Merry Christmas!

Wishing all our family and friends a very Merry Christmas!!!  I have so much to post about, including our trip to Disney World, which was beyond awesome!  Hope everyone had a wonderful day filled with many blessings and tons of memories, I know we did!

****I am grateful for
1) believing
2) cold weather for Christmas (no snow, but it's definitely cold)
3) family and friends
4) a wonderful trip to Disney World
5) another blessed Christmas

Big Girl Beds

 A certain little princess is in her big girl bed for the first night tonight.  Only took about an hour for her to go down and about 20 "get back in beds!"  She is so, so happy!!!  This was an early Christmas present from Duchess and it was definitely a hit!!!  I can't believe she is this big! *sniff sniff*

****I am grateful for
1) big girl beds
2) more milestones
3) this time next week we'll be at Disney World!
4) new renters without a big gap between, which means we won't have to carry two mortgages w/out an rental income... phew
5) clean sheets

New traditions

We did manage to make it up to our church, The Ark, and volunteer to help prepare meals for the 16,000 people they would be feeding during the Thanksgiving outreach.  This was when Chase was starting to feel better and when Emery was starting to go downhill.  Since Emery is still tiny, she hung with Nana while Duchess, Chase, Madison, and I went to volunteer.  I'm pretty sure that we made about a 1,000 pounds of green bean casserole!  Here's to new family traditions!!

****I am grateful for
1) new traditions
2) all our blessings
3) realizing that there are others we can bless by helping
4) opportunities
5) teachable moments

Sweet Cinnamon

Even though Chase wasn't feeling so hot, he still felt good enough to feed Cinnamon a little bit.  Of course, could you blame him?  She is so sweet.  She's like a puppy-goat!  Emery likes her an awful lot too!

****I am grateful for
1) country living
2) baby goats
3) learning experiences
4) lazy days
5) big, blue eyes

Emery's first cake!

So it looks like our little princess is going to take after her Nana in the cake decorating department (heck, in the cooking department for that matter).  She has been a busy little girl!  Here is her first cake that she did all by herself.  Well, Nana helped measure, pour, and cook, but Emery did the mixing of ingredients, icing, and sprinkles!  Can you tell what it is?  If you can't, it's a My Little Pony, but I'm sure you guessed that!!!  Not bad for a just turned 3 year old!!!  I am so thankful that she has Nana that is patient enough to give her these opportunities, we are so blessed!!!

****I am grateful for
1) Nana, everyone should have one like her
2) Emery getting to be with Nana during the day, so many wonderful opportunities
3) adorable first cakes
4) pink sprinkles
5) proud 3 year olds!

Happy Thanksgiving (better late than never!)

So another Thanksgiving has come and gone and I didn't get a single picture.  Why you ask?  Because while we were off for the whole week of Thanksgiving (by we, I mean Chase and I), sickness decided to invade our home!  There has been a major virus going around the school and Friday night my little man started feeling under the weather.  Saturday he barely left the couch and by Sunday we were both at urgent care.  *sigh*  So much for living it up during our break!  We sent Emery to Duchess' in hopes that she would avoid catching it, but in the end it got her, Nana, and Duchess.  The only one to escape was Daddy.  So, while we weren't thankful to be sick, we were very thankful that we were home and not having to miss work and school! Hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving, shared with lots of family and friends and full of great memories!

****I am grateful for
1) everyone is finally feeling better
2) a good Thanksgiving (even with the sickies)
3) seeing family
4) being off when we were sick so we could get better
5) 19 days until Disney World!

Officially Potty Trained

When it comes to potty training, we are not pushers.  I have lots of friends that start freaking out when their kids turn two because, OMG they aren't potty trained and surely they'll be headed off to school in diapers!  We kind of figure, when they are ready, they'll be ready.  I'd much rather have a three year old potty training happily than having everyone stressed out and feeling like a failure.  Since this worked so well with Chase, he potty trained himself at 3 years, 3 months, we took the same approach with Emery.  Needless to say, the last two weeks she's been in big girl panties (girls wear panties, boys wear underwear) and has done fantastic.  So folks, we're calling it official.  Our little princess is potty trained at 3 years and 2 weeks!!!  Well done Emery, we are so proud of you!

****I am grateful for
1) cute panties that help with potty training
2) little girls that want to be big girls
3) those proud smiles when she announces it's time to go and races to the potty
4) no stress in the training department
5) another milestone met!

