Thank the Lord it is a 3 day weekend...no school Monday! That gives me some time to accompolish something like grocery shopping this week...maybe! I'm still staying after school is out to get things done in my classroom and I'm there at least 4 hours each Sat or Sun. I know that will come to an end as soon as I can get a grip on the days that just fly by!! but for now, I'm working 6 days a week and 9-12 hours a day. What a change of pace. I did manage to get my house clean today, the clothes are washed and my mom bought some groceries. I think by Tues. I'll be in a good position for the new week.
I have 12 students, 7 girls and 5 boys! They are a cute bunch! They are quickly learning their new routine and feeling more comfortable as the first full-week is behind us. They make me smile with their prayer requests and stories. One girl has invited me to her b'day party...which is pretty understandable but she has also invited me to go with her family on a disney cruise!! I'm going to have to get those dates down, I don't want to miss that!!
I have realized that I never truly appreciated Christopher's teachers...don't get me wrong I did appreciate them greatly but, now I know how much of a sacrifice it is to be a teacher and a mom of younger children! Last week I just cried...thinking there is no way I can do this...and that is the truth of it...there is no way I could do this in my own strength! I know that God has brought me here and it is only through him that I can accomplish the tasks set before me. My body is so very exhausted as I begin to adjust to this new routine and life!
On another note, we finally joined a church! We are new members of MobberlyBaptist. We are excited to be "part" of a body again...we've been there for several months but there is something different about being a member of a local body!
Ok, it is 9:30 and I'm headed for sleep...I'll try to blog again soon...at least before the weekend is over! Maybe I'll catch up on reading blogs too!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Happy 6th birthday to Catherine...a day late!
I put these pictures together to send to Cat's birth mother, and decided to just post them on here too although there are a lot of them. It is a year in review...excluding her 1st day of school and b'day...I hadn't downloaded them yet.
I can't believe my baby girl is 6 and in kindergarten!! She is doing well in school...with one minor mishap so far! She'll be getting glasses this week, if I can ever get to the office before they close to pick them up.
We can't imagine our lives without her joy, laughter and positive view on just about everything! Her birthday is always such a special thing as we reflect on how she came to be and how she came to be part of our family! 6 years old...16 is just around the corner!!!!
I put these pictures together to send to Cat's birth mother, and decided to just post them on here too although there are a lot of them. It is a year in review...excluding her 1st day of school and b'day...I hadn't downloaded them yet.
I can't believe my baby girl is 6 and in kindergarten!! She is doing well in school...with one minor mishap so far! She'll be getting glasses this week, if I can ever get to the office before they close to pick them up.
We can't imagine our lives without her joy, laughter and positive view on just about everything! Her birthday is always such a special thing as we reflect on how she came to be and how she came to be part of our family! 6 years old...16 is just around the corner!!!!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
How is it possible that my little girl is old enough to go to school?
In the midst of getting ready to teach I've almost forgotten that Cat will be starting school! Where has the time gone?! It is great that I'll still be with my kids all day...but, my heart is sad as my youngest child is moving out of one stage of life and into another...I won't even get started thinking about Christopher's age and the stage he'll soon be moving into...ok, I'm gonna be crying tomorrow!!!
In the midst of getting ready to teach I've almost forgotten that Cat will be starting school! Where has the time gone?! It is great that I'll still be with my kids all day...but, my heart is sad as my youngest child is moving out of one stage of life and into another...I won't even get started thinking about Christopher's age and the stage he'll soon be moving into...ok, I'm gonna be crying tomorrow!!!
My classroom!
Here is a glimpse of my room...so far...it is still in progress.
Last night we had Meet-the-Teacher night in which all the parents and students come to the room say hello, drop off supplies etc. It can be quite overwhelming for all involved. It went well, I enjoyed meeting and talking with everyone...now I'm exhausted!
Here is the first of the watermelons from our garden! I kept waiting for it to get bigger it never did so I finally picked it and it was very ripe
We were all so excited to see what it looked like inside
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Mystery solved...
I finally found out why the water in my "growing" avocado plant was mysteriously disappearing each day!
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Well...I think it is time for a post!!
My life has been so busy and tiring! Only 1 week til I go to work full-time! Eeeek! I've been working on getting my room together, I'm feeling pretty good about the direction it is going. I want my room to be bright and airy not stuffed with bunches of stuff...so far I have achieved that! You see I have to wander around school and "find" things that I could use and or need for my classroom. Of course as one of the new teachers I'm pretty low on the proverbial totum pole, but fortunately for me I already know most of the teachers so they've been pretty sweet to share.
