Not a lot

Not a lot to share.  Well, that might not be true but there is certainly nothing left in this noggin of mine.  

I had a fabulous weekend with little on the agenda.  The husband and I were blessed with about 7 hours of shopping sans kids thanks to my sweet, sweet mom.  I did mega amounts of laundry over the past few days as well, catching up from being in an ESL certification class every night last week.  I even washed bath mats, quilts, etc.

I went to bed last night at a decent hour with full intentions to GET BACK INTO MY EARLY MORNING WORKOUT ROUTINE.  Went to bed feeling ready for the new week (even though my lesson plans were not completed) only to be awakened by a cough.  A gag.  Puke!  Little Miss ended up puking all over our bathroom floor.  (Yes, all over my freshly laundered bath mat!!!)  After the husband and I got her bathed and back to bed, I started a load of puke covered things.  

Back to bed hoping that we were not going to deal with that again.  As I was dozing off again, I heard a door close loudly and  more coughing.  Kid number two was puking. 

I will spare you more details.  Needless to say, our sleep was rudely interrupted by two sick kids.  Of course they both woke up feeling fine and dandy this morning.  The husband stayed home with them so I did not have to get a sub.  Getting a sub is a PAIN but I had an ARD for one of my students today so missing was not an option.  

What else? 

School has been a sea of chaos but I am hanging on to the fact that we get a WEEK OFF for Thanksgiving.  That makes me oh so very happy!  All in all, work is good but it is work and I feel tied down at times.  Well, all the time.  Still learning to accept that and enjoy all of the aspects of my job that are good.  There are many.  

Well, I came home and hid in my bedroom but time to be mom.  The lack of sleep last night is catching up with me and I would so love to keep hiding.  Too bad the husband has a meeting at church tonight.  He deserves to get out of the house alone.  He has been Mr. Mom today.  Wish I could have played mom today………

We are praying that the sickness stops with those two. I am ready to have a healthy family and a regular workout routine again!

catching up

My memory card is full so I guess it is time to share some pictures. 

Last weekend, we had a little family party for Pumpkin.  Grandaddy and the Lad enjoyed some Fall Football outside.

Our pumpkin spending some sweet time with Aunt EJ-who came in town from Amarillo.

This is Great Grandmother and Pumpkin.  Isn’t she a lovely lady!?!?!  ! May my girls look like that side of the family!!!

 

Last Sunday we had the husband’s boss’ family over for a little double b-day celebration.  This is Pumpkin and Kaleigh.  There are only 18 hours difference in their age.  How fun !   Can’t you just imagine the fun these two have together in Africa.  Instant playmates! 

Last Monday I drove down to Austin for an educational conference.  This is a photo of me with two fellow teachers (kindergarten) and the speaker, Dr. Jean.  It was a lot of fun and I have already implemented so much of what I learned in my classroom!

We finally had Pumpkin’s friend party this weekend.  We found a sweet little pottery painting place for ten little girls to enjoy.

Pumpkin was allowed to invite (quietly) three friends to spend the night.  She chose her beloved friend from our old school (who lives a bit away), Kaleigh (our Africa buddy who lives on the other side of Dallas) and one of her new school friends.  The girls did GREAT!

And because they had us up at the crack of dawn, we put them to work. 

 

Then on Saturday evening, we attended our school’s PTA carnival.  It was crazy  but the kids certainly enjoyed it. 

Happy new week.  I am late for school so I best scoot NOW. 

Oh!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my great ELEVEN year old niece today.  We love you Jordan!

 

October 31

LOVE this date.  My affection for this last day of October has not always been as such.  It started about………….well, about ten years, 11 hours and 16 minutes ago.  Now, when the calendar reads October 31, I do  not respond as most Americans do.  I do indeed celebrate but I celebrate a life.  The life of this sweet sweet Pumpkin! 

Ten.  Really?  She informed me tonight as I kissed her soft cheek that she is now double digits.  Her older brother (15 months her elder) added that he too was double digits.  Darn! 

