My Turn

I FINALLY got my comment posted
on Rosie's blog.
She does this Ask a Question thing.
Her latest question was about your favorite teacher:

kari Writes:

Mrs. Nichols was my 6th grade teacher. She just connected with us kids. She was funny, cool, smart and expected a LOT from us. Might be why I decided to become a 6th grade teacher myself.

I've been responding to this blog, on and off, for almost a year.
My turn today!

Dentist Sketch - The Carol Burnett Show

Harvey Korman was a HUGE part of my growing up!
I always waited to see Tim Conway crack him up!
This was one of my favorite sketches!
Today the world lost a FUNNY MAN!!

Chloe's Pops Concert

Last week we went to Chloe's Pop's Concert at school.
It was a great concert...even if it DID last 2 hours. (-:
The choirs were amazing, and they sang great music!
My parents showed up too. We met them before the
concert at Harry's. (Which charges a dollar for a side
of ranch!)
Great job Chloe!
It was so fun to watch you sing!

A New Job

Ryan started his FIRST job this past week.
He is working at the McDonald's by our house.
They hired him right before Memorial Day weekend,
and then worked him EVERY DAY!!!
Regardless, he is enjoying the job,
and is looking forward to the money!
Way to go Ryan!

Summer Begins

We were at Kate (Angela's boss's house) over the weekend for a surprise 60th birthday party!
The pool was in the mid 80's, and the kids were in the whole time.
And so the summer begins.

Kids growing up!

Chloe is off today...
she is doing 16 year old things.
She is at graduation parties, and sleepovers
and running errands.
It's so weird when your kids grow up!
It's so awesome...and scary at the same time.

We went out with Mike and Jolyne last night
whose son had just gotten his license that day.
Quentin turned 16 and passed his test.
He took off to a birthday party and drove himself.
Mike and Jolyne were nervous...but did very well.
They weren't overly nervous!

Ryan also passed his drivers test yesterday. He had a CRABBY, frightening
test proctor. BUT...either way....he passed!
It was a big day for drivers.

Let the weekend begin!!
Take the link on the side and check out the blog I made for my students!

When Love Takes You In - Steven Curtis Chapman

The Chapman Family

At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters. More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife MaryBeth founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY ® winner and 54-time Dove Award winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles.

SCC has been a favorite of mine for a long time.

I've seen him in concert COUNTLESS times.

I've even met him before.

His music has touched my heart.

My heart goes out now to this family!

I cannot imagine their pain!

Keep this family in your prayers.

"In the long run men hit only what they aim at."

Henry David Thoreau

Being a Mom

Before I was a Mom

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on.

Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom

I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

Before I was a Mom

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night

every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth, the joy,

the love, the heartache, the wonderment

or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling

so much, before I was a Mom.

Children Are A Blessing

Happy Mothers Day to all your wonderful mothers out there!!
I hope your Mothers Day was wonderful.
This is what I got from my oldest for Mothers Day!


http://sethsimonson.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=happy-mothers-day

Happy Mother's Day

I hope you mom's all have a very Happy Mother's Day!!

John Erickson Turns 70!

On Saturday we hosted a party for Angela's dad. John turned 70 on April 30th.
We had a fun get together.
We DID notice that a bunch of kids, and hardwood floors
add up to LOTS OF NOISE!!
There was HUGE AMOUNTS of pizza,
and even MORE CAKE!(Kathy never wants to run out!)
A close knit family is such a touching thing to be a part of!
These people have such an intense love for each other.
I feel truly blessed to be part of all this love.
Happy, Happy Birthday John.


This picture of of Jennifer (Angela's sister)
and her boyfriend Terry,and his family!
I put this picture in here because
I know she will be so excited to see it!
We love having them a part of the family now too!

It's coming.....

A beautiful sunny day in my neighborhood!
Saw my first commercial for new season of The Closer.
School year winding down.
Is there anything better than SUMMER??
The countdown begins.
23 days~

Whatever it Takes

But remember the time I told you the way that I felt
That I'd be lost without you and never find myself
Let's hold onto each other above everything else
Start over, start over

I'll do whatever it takes
To turn this around
I know what's at stake
I know I've let you down
And if you give me a chance
and believe that I can change
I'll keep us together whatever it takes

So Close

BEFORE:








Today the job is almost finished!
We spent the day getting things so we can begin to re-load the living room: felt things for under the furniture, area rugs for under the rocking chairs, a new piece of furniture to put entertainment stuff inside.
NOW...we just have to get it all done.


AFTER:

Writing On The Floor

My friend, Shari, gave me an awesome idea
when she watched the video of the kids
rip-sticking on the floors.
She told me that we should write Bible verses
on the floor. She said that way we would be
literally standing on the promises of God!
We didn't have much room left that was open space.
But, I wanted to do it.
Then, I couldn't decide which verses to write.
I sat one evening with the Bible trying to find
some. Nothing specifically jumped out at me.
The morning before they were going to lay the final planks,
a verse came to me in the shower. Laid on my heart if you will.
I love the idea, and am excited that I got one verse down.
Thanks for the amazing idea Shari.