My new Teaching Job/Ministry

All last year Chris and I have really been praying about where we were to put Corbin into Kindergarten. The public elementary school, Granger (that is just 2 minutes from our house where he would go if we put him in public school), is wonderful! The principle is a believer and just 2 years ago when they opened the school they had 1000's of teachers apply to teach there so they were able to hire the cream of the crop! We have a few friends who have kids there and they all rant and rave over it. All that said, I just didn't have a peace about it. At least not for this year. Corbin has never been able to go to a pre-school of any sort so I really felt strongly that going from nothing to all day 5 day kindergarten was going to be rough! Beyond that, it has been a very strong desire of mine that he would be able to go to a private school. Problem is, they are SOOOOOO expensive out here, that was NOT going to be an option. As for homeschooling, I used to think I was going to do that in the early elementary years. Then I had 4 boys in 4 1/2 years and began to feel beyond overwhelmed by the everyday task that were before me each day. I'm sure with God's strength and if it really was His will for me I could do it. Problem is, I didn't have a peace about that either. Then one day it hit me...why not get a job at a Christian pre-school that has a kindergarten as well and all 4 boys could go with me. I have multiple friends who work at different schools so I began asking around and gathering information. One other problem I knew I would run into was that many of these schools still make you pay for 1/2 of the tuition for each child. These schools are not cheep so that was going to be expensive as well. Then I found out that there were two schools, Stars Acadamy at Abundant Life Church in Grapevine and Sonshine Academy at First Baptist Colleyville, that payed for all of the tuition for your kids to come and even payed you on top of that. WOOOOOOW is what I was thinking. So I began praying and applying and trusting God that He would help Chris and I to make the right decision. Over a month and a half passed without hearing anything and I began to get really nervous. Then one week I found out Stars wanted me to work in their Summer Camp program and that Sonshine wanted me to be a 3yr. old teacher starting in the Fall. WooHoo!!!!! So all summer long we went to Stars summer camp, same days and times that school will be in the fall, which really helped to prepare both the boys and I for the fall. It's so cool how the Lord worked that out!

So this weekend we had our Teacher's Training Retreat. It was AWSOME...to say the least. We are all going to be so prepared! I love that because then all of the kids will get the best! All of the teachers are wonderful!! I am teaching in the 3yr old department...there are 5 3 yr. old classes with 2 teachers in each and our director and we really do have such an awsome group of women! I could not be more excited about the opportunity to teach with all of them! This school is so nice...3 indoor playgrounds, 2 outdoor playgrounds, huge lunchroom, large music room, classrooms galore as decked out with toys and learning objects as you can imagine and 4 resource/supply rooms (not closets but rooms!!). The boys were able to go up there one day this week with me and they didn't want to leave, they had so much fun and are so stinkin' excited. The cool thing is, Corbin and I will get the best of both worlds...he will go to a private kindergarten two days a week and then I will homeschool him the other 3. Even greater thing is that they are writing my curriculum!!! I'm not having to do that myself. Love that!

Lastly, I had a nice surprise as well this morning. They did a drawing to give away a parent/Child conference at Pine Cove this Fall and I won!!! I've never won anything that big and am so exicited about getting to take Corbin to that and have our relationship as mother and son grow in Christ!!!

So, I could not be more exicted about my new teaching job!!! Please be in prayer with me as we adjust to the new schedule and schoolwork! I truly do feel that God led us to this school! One year down (as far as deciding where to go) and 17 to go. Thanks so much everyone!!!

All I want for my Birthday is to lose my two front teeth!

I knew it was about that time! Corbin has a couple of friends who have just recently lost a tooth so I knew that any day now we would find a loose one. We've been talking about it almost daily but he hasn't said anything to me. Well, tonight while I was brushing his teeth I was telling him that I was just sure that any day now we would find a loose tooth. Then after we finished I asked him to open up so I could feel the bottom teeth and just see. I almost jumped when I grabbed the bottom right tooth because it moved immediately...and a bunch! We both started laughing as I almost screemed out of excitement that he already has one and it could come out any time! Then, after getting all of that on video and showing Daddy I asked him to let me see one more time. Much to my surprise, the bottom left center is a bit loose as well. TWO!! I can't believe he is just growing up so fast! He did start getting his teeth at 4mo. old so this isn't early. How fun, we may be snagletooth for our first day of Kindergarten...which by the way is September 1st with Mrs. Jenny (I got to meet her today and Corbin is going to LOVE her!). My baby is growing up...such a bittersweet experience!