So, on this day since 1999, our plans have been guided by the desires of our Pumpkin gal.  Today after meeting Nana and Papa for breakfast at Cracker Barrel (her favorite place), we decided to join Nana at the Dallas Arboretum.  What a great time.  We did not stay long b/c evidently everybody else decided to take a break from building their ark and enjoy the sunshine and 67 degree weather.  Glorious!  Have I mentioned that it has rained about 24 out of the last 31 days this month?  We also had to move on to more b-day fun.  We had lunch with Gran, Grandaddy, Uncle Lynn, and Aunt Ella Jane (who came in from Amarillo for the weekend).  Then we girls went shopping and found some goodies at Gap Kids.  On the way home, we stopped by our new Super Target and did the weekly grocery shopping run, then headed home only to leave again for our church’s Trunk or Treat. 

Here are a few pics from our day at the Arboretum.

The husband and I had not planned out the details of our evening so when the Pumpkin decided that wanted to go to Trunk or Treat, we had a costume issue.  Times three!  The children were a bit frustrated that we had not provided them with costumes (not that we have ever bought them costumes in the past………they have never been Trick or Treating) but I was soooooooooo proud of how they pulled together something fun to wear. 

The birthday girl was a  nerd.  Too funny.  She played the part so well! 

The Lad was a megahero.  He wore a superhero cape, a knight’s breastplate, and an Indian vest.  We felt very protected and secure in his presence.

And Little Miss?  Well, she went as . . . (what else?)

After a full day of celebrating a birthday AND a holiday, we are thankful that we get an extra hour of sleep tonight!  We look forward tomorrow to worshipping the One who gave us our Pumpkin – the best Halloween treat ever!

Branson

So………….Where do I begin? 

Let us start here. 

Made you smile?  Me too!  I love pictures of my handsome and wonderful man with our daughters.  Does something to my heart.  This picture was taken outside of the Sight and Sound Theater in Branson, Missouri last weekend.  Our family had a grand time on a retreat with Family Legacy staff in Branson.  It was a fun time hanging out together.  The last time the majority of the staff and family were together was in Zambia last summer.  Of course being with everybody only made me even more ready to head back to Africa. 

Pumpkin and Kaleigh (my husband’s boss’ child).  Pumpkin was born 18 hours before Kaleigh.  They get along well and are looking forward to more time together in Africa.  Instant playmates. 

One of our board members treated us to a lovely dinner at a grand lodge.  Greer and Susan (the founder and president of our ministry) gave them a basket of Texas fun items.  This couple is from Pennsylvania.  It was so nice to get to know them. 

Little Miss trying on a costume during our tour of  Sight and Sound Theater.

Most of the gang (staff, family,board members and spouses).  One spouse and three of her children are missing in this picture (sorry Erin) but this is a good portion of the crew. 

Josh and Mindy.  They are so cute!

Another great couple:  Jeremy and Sommer.  It was a treat to spend some time with them.  We were not in Zambia at the same time last summer so we have hardly spent casual time with them. 

Miss Holly and a few monkeys. 

Our attempt at a family photo.  It was a no go. 

We enjoyed the Acrobats of China, laser tag, Yakov Smirnov, Noah, lots of  yummy food and great fellowship.  The only downer was that I was pretty much sick the whole time.  That is what I get for taking two personal days off.  Should have known. 

Have I mentioned how blessed we are to be a part of FLMI?  My husband LOVES what he does.  I love that he loves what he does.  Good thing I feel that way because I was informed yesterday that the dates for next summer are set.  Looks like we will be spending our summer in Zambia.  The husband will leave May 16 and return around August 3.  The kids and I will leave June 8 but are undecided about our return date.  Do we leave before the husband and be separated on both ends of the summer or do we come home a bit earlier and have a little more summer?  Being prayerful about that one. 

 

Just sitting around

I can’t believe I just wrote that.  I can’t believe that is true.  And I most certainly can’t believe I admitted it!  

We have had an absolutely wonderful weekend.  Doing what?

Sitting around!  

Typically that sounds like a death sentence to me but for some reason it has been heavenly this weekend.  The Lad has run a fever for the past two days so that has sorta tied one of us down to the house all weekend.  The husband and I have been taking turns.  I am still trying to figure out how he got to go to “Date Night” last night without me.  :)

I took the girls to church this morning and the husband just left to attend our 4:30 service.  Alone.  I don’t like us doing things alone.  At least we are tag teaming it and able to do a few things while we have a sick kiddo.  Have I mentioned that I am married to the most fabulous man ever?!!?!  I am. 

