Disney for Christmas

We went to Disney the week before Christmas.  I was a little apprehensive about it being super busy.  Last year we went in October and February which were wonderful.  Surprisingly, the lines were short an it wasn't as crazy as expected.  We were told the week of Christmas is the crazy time!  Fantasyland is now open so that was new to us.  We were excited to go see Enchanted Tales with Belle.  It was great.  Each kid gets to play a part and some adults do too.  Brandon was the wardrobe, Chloe was Phillipe the horse, and Ashlyn was Maurice.  It was very cute and highly recommended.

We got to Orlando on Sunday night.  We went to Disney on Monday and Tuesday, went swimming on Wednesday, and Brandon's mom and sister's family came into town and went to Disney Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  We had a great time.  THe beginning of the week was warm and we went swimming each night and during the day Wednesday.  The end of the week was cold and I was so happy I threw in hats, scarves, and gloves at the last minute before we left.

Prior Disney trips meant we went to the park in the morning, hotel for naps, and back to the park afterwards.  Since the kids are a little older and I'm not as strict anymore, we spent the entire day at the park.  Chloe would often nap in the stroller and was content.  Ashlyn stayed up the whole day and crashed in the stroller on the way out of the park.  I even took the swimming when we got back to the hotel and stayed in the pool until 9 or 9:30.  Those who know me well know that I am strict when it comes to schedules and especially bedtime.  Big step for mommy!!

Dancing with Daddy

Brandon as the wardrobe, Paul as the knight, Logan as the Beast, Ashlyn as Maurice, Abby as a picture frame, and Chloe as Phillipe.

Long day at the park

We met up with Brandon's aunt and uncle who live in Florida

Me Time

Me time is few and far between these days.  I got the kids to bed before 8:00 tonight, poured a glass of wine, and drew a nice, hot bubble bath.  So what if I used princess bubble bath, Dora shampoo, and was staring down a rubber ducky, scuba Steve, and a bathtub racecar-------it was Me Time!!

That is NOT Elfy!

We were in Orlando for a week (will blog about that later).  Well we happened to forget our Elf on the Shelf.  OOPS!  We got back at midnight last night so we told the kids Elfy had further to go so it would take longer to get back.  During nap, Brandon went to get a new elf.  Simple, right?

I took the kids to Brandon's sister's house tonight and Brandon called to tell me he hid Elfy on their kitchen.  So we walk inside and I made a big production about how I thought I heard something flying, blah, blah, blah.  Chloe runs into the living room and yells, "That's not Elfy."  I go in to look and sure enough, my husband got a black Elf on the Shelf...........................

He tried to tell them that it got a suntan in Florida but is currently on his way back to Barnes and Noble to trade it in for a white one.

How MUCH?

So I said I was going to get a housecleaner if I would be working full time.  After two quotes, I'm beginning to change my mind....  "For that kind of money, I'll clean my own house."  That's what I say.  Does it get done?  Partially.  By the time I have a few rooms cleaned, I turn around and they are messy again.  Did I mention the laundry is always piled up??  Fortunately my kids have a million clothes so I usually do their laundry every three weeks when they run out of underwear.

Here's my dilemma......  I get home and the kids have homework and want to play.  I feel guilty because I'm at work all day.  So the thought that runs through my head is that I'll do it at 8:00 when they go to sleep.  8:00 rolls around and I'm packing lunches, checking papers, laying out clothes, and making sure everything is signed and packed for the morning.  Now it's 9:00 and Chloe has to go to the bathroom.  Seriously, every night at 9:00.  I put her back in bed and sit down on the couch while she goes to sleep.  This is when I turn on the TV, wrap presents, do Christmas cards, etc.  I eventually begin to pick up around the house but I'm too tired.  I go to bed.

Questions:
How did my mom keep such a clean house while raising three kids??  Seriously, I can't remember our house being anything but spotless growing up.

I do make my kids clean up and the house is usually picked up.  It's the deep down cleaning I can't get done.  Is anyone else in the same boat?

Brandon wants to know why I care.  Nobody visits us anyway.  I guess he has a point there.

Do I live in filth and complain or suck it up and pay the big bucks for a cleaning lady??

