Day 69. 2012.

I haven't been too good at keeping up with my blog the past couple of weeks and there is a good reason.

I am so thankful to have a classroom of my own even though it is taking up all of my time and energy lately!

Today, I took a break and brought Tanner and three of his closest buddies to Thumper Pond for his 8th birthday.

They were having so much fun swimming and sliding, running and jumping there were many times that I was kicking myself for not wearing my swimsuit and joining them!

Here are some of the highlights of his big day....


A bunch of 'tough' guys!

I gave them each a couple of bucks to spend in the arcade and this is what my gamer did...won the jackpot of 364 tickets on one of the games.

 He was VERY excited!

They are such a great group of boys and I am super excited about having two of them in my classroom (and no, one of them is not my son, in case you are wondering).

Day 68. 2012.

My two littles were so excited when we got to watch their cousin, Graham, this morning that they were up at the crack of dawn waiting very impatiently for him to come.

So, by the time he got to our house they were all smiles and showed him lots of their toys and tried to teach him some new songs and games.

I am pretty sure he was all tired out after a couple of hours trying to chase his big cousins around!


Isn't he a little honey bun?! Tyson was playing peek a boo, but I think Graham was more interested in my camera!

And I couldn't resist this shot, after he puked on his shirt I was pretty excited to see this shirt in his bag...

 

Day 67. 2012.

I have been wanting to post this news for about a week and I think that it is time that I do.

Since this blog is all about posting photos and documenting my life, I thought it would be fun to announce it this way...



I just created this as a poster to hang in my new classroom! 

I couldn't be more excited to be a part of the 2nd grade team at VES and although I am super busy these days trying to get everything in order, it will all be worth it come September 4th!

Day 66. 2012.

Yesterday was a tough day, as I knew that it would be.

All day I was a little bit 'off' my game.

Luckily, I am not in this alone, there are two incredible women in my life who have to share this awful anniversary with me every single year and know what I am going through, because they are going through it too.

I don't think that I tell this woman enough how amazing she is and how truly blessed I am to have her in my life...



I love you mom.

And then there is this woman....

The one who used to get into hair pulling matches with me, or beg to come along when my friends and I were trying to hang out...(without little sisters!)

Today, she is known as the fun auntie, the one who teaches my kids about 'the slap game' (bad influence anyone?!), and plays with them whenever they want.

I love how she can make them laugh all the time!



I think my dad would be happy to know that we haven't lost our unbreakably strong bond as a family.

Love you two!

Day 65. 2012.

I have been thinking about this post for the past week and wondering just what I would end up writing when it came down to it.

Well, here we are, it's Saturday, August 11, 2012 and it has been exactly five years since I have seen this man...




I don't know how I ever thought that losing him would get easier,

that with each passing year I would somehow be able to move through this day a little better than the year before, but as time goes on, I realize that this isn't possible.

And although the ache isn't always so profound, I will forever struggle with this huge loss.

I understand now that you don't lose someone who meant so much to your entire exisistence and not feel incomplete when you ache to pick up the phone and share some exciting news with them.

A couple of days ago, I was given an amazing opportunity.

A chance to do something that I have always dreamed about.

And while I was squealing with excitement and calling everyone I hold near and dear to my heart, I couldn't help but wish that I could tell him.

If I could, I am sure the tears would be falling...

'Thank you for always believing in me.

I know that you would be so proud.

I can't wait to see your smiling face again.

I love you.'

Day 64. 2012.

I found this quote on pinterest last night and it is speaking volumes to me right now...

Your journey has molded
you for the greater good.
And it was exactly what it needed to be.
Don't think that you lost time.
It took each and every
situation you have encountered
to bring you to the now
And now is the right time.

I don't even know where to begin, this past month has been a whirlwind to say the least, and I have a feeling will be even more of a whirlwind before it's all said and done.

But for today, I am going to just sit and enjoy this moment.

This moment is one that I have dreamed of, worked for, waited (sometimes very unpatiently for), and hoped I would someday get to enjoy!

One thing I know for sure is that God is good and that I truly believe that this was part of my plan.



And I apologize for being so vague, I don't dare say too much about what I am so excited about..but I promise to soon!

Day 63. 2012.

The summer is winding down, and I am realizing that we didn't do half of the activities that we had planned and I am starting to feel bad about it.

So when I found some sandpaper, and white t-shirts at the dollar store (for a grand total of $3) I was very excited!

Today, we spent the afternoon making fun crayon/ sandpaper t-shirts.

Here are the designs that the kids came up with....

If you would like to try this project for yourself, grab some sandpaper and crayons and create a picture on the sandpaper pressing your crayons down very hard (be careful because they break easily, and a word to the wise, crayola really does work best, it isn't worth it to try and cut corners with cheap crayons!).

When you're finished with your creation, place it face down on a t-shirt with a paper towel on the top and iron (on high) for about a minute and a half.

When you take the sandpaper and towel away, you have your fun, totally personalized t-shirt!

Just remember that if you are making letters to draw them backwords and also write the words backwards...as if you are making it to read in a mirror.

I love that one of my kids is so art minded, and the other, totally sports!

 You can't tell which one is which, can you?

Day 62. 2012.

We have a new playmate on our farm, meet Socks.

Madi brought her home from the barn the other day and when she put her down, our other cat, Gordon, got pretty jealous and chased her away.

There were tears from all the kids, and after searching high and low the past couple of days, we thought for sure we'd never see her again.

Luckily for us, she came jumping out of the corn field this evening when the kids were playing outside and let us catch her.

She is so cute and lovable and after gulping down a whole lotta fresh milk, Madi and I played in the yard with our new friend.

Hopefully she keeps coming back so we don't have to go through yet another animal loss (seems to be a trend when you live on a farm).