New Vehicle...

Well, Kevin and I finally did it. We said good-bye to the old Chevy Malibu and we didn't even shed a tear. We went to Honda Cars of McKinney and got an excellent deal on a used dark green Honda Ridgeline for Kevin. It was simply time to put the old car to rest and quit sinking money into it. We had excellent service and professionalim from Honda Cars of McKinney and I would recommend it to anyone.

Movies...

This has been a great restful Christmas break. We have gotten to see a couple of movies. We took the kids to see 'Madagascar', and it was okay. The tacky humor gets a little old sometimes. Then, Christmas day, Kevin and I saw 'The Day the Earth Stood Still'. That was absolutely the worst movie we have seen in years. That's all I'll say about that. But, finally, I went last night and saw 'Marley and Me'. It was really good, but definitely a tear jerker. However, I thought it was pretty realistic and heartwarming.

That's it for the movie critic tonight.

Jolly Ole Saint Nick...

Friday, the Renton's and we took our annual trip to visit Santa at North Park in Dallas. It was a perfect evening. The kids got to listen to Santa's traditional stories and then sit on his lap. Santa acted as if he had all the time in the world for our children. This is always a very special time for us. I will be sad when this will no longer be...

Alana's girlfriends

Alana and her friends from school. Aren't they cute?

Catch Up...

Wow, I've been reminded it's been over a month since I've updated. This is for you, Laura.

Alana and her boys at her school Thanksgiving feast reciting the American pledge in her Indian costume. Confused????

Nana, Thomas, and Alana

My first Thanksgiving dinner. Lesson learned. The food is not as good after a whole day of cooking it. Lesson two: don't put cooked turkey down the disposal. It shreds it in a billion pieces. It not only clogs your disposal, but you dishwasher too.

Alana sitting quietly before singing 'Go Tell It On the Mountain' at her Christmas Program. If you could hear her sing 'Away In A Manger' you would certainly melt. It was precious.

Lake Cooper

A couple of weekends ago, we went camping with good friends from church at Lake Cooper. This was a really nice park with lots of room which was what we really wanted. As you can see, the kids had a great time. They had trails behind them, and wide open space in front of them. We enjoyed roasting smores and hot dogs, eating steak and potatoes and yummy breakfasts in the morning. Thomas went fishing for the first time. It was a little frustrating, I have to say, but oh well. The kids spent a lot of time at the parks, and otherwise just hung around. We look forward to doing it again.

Eisenhower State Park

After 5 weeks of school, Kevin, I, and the kids were ready to get away by ourselves to be a family. So, Thomas and I went shopping Friday night, and then we left on Saturday morning. We had a great time simply being together, hiking, roasting, and carving our pumpkin. Because, we got there on Saturday, we were only able to get a water only site. I have to say that was the best. Since we have never done that before, we didn't realize how incredibly peaceful it is at night without everyone's noise and electricity. The kids were tired and went to bed at 9:00. I have to say the best part was being by the fire and our lit pumpkin with Kevin the rest of the evening. It was awesome.

September

Thomas and Alana started Awanas a couple of weeks ago and they really seem to like it. Kevin and I aren't quite sure what we got ourselves into since it is a nightly practice of scripture and song. However, they like it! It's pretty sweet to hear Thomas sing John 3:16 to the tune of Happy Birthday. You can tell he's quite proud of himself. As for Alana, her favorite song right now is Blue Skies and Rainbows. It's such an angelic voice. I continue to learn new songs from my 5th/6th graders at school that are fun to sing. I'm so outdated, but it's fun to get caught up.

Once again, Sarah and I had our final garage sale this past weekend. So, Saturday we all spent the day together and had a really good time. Of all our garage sales, this was the easiest to clean up. We promise not to do another one for at least 10 years. Who are we kidding, knowing us, it will be in 5 years.

Everything else is going fine, I suppose. This working full time thing is a beating, I must confess. I definitely haven't found the right balance yet. However, I'm hopeful it will come. We are all adjusting! I think what I miss the most is being with the kids and my friends the most.

Today is Kevin's 35th birthday. Happy birthday, dear sweet husband. I love you so much!!!!!!!

Chapel Day...

Thursday is chapel day at North Texas Christian Academy. The children have to dress accordingly. Isn't Alana cute????

Alana and her teacher, Mrs. Jackson

Meow...

I forgot to mention we got a new kitten from a good friend of ours. The kitten is a sweetheart, and the kids love her. They WON'T leave her alone. As for our other cat, Little Girl, she is adjusting.

This picture is of Alana and her dear friend, Luke. The just spent the summer at Little Gym and this was taken on their last day.

