Season's Greetings

This is such a magical time of year. But, it's also very overwhelming (especially since over the last month I have added the task of moving to a brand new school). Instead of being overwhelmed, I just want to enjoy the happiness of Christmas and of the promise that was given to us with the birth of Jesus. I want to remember that without His birth, my family would be without hope. I want to remember that God blessed me with a loving husband and the two sweetest and cutest kids ever, and I never want to take Him or them for granted!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, from our home to yours!

Halloween 2010

Okay, so I am a few weeks late, but Kennedy and Case had the cutest Halloween outfits this year, and I wanted to share a few pictures of Halloween Day!

We went to Tate Farm, where Case discovered the JOY of the corn crib!!!! I wasn't sure we would ever get him out. And Kennedy went down the huge slide a dozen times. It was a beautiful, warm day!

When we got home we sprayed both kids' hair (never again will they both wear costumes that require sprayed hair), and transformed them into a page right out of history. They were the ever cute Pebbles & Bam Bam!!! Kennedy decided LAST Halloween that they would go as Pebbles & Bam Bam this year, and she never faltered on that decision. I love for them to coordinate, so I was thrilled. One of my friends made their costumes, and she did a great job! The only problem is that apparently some parents don't show their children good cartoons, like The Flintstones, therefore many children kept asking and wondering who they were dressed as. So sad.... Anyways, they had a blast, and we didn't even have to put Case's undershirt on until around 6:15. By that time I was tired of people telling me that he may get cold. Don't worry, folks, I do this everyday (I wanted to say). By far Kennedy's favorite part of the night was spontaneously meeting up with some of her classmates. Case's favorite part was seeing, talking about, and touching all of the hydrants!

They Follow Me

This is the reason I rarely Blog! They follow me everywhere, and I absolutely love it (most of the time)!!! This picture was from last Tuesday when school let out early due to an approaching storm. I was making cookies, and they both had to sit in front of the sink to watch tv and to be in the same room as me. I am so blessed to have children who adore me! I'm sure I take their love for granted at times, but I really do try to enjoy every moment. I was looking at my tall seven year old as she was walking through the house today, and I remembered that when we moved into this house, she was just a tall three year old. I don't want to miss a day or wish any time away. I just want to relish every moment of their childhood because I realize it passes all too quickly! Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me!!!!!

A Once in a Lifetime Friend

It was a cool, crisp fall day. I was 8 years old, and a bit frightened. I walked into my new 2^nd grade classroom, having transferred across Atlanta in November-ish, and didn’t know anyone. My sister was a few halls down in this strange E shaped school, but my brothers were now at a completely different school. A lot had changed in our lives, and now a new school. I had left all of my friends behind and was so nervous. My teacher’s name was Mrs. Robb, and let’s just say that she’s not the type of teacher I ever want to be.

That whole year of my life (and the next) was hard. But there were a few rays of sunshine that came shining through. One of those rays was my friend Leilani. Leilani and I became friends soon after I transferred to E Rivers. We never had play dates or sleepovers, but we were inseparable at school. She helped me to feel accepted and valued.

E Rivers--2nd Grade

Leilani is sitting on the front row in the pink and white skirt. I am the top of the triangle.

When I started 3^rd grade, I was elated to see Leilani sitting in my classroom. We had Mrs. Wells, one of my all time favorite teachers. It was a much better year. Leilani and I still played together and also made other friends that I still remember.

Then, at the end of 3^rd grade, my parents decided that another move was best for our family. I was sad to leave my friends and Mrs. Wells. I made sure to get all of their addresses, hoping to stay in touch.

We moved from Atlanta to Florida to Tennessee and finally settled in Alabama (all of this within two months). We finally had a semi-permanent address (we lived in Huntsville and moved a few months later to New Hope, a small town outside of Huntsville), so I began writing to four people from E Rivers: Leilani, Mrs. Wells, Robin, and Arianna. I heard back only once from Arianna (I never really thought she liked me.). Robin and I wrote for a few years. Mrs. Wells and I wrote for many years and now send Christmas cards. But Leilani was different. We wrote and wrote and wrote. She was artsy and cultured. I was outgoing and sporty. We wrote to each other about people the other person didn’t even know. We wrote about school and our families. Later we wrote about boys of course. We made fun of each other’s lives a little bit. She was an exchange student in Spain (was I jealous!) while I was playing three sports and serving as president of just about every club at school. We continued to write….for years and years without ever seeing each other……

Then, it was our senior year of high school. We began writing about which colleges we were considering. We sent each other graduation invitations. Then, after 9 years, we saw each other! I had just graduated and Matt and I had gotten engaged. My mom and dad and I went to Atlanta to surprise Leilani at her high school graduation. It was so magnificent, and I wish we could have spent the whole day together (and I wish I could find the pictures), but we were together long enough for me to ask her to be a bridesmaid in Matt’s and my wedding, which was still two years away. She accepted, and we began college in separate states, but Leilani and I continued to write. We even began to e-mail (gasp!). That was a new concept to us, and we actually wrote more than we e-mailed.

