Hello blog, remember me!

Wow have I neglected the blog for a while. Once summer hit we have been super, crazy, fun busy and I have had a hard time documenting it. I also got an Iphone recently and with that came the app Instagram which has been great for taking pictures and posting them directly to facebook and twitter but not so good about posting them here.

We had a great time in July at Ruggles beach as always. We feel so blessed to have such great friends and family there and the memories created are so special.

ABBY TUBING FOR THE FIRST TIME


MOM AND WILL GIVING IT A TRY


MY MEN!

I also have started a new job which has consumed a lot of my time. I am now an independent CAbi consultant, a great clothing line and company that sells designer clothes in the home. Mike and I have prayed about this decision and I know that God is leading me to try something completely outside my comfort zone. Yet I know that when I stretch myself or even fail(of course I hope I don't) that it keeps me dependent on God and that is always where I want to be. I got to to travel to California for the first time for training which was fun, exciting and tiring, i flew my first Red eye!

So now we have a month or so before the kids go back to school, my little Will is going to be in first grade and my beautiful Abby in third. I will have both kids in school all day for the first time ever, that is going to be an interesting transition I am sure.
I hope that once the kids get in school I can focus more on keeping up on the blog and putting in writing the simple blessings that God places in my life daily. I never want to stop recognizing them or thanking him for them.

Will's Kindergarten graduation!

Well my Will graduated from Kindergarten a couple of weeks ago. I am so proud of how much he has grown throughout his kindergarten year and what a joy it was to spend the extra one on one time with him each afternoon. I know his teacher has prepared him well for first grade but it will be interesting being away from both my kids all day long next year. It is a natural progression but not always an easy transition. I am excited to see what God has in store for all of us next fall. Right now we are enjoying our summer to the fullest. I hope to post some video of Will and his class singing soon,


Will with his proud parents


My Graduate


Will receiving his diploma


My mom and Will

A Jedi battle like no other!

Gotta love that I took this picture of Will after he had eaten a juicy drop pop, hence the lovely glowing green mouth. Yes I have the gift for photography, NOT!!

Will has had a loose top front tooth for the past week. He had tried to wiggle it out with no luck. So enter super dad last night to get the job done. As Mike and Will were having a great Jedi battle, light sabers and all, Mike accidentally hit Will in the mouth with his sword and oops....out came Will's tooth. Luckily there was no crying and just a little blood. What a great story Will now has to tell.

I just had to take a picture of his mouth while his top tooth is gone, I am a sucker for his toothless grin. I also know it is one of those milestones that tells me my little boy is growing up. So I will snuggle with him while I can, listen attentively while he wants to chat a mile a minute and enjoy watching him as he sleeps(because it is the only time he is still). For I know the day will come when those days will pass and new and different memories with be created. Yet for now I will enjoy the blessing of Will, truly a gift that only our creator could give. Love you buddy!!

The Royal Wedding!!

This past Friday my daughter Abby and I got up at 515am and headed over to our good friends house to watch the royal wedding with them. Abby's best friend was there and they giggled and danced and watched all the festivities. It really was a special moment for us mom's to spend with our girls.

Here is Abby at our house before we left, the TV is on in the background as we watch Prince William head to the church.



The night before, around 11pm, I got inspired to make some scones. I have never made scones before so I used google and looked for a recipe with one egg as that is all I had left. I made chocolate chip and butterscotch chips scones and they were super yummy!!



I loved Kate's dress and I love this side by side picture of Grace Kelly and Kate with their Princes. I never was a lace girl myself but when I see these dresses I think I could be.



I of course would be remiss if I didn't mention that I know there is only one true King, one lineage that I am concerned with and that is Jesus Christ. As much as enjoy weddings, especially of a young woman becoming every girl's dream of being a real princess, I know that the my joy will be overflowing when I meet my heavenly father and everlasting King.

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:15-17

Teacher Appreciation Week

Next Monday(May 2nd) kicks off Teacher Appreciation Week. This year I have been wondering what to give the teachers that is simple, thoughtful and above all else, practical. Luckily there are a lot of talented, uber creative folks out there in the blogging world so I thought I would pass on a few of their ideas, which I may totally use.

