Super Summer Saturday, Part 1

Due to the Swine Flu Pandemonium my school year was prolonged a few extra days, so yesterday was my first official day of summer.  It was very cool here, only about 70 degrees, so the kids played on the swingset (well Case swung while Kennedy played).  Kennedy also asked me about a hundred times if she could go swimming (she already went on Thursday).  She had trouble understanding that is was too cool to swim.

Seventy degrees yesterday?  That sure left in a hurry.  Today it had to be close to ninety.  I'm just guessing here.  Case and I got up at 7 sharp, of course. Kennedy arose around eight, and we pried Matt out of bed at nine.  By eleven, we were ready for a fun-filled day.  Case and I went shopping.   He got new Pedipeds, and then we got groceries that I hardly ever have time to cook.  While Case and I went shopping, Matt took his favorite little girl to the neighbor's house to let her swim!!!  She stayed in the pool a solid two hours, and I had to force her out when I got home.  When I got home, Kennedy had several new tricks to show me that her daddy had taught her.  They had a great time together!!!  After Kennedy went swimming, she played on her swingset some more and then helped Matt CLEAN MY 4RUNNER!!!  It was a great day for all of us, especially Runell (that's my vehicle)!

Kennedy then came inside to torture Case while he was in his walker.  He's been doing better in it.  He still follows me and tugs on my skirt, but he gives up on me long enough to open the one drawer that he has finally figured out how to open!  Look at how cute our babies are together.

After all of the fun, we got ready to go to church tonight!!!  Here are my three favorite Earthly people!  Aren't they handsome and beautiful?  Case is beginning to stand better (with assistance, of course, though he sometimes gets brave, lets go, and begins to fall before we catch him).  I love Kennedy's outfit. I got it at Wal-Mart.  I wish they would make those skirts for women too! Church was great.  Afterwards we went and ate with another couple (and two of their four kids), and then we got ice cream at Bruster's.  While at Bruster's a few teenagers used chalk to write an ugly word on the concrete, so I just had to mark it out!  I couldn't risk some young child reading such filth.  First grade teacher to the rescue again!

I can't wait until next Saturday!!!

Our Babies' Rooms

Go to Kelly's Korner for nursery/kids' room tours today.  Here are our babies' rooms!

This is looking into Kennedy's room.  This is her crib, which converted to a daybed and now a full size bed.  She sleeps here most nights.  We love quilts.  I got this one on a good sale at Dillard's.  Case LOVES Kennedy's paisley sheets!  The sign above her bed was bought by my parents when they visited NYC.

We plan to eventually get a TV for this dresser, but Kennedy doesn't spend enough time in there right now to condone buying her one.  The toy organizer was bought several years ago at Target.  We love this thing!

Trust me, we have MANY more books than this.  I have to take them to my classroom though, or Matt wants to put them in a yard sale.

I bought this cross at Hobby Lobby (half off, of course).  I plan to buy some cute ribbon so that I can hang this and the letters for Kennedy's name that she wants in her room.

As far as I know this picture hung in Matt's room.  The year on it says 1942.  I can't count the times I have knelt before this picture to pray.  We've got to get a picture of Jesus for Case's room!

This is how I found Sabrina, Kennedy's AG doll!  She's reading the Bible!  Good doll!

Welcome to Case's room.  My friend Mandi made this wreath for the hospital door when Case was born.

This shelf came from Hobby Lobby (yes, half off).  The hat hanging on it came from Children's Place (my favorite kids' clothing store).

Our neighbor, Mr. Dana MADE this shelf to my specifications, and Matt painted it.  We bought the baskets at Target.  The baskets on top were bought at Burlington by my sister.

A little storage for folded clothes.  We really need something to hang on this wall!

Here's Case's bed.  Boy, I wish he would sleep in it!  We bought the crib from Wal-Mart.  The bedding came from Burlington.  Our plan is to eventually buy bunk beds for his room, probably with a superhero theme, which means we'll have to repaint the room.  I'm not sure if you can tell, but Case's walls are striped flat and glossy green.  I got this idea from my friend Amanda. Matt spent A LOT of last summer painting this room and putting up crown mold and chairrail (with Mr. Dana's help).