As my wedding approached, I again mentioned to Leilani that I wanted her to be a bridesmaid, and she was still on board, though she was in the midst of changing schools. She came to New Hope for the first time to get fitted for her gown, and actually stayed for a day or so. Matt liked her instantly. Leilani came again for our wedding, and I was so proud that she could be a part of that special day.

This was the day my bridesmaids were fitted for their dresses. Leilani is on the right.

We wrote a little less, but still wrote. Leilani went to Spain again (lucky girl), and Matt and I made plans for a family. Leilani even sent a gift for Kennedy.

We have not seen each other since my wedding, over nine years ago, but we have kept up with each other through letters, cards, our blogs, and Facebook.

Leilani did the unthinkable last December: she got married! She had a small, sweet wedding ceremony. Tomorrow night she and her husband Shawn will celebrate their loving union with a reception. They live in North Carolina, and unfortunately, I can not be there, no matter how badly I wish I could be. But I am sending them my love and prayers for a wonderful marriage, and I know that in time we will see each other again. I look forward to that day so much! Leilani is a once in a lifetime friend, and even though I was frightened to walk into that new school back in 1988, I would do it all again for her friendship. I love you, Leilani, and I wish you all the happiness that life holds!

The picture below shows many of the letters Leilani has sent to me over the past twenty years. I was SO jealous of the cute address labels with the sheep on them! You can't see all of the letters because they are stuck together, but she often decorated the envelopes. Kennedy was in here earlier admiring them!

Fall Break 2010

This is a beautiful time of year! I love the colors of fall and the crisp air, especially in the Smokies! For fall break we took a mini vacation to the Smokies. Matt and I have not been there in years (and never together), so we were so very excited to have a getaway with our family and my sister’s family.

There is SO MUCH to do in the Smokies. We didn’t get to do everything that we wanted to do, but our days were packed. We’re looking forward to going back so that we can go to the Titanic Museum.

Thanks to Stephanie’s recommendation, we stayed at the beautiful, scenic Appleview River Walk condos. Our view was breathtaking and the condo was amazing. The nearby Applewood Restaurant was so good that we ate there twice (dinner and breakfast).

On our first day there we went to The Pancake Pantry for breakfast and Wonderworks (aka The Upside Down House). It’s a kid’s hands-on museum, with plenty for adults to do also. Kennedy climbed the rock wall numerous times, and Case enjoyed touching just about everything there.

We went to Dollywood, which was a lot of fun. Kennedy is a coaster junkie. I’m glad she doesn’t have my weak stomach! Case enjoyed the coal burning choo choo train. He said, “Ride choo choo train,” so many times that day! And, we discovered that suckers are a miracle worker with him. Case doesn’t really like to eat them, but he LOVES to hold them! Please, never try to take a sucker from him! Seriously, he held one for about two hours that day.

(Notice the brand of the tractor.)

After Dollywood, we had fun just walking the strip, eating at yummy restaurants (no matter how bad the service), and taking funny pictures.

My sister, Lark, her husband Michael, and her daughter Paige watched Kennedy and Case so that Matt and I could do the Sky Lift in Gatlinburg by ourselves. It was so fun to go with them. They were very helpful with the kids, and they kept us laughing! I am so proud of my big sister, and I love that we have become such good friends in the last four or five years!

We girls went shopping our last full day in the Smokies. We went to the huge Christmas store and the huge outdoor (outlet?) mall. I could have spent all day there, but by the time we got there, we only had a few hours to shop.

Our last morning, Matt and I took Paige with us for breakfast (Kennedy was sleeping and Case didn’t want to miss Mickey Mouse). Then we all loaded up to leave. We drove to the Smoky Mountain National Park. Lark and her family did a little more shopping, and we actually met up again on the road.

Thanks to traffic and some closed roads, the drive home was LLLLLLOOONNNGGGG! But, we finally got home, and I have enjoyed being home this past week with the kids. Kennedy had a blast, and we made some special family memories!

