The big 14!

14 years ago today at 10:20 AM I was blessed to become the mother of a chubby little 9 pound 8 ounce 22 inch long beautiful baby boy!  Since that day there has never been a dull moment in my life. Andrew changed the dynamics of our family and extended family forever. 

When he was two he was obsessed with anything Mario. He carried around sales papers that had pictures of Nintendo. He slept with the papers, ate with them, played with them.  

This boy must have a heart bigger than Texas-he's such a thoughtful, fun loving person. He loves deeper than anyone I know. He is loyal and compassionate.  He is the one that double checks on me daily making sure I ate lunch, got enough sleep, and took some time for myself.  You can always count on an extra hug and kiss from this guy no matter who is standing around!   He alone made me a birthday cake and had the girls decorate the house while I was gone to class so that we could celebrate on the actual day.  

Currently:

His favorite thing to do is go out to eat or go hang out at the avenue!

 He loves to order pizza and watch a movie as a family. 

He loves sugar cookies with icing. 

He loves to have friends over and is a social crazy! 

 He keeps a cleaner room than I do. He makes straight A's and is working hard on his scouting program toward becoming an Eagle Scout!

He just finished his 8th grade wrestling season and did great.

Things that make him mad...He is protective of his family so anyone that messes with the people he loves drives him nuts!  He is so competitive-and at times his competitive nature gets the best of him. 

  He's the best pray person in the family! He works hard at his job at the ball park keeping score.  He is excited about his first youth conference and EFY this summer.  He says the most random strangest things at the strangest times. He gets stuck on a line in a movie or show and says it over and over and over again! He has done this since he was 2-I thought he'd grow out of it but well no!!! 

We are so blessed to have him. He makes my heart smile.

It was good to be home!

Today I went to my home ward. I haven't been in my home ward in a long time. Some I traveled to visit other units with my calling, some Sunday's I spent at the hospital with my Dad, some Sunday's I spent with my mom (which was more for my healing than hers) in my ward I grew up in and last Sunday I spent home with a sick daughter so it felt like I was finally home today. Even though it was conference in my home ward and I was visiting for my calling as well-I was so happy to hear from our Bishop, to see my boys pass the sacrement in their suits, to sit with my husband and feel the sweet spirit that I felt as I sat in our primary and observed. 
The closing song touched my  heart - I am still so ultra sensitive to so many things!  The third verse seemed like it was just for me..The words come from the song " Precious Savior, dear Redeemer,"

Precious Savior, dear Redeemer

Thou wilt bind the broken heart.

Let not sorrow overwhelm us;

Dry the bitter tears that start.

Curb the winds and calm the billows;

Bid the angry tempest cease.

Precious Savior, dear Redeemer,

Grant us everlasting peace.

Friday Foto!

So many sent beautiful plants when we lost Dad.  Mom and I spent a Saturday replanting and repoting all these beauties.  Here's a few of the memories!  Now if we can just keep em alive!

6 weeks of practicums left

4 practicums
6 weeks to go-
I am so tired!
I am so ready to be done!
I hate night classes...day classes every day and 3 nights a week are KILLING me. I am not getting gray hair from my teenager (well not from one anyway) but I am getting gray hair from all this crazy busy homework and insane lesson planning!  I have never written so many reflections in all my life. If you do anything you have to write a paper on it!

I hate homework but I love 100's,on my rubrics!

I am starting to feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I can really smell it and about to taste it!

I am so sick of school nights at schools all over the county  that practicum teachers have to do the dirty work for and teaching lessons to kids that are not my students!  I want my own classroom. I am so ready to be student teaching and graduating.

I am so happy not to have to go to summer school this year! I can' t wait for MAY...hurry up May hurry up! Oh May hurry up!  I know your not suppose to wish your life away but in this case I would love for 6 weeks to be OVER!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I've sure got some cutie  pieces of gold for my pot!  

One month ago today

One month ago today was the hardest day of my entire life. I miss him so much it is crazy.

 I've learned a lot this month. I've cried a lot this month. I've been really mad a lot this month. I understand more this month than I did last month about others who have lost those they love and I never want to loose anyone else!  I need to go first! 

  It drives me so crazy when people say remember the good times and cherish them!  Every time I think about any of it I get so mad!   All the sudden I have anger issues!  When someone says...how are ya'll doing-I wanna scream-this all stinks..it just really stinks!   Still can't really talk about it the way people want me may never be able to!

I'm so lucky to have Steve and I can't imagine trying to deal with this when I was only 15 like he did.  It's a lot to process for someone so young.  He knows exactly everything I am feeling and  he's been so good to me and patient. I am so blessed. 

Friday Foto (Look who's gonna be a freshman!)

High school orientation!  I can't believe it!  Steve and I took this boy Tuesday night to the big high school informational meeting.  He will be changing schools and going to the same high school as Blake.  He is the only one going from our current school!   He was greeted by around 10 other (girl) students  as soon as we walked in the door.  Making friends has never been a problem for this kid!  It was fun to watch him mingle and meet and play the field!  Although he does a lot of flirtin' he sure stay single! (could be  because he's got his eye set on a pretty little blonde from the Blackman ward!)   We will be getting his schedule straight over the next couple of weeks for next year!  Can't believe my boys are both gonna be in high school.  I still feel like i'm the one in high school! 

Friday Foto!

Blake, Andrew, William and Harrison

quote

When the train goes through a tunnel and the world gets dark, do you jump out?

Of course not. You sit still and trust the engineer to get you through.

Corrie Boom

(P.S. I'm sitting still)