"MOM...when you are ready...come down...sit in this chair...we have something for you..."

"Happy Teacher's Day!" My second gift from my students...and their wonderful Daddy. The first gift...a willing spirit and cheerful attitude last week as we began our new school year. I sat and finished grading their papers on Saturday night and they all did such a nice job! We went over their papers this morning and they each received a hug and a thank you for their A+ effort!

Their favorite subjects...as told to Daddy...

Chevy...Recess, so I can play with those kids that are home all day now...I'll just wait here at the top of the stairs...they'll come eventually!

Ashlynn...Science

Alisa...Art

Teddy...Bible "Dad, did you know that the cross was made out of a tree?" asked Teddy. "Yes, I did. Why did they need a cross?" asked Dad. "For Jesus to die on," Teddy replied. We are praying for understanding for our son...Jesus died on that tree for you!

A Lump of Clay

That is what I am! And I am so thankful that God is continually in the process of shaping and re-shaping me for His good purpose! I had the opportunity today to sing in the morning service today. God put this song in my heart this week...I needed to be reminded...that I am just a lump of clay...He is the Potter! He is the artist...molding, creating, applying pressure, forming me for His purpose...not my purpose...His way...not my way...His time...not my schedule...His desires...not mine!

You are the Potter, Lord, I am the clay.

Lord, I have tried to go my own way. Wandering alone day after day. Now I am Yours; guide me, I pray. You are the Potter, Lord, I am the clay.

Clay will remain water and sand, without the skill of the potter's hand. Lord, make me whole, restore me, I pray. You are the Potter, Lord, I am the clay.

Lord, let me be a vessel for You; filled with Your love, Your light will shine through. Held in Your hand, I thankfully pray. You are the Potter, Lord, I am the clay.

Focusing on the blessings that God gives us...daily!

Finding the comfort in a Saturday at home

It is our first "regular" Saturday at home since Grammy and Grampy moved. It is the first time that I had to miss my Satuday morning visit with Mom over a cup of coffee! I didn't realize how much I looked forward to our guaranteed weekly visit...till it is not there.
So...I drank my cup of coffee and continued on with my daily responsibilities...and a few extra ones...
It is time to pull out the fall decorations! The candle, flower pick, and ceramic pumpkins were from my secret pal for my birthday...and make our table look so festive! Fall is still my favoritest season...no matter what comes next!
Then I am going to have to take time to go call Mom and sit a spell! I am pretty sure she has her candles lit and her coffee pot on!

Happy Birthday to Grampy...Happy Birthday to you!

I didn't go back and look over what was recorded...we were trying to do this before we started school...we didn't want to be tardy! I might have noticed that I forgot to turn off the camera! Duh! I was a little distracted by the panic that came over Teddy's face. I am leaving it as is...because I know Dad and Mom...you will laugh...I did...till I cried. No matter how hard you try...sometimes...you just don't have it all together! WE LOVE YOU!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!!! (AKA...GRAMPY!) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXO

Our days are different!

I have been noticing all the ways our days are different these last couple days! Different is good...different is different...different takes time getting comfortable with...and we are adjusting nicely, I think.
First off, this principal makes the best cup of coffee!
We give everyone enough time to get going so that we aren't rushed through anything. I even have time to get the breakfast dishes done while the kids do their chores. I love "going to work" with a clean kitchen!
The lunch lady feeds everyone well and even throws in extra special treats!
The teacher loves the start of the day...let me clarify...the start of the school day, as I listen to each say the pledges, sing the songs, and recite their verses all different but at the same time! They are participating and paying attention so well...for the most part! I have to do a little reminding now and then!!
While we are a little relaxed on our dress code, we still get dressed to work. No sloppy play clothes or pjs allowed! And...we wear socks! No shoes (well, except for Miss Alisa...she tends to be "fancier" than the expected)! We may have to upgrade to slippers as the weather changes...but that is a comfy and cozy difference...and we like it!
The students enjoy laying in the recliners or on the couch as the teacher reads to them after lunch. Our little fuzzy, white dog likes to curl up with us. Right now, we are enjoying Pippi Longstocking's escapades. Next...for the boy...Misty of Chincoteague!
Our days are different...and different is good...and we are thankful for the good difference!

Inspired by my cousin...

We had a first day treat...but not till after a supper at Applebees in celebration of our first day...another thank you to my friends for a great birthday gift idea! So...we sugared up right before bed! MMMM...worms!

Aunt Sara had a baby calf visit her classroom...

We had a little, white fuzzy dog who can't figure out why he can't be down with us! "The kids are home...but they can't play? I'll sit and wait!"

We also had a some type of flying ant or something that caused great distress during our morning's exercises. Teacher Mom attempted to save the day with a Kleenex and got stung...all learning came to a screeching halt as we looked at the offender and the offended appendage. I was ok with knocking cobwebs down...but maybe bug-bombing would be a good solution...two weeks ago, I killed a bumblebee at my desk! I would like to know how and why!

