A strange start to a new school year but we are blessed!

For someone who likes a schedule, to do lists, planned menus for the week and gets rattled when the schedule gets off a little bit, the past 10 days has completely turned everything upside down.  Let's just say that in my career as a student or teacher, I have never missed the first day of school nor the first week.  I didn't really get to enjoy the first day of school with the kids because I was so sick.  I still owe them a back to school treat.

Every year my mom would do something special for our after school snack on every first day of school.  I have carried that tradition over to my kids.  I was going to take them to Yogurt Story and because they started school on a Wednesday, I told them we would go after church.  They were excited! However, I ended up in the emergency room and later admitted to the hospital and have been recovering since.  Andrew sweetly said last night, "I can't wait until you feel better so that we can go to Yogurt Story!"  Kids do not forget, at least they do not forget what they want to remember :) 

It has been a rough week, since I have not been able to do much.  Alan not only is carrying his load but has taken over my load.  He never complains but I am sure he will gladly hand over the things I do around the house to keep it running.  I am blessed to have a husband like Alan.  Without him, this week would have been worse than it was.  His parents made a mad dash to Weatherford on Thursday to help with the kids, household chores and groceries.  Our church family prepared meals for us each night so Alan didn't have to cook!  I have had family volunteer to come down and help if needed as well as close friends.  Even though this emergency surgery was not on my "to do list," we are blessed to be surrounded by people who will walk with us during times that are not fun.

 First day of School August 17, 2011.  Andrew third grade, Anna Kindergarten.  Notice that Anna has put the "Hello Kitty" lunch box in front of Andrew.  For those who think Anna is so sweet and quiet, here is proof that she has quite a sense of humor.

Summer 2011

We made it to Memphis on July 8 and celebrated the fourth of July on the 9th of July with my parents.  Better late than never right?  We left on Tuesday the 12th.  While we enjoyed visiting my parents, we did manage to find a little time to take the kids to Beale St. and shop at a crazy five and dime store and even met the Godfather of Blues, Clyde Hopkins.  We always buy a new blues CD when we go to Beale St. and when we walked into our favorite music store on Beale St, Clyde Hopkins was sitting there singing along with his CD.  We bought it, and he autographed it and I did have my picture made with him but on my camera phone.  We stopped by Dyers to have a coke and then decided to go back to my parents house where it was much cooler.

Since we have been home, I have been busy organizing, cleaning, cleaning, and cleaning.  I have also been tweaking our dinner menu for back to school.  I will miss sleeping in to at least 8:30 each morning.  5:30 is just too early!

We went over to our preacher's house for dinner the other night and they had baby kittens for the kids to see.  Anna fell in love with a female blond kitten.  She walked into the house holding it like a baby looking at  her daddy and me with her big brown eyes.  That is one of those moments that it is hard to be a parent.  I just reminded myself that I am allergic and kittens grow up.  Anna also attended cheer leading camp last week.  She had a good time and came home everyday teaching me the moves, cheers and the jumps (which really hurt......funny it didn't use to hurt when I did those jumps).  She received the Diamond award for having the best attitude all week and always doing what she was told.

Andrew has been working on his multiplication flash cards, creating things with his Legos, swimming, and playing  PAC man which his Uncle Matthew gave him.  He says he is ready for third grade but not for school to start.  He is past my shoulders now and his foot is almost as big as mine.  He had his two front baby teeth pulled at the dentist last Wednesday.  His adult teeth came in behind and his baby teeth were not budging.  When they were taken out, the root was still on both.  He did so good through the whole thing except for when he got sick on the way home.  Not fun.........poor kid.  He enjoyed the milk shakes, puddings, apple sauce and all the attention he got for the next 24 hours.  He took his tooth fairy money, along with the money he had left over from our trip and bought two beta's and a fish aquarium.  He loves having a pet again.

Alan was getting ready for football but canceled the season because he only had six players................and I will leave the rest to your imagination.

While the summer is drawing to a close, I reflect on all that I have seen and my family have seen, places we have been, movies we have watched, family time together.  These are sweet memories we are making.  It is time to go and learn more things, and make a difference in the lives of those we are in contact with everyday. May God's light shine through all of us this school year.

The cousins in their matching fourth of July dresses!

Anna and her Diamond award for cheer leading!