A New Year

It's been a year since I've updated this blog. Oh, what a year it's been. I wish I could say that in a positive way, but no. The good news is that starting October 1st, it's going to be a brand new year. At least for me. Lots of things have changed... some good, some not so good. I'm excited to put this last year behind me and move forward. I learned a lot about myself over the past 12 months. Most of it was not so good. But that's okay because with pain comes healing and new beginnings. Maybe I will update this blog more frequently. It's hard to say. It is my goal to post pictures and tell funny antidotes again. To those of you that keep coming back in spite of the lack of updates... thanks. I am happy to say that the children are thriving and doing well. They always amaze me and uplift me in ways that leave me speechless. Children are such a gift and we are so fortunate.

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer". - Albert Camus

Labor Day Weekend!

I'm so behind on blogging! I have no excuses!

We went to Bear Paw, NC for Labor Day! It was fun, but a little cold.

Some of us, and I'm not naming any names, did not enjoy the scenery, but spent their time reading Harry Potter.

Our beautiful girl!

We rode on the pontoon (we won't talk about when it broke down...).

Tim helped us practice diving skills.

How many people does it take to drop an anchor?

It was a short, but fun weekend!

Princess Cows...

And more princess fun continues...

We went to Princess night at Chick Fil A. It was chaotic, it was loud, it was FUN! There was Prince Charming, many different princesses, and a princess cow. What more fun is there? (Brady and Christian were not enthused to be attending this celebration).

Here is Princess Leah and her cousin Snow White Sarah Beth...

Prince Charming was there to take pictures with...

This princess said she was Sleeping Beauty..

And finally..what can you say about this? It was fascinating and disturbing all at the same time...

And we all lived happily ever after...

Princess for a Day!

Wow! Time flies when you've been locked out of your blog for a week! Hello? Blogger? Why did you lock me out and make me request my password 50 times? And why was I locked out in the first place when the password I was using all along was actually correct? And why didn't you send me my password? Customer service...are you there?

But I digress...

Today was Castle Feast Day in 1st grade. After studying fairy tales for a few weeks, the class celebrated with a party. Everyone dressed up in their favorite fairy tale costume and had a party.

When I asked Leah last week what type of costume she wanted for this party, she stated, "Sleeping Beauty". I was a little surprised at this because I've never read this story to her and she's never seen the movie. So I thought, hmmm... it's nowhere near Halloween...where would I find a costume to fit her? And did I really want to put forth the effort to obtain this specific costume when I could just piece something together? I thought about it...then decided that I did, in fact, want to put forth the effort. I mean, the girl wore a hand me down ghost costume for Halloween last year and was so happy and didn't complain. She deserves a princess costume! So, off I went...

First I went to Walmart. Um, no. Then I went to Toys R Us.. um, no. That's the extent of the Rome stores. So, when I was in Atlanta I looked for a costume. And dangling earrings. And crowns. And shoes.. and jewelry... I had way too much fun shopping.

So, today, we got up extra early, curled her hair, put makeup on and generally just made her look beautiful. My goal was for her to look like and feel like a princess. I think it worked. She tells me that she was the only one that wore her costume ALL DAY. She says she refused to take it off. She seemed genuinely thrilled with her costume and she was SO appreciative. That made me really happy. Here are some pictures of her this morning at home before she left...

Diving!

Yes! After 20 plus years and almost constant nagging by my father and Tim... I have decided to attempt to get certified to dive. And I'm taking my first born child with me...

I'm cautiously optimistic that this may happen. I tend to be high maintenance in situations like this so we'll have to see. The instructor says that Brady is a "natural". He did not say that about me. Big shock. You mean breathing underwater is not natural? Really? But are we really surprised that Brady can do this well? Those children spend more time under the water than above it. I bet Christian has gills now. Hopefully, we will take the class in October. This has always been something that I have wanted to do, so I hope I can make it happen.

Wish us luck!

School Days!

Hi! It's been forever.. I know. But school has started... not just for the kids, but for me too! I've now been at my new job for an entire week. What can I say? I'm tired...that's what I can say! Whew! It's tough! Definitely going to take some adjustments. But I do have some things to say before I go collapse and take a nap...

I attended an Early Literacy workshop last week. This was an amazing experience and totally out of my comfort zone. I learned SO much and now I want to be a teacher... ha ha! Stop laughing! I could do it... Anyway, I came home and quizzed Leah. I couldn't help it.. there was all this research and things that she should know by 1st grade and I had to know if she was on target. Of course she was right where she needs to be. I also learned what the optimal learning environment is for a small child. This brought me to a new revelation. Leah had the perfect Kindergarten experience. Now, I know I've gushed about it before, but now I have scientific research to back me up! It was amazing. All of those projects that I didn't understand why Mrs. Niedrach did (not that I have doubted that they had a purpose)... now I know exactly why they are done. Incredible! I wish I had this information last year and I could have been more appreciative and involved at home. Sigh.. hindsight is 20/20.

The children started school on Friday. Everyone seems to have had a good day. Leah was super nervous that morning. She said repeatedly that her stomach "felt funny". I have not seen her like that since she was about 3 years old. It was a little upsetting for me because I couldn't take her to school and I felt so bad that I wouldn't be there for her. Welcome to full time employment. Christian and Brady also had a good day, although Christian says that his nose started bleeding at school. He says it happens when he's "nervous". Really? It did bleed that morning before he left, so maybe. It's just funny to think that these children are nervous. They are usually so outgoing and happy. Brady didn't seem nervous at all. I hope he enjoys 6th grade more than he did 5th grade.

Well, that's all for now. I must go nap. I'm super tired today. I'll leave you with back to school pictures! All the children picked out their own back to school outfits. Very nice. I can already tell that Leah is going to have some wild taste.

My big girl is in First Grade! Here she is showing off her new backpack...

All three posing for a first day of school picture!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words...

What is up with these waves? Hello, Scot... you should stop taking pictures and come save your drowning wife...

And your drowning son...

Brady: "Help me Mom!"

Me: "Sorry Brady, I have my own problems!"

Go Scot go!

Watch out Brady!

Surfin' Christian!