School Starts

I can not believe that school has already started back. Time is flying by so fast. All I can really say about summer is that is was H-O-T-T. The girls spent the summer at a summer fun program at the school. I really wish I could have spent it with them, but it all worked out well. It helped Morgan get used to her new school and meet new friends. They will both be going to Kingwood Christian School. Tre and I sit down each year and discuss whether we can afford to send them to private school, and it is really a huge decision. But doing without some things are no substitute for what I know they are getting at Kingwood. The decision could change next year or the next, but for now, it is one day at a time. Just to show off a few key summer events: This past year I started off helping in Mpact Girls club at church. At the start of 2012 I took over the Stars class, which is 3rd-5th grade. At the end of each year we do a graduation ceremony for all the girls moving up and a crowning/graduation cermony for the 5th grade Honor Stars. (this is a pretty big deal) This was my first year to be involved and I really enjoyed it. We ended the year and graduation performing a Human Video that would be presented at camp. The girls did so good and it was powerful. They are all lined up below for prayer in their outfits for the video.

I was suppose to attend Missionettes camp with the girls this year but unfortunately I could not take off work. The girls had a blast. I was able to go to Springville Camp and Conferance Center one night and join in all the festivities. They had so much fun.

This year we ended our summer with a short vacation to a small area near Fairhope, AL. Thanks to Marriott rewards points for making the trip free. The resort was absolutely gorgeous. We did a lot of swimming and bike riding on the bay.

The girls had a wonderful time, as did we. Morgan ended the summer with several goals accomplished. She is doing a great job riding her bike and will soon be withou training wheels and swimming with no floats. It was the much needed family time we needed before school started on Monday. We came back to town ready to meet the teacher and get organized for the upcoming school year. Monday came fast and I was ready. I must say, I had it going on. Everything was together and organized and we were out the door with tons of time to spare. Mallory on her adventure into 3rd grade and Morgan into Kindergarden. Mallory has a teacher this year who is new to both teaching and to KCS. I really liker her though and I think she will do a wonderful job. Morgan has the same teacher Mallory had in K-5. She is fabulous and I love her heart for her kids. She dresses up as the Cat in the Hat and on the first day she was dressed in camo for the bear hunt. She is awesome and Morgan already loves her.

My 2 sweet girls. They look so cute in uniforms. They are so sweet to each other and get along so well. I could not be more proud of them. Morgan is turning out to be quite the little artist. She is very particular about coloring. She is reading full sentences and can count to 100. Most importantly, Christ lives in her heart. Mallory is currently waiting to be baptized. She accepted Christ a long time ago but was very skiddish about being baptized in front of the entire church. She is reading on a 5th grade level. For a girl who is really only suppose to go in 2nd grade, this mom is proud. She is starting piano this year(her choice), which made us very happy. :)She still loves bugs and reptiles and will collect them in a heartbeat. I am also finding it funny how she has started taking an interest in clothes and shoes. She understands that I do not go out and buy her what she wants or the highest price clothes. I love that about her. She has always been perfectly fine with every thing we tell her. But she did pick out her school shoes. They are converse high tops. Totally Punky Brewster. She did some work to help with the cost. But honestly, I have never seen her so excited about anything, EVER. It is ok to just do it every now and then. The smile on her face was priceless. She sat in the driveway and waited for those shoes to be delivered for awhile and has not taken them off, except for bed time. She will be 8 in 2 months and she just wants to go shopping and pick out some of her own clothes. (modest of course) So its a full girls day of shopping! We have had an awesome start to the school year and we have so much stuff coming up in the next few months. It is going to be busy....................

2012 ( A 4 month catch Up)

Well 2012 began like this............

Alabama wins #14! Roll Tide!

Then.....
Mommy gets a small break and goes to West Palm Beach for a seminar. But we did get to dine in fancy restaurants and see the beach!

That would also cover celebrating my 29th Birthday. I can not believe I will be 30 next year.

Ok, so on to the next.....

My baby turned 5 years old in February. It was all about Rapunzel, of course! I am so proud of her and thankful for her. She has such a wonderful sense of humor,and she is so kind and generous. I love the story of how this little girl changed my life when she was only 9 weeks old. Isnt she cute?

Here is where it starts to get crazy......we signed both girls up for a spring sport. Why? I am glutton for punishment! We have actually taken a time out from activities for awhile. Mallory is the valedictorian type of girl. She wants to be involved in EVERYTHING! And she wants me to be involved in everything as well. As much as I want to, it is near impossible with me working. I work for a wonderful company who is so understanding and lets me be with the kids when things are going on but pushing is pushing. This year I let them choose what they wanted to do. Mallory chose softball and Morgan chose soccer. Hey, it was only 2-3 months at most between practices and games. How bad can it be? Ha. Ha. Ha. Hahahaha. Have you ever done spring softball with an older child? ha. ha. hahahahaha. Its insane. But I have to admit. I am kind of liking it. It is actually allowing me to step up as a mother and be with the kids all the time. At home, I find myself cleaning, cooking, ect... At sports, I am just there for them. To encourage and support. Its been crazy but it has been fun and rewarding for us all.

I know Morgan is only 5 but I had my reasons for her to start a sport. Morgan can sometimes keep her distance from people and seclude herself. I wanted to encourage her with being part of a team. In addition, she can be somewhat clumsy. I though soccer could really improve her eye/hand coordination and footwork. She has really enjoyed being part of a team and getting to run, a lot. She has also enjoyed watching Mallory play softball and listening to all their cheers and chants. She has already asked to start playing T-ball or softball next season. (We will see)

Mallory has really taken a liking to softball. It is the very first time she has played and she is still learning the rules but she is enjoying it. She always wants to play or practice and she cant wait for next season. We will see how this turns out but as long as she feels this way, I might let her continue to play and see where it goes. Mallory always wants to improve herself and be the best. She will work for it until she gets it right. I can not fault her for this attitude though b/c even in her efforts to succeed, she never gets discouraged or angry with herself or anyone else. If I personally saw her being hard on herself, I might talk with her. But she is such a graceful person and always carries a smile on her face. I have not had time to download softball pics yet but here are a few of Morgan on the soccer field.

She totally looks like she knows what she is doing...

I will put up pictures of Mallory soon.

Here are a few pictures of our fist Sweetheart Ball at church. The was a decision by the missionette leaders. A lot of hard work went into this night and it was such a success. It was so much fun! The girls looked gorgeous and seeing them dance with their daddies was priceless!

Dancing the Macarena

Melts my heart!

Well, I think that about catches us up to now. We are hopping around everywhere for games and getting ready for Mallory's Fine Arts night (she is a bunny with a speaking part this year), Morgan's 4k graduation, a beach trip for Mother's Day, and end of the year parties. Wow, this semester flew right on by us! And in case you are wondering if there is any "me" time, of course not!! But I do have my own little hobby this summer. My fist garden. We will see how it turns out but this picture does not do it justice. All my plants are 5-6x bigger now then in this picture. I have baby broccoli sprouts and I could not be more proud.

It's all organic!

Well, guess that covers it. Until next time............GOD BLESS!