Thursday, April 30, 2009

Outside time

My kids are well balanced when it comes to play time. Sometimes they like to stay in front of the TV. Sometimes they like to create art all day. Sometimes they like to play in the playroom and destroy its contents. But their favorite place is...outside on the play fort. You can't even imagine some of the things they come up with to play. Funny thing is, they hardly ever go up to the top part of the fort. As a kid, I would have loved to have had a place like that to play. But they rarely use that part of the play set. The do a lot of swinging. If you ask Mallory what her favorite part of the day is, she will mostly say "swinging". Mason uses it as a jail, rescue center, battleship, and most anything else.

These are pictures of them playing around a few days ago. Notice how Mallory is sitting in the swings. She did this all by herself.




I think Mason was telling her how to do it!





Look at those skills!



Run, Mallory, Run!

Fun stuff

Mason has been playing soccer with the Upward program at church. They don't keep score and everyone gets to play. Mason's coach, Mark Dennard, is really good with the kids. He has three boys on the team that are just as high energy as Mason. I'm not sure how he keeps it together during practice. This is a picture of Mason in his uniform. Doesn't he look handsome? Its a good color on him.



The preschool had Farm Day a few weeks ago. The kids had a great time. I had my camera because our classes were with the animals at the same time. However, I only got a few shots in before my batteries gave out. Mallory really had a great time brushing the animals. The animals were really good with the kids. They had pigs, a pony, some bunnies, goats, sheep, and a couple of chickens. They kids had the best time chasing the chickens and roosters around the pin.



Saturday, April 25, 2009

Lots of love

I just had to make this post before I went to bed this evening. I have been so blessed today.

1) My children got up happy and hungry this morning. They went to the soccer game and played so hard. Mason got the "Best Sportsmanship" award for helping out a child from the opposing team, that had fallen down. I was so proud!

2) My mom, God love her, agreed to take my children for the day and let them spend the night. She does this more often that she really should, but I am very grateful to have her help. She met me in Atlanta, made Mallory's birthday invitations, took the kids to a birthday party for me, fed them dinner, and is keeping them until tomorrow afternoon. I love my mom for all that she does for me, and all that she is to me. I don't know what I'd do without her.

3) My best friend, Sandy, spent all day listening to me talk. We drove all the way to Kennesaw to shop, eat, and shop some more. She listens so well, and laughs at my stories. I love her and how she keeps me grounded.

4) My husband bought me a treadmill tonight. I have been begging for one for the last few months, and I finally got him to the store. I picked out one, and he said I needed to spend more money and get the good one. I was so excited! I can't wait to use it!

5)Lastly, we had dinner tonight with some of the best people God put on this Earth. They love God, they love us, and they love to eat! What more can you ask for in friends?

Thank you God for all the blessings today!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Sweet Abbigale

...Not to be out done by her brother. I had Mallory's teacher conference this week. I was a little nervous (not because it was her teacher), but because she doesn't seem interested in "learning" from me. Not her letters, numbers, reading, anything. So, I wondered how much she really knew, because I knew I'd get a better picture from her teacher.

She's doing great!!! Her cutting and writing skills are great. She knows most of her letters and most of those sounds. She knew all of her colors and all but one of her shapes (who needs a rectangle!). She still needs work on recognizing her numbers, but atleast its better than I thought!

Ah...to be blessed with two happy, funny, healthy, and smart children is all a mother could hope for.

I also have been spending more one-on-one time with Mallory over the last few weeks. Since Mason's schedule is a little different than ours, she and I have some down time in the mornings after we drop him off at school. We put on make-up, talk about her toys, read, write notes to each other, and plan our afternoon activities. She's just like a little "me". Its so funny to see her catching up to Mason and how talkative she can be. She really loves putting make-up on, so that is the high-light of her morning. My sweet little girl! I love her dearly.

Thank you, God, for the blessing you give me. For the sweet children to raise, and a wonderful home to raise them in. Amen.