Mental Sticky - Emery's 3 year stats

Emery had her 3 year check-up and she was 36 inches and 31.6 pounds.  A perfect little princess. :o)  Well, other than the ear infection we are still fighting.  Back to the ENT on Monday, thinking she may have to have IV antibiotics.  Send prayers!

****I am grateful for
1) perfection, thank you Lord for the perfect baby girl
2) the chance to be her Mommy
3) love
4) family
5) friends

Wordless Wednesday: Cinnamon

MeMaw and PawPaw have some new babies.  Twins actually.  However, momma goat doesn't want one of her babies, so it looks like there will be a bottle-fed baby girl running around.  Meet Cinnamon.  The kids are in hog, er goat heaven!

****I am grateful for
1) country living
2) sweet baby goats, they are sooo tiny and loveable and cute
3) a good movie
4) awesome weather
5) a busy, but wonderful, weekend ahead!

Friday Night Leftovers (on Saturday morning)

~ I've decided that I'm spending entirely too much time at work.  I don't know if it's just being back in a first and at a new school, or if it's all the new stuff the district has thrown at us this year, or what.  But 60 hours a week is way too much and I'm going to find a way to do something about it.
~ Chase has had all A/Bs this year on report cards and progress reports.  Wasn't sure if I have posted about that (probably not since I've barely been posting), but I wanted to make sure it was on here so I knew down the road.
~ Emery had her three year check up Thursday.  31.6 pounds and 36 inches = perfect!  However, her right here is STILL infected so we are back to the ENT on Monday and the tube has to come out.  :o(  This has been going on since July 14th.  For her sake and my sanity, I want it fixed now!
~ Chase has been rocking it on the ball field.  Out of his last 5 bats, he he's had 4 base hits and has scored twice.  So proud of him.  He is really getting in to it now.  Makes me happy because I want this to be his sport (I'm selfish and this is the one I like to watch)!
~ We have got a full calendar.  Birthday party this afternoon, Disney on Ice and a birthday party next week, bay fishing trip the weekend after that, Thanksgiving week after that, pageant first weekend of December and then that leave us one weekend to get ready for Disney before we head out!  Yikes, time is flying!

****I am grateful for
1) electricity is getting restored to those without after the hurricane
2) cooler weather is headed our way
3) getting to see family and friends this afternoon
4) sleeping in (this was a first in a long time)
5) those every-once-in-a-while days when we are rushing around like mad people

Princess Emery's 3rd Birthday Party

Well, for some reason I can't add text at the top of the pictures, so I'll just have to add it down here.  Today we partied it up for Princess Emery's 3rd birthday.  I still can't believe she is three.  The years are going to fast!  This was the first year that she really "got" the whole birthday thing.  She knew this was her day and was all about it.  It was awesome!

My grandma went above and beyond in the whole cake decorating department.  Emery and I searched for months for a princess cake that she liked and she never went crazy over anything.  Then I thought, why not just make a few princesses.  Well, my Nana made SEVEN of them.  Yes, SEVEN!  And they were all absolutely beautiful!  The only bad part was that when Emery realized we were cutting and eating her cakes, she was devastated to the point of tears.

We had so many wonderful friends and family celebrate with us and I am so thankful for each and every one of them.  So thankful that there are so many people who love my little princess.  We are some blessed folks!

****I am grateful for
1) 3 wonderful years
2) a great birthday party
3) so many smiles
4) wonderful family and friends
5) an awesome Nana!!

Princess Emery is THREE!!!

Today, my sweet, little princess is three, I can't believe it!!  I'll be honest, I don't even have the words to describe how much I love this little girl.  Never in a million years could I have known just how much she would bless our lives.  I am so very thankful that I was chosen to be her Mommy!  Every day is full of adventure and learning and I'm amazed at just how much she knows and does.  Everyone that meets her, from young to old, are quickly wrapped around her tiny fingers.  I won't even mention how tightly her Daddy and Bubba are wrapped! ;o)

Happy Birthday Sweet Princess, I love you!!

****I am grateful for
1) 3 wonderful, amazing years!
2) Happy Birthdays
3) birthday smiles
4) 3 year old cuddles
5) all the years to come!

We are busy little bees.

I can't believe that it's already October, time is flying by.  In fact, we're already at our sixth week of school.  Seems like yesterday we were savoring our last days of summer.

October always marks my favorite time of year.  It's starts cooling off outside, there are holidays for three months straight, decorations start going up, leaves change colors (well, the few that do).  It also means that my sweet baby girl is about to turn one year older.  In just 10 short days, she'll be three.  I can't believe that it's been three whole years since we welcomed her into her lives.  Chase is playing Fall ball, so between that and dance, we are on the go most days.  He is doing really well and has really started enjoying it.  I love watching him play, it's pretty much adorable (one day he'll totally roll his eyes at me for saying that).

