Thankful for so many things

Where do you even begin? We ALL have so many things to be thankful for. I started to think of all the simple things I am thankful for and soon realized that there are so many things. The main thing that I have to begin with that I am thankful for is our Savior, without HIM, I am nothing. I think of all of the many trials that we as a family have gone through in 2009, and I realize that without God, we could not have done any of it. Robert and I are reconnecting after many years of disconnect and Travis' health has been much better, Trey is beginning another year of junior high and many other things in our family. As I reflect back on 2009, I see God's hand in all situations. Not always the way I would want it to be, but I can see that God has been faithful to us as a family. As we started 2009 in the hospital with Travis with a broken back, it would have been easy to start that negative thought process of why us, why do we have to deal with this but again, as I reflect, God was faithful in that situation and many others in 2009. I hope that we all can take time to reflect on the many blessings that we have and be thankful for all situations. I once heard someone say that if God told us we can throw all our issues, problems in the street and you could pick another MOST people would pick their own situations because they are yours. I know that we as a family would not have picked this journey as our own, but I know that God is with us on the journey and He is faithful in all situations. Sometimes hard to see and feel but when you stop and reflect you will be thankful for God's provision and faithfulness I am sure of it!

Swine Flu

Well, it is a miracle that only Trey, Robert and I got the flu and Travis did not. He was on tamiflu for 14 days and it seemed to have worked. He came down with an ear infection and a sinus infection but we will take that anyday over the flu. I still have a horrible cough and have heard it can last for weeks. I am so ready for it to go away and I am sure that Robert is too. Thanks so much for all your prayers, emails and phone calls while we were sick. WE are so blessed to have such wonderful friends who support us through this journey called life. Next post will be about something more fun than swine flu YUCK....

Spoke too soon

Trey had the flu earlier in the week and now I have the flu. Please pray for protection for Travis. Pray for some relief for me. This cough is awful. Thanks so much for all the sweet calls and emails. And of course, my mom went and bought me so me some coke zero.

Doing Well

I hate to even type this post for fear of jinxing us. We have stayed very healthy. Both boys have had a minor cold and sinus infection but NO swine flu which is amazing. Our school has only had about 14 cases all spread out and NONE in Travis' class. God is so good. Travis is wearing his mask, complaining everyday about it but wearing it. Pray for me as thoughts can consume me and make me worry about things I cannot control. Already wishing for warmer weather and no swine flu season.

Trey made the A honor roll again as we expected and Travis did as we expected too. God made my boys so vastly different and we try to cherish their differences daily. Robert is still traveling a ton and rearranging schedules weekly to attend fall baseball and football. Basketball is just around the corner and this year Trey will be playing for the junior high school team. Am I old enough to have a junior high school kid?

Will post pictures later but wanted to let everyone know we are doing well. Continue to pray for protection from the flu and other nasty germs. Thanks for checking in on our family.

Happy Birthday Papa Bob

Papa bob was thrilled that the boys told them that it was his birthday..... Ha Trey was proud of himself for letting them know.

Papa Bob had shoulder surgery in March and wanted to be able to play golf again. Not there yet but we went to Top Golf for his birthday and hit golf balls.

Another NORMAL day for Travis

All weekend Travis has been complaining of pain in a lymph node behind his ear. The pain increased over the weekend and fever started. After seeing the Dr yesterday, we headed to children's for a CT scan of the area. No major bone infection was found but we are on oral antibiotics for 48 hours and then will reevaluate to see if IV antibiotics are necessary.

My brother Came to visit

My brother who lives in SF with his wife, came to Texas to speak at a college in SA and on his way back to SF he stopped in Dallas for the weekend. We had a great time. I know he was ready to get back to Rebecca's cooking and to have some rest from two boys who love to play football.

Robert

Most people who know Robert well, will think this is super funny. Robert is very particular about his cars. He keeps them very clean and doesn't like any food or drink spilled in his car. However, it seems no matter what new car he has had it always seems that SOMETHING gets spilled in his car. His new mercedes is NO different. One night after dinner, the boys wanted a treat from sonic so Robert agreed! Travis ordered an OREO sonic Blast. The lady at the window, ( a drive through sonic) handed the blast to Robert without the lid being on and you can imagine what happened. The ENTIRE oreo blast spilled in Robert's lap in the CAR!!! The boys and I laughed so hard. The lady was shocked and not sure what to say so she said would you like some more oreos. We laughed even harder. The picture is Robert getting out of the car. The car is clean but it will never be the same.

Are you READY for some Football?

Travis is playing tackle football this year and it is so hard for me to watch. I look at his little body and cringe everytime it gets hit. He loves football and is excited to play tackle. We will see how it goes when he gets hit in a game situation. UGH....

Patterns

Kindergarten is all about patterns. We learn AB patterns, ABBA patterns etc. so we are just beginning these patterns and I clap out various patterns, use manipulatives, colors etc. On this day I had just finished doing the pattern head, shoulders knee, head shoulders knee and then asked the kids to come up with their own pattern. Several kids did clapping and snapping and then a little boy said I know a pattern. Of course, I called on him and was not prepared for his pattern. He said BOOB BOOB PENIS .... Gotta love kindergarten. I must say that I must have been effective in teaching the pattern because he got it.....

TRAVIS

Afterschool everyday the boys come to my room and wait to go home. Trey is very dilligent and works on homework immediately. Travis on the other hand is bored, hungry, thirsty and complains most of the time. On this day, he got a hold of some smile face stickers and decided to decorate his face. I am sure he will appreciate this picture in years to come. So glad we are paying for private school education, and that this is what he choses to do in his spare time...... ugh TRAVIS!!!!

