I'm still here!

We have really been busy over the last few days. The kids are settled into school and loving it. Luke and I are still working on getting a routine down without Jordan and Claire at home. I have been babysitting during the summer on Tuesday and Thursday. Once preschool starts for her, I will be keeping her on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So I think once that starts, we should be able to establish more of a routine.

The kids and I have been struggling with sinus issues. I got an antibiotic last Thursday that did NOTHING to help. So they called me in something different today. Luke went to the doctor this morning and he has double ear infections. Jordan and Claire, while sounding terrible, are not contagious. I asked their doctor if they could PLEASE go to school. I really needed the rest. Luke took a really long nap. Pretty nice.

My mom had double knee replacement surgery today. There were some concerns with her heart last week, but she had several tests done and was cleared for surgery. They said everything went very well. She will be in the hospital for a couple of days and then will move to a rehab facility for about a week. Then she will be home. I see a lot of trips to Nashville in my future. Anyway, she is doing well. I am going to see her tomorrow after the kids get out of school. Thanks to my wonderful husband who is coming home when they get out!

Stephen and I will celebrate our tenth anniversary on Thursday. Funny that we both have other plans :-) Not sure how that happened, but I can't remember the last time we actually celebrated on the day of. It is uaually the weekend before or after. Anyway, I can't believe it's been ten amazing years. I couldn't ask for anything more. I have the husband of my dreams and he has given me the family of my dreams. Not to mention I get to stay home with them which was the job of my dreams. I am truly blessed beyond words. Thank you God for blessing me more than I ever imagined possible. I have an amazing husband, wonderful kids, a family who loves me more than I deserve, friends who love me more than I deserve, an amazing church family. Who could ask for anything more?

Like I have said before, "My cup runneth over."

Last few days

This was how our first day of Kindergarten started. She had been really excited and then as we started for the car, she got this look on her face that said,"I am not sure if I really want to go to school."













This was how Claire's first day ended. She ended up loving it!







This was taken at Mellow Mushroom. They have awesome food for those of you in M'boro. Anyway, Luke was quite upset when he had to get out of the bus. It was pretty funny.








This was taken at Stephen's mom's house. His grandfather and his wife were here for the weekend so we spent a lot of time with them.

Another day

Wow, what a morning. Luke woke up about 4:15 and was wide awake. Stephen was already up and Jordan was in the bed with me. Well, I tried to let Luke lay down with me, but since Jordan was there, he just wanted to play. He kept putting his feet on Jordan and "talking"to him. It was pretty funny now that I look back; it was NOT funny at the time. So, I got up and took him to Stephen about 4:45. Well, that didn't work either. And Stephen had to get ready for work, so we just all got up at 5:00. Nice. Luke actually fell back to sleep in the recliner with me, so we both took another nap, but I know I will be feeling it at about 1:00. Oh well. Comes with the job I guess. As I was sitting in the chair holding Luke, I decided to not be too mad about him waking me up to hold him. What more could a mother want but to be unconditionally loved by her baby? Anyway, it was pretty sweet.

Claire ended up having a great day at school. She was talking 90 miles a minute when I picked her up. She told me everything about her day and can't wait for her first full day tomorrow. Luke and I are pretty excited, too!

We had some major discipline issues with Jordan last night. He didn't even get to go to church. Stephen stayed home with him to get him to bed on time. I had to go ecause I teach the 4yr olds. Every other Tuesday, our Bible study group meets from 6:30-8:00, so they don't get to bed until at least 8:30. Their normal bed time is 7:30, so that makes for a pretty rough Wednesday. Next Bible study, we are going to see how it works if we meet at 6:00. I know it will probably help with the issues with Jordan. He just can't stay up late two nights in a row. And I hate making him stay home from church, because I want him to know that is a priority for us. But last night there just wasn't another option. Anyway, he seemed fine this morning.

Don't forget to count your blessings today. "My cup runneth over." Have a great day everyone.

First day of school!

Well, Claire started school today, but it didn't go anything like I thought it would. Luke woke me up at 6:00, which was good, but then we both fell back asleep on the couch till 7:00, which was not good. So we were kind of rushed. We still made it on time, but it was close.

Claire has been so excited about school and being in Mrs. Bargatze's class that I thought it would be a breeze, but I actually left her screaming. Not sure why she didn't want to go, but she didn't. I finally told Mrs. Bargatze to just take her and I had to make a fast getaway. Anyway, they haven't called me, so I guess she is okay. She never does that, so I am not sure why she did it today, but I know that once we get into the swing of things, it will go much better. She loves school and the idea of being big is really fun. I told her if she does well today that I would take her to get ice cream after I pick her up.

I took a few pictures and will post those later. Have a good day everybody!

Yikes!

Boy does time fly. Jordan, my oldest son, started first grade last week. I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. He is such a sweet child. He loves reading, playing with Luke and Claire, swimming, being with his friends. He is so smart. I love being around him. I couldn't have asked for a better first child. I love him so much. Claire starts Kindergarten next week, so I will let you know how that goes.

Stephen really wants this picture on the blog, so I thought I would put it here, since I am talking about Jordan. He also loves to boogie board! Have a great day everyone!

Long time, no blogging

Hey everyone. Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. Luke has some sort of illness and has been extremely clingy the last few days. I actually have a lot on my mind and would love to get some opinions, but I don't have time to write about it right now.

But, being the hilarious family that we are, I wanted to share a joke that my 6 yr old, Jordan, made up. And just so you know, he is not allowed to share this joke at school.

Jordan: "What do you call the private part of a duck?"
Me: "What did you just say?"
Jordan:"What do you call the private part of a duck?"
Me: "I don't know, what?"
Jordan:"a booty quack!"

I have laughed till my sides hurt.

Pictures from last week

Our first view of the beach from our balcony.



Luke's first trip to the beach! This was before he realized he didn't like it.





Jordan thought boogie boarding was the most awesome thing ever!






Claire couldn't let her brother out-play her!











This is how we spent our mornings until it was time to go out to the pool/beach. Our kids get up pretty early, so we usually had a couple of hours in the morning to lounge around.








The last night of our vacation-What a way to end the week!














Obviously the kids had a great but tiring week!