What I Wanted to Say

As I entered Target today (with two kids in tow), I saw you leaving Target with your mom and little sister.  I knew I had to talk to you.  I just wondered if you would remember me at all. Your mom caught my eye, and I headed straight for you.  Of course you remembered me!  I loved the hug you gave me: it was not a half hug or a side hug; it was a bear hug!  We chatted about how much you have grown up and there wasn't much else said.  But, Courtney, I wanted to tell you so much.

I wanted to tell you about how I think about you almost everyday.  In my mind you are a cute, spunky third grader, not a mature, beautiful almost ninth grader!  I wanted to remind you about the time you asked me when my birthday was, and after I told you, how you came to class a few days later with a cookie cake that you had helped your mom make.  I wanted to ask you about Ally.  I wonder if you ever see her.  I wanted to tell you that you touched my life and my heart.  You made teaching so easy for me because you were always so sweet and loving towards me.  You helped shape me into the teacher that I always wanted to be!  I wanted to thank you for the essay you wrote about me when you were in sixth grade.  A copy of that essay came to me at a time when I needed it most!  I wanted to remind you of the books that I read to the class that school year.  I wonder if you remember all of the funny stories I used to tell the class about Kennedy.  After all, she was just a newborn that year.

I also had a lot that I wanted to ask you.  Do you ever think of me?  Did I leave a positive impression on your life?  I sure hope so!  Do you remember that soccer game that I came to? Have you ever had your heart broken?  Who are your best friends?  What do you want to be when you grow up?  Do you still love Auburn? Perhaps I will see you again soon and we can chat more...

As a teacher, every student who enters my classroom touches my life.  I am their mom away from home.  I spend day after day with my students, but at the end of each year, they leave me. Sure, I get visits from them again, but a hole is left in my heart by each one who leaves my classroom.  There are always those students, like Courtney, whom I taught my very first year of teaching, whose absence leaves bigger holes!  However, I am blessed to teach every student who enters my classroom, no matter how big the holes become.  I wouldn't change my job for the world!  I feel blessed each time a former (or present) student or parent of a student tells me a positive effect of their experience in my classroom.  It felt so wonderful to see Courtney today.  It was actually the answer to a prayer.  Thank you, God, for the small and the large blessings!

A Visit From the Devil, or at Least One of His Friends

After school today, Kennedy and I picked up Sonic Strawberry limeades and Case.  Then we went to Hobby Lobby to get some read, white, and blue decorations for a special event in my classroom tomorrow.  When we got home, I let the kids play on the swingset for a bit.  Then we went in.  I took Case to the Study to feed him while I checked my e-mail.  Yes, I do check my e-mail; it just takes me a while to respond.  Well, I looked over in the floor of the study and there was the devil.  Okay, so it wasn't the devil, but it was a scorpion!  YES, A SCORPION!!! Kennedy walked in, and I told her to go get Matt (he was outside).  He would not come in, so Kennedy came back to me, and I asked, "Did you tell Daddy that there's a scorpion in the study?"  She didn't, so off she set again to tell him.  In the meantime, I looked again, and it was gone!  I put Case (very gently) on the bed, got a shoe from the closet, and went in search of the devil's friend.  I had to have proof after all, or Matt would think I was going crazy.  I found it crawling up the closet door, and I killed it dead!  It now rests in a jar, ready to be viewed by a classroom full of first graders.  As Matt came in to the study I heard him mumbling about how I thought I had seen a scorpion. Boy, was he surprised!  Seriously?  Scorpions in Big Cove, Alabama?  Who knew?  Our neighbor, who knows about everything, said he had never seen any around here. We get our house sprayed monthly, so I think the scorpion was actually dying from the chemicals.  I am so grateful to our Lord for protecting us from this critter.  Oftentimes I put Case in the floor in here while I check e-mail.  God's mercy is just limitless.  We have a friend at church who has testified a few times about brown recluse spiders in her home.  Matt and I always joke with her that she needs to get her house sprayed.  Matt told me tonight that now I have a story to top hers!  I did take some pictures as proof, but they didn't turn out well because of the glare on the jar.  