Alligators, Snakes and Vacation, Oh My! (PART 1)

Last week we drove down to Beaumont, TX to spend our vacation time with Chris parents. We were excited to go because it's been right at about a year since the last time we were able to go down there to visit. They were more than gracious and planned several fun things for us to do as a family while we were there and we had loads of fun! The question is...where do I begin?

Chris dad rented a 15 passenger van so that we could all ride together. Let me tell you, 4 little boys, Mommy and Daddy, Nanna-D and G-Daddy pluss Uncle Kendal and his good friend Chris make one full van! We had fun though all riding together!

On Monday, we left early and drove to Galveston to spend a day at the beach. We rode the fairy on the way their which the boys thought was the coolest thing in the world. I was a bit nervous that Cohen might not like the beach (only because when Corbin was his age and we took him to the beach, he was terrified, didn't think that would happen though because Cohen doesn't seem to be afraid of much). Well, he LOVED it. EVERYTHING about it. He would toddle around in the sand and walk on over to the water, sit (or fall) down in the water and just giggle as the waves washed up past him and then back down again. The salt water did not seem to bother any of the boys that much, in spite of their mother despising it! And much to my surprise, Cade wanted to be burried in the sand over and over again. Callen wanted to as well until Daddy shoveled a handful of sand right in his mouth. Didn't upset him but he never asked again either. :-) Would you? We built a sand castle and all...we had what I think was a beautifully fun day at the beach!Riding the fairy.Cohen's first reaction to the beach...so cute!Corbin excited to be there!
Callen getting some energy out!
Cohen trying to keep up with big brothers.
Posin' for MaMa!
Lovin' the beach!Proud of their sandcastle! They did most of the work too!
Waiting to get burried...little did he know what was coming! Yuk!!!
Not even a bit scared of being buried with sand! Crazy!
Brothers having a blast together!
Waiting to jump another wave.Me and the Hub! Chris took the boys out one at a time to the deep waves...much braver than I!
G-Daddy found a rotted fish...yuk! The boys thought that was so interesting and funny! Of course...I'm preparing myself for many more of these experiences.

After the beach we spent the afternoon at Keemah. We walked around the boardwalk and the boys got to ride a few carnival rides. It was a fun finish to a great day!

On Tuesday morning, they took the boys to Jump Zone, one of those places with all the huge bounce houses in it, and the boys got 2 straight hours of pure fun. It wore every one of them out, that's for sure!Cohen did pretty good running in this bounce house, I was surprised...I don't know why though, he tries to do everything brothers do!
Cade had SOOOO much fun!
Of course Cohen never made it more than about 10 steps and then toppled over and laughed his little heart out!I could hardly even get them to slow down for one second to try and snap a pic...therefore, we have a bunch of blury pics of boys on the move! Shows how much fun they were having though!
Coming down the giant slide...no fear!
Going as fast as he can!
Always doin' somethin' goofy!
When he's happy...he REALLY happy!!!

From Baby Curls to Big Boy Crew Cut

As many of you know, we love our boys' hair!!! They really do have great hair...and the longer it gets, the more attatched to it I get! It's just so cute and with it being in style for boys to have longer hair, it's just so darn hard to cut it. BUT, it's also HOT in Texas in the summer! So at the beginning of July, we cut all of the boys long hair off and gave them what I guess would be called a typical crew cut. They look ever so adorable like that as well...and are actually discovering that you can make a fohawk with that type of haircut, so I think next time we cut it we might even go a bit shorter so they can style it! :-) Anyway, below are a couple of before and after pics of Cohen, this was only his second haircut ever. It just made him look so much older and bigger! Adorable I think!! (but I am his mother!)