Mason's progress

Over the last few weeks, we've definitely noticed a transformation in our oldest child, Mason. Just before Easter, he was doing much better than before, but still giving us a hard time over just about anything. After Spring Break, he seemed to be a different kid. He uses his manners, he's excited about going to school, he loves his reading, he doesn't complain or whine much about doing things he's asked to do. Really, its like having a different child.

Ms. Roberts and I have been talking this week about his attitude and how we aren't experiencing the disrespectfulness that we had become used to in Mason. He's just easy-going. So today, Ms. Roberts couldn't say enough good things about his behavior and demeanor. She said if he kept it up he would be her best student of the year! I was so proud, and you could tell by Mason's face that he was really proud of himself.

He got a new book today. I could tell that it was going to be harder than the books we'd had over the last few weeks. He's completing the K4 classwork and is getting ready to move on to the K5 work. So everything is getting a little harder.

The book was about the difference in the short and long sounds of the vowels. He seemed to really struggle with the difference, but he never got frustrated. I think I was more frustrated than him. He would get a few in a row, and then we'd turn the page. It was as if we'd not read the page before, and gone over every vowel. But it was his first time even looking at the words in this book. All in all, he did very well.

I'm really proud of him and the little man he's becoming. I've always known he was bright and had a big future ahead of him. I know he can do it!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Easter pictures of the children at Mom and Dad's house on Easter Sunday afternoon. We had such a good time. Enjoy!



The Easter bunny came to GeeGee's house too!



Thanks, Easter bunny!



Here they come!



Nanny & Papa show Mallory where to find the eggs!



Show us your loot!!!

A day in the life

I really do have a really nice life.

I get the reward of staying home with my children every day. While there are those days that I'd like to string them up by their toes, most days are a joy.

I have a part-time job that allows me a little extra cash, and I get to spend four hours with my best girl friend. Did I mention that my other best girl friend is my daughter's teacher?

I get to come home in the afternoon and (on most days) my children are quiet enough to let me take a small nap. Its the only thing that gets me through the days. I'm addicted!

I have enough money in the bank to feed my family, keep a roof over our heads, and provide all the things our children may need. These days, thats really a blessing.

I have a church family that loves my children as much as I do. They know my name and what I believe in. The preacher would be able to preach for my funeral without having to ask my husband for information about me.

And speaking of my husband...he drives me crazy most of the time, but in the end, he's mine and I love him. He's going through unbelieveable times right now with the shop and his dad. He's everybody's everbody, and its quickly wearing on him. Yet, he still puts up with my mood swings and my whining. Please pray for him.

Yes, my life is a good one. I love all of those that surround me, and all of those that fill my life with good memories. Thanks to all of you!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

My life duties....

When you become a stay-at-home-mom, you're life seems to revolve around your children. I wanted this for myself from the first time I found out I was pregnant with Mason. I didn't really want to return to work, but I had to. When I found out I was pregnant with Mallory, I made up my mind that I would not be in the full-time workforce...Long story short, I stayed home a while, went back to work a while, and quit 12 months later. I've been home two years in July, and my how time flies. I love being at home, and doing things with my kids. But I do sometimes miss my "outside" life. Don't get me wrong, I love my job as a mom. But I got to a point where I did the same chores (and I do mean chores) every day. Laundry, dishes, making beds, cleaning, laundry, dinner, lunch, breakfast, snacks, etc. You get the picture.

I know that I'm a people-person and that I can't be at home for days on end without seeing the outside world. So when the need arose at the church for a Nursery Director, I jumped on it. I was so excited to have something to do outside of home. Well, its been three years, and I've conquered the job of Nursery Director. I've grown and nurtured it over these last few years.

I've been approach to have someone else take on the position. I'm not sure yet in what capacity they want to function in the job, but I've decided to let them take it on. I officially gave my notice last night. I'm excited about the new possiblities! Or maybe just a chance to sit in church and worship, without worrying about who is working in the nursery!

Masonisms....