For the first weekend in a while, we don't really have anything planned.  So, I'm hoping to get the Halloween decorations up, birthday party shopping done, and maybe just relax and hang out with the kids.  I have so many things to post about, but I'll be the first to say that most days I'm just beat by the time we get the kids in bed and want nothing more than to sleep.  So, those things will just have to wait until another day.

Hope everyone else is doing well!

****I am grateful for
1) October
2) cooler weather
3) we got some much needed rain last weekend
4) less than 75 days until Disney World
5) tomorrow is hump day!

Doggy Paddling

12 meetings in 1 week.  Think I have the doggy paddling thing down pat.  Oh well, still beats last year!!

****I am grateful for...
1) a year that's better than last year no matter how overwhelmed I am!
2) hump day
3) my kids, drive me crazy, but I love them just the same.
4) ice cold sweet tea with the "good" ice.
5) less than 90 days until Disney World at Christmas time!

Hanging on by a thread!

Oh my, has it seriously been two weeks since I last posted??? Yikes! All I can say is the first 6 weeks back to school are a doozy and I'm do good just to keep my head above water. I guess I'll just have to bullet point post.

* Chase did great on the first day of school and is absolutely loving his teacher. I am so glad I chose to put him in her class. He has made new friends and says it is "awesome." This is such a huge relief for me! We had one incident with a bully the first week of school, but his teacher nipped in the bud immediately and things have been fine since. Did I mention he loves his teacher?

* Baseball starts back up this week. Ack, one more thing to add to our crazy schedule!

* Emery has now had three dance classes and loves it. She cracks me up in her tap shoes because she stomps so hard I'm surprised there isn't a hole in the floor! There are six little girls in her class and she is next to the youngest (one is a month younger than her, but a lot bigger than her). They are so stinking cute that I can hardly stand it!

* I am pretty overwhelmed at work right now. I am loving being back in first, still love my administration, and am very happy with our move, but I miss my friends and my comfort zone (not that you could pay me to go back to that miserable environment). We are having to lots of new stuff this year and all of my friends on other campuses feel as overwhelmed as I do. While I hate that they are feeling the stress, I'm glad to know that it's not just me. I know things will get better and I'll get my feet under me, it'll just take time.

* Jeff is still enjoying his job, which I'm thankful for. There's pros and cons, but that is to be expected.

* We are at less than 100 days until Disney World, kids are SO excited! I think with all the holidays and things going on between now and then, that the time will fly by.

* It's been a year now (Sept. 3rd) since my grandfather passed away. We all miss him so much. Hard to believe it's been a year. :o(

* Emery had her recheck Friday to see if we would need to go ahead and schedule surgery on her ear to clean and replace her tube. I am thankful to say that there were no signs of infection and her tube is working as it should. Praise God!!!

* We are thinking of getting a kitten for Emery. One minute I think yes, the next I think no. Not sure what will happen just yet. Waiting for a sign to tell me either way... ha!

Have to go get a few things done for tomorrow (we have lots of meetings at this school), hoping everyone is doing well and that I can get caught up on blogs soon!

****I am grateful for
1) cooler temps, praise God for the cool front
2) getting my feet under me... it'll happen with time
3) Chase being happy at his new school!
4) Being back in first!
5) Less than 100 days until Disney!

'Twas the Night Before 2nd Grade

Tomorrow is a big day for my baby boy, that's not really a baby anymore. It's the first day of 2nd grade at a new school. I pray he has a wonderful day and a fantastic year, makes lots of new friends, and that fear/anxiety stay far away (I have enough for both of us). I'm so thankful that I'm a teacher not only because I love my job, but because I am only a hallway away if he needs me. Lord, please watch over him tomorrow as he starts his new journey, keep him safe, happy, and blessed. Let him be filled with knowledge and love school again. Also, please bless his teacher(s), guide her, and let her have a wonderful year as well. Amen!

****I am grateful for
1) the start of new beginnings
2) new paths to be taken
3) new things to be learned
4) another milestone
5) the hope of a wonderful school year!

13 wonderful years!

13 years ago I said "I do" to not only my best friend, but my soul-mate. It hasn't always been easy, but when I think of things like 5 rounds of IVF, losing 3 precious babies, losing way too many loved ones, or other hardships, I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have by my side. Of course, there have also been so many wonderful moments that we've shared as well, probably more than we should be allowed!!!