I am thankful for this restful weekend.  I started to think about my week a bit earlier today and realized that maybe two days of lounging around is not enough to tackle it all  Tomorrow night is the Lad’s band performance.  That should be interesting!  The 5th graders are in a nine week electives rotation and the Lad has had band first.  Nine weeks of band means that each child plays each instrument (flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone) for approximately 2 1/2 weeks.  We are one of the sets of parents that get the honor to listen to that noise music.  I am taking the camera regardless……

One reason the upcoming week is jammed packed is due to the fact that we (the whole fam) are going out of town with the husband’s office on Thursday morning  It is a staff retreat in Branson, Mo.  We ADORE the other folks in my husband’s ministry so I am certain we will have a  fantastic time.  The last time most of us were all together was in Zambia, busy busy working.  Yes, I am taking the kids out of school for two days AND I am taking two personal days in a row.  My principal made it seem like it was no big deal so there you go.  I went for it.  Of course getting a sub lined up and lesson plans in order is another story.  

Well, I best make sure Pumpkin’s Salt Map Project is completed and then help the Lad with his History Timeline.  Hey ! I thought I was done with homework.  Oh ! Wait.  I am not.  I have to take a Sexual Harassment course online tonight.  I am only 10 days overdue in doing so.  Oh well!  

Happy Sunday.  

At least the Cowboys won and Miles Austin can’t stop smiling.

October! Really?

According to the calendar it is now October.  Yikes!  School has been in session for six weeks now and we are all getting into some sort of a routine.  Well, then we had a little sickness floating around here.  A lot of flu going around at our school but I am not certain if that is what Little Miss had or not.  She is finally fever free so we went ahead with our plan to travel to Houston this weekend to visit the husband’s sister and family.  

The best news for now is that Monday is Fair Day so this momma won’t be going near the school that day.  It is a much needed break.  

Not a lot to report so I will share a few words out of the mouths of my babes (at school).  

As I was opening a plastic package with my mouth, one of my four year olds caught a glimpse of my actions and said, “Mrs. K, you are setting a bad example for us!” 

We sing a song entitled, “Tidy Up” while we clean centers every day.  One little gal sings “Tie me up, tie me up, put me all away.”   The songs goes:  ”Tidy up, tidy up.  Put your things away.”  I sure hope the mother knows that we are certainly not tying up children!  

The five year old sister of one of my 3 year olds had a great explanation for why her sister has the cutest and most defined dimples I have ever seen.  She said, “It is because my Grandpa had dimples but she never met him so she got his dimples but I met him so I don’t have dimples.”  

One day last week (during my lunch/conference break) just before reading an email from my husband, I had walked by the bathroom and noticed my principal (my boss) in the boys’ bathroom wiping one of my student’s rear ends.  The email read:  ”I am having a great day.  Greer [his boss] treated us all to Starbucks.  I love working here.”  My reply was:  ”That is great. I have a super boss too but she shows support and gives encouragement by wiping the rear ends of three year olds! ”  He replied , “If receiving fancy coffee is based on merit, then there should be a Starbucks in the school lobby. ”  I told my principal and she agreed with a chuckle. 

Last week I had a little guy cut his hair and eat glue.  You just never know in Pre-K!

Well, that is about all I have been up to.  Still getting up at 5:15 am to head to the gym.  This week, however, I have not made it too often due to a sick kiddo up many times in the middle of the night.  Last weekend I attended a Scrapbooking retreat.  It was fun but the following week was challenging after not being home to do laundry, grocery shopping, etc.  BUT the husband did so many of my weekend chores.  He is a gem!  

We are in Houston right now so hopefully I will post pics of cousin time.

Happy October!

A few photos (a post late)

Little Miss turned seven on September 6.  Here are a few photos from her special day. 

Daddy has a tradition of taking each birthday child to the donut store.  This year Little Miss’ birthday fell on a Sunday so after fetching donuts, Daddy and daughter ate donuts and  played at the park before church. 

Our beautiful (yet fiesty) seven year old!

We had a small celebration that evening with our little family and both sets of grandparents and great Grandmother Lamb.

Last weekend the husband and I celebrated my older (much much) brother’s 40th birthday at the lakehouse.  Of course it rained a good part of the day and the sun did not make an appearance all day but we had a good time despite the bad weather. 

Yesterday was College day at our school so my girls wore Baylor shirts -that I had to borrow from a friend. 

GO BEARS!    There were a lot of Aggie t-shirts floating around that school. 

Geez Louise

I just realized that it has been over two weeks (or more) since I last posted.

