That's what little boys are made of. . .

. . . is my valiant attempt at blogging about these THREE special little boys. hopefully, it will help our loved ones to keep up with us, and help me to remember these days that are flying by way to fast. enjoy!!

Sunday, August 31, 2008

a blessing. . .i think

okay, i'm going to start from the beginning, because not everyone has heard this story. some of you know that i like to job search. not just for me, for anybody looking for a job. i think it's fun and interesting to see what is out there.

well, around mid summer i saw a job on careerbuilder that the new south carolina virtual charter school was looking for teachers. i had heard some things about the charter school, but not much. i carelessly filled out an application thinking that they would send me some more information. never heard anything from them.

then, about three weeks ago, i was "job searching" again, and saw that they were looking specifically for a part time physical education teacher. let me jump in here and say that i have been thinking alot about "working" lately. i feel like the boys are at an age that i need to at least start thinking about going back to work. i can't say that the idea of teaching for the next thirty years or so sounds very appealing right now. i do enjoy it, just not sure that's what i want to be when i "grow up". all that said, as i was wondering exactly how you teach phys ed "virtually", i filled out the application again. i was a little more descriptive this time.

the following day i received an e-mail from a recruiter saying that i looked like a possible match and that he was sending my resume and application to the school administration. that was on a wednesday. . .by monday i was on the phone with the administrator doing a "mini interview". she said she would get back to me later that week. she called and hour and a half later and offered me the job.

this whole time, i'm thinking this is way to good to be true. here were all the pros. . .
1. i can work from home
2. it is only 10-12 hours a week (perfect amount of time since christian is in preschool three mornings this year)
3. money. . .great money. more than i can make subbing (i have subbed for the past couple of years), and certified subs make pretty good money in greenville county.
4. they sent me a laptop and a printer.
5. they will pay my bill for my internet connection each month

and cons. . .
1. let me think. . .nope. . .can't think of any!!

my theory most of the time is that if something sounds to good to be true is usually is. but, after reading the employment agreement, it seemed like everything they said was a reality. i accepted the position on august 20th, and my classes started on the 28th.

needless to say the last week has been hectic. i'm trying to learn how students do "school" virtually. it is a very interesting program, and one that i think will be HUGE in the near future. it's definitely worth looking into if you are a homeschool parent. it offers alot of the advantages of homeschool, while removing most of the grunt work.

so they've got me taking this online course myself about how to teach virtually. it's been a rough week. the course usually takes four weeks to complete. i have ten days. talk about being confused. sometimes i think my brain just doesn't work the way it use to. but, i am encouraged by the fact that there are other people in the class that are confused as well.

so, that's it. i'm back in the work force. . .part time. please pray for me as i have much going on these next couple of weeks. i'll post later about how you teach pe online. everyone keeps asking, and i wasn't really sure until this week.

this is a blessing. . .i think. . . i'll keep you updated. thanks for your prayers!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

emergency. . .

i actually made it to bed early last night. i had plans of getting up and running before the kids woke up from school. none of that happened. we spent the night in the emergency room.
rick woke me up around 12:00am saying that he was having some serious stomach pains. within 10 minutes of him waking me up, i was getting the boys out of bed and into the car as fast as i could to make a visit to the hospital. i have never seen that man in so much pain.
we practically threw the boys and their car seats out of the car at my parents house (thanks mom and dad), and went to the emergency room. after blood tests, pain medication, ekg, an iv, and x-rays; the doctor told rick that he thought he had a gallbladder attack. he had an ultrasound this morning that confirmed that he has gallstones. he visits a surgeon on monday to discuss further treatment.
all that said, i'm tired. we didn't get home till 5:00am only to get up @ 6:15 to go pick up gabe and get him to his second day of school.
i'm praying for a little less dramatic night tonight. no running in the morning. only sleep, sleep, sleep.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

the end and the beginning. . .

the end of summer. . .

the start of school. . .