TOOTH FAIRY strikes again

Only the sixth day of school and I have already pulled one tooth. Last year I pulled 21 teeth and am assuming by all the loose teeth in kindergarten it might be a record year. Kelley will have nothing to do with loose teeth so it looks like that will be my job again this year. My favorite is right afterwards, the kids have such a look of horror but yet are sooooo excited to sign the tooth chart and get a handy dandy tooth case for their tooth. Who wouldn't be excited for that! So if you ever have any loose teeth just come on by and I can pull them for you.... might even let you sign the tooth chart.

Take me OUT to the ballgame

Trey and Travis love any sporting activities and of course they love the Texas Rangers. One HOT saturday night we ventured out to the ballpark in Arlington to see the Rangers play the Rex Sox. The Rangers won and it was an exciting game. Love that the boys follow so much sports. I am such a boy mom!!!

School and MORE School

Of course, I have a student who's dad went to OU and mom went to TECH.. (good woman) and so I must convince her that TECH is the best. We took this picture and sent it to dad the other day. Boomer Sooner appreciated it I am sure of it.

This is my wonderful class. I am so blessed to be a part of their lives. I know that God put each one of them in my path for a specific reason. Love thinking of kindergarten as a new untouched canvas and I as their teacher, get to help them paint a beautiful painting helping them along the way but knowing that in end when we look at the signature at the bottom it will say GOD. I am thrilled for this year as we begin to learn so many things already. Working on short vowels, do you know all your short vowel sounds? I could teach you!!!! Keep reading as I have taken so many pics just need to find time to blog now.... I have so many blog worthy ideas just need to find time to post.

Kindergarten "cuteness"

Kelly and I are starting kindergarten tomorrow so today was our final day to finish our rooms. This is the cleanest our rooms will ever be as tomorrow 13 boys and girls will emerge on the scene. Our theme this year is western and as you can see in the pictures it turned out super cute. Don't you want to be in kindergarten too! Kelley and I tried to take a picture of ourselves. oh well!
Of course you have to have a HOWDY sign if you live in Texas and teach kindergarten!

Our super cute board that says WANTED by GOD and we will take their pictures tomorrow, print them out super duper fast and put them on the wall. Of course they will be wearing a cowboy hat. YEE HAW
Like I said before this is the cleanest my room will ever be. Everything is nice and neat and in it's place.

So this is where my summer went. Thursday book bags. These are themed book bags that have super fun kindergarten stuff in them along with some books that will be checked out on Thursdays and then returned on Monday. Last year I have something similar but this year I went all out. It was a major pain but I know the pay off will be double star wow!
Calendar time, an essential part of kindergarten, we learn to count to 100, learn what day it is today, yesterday and tomorrow. We wiggle teeth, discuss the weather and of course sing wonderful fun songs. Come and join me on the RUG!
More WESTERN gear!
Now if this doesn't make you want to sit down and read a book then I don't know what would...

So tomorrow is our first day of school and I think I am just as excited as the kids. There is nothing like the first day of kindergarten. The smell of new crayons, sharpened pencils, lunch at 10:45 and afternoon nap and a fresh start... Wish you were here to enjoy.

Wouldn't you love this folder TOO?

Ok so teaching kindergarten isn't always fun... As you can tell by Kelly's face making things super cute is hard work. This year our theme in kindergarten is Western. Last year I was wild about kindergarten and this year everything is western. More pictures to follow. We have assignment folders that go home everyday and we decided to call them their Horses.. Happy Organized Ready Students Everyday.... we found this super cute horse pattern and printed them for the front of the folders. But wait.... how do we get them on the folders? We had to laminate them, cut them and then tape them to each folder. Yes they are super super cute and who would not want this horse folder. Well except for the fact that we printed the horse pattern wrote the kids names on them and were putting them on the folders before we noticed that some were girls and some were boys. So yes some boys have a folder with a girl cowboy and some girls have folders with cowboys on them.. Oh Well everything in kindergarten can't be perfect, and yes I know Kelley needs to work on her picture taking skills.(see picture of me as I am cut off in the pic) I am trying hard with her.

Surgery

Okay so I had some minor surgery and took a few days off from blogging. I am finally feeling much better so I should be back to blogging soon. School starts in just a few days so must finish all those much anticipated blogs for you!!!

Man Cave and all

Friday night the boys and I headed to Tyler to visit my best friend Jill. She has two boys as well and we love to get the boys together. Jill and I had time to catch up, share stories and listen to each other (ok so she listened to me this time). It is great to have a friend that you can be yourself, express all your feelings, share all your thoughts and she still loves me.. Thanks Jill for a great night, I needed it.

So, while we were catching up, the boys were having fun as well. Trey is the oldest then Jack, Travis and Mark. We are always amazed to see how the boys pair off. The older and younger of each family always hang out together. Even last night at bedtime Jack and Travis slept together and Mark and Trey slept together. The boys love being at Grand Bob's house where they ride go carts (Trey did not drive remember he wrecked last time) swim, shoot arrows, hunt frogs and just enjoy being 100% boys. This year the new addition is the man cave of course no girls are allowed in the man cave although we said in a few years the sign will say all girls allowed. Jill and I laughed at our boys and how much they enjoy being boys going from one activity to the next. On the way home Travis said I love my cousins.. I guess it's great to have such great friends you think that they are your cousins. WE love you guys can't wait for our next visit. Oh and no one got chicken pox, chiggers, had a wreck or got shot with an air soft gun... AHHH a good visit.