yep, it's been a long time...

Howdy! I just looked and saw that the last time I blogged was in November...wow! I kind of got into doing facebook more, so my blogging went by the wayside. Anywho, I thought I would post a few pics and let you in on the happenings at our house!

I have been crazy busy substitute teaching. Actually today is the first day off I have had in a long time. It feels so good to work around the house (with no time crunch) and just relax in peace and quiet! Basketball is done for the season, so I am seeing my hubby a lot more at night. Madison is deep in practices for the musical that starts this weekend. We are so happy she is loving it with the time that it takes to prepare! I have been helping with odds and ends and spend a lot of time at the schools helping get things ready for opening weekend. It has been busy, but I love it. Brady has been tagging along wherever we go, but has preferred spending his time in the gym with daddy. He is sure turning into quite the ball player and always has a basketball in his hands! Our little doggy, Mia is now recovering from surgery. We had quite the scare with her as she ate something "bad"(still not sure what it was) and it got stuck in her duodnum(sp). A week vet stay, major surgery and medication, our little girl is back to normal. I feel sometimes like I did when I had a toddler running around the house with this crazy animal. Although, I really couldn't put my toddler in a cage and go away for hours on end!!! ha.

We leave for Florida on March 23 to spend some time with Jason's parents. We are so looking forward to the warm weather and just some time to be together as a family. I don't think we will do the Disney thing, just relax time!!!

Off to switch the laundry and fold a couple loads. Mia keeps jumping on me, so I better play with her to! Talk to you all soon!

hey mom, why did God create head lice?

Thank you Lord that you have spared (so far) my children (and me for that matter) from this horrible little thing called head lice. Yes, as with any school across america, we have had several cases of headlice at our elementary. I scratch my head as I type! Anyway, Madison and I were grocery shopping tonight while the guys were at basketball practice. We were just talking when she brought up a conversation she overheard me have with her teacher. It was about a couple of kids in her class who were sent home because of lice. I didn't want to disclose any names, but I just told her that a couple kids had lice and it gave me a chance to let her know to keep her winter hat, etc. in her bag when not in use. Anyway, she starts to ask me why God created head lice and was it because Adam and Eve sinned! I was cracking up inside. She on the other hand was dead serious. Madi thought when we got home that we should look up headlice in the bible to see when and why God created them. "What good are those nasty things, anyway", she says! Wow, I was speechless! Kids say the greatest things sometimes!

Snow Day???

Yep, today is a snow day here in Huron County. Well, I guess we are only delayed by two hours for now, but may turn into a full day off! I woke up early looked outside to see a beautiful coating of snow on the ground, had my coffee/b-study with hubby, woke kids up, got ready, and out the door. I pulled into school noticing only a few cars. Then it dawned on me...could school really be cancelled? Yep...one inch of snow in Bad Axe = no school! Unbelievable! I guess if you don't turn the TV or local radio station on in the morning, you won't find out! Well, it gives me a minute to sit and relax and have another cup of coffee and some fun with the kids.

Today is my last day teaching Title 1. I have a sub job lined up for tomorrow and Friday, so I'm not really taking a break. I really love being at the school with my kids. I love being with the other kids and teaching them new things. Yesterday I had an opportunity to spend some time with a little girl who has such a hard home life. I love the chance just to show these kids that someone really loves them. It is hard, though. I just want to take some of them home, give them a shower, dress them in clean clothes, feed them healthy meals, and teach them about Jesus. It is so sad watching them go home to a bad situation. I am just so thankful though that I have an opportunity to be a missionary in this school and also teach my kids about people who come from all walks of life. Just the other day Madison had to bring a little girl who we had been praying for down to my room to show me how she got a A on her first spelling test. I guess Madison told her teacher that her mom would want to know this exciting news and congratulate this little girl, too. That made me feel so good! Life isn't always easy, but it sure is rewarding!

Well, off to play a game with my kids!

Mia's Here!

Just a cute pic of Madison and Mia...Madi is loving life with this new addition. Mia seems to be making a great transition, but we'll have to see how the night goes!

We are going to have a new member in our family!!!

Yeah, yeah, those of you who think I am pg, are way off. That would be totally the Lord's doing since we took all measures medically...but we are getting a new little five month old, 5 pound, furry and soooo cute little girl named Mia! We or should I say, I have been wanting to get a dog. I grew up with animals and just really like having them around for the kids. Jason was not exactly thrilled with the idea as he hates hair, etc. that dogs bring. Anyway, I got a call from my good friend Nicole about this little doggy who needed a home. They had given her to her mother-in-law, but she is just unable to take care of her. They wanted to find a good home for her. I ran the idea by Jason thinking I would get shot down, but to my surprise, he actually liked the idea...what?! So, on Saturday, Mia is coming up from Rochester, to Bad Axe to join our family! The kids are SO excited and are counting the days! I have to admit that I am really excited...but also a little nervous. This will be another added responsibility, but I'm sure we will get a lot of love from her.

Oh My...

I never thought that my first time being asked to stay after school to talk about one of my children would be for...being too affectionate!!! Yes, my adorable little boy loves the girls and has been seen kissing them on the arms (thankfully not on the face, though!) Although it seems that these little girls don't seem to mind, the teacher thought we better intervene just to make sure it doesn't get out of hand. Those of you who know my little Brady, know that he is such a little lovable guy. He is always kissing and hugging me, along with any other lady who will let him. I guess I never thought much of it, I acutally kind of like it as his mom!

Well, our talk about appropriate behavior at school happened with him in KINDERGARTEN!!! I couldn't help but laugh with the teacher, but inside I was thinking...great, my kid the kisser! Anyway, after Brady sat for our long discussion (me and J) I thought he would really understand. After Jason got off the couch, he leaned over to me and said..."hey mom, soooo can i have a girlfriend in first grade?" I thought I would die right there! I did my best to keep my composure, but had to excuse myself to the bathroom for a breather! I think we may have our hands full with this little buddy of ours!!!

Thank You Lord for My Children

I woke up this morning annoyed. Yep, I didn't want to do the same schedule like yesterday or the day before. I was up several times in the night calming Madison down from a bad dream about snakes. Actually, about the third time of being tapped on my shoulder, I was annoyed. I finally told her to go and lay by her brother, he would protect her. What?!!! I was pawning my kid and her fears off on her little brother! You know sometimes I just want to slap my own face. Why must I get annoyed by a sad, scared little girl? Anyway, I think the Lord placed my bible study for today to shape me up. Jason and I are reading a book together called "Hopeful Parenting" by David Jeremiah. Today was about teaching our children that they are special. I sure hadn't taught Madi that she was special last night...I just taught her that she and her fears were annoying me! Man, sometimes we fail, don't we! I am so thankful that we serve a Lord who disciplines us when we need it. I am also so thankful that I can repent and move on...til the next time I need disciplining!!!
Thank You LORD for my children.