One Man's Junk...Is Another Woman's Treasure!!! :-)

So about a month ago (I'm a bit behind on blogging!!! Sorry, trying to catch up though), the boys and I were leaving our neighborhood to run a couple of errands. Well, it was bulk trash week and I'm a sucker for things people are getting rid of! We are pulling out and across the street from us in another neighborhood I spot something that looks usable, actually quite nice. So I drive over there, just like Curious George would do! Well, now I could tell that it was a piece of furniture but it was laying down in the street so it was a bit hard to tell what it was and if it was broken or messed up at all. So I tell the boys to wait a minute, that Mommy is going to jump out and look at something. I had to pick it up (not lightweight if you are wondering) and stand it up so I could see it. It was love at first sight. I was NOT leaving there without it (because if you think like me, I knew it would be gone by the time I got back). I knew this was going to become one of my favorite pieces of furniture in my home...One MAJOR issue at hand. How to get it home?!? I was determined though! I quickly opened the back of our SUV and told Corbin and Callen that they were going to have to climb up in the front seat so that Mommy could take their carseats out and lay the back seats down in order to take this home. They just thought this was the greatest thing in the world...and funny too! So that's just what we did. Oh, the double stroller was also in the back because you know I don't go anywhere without it. And of course, there was no one in sight to help me lift this monster into my car. Where there's a will there's a way though ladies! We all know that. So the pic below is of my new antique mini buffet (I think that is what it would be called) that I LOVE!!! It just makes my heart smile and reminds me that God cares even about the silly things in life! :-)

My Heart's Not Ready To Share!

Well, it all started earlier this spring when Corbin asked me one day if we (him and I) were going to get married when he grows up. The conversation went something like this...

C-Hey Mommy, when I grow up are we going to get married?
M-Well Honey, little boys don't marry their Mommy's, pluss, Mommy already married your daddy. Don't worry about it though because Mommy can be your girlfriend for a really long time!
C-But Mommy, why can't we get married when I grow up, I want to live with you forever.
M-(as my heart is melting)Trust me, one day when you get older, you will fall in love with someone and want to marry them.

Then there was about 5 minutes that passed without him saying anything else about it. Then he says...
C-Mommy, ARE??? we going to get married when I grow up?
M-No Sweetie, but remember, don't worry about that for now, I can be your girlfriend for a long time.
C-Yah, and then when I get big I'll be your husband! (said with a big smile on his face as he skipped over to the dining room to play basketball)

Clearly he doesn't understand the concept of marriage, sweet as can be though! Now, fast forward to a couple of weeks ago at camp. The speaker brought his daughter and her best friend with him. Emily, his daughter, was dark haired and a similar build to me and just as sweet to Corbin (and the other boys) as could be. Corbin REALLY liked Emily a LOT and wanted to be with her ALL day the last two days and was very sad to have to leave her at the end of camp. Well, about two weeks after that we had another conversation that went like this...

C-Mommy, when we get to Beaumont can we go see Emily?
M-I'm not sure honey but maybe. You really like Emily don't you?
C- Yes, see Mom, when we first got there I really liked Emily, but later in the week I really started to love her. She is just so pretty and nice to me.
M-That's great that you love Emily, I'm sure she loved you too.
C-Well, when we go to her house I'm gonna ask her where her room is. Then I'm going to take her to her room and tell her I need to talk to her and then I'm going to ask her to marry me.
M-(WHAT??? I thought you wanted to marry me?!? I'm thinking this of course, not saying it to him!!!) Well Baby, come here, Mommy needs to tell you something. Emily is a lot older than you and you really aren't going to be able to get married to her.
C-(Sobbing at this point) But Mommy, I love her, it's just not fair we can't get married!
M-Remember, one day when you grow up you will fall in love with the girl God has for you! Mommy has been praying for you and her since before you were born.
C-you know who she is?
M-No, but I'm praying she will follow hard after Christ, just like I'm praying that for you!

Well, he cried, actually sobbed, for about 15 minutes and then decided he was alright. It just almost broke my heart into pieces to see his little heart broken! He is such a sweet little boy with a HUGE heart and he truly LOVES so many people! He has a heart of gold for sure! All of this truly made me realize, though, that for now...my heart is not ready to share! :-) With God's strength though I know that as the time comes I will be able to let him fall in love...that's going to have to be one special girl!!