Spring Break 2009!!

Whew! I cannot believe how quickly this Spring Break has flown by. It excites me to know that we only have nine more weeks, and we can live a life like this for a few months! We stayed up much too late every night and sleep late every single morning... AND LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT!

Monday- We met some precious friends from church at the zoo. Ella loved the "animals"! Carson enjoyed glancing at the animals, but then was ready to move on to the next ones. After enjoying a picnic lunch, the children played at the nice new park for awhile. Ella was worn out after our adventure, so we enjoyed a nice long afternoon nap.

Tuesday- After sleeping late and playing Wii fit, it was time for us to get ready for my therapy session. Carson and Ella stayed at Grammy and Papa's for awhile while I was at therapy. We ventured to Ella's school to return her picture proofs, and then came hope for yet another NAP! :)

Wednesday- I had a MOMMY DAY! I traveled to Lancaster to meet Marlee Foreman! It was so nice to visit with Allison. I miss seeing her. Marlee was just too precious! After leaving Allison's, I got lost trying to get to IKEA! I finally made it, but didn't shop for too long! Carson and Ella had a FUN day with Grammy and Aunt Z. They journeyed to Lowes to visit Daddy, to Party City, to a pizza place for lunch, and to Toys R Us for sure!! Ella got a new "Tiki"- Dora doll, and Carson got a blob stuffed animal from a new movie that is coming out soon.

Thursday- It was therapy day yet again! Carson and Ella spent a little time with Grammy and Aunt Z. We enjoyed a LATE nap, so Ella and I were up much too late that night.

Friday- We didn't sleep as late as we have been. I decided to take the children to the new park in Duncan. Carson didn't want to go unless he could take a friend. I even tried driving him by the park to see that would help convince him. My heart breaks at the fact that he is growing up and changing so quickly. Along with not wanting to hang out with Mommy and Ella any longer, he also has a hard time saying, "I love you" anymore. He thinks he is "too old"! I pray this is just a little stage he is going through!

We have had a very relaxing and pretty uneventful Spring Break! It has been nice to spend time together! I am so looking forward to being a full-time Mommy in about nine weeks!

Carson's Second Baseball Game

Whew...

It seems like so much has been happening in our lives lately.
-The flu and stomach virus made it into our home for an unwelcomed visit.
-Carson missed his first day of school.
- Carson's baseball season is finally underway after a couple of rained out games.
-Carson missed his first baseball game because he traveled to Charlotte with Daddy and Aunt Z to see the Bobcats play.
- Carson hit a home run during his first time up to bat! :) :)
- I am AMAZED everyday at home much Carson is learning in school!
-We have officially begun our homework days... homework everyday now in kindergarten!
- My essays, videoed lesson, and picture portfolio are now completed and turned in... just have an interview waiting on Wednesday!!! God has blessed me in so many ways!!!!
- I received some discouraging news from the orthopedic doctor this week. My bones are completely healed, but my pelvis is a "mess". I have been enduring a lot of pain recently. I will begin another six week round of physical therapy next week.
- Ella has been boo boo prone this week. She has a cut beside her eye and a scratched up face after falling face first onto the ground from the slide.
-A leprechaun visited our house this week. "She" left hats, glasses, and cookies for Car and Roo. "She" left me a clean house and fresh flowers. It was so much better than a pot of gold!
- Carson and Brian are traveling to Bristol for a race tomorrow!
- Ella and I will enjoy a Girls' Day while the boys are away... one baby shower and one birthday party for baby Will.
- We FINALLY completed our taxes tonight. I am so thankful Brian spent most of the time working on them this year. But, then again, he has had SEVERAL days off without children at home!
- We have a Wii Fit now, and we all LOVE it!!! Brian and I must work on our weight. This will help on the days when I can't make it to the gym.
- We are less than one month away from the anniversary of my accident! I have such mixed emotions about the upcoming date.
- I am still enjoying Experiencing God. I hate that I often fall behind in my lessons throughout the week.
- Our school's dedication is this Sunday.
- Ella has turned into a little chatter box this week. She is putting so many words together! I love it!

