Matching

This one is for you Uncle Mark. Jenna got this cute matching outfit for her American Girl doll, Kit and one for herself. (sorry...new software....the picture is turned, but when I post it, it goes back to the orginal way)

Christmas Memories.....

We had a wonderful Christmas. Some of my favorite memories were watching the kids opening their gifts, watching Joshua's reaction to an unexpected gift, time with family, Joshua reading the Christmas story, and the beautiful snow. I love to see the snow, however, I hate feeling cooped up. I really needed to do some exchanges, but I guess that will have to wait until later on in the week.

Vacation.....

The kids and I have enjoyed sleeping in these last few days. There is something so cozy about staying under the warm blankets and staying in your PJ's until 11 am. Although I've been catching up on sleep, I've also been doing projects. I tried to re-arrange my room yesterday only to move it back because I didn't like it (and my arms are sore today). I've been baking, wrapping presents, organizing closets and so much more!

Jack seems to be making more work for me. (but I'm thankful for it) We REALLY need a bigger house!! Because there are only 6 people left at work, he has been coming home with some freebies.....Christmas decorations that people left behind, lamps, computer equipment, office supplies....you name it. So, I'm trying to find room to store all of this. I know this is a huge blessing, but at the same time I realize we only have 3 checks left and no leads at this time. I'm getting a little nervous, but I just have to keep realizing that God is in control. To all my family and friends.....I wish you a very Merry Christmas!!

Last Day Before Christmas Break

Friday was an interesting day.....Johnston County had a two hour delay and we were scheduled for an 11:30 half day. (Johnston County goes until Tuesday, but we follow them when there is bad weather). So, we got to school around 10:15 and got out at 11:30. Oh, how I wish for more school days like that. I got to sleep in and the kids got to party! Joshua's class invited parents to come see their "simple machines project". Josh made it a Bible theme and made Noah's ark where the boat is turned up and down. He got an A and really needed that A this time!! They also had a small gift exchange/game time. Jacob's class got to party the entire hour and a half because their party was supposed to be on Thursday. Jenna' class had a "open book" spelling test and then had their party! I noticed that once again she is next to Jacob Dewitt. The two of them are ALWAYS together!! They also did a small toy drive (there is only 11 of them) for some kids that would not have a Christmas. I can't remember if it was a shelter or where the need was, but I'm still happy they could do this.

Christmas Stuff

Even though I run around like a chicken with my head cut off, I love this time of year. Last Friday we watched "The Nativity Story". I love that movie and we have made it a tradition to watch it. Every year I notice more and more how my kids understand and it always makes me realize how Joseph and Mary must have really felt. We are still looking forward to going to Meadow to see the lights. We couldn't go last weekend due to all the rain. We also try every year to give to a family in need. I think this shows the kids how much we really have.

I also want to "brag" on Joshua's class. I know some people think Christian schools are just as bad as public schools. I know they aren't perfect, and neither are my kids, but I love this school and I know this is the best thing for my kids. Josh's class adopted a family and went shopping for them. It was a great outreach project. I was touched by some of the girls who wanted to give up their lunch money (they were going to McDonalds after this) to buy more stuff for the family. They ended up with several bags, and I felt like God stretched that money. In addition to the things they could get, they ended up with $25 cash, a $10 gift card and some stamps for the family.

Today is the last day and Christmas break begins!! It should be interesting as we are delayed two hours and then get out at 11:30.

craft day

To add to the busyness of last week, Jacob's class had a craft morning. The teacher had 6 tables and the kids broke up into groups of 2-3 kids. Each group would complete their station and then move to another craft. I loved the way she had this organized. They got to decorate sugar cookies, make a snowman snow measure, and ornament, a gift bag, a picture frame and another craft. It was a lot of fun for all the kids.

outreach project

whew, what a busy week! so happy this one is over. in addition to Joshua's program Tuesday night, Jenna had an outreach project on tuesday. they went to a retirement center, sang some Christmas carols, talked to the residents, and handed out cards that they had made. after that, the class went to a mexican restaurant for lunch!!

School Program

We had our second Christmas program Tuesday night. The 4-8th grades performed. I liked how everyone was in black and white. Joshua had a few lines, but he was so relaxed compared to Sunday. They did a great job.

Christmas Program #1

The kids had their church Christmas program. Everyone did great. Thanks Monica for all your hard work and your patience.!!

December=craziness

I love December, but it's also the busiest month of the year. Here is just a sample of my schedule:

Tomorrow (Friday 3rd) sub at school, Jack's (last) company dinner (sad)
Saturday, Dec 4th, play practice, ladies Christmas party
Sunday, Dec 5th, kids play
Monday Dec 6th: choir practice/observe Lauren Morris' class
Tuesday Dec 7th: Joshua school program, Jenna field trip (outreach project)
Wednesday Dec 8th, sub at school, choir performance
Thursday Dec 9th: friend's party, help Jacob's class with crafts
Friday December 10th....nothing right now
Saturday, Dec 11th......shopping with girls (hopefully) go to Meadow to see lights
Sunday Dec 12th, choir cantata
Monday Dec 13th Free right now
Tuesday Dec 14th, Joshua's outreach school trip/class party
Wed, Dec 15th free right now
Thur, Dec 16th, Jacob outreach field trip/class party
Friday Dec 17th....free right now/ half day of school
Saturday Dec 18th not sure, last minute shopping
Sunday Dec 19th "normal Sunday"
Monday Dec 20th, kids home, babysitter for the evening
Tue-Saturday, at home, but doing last minute Christmas things.