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19

The strangest thing about the visit was that I was so calm; I was not fearful at all!  However, we are examining the floors extra carefully right now!

A Household Favorite

This past Saturday Case got a new toy.  I'm not sure if it's more for him or me, but we finally got him a walker.  We got rid of Kennedy's walker because we didn't have storage room at that time, so Case got a brand new one (Kennedy had a hand me down).  Case loves the walker at daycare, and I REALLY wanted him to have one at the house before summer break.  Matt put it together yesterday for us, and I think that Kennedy was most enthralled with it!  She pushed Case all over the house.  Case's favorite thing to do was get right behind me and tug on my skirt.  That will probably be happening a lot this summer!  I can't wait (seriously, I can't)! 

After school today, Kennedy immediately asked if Case could get in his walker.  

Below are some pics of Case in his walker.  The first pic is of Kennedy in her walker.  Her favorite thing to do was to get the laundry basket and run down the loooooong hallway with it! Kennedy was 10 1/2 months in this picture, and she could totally walk, but she loved running in that walker of hers! She was (and still is) too cute!

I fully endorse and love the old style walker.  I do not like how the wheels are constructed on the 'modern' walkers.  Plus, the old style walkers are much more cost efficient!!!

How's Case?

I've been getting this question a lot since Case got tubes on Wednesday, and I am so thankful for all of the people who have been thinking about us and praying for us.  We had an absolutely fantastic day with Case today!  He didn't cry all day, except for once at church tonight when he was beyond  sleepy.  He has been eating better, crawling (albeit backwards) better, and sitting up better.  He played in the tub forever today (which he hasn't wanted to do in a few weeks), and didn't even want to get out.  We're so thankful to God that he has seen fit to help Case.

Endless Hours

What does it mean to be a mother?  It means endless hours or worrying (about what you're doing wrong/right, if your kids are happy/upset, if you should go green a bit more, etc.); endless hours of swaying (when the baby is crying/sleeping, when Kennedy's heart is broken over something a friend said); endless hours of cooking, cleaning, straightening, ironing, and washing dishes; endless hours of playing Guess the _____ (insert noun here; today it was Flower; Kennedy doesn't know that I can only name about ten flowers off the top of my head.); endless hours of stacking blocks only to see Case knock them down; endless hours of baby giggles and five year old promises of kisses; endless hours of taking and looking at photos and videos; endless hours of snuggling; endless hours of talking and babbling; endless hours of questions; endless hours of Kennedy's bright ideas; endless hours of being reminded to use my manners (this is something new Kennedy is doing, and I really like it.); endless hours of dreading the teenage years; endless hours of trying to find or invent a freeze ray so that the kids don't grow up; ENDLESS HOURS OF PRAYING; endless hours of being followed by strange shadows (Oh, those are the kids and Matt following me?); endless hours of reading books; endless hours of sitting by the swingset and/or pushing swings; endless hours of arranging stuffed animals and switching them out with the huge assortment we have in the attic; endless hours of brushing teeth and bathing; endless hours of talking about the next birthday party; endless hours of attending birthday parties; endless hours of walking Kennedy to her room because she's scared; endless hours of praying that Kennedy doesn't have nightmares (she asked me to do so twice tonight); endless hours of feeding Case and pumping milk (which I need to be doing right now); endless hours of crafts; endless hours of eating at McDonald's; endless hours of diaper changing; and endless hours spent thinking about how sweet and precious my children are and how fortunate Matt and I are.

So what does it mean to be a mother?  Enjoying every single thing I listed and even looking forward to more of the same tomorrow!  Happy Mother's Day to all of you mothers and grandmothers!  May God bless you for all that you do! Being a mother is the greatest job and reward of my life!     

