Girls' Day Out - The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker was beautiful. Here are pictures of Abby and her Nutcracker, Abby and a toy soldier, and both of us with one of the mice.

Finally...A Break

We have been so busy since my last post. Abby went to a cookie decorating party and an ice skating party. She is such a social butterfly. Cooper had his first Christmas party at the daycare yesterday. It wasn't much more than an overload of goodies at snack time, but I couldn't resist going and taking pictures. We all went to Santa's Wonderland with the Johnsons last night and are finally home for a much needed day of rest and housecleaning. We start the Christmas circuit tomorrow with Tim's dad, then Abby and I are off to see The Nutcracker with Grammy on Monday. Abby is so excited as this is the culmination of one of her projects at school. Cooper's last day in the Baby House is Monday - he's graduating to the "Big House" on January 5. We know he's developmentally ready, but I don't think I'm emotionally ready and I'm pretty sure he's not ready to leave Kristie, Kayla, and Melissa.

Abby and Finley decorating their cookies. Abby decorated 11 as compared to the 3 that the other girls each decorated. She is in such a hurry to do everything.

Riley, Abby, and Taylor all ice skating for the first time. It wasn't even ice - some sort of stuff like cutting boards are made of, but they didn't seem to care.

Kayla, Kristie, and Cooper at his Christmas party!

Bad Mom

I guess I'm the only one in the world who didn't take pictures of her children playing in the snow yesterday and last night. Yes, it snowed in Huntsville, Texas. Last night it was snowing pretty hard and BIG flakes. Abby went outside to try to catch them in her mouth and Cooper just looked at them. It made us all wish we were going skiing for Christmas again, but that's not meant to be.

Tim's still at school, yet again. These last few weeks have been crazy and he has basketball games again this Thursday (tonight), Friday, and Saturday. I'm so looking forward to the two weeks off for Christmas and hope we don't fill them up with too much.

Two different people in the last week have suggested that we share our testimony as to what God has done in our life with Cooper. It truly is a miracle that he came into this world at right at 3 pounds, had NO medical concerns, and is now a thriving, rambunctious little boy who knows all of his colors, numbers, and ABCs. Pray with us and we seek opportunities and discernment to know God's will in when to speak and what to say. Also pray as we anticipate another eye appointment. He knows all of the eye chart pictures and I so want the doctor to tell us what he can and can't see this time.

More pictures this weekend, maybe. Abby has a cookie party with some of our friends from Tarleton Sunday, so I hope to get those up.

Visits with Santa

I'm finally getting around to posting pictures of the kids with Santa. We went to Breakfast with Santa at the club last Saturday morning and that was a disaster.

Then we went to Cooper's ECI Christmas party last night and it was a totally different mood. Not sure what was going on. He should have been crankier since it was 7:30 at night and awful close to bedtime.

One more picture...Cooper decided to play in a box on Saturday afternoon. He entertained himself for well over an hour with this box.

The Christmas Season Has Arrived

Thanksgiving day is not over yet, and I've already transformed this page and my house for Christmas. Tim has always been one to get our tree up Thanksgiving afternoon. Today I said we weren't going to do that, but as soon as we got home he and Abby were getting it all out. Since we didn't have a tree or decorations last year (went skiing and refused to do much at home), I agreed.

This will be Cooper's first real Christmas at home. That first year he had only been home a week and weighed exactly four pounds. He just kept looking at all the stuff coming out of the boxes today. We are making a real effort to make our children mindful of the true meaning of and reason for Christmas. The materialistic urge to buy too much creeps in, but we keep reminding each other that that isn't what it is about.

I know this is choppy, but wanted to document the decorations going up and Cooper's amazement.

Party Pooped!

I'm posting a picture of Cooper and his birthday cake. He wasn't happy about having to sit there - only wanted to play with his new toys!

Cooper's Big Day

I'm not sure Cooper has any idea that today is his birthday party. We've been talking about it, who's coming, and what all is going to happen, but I still think he's clueless. Abby wanted to show him his cake first thing this morning - well before 8 a.m. He saw the tractors on top and threw a rip roaring fit because he couldn't have them to play right then.

I try not to have big birthday parties until they turn three, so this one's still pretty much family. Still, that turns out to be more than 20 people when it's all said and done.

Cooper's annual visit with Early Childhood Intervention was Thursday. It lasted two and half hours. They had to test several things that I wasn't sure of and then we had to write out a plan to try to catch him up in the areas of Fine Motor Skills and Language Development. He's reached all of the 24-month milestones in the other areas (or at least enough of them not to show a delay), but is only at 22 months in these two areas. I knew he was behind in Language but am hoping that improves when he moves to the two year old room at daycare. We've got a plan for the fine motor stuff and his OT/Social Worker is going to continue to see him twice a month to work on these skills. The told us the next "annual" would be in August (120 days before he's 36 months) to meet with the school district regarding PPCD. Tim and I are reserving decisions on this until that point. We can refuse services at that time, so we'll just have to see how he's progressing.