Our House Story

As we were eating dinner last night, Matt saw two deer in the rocks behind the house. As we watched the deer, I was reminded of how much I love our home and the land that it was built on. Then I began to remember how we came to live here, and it reminded me that God always has a plan.

When Matt and I were first married, we had little money, but so much love. I was still in college and he was fresh out, so we lived in an apartment in Athens to be between UNA (my college) and Huntsville (where he worked). We lived there for over a year, and after I graduated, we wanted to move closer to our families. We were expecting Kennedy at that time. We found a little house in New Hope, where we didn't even live long enough to finish unpacking. Matt's uncle had a house in Huntsville to come open, so we moved into it when I was almost eight months pregnant. We really liked it there (except for the HUGE roaches that tormented us no matter how often we had the house sprayed). Matt and I both began our careers and loved our baby girl. We bought a car and a few other things.

Then, when Kennedy was almost three, we decided that we needed our own home. We began looking and looking and looking. We even almost signed papers on a lot that would not have made us happy in the long run. Matt had a feeling to walk away from that deal, and even though it upset me at the time, I agreed with him that we should not settle. So, we continued to look and look and look...

A friend of Matt's kept telling him that we needed to look at lots off of Taylor Road, but at that time we couldn't find Taylor Road (which is such a big joke now because everyone in our town knows where Taylor Road is). Finally, one day we were driving, and I convinced Matt to take a different road, and guess what? Yes, it turned out to be Taylor Road. We turned down the side road his friend had told us about, and there it was, our dream lot. It was a beautiful treed acre lot with a little rocky mountain as its backdrop. It was love at first sight, even though it had not been mowed in a while. As soon as we got home, Matt called the owners of the lot. I could tell it was bad news. Another couple had already put down money on the lot. When he hung up, I asked him to please call the man back and tell him that if the other couple backed out, we wanted the lot. Matt told me that no one would back out on that lot, but he called the man anyways. For some reason I had a feeling that we would be hearing from the owner. And, a week later, we did. The other couple had decided against the lot. Matt went that night and met the owner with a down payment on the lot. We were beyond excited, until I found out that my teaching unit had been cut. Disaster!

I had already taught for three years, but my school was losing a teacher unit, and I was the last hired, so the first to be dismissed. At that time I taught at the only elementary school that did not have a retiring teacher that year, so there was no unit for me to fall into. A very nice, helpful lady at Human Resources (there are a few of them) e-mailed me and really wanted to get me placed in a new position before the school year ended (that was around the beginning of March). She told me to take my resume around to the other elementary schools in the district. My sweet principal made many calls on my behalf. But, everywhere I went principals didn't want to talk to another teacher looking for a job. There were so many of us, afterall. Then one day, on a teacher friend's suggestion, I went out of my way to Hampton Cove Elementary. I had been there once for an in-service, but I knew very little about the school. I remember it was a Wednesday afternoon because the secretary told me that the principal had just finished a long faculty meeting, and she was too tired to talk to visitors. I left my resume and walked out the door, broken. I remember walking to my car, thinking, "If she would just come out and call my name and give me a chance, I know she would like me." Then the unthinkable happened: she came out and called my name! She could have just called me the next day, but instead she chased me down! It turns out that she was good friends with my current principal, so she had already heard all about me. Mrs. Kirch interviewed me for all of ten minutes before offering me any one of her three openings. I quickly jumped at first grade because I actually had a little experience with that grade. It was a miracle! Matt and I were happy again!

If you don't know, Hampton Cove Elementary is about four minutes from the lot of land that we had just bought! Now everything was coming together, but there was more.

Our lot had so many trees on it, and they weren't very beautiful, so we needed them removed. We were really worried about this extra cost, but our builder convinced his excavator to cut down and remove 36 full grown trees for $1500. Matt met the excavator and paid him for the service, and Matt remembered thinking how nice that man seemed.

We moved into our wonderful new home in September 2006, and though there are plenty of things we wish we had done differently, we never plan to move. We know this home was meant to be ours.

Before and after moving in, Matt and I had been 'church shopping.' We both knew that we needed to go to church, but we just couldn't agree on a church, so we decided to agree to disagree and to each go our own route in this matter. It's an even longer story, but within six months of moving into our house, God stepped in yet again, and brought us to a wonderful church that is only five minutes from our home. It is the church that we know we were called to be a part of, and us going to church together is the greatest miracle of this story. And, the excavator, who removed 36 trees for $1500, well, he goes to church with us too! God has a way that is so simple, yet so complex. He can do big miracles, just like He can do small miracles. I am proud to say that I am one of His miracles!