Baby Jesus Do This, Baby Jesus Do That

Chloe loves to play with babies and is always bugging Ashlyn to be the mommy.  Ashlyn was never into baby dolls but from time to time will play along.  Well they have started playing "Baby Jesus."  Chloe is baby Jesus and Ashlyn is Mary.  These are the bits and pieces I hear while I've been cleaning, baking, wrapping, organizing, folding laundry, etc. all weekend:

"Let me put you in your swaddling clothes Baby Jesus."

"Baby Jesus get in the manger."

"Do you see the star?"

"Are the three wise men coming?  I think they will bring gifts.  I forget what gifts they bring."

"Baby Jesus, stay in your swaddling clothes."

"Get your other baby doll, Chloe, and she can be a shepherd."

"Baby Jesus lay down so I can wrap you in your swaddling clothes."

One week from today we will be on our way to Disney World and the kids have NO idea.  We are going to tell them we are going to Brandon's mom's house because they know that is a far distance.  Luckily they don't know north from south.  We will drive halfway on Sunday and use some of Brandon's hotel points for a room.  Then on Monday we will drive the last three hours and go straight to one of the parks and surprise the kids.  Brandon's mom and sister's family will get there Wednesday night so our little fib wasn't too far fetched:).

When It Rains, It Pours....

So our dryer had been making loud squeaking noises for some time.  The truth is the noises were so loud, we couldn't hear the TV or the kids arguing with each other.  Well maybe the second part isn't that bad.  On Black Friday, we got ourselves a new dryer.  Now my only complaint is that I don't know when my clothes are done because I can't hear it:).

On Friday I came home and went to the closet to change my clothes.  Well my whole very nice, wooden closet organizer had fallen.  Luckily no one was home or in there when it happened or we would all be dead.  That thing was heavy.  This is the second time this has happened.  The first time the plastic thing came out of the wall and was hanging.  Several others in the neighborhood had the same thing happen.  I vaguely remember Brandon saying that nothing could bring down the new one that he put up.  Well it did.  So we spent the weekend, taking all of my clothes out of the closet, taking apart the big a** closet organizer, spackling, painting, putting up a new closet organizer, and putting everything back in.  Yes it took all weekend.  I had much more that I needed to do but priorities took over.

We did manage to go to the Journey of Bethlehem at a local church.  It was very well done and the kids were mesmerized.  I was impressed too.  We also went to a Christmas parade.  On the way to the car and on the way home, we were bombarded with Santa questions.  Why is he here?  Shouldn't he be at the North Pole?  Why is he on a firetruck and not his sleigh?  Where is the sleigh/reindeer?  Why does he go back and forth?  Does it take a long time?  Will we sit on his lap?  Shouldn't he be watching the elves and getting the reindeer ready?  I thought we did a good job of answering.  We told them that he just came to the parade but had to hurry back to the North Pole/the reindeer are fast/it doesn't take long/blah blah blah....  We are almost home and Ashlyn yells to roll down her window.  She sees a red light in the sky(an airplane) and thinks it is Rudolph's nose.  It was priceless.  They both made us roll all the windows down and they were yelling bye to Santa and that they love him, to be careful, and so on.

Can I just tell you that this age is hilarious??  We had Chick Fil A before going to the Journey to Bethlehem.  While eating Ashlyn asks, "Can we grow this in our garden next year?"  I asked what and she said, "Chicken.  I want to grow chicken in the garden."  I said we can't grow chicken in the garden.  Chloe says, "Yes you can.  You get chicken seeds and you water them every day."  Again I say that you can't grow chickens in a garden.  In my mind, I'm thinking that if I tell them that you have to kill chickens to eat them that they may not eat chicken again.  I've got really picky kids.  Instead Ashlyn says, "Ok can we go play now?"

Elfie

Well Elfie has arrived at our house and the kids LOVE to find him.  Today he was in the refrigerator.  Here are some other places he has been......

Writing a letter

making a snow angel

having a tea party

swinging from the lights

Now I'm the Parent.....

So there comes a time when you have to give the teacher a phone call....