I love you Jeffrey and am so thankful to have you in my life. Thank you for being an awesome husband, an amazing daddy, and an unbelievable best friend. Happy Anniversary my love, 13 years used to seem like forever, now it's just a stepping stone in the path of many years to come!!!

****I am grateful for
1) 13 wonderful years
2) quiet dinners just the two of us where we actually get to talk about grown-up stuff (although it almost always turns into something about the kids!)
3) the next 13 wonderful years
4) hearing I love you
5) all the memories we've made, good and bad

4 Years

Has it really been four years since we said goodbye to our sweet twins that were gone too soon? Sometimes it seems like just yesterday and then other times it feels like a 100 years ago. Not a day goes by that I don't think of what they would look like, what their personalities would be like, or what milestones they would be reaching now. I don't think that my heart will ever be the same. I know that things happen for a reason. I know that without their loss, I would not have my sweet Emery and I can't imagine my life without her. But even after 4 years, it still hurts so very bad. One day we shall all be together again my loves.


****I am grateful for
1) my beautiful healthy children
2) my last few days of summer vacation with the kids
3) joy after sorrow
4) clean bedrooms
5) fans

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Somebody in our house celebrated a milestone birthday today! I won't give out numbers, but I'll give out some hints:

1) It's an even number.
2) It's a multiple of 10.
3) It's a multiple of 5.
4) One more decade and he'll be half way to 100! ;o)

Happy birthday to the best daddy, husband, and best friend around!!!

We actually had a little surprise party for him today and managed to keep it a surprise. We didn't tell Emery and Chase just found out earlier in the week. Of course, he almost slipped up earlier today when he said, "I can't wait for the P-R-A-R-T-Y (yes, I know he spelled it wrong)!" My mom laughed and said, "You know your dad can spell, right?" Chase giggled and said, "Oh yeah!" Fortunately, Jeff was in the other room. Good times and great memories!

****I am grateful for
1) school supplies shopping is done
2) a little rain storm here and there (although we need more please)
3) vacuum cleaners (what did they do before these were invented)
4) recliners (I like my feet up) ;o)
5) really dark, cold rooms when it's time to sleep

Friday Night Leftovers

~ Emery is going on 3 weeks with the same ear infection. It's ugly. She's been on 3 antibiotics (still on the 3rd one), 2 types of ear drops and has had it microscopically cleaned twice already. We go at 3:30 to have it done yet again. :o(
~ Despite her ear infection, she's still pretty sweet and happy most of the time (we have tylenol with codeine for when the pain is too bad).
~ We discovered hair mascara this week. It washes right out and only last for two days w/o washing, so I picked up some purple. Both kids had it in their hair. Chase wants red today (turns out Wal.mart says it way cheaper than Seph.ora and now we have red and pink too).
~ I only have two weeks of summer vacation left, where did it go????? Have to go to training two days next week and get all my stuff moved to my new school, so I'm afraid I have very few free days left... sniff sniff.
~ Jeff started his new job this week and really likes it. I'm so thankful for the blessing.
~ Tomorrow is Jeff's 40th birthday. It's funny because I still feel like we are only in our 20's, again, where did time go?!!

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

****I am grateful for
1) squeezing in the ENT for another ear cleaning (if it would just get well then I'd be REALLY grateful)
2) morning cuddles
3) Nana comes home next week from vacation, we miss her
4) birthdays, even the ones that make you 40 ;o)
5) two more weeks of summer, Lord knows they'll fly by

The Life of a Beauty Queen

Today Emery had a small pageant and she absolutely rocked it. I'm telling you, this girl is going to be a heartbreaker and we are in some serious trouble down the road! Emery ended up with Mini Supreme, Overall Talent (she sang Twinkle, Twinkle Little Stare and did awesome, there were two of these given out), Prettiest Hair, Prettiest Smile, and Prettiest Eyes. So proud of our little girl. While they had typical crowns for the talent, they also had this bunny crown that Emery was smitten with. She was so excited when they gave this one to her instead of the typical crown. She even prefers it over the supreme crown because that sucker is heavy! Here's our Beauty Queen posing for a picture after the pageant, so pretty!

Getting ready for beauty, I love her smile in the first one!

Outfit of Choice (OOC), strutting her stuff with her sassy walk!


Talent - singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (she had to hold my hand, but hey, she's only 2 so I'm totally impressed!)

