History Repeats Itself

When I was 15 years old, I went to referee school.  I was one of 2 girls taking the long class with a room full of teenage boys (I don't remember complaining about that part.).  The "problem," as I see it now, was that I had never played soccer a day in my life.  I don't recommend refereeing under those circumstances.  Needless to say, I was a HORRIBLE ref and found myself being yelled at by irate parents of 8 year old boys more than I care to say.

Caleb and AB attended ref school a few weekends ago.  Caleb had soccer games on the first Saturday of the season so AB had to go alone.  She was very stressed about this day and studied her notes like a crazy woman.  I kept trying to reassure her that she was over analyzing the day.  She was merely a linesman for 5 games for 9 year olds.  She wouldn't listen.

She adamantly told me I could NOT take her photo in her uniform.  I remember saying the same thing to my mom years ago and sadly we have no visual memory of my referee days.  I was determined to snag one as she got out of the van.

The conclusion was that Mom was right.  It wasn't that big of a deal.  She did great.  It was easy and she enjoyed it.  Looking forward to more of those days as both of my teens start their first job.

Guest Reader

GCA had it's first Book Fair and Lydia's class invited me to come read a book.  I brought 3 Robert Munsch books (our favorites) and read 2 of them to her class on Pajama Day.  I'm a sucker for children's books and enjoyed their enthusiasm so much!

Killing Time with Fun

Now that I only have 2 girls in piano lessons, their lessons are cut 30 minutes shorter so it's not worth it to drive back home during the lesson.  

We drove down the road from the piano teacher's house and explored the famous Natchez Trace Bridge.  It's a bridge we pass under twice everyday but have never stopped to let the kids walk across it.  

They had a blast.

Another Double February Birthday

February 28 came and it was time to celebrate another 2 birthdays in this house.

Josiah and mine.

AB was precious and spent several hours in the kitchen cooking me a special birthday cake that followed my eating plan - no white flour and no white sugar.

She served it to me with coffee just the way I like it.  She's a total JEWEL!!!

We opened presents before church.

Then headed to a Mexican restaurant.  Josiah was freaking out when his siblings told him he would get a pie in the face from our waiters.  You can imagine his relief when he got a free dessert, song and sombrero instead!

Josiah got a yummy ice cream layered peanut butter chocolate cake for his 9th birthday.

I love sharing my birthday with this sweet fella!

Finishing Basketball

Ruth's basketball team finished their season strong.

They didn't win a single game.  

Didn't even come close.

But to compare this team's first game to their last showed HUGE improvements.  They went from not knowing a thing about the game of basketball to dribbling, passing and even fouling a bit.  It was very fun to watch.

Now this little "spunky" girl of mine has found a new passion.

We look forward to seeing her more on that court.

So Grouchy

I loved these posters that my boys made in Pre-K after reading "The Grouchy Ladybug" book.

The thing that made us laugh the most was Jedidiah's face and that he shares better than anyone in this house and I've never seen him be grouchy when anyone takes his stuff without asking!

This grouchy ladybug was dead on about what makes him grouchy....except for the fact that he does not have a LITTLE sister, only a SHORTER sister!

Looking Back

The day came when we were finished packing up Grandma and Grandaddy.  We had helped them settle (as much as possible) into their "new" temporary rental house.  We cleaned the house and had to bid it farewell.

I remember as a teen/young adult when both of my grandparents moved out of their homes...the homes that I had grown up in visiting them as a child.  The home that held so many memories of doing things with grandparents that makes the grandparent/child relationship so wonderful.  I recall it being hard to let go.

This special house that My Man built next door to us about 12 years ago is filled with memories of cousin visits, meals on the screened porch, lots of full meals, cartoons, Monster cookies, couch snuggles, basement cousins cave, games, creativity, kickball in the yard, bikes on the driveway, gardens each summer.....FAMILY!

Goodbye house.  Thank you for the sweet memories that my children will forever cherish.  We look forward to many more in the new house!

Another King Bee

Jeshua's Top 10 Things you need to know about him.

10.  I love to play xBox with my 3 brothers.

9. I can Ripstick

8.  I am a good swimmer

7.  My Congo name is Nsimba.  It means "firstborn" or "lion."

6.  I love to play card games

5.  My favorite sport is basketball

4.  I can run super fast.

3.  I love cucumbers and homemade salsa.

2.  I've lost 2 teeth.

1.  I laugh loud at good jokes.

Talent Among Us

For GCA's Elementary Talent Show this year, all 3 of my girls wanted to do a dance with their friends.

Each group helped to choreograph their dance and practiced as much as they could.

Lydia and the sweet girls in 1st grade.

Lydia did "God's Not Dead" song and dance with ribbon wands.

Ruth and 2 of her friends did "Feel It" by Toby Mac.

Leah did "Supernatural" by Britt Nicole with 3 of her friends.

There was a comedian act by 2 boys in Josiah's class.  They told jokes back and forth for their act.  Jeshua laughed so hard and loud after each joke that parents were laughing just as much at Jeshua as they were at the jokes.  He hasn't stopped talking about how he wants to tell jokes next year in the talent show.

Enjoyed a great evening watching my girls perform and seeing all the talent displayed for God's glory!

Worship Workshop

While we were at basketball and the property, Leah was at a Worship Workshop.  She loves to sing and play the piano and signed up to be part of the worship team.

I loved watching her play and sing as I arrived to pick her up.

Blessed my heart!

Country Kids Forever

Every Saturday in the month of January and February, Ruth has had basketball games.

I take her to the games and Tim heads to the property with a Fish kids or 2 to work on building the chicken coop.

Two Saturdays ago the little guys wanted to be the helpers.

The girls showed up after the basketball game and enjoyed the country just a little bit.

The little kiddos worked for a long time trying to make this branch stand up tall on top of this dirt mound by piling big rocks at the stick base.

I watched skeptically, "knowing" their plan would never work.

I was wrong.  :)

More Mommy Dates

Moving on down the line with Saturday morning breakfast dates with my individual Fish Sticks.

Next up was Lydia.  Another trip to the local doughnut shop.  I bring my eggs and coffee and they pick out 3 doughnuts and chocolate milk.