Happy Memorial Day

We had a wonderful memorial day weekend filled with lots of family time. We were so thankful that we didn't have anything that we had to do. It's amazing how much we caught up on thanks to the help of our family!

Thursday night Uncle Ed and Aunt Lill slept over. Aunt Lill went to school with us while Uncle Ed worked on some home projects for us-sealed our counter tops, laid the transition piece on the hardwood floors and replaced our dead bolt. (all on his own...we didn't have anything lined up for him!!) Thanks so much!

Friday night my mom came into town. She entertained Caroline throughout the weekend so that Andy and I could clean out the garage, work in the yard and straighten the house. Thanks so much mom!

granny took Caroline on a bug hunt with her new bug kit

Sunday we headed over to Aunt Tomi Jean's and Uncle Greg's for an impromptu swim afternoon. We talked about how hot it was at church and thought an afternoon swim would be perfect... it was. It was Caroline's first time in the pool since last summer. (well except for the brief stay at the indoor pool over new years before she left a little surprise in the pool...) She was like a fish, so thankful!



Monday we headed back over to Uncle Greg and Aunt Tomi Jeans to celebrate memorial day with our family as well as Tomi Jean and John's birthday. It was so much fun to get to celebrate and hang out with everyone! Caroline had a blast in the pool with Ansley Kate and Jay.

having a ball!!!

Happy Birthday guys!

Reflecting on the last year

It's hard to believe that a year ago today, I closed a 7 year chapter of my life as a full time teacher. It was one of the hardest decisions as well as one the the easiest, if that makes sense. Hard in the fact that I don't do well with change and when I do have to change, I like to have a "perfect" plan! Easy because I was excited to got to be at home with Caroline and watch her learn and grow. When I left my school, I didn't have a plan for what our life would look like. I didn't have the part time job that I had prayed for but it was ok. We truly felt like we were being obedient and God would work out the details...and he did!!!

In August just a few weeks before school started, I got a phone call that I WOULD HAVE A JOB!!! Working part time at the preschool has been wonderful! I had 11 amazing children and parents. I worked with a great group of Godly women who made each day an absolute joy. Caroline had an awesome teacher, who loved her and encouraged her in so many ways. It was fun to watch my baby girl grow in such a positive environment.

This past year has been an absolute blessing, but it's also been filled with lots of bumps. Being with Caroline the majority of the day, we see each other's ugly sin more than anyone else does. I see her whining, disobedient, do my on thing self while she see's my sinful, need a break, tired of asking, selfish self. The Lord has really humbled me in this experience because I have had to learn to repent of my sins in front of my 2 1/2 year old or have her call me out on my sin... "Mommy, don't scream at me, use a quiet voice." OUCH! "Mommy I 'pologize' it's just I don't like my medicine, I sorry." If the child has learned nothing else, at least she has learned to ask Jesus to forgive her of her sins because she surely see's her momma asking on a regular bases.

It's been a challenge getting use to taking her everywhere I went as well as never really having any time in my house to myself. Even when she's taking a nap, she is still here!! The grocery store, haircuts, shopping for clothes, running 6 errands having to get her in and out, going to lunch with friends, etc. I have really learned to appreciate when someone does keep her so that I can do these things by myself! I have wonderful friends and family who help me tremendously and I am so thankful for that!! But we are learning and adjusting and it's working out just fine.

I can honestly say that while it's been a hard adjustment, it's been the greatest gift ever! I have realized being at home just how much she learns, grows and changes. It's been a blessing to watch this happen before my very eyes. I am thankful for Andy and the wonderful job that he has. It provides our family with a comfortable lifestyle (we have learned we don't need near as much as we think we do) as well as outstanding health benefits! I try to tell Caroline often that Daddy is the head of our household and he works to provide for us so that Mommy can be at home. A few weeks ago we were on our way to school and Caroline said "daddy's working mommy." I said "yes he is sweetie." I LOVED what she said next "that's cause he takes care of us...loves us, prays for us...he's our 'vider' (provider) so we can play at home."

Thank you Lord for this wonderful opportunity! :0) I look forward to the year ahead!

Celebrating 3 years

Yesterday marked the 3 year anniversary since we found out about our sweet angel! She has been consumed with birthdays and if you ask her she will tell you "my birthday is coming on Friday." love it

Her sweet daddy thought it would be fun to celebrate her anniversary with a small cake and candles. She was SO EXCITED!!! I wish I could have captured her excitement when she saw the cake and candles...