I'm used to being on the other end of this deal--the teacher.  Now I'm the parent.  Ashlyn has been complaining off and on about another student 'touching' her.  It's nothing inappropriate but rather just bugging her.  I mentioned it to her teacher  a couple of months ago when it wasn't such a big deal.  They had sat beside each other so the teacher moved the little boy.  Well Ashlyn kinda broke down before beditme the other night about him bugging her and 'he just won't leave me alone.'  So I wrote the teacher a note.  Ashlyn said it continued the next day and I didn't have a response to the note so my response was, "that's it, I'm calling her."

Let me stop here and say that I LOVE Ashlyn's teacher and her school.  She has been there since she was one.  I wouldn't want her anywhere else for preschool and she is learning so much.  However, I've never really seen this side of Ashlyn(not counting fighting with her sister).  Ashlyn is usually the aggressor.  So I called her teacher.  To make a long story short, yes the kid is pretty much bugging her.  He wants to sit beside her in class, chapel, lunch, stand by her in line, and play with her at recess.   However, Ashlyn has a little group of friends that have been in school together for the last few years and they only want to play with each other(Colbie and Carter being two of them).  The teacher thinks Peyton has a little crush on her and is trying to join their little group.  Dare I say clique at age 4?

It was a weird feeling being on the parent side of the phone call and the first time where I had the 'don't mess with my kid' feeling.  I'm sure there will be plenty more of these stops on the road of life but I think I'll consider this one a yield.....

Jesus First, Santa Second

Christmas is a great holiday.  I've always thought that.  What better way to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Christmas is that much more spectacular through the eyes of my children who know Jesus first, Santa second.  Brandon and I have taught the girls a Christian lifestyle but I can't say enough about their preschool.  They come home reciting Bible verses, singing songs, and truly have a love for Jesus that I didn't teach them.  We are blessed to have such wonderful Christian teachers.

Each year we have baked a cake for Jesus and this year the kids say we have to sing Happy Birthday.  They like seeing the ornaments and decorations depicting nativity scenes.  Don't get me wrong--they also love Santa, elves, and reindeer--but listening to them tell us stories of the Bible are far more important in our household.

When Ashlyn was misbehaving this week, I told her that Santa was watching.  Her response was, "So is God.  He sees everything.  He can see way more than Santa."  OK so I can't argue with that.....so I replied with "Yes God is watching too."  She said, "I guess I better obey.  I don't want to go to that goat place..."

We officially have all decorations up and trees decorating.  A ten foot tree in the living room, 6 ft in the foyer, 6 ft tree in the landing up high in the foyer, and small tree upstairs in the hallway leading to the kids' rooms.  Okay, so the tree on the landing has been up for three years straight and never taken down, but it still counts.

Things I'm Thankful For......

*Two healthy children.
 Ashlyn has a skin disease called vitiligo but it is mainly cosmetic.  A friend in the mom's club has the sweetest little four year old who is going through some major surgery on a tumor next month.  It just makes me thankful that my children are healthy.

*A job I love.
 I've only been there a few months but I've enjoyed my time working.  It also allows me a little more patience for my own children when I am home.  I think it has been a good transition.

*A wonderful childhood.
I grew up in a small town with two parents who invested their free time in their children.  They provided us with every opportunity available and were great role models.

*A loving husband.
I'm fortunate to have a hard-working husband who cares deeply for his family. His free time is spent at home with us and I love seeing him doing special things with the kids both together and individually.

*A great preschool and teachers
My kids have been at the same preschool since they were 1.  The teachers are nice and the kids are comfortable there.  They have learned a lot about God and we are thankful for that.

*Great Friends
Living 12 hours away from family can be difficult at times.  However, I have some great friends that will step in and lend a hand when I need it.

I could go on but I have a Christmas Tree and Snowman to grow(crystals)......my kids love crafts......

Making the Most of a Week Off...

So I am enjoying my week off from work and back home with the kids.  It seems like a long time since I've been home with them through the week....  So today we went to the Center for the Puppetry Arts to see Rudolph.  Chloe calls him 'Bambi with the red nose'.  I've never been there and was just as excited as the kids.  :)   It wasn't at all what I envisioned.  It's kind of hard to explain but it is a screen and the puppets are in the middle.  They showed scenes projected onto the screen during the puppeteering.  The puppeteers sang live.  I guess you have to see it to fully get the picture.