Did I mention endless hours of watching movies, such as The Wizard of Oz?

You've got to love Dorothy and Blonde Toto!

Please Pray for the McKays

Please pray for the McKay family.  Emily is expecting her second child in five days, but I understand she is scheduled to be induced on Monday.  Emily has a young son named Grant. Emily's husband David passed away just a few months ago from cancer.  I know that Emily and Grant would love to be lifted up the the Lord during this time.  I am adding their Blog to my Blog list so that you can visit their family and offer your support.    

Teacher Appreciation Days 4 & 5

It's been a little busy around here, so I'm behind a bit.  

On Thursday, my students surprised me with a heap of school supplies: crayons, markers, tape, paperclips, binder clips, folders, colored pencils, and so much more!  Then a parent came for lunch so that I could have duty free lunch and attend the PTA sponsored teacher luncheon in the library.  It was another great day!!!

  

On Friday, the class really surprised me!  They presented me with a gift card to SchoolCraft (my FAVORITE school supply store), a shirt with a class picture and students' signatures on it, three portable CD players (for my listening center), and a DIGITAL CAMERA!!!  Now I don't have to use Matt's and my camera to take pictures! YEAH!!!  It was also SPring FLing on Friday, so parents visited throughout the day.  Christine even brought me a sub sandwich for lunch.  

Thank you all for a fantabulous week!  I surely do feel appreciated.  

Case's Surgery

Case had surgery today.  He has had quite a few ear infections over the last three months, and he has been in a lot of pain with all of the fluid in his ears.  I finally gave in and decided that we had to do what was best for Case, which was tubes.  Over the last month Case has not been sleeping well, sitting up, or playing on his belly a lot.  We had him prayed for at church, and that very night Case slept so well, and he has continued to ever since!  If you're up with kids at night, you know what a blessing it is when they sleep well!  Matt dismissed this at first, until I explained to him how much it helped me that Case was sleeping better.  We must give God glory in all things, great and small!

What a night and day we had!  I was up late last night (until 1 am) preparing things for Case and Kennedy.  Also, I was afraid to go to sleep because I worried that I would let Case eat too late in the bed if I fell asleep with him.  He couldn't have anything to eat after 2 am.  Well, he awoke at 1 am, and I fed him and we went to sleep.  He awakened again around 2 am, wanting to suckle, and I couldn't let him, so out came MAD baby.  He cried until about 3:30, all the time rubbing his eyes and halfway falling asleep.  Matt and I took turns holding him.  I got up at 4:30 to get ready for the day, and he was still asleep on Matt's chest.  He slept until almost 6, when it was time for us to leave! Thankfully, he was in a pretty good mood all morning.  He was hungry and asked to eat several times, but we were able to occupy his mind.  He was really good at The Surgery Center.  We were in the waiting room for an hour when they called us back to prepare for surgery.  We put his cute gown on him, along with his ID anklet.  They even had a stuffed Garfield for him (which, of course, Kennedy has taken over).  The wife of a doctor that Matt works with was Case's anesthesiologist, so that made us feel great!  Both of my parents came for the surgery, and suddenly it was time for Case to go.  I almost cried, but I was strong.  I heard him cry as they walked him down the hall.  He had a gas mask, was given Tylenol, and we were in the waiting room for 15 minutes when they came to get us.  They brought him out, kicking and screaming.  I nursed him, and he was asleep again!  He was so good!  He cooed on the way home.  The three of us slept the day away, never even knowing we were under any tornado warnings/watches (not sure which one)!  I picked Kennedy up from school, and we had a great afternoon!  My sister and niece visited.  Case has been sitting up and laying on his belly playing a lot today.  He had almost completely stopped doing these two things over the past few weeks. I suppose his ears were bothering him so badly that he just didn't want to use any of his strength to play.  Matt is off work tomorrow, so he and Case will have fun together, and I will be at school with Kennedy, of course!  I am so thankful to God that everything went well today. I was especially worried about the 'no food' issue, but it was really hardly a problem at all.    