Man how I love this little girl, I have got to be one of the luckiest Mommies out there!

****I am grateful for
1) my little girl
2) her big brother
3) fun weekends
4) gas discounts
5) the pillow that is calling my name ;o)

Dreams Come True

Yep, dreams really do come true, here's proof!




****I am grateful for
1) dreams come true
2) Jeff's new job
3) still have 3 weeks of summer break left
4) chocolate, Emery may not like it, but I do (too bad it doesn't like me) ;o)
5) electricity (cause it is way too hot here in TX!)

Sweetie Baby's Blog Design Give-away!

So when I had my blog make-over I wasn't really sure who I should get to do it until I found Sweetie Baby's. After looking at her samples, I knew she was the one. She just redid her blog and it looks awesome! You can see her website by clicking HERE. Now I've decided to start up a blog for my classroom and I'm hoping to get that one made over as well. In fact, she is having a give away right now and you can enter too! Click HERE to be taken to her post about the give-away or click HERE to be taken to her website and then click on the blog section to see the give-away. Maybe one of us will win!!!

***I am grateful for
1) still have a little summer vacation left
2) potential job opportunities for Jeff (will post more on that later)
3) a afternoon/evening spend visiting and swimming with friends
4) nights when kids go to sleep easy because they are so worm out from the fun!
5) give-aways!

Friday Night Leftovers - Or Happy Friday the 13th

~ Today is Friday the 13th, bwahahaha. Anyone have superstitions and feel creeped out by this day? I guess today's generation doesn't even know why people are superstitious about this day (or was there a remake of Friday the 13th recently, seems like I may remember hearing about that).
~ Today is also my birthday. Isn't it funny how when you are little you feel so much older on your birthday but when you are older you feel just like you did the day before? Why did I want to grow up so fast when I was little? If I had only known...

~ The company Jeff has worked for for 20 years (since he was 19) is shutting down. I won't even go into all the details, but the stress around here is just awful. Makes me sick to my stomach to even think about it. So I won't. Not today anyway.
~ I need prayers for Jeff's uncle, he had a stroke today. I think things will be OK, but all this stuff can end at any time. Just sayin'.
~ I'm really excited about the upcoming school year and moving back down to first grade. I have so many exciting things planned. I don't want summer to rush by because I love being home with the kids, but I'm so thankful I can breathe and smile when I think about next year.
~ We have been getting a ton of rain the last week, which is crazy since we've been in a mega drought for the last year. I'm talking flash floods and all. Crazy Texas weather!
~ Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! We are celebrating my birthday with family tomorrow and there will be homemade German Chocolate Cake, so I know we will!

****I am grateful for
1) my grass is looking greener than ever because of all the rain
2) I know there is a job out there for Jeff, just gotta find it
3) homemade birthday cakes
4) laughter
5) sunglasses (you know, for when it isn't raining!)

Wordless Wednesday - Summer Fun!

****I am grateful for
1) Summer Days
2) Summer Nights
3) Cool pool water on a hot day
4) the rain
5) the smell of fresh cut grass

Happy 4th of July!

****I am grateful for
1) our freedom
2) those that sacrifice and serve so that we may have it
3) celebrating with family and friends
4) fireworks
5) another wonderful day

Job Changes... or better yet, JOB CHANGES!!!

So I haven't really posted much about my job lately since this is a public blog and any old person could happen to "stumble" upon it and read what I've said (if you know what I mean). Not that I don't have stuff to say because trust me, I have a got a LOT to say! ;o) Long story short, this school year sucked. In fact, it was the worst out of the 10 I've been teaching. We have pulled Chase out of dual language (8 weeks without a teacher did not show us support for that program so thanks, but no thanks) and had seriously been debating on what our future held. Do I ask for a transfer to a new school? Do I stay with the district I've been with for the last 10 years and is the only one I know? Do I try to go elsewhere? Do I leave teaching all together? I have lost way too much sleep over this and was stressed to the max. All I did know, was that I could not handle another year like this last one. I was literally wishing our lives away because I was living for the weekends. I don't want that for me or my family!

Turns out there was no need to worry as somebody up there already had it all worked out for me! Last week I was transferred to a different campus (and it's the only other one I've taught at in the district) and moved DOWN to 1st grade (sweet)!!! I can not tell you how relieved I am. I absolutely LOVE my new principal and am so looking forward to a year that I will actually enjoy my job again. Chase is a little nervous about a new school and new friends, but I know that he is going to be just fine! Thank you LORD for watching over us and reminding me that I truly am blessed!! (And if this tells you anything about the campus I'm leaving, I was person #16 to leave this year for one reason or another, so very, very sad.)