I'm am not used to being on my feet on a concrete floor with low pile carpet and so my legs have ached everynight when I try to sleep! Between my achey legs and my brain that just won't turn off I haven't gotten much sleep...I'm thinking that won't get better for a few weeks.
Last night the other Kindergarten teacher and I had a meeting to introduce the parents to "Writing Road to Reading". I think it went really well and I shared almost as equally as the other teacher. The Dean of Lower School wanted to make sure I was sharing knowledge equally to make sure the parents understand that although I'm new I do know the reading/spelling/writing curriculum. I'm sure some parents will/do prefer the other teacher since she has been there for 5 years and I'm new! I'm trying to deal with the emotions of that...hopefully I won't "hear" of any parents not wanting me as their child's teacher!
This week I wanted to get my room together so next week we can sit down and get lesson plans done. The other teacher has some amazing ideas and plans that she'll be sharing with me so we can pretty much stay on the same page throughout the year.
Aside from pre-school year stuff we haven't been doing much. christopher has been working with Calixto which has been good. On Sat. they were working at a friend's lake house and he was invited to stay and play instead of work...he had a blast tubing, wake boarding and jet skiing! Sure beats pushing a mower in the 100 plus degree weather! It was very sweet of them to invite him to share in their family fun.
I'll save the rest for another post!! I'm gonna go veg out...right after I take some ibuprofen!
My life has been so busy and tiring! Only 1 week til I go to work full-time! Eeeek! I've been working on getting my room together, I'm feeling pretty good about the direction it is going. I want my room to be bright and airy not stuffed with bunches of stuff...so far I have achieved that! You see I have to wander around school and "find" things that I could use and or need for my classroom. Of course as one of the new teachers I'm pretty low on the proverbial totum pole, but fortunately for me I already know most of the teachers so they've been pretty sweet to share.
I'm am not used to being on my feet on a concrete floor with low pile carpet and so my legs have ached everynight when I try to sleep! Between my achey legs and my brain that just won't turn off I haven't gotten much sleep...I'm thinking that won't get better for a few weeks.
Last night the other Kindergarten teacher and I had a meeting to introduce the parents to "Writing Road to Reading". I think it went really well and I shared almost as equally as the other teacher. The Dean of Lower School wanted to make sure I was sharing knowledge equally to make sure the parents understand that although I'm new I do know the reading/spelling/writing curriculum. I'm sure some parents will/do prefer the other teacher since she has been there for 5 years and I'm new! I'm trying to deal with the emotions of that...hopefully I won't "hear" of any parents not wanting me as their child's teacher!
This week I wanted to get my room together so next week we can sit down and get lesson plans done. The other teacher has some amazing ideas and plans that she'll be sharing with me so we can pretty much stay on the same page throughout the year.
Aside from pre-school year stuff we haven't been doing much. christopher has been working with Calixto which has been good. On Sat. they were working at a friend's lake house and he was invited to stay and play instead of work...he had a blast tubing, wake boarding and jet skiing! Sure beats pushing a mower in the 100 plus degree weather! It was very sweet of them to invite him to share in their family fun.
I'll save the rest for another post!! I'm gonna go veg out...right after I take some ibuprofen!
Friday, July 25, 2008
pretty fabric!
As some of you know I recovered my dining room chairs and ended up hating the fabric...who knows why I chose such an awful pattern?! Anyway I found this beautiful print (on the R) at Hancock's the other day, it was on sale for $5 a yard wow!! I spent $15 to recover the ugly fabric that cost more than twice that amount...yay! I originally bought it to recover my kitchen chairs but Calixto thought it a better idea to do the dining room...he is so right! I haven't started the project yet...maybe tomorrow.
Lord, High and Holy; meek and lowly, Thou has brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness,
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty,
thy glory in my valley.
-from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions
Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness,
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty,
thy glory in my valley.
-from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Cheap Cheesecake!!
If you happen to be fortunate enough to live near a Cheesecake Factory...they will be offering a slice of cheesecake for $1.50 on July 30th! Amazing taste at an amazing price! Too bad there isn't one close to Longview
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Summer is almost over...
28 days until school starts! 21 until I go back to work!