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, I shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.  Psalm 63:3-4

Teacher Appreciation Day 3

I wasn't even at school today, but one of my room moms still gave me a great present.  She took Kennedy to school for us today.  Since we had to be at The Surgery Center at 6:30, Christine offered to keep Kennedy this morning and take her to school.  When we got to her house, she even walked to our car with an umbrella to get Kennedy!  How blessed am I as a teacher! Kennedy and Katie had a great time.  Christine sent me a picture of them eating breakfast in bed, so this afternoon I naturally asked Kennedy what they ate for breakfast. She told me she didn't want to explain it.  When I talked to Christine I got the full scoop.  Cinnamon rolls were prepared, but Kennedy didn't want icing on hers.  Really, she isn't picky; she just doesn't know how I prepare things.  For instance, I never let her see me put butter on her corn or baked potato, just like I never let her see me put icing on her cinnamon rolls.  Well, then she saw Katie's icing and wanted some, but the roll had cooled, and the icing didn't melt.  Then Christine warmed it in the microwave, and it was too hot to eat. I'm surprised Kennedy didn't go into a blowing frenzy like she does at home.  Then Christine made her oatmeal, but Kennedy failed to tell her that she only likes baby, as in Gerber, oatmeal.  Yes, I know she's almost six! Christine made adult oatmeal, and Kennedy informed her that her food was yucky.  We have raised her to be honest, but polite, so I know she didn't want to tell me about this episode when I asked.  Well, we have had another talk about how to politely say things, and we also talked about how she has to tell people she only likes baby oatmeal.  This is the second occurrence of the oatmeal situation at a friend's house.  Thank you , Christine and Katie for taking care of our girl today!  She loved the bunk beds and now wants her own!  She also enjoyed decorating the Sponge Bob Band-Aid!

The Sweetest Girl

Kennedy is so sweet.  Since I shared Case pictures yesterday, I wanted to share some Kennedy, or Bug as we call her, pictures today, along with a little story.  This past summer, Kennedy and I went to Wal-Mart, which is an almost daily trip.  When I got out of the car, Kennedy said, "I want to stay in the car."  This was highly unlike her, so I said, "But it's really hot.  You could suffocate and die."  Kennedy responded, "Well, that would be okay, Mommy, because then I would get to be with Jesus."  How sweet/sad is that?  I was at a loss of words.  I couldn't argue with her.  Nor did I have the right to try to persuade her to feel differently.  Heaven is better. While we want our children here with us on Earth, Heaven holds so much more for them. Please do not get me wrong: I do not want to lose my babies.  I mourn for and pray for those mothers and fathers who have had to deal with this unnatural loss.  I can not even begin to conceptualize their pain.  A parent's love is unlike anything else.  I find it unbearable to even think about being without one of our children.  However, it does please me that Kennedy realizes there is a better life awaiting us one day, no matter how painful that was for my ears to hear her say.  My greatest desire is to be in Heaven with Matt and the kids one day.  The beauty that awaits us is unimaginable.  It is worth the wait and all of the worries and trials that we have to endure here!  By the way, Kennedy did decide to go into the store with me (like I would have left her in the car anyways).

Yesterday Kennedy and I went to Target and found her a cute pair of brown sandals.  They have a bunch of straps across the top of the foot.  Kennedy, on her own, started calling them her Jesus shoes.  Too cute!  

We are so proud to be raising Kennedy in a way that her daily conversations contain talk of Jesus and God.  This is just another way that we are about our Father's business!

Matt made Kennedy green to match Shrek!  Kennedy was almost 4 in this picture.

Mommy and Bug

Kennedy with Pawpaw Ray at her Pre-K graduation.  I can't believe she's now almost finished with kindergarten!

Kennedy and her Daddy on her fifth birthday.  Born on the Fourth of July!

Kennedy at her class Christmas party.