I'm at the point where I wake up and say "what do I have today" In between all these things, I'm the room mom so I have to write up a letter to parents about the field trip, collect money for the teacher's gifts and just be "available on call sub". Today for instance I was out at Walmart, Lowes and the dollar store helping find things for Jenene to decorate for the Christmas program. I also have to spray paint frames for Jacob's class before next Thursday (want to help Lydia....ha ha). I think I'll be ready for a break after this!!

Thanksgiving & Stuff

I did it. I cooked my first turkey Thanksgiving Day. I think it was pretty good for my first one. Maybe next year I will try to stuff it! I wanted to try to feel young, so I headed out at midnight with some friends for the black Friday adventure. We were out all night. I got home after 8 am, but I had so much fun. I got all but two items that I went after, so I did pretty good.

I saw one of my preschool kid's moms this weekend. She thanked me for preparing her daughter for kindergarten and told me how well she was doing. That made me a little sad for leaving. I had the entire week of Thanksgiving off, plus the week before. I don't think I've had an entire week with no work. I was one day shy of having what I made at preschool. I got called again today to sub, making for this month once again, what I made at preschool. Sept/October I actually made MORE money (and had a lot of fun) and this month I broke even. Thank you God for helping and leading. I hope to use the money to pay for the refrigerator and also some Christmas presents.

mommy and jenna time

I really miss the times where I taught preschool and Jenna was still in preschool. We had every afternoon together before the boys came home. We would shop and do all kinds of things. Well today Jacob went to work with Jack and Josh got invited to play at a friends house, so Jenna and I did some Thanksgiving shopping and came home and started making goodies. We have Christmas playing and are having so much fun. I so treasure this time with her. I look at her and can't believe how fast she is growing. My baby is gone!!

New Kitchen

Our refrigerator was quickly dying. Actually it was working, but water kept leaking everywhere, even after numerous repairs. Last weekend we went shopping and they had 10% off, plus it was tax free weekend. They took our old fridge and put this one in yesterday. I love the extra room in the fridge side. It looks like we have nothing in there because there is so much room. I could still use more freezer room, but I like it. We switched and went with black. We switched the dishwasher plate to black so that it would match. I'm thinking about painting the microwave cart black and someday I want a new kitchen table in......black. I already have it picked out. Its a counter height table. Unfortunately with having to buy this (and I would have rather had many other things than a new fridge) and Christmas and not knowing what will happen to our job, that may be a couple of years down the road. Maybe I should just try to paint the table black.......wanna help Lydia!!! (lol) just kidding!!

1st grade presentation

The two first grade classes presented their projects. I must admit some people got very creative. One used Styrofoam to create an igloo, one used mini marsh mellows and another sugar cubes. They also did a passage of scripture and a poem.

Pilgram Project

Jenna had her first project. She had to write and answer 10 questions in complete sentences. She chose the Sioux Indians. She got that done right away so we worked on her shoe box project which was required by all the students. I found the Indians off Ebay for a good price. She took a ice cream cone and we bit off the end and made a tee pee. She painted it and I think she did a great job with it. She was very proud of it. Two more projects to go before Thanksgiving!!

Dear Mom and dad......

Last night we took Jacob and Jenna to see Despicable Me at the $1 theater (actually $1.50). Josh was away with Travis. Jack bought a bucket that he can get filled all year long so we got a big bucket of popcorn for $2.50. This morning out of the blue Jacob handed me a card. In his best cursive writing it said (outside)" Dear mom and dad" (inside) "Thank you for the movie and popcorn. I love you". I must say something so little was so touching to me. I love it when someone, especially a child, expresses gratitude. I can tell that this family time really meant a lot to him. I think he likes times like these, and I think he likes times when Joshua is gone so that he can have more attention. I think it's hard sometimes to be the middle child.

What's been going on......

I've been listening to the radio today. I love to hear Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, and so many of these encouraging songs to lift me up. I thought I would blog about what has been going on lately.

• I've been working a lot. This has been the first week in awhile that I've had three days in a row off. I'm sure Nov/Dec will be slower months with it being shorter months. I have so enjoyed working. I've been called, "Mrs. Clean, Mrs. Queen" and so many things in between. God has truly shown me this was where I was supposed to be as the last two months I have made more than preschool!!
• The last three or four weeks have been so stressful as well. It has nothing to do with working, its just a lot of other things going on. A couple of weeks ago I think I had a migraine. I couldn't get rid of the headache and I felt sick on top of it. I know it was stress. I can't go into details of everything that is going on, but let's just say it's been a bumpy ride. We've seen doors closed and hopefully more will open.
• During these down/stressful moments, I have opened my Bible and found things really meant for me for the day. Today I read Psalm 34. I've enjoyed hearing Jacob and Jenna recite for memory vs 7-14, but it helped to read it. vs 8....taste and see that the Lord is good....vs. 10 those that seek the Lord lack no good thing. vs 15...his ears are attentive to their cry vs 17 he delivers them from all their troubles, vs 18 the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those that are crushed in spirit vs. 19 the righteous may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.

Trick or Treat

Last night we went over to Traci's house for dinner. There was so much food. Kim's family also joined us so we had 7 kids all together. I was so cheap this year. I refuse to buy costumes for just an hour of activity for 3 kids!! Josh went as a Clemson football player, Jacob was a soccer player and Jenna was a princess (of course). Kim had a costume for her so that worked out great.

Jake's Field Trip

I went with Jacob's class on Tuesday to the Museum in Durham. It was pretty cool. We didn't get to see the entire place and I would like to go back some day. The only bad thing is this museum is not free like the ones in Raleigh, and of course the drive.