***Day two is complete. Papers are checked. Time to move on to household responsibilities.***

Boys...grow up to be men...when Daddy's take time to be with them!

"Mom, can I be in charge of the fires this week? Dad's not here and I know how to do it!" pleaded the only male in the crowd. He really did a great job...we didn't even use the lighter fluid on the night he supervised the gathering of sticks and twigs and the neighbors used straw!

"Wow, Mom, you did that all by yourself and Dad didn't even have to help you," gloated Teddy. They were especially excited when I found out that all I had to do was plug a cord in to make the vcr/dvd player work! We had gone all summer without movies on "the big tv" due to a lack of checking out the box and directions. Not saying it wasn't a bad thing...we can go without tv and movies...but how much more fun is it to crawl under a blanket when it is cold outside and watch Andy Griffith and I Love Lucy and such after a day at the pool!

"Mom...hey, Mom...are you watching? Mom, watch..." I reread the same page about five times...I kept losing my place while watching all the acrobatics.

Goggles? or no goggles?
That is the question!

It is all in how big the splash is, you know! Even better...if you can get your sisters wet!

No wonder boys are always getting scrapes and bruises...if it doesn't go fast or high by itself...we will sacrifice our bodies to make it do it!

Yep...we were watching!

Time with Dad...that is all it takes to put a little boy in the happiest place on earth!

Fishing with Dad...up super early...got one fish...got brave... and held it too!

He's been watching his Daddy for six years now...there is a respect and awe in his eyes...as he tries to do exactly what Daddy does!

If Daddies don't take time to train their boys...in the little things in life...they won't be prepared for the big things that will come in their life! Hey...Daddy...he is watching you! Hey...Mommy...back off...Daddy knows what little boys need...and he loves him just as much...if not more than you do!

What a reminder for me! I don't always know what is best...case and point...dealing with my son at various times! The primary responsibility, for instruction through actions and verbal teaching, belongs to the father...I am to be his helpmeet...called upon by him to participate in the child-training activity!

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture (chastening and instruction) and admonition (putting in mind) of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4

I better not interfere...because I will train my children to disrespect that God-given authority in their life! We are trying to teach them to honor their parents...but if I don't honor their father...it is not going to be well with us...me...them! What a mess I could create so easily and so quickly because of how I act/react to different situations in my emotional state as a woman!
I will admit...I don't mind being the weaker vessel...as long as I have strong men around me to lead and take care of me! What a load off my shoulders! So to our Daddy...thank you for taking time...to lead our son...children...as you do...'cause I don't always know what is best!

From here and there and everywhere...back to reality

"Hey, the speed limit is alot of numbers and we aren't even close to going as fast as those numbers!" observed Teddy from the backseat. I held up the camera WITHOUT PRE-LOOKING to capture the end of our week long vacation at the lakehouse...I have more than reading and naming numbers to worry about from the look of things!

"What are you taking a picture of now...you know...you are warping our kids...they think they have to take a picture of every little thing. They wanted a picture of the heron we saw at the lake the other night..."If Mom were here...she would want a picture of it...for the blog!" MEMORIES...THAT IS WHAT I AM AFTER! "I am just trying to get a picture of the tree...it's already changing!!!"

Only a few more summer-like days to enjoy the beauty of the lake...what a beautiful place!

We made it to our first break without difficulty!

Ready to start my Third grade year, I think this is going to be fun!

You said First grade was going to be fun, right?!

Second grade...yes, I'm excited! See my area!

Our technical difficulties rearranged Teddy's viewing area for a couple days...he seems pretty relaxed about it!

They are participating and following along...it is fun to hear them sing, answer the questions, and participate in the drills.

Doing our work neatly...trying hard not to roll around on the chairs to see what everyone else is doing...um...that's my Alisa!

Writing fun!

***Our schoolroom is situated in the main room of our basement. We have a nice table with dividers for each student. They each have a rolling task chair...which, right about now, I am pondering if that was a wise idea...and I thought tapping or rolling pencils or scratching on the chalkboard was annoying! Try plasic wheels rolling back and forth on cement floor...or the bobing and weaving of little heads poking around the dividers to see what the other is doing...hmmm! We also have the nice bathroom downstairs too! I have a candle going for added atmosphere...for the teacher's pleasure.

Our first day went well! I know not all days will be this easy...but I am hoping and praying for continued smooth operating procedures! This week is my "get it figured out" week...our "starting schedule" of events worked well...we will see how much the time fluctuates this week too.***

Tomorrow is the first day of school...

and we came back "earlier" in the day (after an afternoon at the pool!) to get ready for our first day! We had a wonderful week at the lakehouse...swam everyday, ate lots, slept in, watched movies, rode on the golfcart, and enjoyed campfires. The weather was beautiful! What a nice way to end the summer season. Now we are ready to begin a new schedule! BUT...we are experiencing technical difficulties...at least our first day outfit is laid out, our clothes are unpacked and wash begun, breakfast plans made, fun snack ingredients purchased, and there is plenty of cream for the coffee! We can start even if the online streaming isn't going to cooperate.