****I am grateful for
1) blessings from above
2) a year to look forward to!
3) a friendly, positive principal (thank you Lord!)
4) 1st grade... finally back where I belong
5) smiling when I think about the things to come

Wordless Wednesday - Growing like weeds!

How are they growing so fast????

****I am grateful for
1) two wonderful, loveable, healthy kids
2) air conditioner, we're already above 100 degrees in TX and it's not even July... yuck
3) job changes next year, can you say awesome??!?!?!
4) Duchess comes home on Friday!
5) drive through pharmacies, did I mention how hot it is here?

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy in town!

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy in town. I either got super lucky or someone up there really knew what he was doing when he gave Jeff to me as my children's Daddy. How blessed we are!!!! We love you Daddy!!!!

Also a Happy Father's Day to my wonderful father-in-law, Joe. I love him like a father and am so thankful to have him in my life and as a grandfather to my children! Again, someone up there really knew what he was doing!

****I am grateful for
1) my wonderful husband and totally awesome Daddy to our children
2) a father-in-law that has shown me what it's like to have a father figure in your life and is the ideal grandfather for our children
3) my grandfather, although this is our first Father's Day without him, I'm so thankful for all the memories I have
4) a day spend with family
5) my mom, who was not only my mom growing up, but had to play the role that a father normally would too... and she did a pretty good job I might say!

Wordless Wednesday - Pizza Night!

****I am grateful for
1) two big kids having an awesome time at church camp this week
2) 6 months from next Monday we'll be at Disney World!
3) summer vacation
4) air conditioner, it is gonna be a hot Texas summer
5) cousins

Officially a 2nd Grader!

On the left is Chase on his first day of first grade, on the right is Chase on the last day of first grade. Notice the HUGE smile and thumbs up?!?! Where has the time gone and how did my baby get so big, so fast????? I am so very proud of him. Despite having a pretty tough year due to some issues that caused his class to be without their teachers (he had an English teacher and a Spanish teacher) for 6 and 8 weeks, he still rocked this first grade. He ended above level in reading and got 5 awards: A/B Honor Roll (for the entire year), Citizenship (for great conduct), Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Award, Music Award, and a PE Award. Now how awesome is he??? Just totally impressed with this little guy. I've always said that he is destined for great things and this is just another confirmation of that.

On a different note, we did make the difficult decision to remove him from the dual language and put him into a regular classroom next year. After the "incident" where his class was without teachers, we just didn't feel it was handled appropriately and that the class suffered greatly. So, long story short, he will no longer be in the program. It's always so tough teaching at the school where your child is because you see so much more than the average parent. Not saying you see bad stuff, you just see what's going on every day. I'm not worried one bit about him going into the regular classroom and he'll just learn Spanish later on down the road.

We are already enjoying our summer and staying quite busy. We've hit up Chuck.E.Cheese's, cleaned a lot (of course there's still a lot to go), and played in the little pool out front a couple of times. Oh, and we've watched LOTS of Disney movies. Good times, baby, good times!!!!

To close, here's a picture of my and my favorite little dude on our last day. Have I mentioned how much I love this guy?


****I am grateful for
1) summer vacation
2) the rain that we just might get!
3) the smell of fresh cut grass
4) watermelon
5) a cleaned off table (if only it would stay that way)

I'm alive, just drowning in end of the school year stuff...

I absolutely LOVE the end of the school year because it means that summer is coming, however, every year I'm drowning in work and feel like I'm putting in enough over time to last a lifetime! On top of this, we've had some sick kiddos in the house. Chase was out of school three days last week with a nasty stomach virus and this was after going to the Dr. Monday with another double ear infection. Poor guy! Luckily he is feeling much better now. However, Emery spiked a fever today and felt so bad this evening that she asked to get in her bed. Now that is a sign of a sick baby! Only a week and a half until summer break and surely things will slow down then (ha)!

****I am grateful for
1) meds that break fevers
2) blankets and kitties that comfort my sick Princess
3) my favorite little guy is feeling better!
4) a few minutes in the evening to just sit and relax (if I don't fall asleep from exhaustion)
5) only 6 days of school until summer w/my babies!

Happy Mother's Day!

****I am grateful for
1) my perfect little princess
2) my amazing first born
3) my wonderful mother that I strive to be like
4) my Nana, so blessed to have her
5) my awesome MIL, I couldn't have hand-picked a better one!