After we watched the show, had lunch, and came back home, the kids were exhausted.  However, Chloe had cat napped in the car and I couldn't get Ashlyn to lay down.  Plus it was later in the day and I don't like them to nap that late.  Sooooo Ashlyn had the worst (late) afternoon of her life.  I had to lock myself in the spare bedroom and take a breather.  Please tell me someone else has had to do that.  She was talking back, not listening, and just plain horrible.  She spent several timeouts in her room screaming.  Then finally calmed down. She just ate dinner and bedtime has been moved up to 7:00.  I've never seen her act that badly in my life.  For those that don't know, I have a 4 year that must nap daily and does for 2-3 hours.  If she doesn't, she is a bear.  Well today she was the biggest bear I've seen in my life and I ran the other way.......

I Saved $330 Today!!!!!!!!!

So today I went to the Lawrenceville Target to check out Halloween clearance.  It said it was 70% off but it was really 90% off.  I was SOOOOOO excited!  So I'm looking at costumes and they were going to be only a dollar or two.  Then I see a whole pile on a shopping cart sticking out of an aisle.  I walk over only to find some lady yell at me that it is her pile.  Then I see her friend.  They had three carts full.  So they basically took all of the costumes off the rack, when down a few aisles, and started sorting.  Seriously, who does that?  I had both kids with me so I held in what I really wanted to say.  Then she says to me that she is going to put back the ones she doesn't want.  I sarcastically tell her how nice that is of her to think of others.  Anyways, I did get Ashlyn a Jessie costume and she was thrilled.  I also got a lady bug and a pink skeleton girl.  The Halloween glow in the dark shirts were anywhere from 50 cents to $1 so I bought a size bigger for the kids for next year.  Then I found a few Halloween divider plates for 29 cents that were really nice.  I also bought some crafty things to do with the kids.  I spent $14 total!

After talking to a friend, she decided to check out the Snellville Target.  Well they had a great selection but it was still 70% off so we didn't go.  After I got home, another friend posted that she got a costume at the Target in Bethlehem for $1.  So I called my friend and we took a roadtrip(15 miles from our house which was the farthest Target of the day!).  There I got a car costume, butterfly wings, gloves, hats, a green ghost thing, a shark, and a prisoner.  They also had a six pack of princess pens in the shape of lipstick for 30 cents and orange nailpolish with princesses on them for 30 cents too.  I bought six of each and intend to use that as party favors for the girls' birthdays in the spring.

SOOOOOO instead of cleaning the house which is what I planned to do on my day off, I clearance-shopped.  OH and I did cast my vote!!

Billy the Whiner

At the school I used to teach at (CHES), some of the teachers would put on skits for the morning announcements.  One of them was the character Billy the Whiner played by the computer teacher. I used to think it was so funny, laughed out loud, and we would imitate him.  NOW, after having kids, I don't find it so funny.  As a matter of fact, if Ashlyn played the role of Billy the Whiner, she would win an academy award for sure!!!!!!

That Didn't Last Long!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ashlyn got her first sad face at school this year.  She was talkative during seatwork today.  I asked her if she was talking too much today and she said, "maybe."  I'm glad she wasn't standing in front of me when I opened her folder tonight, because I laughed out loud.  I guess her future predictions were wrong.........

Happy Face, Sad Face

Chloe got two sad faces last week for saying no to her teacher.  She had to sit in time out.  She said she wasn't going to do it anymore.   Ashlyn got out her folder and put a smiley face on a future date because she said she already knows that she is going to be good.....

What Are You Going To Be For Halloween?

So the kids decided a long time ago what they were going to be for Halloween.  Did I think they would stick with it?  Absolutely not.  Have they?  YES!  So we ordered their costumes and they came in the mail today.  Ashlyn was waiting for the UPS guy to come.  She probably scared him by sitting at the door.  Anyways, Chloe is Little Red Riding Hood which is her favorite book.  She has talked Brandon into being the Big Bad Wolf too.  Well it didn't take much persuasion.  Ashlyn is going to be batgirl.  She wanted to be a superhero and I let her look at all the girl ones online and she picked batgirl.  She is hoping that Carter will be batman:).  I tried to get a picture of them together but Ashlyn said Superheroes don't hang out with Little Red Riding Hoods.  So I got a quick shot of them on their way back from showing Mr. Doug, our neighbor, their costumes.

