No...She's Not 542!

When it's your daughter's birthday.....
You pull out the candle bag and realize you don't have 11 candles..... So what do you do?!?!?!
You pull out all the number candles you have and tell her to make her own combination of 11. :)

Life of a teacher mom.

Dear Loralee and Christine

Dear Loralee,

We met by chance last year during the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Challenge.  It was my first time writing everyday.....ever.  Your thoughtful and encouraging comments kept me motivated to write each day and I wrote that month all but one day.  I didn't know then that the Lord would keep our friendship going and now a year and a few months later, I treasure your emails and comments on my blog just as much as I did the first day we "met".  I believe the Lord gives us who we need, when we need them and you have been a treasure.  I love that the blogging world brought us together.  Two ladies from two different countries. You are a blessing and I'm looking forward to our continued friendship in the years to come!

Love and Hugs!


Dear Christine,

Today..... many years ago (like 30 something) our momma gave me my 4th sister.  You were the cutest thing and I was so so happy to have another sister in our house.  We shared a room together when you were younger and I remember changing all (probably not all) but lots of your diapers.  It's been a joy to watch you grown into an amazing mother, cook, and now... HOMEOWNER!!!!! YAY!  Watching your joy is a true blessing.  The Lord has brought you so much good, I can't wait to see how His plan continues to unfold for you.  Thank you for the joy you bring into my life even though we aren't together often, you are always in my heart.  I love you little sis!  Happy Birthday!!!!!!

Dear Sleep

Dear Sleep,

I know it's summer, but we still aren't working well together.  Most of it is my fault.  Binge watching tv shows I dvr'd during the school year, then falling asleep in the chair.  I know, I know.  It's summer and I'm supposed to be catching up with you.  I guess I just need to make a change and get to bed earlier. So sleep, here I come. Let's get on better terms. :)

Dear My Love....

Dear My Love,

Thank you.  Thank you for standing by me.  You cared about me.  Asked me how I was doing, if I needed anything.  You stayed with me at the hospital.  You took our girls to vbs and still made it to the hospital before I went into surgery.  You tried to coordinate everyone's schedules to be sure everything was covered.  I love you.  You were the only person I wanted to be with me. I love you with all my heart.

Dear Kidneys

This month Michelle has challenged herself to write everyday in July.
I'm not sure if I can do it, but Michelle from Big Time Literacy is doing it.  So I thought, why not. Let's try.  I needed a little boost to get back on the wagon, so here we go.

Dear Kidneys,

If I would have known a long time ago about how mistreating you, not drinking enough water, and eating too much sodium would have ended up with me in the hospital in surgery to bust up Bertha (my 8mm by 5mm stone).... I would have definitely made a few changes. So now, I have a stent.  Another reminder about how bad I've treated you.  Fingers crossed that the changes I'll have to make will help us be friends again and I won't have to live in fear about when the next stone will drop. Luckily, I think all the remaining stones are passable on my own. :)

May's Daily Gifts

sweet hugs from our firsties today....

making it to 3:20 with most of my sanity in tact. :)

watching my two youngest interacting with my students....

our middle daughter, who wants to be a teacher, working with a few of my students....

Speedy Freezes after school and bellies that probably didn't need them. :)

a coach that took the larger group tonight..... leaving me 3 six year olds.  It was so nice because I just couldn't handle a larger group tonight. What a blessing.

May's Gifts

Only one more wake up for school.  I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, right?!?

Hanging out with Amelia...

Lunch from our speech pathologist. She's taking a year off, but hopefully she'll be back next year. I"m going to miss her.

Rain...  I haven't decided why we need so much of this blessing right now, but we're getting it and there's not much of an end in sight.

Rain Boots... they keep my feet dry. :)

Teachers.... they have loved and cared for my girls just as I would for this school year.

Our babysitter... It makes it so easy for me to be a working momma knowing that my girls are loved, cared for, and put on the bus each day. :)

A sweet firstie who is going to be with us again next year said, "I can't wait to be in first grade again!" Such a cutie!