Markers

Case is ObseSsEd with markers! He carries them everywhere and asks for them often. He uses markers to dig, point, practice saying color words, drum, roll, stack, sword fight, and other various activities! BUT, he never uses them for their intended purpose. I'm not even sure he knows their intended purpose. In fact, on the RARE occasion that he accidentally opens a marker (maybe twice a month), be immediately brings it to me to 'fix.' Well, a few weeks ago, two little girls at church wanted to play with Case's markers. It was so funny how quickly their mommas looked at me, with horrified faces and said, "No, she can't have that. She'll write all over herself." Girls! They always want to look pretty, but my boy just wants a tool. ha! Well, don't worry, Stephanie and Kasey, we have switched all of Case's markers out for Color Wonder markers. :-)

A Duck in a Closet

Do you see these yellow pieces of paper? I know, I know. You’re wondering what they are—garbage? No, they’re special memories. Kennedy pulled them out the other day during a day of dress up with one of her besties, and I just started crying.

At the end of Kennedy’s kindergarten year, she wanted to make a duck mask. The backstory is that she had the MOST AMAZING kindergarten teacher who encouraged Kennedy’s creativity. Kennedy was constantly drawing beautiful pictures, writing stories with fun phonetic spellings, and making projects. Her teacher was the epitome is what a kindergarten teacher should be. And no, Kennedy did not leave kindergarten reading on a 3^rd grade level, but she did leave kindergarten reading sight words and sounding out words. She was more than ready to read in 1^st grade, and yes, she did leave 1^st grade reading on a 3^rd grade level. A lot of that success is thanks to her kindergarten teacher! So, it was the end of her kindergarten year, and all I wanted to do was get everything ready for the close of the school year. But, Kennedy had a vision, and when she has a vision, she will start on it with or without your help. And if she messes up, she will NOT be happy! That day she wanted to make a duck mask, so I put my school stuff aside, and I helped her to make the cutest kindergartener-made duck mask in the history of the world. She played with it for a bit, and we put it in the top of her closet. It had been there for a little over a year when she pulled it out a few weeks ago. When I saw it, I thought of her little five year old hands making each piece of the mask. I thought of how much she has grown up in a year’s time. And I thought of how happy I am that I took the time with her to make the duck mask because we had fun doing it. We have been best friends since the day she was born, and I will do whatever it takes for us to remain best friends. I can’t believe my baby girl is in 2^nd grade now. After her orientation a few weeks ago, I was in my classroom crying about her being on the verge of adulthood, and our new principal walked in. Just my luck! Well, at least he knows I have a heart for children!

Kennedy's First Day of 2nd Grade

Caes's 2nd Birthday

WOW!!!! Today is Case’s 2^nd Birthday!!!!! What a blessing he is to our family! He is so much fun and loves to wrestle with Matt and Kennedy. He also likes to kiss his own boo boos. We often call him our little terror because he wants his way all of the time and SCREAMS when he doesn’t get his way. But, he is precious and he is acting a little more civilized each day. J

Case is currently in love with Mickey Mouse, colors, numbers, shapes, trains, and blocks. We had a Mickey Mouse themed birthday party with family. We ate lasagna, salad, and breadsticks. A friend at church made him the cutest Mickey Mouse Clubhouse cake. We had a delightful evening, and today we are taking Case out to eat. I think Case’s favorite part of the party was seeing Pawpaw! Case was saying everyone’s name at the party. He is such an entertainer!

It wasn’t so long ago that our sweet baby boy was born. After having Kennedy, we so wanted another child. When we felt the time was right we began praying for the Lord’s will. I knew that Matt wanted to have a little boy so badly. When we found out that we expecting a baby, Matt began praying for a boy. He would have been utterly ecstatic to have another girl, but Matt has a bunch of toys to share with a boy, and we don’t want those to go to waste! When we found out that the baby was a boy, Matt was speechless!!! We bought him an outfit and bib that day. The bib said, “Handsome like my daddy.” We wrapped the outfit and bib and invited our parents over for dinner. After dinner we let them open the gift and they saw the baby boy blue! It was a precious moment!