Ella at 25 Months

-Can repeat almost anything you say
-Loves to say "MY mommy", "MY daddy", "MY brother", "MY Z", "MY Grammie", "MY Papa", and "MY ANYTHING!"
-Still cannot get her completely off of the bottle
-Still loves her pappy
-Still loves her babies
-Enjoys reading and being read to
-"Cheeses" for pictures
-Is so extremely LOVING
- Cuddles with Mommy every night
-Recites her friends and teachers names frequently
-Seeks the comfort and attention of her brother all of the time
-Will not call Carson by his name. It is "Broder".
-Still loves "I Carly"
-Enjoys Noggin especially Woobzy
-Is GREAT sitting in church with mommy, but will NOT have anything to do with the nursery
-Loves to look "pretty" and stare at herself in the mirror
-Enjoys having her toe nails painted like Mommy's
- Cleans up much better than her big brother ever did
- Loves to fall asleep in her daddy's arms on the couch
- Gets so excited when someone comes over or gets home for the day
- Still loves school
- Sleeps later than Carson in the mornings
- Makes my heart smile twenty four hours a day!!!!!!!!!

Only by God's Grace...

Today I received a very special package from my sister-in-law congratulating me for being named Teacher of the Year for my school. It was an AMAZING day to receive the gift... a day my school's PTO held a celebration in honor of my award and the day the essays I poured my heart into reached their destination. The card Karen sent seemed to perfectly sum up my journey.

God's grace
has lifted you up...
stood you on your feet...
placed you on a road...
given you a destination...
filled you with a purpose...
provided you with a hope...
and guaranteed you a future!

The Lord will never let you down!

"...He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6

God is so good ALL the time!!!! ALL the time God is good!!!!

Snow Day!

A HUGE Honor!

Last Wednesday, I was so surprised and very HONORED to be announced as Teacher of the Year for my school. God has blessed be beyond words with the most AMAZING facility, administration, coworkers, and students!

Good Morning Birthday Wishes!

2, 2, 2, 2

Two years in a row with a flu shot
Two years in a row that Roo caught the flu
Two years in a row that she has the flu right around her birthday
Two days that Ella and Mommy have been sick together with the flu

Ella at TWO Years!

Happy Birthday Roo Bug!

Ella,
As I prepare to snuggle with you tonight, I have to admit I feel a little bit of sadness...okay A LOT of sad feelings in my heart... At approximately one o'clock, as you are having sweet dreams, you will officially no longer be my baby girl. You will become my two year old toddler. I feel sad because you exited babyhood in what seemed like only minutes! Time has flown by much too quickly for your mommy. I don't know what the future holds for our family, but you may be Mommy's last baby. Because of that, I want you to know no matter how many birthdays pass for you... you will always be my baby! You have changed so much over this past year. You really developed your vocabulary ... your words multiplied so quickly, I couldn't keep up with them for very long. You began walking even though it took much longer for you than it did for your big brother. I will NEVER forget the text message your daddy sent me while I was in the hospital of your first steps across our living room floor. I had NO idea that you were even beginning to walk, much less as far as the video showed. I am sorry that I missed seeing that HUGE milestone with my own eyes, but God had other plans for Mommy's life at that time. You were MUCH healthier this year!! We praise God for that! You also adjusted to "school" much better than you did before your last birthday! You love your teachers so much, you even call them at night before going to bed sometimes. You never break your daddy's heart when he drops you off anymore. That is a HUGE blessing that we are also very thankful for. You have grown into such a little nurturer. The love, care, and compassion that you have for your babies melts my heart every single day. It is my prayer that when you become a mommy one day, you will not lose those feelings that you have now...and that they will only become stronger. We also found a church family to join this year. You seem to really enjoy the new friends that we have made... that is as long as I don't leave you in the nursery. We held your baby dedication just a few days before your second birthday. It was definitely a service that your mommy and daddy will NEVER forget. Your name carries such strong Biblical meaning, and it was made evident during this service. One thing I can't leave out is the relationship that you and Carson have developed this year. It melts my heart to see the LOVE that you both have for one another. I love to see you two hug, to run to each other for comfort, to hear you say, "Brother", and even to see you two "fight"---- I know I may eat those words one day. Ella, I love you more than you will ever know. I can't wait to see what God has in store for your life as a two year old!!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day... With a Birthday Party for Our Little Roo!

We celebrated Ella's second birthday with a small birthday celebration at our house... CUPCAKE style. Ella enjoyed her party much more this year! We only had one meltdown before the party over CHOCOLATE... or the lack of if coming from her. We are so thankful for all of her fabulous gifts!

"This I KNOW"

My children have one amazing aunt!