First head over to Skip to my Lou and check out all the cute craft ideas they have. What I love about their site is they have very easy projects for the less crafty like me and some more adventurous projects for the crafting queens. I especially like this idea called Appreciation 7 days a week using a pill box and filling it with cute sayings and teacher friendly items. I also just discovered this one today called Upcycled Containers with Printable Labels where she uses old crystal light containers to hold whoopie pies. Yummy!

Another great idea came from Eighteen25 that also features cute crafts and adorable printables. I love their idea called Quick and Cheesy Teacher Appreciation gifts where she makes a cute printable for swedish fish saying "Your are o'fishally the best".

So give these blogs some love and check them out. I just discovered them both over the past few months and have such fun checking out all their creativeness. I also wanted to document the links for myself as I usually forget where I saw something and I definitely want to remember these ideas. Good Luck with your teacher appreciation ideas!!

Perseverance

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
-James 1:12

The past two weeks my little Abby has had to persevere a little. It is hard as a mom to watch but I know it builds character and confidence. If she can persevere with small things I know she can be strong and persevere in bigger things. I am only talking about swim team tryouts, nothing earth shattering or life altering but it did have an impact on who Abby is becoming.

Abby tried out for our community swim team, according to the swim guidelines she seemed to qualify. At her swim test she did as she was asked and was told "not this year" by the young lady running the test. There was little encouragement on how to improve or to try out again. Abby was devastated, she loves swimming, she wants to do this and she has several little friends who have done it and loved it. I came home defeated as well, did I misinterpret the requirements, should I have not had her tryout in the first place?

After discussing it with Mike and two friends whose daughters were on swim team I was encouraged to call the head coach and discuss the lack of feedback received and my disappointment with the whole process. Both of these women noted having to take their kids back 2 times in order to make the team. If Abby was clearly not ready that is fine, I don't want to be a "helicopter parent" but to not give much reason or guidance was not fine. She swims just as well as these two girls already on the team, it is 6-8 year old kids and I just wanted to be able to provide some info or instruction to Abby as to why she didn't make it. I am not a confrontational person, you could butt in front of me in line and I wouldn't utter a peep, so calling him was definitely out of my comfort zone. After speaking with the head coach he did provide feedback and welcomed her back for a second try. So Abby and I spent some quality time in the pool over the next two days and worked on all that he suggested. Abby really wanted to make the team and was diligent in her practice.

So about a week after her original tryout she passed the test with flying colors. We are officially registered for swim team and tomorrow morning I will find out which of the three teams she will be on. I am so grateful to those mom's for encouraging me to be an advocate for my child. I can only imaging how much she will improve after spending 6 weeks in the pool five days a week. I would have robbed Abby of the ability to persevere and overcome an obstacle and the opportunity to do something that will really benefit her in so many ways. Now had she not made the team after the second time we would have learned another lesson, that sometimes you don't get what you want but God always has a plan. I also know that that lesson will come all too soon, but for now we are enjoying Abby's accomplishment

So may I learn from my little Abby to persevere, in the small and big things. May we always persevere for Christ and our faith remain unshaken in the one who is unshakeable. Abby's reward for her current perseverance will be a medal or ribbon but our reward for standing up for Christ will be "the crown of life" . How awesome that will be!!

Too Cute!

My eight year old daughter Abby is really coming into her own style. She and I went shopping recently and I noticed how her clothing choices have started to branch out a little. She has always loved skirts and dresses and anything girly but recently she has been exploring the whole leggings with shorts or leggings with skirts thing. She picked out this hat too and I thought it looked adorable on her. I always want Abby to feel confident in her choice of style. I love that she still wants my help picking out clothes but that she is also becoming a little more independent in so many ways.

Abby has always been fearful to to do things by herself. She never wanted or desired to go to the bathroom by herself in a restaurant, she didn't want to be dropped off for any practice at the door but always wanted me to walk her in. Lately she has started to show signs of confidence and maturity that are really a treat to watch. I love the balance she displays of being independent when appropriate but not trying to be more mature or older than she is. I think second grade has been a great confidence building year and I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

Thank you Abby for being the sweetest daughter I could ever ask for. The joy and pride I feel in being bestowed the honor of being your mom is immeasurable. Our God knew how much we needed each other and I am forever grateful. I love you!!