First Day of School

Kanton's going to Kindergarten!

Braden is ready for 3rd grade!

Here are the boys outside the school on the first day! Ashton wore his school t-shirt, too!

The boys started school yesterday. They were so excited. I think Kanton was asking me all summer when he could start. He was ready! We got there early and took pictures, saw friends, and found lockers. We did this the day before at Meet the Teacher, but it was fun to do it again the first day! Braden walked into school, saw his old friends, and nearly forgot we were there. He did let me get a few pictures before he was busy talking to friends. Everyone was excited to see their old buddies that they hadn't seen much during the summer. Kanton was a little nervous, but he had a sweet friend in his class who came up and hugged him and said, "Kanton, I'm so glad you're in my class." Then this sweet boy told the teacher, "Kanton is my very best friend." That should help you feel welcome on the first day of school! Well, I was doing great and holding it together. It was like old hat, because I've dropped Kanton off at Mom's Day Out for three years now. I was great until the teacher asked, "Mom, are you okay?" I thought I am dropping my baby off at kindergarten, and it didn't even hit me. So then, I start getting a little emotional. The teacher handed me a bag of tissues with a sentimental poem about how he's been home with me for 5 years and that it's the teacher's turn to take care of him. It went on to say how she would help him learn and grow and take care of him for me. It was a very sweet poem.

The boys had a great day. Braden had some homework due Friday that he already started. He was anxious to come home and read a parable out of his bible. Kanton didn't have homework, but he made a cute handprint picture and painted red handprints on his bookbag. He got a little red paint on his uniform, and I am not sure how. I sent a paint shirt for him to wear!

So we made it through the first day, and the kids woke up excited again this morning. They were singing in the car and ready to go. Every morning, Braden asks if he can go and wait in the car until I'm ready. I told him I would hurry, but he did this last year as well. He doesn't like to be late! Don't worry. He is always on time, and the boy helps me make sure of that.

So, we are excited about the things that God has planned for this year. We have started third grade and kindergarten, I am returning to work in a couple of weeks, Ashton is moving up to preschool, and we're expecting the baby in the spring. It was an exciting start to a new year! I am looking forward to all the adventures that are in store for us! I am going to enjoy my week off before we get into the swing of things at MDO as well. Upward soccer is coming up, and I know things are going to get even more busy! Throw in the orthodontist appointments, baby doctor appointments, 16 field trips between my two school guys and 2 for preschool, soccer practice and games, and other life events, and we're going to be extremely busy!

I hope everyone has a blessed school year!

What a Difference a Year Makes

Our one year anniversary of living here was this Saturday. A year ago, I left in my van very sad to leave. I was unsure of what was ahead and what God had planned for us. I was leaving a great church, wonderful friends, and a town I had called home for 11 years. My kids were all born in San Angelo. It was hard to leave.
When we got here, I was really sad. I missed my friends. I missed my church. We visited several churches, and we met a lot of nice people. It just wasn't what I was used to. I found a job, and it's the only job I applied for. It's funny how God must have sent me there. I know that now.

I am very thankful to have visited Braden's school and felt at peace that he needed to be there. It was the only place I felt he belonged. I didn't know how much of a blessing his little school would be, but God knew!

Well, I understand now the reasons God moved us here. I love my job. I have met great people. I have learned to save money and do coupons. I am convicted to get out of debt. My husband has a good job, although I hate the whole out of town work he has to do. I just feel we have been blessed in many ways. For now, this is home for us. Braden loves his school. He did really well, and in a few weeks, Kanton will experience it for himself. God truly has blessed us. Now, with the unexpected blessing that will fill our lives, we have something else to be thankful for. I am usually very happy to go to work, and I have a smile on my face, and even when I can't do cartwheels any more, I will be doing them in my heart!

I am so glad I have met all of you wonderful ladies at work, through coupons, and at church. We are doing great, and I am so happy that our family had adjusted so well. Just look back to my very first blog post. We've come a long way, baby! Looking back to last July and to my attitude and outlook, it's amazing God's blessings and what a difference a year makes!

Unexpected Blessings

God has blessed us with an unexpected blessing! We should see this little blessing near the end of February or beginning of March 2009. The boys are excited. While it is early to announce this, I feel that the more prayers that can surround us, the better it is for all of us! Thank you for praying for us and loving us! We are praying for a healthy baby!!

Cow Appreciation Day

the boys in their cow costumes

Please, save your cow jokes.

So, today we did it. We got creative and got brave. We made our costumes with glue, felt, cow-print material, safety pins, and posterboard. I even talked Ricky into doing it. We marched into Chick Fil-A as a herd. We got $27 worth of food for 36 cents. We had to pay for a fruit cup for one of the boys. It was well worth it, and the kids spent a lot of time helping with costumes. We will do it every year from now on. There were kids, parents, and even college students dressed up. We were laughing at some college boys in the same material our boys had on, but they were sneaking people under it, holding a cow mask, and making a two person cow. It was funny. I think the kids will look forward to doing it again next year.

Cake Blog

I added a cake blog. My address is http://sweettoothcakes.blogspot.com

Sweet Tooth

This is a Nemo cake. He's swimming out of seaweed (in case you're wondering what in the world Nemo's doing with green-colored porkchop sideburns. He is chocolate cake with buttercream icing.

This is yellow cake with chocolate buttercream icing. The "mountain" is white cake with buttercream icing. It's designed by the birthday boy himself who was having his party at Mt. Aggie. I'm glad to learn of this place. It sounds so fun!

Okay, so you guys know I do cakes. Did you know my number is in the phone book? Just look in the big phone book under CAKE and you will see Sweet Tooth. That's me.

Anyway, here are some pictures of our latest creations. My sister is staying the week, and she loves doing cakes. So, she helped me for free. What a nice sister. She probably did 75% of the work, and I just helped with details. I think we did a pretty good job. Now, we did run out of orange, black, and red icing during these cakes, so it was a close one. We managed to squeeze by. Sorry, icing joke. Have a sweet day. :)

My Poor Ashton

Well, we were home last night, cleaning up dinner. The kids were playing in the room with their cousins, and we heard this awful scream from Ashton. He screamed and cried, "Something is biting me mommy!" I already knew what it was...a scorpion. I ran in there, got a sheet he was playing in on the floor, and got him out. Ricky ran in the room and started whipping the sheet, and the thing flew on him! My sister yelled at him, and he knocked it off and tried to kill it. The scorpion was quickly scurrying behind the tv stand in Ashton's room. Ricky finally killed it. My 7-year-old niece was too afraid to sleep last night, and she was up ALL night. I kid you not. My poor sister had to listen to her cry all night, because she was so scared. The landlord has sprayed. We found 3 after that...then Ashton was stung.

What's next? Anyone know how to get rid of scorpions?