Another Year Over

Yeeeee haaaaaaa!  Let summer vacation begin!  No more lunches...no more folders...no more lunches...no more permission slips...no more lunches...no more backpacks...no more LUNCHES!  I know it is trivial, but I hate packing lunches.  It's not that it is hard, I just hate doing it!

So anyway, this time of year always make me sad ~ especially this year.  Zachary goes to 7th grade.  A new building, a new schedule for him.  He's excited tho.  I love my guy.  He received the award for "Most Christ-Like Boy" this year.  I am so proud of him!   

Josh had to say good-bye to his friends (for next year anyway).  He (along with Sarah) is going to the neighborhood school next year.  That makes me sad too.  He really wanted to go last year but (for whatever reason), we didn't let him go.  I think now the reality is setting in that he won't be with his old friends next year.  He's having second thoughts.  We told him to give it a year.  If he doesn't like it he can go back to his old school next year.  I think he will be fine.  He makes friends easily.  He is such a positive, upbeat kid with a generous heart.

Sarah....sweet Sarah will be changing schools too.  She is excited.  Her graduation was one of the most heart-wrenching emotional things I have gone thru in a long time ~ lol~! No really...I have been thru K-4 graduation twice already, but this time was especially hard.  There was not a dry eye in the house!  The poor teachers were crying as they called out their names.  I made the mistake of reading the inside of the program right after I got there.  It was a letter from the teachers to the parents.  I am going to copy it and make it a prayer for all my kids teachers in the years to come.  I pray they all will feel this for their students.   Here's what it said:

We give back your children, the same children you confidently entrusted to our care last fall.  We give them back pounds heavier, inches taller, more responsible, and more mature than they were then.

Although they would have obtained their growth in spite of us, it has been our pleasure and privilege to watch their personality unfold day by day and marvel at the splendid miracle of development.

We give them back reluctantly, for having spent ten months together in the narrow confines of a crowded classroom, we have grown close, have become part of each other, and we shall always retain a little of each other.

Ten years from now if we meet on the street, your child and I, a light will shine to our eyes, a smile to our lips, and we shall feel the bond of understanding once more, this bond we feel today.

We have lived, laughed, played, studied and enriched our lives together this year.

We wish it could go on indefinitely, but give them back we must.

Take care of them, for they are precious.

Remember that we shall always be interested in your child and their destiny, wherever they go, whatever they do, whoever they become.

Their joys and sorrows we'll be happy to share.

We will always be their friends.

With much love,
JR K Teachers
Can you see why I was a puddle through the whole thing?  This class is so special.  No really...they are a great group of kids.  The all got along, and were just really an amazingly sweet bunch.  Everyone - parents included - just "clicked" this year.  They are so special.  I'm going to miss being with them.  Ava will be in that class next year, so I get to do it again.  I just hope next year is even more amazing!  Is that possible tho?  :-)

My kids were blessed with amazing teachers this year.  They love their students and have their best interests at heart.  I love them all and am eternally grateful for them and the impact they have made on my kids lives this year.  Love you ladies ~ so very much!  Hope you have a happy, restful summer!

Toddlers and Tiaras

Yes -- now THIS is the real deal.  Forget that show on TLC (or whatever channel it is on).  Watching that show is like watching the aftermath of a bad accident.  You watch in awe and think it is so bad but you can't not watch!


No, this is about the most beautiful little (and big!) girls dancing to "Aurora's Wedding".  (QUIZ: Do you know which princess is named "Aurora"?  You are not allowed to answer if you have a little girl under the age of 9!  If you don't know, I'll tell you ~ at the end of the post!)  Maybe it was because one of them was my own.  Nevertheless, even though it literally was "a dark and stormy night" outside, the performance inside all but made up for it. 

Mrs. Carrie Jean is an amazing woman.  She choreographs the entire ballet - which incorporates the tiniest little jumping beans up to the most graceful ballerina.  Being able to do that and do it well is a feat in itself.  :-)  She truly loves these girls (and boys!)  She invests time ~ lots of time ~ and with little compensation.  She teaches them scripture and prays with them.  She brings it down to their level.  In December, she had a "Mommy and Me" class (which btw kicked my butt was not as easy as it sounds).  At the end she told the kids the Christmas story using miniature candy bars (like, the 3 wise men [aka "Three Muskateers"] found the babe ["Baby Ruth"]).  I love how she calls them (the three and four year-olds) "little ballerinas".  Even at the recital, she is out there on stage with them and when it was time for them to run off you could hear her calling, "Run to me ballerinas!"  Precious I tell you...or maybe I am just sappy.

