Field Day - Armuchee style

So field day here is a little different from what we were used to at Hallsville.  It's a lot of chaos, but a ton of fun for the kids!  This is one of Kate's best buds A.

They split the grades up and did 1&2 on Wed and K&Pre-K on Thurs.  I helped out on Wed, so I wouldn't feel guilty about walking around with Kate on Thursday.  ;o)  I was in charge of this obstacle course...I had fun with it!

The classic over and under game!  Kate's team won...

Kate the Great was first to go...running with the ball between your legs.  She did a great job.

Snack Break!  Some buddies from her class.

The tricycle race was harder than they thought...most of them were too big for it!

Musical Hula Hoops

She was the LAST one!

And she managed to stay dry despite the water balloons and all!  What a  great first field day, already looking forward to next week...Blake's field day!

Spring break, Field trips and the Toothfairy

So I have a little catching up to do!

April 28th the kids I loaded up and headed out for TEXAS!  We hadn't been back to visit since Thanksgiving, so we were ready to see friends and family!

There are pros and cons to going when everyone else is in school.  One of the pros is we get to see everyone at the school and bring special treats to our friends!  Blake photo bombed Kate in the above pic!  It turned out so cute I had to blog it.  ;o)

Sophia was so excited to see Kate...Chia Lu was able to join us for lunch too.  So bummed I didn't get a pic of her with the kids!  :o(

These boys were TOO cool for us, but I think they were excited to see us none the less!

We meet Pop one day when we were out and about.  He schooled the kids!  So glad a grab a pic...these are the moments I never want to forget.

Mer and I have taken the big kids pics at this tree every Easter since they were 3!  We may have been a few weeks late, but we still got it done.  Someday we'll be taking engagement photos in front of that tree...well, if we could have arranged marriages that is!  ;o)

Making memories with our friends, watching The Croods!  

Our other good buddy C!  So glad we got to see him if only for a few hours.  There were many others we got to visit with and I'm so upset with myself for not being more intentional about pictures!  Thank you to all of you who made time for us!  And to everyone else we didn't get to see I'm so very sorry!  One week is just too short!  BUT know that our door is always open and we have an extra room!  ;o)  hint hint

We made it back home to finish out our last 3 weeks of school!  Cannot believe we are now just two weeks away from summer!!!  This week was FULL!  B had two field trips one of which was to the TN Aquarium...this is the only pic I got!  He is SO his father's son...notice the short hand for square inch.  

The very next day Kate had a field trip to the Atlanta Zoo!  Girls are much more into taking pictures!  This is a very sweet friend that God has put in our lives...so thankful.

These are some of our girl scout buddies!  We rode home with them...so many giggles.

And tonight the Toothfairy will be visiting our house.   This is her third tooth to come out but the very first one she pulled out ALL by herself!  She was so proud!!!

Musical Debut

Thursday night was Little Pumpkin's musical debut!  She was Sheep #1 in "Cock-A-Doodle Dandy."  

Here she is before the show!

She did all the hand motions and sang all the words with a smile on her face!

She did so well on her speaking parts too!  So dramatic...I think we may have a future drama student on our hands!

This is her second line...

The animals came up with a petition for everyone to sign to stop the rooster from waking them up in the morning!  This is the sheep taking the petition around to the audience for signatures.

Her fan club!

So grateful for God providing good friends while we are so far from our family!

SO very proud of our girl and her hard work!

Playground Shrink

Remember her?

Well, if I wasn't so lazy I'd photo shop my son's picture into that! Let us begin at the beginning...

So, have you ever had one of those conversations that wished you had recorded?  That was my conversation with Little Lion on the way of from school Monday.  They have been in standardized testing since last Tuesday so they have had extra recess time each day.  Monday was no different and after he said the Social Studies portion was easy I asked what he did during recess.

"I played."  {such a guy answer}

Well, yes, but what did you play?

"Pokemon."

Is that all?

"Well, then I had some work to do"

Oh? What kind of work are you doing?

This is where I wish I started recording....  I cannot retell it the way it happened!  I was in a state of shock and awe!  He proceeds to tell me that he "helps" groups get back together again.  Basically, resolving playground disagreements.  The humor was in hearing him talk about it!  He was so serious and his choice of words were so grown up!  I was trying my hardest to not bust out laughing.