He's just a happy, active, strong-willed little boy! It's hard to believe that two years ago, we weren't even ready for his arrival - just trying to get through the holiday rush. He's definitely our miracle boy!

The Last Few Days Until a Break

The kids and I woke up to cooler temperatures and a brisk wind this morning. Although my yard looks bad, covered with leaves, I'm sure glad to see a beautiful fall day.

Tim left well before daybreak to head for the deer lease - just called and said he was quartering a doe. My little freezer is going to be full if he continues bringing home meat. Andy killed a hog a couple of weeks ago and half of it is in breakfast sausage, roast, and tenderloins in MY freezer. I'm depending on my friend Michelle to tell me how to best cook all this stuff.

I was so looking forward to this past week being over, but this week appears to be busier than every. Monday brings the Promethean company and representatives from schools in our region who are interested in purchasing ActivBoards to my classroom to observe. I still haven't finished my lesson, but I'll be ready by Monday one way or another. Abby's last game is Tuesday, church on Wednesday, and Cooper's annual Individual Family Services Plan meeting is Thursday afternoon.

I'm trying to get Cooper's birthday party ready for Saturday afternoon. Of course, I'm last minute here. I fell bad that I seem to have Abby's all together. But, my excuse is that hers is in July. I've had a whole month with no school to plan hers and his hits at the busiest time of the year.

A Long Week

I can't believe it's only Tuesday. I can tell this is going to be a long two weeks until we get a break for Thanksgiving. I have been feverishly preparing for my presentation that I have to give next Monday. It's not really so much a presentation, just a lesson that people from other schools are going to be watching me teach. I got a good part of it done yesterday and today. I hope to get the rest finished tomorrow and go over it with the company rep on Thursday.

Abby's game was cancelled tonight due to rain. Only one more game to go and then we get a break until spring. It's going to be kind of nice. She's quickly filling her time, though, with homework and reading assignments. She had her first literature circle group meeting today. She was not excited about having to be the word wizard. Thank goodness, she's the star reporter for next Monday's meeting. She also brought home her book that she has to read and prepare for a reader's theater.

I've been trying to plan some family fun for the holidays -- ice skating, Santa's town... I probably should not plan anything and just be. I'm sure we'll find time for just hanging out at home or the farm.

Authority

Titus 3:1-2 says "Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men." These versus speak volumes to the American people as we face presidential changes that many did not and still do not agree with. I think we can also apply these versus to working situations that we might often times find difficult. God tells us to "be subject to" those in authority of us. It doesn't say we have to agree, but He does instruct us to obey. Verse two continues by telling us not "to speak evil" of anyone. Even when we do not agree or like someone in authority, we are to obey and keep our mouths closed. According to Romans 13:1 "...For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." Our president or bosses have their authority because God has granted it. Who am I to question His decision?

Part of these thoughts (Romans 13) were bright to light in a sermon by Richard this past Sunday. The Titus passage was mentioned by a friend over the weekend. Both were in direct response to our political situation. However, after two days and a lot of thought, and prayer, God has made it clear to me that it goes further than Barack Obama. It permeates through every aspect of our lives and our ability, command, to submit to authority.

Snaggle Tooth Abby

Abby lost her first tooth today!! Actually, I pulled it. She's so excited.

Halloween Fun

We took the kids to Trunk or Treat at church last night. Notice, if you read an earlier post, that I didn't get Abby's robot costume together. Grammy saved the day and found this gold sequined dress so she could be a pop star. You can't really see her hair and her knee high black boots, but it was pretty cute. (She's pictured with her A #1 pal, Taylor.) Cooper had to go to "school" as his favorite storybook character. We chose a train engineer from "Thomas" or "The Little Engine that Could."

It's hard to believe that it's already November. Of course, deer season opened today, so Tim was gone well before daylight. I was thinking October had been especially busy, but November's looking about as bad. Abby's got three more softball games left in this fall season before we take a break for the holidays. Cooper's annual Early Childhood Intervention evaluation is scheduled for the Thursday before Thanksgiving, so his various therapists are trying to squeeze in as many visits as possible.

I'm going to be observed by representatives from 15 schools around our region on the 17th and am already having to spend quite a bit of time getting my activities ready for that day. It's actually a program set up by the Promethean company (I think). Our school has been chosen as a model school to showcase the use of Promethean boards, Activotes, and ActiveSlates in classrooms. Three classrooms were chosen and I'm the one demonstrating the use of the board and it's tools as I actually use it to teach my class.

