Trying to Find Balance

The first week of school went pretty well. Carpool is going better, and I am learning how to manage my time. The hard part is trying to find a balance for Joshua. It's hard for me to find the balance with the time Joshua has at home. We get home around 3:30 and then I let him play/watch a video. I also have to squeeze in getting dinner prepared, homework, reading, and his Patch program for Sunday, with still trying to give him more time to play. I need to get his work done, but I want him to have "down" time too! I think the first week has gone ok, but I hope it doesn't get harder. Joshua started soccer practice last night too!

The staff meeting went well yesterday. Jenna met her teacher, and Jacob is excited because he will be "line leader" when his school starts. We have orientation next week, and then my "free" time is over. My three year old class should be good. I have 7 girls and 3 boys. My four year old class is even 6 boys, 6 girls. I know most of the girls from Jacob's class last year, and they are really good, sweet girls. I am excited to get started.

I am looking forward to the long weekend. Mostly to give Joshua a break, and for me to get caught up on things around here. W aren't doing much except tonight when we are meeting friends at Ci Ci's and then taking the kids over to Chuck E Cheese to play. Jacob doesn't know what is family night is. I know hew will enjoy it. I have told Joshua about tonight's family night and of course he is excited.

The Puppy Update

I though I should inform you that we are not getting a puppy at this time. We were all set to do it, even though I worried about all the details. I even ordered a cage on Ebay and got a good deal on it. On Sunday night, Bobby and Monica were late to church. After church she told me that her brother came by at he last minute. He was going to take one puppy but then at the last minute decided he wanted two of them. Monica had originally told me that she wanted to keep two of them. (she had 4) She was so sweet about it and told me that she did not want to disappoint Jacob so that if we wanted one, she was willing to give him one. Jack and I came home and just thought that this was another door getting shut, and God's way of saying the timing was not right. So, I'll keep the cage, and maybe by Jacob's birthday, we will be ready to go and get one.

3 going on 13!!!

Wow, that Jenna is a trip! Yesterday, I pulled my hair straight, and she wanted her hair done the same way. Then, she kept asking me "does my hair still look pretty?". She kept saying she wanted her hair to look like mine (I don't know why!!). I certainly do not spend a lot of time primping myself, so I guess she takes after daddy (ha ha)!

The kids and I went to the park yesterday and today for a morning walk. I have to say my kids were absolute angels! I was able to pull them in the wagon and have a nice walk. Both days I was there, I saw Melody, the lady I work with. She told me today that we only have one child returning back to our class and that is Blake. Blake is a sweet child. I was hoping to get Ella and Stella again, but we did get two girls from Jacob's class year, Cassidy and Ryann (yes that is a girl). They are adorable girls and I am anxious to work with them. We have a lot of girls in our 3 year old class too. We will find out the complete list of children tomorrow when we have our staff meeting. Even though we didn't get the kids that I wanted, I am excited to work with new ones and I hope I can touch their lives too. I am especially excited to work with the 4 year olds this year.

I've been getting a lot done these past few days. I know I will miss this time. Jacob and Jenna have been SO GOOD these past few days. I even got groceries today with no problems. It's not that Joshua is bad, because he isn't, it's just that you put the third child in there, and everything breaks loose! If I took Jacob out of the mix, or Jenna, it would be the same way. Anyway, I have done some baking, laundry, changing kids sheets, I went through the winter clothes to see what the boys had and need, cleaned out the boy's dresser, mow grass etc. During carpool line I have been working on my book for church and I am glad I have this down time as I am behind an next week is the meeting.

Us Girls

wow, this does feel good, mommy!

Whenever Jenna and I go out or do something together, she always says "us girls go shopping" or whatever it is that we do. I love this mother daughter time together. Friday, "us girls" went to get our hair cut! She was so cute and funny. I couldn't resist taking pictures. I couldn't believe she let Sandy wash her hair, but she did. She is growing so fast!!!

(Don't we look beautiful?)

Joshua had a great first day of school. There is only one girl from his class last year, but he likes his teacher. Also, he gets recess with a bunch of his friends from last year, so he is excited about that. I just hope the excitement continues for awhile!