"Jane* & Sue* are hard.  Everyday something new comes up and my plate just keeps getting fuller and fuller.  I've been working on them for weeks.  I got the environmental group back together in one day! That's the normal time frame to getting them back together."

Love this boy!  His heart is so big!!!  Praying his sweet spirit is never crushed.

*Names have been change to protect the innocent!

For the Kids

Honestly, this post is probably NOT for you!  You're welcome to browse, but I told the kids I'd send pictures of my Dallas Texas hotel with glass elevators and a waterfall.

So without further ado, my hotel...

New Shoes vs. No shoes

I am not an extremist.  I don't usually throw myself  all in to any one thing.  I love my TOMS! But, that's not all I wear.  And even though buying a pair is donating a pair, the hefty price tag still leaves me with only one pair (that I bought on clearance...hope they still count that and donate a pair)!  Anyway, today was One Day Without shoes.  Maybe I was just using it as an excuse to not run today, but I decided to take the challenge.  Granted it is easier for me as a stay at home mom to go without, and the point of making a statement was lost since no one besides my kids even saw me today.  However, I was conscious of my decision throughout the day and thus made me aware of the simplest of things I take for granted most days.

Kate on the other hand needed a new pair of shoes because this is what her shoes currently look like:

It's hard to tell but, the gray spot is actually a hole all the way through the sole of the shoe!  

She was SO excited about her new shoes.  She was singing all the way to school.  Blake was totally annoyed by this, so I asked her to stop and promised her she could sing from B's school to hers.  I kept my promise and she sang the ENTIRE way.

Well, sorry that it is sideways and a little unsteady...but it's hard to drive and video at the same time! Before you turn me in to CPS, I was in the drop off line so, we were not moving that fast!  

So, tonight I'm thankful for a fresh perspective on shoes and for the excitement one little girl had for her new shoes!  

Our Musical Planet

Blake had his 3rd grade musical on Tuesday night.  He was bummed that Daddy was out of town, so I went a little overboard on the photos and videos... I showed some restraint when it came to posting though. ;o)

They were encouraged to wear anything from another country, so B wanted to wear his shirt that our sweet friend brought back from Korea.  He was SO proud of that shirt!  ;o)

They had made props in art class for the performance.  Including flags for each country and fans to use for their Korean song.  I was impressed with their singing in foreign languages...they obviously had practiced very hard!

He is in the top row if you are having trouble finding him!  ;o)

The whole gang.

I was so proud of him.  He did much more singing this year than years previous...it's still so hard for him to not people watch!  

This is the principal and the teacher running off the stage is B's. ;o)

This first video was before I realized I could change the settings on my phone for the lighting!  Bummer!

All fixed.  He did quite well on his hand motions....given the genes he has inherited!  ;o) 

His response to the night :  "Well, that was short!"  

Happy Birthday Dr. Suess!

Did you know Saturday was Dr. Suess's birthday?  Well, if you have kids, you probably did because the hype went all week long around here!  Mark had a business trip to Chattanooga, so Friday after school we headed up to meet him and do some playing.  

Saturday found us at the mall and in the middle of a HUGE birthday party for Dr. Suess!  The kids listened to different people read books.  They each were able to choose their own book, enjoy some birthday cookie cake, and participate in some fun crafts!

The obligatory picture for mom!  They really did have fun!

Fun times!  Oh, and we had snow!  What a weekend.

Boring

That's what we are... no exciting news to share here.  Just the run of the mill days and I don't even remember to get pictures of those days either!  :o)

We've been big on Girl Scout cookies lately...keep forgetting to get a pic of her with the cookies...Booth sales this weekend...surely I will remember then!  (But just in case don't hold your breathe.)  Sales are still going so if you need some cookies let us know.

This is her "Cukoo Clock Hat" she made!  She was very proud of it and I was proud of her creativity...sometimes we just don't let them imagine much anymore.