Can I Do It??

So today was my last official day of being a stay at home mom.  I can remember when I made this decision 4 1/2 years ago, I went back and forth on it.  My original plan was to work after one kid and stay home after two.  Well after checking into day cares and talking with Brandon, we decided it was best to stay home with Ashlyn.  I can remember the first few months were pretty boring(I can say that now).  I went from teaching full time, coaching an 8 year old softball team, playing in a volleyball league, tutoring either before or after school two days a week, taking a class for my gifted endorsement, and hanging out with friends that didn't have kids to staying home with a newborn(period).  The other things stopped too.

I remember people saying they were envious of me being able to stay home and me feeling like I needed to do more.  So, then SURPRISE! I found out I was pregnant.   Then I found out I had low progesterone, next preeclampsia, very high blood pressure, bed rest at home, bed rest in hospital, and a premature baby.   My perspective changed.  I can't imagine having had to work that year.  It was in God's plan all along and I wouldn't have changed a thing.  I've made it a point over the last 4 1/2 years to do things with my kids.  I feel like I've made the most of these precious years at home and I truly can't believe how fast they have gone by.  I know everyone always says that but it's true.  I feel like I've blinked and boom we are at this point.

My next step in the plan back then was to go back to work when the kids were 4 and 5.  Last year I worked part-time (8-2 M-TH) and this year a full time job opened up at the school my kids will go to.  I had mixed feelings about it but I felt like I couldn't pass up this opportunity(there are over 100 schools in our county). So, tonight, as I look back on things, I am counting my blessings.  Blessed for healthy children, wonderful friends that will help watch kids in the morning, a great school that will care for my children while I'm at work(and offer aftercare), and a teacher schedule to help this transition.  (One week off at Thanksgiving and more at Christmas). I also am blessed to have a great husband who supports me is a great Dad.

So look out Cooper Elementary, here I come......

A Bit More Fun Before Reality Sets In

Dress making skills are improving

Happy Birthday DADDY

Aquarium

What kind of fish is that?  What kind of fish is that?  repeat and repeat

Chloe was yelling, "hello diver man."

She insisted on making this face for most pictures

The Top Ten Things I Will Miss About Being a Stay at Home Mom

10.  Making appointments at ease because of my schedule

9.  Being able to attend events at preschool

8.  Grocery shopping in peace

7.  Pulling the kids out of preschool and going on trips during non busy times of the year

6.  Not taking a shower until 2:00 or not at all:)

5.  Being awakened at 8:00 am to my children

4.  Lunch with other stay at home moms while our kids are at preschool

3.  The occasional afternoon nap

2.  Staying up late to watch football, baseball, and tv shows

1.  Dropping off(and sometimes picking up) the kids in carpool lane in my pajamas

WE MADE IT

The two old ladies with the walking sticks made it to the top of Stone Mountain hiking without complaining.  Ashlyn wanted to run and Chloe wanted to stop and look at everything....

You're Going to Miss This.....

and so the song goes...........  "One of these days....you're going to miss this"

Ashlyn has been giving us fits at bedtime.  Mainly she keeps saying that she doesn't feel like trying to go to sleep.  She still naps about 4 or 5 days of the week and it doesn't matter if she napped that day or not, she wants to fight us at bedtime.  It is so frustrating.  I find myself losing my temper with her and Brandon is so calm and reasonable with her.  I wish I had his patience and calm demeanor with them.  However, today I was thinking how minuscule this is going to be when she is a teenager and we are arguing about boys, curfews, grades, etc.  Yes, one of these days, I'm going to miss bedtime arguments with a toddler.

Today we went to Stone Mountain for a little while to enjoy some fall activities.  Tomorrow we are all going to hike it.  We'll see how that goes.