I shopped all day yesterday for school clothes! whew-I sure was worn out by the evening. I was able to get most all of the clothes the kids needed. Christopher still needs khakis and khaki shorts-I didn't like how any them fit so I'm hoping to make a trip to the Gap sometime soon. It is very nice that they have a dress code-that makes shopping easier, unless of course you're in between sizes like my son!! I'll wait just a bit longer before buying shoes. Besides clothes I purchased all of their school supplies at Walmart-I'm reusing all of Christohper's white notebooks from last year...that is a big savings since they have to have 5 1 1/2 inch binders-they are pretty pricey!
I didn't look for clothes for me yet...that I will have to do...I'm dreading it already...and shoes, I have to think about my feet in shoes all day-not flip flops, that will take some getting used to!
I stopped by the school for a bit too and my room is not ready yet. The previous teacher is waiting until carpet is put down in her new room...hopefully that will happen and I can get some work done to my "small" room next week. There will be 22 students (at this point) entering Kind. so I'll have 11 in my class. The other teacher and I will meet next week as well get lesson plans together...she'll be a great help to me.
My house has never been more of a disaster...I have not been motivated to do anything! So now I must go and clean and put all my piles away-or at least put most of them away!!
I shopped all day yesterday for school clothes! whew-I sure was worn out by the evening. I was able to get most all of the clothes the kids needed. Christopher still needs khakis and khaki shorts-I didn't like how any them fit so I'm hoping to make a trip to the Gap sometime soon. It is very nice that they have a dress code-that makes shopping easier, unless of course you're in between sizes like my son!! I'll wait just a bit longer before buying shoes. Besides clothes I purchased all of their school supplies at Walmart-I'm reusing all of Christohper's white notebooks from last year...that is a big savings since they have to have 5 1 1/2 inch binders-they are pretty pricey!
I didn't look for clothes for me yet...that I will have to do...I'm dreading it already...and shoes, I have to think about my feet in shoes all day-not flip flops, that will take some getting used to!
I stopped by the school for a bit too and my room is not ready yet. The previous teacher is waiting until carpet is put down in her new room...hopefully that will happen and I can get some work done to my "small" room next week. There will be 22 students (at this point) entering Kind. so I'll have 11 in my class. The other teacher and I will meet next week as well get lesson plans together...she'll be a great help to me.
My house has never been more of a disaster...I have not been motivated to do anything! So now I must go and clean and put all my piles away-or at least put most of them away!!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
work, golf balls and money
For a couple of days last week Christopher went to work with Calixto. He worked hard and came home with several blisters to prove it. The amazing thing is work does wonders for him! His attitude was so good during the day and then when he came home he was such a delight! He loves to mow and does a great job at it. The time spent with Daddy sure was nice for him too! His allergies to a type of grass was pretty bad so they had to stop and buy some Zyrtec but, he continued on without complaint...what a trooper!
Yesterday, he played so nicely with Catherine...maybe the time away from his little sister was of benefit too. In the afternoon we went to the library to hand in their forms to complete their reading requirements. They were able to get a few more little trinkety toys, which seemed a bit more skimpy this year...anyway, I decided to stop by the Bargain center on the way home. Once again they had some great furniture but it was not priced yet...I'm sure it will be priced very high. But that is not why we went, christopher has been wanting a golf club just to hit balls around (like our neighbor does daily). Both kids picked out their $2 clubs and I bought a lite brite for Cat. She absolutely loves it! I thought it may help with her vision stuff as well.
For a while after dinner the kids were way in the back (so they wouldn't break windows) hitting their golf balls. They had so much fun together! What a great purchase! Evidently Christopher had hit a ball somewhere far and asked Cat to retrieve it...she so kindly did. Christopher decided that when she fell asleep he would pay her $2 for doing that for him! I'm not sure why he wanted to wait till she was asleep but, he waited then slipped into her room and left the money on her doll bed. Isn't that too sweet?
this morning she woke up asking where the money came from and did she have a loose tooth? I guess she thought the tooth fairy came a little prematurely. I'll let her brother explain the money if he chooses.
ok, I'm off to Walmart and old navy for school supplies/clothes...in four weeks we'll be back to school...oh my!
Yesterday, he played so nicely with Catherine...maybe the time away from his little sister was of benefit too. In the afternoon we went to the library to hand in their forms to complete their reading requirements. They were able to get a few more little trinkety toys, which seemed a bit more skimpy this year...anyway, I decided to stop by the Bargain center on the way home. Once again they had some great furniture but it was not priced yet...I'm sure it will be priced very high. But that is not why we went, christopher has been wanting a golf club just to hit balls around (like our neighbor does daily). Both kids picked out their $2 clubs and I bought a lite brite for Cat. She absolutely loves it! I thought it may help with her vision stuff as well.