Baby girl, we love you and are so thankful you are ours!

Another year has come and gone...

I can't believe how much my girl has grown and changed since our first day of school...It's been a joy to experience this year with my baby girl just across the hall!

Aunt Lill just happened to be passing through and was able to celebrate Caroline's last day of school with her. Thanks Aunt Lill, I know Caroline enjoyed having you there! I have some more pictures of add of the classroom end of the year party.

look at her expression...watch out buddy, I know what I am doing and NO you are not getting in front of me.

Caroline's sweet friend Issa, she sure is going to miss her next year!!

Mrs. Brown's end of the year gift

Hello summer vacation!!

Happy Birthday Tyler

Our sweet friend Tyler celebrated his 5th birthday today! He had an awesome party at Fun day GO and Caroline had a blast! She was fearless...

this is an example of a safe landing...somehow the first two times she came down, it's wasn't exactly safely...she tumbled over on her neck and did somewhat of a back flip. not even sure that this accurately describes it...it was crazy!

the amazing birthday cake the birthday boy's daddy made!!!

We love you Tyler! So glad we got to celebrate with you! :0)

Thank you Mrs. Brown!

This year Caroline was blessed with an amazing teacher, Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Brown has loved Caroline and taught her so many things-most importantly how to get along with others. :0) Caroline loves Mrs. Brown and talks about her frequently at home. One day Mrs. Brown was out and I asked Caroline where she was and she replied "she's praying and reading her bible today mommy." Thank you Mrs. Brown for helping us mold and shape our baby girl and preparing her for 3k. We surely will miss you next year!

Caroline wasn't interested in smiling...

preschool is tough business

Fun with Catherine

Monday nights are our bible study night with our small group. Caroline and Catherine share a babysitter at one of our homes. This week we had Catherine over and thought it would be fun to play in the pool. The girls had a blast!

Caroline's first field trip!!!!

We had such a fun morning. Caroline's class visited a local farm and they had a blast!! :0)

hanging out in mommies room before the trip

she LOVED riding the big bus

"I can see more better mommy"

so excited that the duck was so close

even better, he came close enough for her to pet

poor chicken, Caroline wanted to pick him up by his neck...

isn't he cute!!

Caroline loved the pig and would have brought it home if she could have!!

snack time...yum

So thankful for days like today...to watch her as she learns and interacts with other friends. So sad to see our school year come to a close because it's been a great one!!! :0)

Weekend fun!

What a wonderful weekend!!! The weather was perfect AND believe it or not, we didn't have ANYTHING we had to do! Therefore, we actually got a lot done...We all slept in, Caroline till 8:30, which was amazing in itself. Once Andy got up, he decided to go outside to work in the yard, you know simple stuff, weed eat, pulled weeds, edge, etc. Three hours later, he/we had edged the lawn, trimmed the bushes, put out pine straw and cleaned off the porch. Caroline loved blowing bubbles and playing in the sprinkler while we worked...first time in a long time we have been able to do that. (there were a few tears shed but overall, she entertained herself while we worked)

Once the yard was finished, we headed inside to eat lunch, rest a little and clean up. A few weeks ago my dear friend Lia had Caroline over for a spend the night party as well as watched her the next day so that Andy and I could attend a Christian conference together. WE GOT TO SEE TIM KELLER IN PERSON!!!! YEAH!!!! As a very small thank you for her kindness, we invited them over for dinner. The girls had a blast playing in the water and we got to enjoy some adult conversation. Oh so much fun!

The girls minus Noelle who was napping

I LOVE this precious picture!!

looking so serious, wonder what she was thinking about

Noelle joining the fun

loved Josie's expression here

our boys working on dinner

For some crazy reason, Caroline decided she didn't need to take a long nap today. Instead, she slept for about an hour and ten minutes and was ready to play. Andy was on a conference call for work and of course, she felt the need to help him out...So I decided it might be a good idea to head outside and play in the pool. She loved it!

Mommy, look at my cool trick. (where did she learn the word cool???)

READY

SET

GO...love this!

another 'cool' trick

weeeeee

who wouldn't love being outside on such a pretty day with such a sweet girl! oh the blessings from our Lord...

enough of the pool, moving onto the Tonka truck and daddy's sprinkler

So thankful for a wonderful weekend, can't believe we are about to start our last week of school! Hopefully we will have lots of fun days like this over the summer! :0)