Before the performance, she went to every room (each age group had their own "dressing" room) and quoted their Bible verse and prayed with them.  That just warms my heart! 

I am so very greatful for Carrie Jean.  She invests so much into the lives of these kids and she does it selflessly and with lots of love.  Thank you for being Christ's servant!

Better Me Than You

I really can't add more to this......please click HERE to read the blog post from another blogger. As a parent, I can totally relate.  As a child, I am so thankful!  Thank you Jesus for loving me!

Do You Ever Feel Like It Is Only "Two Steps Back"?

Haha!  I do lately!  I don't feel like I am making any steps forward!  My last fb status said I'm sure all of my kids teachers think I am a moron!  Let's see - over 2 weeks..Josh AND Zachary have out-of-town field trips...maybe...but parents like me who forget to turn in forms and money make it impossible to make it happen!  Aaaagh!  Okay - in my defense - it was all a matter of things falling into place.  Like, if this happens then we will do this but I can't do this until I know when this is going to happen and what if......?  See what I mean?  THEN the boys have rehearsals this weekend for Palm Sunday, Sarah has a birthday party and field trip (another form and $).  I CANNOT KEEP UP THIS WEEK!  Aaaaand.....my mom is having an out-patient procedure which meant I had to change my work schedule which has thrown me for a loop because I now have trouble remembering what day it is!  Aaaaaand Ava has 2 ballet recitals coming up and I have to make sure I have the right leotard and tights for the right performance.  Add all of this on top of the usual chaos that is our lives and there you have it!  I want to pull the covers up over my head for a couple of weeks until all the action passes!  :-)

So that fills you in on what I have been up to...no baby birdies yet, but the time is getting close!  Mamma bird sits on the nest all the time now (except for when we get too close or if too many of us come out). We also have another addition coming.  It looks like pigeons have nested on top of a ceiling fan on our patio.  I'm guessing since mamma bird NEVER leaves, she must have eggs in there too.  Don't these creatures see there are 4 kids and a dog all over that backyard?  It's ironic how they pick the wildest atmosphere to have their babies, but I'm so glad they did!  We have all learned from it.  Can't wait for their arrival and I will post pics as soon as I see little beaks popping up!

Quick Trip, Cute Babies and Crazy Weather!

Yep - it has been a whirlwind...and I don't mean the weather today!  Josh and I made a quick overnight trip to Nashville Friday.  He had a JBQ tournament - and all the kids did well.  I'm so proud of them!  Short synopsis..check in...eat dinner..go to swim...pool closed...kids (and parents) upset...went to Wally World and bought fixins for ice cream sundaes...popped pop corn...played games...crashed in room...up early..tourny all day...nice dinner...home at 10 p.m.  Yeah - we were both pooped!

So Sunday afternoon, we were looking at the nest this robin has built in a tree right outside our kitchen window.  Momma has been sitting on the nest so Charles took a look-see and (in case you didn't see it on my FB page) here is what is inside:

Is that just so cool?  I am amazed by it!  The girls tried to tell me several days ago that they thought the momma bird was sitting in the nest looking like she was "pooping" - I guess they were right!  But really - just look at that nest.  Look at how it is built!  I mean, I know we have all seen a bird nest, but I am in awe of this one.  This tiny creature with two wings, a beak, and tiny feet built this!  God is awesome like that.  Momma bird sat on these babies today during the storm and all is well.  I have tried to get a pic of her on the nest but have not been super-successful.  She was sitting on the fence giving me all kinds of heck when I took this picture.  The nest is actually low enough that all I have to do is hold my camera (or phone) up and point down and I can take a picture.  I can't wait to see these little babies!  The kids are all excited too.  We check on them - from a distance - several times a day.  I will keep you posted on the progress!