Teacher Appreciation Day 2

Today was another fabulous day at school.  I was greeted by LOTS of beautiful, fragrant flowers! I received more today than I have ever received.  A few parents came in and made several arrangements that I sat all around the room. My students and I were cheered all day by the beautiful colors, and my room has never smelled better!  Those lilies smelled wonderful!  I can't wait to get back to school on Thursday to smell them again!  After the flowers were bestowed upon me, we headed to the book fair.  One of my students gave me a $10 gift certificate for the book fair.  SO SWEET!  I bought a Mad Libs book, and we did a few of those today.  My class loved them and asked the rest of the day if we could do more.  Unfortunately we ran out of time this afternoon, but we'll have to do more on Thursday.  Mad Libs are hysterical!  They're also a great grammar review.  One of my room moms delivered lunch today also!  She brought my favorite dish from Little Rosie's.  YUM!  Thanks for another great day!  

Tubes

Wednesday marks the first surgery for either one of our children.  Case, who will be 9 months on Friday, is getting tubes.  Yes, I know it's a five minute surgery; Matt reminds me constantly.  But still, I am going to have to hand over my baby, and he's going to be given sleepy gas.  On top of that, he can't have anything to eat for about 4 hours before arrival time.  Do the people at the Surgery Center know Case?  That baby loves to drink his milk!  They better be ready for a screaming baby in the waiting room.  Maybe his screams will decrease our waiting time!  Please pray for Case and Matt and me as Case undergoes his first surgery.

Here are some pictures of Case for you to enjoy.

This was taken when Case was only one day old.

Here are Case and his Sissy on the bed when he was a few weeks old.  

I'm not sure which one likes the 'big bed' more!

This was Case's first bath at home.  He was two days old.

Has he grown any?

Case is hamming it up for Daddy!

Teacher Appreciation Day 1

Today for Teacher Appreciation Week, my students all brought me cards that they made.  How sweet those cards are!  Did you know that I am the greatest teacher ever?  Well, I'm not, but Abigail and Annie think I am.  So do Jordan and Morgan.  And Jackson loves me!  It's so nice to read their cards and think about how far they have come this year academically, socially, physically, and emotionally!  One student, Katie, made me a puzzle card.  It took me a while, but I finally solved it!  Ha ha, Katie!  Perhaps your report card will be a puzzle. :) My students all laughed, when upon finally solving the puzzle, I exclaimed, "Victory is mine!"  One of my room moms is bringing me lunch tomorrow, so I am excited about tomorrow.  I do have Case's and Kennedy's gifts ready for their teachers, don't worry.

  

Swine Flu Pandemonium

Due to an outbreak (by which I mean a possible three cases) of the swine flue in our area, school was cancelled this past Thursday and Friday.  What a great rainy few days I had with Matt and the kids.  To recap, in a four day span I took the kids to the swingset (on our only dry day), cleaned the patio table and chairs, cooked quite a few meals (we even ate some of them on the patio), did some shopping, took Kennedy to a birthday party at Pump It Up, had many phone conversations about the possibility of making up these missed school days, fed Case more times than I care to count or think about though I loved every minute of it, played many rousing rounds of Guess That (insert category here, such as Animal, Super Hero, etc.) with Kennedy, hosted Kennedy's friend one night, listened to two little girls scream during a thunderstorm, let two little girls play Polly Pocket on the patio and later take a bath in the big tub, took Case and the two girls to the doctor's office and to Krystal's for lunch, listened to two little girls scream as I changed the nastiest diaper ever in the back of the 4Runner because Krystal's has no changing table (Hello!  Get with it, Krystal's!), bathed kids numerous times, cleaned the house ( I just wish to one day clean it without anyone in it, besides myself of course.), reminded Kennedy several times to conserve resources, went to church, bought groceries, put ear drops in Case's ears, changed many diapers, watched Made of Honor with Matt, listened to Case coo and babble constantly, prayed for many people (especially those who are grieving a loss right now), scheduled Case's surgery, washed and folded laundry, created this Blog, continued to set up my ten year class reunion and wrangled a few sitters for the kids that night, hid in the closet with the kids while there was a possible tornado in our area, took a dessert to a funeral, and did some school work.  Wow!  Are you sure I was off work those two days?  It doesn't seem like it.  Now the kids and the hubby are asleep, and I am still awake. Why am I awake?  I have chores, such as making sweet tea (Kennedy LOVES it) and milk for the baby, of course!    

