I am a wife, a mom, a Pastor's Wife, a daughter, a friend, a dancer, a scrapbooker, a project starter, and not always a finisher. But most of all, I am a Child of God.
Here are some pics of Madeline's birthday party. It was a Strawberry Shortcake party with a few of her friends. They decorated sun visors, dipped strawberries, had cake and ice-cream, and of course opened presents. The present shown is with her excitement at getting a Leapster of her own from Mimaw and Pop-Pop in Florida. And even baby sister was dressed for the occasion!
At Four Years Old:
She still loves to cuddle with Mom
She still climbs into our bed almost every night
She loves to play with Charlie- anything from dolls to Superheroes
She loves Barbies, Princesses, animals, and dolls
She loves to make Caroline laugh and seeing her with her eyes open
She doesn't like to be left behind or left out ("Mom, wait right there!")
She is excited to buckle her own seatbelt in the van
She is in Tumbling class
She wants to be a cheerleader and a mermaid when she grows up
What a Drama Queen!
She is learning about lying and sharing
She loves to role play and use different voices for different characters
She loves to say her prayers ("Thank You for this world so sweet...")
I was looking today for my old High School drill team's website, and came across this video. You have to watch it and see my drill team, the Friendswood Wranglerettes as they are now. National Champions, no less. This sight still can bring tears to my eyes and melt my heart. This team was the best thing that happened to me in all of high school and I'll never forget it. I miss it terribly even after all these years. I really hope to reincarnate some of it at our high school here in Nocona, which is unfortunate enough not to have a drill team!! Anyway, I had to share this with everone I can!
Well, I've added another item to my blog sidebar. I love to read. And I think you can tell a lot about a person by what they are reading. I love to look at my friend Sally's blog to see what she is reading. It tells me about her interests and the things she wants to learn more about. And also gives me ideas for things to read. Surprise, surprise, we read some of the same things, like Karen Kingsbury books. And maybe it will help some of you to see that I am thoroughly researching Home Schooling as I take on this new challenge. And if you like, you can research it, too. Join me in reading. And let me know what you read, as well!
I just read a post on a blog Dave sent me by a guy named Eric Carpenter. He is commenting on an article he read on an education site about homeschooled children not being "socialized." We have had a lot of questions directed at us about this very topic when told we are going to homeschool our kids. I love Eric's answer:
On the issue of "socialization," Mr. Arnold implies that homeschoolers are retreating from the world and churning out weird kids. Nothing could be further from the truth. The key is what "socialization" means. If my children have to be indoctrinated in secular humanism, self-esteem building, secular sex ed., evolution, and above all else, the importance of tolerating all lifestyles, then I don't want them to be "socialized." If to be socialized is to be exposed in the early teens to sex and drugs, I'll say "No thanks." However, if building proper social skills means being able to carry on an educated conversation with other children and adults in a polite and respectful manner, then I think homeschoolers are just fine. How true this is! I could not have said it better. I am so sold on this idea that our kids are exposed to such horrible things so early in life when they shouldn't be. And I can tell that exposure is happening much earlier than it did when I was growing up. I am happy to get my kids out of the pressure to "be like everyone else," even if it is for a short while. We don't know what next year may bring, but we know that we can start now to help our kids become respectful, mature adults who put Christ first and at the center of all they do. And in the meantime, get a good, quality education that will prepare them for college and the real world.
On Sunday, June 22, we dedicated Caroline Faith to the Lord. What a sweet ceremony it was with our friends, Mandy and Russell also dedicating two of their daughters as well. Dave had the privilege and honor of dedicating the second of his three children and there were tears all around.
And I must tell another story of Debbie's presence in our lives. The dress Caroline wore was the same dress Debbie gave Madeline and that Madeline wore for her dedication. Madeline also wore a dress for Caroline's dedication that Debbie had given her. We continue to miss Debbie and do whatever we can to remember her.
Oh, I cannot believe how time flies! My sweet baby girl is 3 months old and growing so big. At 3 months, she weighs 14lb. 9oz. Yikes! So here's all about Caroline at 3 months:
Lifts her head up from a lying down position
Tries to laugh but it comes out in breaths and coughs
Smiles for just about anyone
Pushes to one side with one leg when on her back
Still nursing like a champ Still spitting and sometimes needs me to stand up to nurse
Sleeping 9-10 hours at night
Is learning when it's time to sleep- swaddled in bed
Can be put down awake
Likes Pat-A-Cake
Wiggles and Inched around the floor when on her back
Is such a happy baby
And here are the things I love so much:
Getting her up in the morning and getting sweet morning smiles
When she tries so hard to laugh and can just cough or grunt
When she smiles at her brother and sister
When she raises her eyebrows and wrinkles her forehead
My dear husband thinks I watch entirely too much TV. Not only that, but that I watch too many reality shows. And while I really enjoy Survivor, Design Star, and the Bachelor/Bachelorette, and used to enjoy American Idol, the one I really look forward to with bated breath each season is So You Think You Can Dance. I can't get enough of this show for obvious reasons. I am so glad that dance is finally becoming something to watch for America. I am glad it has an outlet, and that some of the most amazing choreographers in America are getting their due. I am also glad that I have an outlet for my passion as my body gets older and won't quite do the things it used to, or that I want it to. And, yes, I am jealous. Very jealous. I would love nothing more than to be young and in shape again and be able to dance to my heart's content. It is and always will be in my blood. I must post this dance from last season. I think it is my favorite of all seasons, but mind you, it is a tad racy. Forgive that as I just want you to see the kind of dancing I would give my two front teeth to do.
WOW. This type of dance is called Contemporary, and I could get lost in it. It is so expressive and these two dancers- Allison and Ivan- were awesome. So this season has begun, and I already have a few favorites. We'll see what happens. Pray for my husband as he endures my addiction to this show and as he must sit back and watch me actually vote! And hopefully one day soon, this 35-year-old will find herself back in studio for dance class.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
I am a Domestic Engineer with little emphasis on the "Domestic." My husband Dave and I have been married for almost 11 years, and have three adorable children, Charlie-7, and Madeline-almost 5, and Caroline-1. My biggest passion in life besides my family is dancing, and at 36, I am still trying to fulfill that passion. I teach Ballet and Jazz at Madeline's preschool, and Ballet to children in the community. I am also busy in our church with Women's Ministry, Children's Ministry, Choir, and generally learning to be a Pastor's Wife. Our newest endeavor is Homeschooling our kids. I became a Christian while attending college at Texas A&M University (WHOOP!), and Dave and I are trying to raise our kids in a godly home with Christ as the center of everything we do. I am recently learning myself about God's Sovereignty and Faithfulness to me and hope to reflect that in my life.
