Happy 4th of July!

 2013 Little Miss Panorama

 Our Little Family

****I am grateful for
1) all of those that have sacrificed for our freedom
2) time with family
3) good recoveries
4) summer vacation
5) watermelon

Better Late than Never!

Oh my gosh time flies!!!  It's been almost a month since I posted, I really had no clue.  At least I know it's not just me because my blog roll has been pretty slow lately too.  Let's see what's up:

Emery had her first dance recital last weekend.  She did awesome!  That girl is not shy on stage at all and I'm thankful she is so outgoing.

Chase had his 2nd grade awards today and he got EIGHT awards!  I was blown away!  When she announced he received the reading award, she followed it by saying that he was one of her top readers with the highest reading average!  I'm so proud of him!

Baseball season is over, our Rangers took third place which is pretty good in my book.  Chase was in the outfield this season, so he didn't get a lot of field time, but when he did, he rocked it.  He's come a long way and is looking forward to next season.  He'll be moving up to kid pitch and is pretty excited.

We have decided to put our FET on hold for a little while.  I am having surgery on the 19th of June (more to come on that), and it means that we'll have to wait for the FET, but I'm OK with it.  Not thrilled, but accepting.

My school year has been absolutely fantastic and I'm so happy where I am.  I'm happy with my administration, my co-workers, how Chase is doing and how happy he is.  I'll be staying right where I am for next year and am perfectly content with that.

Speaking of school, tomorrow is our last day before summer break!!!  This last week has been a killer, but it looks like we're gonna make it!  Teachers are actually supposed to work Monday but I have a comp day and then they said regardless, if we are done by tomorrow at 4:05, we don't have to come back!  I can guarantee you that this girl will be done!

We have a busy weekend ahead full of parties, family, and fun!  Hope everyone else is doing well!

****I am thankful for
1) summer break is almost here
2) the rain we got today, my yard loves it
3) it actually cooled off after the rain, it's going to be a hot summer
4) a wonderful school year for Chase and I!
5) exciting things on the horizon

Friday Night Leftovers

My oh my, it's been a while since I posted! 

~ Chase ended his Spring Ball Season with the Rangers last night and we took third place.  Closing ceremonies aren't until the 31st, but we are set in this spot.  He was stuck in outfield all season (except one game of pitcher and 1/2 a game at third base) and despite getting little field playing time, he improved so much!  His batting has gotten really good and he likes baseball.  Hoping our next season we have a coach that's more intersted in all the boys learning and less about being number one.  Sad thing is, had they switched players around, we could have been number 1.  Lesson learned there.  Good news is we are moving on to kid pitch, Chase is super excited!
~ Only 9 days of school left and I am so thankful.  My patience is gone, the kids are done.  We all need a break desperately.
~ Emery's dance recital is a week from Saturday.  They look so cute, I can't wait.  We are changing dance studios after the recital and I'm really excited about that.  I think the new one will be a lot better and she can move on to competition when she's five.
~ Chase and Emery will both be going to summer camp this year. Turns out that even though they have to be in kinder, if a parent is volunteering, there is a wee camp for the little ones.  So, even though I really need a break from kids, I'm volunteering so the Princess can go to.
~ Still love my job, principal, school, grade, etc and still so very thankful that this move turned out the way it did.
~ Chase has stayed on the A/B honor roll all year and is a full year ahead in reading.  Have I said how proud I am of him?
~ My cousin just found out she is having a baby girl in October, so excited for her!!!  There is just something about girls in our family.  Out of the 12 grandkids, 10 are girls, and out of the 14 great-grandkids, 11 are girls.  I'm so thankful to have one of each.
~ Speaking of babies, we just paid the $500 to store our totsicles for another year.  We were seriously looking at a FET this summer, but life is full of surprises and there is a major life change coming June 18th.  Funny thing, June 18 is our 9 year anniversary of Chase's retrieval.  Guess that will always be a lucky one for us!! (more to come on that later, don't want to jinx anything)
~ We have decided to take Emery to Disney World for her 5th birthday in 2014.  5th sounds so crazy.  Of course, Chase will go too!  My cousin and her three girls will meet us and then perhaps some other cousins.  It's going to be awesome (although it seems so far away).
~ Getting my highlights done tomorrow, I look so rough.
~ Two birthday parties this weekend, it's going to be busy.  So thankful to be off on Monday.  I'd say we'd relax, but there are a million things to do.

Hope everyone has a spectacular weekend and wonderful Memorial Day!

****I am grateful for
1) days off
2) 9 days until summer vacation
3) a/c, it's gonna be a hot summer in TX
4) fresh mowed grass
5) ice cold water

Wordless Wednesday: Then and Now

Amazing what two years can do.  <3 p="">
****I am grateful for
1) these two beautiful babies
2) humpdays
3) only 31 more school days until summer
4) church camp!  I am volunteering this year so Emery can go too, they are so excited.
5) the weekend, can't come soon enough!

Get out of the car and give me your keys!

I think if Emery were bigger and could get out of her car seat, she would have car-jacked me today!  She was a little mad that I wouldn't let her go home with Duchess so as we're leaving I hear, "Momma, get of the car and give me your keys! I'm driving!"  I told her if I did that the cops would come, her response, "I'll fight those cops!"  Oh my, I think we're in for it with this one!

****I am grateful for
1) little imaginations
2) tough girls
3) love
4) determination
5) the stars

What happened?

I was looking through old posts on the blog and I used to be so much better about posting.  I laughed and cried as I read post after post.  So many memories, good, bad, funny, sad.  What has happened to me?  I have got to get better about journaling and posting, even if it's just for my benefit.  *Mental Note - even when busy, make time to write down your memories.... they fade so fast!*

***I am grateful for
1) smiles
2) laughter
3) tears of joy
4) tears of sorrow, they remind us to be thankful
5) memories

They should be turning 4 today on Earth...

not in heaven.  Not a day goes by that I (we) don't think of our sweet twins (or Chase's twin).  What would they look like, what would their personalities be like, what things would they love?  But our story was written long ago and so was theirs.  We were meant to be here and they were meant to be angels.  I know without their loss, we wouldn't have Emery and that's a thought I can't bare, but I sure would've loved to have had them all.

****I am grateful for
1) my angels, here and on Earth
2) stories that were written long ago
3) cuddles
4) the rain
5) we are under 50 days until summer vacation = time w/my sweet ones