Please, no more days out of school for the Swine Flu!  I just don't know if I can take many more of these off days!  Seriously though, I loved every minute of being with my family.  It was an early glimpse of summer break.  There are now only fifteen school days left, assuming we don't make up the two days we just missed for the Swine Flu that is.  I long for summer, but I will so miss my school kids!  I love those children.

This coming week is Teacher Appreciation Week, so I have to get Kennedy's and Case's teachers' gifts ready for each day.  Don't forget to tell a teacher how much you appreciate him or her! 

Our Family: A Little History

Our Family Biography: We are Matt and April Clark.  We've been married for almost eight years.  Wow!  Has it been that long?  We've been together since I was in high school.  We made it through both of our college years, never breaking up even once!  We have definitely helped one another to grow and become someone God is pleased with.  We have a few unspoken marriage rules: never argue in front of the kids, never go to bed unhappy with one another, always say I love you way more than you need to, always support one another's decisions, be the best parents we can be, enjoy everyday, find humor in almost everything and laugh until it hurts, always be honest, and never fall out of love!  Matt and I have a special bond unlike most others.  We feel that God truly placed us together because He alone knew exactly what each of us needed in a spouse.  Matt is my rock, and I try to be his, though he is much better with oral words.  I prefer to put mine in writing.  I knew that Matt was the one for me because I didn't even want to imagine what life wold be like without him.  Plus, Matt has ALWAYS been able to make me laugh (which is not an easy feat).  

Our children are Kennedy and Case.  I am a first grade teacher, so I LOVE alliteration! Kennedy is five and a half, and Case is just about to be nine months old.  Our children are just precious...and high-maintenance!  They both love to be held, cuddled, and played with constantly.  We have trouble dealing with the fact that Kennedy is growing up.  Yeah, she's only five, but the first five years have zoomed by, so it's not too long before she's grown, right?  On one hand we tell her how she's our baby, but then when she does something we think she knew better than to do, we tell her she's too old to be doing that.  Confusing, huh?  I'm trying to work on my wording when disciplining.  Kennedy is a sensational little girl.  We are so proud of how she has adjusted to having a little brother.  She was, after all, an only child for five years.  She has really come to love being Sissy to Case, and he loves her too.  Case especially loves to visit Kennedy's room.  It must be the pink.  He hardly ever sees that color.  Case is so much fun.  He babbles constantly (especially during church) and has started laughing all of the time!  These two kiddos really keep us on our toes!  Speaking of toes, did I mention that Kennedy still walks tippy-toe most of the day and that Case loves to eat his toes?      

 

This Blog's Title

I thought I would share how I came up with the title of this Blog.  I had been considering starting a family Blog for several weeks, but I thought I needed a great, spiritual title for it.  I read through several sections of the Bible, trying to find just the right title, but nothing came to me or seemed to be just right.  I had finally settled on Glad Tribulations, but I still wasn't pleased.  Late one night, around 2 or 3 am, I awoke from a sound sleep and the words about our Father's business kept yelling in my mind.  It was then that I knew that God had given me the title to our Blog.  Isn't He just wonderful; so simple, yet so complex!  This is actually a phrase that our preacher uses often to remind us that we all have a job to do on Earth.  We are constantly reminded to be a light to others, just as Jesus is a light to billions.

New to Me

Well, I said I would probably never start a Blog.  I get freaked out by the security issues related to kids' names and pictures, but seeing as though I am way overbearing and hardly ever let our children out of my sight, I guess I will finally just give in and start this Blog after all.  I follow several Blogs, which usually annoys my husband, so he has actually encouraged me to start one for our family.  Isn't he supportive?