Reagan's 7th Birthday

Digital scrapbooking design made with Smilebox

Our Reagie Bug

Finally!! Time to sit out on the deck and relax a little bit and catch up. I didn't get to add this to my blog on Reagan's birthday like I wanted to. I just can't believe my middle baby is 7. We did pull out the baby book on his birthday and I told him how much I loved holding him and kissing his fat rolls! You would never know how chubby he was by looking at him today. I am so proud of my Reagan! He is so inquisitive, sweet, funny, and he is crazy about Legos!! I was worried about homeschooling at first but he makes it fun. I want to stay home and homeschool but that's just not possible right now. Maybe next year. I just think of all the fun and wonderful things we could do if I could be with them all day. It is in God's hands so we will see what He has planned for me. I hate that Kelly lost his job but I can also see the blessing in it. He has spent more time with the kids and I can see the result. I love to see them hugging on him and playing together and now Kelly and the boys are doing Boy Scouts together. I can see their relationship getting stronger and stronger. Even though times get tough I just have to remember that we are so blessed and that we have a Savior who loves us and takes care of us!
Happy Birthday to my sweet, sweet Reagie Bug!!

Busy!

It is quite an understatement when I say I have been busy! I don't know how I have made it through some days. I think I can be superwoman and then get upset when I am not. I have spent more time reading God's word and praying. I have to get those in or I would have already fallen apart. I have a verse that I go to a lot! Psalm 31:3 For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me. I gave this verse to my students at the beginning of the year with a small rock and told them to remember the verse and hold on to their rock this year to help them get through the tough times. I have found myself holding my rock quite a bit lately. I pray that God will send me a sign of what I need to do. It is so hard teaching and trying to homeschool Reagan. I don't feel like I can do my best because I don't have the time to really focus on one or the other. Reagan seems to be enjoying homeschool. He loves to be challenged and he is so loving! I wish I could work part-time or find something that doesn't take the planning and grading that I have to do right now. I pray that Kelly would find a job with good pay and benefits that would allow me to spend more time at home. It is hard for me to be patient and maybe that's what God is trying to teach me right now. I don't know what His plans are for me and my family but I know He is there and He knows. I just have to remind myself to be patient and have faith that He will provide and make His plans known in His time. Lead me and guide me Lord and give me the strength to keep going!

This is the day the LORD has made;We will rejoice and be glad in it.

What a beautiful day! Everyone is still asleep and I am enjoying some quiet time on the deck. I love sittng out here watching the ducks on the pond, listening to the birds, and I even saw a hummingbird checking out my flowers this morning. It is not too hot or humid yet so I have to enjoy this while I can. I just read Psalm 46. The one thing that stood out to me this morning was "Be still, and know that I am God". I have a hard time being still and just focusing on Him. That is something I am constantly working on. This morning was perfect though. I have been thinking about the first part of this year. We have gone through some tough times but I am finally seeing the good that has come out some of the situations. I feel like my family is stronger and I am a stronger person. I have learned to lean on God more and trust that He will take care of us. What an amazing feeling that is! I don't know what the rest of the year will be like for us, probably very busy with school getting ready to start and me trying to homeschool for the first time. No matter what though, I can take it with my Father watching over me.

Homeschooling!

Wow!! I am just a little overwhelmed and amazed at all the homeschool resources out there. I was nervous when we decided to take Reagan out of school and homeschool him. Now I am so excited for us! I think we are going to have a wonderful year. It is going to be a challenge with me working full-time at HCA and part-time for LTC but I am committed to making this work. I also found some great resources for Kathereine. She can "go to school" too! Thank you to all the wonderful homeschooling parents out there who have provided so many cheap and free resources! I appreciate all the help I can get.

Mountains June 2010

Personalize your own free scrapbook design

I love taking pictures and finding creative ways to put them together!! We had a great time in the mountains. It was fun hanging out at the drive in waiting on Toy Story 3. The funnel cake was fantastic and the movie was so cute! We stayed in a cabin close to the Tallulah River. I loved sitting on the porch and listening to the river and the birds. So relaxing!! We had a yummy breakfast in Clayton at Miss Meg's and then headed down the road. We took a detour and went to Toccoa Falls for the first time. It was beautiful and the kids had so much fun playing in the water. The college is a small, Christian school and has a beautiful campus. I wouldn't mind the kids going to school there. It was a nice break from Winder and I look forward to heading up there again.

Family Fun at the Athens Zoo

Make your own scrapbook

Busy, Busy, Busy

Okay - so I started my blog and then life switched to fast forward. The last month has flown by! We have spent a lot of weekends at ball fields all over North Georgia. Actually, Patrick left this morning for Cooperstown, NY with my parents to play ball next week. I can't wait to watch him on the Internet. I wish I could have gone with him, but I have commitments here next week. I have to work a few days and Reagan has Camp Invention. He is so excited and I can't wait to see what he learns. I am sure he will tell me all about it! :-) I am ready for things to slow down a little. I won't have to go to work in July so that will be a much needed break. I have so many things I want to get done though while I am off. But mostly, I want to be able to relax and have a good time with my family.

During this past month, we had to bury our hamster and our cat. Patrick got Speedy for his 8th birthday and he died a few days after his 10th. It was so sad, but I realized he wasn't acting normal so we all got to say goodbye before he died. Our cat, Daisy, died of old age the last week of school. It was so hard letting her go. My friend Kelli brought her to us a few years ago and I am so glad we took her. We couldn't have asked for a more loving cat. My step-dad must have felt bad for us because he surprised us with a new kitten - Snickerdoodle. The kids are so happy to have her. She is a busy kitten with an attitude and we love her. She is a fun addition to our family - along with Buddy, the dog, Swimmy, the turtle, Peanut, the hamster, and our two fish, Nemo & Chocolate!!

I am really looking forward to this weekend. We are heading to the mountains! We are taking Reagan and Kat to a drive in theater to see Toy Story 3 and then we are staying in a cabin at Tallulah Falls. I am ready to play and fish and listen to Reagan's spooky stories around the campfire! I am sure there will be some doosies!! Well it is time for me to get back to reality. I hate going back inside. It is so peaceful out here right now and not too hot, but I've got to get up and get a few more things done before bedtime.

Mother's Day

I had a busy Mother's Day this year. We got up and went to the early service at church. I got to sit with two of my favorite people - Mom and Patrick. Patrick had gotten there first and had a rose waiting on me. I got a hug and kiss too! We had a wonderful service, stopped by Mom's house and then headed to Temple. We made a stop in Douglasville and had lunch with my Dad, my brother Randy, his wife Barbara and their daughter Elizabeth. We don't get to see them too often so it was a blessing that we got to have lunch together. Kelly got a Mother's Day present at his Mom's house - his Grandpa's riding lawn mower. He has been wanting one for a long time and it is in great condition. It is my present too because he will be able to cut the grass quicker! We ended the day at my Mom's again and had supper. She is so good to us! I would have never been able to work without worrying all these years if it had not been for her. My children are so blessed to be able to stay with her and I thank God for the close relationship they have with her and Roy.
I enjoyed all the hugs and kisses all day!! God has blessed me with three wonderful children! Each one very unique!