Go Eagles!!!

The girls and I attempted to cheer on the EMS football team tonight, but it was too hot! And there were too many mosquitos.:( So we made ourselves a better deal and left! But I did get this cute picture of them with their daddy:) And Evans did end up winning! WooHoo!!

Perspective...

Lately I have been...let's just say stressed. To the max. Trying to be a student, a mom, and a wife is not as easy as I would like. The house needs some serious attention (I can't really blame that on school, though. Keeping house isn't my favorite pasttime.) I also volunteered to be Homeroom Mom in Taylor's class. AND I'm responsible for the Honey yearbook with one other lady. Poor girl...she probably feels like I have abandoned her. And then my part-time job at KDO on top of everything else. Can you tell I have a hard time saying NO?! I know too much is on my plate, but I also resist giving any of it up. What is it with me and control issues?? I guess I am still trying to find the right balance.

Well, if things weren't chaotic enough, we have been in the process of re-doing our back playroom. I mean, there was crap everywhere. Wood, tools, who knows what else. The end totally justified the means, though, because today we FINALLY finished. My wonderful father-in-law, Steve, came over and painted the room. It is finally a space that does not make me ill to walk into.

So anyway, today, as I was going through things and trying to get the room in order I found this. It stopped me in my tracks. Taylor wrote it ~ and I had never seen it before. It says: "I love you Diddy. I wish you did not die." Whoa...out of the mouths of babes. Diddy is Chad's granddad who passed away in 2005. Taylor loved him soo much, and he adored her. After reading this I realized that I have let so many unimportant things have too much power over me. Life is way too short! Time to refocus on what what really matters. Thank you, Taylor for the sweet reminder.

You Are Looking At...

The newest member of the Honey Elementary Student Council! Yesterday Taylor's 2nd grade class voted for student council representatives. They voted for one boy and one girl, and Taylor won.:) Congratulations, sweet girl ~ We are so proud of you!!!!

I AM a minivan mom...

We bought a Honda Odyssey!!! And I am in minivan heaven:) I will say that the body style is definitely bearable. It doesn't totally scream "minivan" - it is surprisingly attractive (at least to me). I LOVE it!

We looked at other SUV's and vans, but nothing compares to the Honda. For one, we can't afford to constantly be at the pump with a gas guzzler. Two, the room inside is unbeatable. You wouldn't know it by just looking at the outside. Now our kids actually have room to breathe - how convenient!

We splurged and went with the top model - leather seats and all. We've never had the luxury of leather seats before. It even has a screen in the rearview mirror so you can see what is behind you when in reverse. I am so happy. I'm ready to go for a spin!:)

I Want to Be a Minivan Mom...

This is what our little car looks like every afternoon at 3:00. Little being the key word. We take K & K home after school each day. And poor things...they, along with my 14 kids, are trapped like rats in the back. Lucky for big brother K, he gets to sit in the front with me. But they are so sweet and polite and never complain. I think it's time I join the other moms and invest in a minivan...a world I swore I would never enter!

The Party...

So today was Averi's party! And man, was it fun! There were kids everywhere - playing and screaming and having fun.:) A good time was had by all!


Bodyworks Splashzone


Holding out her "brain" for Gramps.


FUN!


Connor and Corsen - Buds:)


Connor and Alligator


Logan, Dondi, and Connor - the boy cousins


Making a wish...


Cake Time!


Present Time! Averi is a little shy.


Everyone wants to see.


Signing Averi's shirt.


Cute of Jeremy and Sydney:)

Happy Birthday, Averi...

Dear Aves ~

Happy Birthday!! Today you turn the BIG 0-5. I just realized that today is Friday...and you were born on a Friday. That was a good day! So being 5 means that you really and truly aren't a baby anymore. You are officially a little girl. And a very pretty, smart, and funny one at that:)

I remember the day we found out we were having another girl. I was so excited that Taylor was going to have a little sister. I always wanted a sister. It was so fun imagining how you would look and act compared to Taylor. We already had a blonde-hair, blue-eyed girl. I thought it would be neat to have a a brown-hair, green-eyed girl. I got my wish! It's funny because only within the past year have your eyes turned from blue to a hazel-green color.

So...this is our last year together before you become a Honey Bear like sis. You are very excited about the prospect of Kindergarten! It's bittersweet for me. I guess it will be just me and Con-Man after that. The house will be too quiet without y'all here. You are having a great time at KDO. You are the big man on campus this year as you will graduate in the spring. I can tell you have matured a ton since last year...becoming more independent and learning so much. I love checking in on you in your class when you don't know it. You work so hard - like such a big kid. I am so proud of you. You have made some great friends and it has been fun to watch y'all grow together!

Like I said, you are my funny girl. You are always providing us with comic relief. Just today, while driving in the car, you asked me: "What are french fries made out of?" I told you "Potatoes. Just potatoes." Apparently my answer was not sufficient. You replied: "I'll ask Nana...old people know EVERYthing!" Well, thank goodness I'm not old in your eyes yet. Everyday you make me laugh and I look forward to what craziness will come out of your mouth!

I am so excited about your party tomorrow! I know we will have loads of fun! I love you precious angel! And no matter what, you will always be my baby!

Love You,

Mommy

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!