Full Time Teacher (and Mommy)

I had an interview Wednesday morning and found out yesterday I got the job.  It is a full time teaching position at Cooper.  Cooper is the school my kids will go to--Ashlyn will be in Kindergarten next year. I will be teaching gifted accelerated classes to 2nd and 5th grades pulling from the regular ed classes.  It is a great position and one that a lot of teachers want.  In fact, the principal told that a lot of teachers at Cooper would have wanted this position but we are already 9 weeks into the year and she just can't pull a teacher from a regular ed room at this point in the year.  So I have lucked into the position.  Unfortunately, with the economy, that doesn't mean that I have the job next year.  However, it does have me a foot in the door at the school I want to be at.  So I'm hoping to be teaching there when my kids are there:).  Fortunately the private preschool my kids are at has aftercare and I have a few friends willing to take them in the morning.  Brandon and I just sat down and figured out cost of childcare and it is going to be almost 1/3 of my paycheck going to childcare......  When he is home, he can drop them off at school eliminating before care.

I know it will be a big adjustment for the family but I can't pass up the opportunity.  At least I will have 10 days off at Thanksgiving and a few weeks at Christmas not too far off.

You Stink

Will it ever stop?  Today in the car, I was playing bible songs.  B-I-B-L-E came on which is Chloe's favorite song.  Chloe yells, "I don't like this song.  Song--you stink!"  So we had a long conversation about using appropriate words.  I'm sure something will stink tomorrow......

BTW in an earlier post, I stated Ashlyn's knowledge of planets and wondered if she was learning them at school.  Nope it's the Ipad.  She sure does know a lot about them too.  For those of you who have the pleasure to speak to Ashlyn, she sometimes has a hard time pronouncing words or getting some letters mixed up(she is in speech therapy).  Well she can say Uranus perfectly clear and even laughed afterwards saying it 'sounded funny.'

Weird Encounter at the Grocery Store....

I was getting a pound of turkey at Kroger and I asked for Private Selection because the kids have been putting away about a pound a week or more.  There was a guy in a Boars Head shirt and he asked why I didn't get Boars Head.  I said that I do sometimes but that my kids have been eating it a lot and it is cheaper blah blah blah.  He said well if I give you the Boars Head brand today at the price of the Private Selection brand, would you get it?  I said sure.  So when the guy went to the print out the ticket price, he asked the Boars Head guy what price to put in. He said, "I'll just give her cash and handed me $5.  I tried to give it back and he wouldn't take it.  The Boars Head brand was 9.99 and Private Selection was 7.99.  I thought that was weird and then the guy behind me asked for the same deal and he said he was out of cash......

You Stink

Lately Chloe has been saying "You Stink!" to whomever makes her mad.  For example:

Ashlyn:  Chloe do you want to play mommy?
Chloe:  No I want to be the mommy
Ash:  No I'm the mommy
Chloe:  No I am.  You stink!

Random boy at McDonalds play area:  Do you want to play with me?
Chloe:  No.  You stink!

Me:  Chloe you need to eat the rest of your dinner.
(a few minutes pass)
Me:  Chloe are you done?
Chloe:  Yes
Me:  No you need to eat two more bites.
Chloe:  No.  I don't want to.  You stink!
Me:  What?
Chloe:  I love you mommy.
(pause)
Chloe:  Does that make your feelings feel better?

Don't let this sweet face fool you!!!!!!!!

Too Big and Too Small

So I'm not a big fan of pillowcase dresses but that seems to be the easiest thing to make.  So I made one without really measuring just to see if I could do it.  It was too big but Ashlyn loves it and insists on wearing it to chapel.  I'll fight that battle on Wednesday.  I tried to make a Halloween dress also.  I did measurements.  I didn't do them right.  So Chloe's dress is too small.  She insists that Ms. Tubbs will love it.  I guess I have that battle to fight also.

It looks like years separate these two but they are only 13 months apart

On the other hand, my husband--yes my husband---has become quite the purse maker.  Many of you will laugh who read this but he is really good at it.  In fact he has made solo trips to Jo Anns to buy fabric.  He said a lady stopped and said she loved the pattern he chose and where did he get it.  Oh my!  For those that don't know him, he is SO NOT the sewing type of guy.  He is currently working on a big project of making me a purse and I must say it looks really good so far.  I'm a little jealous.

Opportunities Abound!