Saturday, August 16, 2008

mrs. buckley


that is the name of gabe's new first grade teacher. let me start by saying that the simple fact that he is going to be in the first grade is unbelievable. it just doesn't seem possible that we are at this point already.
gabe will have to switch schools this year because of our move. we loved mitchell road and were very happy there, but gabe is excited about being at skyland this year and making new friends.
so, back to mrs. buckley. i usually have some anxiety each year as i wonder who gabe's teacher will be, what she will be like, does she share our belief system. it is the thing that scares me most about the public school system. i am turning over my little boy to someone i don't know, and someone who will spend more time with him during the day than i will.
so, all that said, pray that i will continually turn this over to the Lord. He knows even better than i do what gabe needs, and he will provide that for him when i cannot.
mrs. buckley (if you ever read this), we are praying for you, and we hope you have a blessed school year.
gabe, we're proud of you buddy. you are an amazing kid and we hope you have lots of fun in the FIRST GRADE!!!

ps. by the way, this picture had better be the only time we find you in a police car!!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

my bff. . .


this week my best friend from college, beth, came to visit. here are the things i love about beth. . .

1. she's funny. she is one of the funniest people i know. she's always laughing or making me laugh.
2. she's honest. she's one of the few friends that i have that will tell me like it is. if i mess up, say something stupid, or get too caught up in myself, she will let me know.
3. she gets me. she understands my hang ups, frustrations, funnies, obsessions and shares quite a few of them. i think that's why we are such a good match.
4. she loves my kids. my kids look forward to beth's visit. she tickles them, hugs them, and loves on them like they are her own. i teared up today when they said goodbye and told her that they loved her. i have to remind them several times during the week that bethie came to "play with mommy" not with them!!
5. she's a good example. whether she realizes it or not, beth sets such a great example for me. she is the perfect picture of someone who loves the Lord and continues to wait patiently on Him as she finds her place in His story.

bethie, i love you more than words can say. i'm already missing you and you just left 30 minutes ago. thank you for loving me, making me laugh and being my best friend forever.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

augghhhh!


christian: (auuggghhhh. . .followed by whining) "i have something in my shoe!"
mom: "well, come here and mommy will get it out."
christian: "oh wait a minute. it's just my foot."

craziness!!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Your Father loves you!

Today I had the chance to watch some videos of the Steven Curtis Chapman family. As most people know, there was a tragic accident in which the youngest son Will ran over and killed the youngest adoptive daughter Maria Sue. There are many things that really made me hurt while watching the video. Of course, the thought of loosing one of my own sons came racing through my mind, but what really wrenched at my heart was how in the process of leaving for the hospital, without hesitation or even remembering doing so, Steven rolled down the window and yelled out "Will Franklin, Your Father Loves You!" What a powerful picture of a Fathers love for his child.

Gabriel and Christian, your Father Loves You! No matter what happens in life, good, bad or ugly, may you never question the fact that your Fathers love you! Your earthly Father, and most importantly, your heavenly Father who orchestrates everything together so perfectly for his plan and purpose. I love you both!!


For those of you who haven't see the video, click here.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

sunscreen. . .or sour cream??

this morning we had a great time swimming with some of our small group friends (thanks, brittany, tyler and carson)!! we have so missed having a pool right around the corner this summer, so it was a real treat.
in preparation for the "big swim", i spent the last few minutes @ home putting sunscreen on the boys. this is how the conversation with christian went. . .

mommy: "christian, come here and let mommy put this on you?"
christian: "mommy, why do you put sour cream on me?"
mommy: (laughing) "it's not sour cream it's sunscreen."
christian: "but i want sour cream, you have some downstairs."
mommy: "i think we'll save the sour cream for something else."
christian: "okay."

silly, silly boy. could squeeze you all day long.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

the "2nd biggest winner"


i have to take just a moment to brag on my husband. several months ago, rick entered a contest that his company has every year. his company is owned by staples, so even though his company is smaller, there were tons of entries.
he had to develop an idea that would make their business more money or more effective. in june, he found out that his idea was in the top ten and that he would be able to fly up to chicago to present his business plan to the executive team.
he spent most of his july working on it, and went up a few weeks ago to present the idea. and. . .he won second place. this came with a very nice little cash prize that will add nicely to the new car fund and a little celebration.
rick, we are super proud of you. you deserved it.