the week in review

Monday- a.c. fixed only $217 (builder paid for half), 46 loads of laundry (a little exaggeration), Doug painted the kid's bathroom poolside blue. Found out I will be teaching a.m. Kinder at our new neighborhood school-Yeah! I get to be w/ my kids again next year!

Tuesday- Chris arose at 6:30 wondering how many hours until his first baseball practice of the season- the child lives for baseball! Practice was canceled due to weather- boo hoo! Stayed at school FOREVER to get ready for the end of the year. Another 46 loads of laundry.

Wednesday- Kindergarten Field Trip to the Zoo and Discovery Center. What an adventure w/ 100 Kindergartners! Luckily no one got lost or hurt! I even got to spend a little time w/ the twins as I had fantastic chaperones. Made 48 cupcakes for the twins b-day bash at school.

Thursday- Meetings all afternoon at school. Kindergarten program- man they are so stinkin' cute. I didn't get to watch the twins much as my class demanded my attention. One of my joy boys really got into the actions on, "We're Going on a Bear Hunt." He fell off the back of the risers. He was screaming so loud you could not hear the other 99 kiddos singing. However, he got right back up there and sang his lungs out. I must say Cassi was the cutest Ole dancer I have ever seen.

Friday- Long a.m. at school! Came home and watched a friend's kiddo for a few hours. The twins thought it was so cool to babysit until I had to change the nasty diaper. Then off to the mall to get the man some new duds. I then begged the fam to stop at Costco as we are out of everything! Home by 8- kind of nice to all be under one roof!

The weekend- Weather permitting we hope to visit the pool as it opened today. My preacher boy is preaching so we will be supporting him in at least one service. BBQing w/ friends, twins have a b-day party to attend, hopefully continuing all these painting projects we need to finish, plant flowers, and whatever else we can cram into a 3 day weekend!

it's gettin' HOT in here

thursday night we decided to fire up the a.c., and when doug and i headed upstairs to bed we noticed it wasn't so cool up there. after a little examining (by doug) we turned it off and opened the windows. on friday a.m. doug ran to lowe's to get new filters to see if that might be the problem....no luck! when i got home from school around 1 p.m. it was still HOT!
so i decided to call my friend mr. a.c. man. we are close friends as he has been here at least 5 times. you see this is not the first time we have had trouble w/ our a.c. the company that put it in has gone out of business, and another company took over our warranty work after that.
mr. a.c. was nice enough to stop by on his way home on friday night. he said it wasn't a quick fix, and he would be back on monday. he also said he was going to check into our warranty, and that our unit was a piece of crap! he thought it would be @ least $500!
so, all that to say that we are a little HOT and bothered around here! our house is not even 2 years old.

my mom

my mom is truly an amazing woman. i am truly blessed by God to be able to call her mother. when i read proverbs 31 she truly displays all of those attributes. if there is anyone that i could be like it would be her. i am not the only that feels this way... the other night while doing devotions we asked our kids who they would like to be like when they grow up? cassi said, g-ma kiki, and for the record chris said papa (you're not so bad yourself dad).
my mom has made so many sacrifices for me. she is an incredibly hard worker. in fact, there are times that i have trouble keeping up with her. she is definitely not a person to sit around.
she is the most generous person that i have EVER met. she is constantly doing things for her family and others around her. there is not a selfish bone in her body.
she is incredibly hospitable. she always has people in her home for meals, or to stay the night. people rave about her food. she amazes me how she can whip up a gourmet meal in no time flat. she definitely gives martha stewart a run for her money.
there has never been a doubt in my mind that my mom does not love her family fiercely. she truly displays this in word and deed. she has been our prayer warrior, our cheer leader, the shoulder we needed to cry on, our encourager, and in my younger years she gave me the discipline i needed. even now she gives me her opinions (when consulted) in a loving way. she has always made being a mom look like the easiest job ever! sometimes i wonder what i am doing wrong? it doesn't come so easy for me (not that i don't love it!) she loves my husband and children in a way that i never could of thought possible. i am so thankful for influence on our family's life.
the part that i love about my mom the most is that she loves and fears the Lord. her life has not always been a cake walk, but she has always remained faithful to the Lord. many have come to Christ because of His evidence in her life. one of those people is me, and for that i am eternally thankful.
i am so looking forward to this weekend to have a little time w/ her. we are going to beth moore together. she has never been, and i am so excited to be able to be able to take her.

