Pirate Rhett turns 1

Well - It's officially been a year since Rhett entered our lives and I have to say it feels like yesterday and yet it feels like it's been forever ago. I can't believe how much they grow in just 1 short year.

For his birthday this year we did a pirate theme for many different reasons: One of them was that Rhett had a pirate costume for Halloween, I found pirate party accessories for 70% off and the third reason was that our house decor supports the theme. So, it was rather an easy choice and we had so much fun with it.

Unlike most 1st birthday parties I decided to make Rhett's a little bit different. Once the guests arrived I sent them on a scavenger hunt for a buried treasure. They had to read through clues depicting Rhett's different stages of his 1st year to find the treasure. Uncle Aaron was the lucky pirate hero who successfully dug up the treasure chest and graciously gave it to the children to divide the loot. It was a fun way to celebrate Rhett's birthday with our friends and family.

When it came time to devour his cake he really wasn't too sure about it. He dipped a few fingers into it, licked them off and then tried to pry the tootsie roll cannons from the side of the cake. He didn't really eat hardly any of it but he did make quite a mess.

The opening of gifts was quite a fiasco with all of the children suffocating me and asking to help Rhett open his gifts. So, I gave each of them a gift to open and show Rhett - it worked out well I think. Rhett of course didn't seem too excited but he did seem to enjoy the attention.

His birthday was a lot of fun and I'm so grateful for wonderful family and friends to help us celebrate. I thank God every day for my precious little boy and feel so blessed that on October 3rd, 2008 our lives were changed by this little man who constantly fills our family with so much joy and laughter.

Mom and taking pictures

O.K. - so my mom has always had a difficult time having her picture taken. It's not that she's not photogenic because I think she is - it's just that she tends to close her eyes, look drunk or look anywhere besides at the camera during a photo shot. So, to illustrate this concept I have posted one of our many times trying to get a good picture with mom. It was quite funny and we had a good laugh about the many different shots I had to get before landing a good one. I post this blog all in good fun and love for my mother - and also because I myself have inherited this "bad picture" trait and have always found the humor in it.

This particular shot was during the intermission at "Geppeto and Sons". Addison loved the show and my parents were happy to join us. It was a fun night!

" Mom, I have to take another one because you weren't looking at the camera"

"O.K. this time your eyes were a little bit shut, let's try again"

"Mom, look at the camera not above it"

"Mom, seriously"

"Better but you are still looking above the camera"

Laughing commenced

Mom: "I was looking at you"

Final take: "eyes are still a little closed but it will work"

Cabin Trip #3

So - we ventured yet again to our favorite getaway for a relaxing weekend. We were bummed when we discovered that some of our friends were not able to join us due to being sick and others due to previous engagements but we weren't going to let that stop us from a much needed getaway. The first day and a half were spent with just our small family of four and I have to say that it was really, really nice. We have NEVER been up there with just our family since Jeremy and I have been married. Weird, I know!! We enjoyed spending time with our children and playing with them in the river. Then on Friday afternoon our friends Curt and KayLynn Pentecost joined us. We were excited to reconnect with our friends. Addison and Brenna are about the same age and they had a lot of fun playing in the river, playing games, playing ponies and watching movies. Rhett and Libby are a few months apart but are a little too young to play with each other yet. We watched movies, KayLynn and I played some games, the boys played some old school Mario and went for a walk with the girls. We ventured out on Saturday night to the "LongHorn" bar and grill in Crouch to watch a football game. Unfortunately the football game was playing in the bar and kids were not allowed. So, KayLynn and the kids and I found a table in the crowded restaraunt while Jeremy and Curt went to watch the game. It was a little crazy but we laughed and had a good time in spite of the weird situation. It was a great weekend and we were pleased to be able to spend it with some good friends. Thanks Curt and KayLynn for a great weekend away - we had a lot of fun!!

Rhett's first time in the river

I think I take this view for granted too often! We are blessed!!

Addison and Brenna

Rhett Rhett

Being silly in the river

Rhett's Funny Faces!

Rhett's 1st haircut

First of all I can't believe that Rhett has so much hair. I was looking at pictures of Addison when she was his age and she had hardly any hair. Rhett on the other hand is a mophead and so the time has come when he sheds his blonde scruff for a more sophisticated look. He did great for the most part and Jeremy was more than patient with him as he doesn't sit still - EVER (even in his sleep). Jeremy thinks that he cut it a bit too short but I think it looks fine. We also discovered that Rhett has my dad's hairline (sorry Rhett) so Jeremy couldn't really cut it the way that he would have liked too. Oh well!!

Ready as he'll ever be!

Ummmm . . . .what's that noise?

Stylin!

Another School Year Underway!

Summer went by way too quickly and I'm faced with a very different type of school year. This year I have decided that it's best for my family if I take a step back and do some part-time teaching. I have to say that I am so blessed to be able to continue my teaching experience in Melba - it's my home away from home and I love it out there. It reminds me of how I went to school as a kid, with parties and Christmas programs (yes CHRISTmas programs with the nativity and everything), fun art projects and popcorn sales at recess, colorful classrooms and a teaching staff that cares for it's students and not their test scores. And we can still watch reward movies out there - WHAT???  It's a place where the District Superintendent still prays before our inservice meals and we get together at the local Christian church and have teacher prayer meetings on Tuesday mornings. Our little rural school out there is just what my generation wants for our kids - a place where learning is stressfree and fun, a place where kids can develop their special talents and the teachers work overtime to make sure that the needs of every student is met - and it's safe. I wouldn't want to work anywhere else - I'm afraid that I would be disappointed if I did.

So - this year it's Kindergarten for me and so far it's been a challenge. They have a lot more energy than I expected and those little ADHD kids have not been diagnosed yet or are on meds. Even though I had diagnosed them within 10 min. I could save the doctors a lot of trouble if I could just write perscriptions. However, I won't go into great detail about how my journey began or how difficult it's been. I've created a Kindergarten blog for that story so feel free to hop on over anytime and check it out. It will be a great year once I adjust and I look forward to that time of the year where it becomes a piece of cake. I look forward to the many fun moments I will have teaching this age group.

Someday I do hope to journey back up to 4th grade. I think that's my teaching niche but for now I will dwell in the land of the 5 year olds singing songs, dancing, reading those fun picture books and listening to their hilarious stories, and laughing a lot. I'm sure this year will do good things for me - how could it not!!

http://www.mykindergartenadventure.blogspot.com/

9th Anniversary!!

Well, even though being married for 9 years isn't exactly a milestone or anything it definately makes me feel old, especially when I realize that we are 1 year away from number 10 - what??? Where did the time go? We have experienced a lot in our lives together and I have to say I wouldn't have wanted to go through life with anyone else. What an amazing fabulous man I married, a man who loves me unconditionally and knows the "real" me. How lucky am I? The day we married I honestly didn't know how well we would work together and become best friends in this journey - it's been amazing. I look forward to forever with this man and can't wait for many more wonderful memories with the family that we have created. God is good!