First Day of First Grade

My little boy is growing up. Today is the first day of first grade! He just acts like a little man. I can remember last year dropping him off at kindergarten, and just watching the way he would walk in like he was big stuff. I am walking him in today, along with Jack, although he said he wanted to go by himself. I guess all that mommy hugs and kiss stuff is embarassing already!!! I hope he has a great first day and that this year will be just as great as the year we had last year. We let him have a great last minute weekend. We all went over to Travis' and had pizza and then went swimming, and then ran to get ice cream. He got to spend the night with Travis and go to our old church, and he liked that a lot!! We met them all yesterday for lunch so that we could pick him up. I just hope we all can get back into the school routine.....especially Joshua!

My Dare Devil

We went back to Rudine's pool yesterday and she gave Joshua a life jacket. He headed right to the diving board. No fears! Totally unlike his mommy!! He really had a good time with Sarah, and spent most of the time in the deep end. I can't wait to give him more swimming lessons. He said he couldn't wait until he could do it without a life jacket. Jenna and I got our haircut (I'll post pictures of that next week) and then Jack and I got to go to Outback for our anniversary dinner. (Thanks mom for watching the kids on the last minute notice). I didn't want to take the kids on with us on Thursday, so we waited a day, and it was well worth it. Of course, what other place could we go on our anniversary....the place where it all started!!! He took me there on our first date and 10 months later, took me there and asked me to marry him! What a wise decision I made!!!!

Whirlwind of Emotions

Wow, what a day! The kids and I ran some errands and then met Heather and Michelle for lunch. Joshua liked playing with Aubrey. It makes me sad that they won't be in the same class again this year. About 3:45 Jack came home and surprised me. He didn't tell me he was coming home early. He brought me these beautiful flowers! (thank you). We headed over to Joshua's school to meet his teacher. I really liked his new teacher. She seems to be very family oriented, and maybe she isn't as old as the yearbook made her out to be. She has a daughter in the 4th grade. I did feel bad though, as there were no boys in Joshua's class from last year. He may know one or two little girls, although I don't know their last names, so I am not sure if it is them. You could tell he was nervous and scared, and I know that having a "friend" in there would make all the difference. So, I came home and I cried. I just want him to be happy, and now, of course, my nerves are on end.

Happy Anniversary!!!

Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart!

10 Years Together and Still Growing Strong

10 Years of Being With My Best Friend
10 Years of Laughter and Tears
10 Years of Loving Each Other
10 Years of Happiness
10 Years of making each other a better person
10 Years of hopes and dreams coming true
10 Years of Sharing everything together
10 Years of memories
10 Years of heaven on earth
10 Years and many more yet to come

Sorry, I am no poet! I don't know where I would be without you! Don't you just love the pictures of him trying to act like a teenager at the beach!!!!

Happy 10 Year Anniversary, honey……I Love you very much!!!

The New Teacher

Yesterday I got "the" letter in the mail. I didn't even open it right away. I was so nervous!!! Joshua's teacher will be........Ms. Johnson. Thankfully, we did not get Ms. Sampson. I know nothing about Ms. Johnson, which might be a good thing. If I knew she was a bad teacher, I would live my year that way. If I got one of the good teachers, maybe my expectations would be too high!!! We went for ice cream with Anna and Olivia, and unfortunately, Anna did not get the same teacher. They did bring their yearbook, so we were able to see Ms. Johnson. She is an older lady, perhaps late 40's early 50's. She looks nice, and I just hope that things are ok. I talked to our other friend, Aubrey, and she got a different teacher too. I know her mom is really upset too. I know I have prayed hard about this and last year I thought God didn't know what He was doing. I am anxious to meet her tomorrow night and maybe I will get a better feel for her and the year ahead. Joshua says he isn't scared or nervous, but he would feel better if he knows someone in his class, but then he thought about it and said "mom, even if I don't know anyone, I can make new friends"!!

After ice cream we went over to Catrina's to use the hot tub. We were having fun, until Jenna got a splinter in her toe and just fell apart. Then right before the jets shut off, I heard thunder, so I made Jacob get out (he was the only one left). They ended up getting a horrible storm, so I had to stay there a little while until the storm passed over. We had a good time though!

