11 years!!! WOW!

Happy Anniversary! 11 years!

May 3, 1997

Well, it actually does seem like yesterday that we were planning that wedding!

Where in the world does the time go?

Did you ever think that on October 3, 1985 you would end up married to me? And to think that I was taller than you! Good thing I didn't let that keep me from "going with you" or loving you!

February 1984 (check out my jeans!)

"If I could plant a seed every time I think of you,

I could walk forever in my garden" -- author unknown

News! News! News!

That's one..............................................

Terrific Kid!!!

Jacob won Terrific Kid for this past month at school! We are so proud of him! He has worked hard this year and made us proud!

One of the best things was that I secretly had Abbey and Ethan called out of class so that they could come to the ceremony. When Ethan walked into the office he had the strangest look on his face. He said "What is wrong?" and when I looked at him and smiled he started jumping up and down and grinning, saying "Jacob won Terrific Kid, Jacob won Terrific Kid".

I also received this email from his teacher.

"The rest of the story...................When Jacob learned that he was a terrific kid, he jumped up, came to me and said,”I have to call my Mom!!” - I told him we would try and a call you in a minute… He did not forget and was persistent that he needed to call you or I needed to send you an e-mail… I kept making excuses…
Just before 8:00, he started again with the telephone call… So I pulled out my cell phone and we dialed your cell number about four times…each time I disconnected the call telling him I must have a bad signal today. I suggested he go to the cafeteria and we would just have to call you afterwards…
I think he was surprised to see you and the rest of the family there.
Hope you have a great week-end."

I had done a pretty good job deceiving Jacob this week. He thought the note that was sent home was about some testing and then this morning I told him to remind me to take my camera because Mr. Cole wanted pictures of our tulips here at school. Jacob even said "well, you shoudl take your big camera instead of your little one". Bless his heart he didn't think I was going to get to see him. I would have faced the devil himself to get to see him!

Yep, I am a mama bear and will get to my cubs anyway I can. So, his entire family (including my mama and daddy and Gordon's mom) were there to see him. I wished his Aunts and Uncles could have been there too!

On another note, he came in as a relief pitcher with 1 out and struck the next to batters out! He would have pitched the next inning but the time was up for the game.

Congratulations sweet boy!

"Wheresoever you go....go with all your heart." -- Confucious

My sweet princess!

OK - I let Abbey do something this weekend that I swore I would NEVER, EVER do! But, she begged and no amount of bribing was going to talk her out of it! Gordon and I offered new toys, trips to places -- heck, her little friend Carly had an awesome birthday party and Abbey would NOT budge!!! She was going to do a pageant. Well, my friend Julie did one that was a NATURAL pageant! HA!! That is certainly an oxymoron! Anyways, she did absolutely wonderful! It was kindof funny! I had told her when her group came out to look at the judges and smile. Well, she took me at my word and looked at them and never stopped!!! I told my mom "I told her to look at them -- not stare them down and stalk them." The picture below shows the "stalker" stare! The judges were on the side of the stage! Too funny!

They had to answer an on stage question -- at this age -- Yikes!! Anyways, it was "If you could be an animal what would you be and why?" Abbey's answer: "A bunny because they are soft and they run really fast." Well, this came from a little bunny that was in our neighbors yard the night before and Abbey and Jake tried to chase it into our yard. But, as it hopped towards our yard Cooper ran towards it and the bunny turned and took it's chances with Abbey & Jake.

Abbey was 2nd runner-up and won Photogenic in her age division and Photogenic Overall! All done with a picture that I took in the backyard while playing with my camera!! The only way she agreed to take pictures this day was if she didn't have to fix her hair and could wear anythign she wanted -- hence the black (out of date) shawl and the brown and pink SUMMER shirt underneath!!!

So, we thought this would be okay with her! Well, NO!! On the way home she said "Mama, I wanted a crown -- next time I am getting me a crown." This can't be the same girl that was only supposed to walk out and hand the winner some flowers at last year's Miss BS9th pageant and refused to even go BEHIND the stage. It can't be the same girl that ran into some of my friends last week when we were getting her dressed steamed and hid on the other side of me so that she didn't have to look at them!!! What have I gotten myself into???

Everyone else is doing okay! The boys are trucking along with school getting ready for PACT testing! I am not stressing as much this year as I did last year. They have both done really well on their MAP testing so, I it is not going to help anyone if I stress over it.

I have some BIG, exciting news coming FRIDAY so......stay tuned!!

Another week flying by......

We have been crazy around here! Spring Break was last week and we started out having Ethan's tournament for his AAU Basketball team. He is playing for the Forest City Heat and it has been quite an experience. This is about as close to professional or college as you can get. I was just amazed and very impressed! Also a little proud that we are part of such a great organization! Gordon told the coach when Ethan made it '' You are going to break his mama's heart" because I must admit -- I am not a fan of basketball. My own mother played basketball in high school and I am just too uncoordinated to have ever played! I remember Gordon playing in high school and I never even went to a game -- well, I went to a few but sat and talked the entire time! Imagine that! Now, Jacob is playing also! It is a haul up there and back but.....hopefully will teach them many techniques and help them improve. Ethan's dream is to be a

so, maybe this will help ~ along with his good grades! Dream Big! I keep pushing for Wofford College so hopefully, one will work out! He IS in the 4th grade and we have to start to think about this!! HAHA!

Ethan is in this picture -- he is the other white jersey in the air! I thought this was hilarious becasue you can see how high his feet are off the ground. He is the smallest on the team so it is pretty funny to me.

We went to the beach after the tournament and had a great time with friends! It rained pretty much the entire time but....we still had fun! I can't seem to find my pictures -- I think that they are still in the camera at home.

AND.....My sweet boys both made the Honor Roll again! I got to go to the program today and see them. I normally don't get to go because I have students but...thankfully I got to see them today. Jacob's teacher had emailed me about a CHARACTER AWARD he was getting so I had to be there! My mom and Gordon got to come also!

This is Jacob getting his Character Award! This is a great accomplishment for him and we are so proud of you JACOB!!!

Jacob made the HONOR ROLL (all A's and 1 B) and Ethan made the Principals Honor Roll (All A's)! This is just awesome and makes me so proud!