For a while after dinner the kids were way in the back (so they wouldn't break windows) hitting their golf balls. They had so much fun together! What a great purchase! Evidently Christopher had hit a ball somewhere far and asked Cat to retrieve it...she so kindly did. Christopher decided that when she fell asleep he would pay her $2 for doing that for him! I'm not sure why he wanted to wait till she was asleep but, he waited then slipped into her room and left the money on her doll bed. Isn't that too sweet?
this morning she woke up asking where the money came from and did she have a loose tooth? I guess she thought the tooth fairy came a little prematurely. I'll let her brother explain the money if he chooses.
ok, I'm off to Walmart and old navy for school supplies/clothes...in four weeks we'll be back to school...oh my!
What am I grateful for? Glad you asked...I'm grateful for...
31-Catherine's sweet, sweet personality first thing in the morning!
32-Catherine's great excitement and gratitude over a $4 used Lite Brite!
33-the new fax/scanner/printer that we were able to purchase for our ministry with donated monies
34-my husband's love for me!
31-Catherine's sweet, sweet personality first thing in the morning!
32-Catherine's great excitement and gratitude over a $4 used Lite Brite!
33-the new fax/scanner/printer that we were able to purchase for our ministry with donated monies
34-my husband's love for me!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Fear not, for I am with you,
be not dismayed, for I am your God,
I will strengthen you,
I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Is 41:10
He IS with me
He IS my God
He WILL strengthen me
He WILL help me
He WILL uphold me...that IS the truth! And I WILL stand on the truth of His Word!
be not dismayed, for I am your God,
I will strengthen you,
I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Is 41:10
He IS with me
He IS my God
He WILL strengthen me
He WILL help me
He WILL uphold me...that IS the truth! And I WILL stand on the truth of His Word!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Continuing my gratitude list...I'm grateful...
16-for 13 years of marriage!
17-for a husband who is always willing to apologize
18-for Christopher's amazing attitude after he has worked a "long" day with daddy
19-that Calixto takes Christopher to work with him and lets him work!
20-for short get-aways even when I'm yearning for a long vacation
21-that Calixto was able to pay off one of his trucks and his big mower this past week!
22-that Calixto consistently does a great job landscaping and his clients love his work
23-did I mention Air-conditioning already?!
16-for 13 years of marriage!
17-for a husband who is always willing to apologize
18-for Christopher's amazing attitude after he has worked a "long" day with daddy
19-that Calixto takes Christopher to work with him and lets him work!
20-for short get-aways even when I'm yearning for a long vacation
21-that Calixto was able to pay off one of his trucks and his big mower this past week!
22-that Calixto consistently does a great job landscaping and his clients love his work
23-did I mention Air-conditioning already?!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Hawks
Look at our resident Hawk sitting pool side...this is the 2nd time we've seen it here. Its mate was sitting nearby on the overhead wires. They have a nest in our back yard...we always see feathers from their meals by one of our gates and we hear their screeches and watch them soar high in the air. So far they haven't messed with our cat...maybe she is too big of prey for them or maybe they have their fill of birds in our "forest"
Wish I could have gotten a better shot but, I had to quickly take it from the screened porch
Oklahoma
Here are some pictures of our little get away to Oklahoma. The first album is of our trip to Mt. Scott which is near Wichita Falls and Lawton. The nature preserve was really neat, we hope to go back in the Fall to go on their walking tour to see the autumn foliage. My parents have a picture of them before they were married on top of Mt. Scott...every time they go back they get their picture taken at that same spot...this time we took ours there...I don't think we took one of them...oops
This album only has a few pictures from Turner Falls. It is a park where you can camp or spend the day swimming and hiking. It was very costly but we went anyway, it's a shame they charge so much and they don't keep the park as clean as you would think. We had a good time anyway...the kids were just dying to swim. Christopher went down the huge slide that sent you sailing through the air before hitting water at least 100 times!! No kidding!
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This album only has a few pictures from Turner Falls. It is a park where you can camp or spend the day swimming and hiking. It was very costly but we went anyway, it's a shame they charge so much and they don't keep the park as clean as you would think. We had a good time anyway...the kids were just dying to swim. Christopher went down the huge slide that sent you sailing through the air before hitting water at least 100 times!! No kidding!
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| 2008_07_14 |
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