive to and from Daytona and during our stay. My children were wonderfully behaved, yes, even Laura. She didn't get in serious trouble the whole week. I know you find that hard to believe, but it is true. She had her moments, don't get me wrong, we did have a few "come to Jesus" moments, but overall, she was great!

Before we left on the trip, I was developing some photos at Walmart using the little photo machine. Laura was with me and we were talking about how I was enhancing a few pictures (red eye, color, etc..) We came to a picture of her on graduation night and she was not smiling (she was in a mood that night and wouldn't smile). She said "Well mom, why can't you just enhance that picture and make me smile?" Oh I had to laugh! Of course I couldn't do that... but it did open a door of opportunity for me to talk with her about her attitudes. I shared with her how her bad attitude that night would forever be remembered by a picture and that she should be more careful how she acts. God sees and knows all our attitudes, even after we have forgotten. But through his grace and love for us, He forgives us when we ask and then He will never remember our sin. Maybe she will think about that the next time she starts to have an attitude.


We are off to our last soccer game of the season today! I am a little sad to see it all come to an end, yet having my Saturday's back will be very nice! I can't even remember what I used to do on Saturday before soccer? hmmm.....

Vacation

Well, we are off to Daytona Beach this morning. I guess I am excited. I think more or less, I am just tired from getting ready for vacation - I just want to sleep!!! haha! Maybe I can do that on the way down there. This vacation was made possible by my mother - God bless her soul! She and I have a very interesting relationship - definitely not the typical mother/daughter thing. God is using our relationship to teach me many things: self-sacrifice, patience, grace, mercy, patience, love beyond our faults, patience, did I say patience? I love my mother and am so thankful for her in my life. My own legalislm, immaturity, self-proclaimed rightness, has lead to many tumultuous years. God has seen fit that our relationship persevere through such inadequacies on my part. I have learned that I can love someone whom I don't necessarily agree with on every issue. I can graciously over look some things, and lovingly disagree with others and still have a love in my heart for them. It has taken many years of my own maturing, before our relationship has come to a semblance of normalcy. Although highly disfunctional, God has seen fit that we are mother and daughter - so I will trust His plan! Thank you mom for this wonderful vacation -I hope that we can be a blessing to you on this trip.

Sun and Fun
Here we come!

You Know You're Really A Mom When...

1.You hide in the bathroom to be alone.
2.You have time to shave only one leg at a time.
3. Your child throws up and you can catch it.
4.You consider finger paint to be a controlled substance. (I'm craft challenged)
5.You mastered the art of placing food on a plate without anything touching. (this would be JA)
6.You hope ketchup is a vegetable because it's the only one your child eats. (They get this honestly from their mother :-)
7.You can't bear to give away baby clothes--it's so final.
8.You stop criticizing the way your mother raised you.
9.You read that the average-five-year old (and in my case, also a six-year-old) asks 437 questions a day and you feel proud that your kids are "above average."
10. You go to bed exhausted every night since their birth and willing get up and do it all over again...

Laura

I was doing Brain Quest Cards with Laura last night... they are math, language and life skill cards that have questions for kids. Not that my kids need to be any smarter! They keep me on my toes already... nevertheless, it helps me slow down and spend individual time with each of them, and they think it is great fun.

One of the questions on Laura's card was " In what country did Pizza originate? " She answers emphatically,"That's easy, Rincon!"

I love that my kids make me laugh!!

As if I didn't have enough to do...

Well, intellectual post will have to wait at least another 3 1/2 weeks, until I am out of school. And if you were wondering why I didn't have a chance to think, let alone write anything of great interest - allow me to clue you into my crazy life!!!



Sunday - 9am Practice with Choir and Praise Team
9:30 Sunday School
10:45 Church
12:00pm Lunch with friends
4:45pm Choir practice
6pm Church
7pm After church social



Monday - 8:00 - 3pm School
3:15 Faculty Meeting
5pm Supper
6pm Laura's Soccer Game



Tuesday - 8:00 - 3pm School
3:30 - 4:45 Piano Lessons
5:30pm Supper
6-7:30 Abigail's Soccer Practice


Wednesday - 8:00 - 3pm School
11:15am Kindergarten Drama (Laura's Class)
3:30 - 4:30 Piano Lessons
3:30 Laura's Soccer Pictures
3:45 - 4:45 Laura's Soccer Practice
6pm Piano Lessons
7pm Church



Thursday - 8:00 - 3pm School
5:30pm Supper
6- 7:30 Abigail's Soccer Practice



Friday - 8:00 - 3pm School
3:30 - 4:30pm Laura's Soccer Practice
4pm Baby Shower for Teacher at my school
6:30 - 7:30 JA's Soccer Game



Saturday - 10am Laura's Soccer Game
1:45pm Abigail's Soccer Game



Sometime in between all of this I will shop for groceries, do laundry, prepare for class, get gas, do homework, spank children, clean house, make supper, go to church, practice music, spank some more children, love my children, put them to bed, do some more laundry, love my kids some more...... and pray I can make it to May 21st!!! So when you see me with that tired, glazed over look and wonder what in the world is going on.... just know I will be back to normal soon.... hopefully...



See you then.......