My Social Jacob

We went to Target today and Jacob decided he was going to start a conversation with the clerk. He told her all about the beach. She asked if it was hot, and he said "No, but the hot pool was". (the hot tub). She just started laughing. He might have told her a lot more if we would have stayed, just like the night that he told Jack he couldn't go back into the ocean because "the pepper was hurting his boo-boos". Well, Jacob, at least you are on the right track!!

Last Week Before School

I am trying to get the kids adjusted to their new schedule, but I am the one having a hard time with it right now. It's hard for me to get up earlier. Yesterday we spent the morning with Rudine and had a lot of fun. We were at her neighborhood pool for about 3 hours!! You should have seen Joshua go off the diving board. We put a water float around him and he jumped right off! He isn't afraid at all (unlike his mommy). I can't wait to give him more swimming lessons next spring. They have invited us to come again later in the week, so since it so hot, we will probably go again. Next time, I will take my camera with me. It was one of the rare moments that I didn't take it with me! Today we will probably just stay around the house and then run to Target and go to Catrina's house tonight after dinner.

Fishing With Grandpa

Joshua woke up early Saturday and went fishing with Jack and dad. He really enjoyed it. Jacob, Jenna and I woke up, went to some yard sales (I found a Barbie playhouse and a bike (resell) and some clothes for the boys) and then picked up mom and met the men at the lake. Dad took Jenna and Jacob for a boat ride. I think they enjoyed it. We also sold our truck Saturday. I hated to see it go, but it was old, and we were paying insurance on it. We only drove it back and forth to the dump, so with the van, we needed to part with it. I couldn't drive it because it is a stick shift, but I'll miss it anyway. The kids and I went to visit Catrina later that afternoon. The boys enjoyed playing with the dog, Macy. We may go back over there Tuesday night as the kids want to use her hot tub. I think I will use it too!! I put the kids to bed at 8 tonight. Next week school starts, and I want them all to get used to getting into the routine. We find out Wednesday who Joshua's teacher will be. I am still nervous about it, but I also know everything will be ok. We have prayed hard about it, and even the "bad" teacher may not be "bad" for Joshua. I'll keep you posted. I'll have to admit, I am still praying for Ms. Caroll, Kelley, or Sorenson, but God knows best!

Joshua Is Getting Rich

Joshua lost his third tooth today! He is trying to save up to buy a car, I guess! I can't believe how they are coming out so quickly, especially since we worried about him not loosing any! Here is my question...you know me...always worried about something......He has lost three teeth all in a row on the bottom. I looked in his mouth tonight and he has two teeth already pushing through where he lost them, only they are behind where his old teeth were at. Is that normal? Should I be calling the dentist? It seems to me when I lost teeth, I had a huge gap there forever before the new ones poked out. I don't know if this is why he lost so many at one time....because the other ones were pushing through or what. This time, I remembered to put money under his pillow!!! Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!!! This is all new to me!! Thanks for your help!

Just Another Blog Day.....

I finally got caught up on laundry. I woke up and changed the sheets on my bed, and threw in the last load! Jenna and I went to one yard sale and then over to Chick Fil A to meet Sara and Michelle for Michelle's birthday. We also stopped at Petsmart to look at things, and it has put doubts in my mind about getting the puppy. From what I read, Beagles are great with kids. I found out how much supplies would be just to get started.....a bed, a chain, something to keep him in the back yard, food, toys, and then there are the vet bills......all the initial shots. I am torn. I would really like a dog, but we might have to put the dog on hold. I guess things just depend on how big of a fit Jacob has about it. Now granted, he doesn't run the show, and a fit doesn't mean he gets his way, however, we talked about it all week at the beach, including names, taking care of a dog etc....so, if he is really upset about it, we might just have to bite the bullet and get one. It's never going to get cheaper. So, right now, I am torn, and I guess Jack and I and the kids will all talk about it. I'd like to give Monica an answer concerning the dog. I am trying to get things cleaned up around her. I got on my hands and knees and scrubbed the floor (although it is still dirty) and now I think I will tackle the rest of the rooms. Jack and Jacob are off getting tires for the truck.

HOME

We made it home. We got home around 2 pm and I started the never ending task of laundry. Jenna and I took my library books back and ran to get groceries. It's nice to be home, and I hope back into a "normal" routine again.