Summer's End

We have had such a FUN summer. I know I haven’t posted much, but I’ve just been enjoying time with Matt and the kids—mostly the kids since Matt is at work during the day. I’ve been up late at night preparing things for school. I can’t believe the kids start back next week , and I start back tomorrow! Kennedy is starting 2nd grade! YIKES!!! We have all had head colds this week, so at least that is almost gone before school starts. My baby boy goes back to daycare tomorrow, and I am so very sad. But, there are many moms who do not get two and a half months off with their babies, so I am thankful that I get to be with them 24/7 in the summer. I don’t regret a single thing about my decision to work. I actually think it makes me a better mother. I feel as though I appreciate my time with the kids more than I would if I were at home all day. Everyone is different, though, so if you stay at home, that is a BIG job, and if you’re happy, I’m happy for you. I just have to do what helps me to remain sane. J God bless you all as you prepare for back to school fun!!!!

Kennedy's 7th Birthday

My sweet Kennedy is now seven! Yes, I said 7!!!! You can go here to see pictures of her each year on her birthday. I can hardly believe that she is 7. Time truly passes too quickly. It’s hard having a child this age. On one hand, you have higher expectations. On the other hand, you want to keep them a baby. This getting older business is REALLY hard for me. We miss Kennedy being a baby, but we also enjoy seeing her grow each day and watching the amazing feats she accomplishes. It is bitter sweet. On the day that she was born, Kennedy was the most beautiful little girl ever (and she still is). She has brought SO MUCH joy into our lives, and we will never be able to repay her for that joy. I always tell Kennedy that she isn’t the lucky one to have us as parents; we are the luckiest parents to have her! She has been my best friend (besides Jesus and Matt, of course) for so long, and I never want that to change. Kennedy has a heart of gold—always ready to help the underdog and hardly ever competitive. She is a free thinker and constantly amazes me with her rationale. She is a special girl!

For her party this year (and the past two years) she has wanted to have a swimming party at the YMCA. But, who wants to swim in an indoor pool in July? So, we decided to have her YMCA swimming party in late May, just before school ended. She invited many girls. It was wild and fun. They did the LIMBO, had a dance contest, and played Mother May I. Case joined right in the fun!

Since Kennedy had her party early, I wanted to make her real birthday special, without breaking the bank. My friend Stephanie gave me a great idea: Birthday Surprises. Kennedy woke up to 6 Birthday Surprise envelopes on Friday morning. Each envelope told her when she could open it. The surprises started on Friday and lead right up to her actual birthday, the Fourth of July.

On Friday night we went to eat at PF Chang’s (Kennedy’s choice and one of my faves). Kennedy invited a friend. They lucked out and caught the balloon guy who made both girls a unicorn and a butterfly for Case. Dinner was good, but Case was so horrible while we were eating that we got most of it to go. Case does not like going out to eat unless there is a playground in view.

After eating Kennedy opened Birthday Surprise #1:

At Bridge Street it can be found.

It’s something that takes you round and round.

Back home there was Birthday Surprise #2:

It’s not a car or a jeep,

But it is a place where your dolls can sleep.

You got a Groovy Girls tent. We had already borrowed our neighbor’s tent for she and her friend to sleep in Friday night, so the doll tent fit right in! Kennedy and her friend stayed up VERY late; they outlasted even me! WHEW! We girls were tired the next day. They were trying to break a world record! Too cute!

Saturday morning was Birthday Surprise #3:

Get in the car and take a seat.

We’re going to get a bath for your feet.

I took Kennedy for a pedicure because she had mentioned wanting one, but she wasn’t too impressed. Maybe if she had a friend with her she would have like it better???

We picked Matt and Case up and headed to the mall for Birthday Surprise #4:

Go to the mall and take a lookie.

Can you find the company with the big cookie?

She ended up getting a brownie instead of a cookie.

I think Birthday Surprise #5 was her favorite:

Your heart will be pumping from all of the jumping.

She always asks to do the big, harnessed jumpy thing by the mall food court, so I made it a surprise, and Kennedy loved it! After jumping I let she and Case play in the new play area outside of Hibbett. This is Case’s new favorite hangout. He’s such a mallrat. Ha!

Saturday night we went to a friend’s house for food, swimming for the kids, and a great fireworks show.

Sunday morning Kennedy woke up to Birthday Surprise #6:

It’s your birthday so be pleasant.

Go to the living room to open your presents.

She got a few new Barbie dolls and clothes for them and a new DVD. Kennedy was thrilled with her presents!

Then we loaded up to go see her grandparents. There was a cookout at my parents’ house, and Kennedy had fun on their trampoline. She had a terrific 7^th birthday. I hope 8 rolls around very S-L-O-W-L-Y!!!