This morning on the way in to school, Mason was sharing a little of his growing knowledge about nouns and how they sometimes change sounds. He says (from the back of the van), "Mom, if you have one mouse, it is a mouse. If you have more than one, they are mice." I responded, "You are so smart!" So in turn, I say, "If you have one goose, it is a goose. If you have more than one, it is a....???" He says, "Geese!". I applaude and believe that the conversation is finished. Mason replies quickly, "Mom, if you have one crab, they are crabs. If you have more than one, they are lobster!"
I laughed so hard I almost wrecked the car. That boy!! He's so funny!

Monday, April 13, 2009



Mason helped Mallory find all the eggs!


Look at my loot! Doesn't she look cute?


Mallory had her Easter egg hunt on April 3rd. (Yes, I know I'm just now posting it!) Mom came and brought Mason so they could hunt together. She was so cute with her ears and her basket. Then we had a picnic snack time on the front steps of the church.

Last week was our Spring Break. We didn't do much. Mason went back to school on Monday. I kept him out of school on Tuesday (it was cold and I didn't want to get out of bed). Then we went to my mom's on Thursday to get Mallory's Easter dress. We spent the night to have some quality "GeeGee and PeePee" time. That was about the extent of our Spring Break.

Saturday was crazy. We got up early to work in the garage to get ready for Spring Fling. It is this coming Saturday and Christian still wants to paint the garage before everyone comes. Sandy called about 9:30 to say they needed to go to the hospital and needed emergency babysitting. So we had Adam and Amanda by 10:45. I picked up a pizza, went to Lowes and got back home in time to shower and dress Mason for a birthday party at 2:00.

On top of it all, DeLynne and her family were coming over for dinner Saturday night at 6:30. Thankfully I'd decided to make the slow-cooked BBQ, so dinner was just about ready when I got back from the party. I invited Sandy and Gene to stay for dinner, so we ended up with a good crowd. We were exhausted!!!!

But the garage still didn't get painted.


Sunday was church for Easter. Need I say anything more. The Praise Team sang twice, the choir sang, the children sang, and I sang a solo. By the end of the morning, I just wanted to crawl in a closet somewhere. It was good, though. It was a lot of hard work and practice, but everything came out smooth.

We had egg hunting at my mom's and a great feast of a dinner. Thanks mom!!!!!! I even got to take an uninterrupted nap! Yippee!!!! I'll post some pictures of that hunt when I get some from mom.

Monday, April 6, 2009

I miss you...

I've missed posting on my blog. I forget, go to bed, do laundry, or other chores. Posting always seems to come last. Here it goes. We've just been busy!

Mason scored his first soccer goal on Friday night. He was so excited, he ran into the goal post. It left a scratch and a small bruise. He didn't mind.

We went to my sister's house on Saturday. It was her 30th birthday! Ugh! I'm getting old! It was a day filled with fishing, cooking out, hanging out, and cute presents. Did I mention there was lots of food?????? Mason and my cousin, Zach, were playing in the house. Mason was swinging on Zach's forearm when he fell on the hardwood floor. Right on his nose! Blood started gushing from everywhere and Mason was panicked because he was bleeding. But I think Zach was the most upset. I was certain that he was going to pass out at any moment. We got Mason settled down but Zach seemed to be certain that I was going to call the police. He doesn't have any kids, so I know it must have scared him. It didn't take long and Mason was back to the lake for more fishing. The kids had a great time. Mallory spent most of the day right with her dad at the lake-side. She picked up worms, cast the reel and relished her quiet time with daddy.

Sunday was church, church, and more church. The kids heard us talking during practice this morning about the Lord's Supper. It was planned today for Palm Sunday. Mason had lots of questions about the event, so I asked them if they would like to participate. They quickly took me up on the offer to be in "big church". We quietly slipped into the sacturary just as the Supper was starting. Mallory leaned over and asked, "Is it starting?". I answered, "Yes.". She replied, "Good. I'm starving!" I think she thought it would be a full-blown meal. Boy, was she disappointed. I was good, however, to have them experience this event. It led to lots of questions that were difficult to answer for a 5 year old. He can ask some tough questions.

Well, Mason is back to school tomorrow. Mallory and I start our Spring Break. I promise to do better on my postings this week. Maybe I'll get a little caught up.

Covington, Ga time