New Year, New School

Well, the girls went back to school today after a very long summer break! They were a little apprehensive about starting a new school, but after they met their teachers the other night, they were both eager and ready to go! It was also a first for me to walk them to school and walk them home. It was wonderful. It was so great to have a relaxed week in preparation for a new year rather than a completely hectic one as I am usually preparing my classroom for a new group of students. They both had a super first day, and are already looking forward to tomorrow! I am so thankful for the great schools in our area, and for kids that LOVE to learn. It makes the school experience so much easier on the mom. I tried to take a picture of the girls together, but of course, Lincoln did not want to be left out.

Skylar ready to go to 2nd grade with no hesitation at all!

Londyn ready for 1st grade, but a little less confident about her new adventure, but I'm sure she'll come around.

MO State Fair

The girls and I spent our last weekend before school started in Missouri visiting my parents. We had made plans earlier in the summer to come back for the fair since school started so much later this year. Kevin and Lincoln were supposed to come too, but due to his car breaking down and some work he needed to get done, they weren't able to come. Not that I wouldn't have loved for them to be wtih us, it was really niced spending the weekend with my girls and my parents. Friday night, my mom made me and my sister-in-law, Kesha, dinner for our birthday and some delicious desserts. Then, Saturday we headed to the fair. The fair was great, but my favorite part is riding in the car visiting with my mom and dad. If you don't know this about me, you do now. There is nothing I love more than a good conversation, and there is no better place than when everyone is trapped in a vehicle. There's no way out. When we were growing up, and would drive from town to town to and from sporting events, I always loved the car conversation. Anyway, I've digressed...back to the fair. The girls visited Otto, the talking car. They were their shy selves, and didn't say much. They stopped for a photo opp with the Mizzou Tiger, rode a camel, visited the livestock, and of course had a snack break or two. They had a little bit of their own money so they bought a slush cup from an infomercial type booth. (it starts young apparently) Last, but not least, we watched the Vocal Trash concert, and I must say I was quite impressed. They were talented, energetic, and unique. Overall, it was a great weekend! It was a perfectly relaxing way to spend the weekend before the big back to school week!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy!

On August 16th, I may have had a birthday. I may have turned 32 years old. I may have gotten a cookie cake decorated by a 7 year old. I may have had the three cutest kids in the world sing me happy birthday. My mom may have also made me (and my sister-in-law) a cake and a pie for my birthday. I may have the best friends and family that gave me the best gifts a 32 year old can ask for. So far, 32 isn't too bad!

I'm Big and I Can Do It Myself

Lincoln has grown into quite the brave little toddler. He loves playing outside at the playground and jumping off of anything! He's not afraid of too much when it comes to playing around, but is aware of his surroundings....most of the time. He definitely keeps us entertained and keeps us moving. I love his age right now, and am trying to treasure the moments of watching him explore and learn so many new things every day.

Some Days....

...just make your heart happy. That was yesterday for me. It didn't go without a little frustration, but overall, a really wonderful day. We didn't do much. We had to be out of the house through lunch, so we got up early, went to get a donut and headed to the park. Then, we went to the mall with no specific objective, but walked around, rode the carousel (which was a first at the mall for my kids), the girls tried on a few clothes, and we had lunch. When we got home, Lincoln took a nice long nap, and I layed down thinking I would rest for 20 minutes, and took a long nap as well. The weather all day was perfect, so when we woke up, we played out in the backyard a little, I actually fixed a real dinner (roast, potatoes, corn on the cob, and cornbread) that everyone ate without complaint. After dinner we wanted to continue to take advantage of the beautiful evening, so we went to have a sno cone at Josh's (we've only been twice this summer b/c we've been gone so much, so it was long overdue) and headed back to the park. The kids played on the playground and wandered near the water looking for minnows and frogs. Kevin and I relaxed a little, and played a little. It was a nice balance. Obviously, we didn't do anything extraordinary, but it was nice not having anything that HAD to get done, and having no obligation to be anywhere. We could just go with the flow, and do whatever we felt like at the moment. It was relaxing and peaceful. Days like this are far and few between for me. I feel like I'm always making plans, scheduling things, jumping from one activity to the next. It's hard for me to just do whatever. However, I think I'm getting better:) I just want to make sure I don't forget how much I love the simple things, and just spending time doing nothing but being together. In my book, a good day at home beats beaches and Disneyland any day!

Let Me See

So, at our house, the girls put on a lot of "shows", and one of Lincoln's favorite phrases is "Mommy Watch!" Shows are generally a lot of gymnastic sort of things mixed in with a little dancing here and there, and Lincoln likes me to watch anything from him jumping to eating. Lincoln also thinks he is big enough to do everything his big sisters do. While I was out one evening, Kevin and the kids played with the camera and taped themselves. There's really not too much to this video, but Lincoln demonstrates his rolling abilities, and then they all run to the camera wanting to see.

Family Pics

Well, again, if you are my facebook friend, this is a bit of a repeat, but I thought I needed an update over here, and the posts I'm brewing in my head take more time than I have to write at the moment, so once again, here are some of our family shots taken by Sara. I believe we probably take more family pictures than most normal families, but someday my children will be thankful, right? Anyway, we're still going strong, and it is still HOT, HOT, HOT here in OK! We're still enjoying every minute of summer, but are also excited about getting back to school! Life is good, and I am so enjoying being able to spend the last days of summer having fun with the kids without the stress of getting a classroom ready. I love teaching, but I love the lack of stress that I am currently feeling as summer comes to a close.

10 Years of Marital Bliss...

Okay, so you know if you've ever read this blog that the heading to this post may not actually be true. In fact, I'm not sure I believe that it's even possible. I do, however know that I have spent the last 10 years learning a lot, have been incredibly blessed, and there is not a thing in the world I would change about how things have played out in my life. Next to my relationship with God, there is nothing I value more than my marriage and family relationships. I know that even when you are purposeful and intentional in developing these relationships that it's always hard, that it will always take time, and that it is so easy for life to get in the way. I also know that it's worth it. I am grateful for a husband that loves God, puts up with me, and is a great father to our children. I am thankful that he accepts criticism w/out being defensive, and works to improve himself. (It's been ten years, I think he'll be ready to graduate basic training in about another five.) I am thankful that he listens and strives to make me happy. This post is getting a little sappy, and if I go on, there would just be lots of rambling that doesn't make sense, there could possibly be tears, so I'm going to stop here and just say HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I'm looking forward to the next 10 or 20... Yes, I know I just posted this collage the post before last and that it's not even that good, but I'm in a bit of a hurry, and I'm not sure I have anything better to post anyway.

The Kids...

I'm not quite sure how it is the middle of summer, I am not working a real job, and the kids are not involved in any activities that I still feel like I don't have any time. I guess that must mean that my time is filled doing wonderful things that I love, right? Anyway, since we've been back from our travels, we enjoyed a few days of VBS last week, and have just spent time catching up around the house. It's pretty much too hot to do anything outside unless you are in the water. In case you are not from Oklahoma and you aren't up on the forecast, it's supposed to be like 115degrees today. I honestly didn't even know that was possible. We only have a few weeks left before we head back to school, so hopefully we can squeeze in a few more of our favorite summer time activities. It has been great to be home and spend some quality time with my crazy kids.

While we were in MO, I had Sara take some pictures for us. I loved these flag pictures, I thought they were super creative. I am still kicking myself for not dressing them in something that coordinated, but I still love them. Thanks Sara! If you are my friend on facebook, I know these are a repeat, but I really haven't been taking too many pictures of the kids lately, so this is what I've got for now.