Pray for the election this week and GO VOTE if you haven't already.

Fall Frenzy

I still can't believe it's the end of October. Cooper's birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are quickly approaching. We've really enjoyed the cooler weather we experienced this week and the gorgeous weather today. With Cooper's allergies, though, it's difficulty for us to spend much time outside. It doesn't seem to matter how much medicine we give him; it's just not enough.

I'm posting a picture of our family pumpkin that Abby had to make for school. The assignment was to decorate a pumpkin with your family and then write a three paragraph paper about it that tells what you chose to make, why, how you made, it and how you felt about it. We're almost through with the final copy. In case you can't tell -- it's a softball player.

We start over with another busy week tomorrow - church, softball practice and game, a YMCA party, Trunk or Treat, HHS football..... This Friday is a parent conference day, so Abby's out of school. Of course, this means I have to sit all day long and meet with about 40 parents. I am going to duck out for a short time to go to a conference with Abby's teacher. Tim is scheduled to go to.

Keep checking this week - Abby's about to lose her two bottom front teeth. Both are very loose. She may not have a gap for long because the two permanent teeth are already in behind the baby ones. Tim and I tried to pull one today, but couldn't quite get it out.

You can check out Cooper's school pictures at http://www.barefootgiggles.com/. Go to Children's Baby House and then click on 007 as the photo group.

Ask First, Then Act

It's finally Thursday. This is the first night the kids and I have been home this week. Tim has a board meeting, so it's total craziness around here. Abby's running circles around through the kitchen and living room and Cooper is hot on her heels. This is great fun until one of them slips and falls on the tile.

Notice I changed the background and the colors. Not my favorite, but I'm still playing around with it all. Will probably change it again this weekend when I have more time. I also plan to add a list of the blogs I like to read. (May have to email a friend or two to give me directions on some of these things.)

We're looking forward to Friday and Saturday of just the four of us hanging out. Tim says he has a little shopping to do -- hunting items, but other than that I think we'll just hang out.

One thing I've learned this week, both in practice and from my Bible study, is to "ask first, then act." So often we act and then ask (or like my friend Joanne said, "we act, then we tell.") I'm learning so much from my study of Mark and need to get off this computer and to tonight's homework.

First Fall Softball Game

Abby had her first game with her new team -- notice they are the Pink Team. This fall league is focused on fundamentals and not competitive at all. It's a nice break from the spring league and all stars. She played second and got two hits. Her team won big. We quit counting at 15 or so. The game didn't start until 7:30 so it was 9:00 before we got home. I'm only uploading two pictures. Will try to post some of Cooper tomorrow. He's having his school pictures made, so I'd like to take a few before we leave in the morning. Who knows, though, how the morning will go. Tim's men's Bible study group is going to do something with the Kids for Christ group tomorrow night, so Abby's excited that her dad might be in her group?? He'll probably just be with boys knowing her luck. We're just praying this week that God keeps us strong, well, and "up" for the busyness this week holds. Maybe we'll get a break to just "be" on Friday and Saturday.

New Pictures

I'm finally getting around to posting pictures. Abby never wants to be serious or smile "right." We are at a very "silly" stage, but these two aren't too bad. Trying to get Cooper to do anything on command is absolutely ridiculous these days. Anything I ask is met with "No" - although it sounds more like "nawh." Anybody who thought Abby talked country ought to hear my second one.


This week is going to be crazy. Between softball practice, our first fall game, school meetings, and 8th grade football, we'll going to be going in 50 different directions. On top of that our church is celebrating its 75th anniversary next Sunday and I've got "practice" for a program that I'm involved in. We're going to include a set of cardboard testimonies -- watch a sample on godtube.com if you've never seen it.


I know that God will sustain us -- we've really been studying God's will for our lives as part of a larger community. I understand that His "place" or "callings" for us will change, but for now we are content to serve Him where we are. Even if I do question my ability to raise a rambunctious, independent, almost terrible two-year old little boy and a smart and smart-mouthed six year old drama queen. I know He will equip me.

In the Swing of This

Oct 8 - After reading The Shaw Family Happenings blog, I decided I could do this and attempt to keep it half way current. We shall see. Abby is back in the swing of softball. Tonight's her third night of practice in a row - play our first game next Tuesday!! Cooper does NOT have to have his tonsils out at this time. That is a huge praise because I just couldn't seem to figure out when we might work that in. BUT, perhaps the biggest praise is that his eye doctor didn't see any signs of the nystagmus (eye jerking) at his visit last week. We've seen it decrease, though not altogether totally gone. I'm hoping at his next visit in January we might get a little more information as to how well he might be going to be able to see. I keep telling myself and others that our God is good and his perfect plan is whatever it is. Will try to post pictures over the weekend. I only have 350+ still on my camera.