1st Day of School

The three of us, Thomas, Alana, and I started school today. Kevin took Thomas to school since I had to go on to work. I was a little sad, but I'm blessed to have a wonderful husband whom I trust totally. I guess Thomas had a good day. He didn't offer a whole lot of information. I will say the second day was much better, and he seemed a lot happier. I remember he was exactly this way last year too.
Alana had a great day. She looked so cute in her uniform. On Mondays and Fridays she is in class with 5 other little boys. But, if you ask her, she will tell you it's she and Mrs. Jackson and the boys. Silly girl. Before I started teaching the big kids, I thought my daughter was getting to be such a big girl. However, after being with the 5th/6th graders, she seems like such a little baby. Even though I am working, I'm blessed to be in the building with her.
As for me, so far so good. I love these kids. Before school started I had 6 girls and 1 boy. I prayed to God that he bring us one other boy to class. Yesterday, God answered my prayer with not one more boy, but two. So, we are up to 9 kids, and it's all good. These kids are great. I love the fact that they can go to the bathroom by themselves. I can lean over their shoulder without breaking my back. It's okay if they say the word 'butt'. I also like the fact, that you can simply say it like it is, and not worry about simplifying or creativeness. Make any sense at all?
The coolest part of all has been the prayers in class, the singing, and review of the Bible. I have never been in an academic teaching setting where that is taken place. I must say it's pretty awesome.

I could go on and on...but, I'm tired...imagine that????

Overload...

I have no pictures to share...only thoughts and events.

Last weekend, my 'new' co-workers and I drove to Houston for a Christian School conference that is attended every year at this time. The only constant theme that went through my mind all weekend is that I have had two babies, and I have been out of teaching and the current culture for 6 years now. Time has passed me by, and I have some catching up to do. Our speaker for the weekend, was a man named Dr. Tim Elmore. His theme consisted of explaining and showing how to reach and teach this current generation, The Millennials. It was absolutely fascinating, scary, and refreshing all at the same time. I could go on and on and on. The other area that showed me I was behind was technology. I thought I was pretty hip with blogging and facebook...but I still have A LOT to learn. Using PowerPoint is old school. Many schools use much more advanced programs for students to create research projects without words. It was pretty cool, I must say. The school that hosted this conference was Northland Christian School at Bammel Road Church of Christ.
I did get to see my sweet and treasured friend, Melanie, at 9:00 p.m. on Friday night. That was definitely one of my highlights.

As for now, I'm getting ready to school, even though inservice doesn't officially start until Monday. I will say as I reflect, I don't have any idea how my mother juggled school teaching and me at the same time. I'm very blessed and thankful that I have such good friends and mother that come through for me when I need them!

Wish me luck this next week as the pace quickens dramatically. I know it will all go well, but you know how it is when you first start something.

I must confess, I haven't re-read this, so pardon the writing....;)

Misc....

I thought I would share these three pictures. The first one is of Thomas and Alana, and their cousin Luke. Actually, he is my cousin, Mark's son, if you got that. ;)
Good ole' Thomas and Brady just relaxing on the couch. Then, of course, Alec and Alana, still best friends even though they don't get to see each other much anymore.

Just blogging to blog...

It's almost 12:00 and Kevin and I have not kids since my mother graciously has taken them. So, as Kevin is completing his Strength Finder survey for church, I'm just updating my blog.

Tonight, we got to go to church with no children. We stayed for a baptism afterwards. We sang a lot of high school devotional songs which I have not heard in years. I absolutely loved it!!!! Of course, poor Kevin had never even heard of them, and probably couldn't find them in a song book if he tried. ;) After the baptism, we went out with our friends, Becky and James, to IHOP since all four of us were without children. It was a lot of fun...so much so we left at 11:00.

Tomorrow, I leave for Houston for a school conference for 3 days. I think it will be fun. I'm planning on hooking up with my dear and long time friend, Melanie, while there. I hope it's okay to break away because I would love to see her.

Other than that, life is cruising way too quickly. In fact, I was just telling Kevin that I can feel the pace picking up again and I'm being pushed and I'm not ready to go. How was that for a run on sentence???

I'm sure I'm missing something of interest, but I sure couldn't tell you what it is at 12 midnight.

I hope you are doing well! Do you feel like your pace is picking up????

Random...

See my lovely fancy toes? A dear friend, Christy, and I pampered ourselves today and got our toenails done with a little fancy design to go with it. On top of that, I was persuaded to get my eyebrows waxed, especially when the woman asks me three times if I wanted them waxed...alright, alright, I get the message. No, I confess, I've never had my eyebrows waxed. So, now it's done, and I can't say I'm totally sold on it yet. Of course, Kevin really lifts my spirits when he says that now I just look like I get my eyebrows waxed, instead of just complimenting them. Now what happens, I have no idea. I hope it's not like having to shave my legs all the time or you get hurt....we'll see!

Last week, we had our friends, the Zarbaugh's over for some good grilling and a little Wii Wii. Fun was had by all!

Also, last week, I was able to visit with two college roommates. Laura and I have been friends since high school, and she always comes home for a few weeks, so I get to enjoy her company.

Last but not least, the last picture is picture with the Nored, Zarbaugh, and Moses' children enjoying a day at the pool. It was fun.

Thomas went to Collin County Adventure Day Camp last week in Westminister. It was quite a drive everyday, but he had a lot of fun canoeing, fishing, archery, and swimming everyday. However, I've never seen such a tired boy.

I'm sure I'm missing a lot more to mention, but who would care anyway. I hope you are doing well, and have a great week.