Wuv-Ooh...

Connor told us last night for the first time that he loved us!!!! It was precious. After he said it I ran to get the recorder. He did not disappoint! Connor performed very well even with the camera in his face:) Sorry the picture is so dark - the only light on was the t.v.

And...I found these adorable Halloween costumes on Etsy. So cute! I wish I was creative like that!

Speaking Of Books...

I found this recording I took of Taylor from 4 years ago:) She was only two and was supposed to be taking a nap! Instead she was sitting up in her bed reading Brown Bear Brown Bear. I can't believe how teeny tiny she sounds. Hopefully this link works!
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Chad reading Brown Bear Brown Bear to the girls ~ 2004

We ♥ Reading...

One of the classes I am taking at Tech this semester is Children's Literature for Elementary School Teachers and Librarians. It just so happens that, not only do I have 3 kids who rather enjoy books, but I myself am a big fan.

The first night of class our professor sat us down like good little students and read to us the story of Chrysanthemum. It was GREAT! She had all the characters' voices down pat, and was really good to let everyone see the pictures:) It felt more like storytime at the library than Graduate School!

Even if it is for a grade and dependent upon my future career, I love this class. It totally takes me back to my childhood days. Don't you remember as a kid being mesmorized by books and all the colorful illustrations?? I sooo do!

So basically, my assignments revolve around reading tons and tons of great children's literature. No joke - now when I read to Taylor, Averi, and Connor I am killing two birds with one stone. It really doesn't get much better than that:)

Here is what is on my reading list:

Back in the Swing of Things...

Well, we are back at it! Fall is here and that means our days are filled to the brim. Here are a couple of "First Day" pictures.

Averi's first dance practice ~ Several of her friends from KDO are in her dance class. It was a nice surprise:)






Averi and Connor's first day of KDO ~




Connor does not feel the love ~ Get away sissy!


Oh...and how cool is this?!

18 Months...

On September 6 Connor will be 18 months...one-and-a-half!

• He says "push" when he sees light switches, remote controls, or anything that looks like something he can push!
• He says "Taylor" - Hasn't quite figured out how to say Averi.
• He says "more".
• He can walk as long as he is holding on to something/someone.
• He loves taking a bath. He is not too interested in the toys. He likes playing with a plastic cup and that's it. He will fill it up with water and that seems to satisfy him just fine!
• He likes salmon patties.
• If he likes what he is eating he says "Mmmm.Mmmm".
• Everything and everyone is "mama" - I'm not sure why, it just is.
• He bites REALLY hard.
• He is starting to understand what we say to him and follow simple directions.
• We absolutely cannot eat out at restaraunts anymore:( It is pure stress trying to pacify the Con-Man! He wiggles, squirms, crawls on the table, and screams. Fun times!
• His feelings get hurt pretty easily - he is sensitive:)

I love this age because Connor can interact more. He is in between baby and little boy. He is beginning to "get it" and it's so fun watching him learn and grow!

This is Funny...

Stacy showed this to me and we cracked up:) Enjoy!

Perfect Timing...

I am just amazed at how God is working in our lives. When I decided to go back to school it was really a huge leap of faith. We knew that the timing was right, but we weren't sure about much else. It turns out that God had everything worked out before we did. And his plan is so much better than ours.

My main concern was tuition. Where we were going to come up with $1,900 was a mystery to me. Well, today we found out that financial aid (which I didn't think I would get) is going to cover 100% of my tuition and more. What an answer to prayer. That's HUGE! God let us stretch just a bit so we could really trust him - and he provided. When we didn't think there was a way, He made a way!

That's not all! I guess one of my secret goals has been to eventually get my Master's in Elementary Education. I just didn't think it would ever happen. But I figure, HEY! While I'm there why not go ahead and go all the way. The one thing holding me back was the GRE. I found out on Monday, the first day of class, that the GRE was not required anymore! Another answer to prayer! I AM required, however, to put together an application notebook as a Graduate School candidate. I have to submit three letters of recommendation, along with several other papers. I came from the College of Human Sciences, so I am not familiar with too many professors in the College of Education. Little did I know what was about to happen!

There is this mom I have seen from a distance at Honey for over a year. Pretty much everyday I see her. We know each other's face and that's about it. I assumed she was the typical SAHM. On Monday, as I was dragging my behind up three flights of stairs, trying to find my class, I ran into her! I was taken aback. We introduced ourselves and made small talk. It turns out, her name is Alyson, and she is a professor! She is so sweet and agreed to write a letter of recommendation for me!! And, actually, now I have four letters! So, I am officially in the process of getting into Graduate School - FOR REAL!

So many things like that have happened the past few weeks, and everytime it makes me more sure of my decision to go back to school! It is so neat to tangibally feel God's hand at work in our lives. It shows me and my family that he really does care about even the smallest details of our lives. What a cool Heavenly Father we have:)