So all this and then the crazy storm this morning.  Ava and I were at her ballet class (which is in the basement of a church thank goodness!)  I had actually run to Kroger to get some milk but the sirens went off just as I pulled into the parking lot. Sooooo....I turned around and went back.  When I got there, they were all lined up against the wall in the hallway, sitting down, practicing their positions (arms only!)  At that point the power went out (which is REALLY dark in a basement hallway), so they took requests from the kids.  They sang "Jesus Loves Me", "Frosty the Snowman", "ABC's", "Mary Had  A Little Lamb"....just to name a few.  The storm passed and they still had about 10 minutes left to practice (BIG recital coming up May 2nd at GPAC!!!) ****SIDEBAR**** I just love Carrie Jean McDonald (her teacher)...she is such a blessing to so many families!  I'm sad that Ava will not be able to take again next year since she will be in school :-( **** Lights were still out and Ava informs me she has to go potty.  Seriously?  You went RIGHT before class started!  She must have a bladder the size of a squirrel's...so she did...while I used the flashlight app on my phone to create some sort of illumination so she could see what she was doing.

So that's been our craziness the past few days.  Zoo trip tomorrow with the K4 class (because it is "Z" week you know!)  Thank goodness it was rescheduled from today!  It will chilly in the morning, but as long as there is no rain, we are GOOD!!!

Being A Mom Stresses Me Out!

I worry too much...but only about certain things.  I realized today that I am -- well -- I'm just gonna come right out and say it -- overprotective!  Charles told me yesterday that one of the boys in the cove was going to teach Zachary how to ride a rip-stick.  I seriously think my heart skipped a beat.  I blame it on my job.  Is that a good excuse?  I have seen some pretty bad things.  The smallest thing gone wrong can injure you for life.  This is definitely a case of "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing"!  Aaaaagh!  Actually, it is quite frustrating.  I'm trying to get better - really I am.  There are some things I do not bend on tho.  I am and forever will be a helmet nazi.  I don't care what you are riding on, if it has wheels on it, you'd BETTER be wearing your helmet.  That is non-negotionable.  I'd also prefer to you to be wearing wrist guards and knee and elbow pads, but you know... I'm also fanatical about knowing who they are with and where they are going.  I want to be able to put my hands on them at all times.  We all know it, but there are crazy people out there.  It is a sad state of affairs when you have to remind even the older ones about being careful when they go to the bathroom at Chik-fil-A!  I know they will grow up and this too shall pass, but we live in the end times...this isn't Mayberry (but it would be cool if it was!)  :-)

Even when they spend the night out...a TINY part of me is a little anxious.  It isn't that I am worried about them...I know they are in excellent care.  I don't know --  I just like having all my chicks under the same roof.  I'll be a basket case when they go to college (yes - that is already being talked about!)  Maybe it's just my job to worry.  Now don't misunderstand...I'm not biting my nails or wringing my hands...it's not like that.  It's the "mom" in me.  I see lots of parents who frankly appear to not really give a flying flip about what their kids do - whether it's wearing a helmet or jumping in the car with a group of friends to go across state lines to go to a party.  To which I wonder, "why are you a parent?"  Well, I could guess, but that is a whole different blog!

I suppose as a mom you start to "worry" that moment your heart starts beating outside your body.  When you look into that little face and promise them you will always love and protect them.  As they age, the things you "worry" about change too.  When they are tiny you fret over every little cough...then when they start to eat nothing but mac and cheese you "worry" they aren't getting the nutrition they need...then they start school and you "worry" about social skills...then they get more independent and you "worry" -- well, you get the idea.  It is a never ending cycle!  Fortunately, I know each of my kids rests in God's hands.  He had loaned them to me to guide them and teach them and for that I am very honored.  He knows their plans and nothing comes a surprise.  To me?  YES!  To Him?  NO!  That is a huge load off me....but still....I'm going to do my best to steer them in the right direction!  Now where is the bubble wrap????

Stumbling Blocks

I have a huge one right now.....can't really "blog" that often because our home computer bit the dust.  It's probably for the best anyway (for me - not the computer!)  I have plenty I could ramble about, but they are really more "rants" than actual blogging.  That's okay tho.  In short, spring break has been amazing, and just makes me want summer to get here even faster!  C'mon summer!  :-)