They have both done GREAT at upwards basketball / cheerleading.  However, I think we are ALL ready to be done.  This is our last week.  It will be nice to have our Tues, Thurs, and Sat. back!
Like I said we are boring!  ;o)

That pretty much catches up the pics I have.  :o)

InterRupted

Yes, that is the name of Jen Hatmaker's book.  I would love to be blogging about all that I've gleaned from it except I've been interrupted!  The hubby agreed to read it with me almost a year ago... on one condition:  that I don't read ahead of him.  So I have used that has one of my many excuses for not picking it back up.  I've taken it with us on many trips with good intentions, but life just keeps getting interrupted.

This seems to be the theme of my life right now!  Interrupted!!!  Everything from the grandiose pictures of what I thought life in Rome would be a year (+) later to the minute daily tasks that never seem to get completed.  It is all becoming very frustrating and I can't help but think, maybe we need to get back to that book! ;o)

Kate survived last week by the skin of her teeth.  I was so glad to have Daddy Lion home on Friday to enjoy a girls night out at a Scentsy party.  (nothing glamorous, but it was anywhere but home with the kids at that point)  Saturday was jammed packed with cheer-leading, a baby shower, basketball and a couples bowling with some co-workers.  However, it also brought the news of Mark's Grandpa Roy's passing.  So, filter all that with busy-ness with a  heavy heart:  made for such a long weekend in a not so good way.

We will miss Grandpa, however we have PEACE in knowing that we will see him again and join him in worshiping the One who gives us that chance!

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Phillippians 3:13-14

Grandpa just beat us there!

So, here we are again..."normal" life being interrupted.  What is God trying to teach me?  Just trying to remember to be still and listen for that quiet voice. 

Thank you to all of you who read and say a prayer for us!  Grateful for a place to "vent" and be honest and know that I'm loved and prayed for through it all.  

Good night

Our MLK Day

Ever had one of those weeks?!?  Last week was that week for me and Kate!  It was BAD, for us... According to another person's standards, you may think I'm a wuss, but none the less it was a hard week.  I'd like to chalk it up to the 5 straight days of rain and not being able to get as much energy out...but come on people...there are parts of the world that don't see sun for months!  I know I lived there once! ;o)

Anyway, Daddy Lion was headed out of town on Sunday night for a week long conference since Monday was a holiday for the kids we tagged along.  It was safest for the girl that way!  I needed as few nights alone with her as possible.  We sneaked in an extra suitcase and just told the kids we were taking Daddy Lion to his meeting.  Then they helped him carry up his luggage.  After unpacking his bag, they wanted to see the swimming pool!  He said well, you have to unpack my other bag.  When they opened it they found their swim suits!  Oh the joy!!!  We heart indoor swimming pools!

This morning we were able to spend a little bit with him before he headed out.  Then we hit the road for our adventure. First stop the Krispy Kreme Doughnut shop we passed on the way to the hotel!  ;o)  I had never been and the kids hadn't either!  Oh my!  So glad we don't have one anywhere near...I can usually pass up a doughnut, but WOW!  That was YUMMO.

Next stop, the Imagine It Children's Museum of Atlanta.  Another first!  The kids loved it!

This pic is for Papaw: 

The special exhibit was the Magic School Bus Storms.  (I'm sure there was a much more clever name, but you know.)  Blake loves Magic School Bus.  Maybe not enough to pose with Ms. Frizzle, but he humored his mom anyway!  ;o)

One of the rare moments when they were together!  (And I had to retake the pic because Blake was running off in the first one!)  I must say my kids were among the oldest there, but taking them at this age is WAY more fun for me....I found a bench near by and pulled out my kindle!  

Moon Sand the way it should be done!  (Somewhere other than my house!) 

They ran and played for hours!  Just what we needed after the last week we had!  Praisin' Jesus for the little details.  He sees us through the storms (no matter how little they may be)!

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD you God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;"

Isaiah 43:2-3a

The beginnings...

As you can see I started updating my blog a little bit...
I was inspired by my besties blog...
Then reality hit and I didn't finish...
Seems to be a running theme with me these days!  ;o)

Keep checking back, you'll never know when I actually do complete it!

A momma's pride

Today was a rainy, cold day...50 is cold people!  ;o) 

A perfect day for catching up on the last month of ironing that's been thrown over the ironing board in my room!  One of the last items was to iron on my boy's stars from basketball. 

