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 I'm so outdated, but it's fun to get caught up.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.

4th of July

We had a good time for the 4th of July. We spent the day with Mother down at her place. We went to Country Place and ate hot dogs and swam for the afteroon. After a while, we came back to Mother's house and let Alana take a nap while the rest of us played a little Wii Wii. Mother actually had a really good time. Our good friend, Dick, came and joined us after a while and we all had a good time. Later, we went and had a pot luck dinner back down at Country Place, and then Kevin and I and the kids went back to McKinney for the fireworks. They are definitely no match for Disneyworld, but McKinney did a good job.

Maw Maw's Visit

Becky, Kevin's mother, came and blessed us for a week after being so tired at Disneyworld. Thomas and Alana loved having her there. She played every game and movie you could possibly imagine. Becky plays with the kids way more than I do. At the airport, the children cried when she left. It was pretty sad, but we're sure glad she came.

Adding a new slideshow from Disney (Kevin taking over for a second).
Hope ya'll like the pics. Meriann did a great job picking out the best pics for this. We had a super good time.

Alana turns 4 today!!

Today at 4:40 on June 2 four years ago, Alana was born and brightened our world. Today we celebrated her birthday with the beginning session of Little Gym, ate lunch with Luke and Shelby, took Thomas to swim lessons, ate at Texas Roadhouse, and then....finally opened presents. She had a good day.
We did go camping this weekend and had a great time. I'm slowly working on those pictures. ;)

Explanation...

Okay, so I'm tired too tired to figure out how to make this look more polished, so excuse the confusion of this post. Sometimes, I just get tired to ask Kevin for help to make it look the way it should. So, this is what you get.

The next three posts are all pictures from our camping trip this weekend. Really all you need to know is that we had a lot of fun, but sweated like pigs. It was HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Camping with Renton's #1