I failed to do a b-day post for our sweet Little Miss who turned SEVEN on Sept. 6.  Oh me oh my how can that be?!?!?!

I also failed to throw her a party.

I don’t even know where to begin. Let’s see……

We have finished up week four of school.  We received the children’s progress reports and so far they are all making staright A’s.  Hope that continues.  Our son is doing amazingly well academically.  He LOVES school and adores his teachers.  He lacked motivation last year to put forth much effort but for some reason, this year he is very motivated.  We are so thrilled!  He is struggling a bit socially (not that this surprises us).  We had his ARD on Thursday and were happy to agree to dismiss him from articulation speech therapy.  Boy, has he come a long way!  He still lacks a lot of social language and emotional maturity so we consented to further evaluations, mainly to target if he is indeed on the autism spectrum.  I have suspected this since he was a baby.  We shall see……..

Pumpkin is thriving in her new school.  She has made friends with several great little gals.  She tried out for honor choir and was ecstatic to learn that she made it.

Little Miss is doing well too.  She has had a few color changes (i.e., behavior infractions) but overall is adjusting well.  Her teacher is fantastic and very strict (just what our daughter needs!).  The girls LOVE riding the bus to Nana and Papa’s house once or twice a week.  I am shocked that I allow this but I know the bus driver well (he is the assistant superintendent).  He assured me that he knew exactly where my parents live and would guarantee they got where they needed to be.  I love when they ride the bus too because I have time alone in my classroom.

On September 2 I was able to place large orders for items for my classroom.  I am starting a new program so I started with NOTHING.  All of my items have arrived and it has felt like Christmas.

The husband is crazy busy at work developing the child sponsorship program and preparing for another great summer in Zambia. By the way, the husband informed me yesterday that his boss wants him in Zambia for 11 weeks next summer.  ELEVEN!  That means the children and I would most likely be there for 7 weeks or more!  A lot to think about……

I enjoy teaching pre-k.  It is a VERY hands-on job but it fits me like a glove (no pun intended).  I am still adjusting to my new position AND working full time.  I so miss having Fridays off.  The weekends fly by and many things remain undone.  I am trying not to let that fact bother me.

My sweet, sweet man kept our kids PLUS my friend’s two boys so that she and I could spend some quality time together tonight.  Now that I work full time, I have a hard time doing “me” things like playing with friends AND doing all the required duties that accompany my roles as mom, wife, and teacher.  I was also blessed to spend time with a friend from out of town on Thursday night.  We did not get much sleep but it was well worth it since I had not seen her in SEVEN years.  I am so richly blessed by the people God has placed in my life!!!!

Well, I best get to bed.  Our church services have changed so we now attend the 8:30am service.  After lunch, I will go to school and work and work.  I don’t understand how I feel like I live up there during the week and still need to go back on the weekend!  I am learning as I go!!!

So that is a not-so-brief update of what’s been going on.  I’ll post again . . . in another few months.  (Maybe sooner.)

Our new mascot (a.k.a. our new school)

We are very very very pleased with our new school.  So much about the whole experience this far has so overcome our expectations.  The husband and I feel that we are ALL at home.  It is like we have finally landed on home turf.  It seems like we have always been a part of this community.  The funny thing is that we aren’t “officially” a part of the community.  We just kinda “rent” the school and community via this momma teaching at the sweet school.  This isn’t being handed to us!  I certainly earn my keep! 

On Monday night we attended the Meet the Raider Night at the highschool.  I was a bit weary after a Monday at school (and being at the gym at 5:30 am) but the husband thought we should take the kids to get us all in the spirit of our new school.  It thrills me that my man is starting to connect with other dads and is able to attend most events.  The distance factor has been huge!  We never realized how being close to school would really make a difference in our lives. 

It makes a HUGE difference! 

Of course a big concern for our children was that they would have a smooth transition to public school.  We have esp. been praying for their friends.  Our older two are 11 and almost 10 so making solid friends is really important.  Our son tends to enjoy younger children and is happy playing by himself (on the computer) so when I turned around at the pep rally on Monday night and saw this, my heart smiled. 

We are now Suunyvale Raiders! 

Oh how I loved my time in Zambia

Just thinking about our time in Zambia…….

Watch this video and get excited about what the Lord has done this past year AND what HE will do next year.  Wanna come?  Come on!!!!