a shocking day

let me just tell you there is never a dull moment in kindergarten. i thought i had seen it all the day one of my boys urinated in the field at recess. well, let's just say i was speechless today. i had a parent volunteer helping out, and she had brought in her younger son. he did wonderful the first 1.5 hours, but after the class went to recess and computers he got a little bored. his mother thought he was coloring on one of my easels. all of a sudden sparks started flying everywhere! then came the cry!
long story short he is fine. my scissors-now that is another story. about a half inch of them was melted into nothing. i also have a huge black mark on the outlet and wall around it.
i can't wait to see what happens tomorrow. i am sure it will be exciting as my class is practicing eating lunch in the cafeteria for next year when they will be big first graders.

Mother's Day Weekend

We had such a fun weekend in baker w/ my family, of course it would of been much better if Douglas could of made the trek w/ us! The main reason for our trip was for my sister's baby shower. She is expecting a boy on June 23rd. The whole family is absolutely crazy about this baby coming. This is our first baby-so we are all a little anxious.
Friday- We packed up the car, picked up Trev early from school, and began our 2 hour journey. We met my family at the baseball field and were able to see my younger brother play. After the game we all headed to eat dinner at my parent's house. My sis and brother in law finally arrived around 8 p.m. I was so excited to see her, as i have not seen her since January. She is the cutest pregnant woman I have ever seen. She looks like she has a basketball popping out under her shirt.
Saturday- We all made breakfast together, and then the girls headed out for a walk (mom, sis, sis-in-law, and me). Upon returning we all prepared for my sis' shower. We had a wonderful time at the shower. It was so fun to be w/ all the women that I love and admire so much. I am so excited for my sis- she is going to be an AWESOME mom! After the shower we went to my parent's house for a bit, and then went back to the ball field for another game. After the game we all enjoyed dinner together.
Sunday-The kids and I headed back home when they all went to church. I came home to a clean house, and a basket full of goodies and gift certificates. I also got a new potholder-Trev, and various other handmade treasures. I was definitely spoiled. I took a walk by myself, and then we took a bike ride as a family. Doug made homemade pizza for us and some extra special friends. It was a great Mother's Day!
I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family! My kids have the absolute best time in Baker. They really should be farm kids. They had a great time 4-wheeling, biking, collecting eggs, helping Papa move sprinklers, and of course Christopher's all time favorite throwing rocks in the pond. There is not a dull moment on a farm! I would post photos, but I left my camera in Baker!

Happy B-day My Dear Sweet Cassi and Chris!

I can't believe you two are seven today! You are growing up so fast I can't even keep up with you! I thank God everyday that he picked me to be your Mommy! You both add so much love and excitement to my life. I have loved every minute of being in Kindergarten with you both this year! I am so proud of how well you are both doing. You make me so proud!

Cassi
You are definitely my firecracker! Thanks for always keeping me on my toes. I love the fact that you are such a girly-girl! You are right, toenails should have polish on them at all times, and no outfit is complete w/ out some accessory. I also love that you can get dirtier than the boys in no time flat. It is so rare that some bug or creepy creature escapes you. You definitely have a tomboy streak in all of that pink!
I love that you don't know a stranger. Thank you for always making everyone around you feel special and loved. You definitely know how to melt my heart, and pretty much everyone that you come in contact with.
Thank you for being Mommy's awesome helper! I can't wait to help you out when you start your own cooking show, "Cooking with Cassi." I promise I will be your biggest fan!
I love you more than you could ever imagine my precious little princess! Happy B-day!

Chris
What is not to love about you my little man? All the way from your extremely soft and freckled cheeks to your little hop in your step. I don't think anything quite melts my heart faster than that killer smile of yours. Yeah- it works little man just show me your pearly whites, and your wish is my command (just don't tell your dad).
I love that you are so determined to accomplish whatever you set your mind to. I love the fact that you never give up. You have such a tender heart for others, and are so sensitive to their needs. I appreciate that you are always so kind to your brother and sister. Thank you for putting others wants and needs before your own.
I love to watch you run and play. You are an amazing athlete, and I can't wait to watch you for many years to come! Baseball season is right around the corner- Yeah!
Thank you for always helping me even when I don't ask you to. I love you with all of my heart and then some. I hope that you have the best b-day ever!