So my first solo project is complete and my model seems to like it.  I will be honest though.  I started out with high hopes of making a dress.  As it began, I quickly changed it to an apron because it was easier for my first project.  I must admit that I'm pretty proud of myself.  Yes, it is not perfect.  However, I am learning and Ashlyn loved it and Chloe was mad that she didn't have one.  So the projects will continue...................

On a side note, I have two prospective job opportunities at two different schools nearby.  Both are great schools and I would love to work at either one.  One is full time and one is a weird part time where I would teach one class in the morning and two after lunch every day--not exactly ideal.  I pretty much have the part time position if I want it.  It will work out with the kids' schedule but not sure after it's all said and done if it is worth it money-wise when you consider gas/an hour of aftercare/part time status.  So we are praying about it and hope that things work out.  Full time would be an adjustment for the whole family but I'm not sure I can pass up this opportunity (if I get it).  So if anyone feels like sneaking in a prayer for us, we would gladly appreciate it!

A God Moment For Sure

Today in my Bible Study class we talked about God Moments.  I definitely had one today......


The day that we put Shelby, our dog, down, the kids had Awana.  When Ashlyn came home, she had a Bible in her bag.  She asked my husband to read from it and when he opened it up, it had the name Shelby on the inside.  We asked Ashlyn who gave her the Bible and did someone write that inside.  She said she didn't know but thought her teacher gave it to her.  She knows the teacher well and we assumed that Ashlyn went in and told them about Shelby and that maybe her teacher sent it home with her for comfort.  So tonight, I took the kids to Awana and one of the teachers stops me and asks if a white Bible went home with us the other week.  I said yes and she said it belonged to another girl in the class.  I proceeded to tell her about our dog passing away that day and we weren't sure if it was a gift or not and Ashlyn wasn't sure.  She said that it belonged to Shelby, a girl in the class.  How ironic is it that there is a girl in the class named Shelby, our dog's name was Shelby, and Ashlyn comes home with a Bible with the name Shelby in it the day that we put her down???  What a God moment!

We don't always take the time to look for God in our daily life.  It usually happens when we are praying or really searching for something in a time of need.  God is with us each and every moment and we need to take the time to see Him.  Think about your day.  Did you have any God moments?

A True Housewife

While growing up, my mom could sew anything. She hemmed her own clothes and could make anything.  Being a full-time working mother, she didn't have all of the time to make a lot of things.  She was always running three kids to practices, games, and events.  I was such a tomboy that I never paid a bit of attention to cooking and had zero interest in sewing.  I made a comment to Brandon that all of Ashlyn's 5T dresses are too short but I can't go any bigger because they hang down and show her 'dots.'  A good friend of mine has been making some really cute dresses and I happened to mention that I think I could do it.  So guess what comes in the mail?

Sewing and Embroidery Machine

I went to Jo Ann's to get some fabric and found a lot of really cute patterns and am excited about it.  While the lady was cutting my fabric, she said it was so nice to see young people sewing.  I didn't comment back.  When I got in the car I started thinking that I haven't been called young in awhile.  Hmmmm.

So tomorrow I am taking Sewing 101, a class at Jo Anns.  Maybe I'll post a picture of my first project---maybe not......

Myrtle Beach Trip

 So we were at Myrtle Beach for a week.  Brandon was only there a few days and then had to travel for week.  Fortunately the kids were great and I enjoyed the rest of the week with my little fishies.  Take a picture trip with us..........

Ashlyn loved being buried in the sand

Chloe did not like sand in her face(or anywhere else)

Spitting out the sand in her mouth!

I LOVE THE BEACH!

Showing Daddy how to putt

The playground at the resort

WEEEEEE

They had kids activities.  They made bracelets, painted banks, and got their faces painted.

Doggy

Rides at Broadway at the Beach.  I didn't know this one went that high until I put her on it.  However she didn't care and rode it numerous times.

Kid pool

Getting ready to 'fish'

Fishing for duckies?

I only went to the Disney Outlet.  HONEST

Ashlyn wanted to stay in the pool the whole time. Not Chloe

My kids hog the camera.  Brayden is behind Ashlyn

One of my good friends was at the beach the same time as us.  So we met up for dinner.

Ryan is not so happy about getting his picture taken

We stopped at the Columbia Zoo on the way home.

HAHAHAHA

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Lion King