 This is his first year, I'm just so proud that he is playing!  Remember this is the same kid who at 3 absolutely refused to wear anything with a ball of any kind on it because he did not play that sport.  The same kid who anytime anything came home from school would inform me before I pulled it completely out:  "I don't want to do that mommy!"  

SO very proud he stepped outside his comfort zone.  So very thankful for a p.e. coach that gave him confidence last year.  If you are unfamiliar with Upwards Basketball, you are missing out!  Really though, I'm so thankful for this positive way to introduce them to Basketball and Cheer!  Each week at practice they spend time working on their skills, but also they have a short devotional and prayer time and work on scripture memory.  Every game they receive stars:  the green stars are for participation.  The first week I was so proud of him for receiving the white star for being Christlike!  (He had helped a player up off the floor after a fall.)  Last week was red for effort.

²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:22-24

Things already learned in 2013....

1)  I'm not one to make new year's resolutions....and this is why: I'VE ALREADY BLOWN IT!  I told myself that this year I would be more intentional about the blog...try to add even a little tid bit each day!  Well, as you can see it is the 11th of Jan and I'm posting for the first time!  I really am going to try to do better.  With the news of special people giving up Facebook and with no family nearby, the importance of keeping it updated is huge!  So I give you permission to hold me accountable...nag me if you need to!  I cannot believe I just typed that, but I know I need the help! 

2) I'm a moocher.  Or at least I realized I have been in the past.  As I attended Little Lion's first Basketball game EVER and Little Pumpkin's first cheer experience, I realized this fact.  I'm not the typical moocher, it's just with cameras!  We have always had a close friend or family member come to events with very good cameras, so what's the need to invest in one myself!?! 

Let me present exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Exhibit C:

Exhibit D:

So, all my camera guru family and friends: HELP!!!

Please email, text, Facebook...whatever works for your camera picks...Now, I'm no fancy photographer, but I want a camera that's gonna last me...no more point and shoots!

3)  Enjoy the small moments!  I'm really trying to let go of the things that don't matter and embrace the things I'll never get a second chance at.  So, if you come visit this year I pray you find me leaving the floors a little messier while I'm curled up on the couch with a book and one or two kids; the ironing may not get done same day out of the laundry so that I can be a cheerleader with one and for the other; the toys may be out on the floor instead of neatly put away because YES we live here and I want my children to remember playing with mommy more than mommy always cleaning!

Praying for 2013 despite my slow beginnings!     

When my kids make me smile!

If I was honest with myself, I've probably been dealing with a little bit of depression.  It seems to be stemming from selfishness...a pity party for myself of where I am and what I am without.  The frustrating part is that I know it...I know that I am NOT the center of the world, that life is NOT all about me and that GOD's timing, ways and thoughts are NOT my own!  So why do I continue to wallow and miss out on what's going on around me?!?

I'm slowly coming around.  Yesterday morning was a beautiful picture of what I've been missing while in my self absorbed state.  After doing our morning devotion (praising Jesus for the God Time cards the kids get from church!), Kate was sharing about a little girl from church.  It was a long story of how Kate really wanted to get to know her, but was too shy to talk.  Then finally one Sunday they talked.  As talk of school began, they realized they were going to the same school and hoped to be in the same class.  Then first day of school...they WERE in the same class and now we are best friends Mommy. (of course everyone is her best friend except for the boys) Anyway, across the room Blake says "That's a God thing.  That's how He rolls!"  SMILE!

Same morning after dropping Blake off, Kate and I are listening to the radio.  Her favorite song these days is God's not Dead by Newsboys.  (Thank you Papaw for the cd!)  Mind you this song is not playing as we go down the road.  She says to me:  "Mommy, you know what the people who sing God's not dead, He's surely alive are missing?"  Surprised I said No.  With a huge smile one her face she says "ME"  pointing to herself then BELTING out the chorus!  SMILE!

So today, I'm praising my Jesus for kids who love Him and bring me to Him when I find myself to busy in my pity party to come to Him or even see Him!  Thank for the smiles through two of the best gifts you've given me!  Please don't let me allow these days to pass without relishing them.  It may not be where or how I envisioned, but it is your perfect will for us right now.