Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Just change Alexander to The McCollums and day to week:/.

But I'm too blessed to let it keep me down.

This is a new week, and I choose to focus on that.

And the good things that happened last week:).

Crazy Sock Day & Twin Day

I got to hang out with these sweet girls (and J.T.) one afternoon!

My silly little cowboy:)

Mrs. Janet entertained the kiddos at Partners Saturday night!

Today we took full advantage of the new time and beautiful

weather. Although, I must say I think the kids had as much

more fun playing with their "pet worms" than they did fishing.

 

Thought for the week: Parenting is tough. Some days I wonder why God loaned me these little people. I feel assured that He is disappointed in the way I'm doing things. Some days I'm disappointed that my greatest parenting accomplishment was to get them fed, bathed, and in bed before having a total meltdown.

But then something always happens. Like laying down in bed with my 6-year-old when she tells me a story about a girl who is sometimes mean to her in class and when she told the girl that Jesus loves her the girl's response was, "no he doesn't, because my mom left me." My 6-year-old's thoughts on the subject? "Mama, I think that's why she's so mean...because she's really just sad."

Maybe, just maybe, I'm not doing it all wrong.

Or this afternoon on our way to go fishing when our 3-year-old tells us that Jesus fed a lot of people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.

Wow. Maybe he actually does listen.

God winks. I like to call these moments God winks.

And He knows just when I need them most.

Surprise Trip to T-Town!

Back in December, Justin and I decided to plan a trip to Tuscaloosa to see a gymnastics meet and a basketball game. We didn't tell the kids for several reasons -- one being, what parent wants to hear "how many more days until we go?" a thousand times between the "announcement" and the official day of departure, and two, surprises are more fun!

Friday morning Justin mentioned to E that if she got up and got dressed for school with no hassle, she might get a surprise that afternoon. He picked her up from school and she immediately asked if she could open her surprise when she got home.

So...when they got here I pretty much had everything packed up, and she was wondering why I packed bags. I told her to get dressed and then we would tell her what her surprise was. When her daddy told her, she started jumping up and down on the bed, ha! She was tickled, although I'm still not sure if she was more excited about gymnastics or the hotel.

Alabama v. Florida Gymnastics Meet - No. 4 Alabama beat

No. 3 Florida (and defending National Champs) 197.675-197.400.



Saturday we slept in, did a little shopping (and fishing;) at

Gander Mountain, and walked around campus before the game.

Denny Chimes

Alabama v. Auburn Basketball

Bama won 73-57 -- Roll Tide!

We had a great trip, and thanks to Dr. Seuss we are looking forward

to a fun-filled week at school! And...20 days until Spring Break:)

Good {ish} Citizen

Kindergarten has been a bit of a "challenge" for E. Not academically or socially, just generally. She talks too much, she's sassy, she's bossy, and she's determined. But she has a BIG heart, and did I mention she's determined?

She decided a long time ago that "Good Citizen" was on her "Kindergarten Bucket List", and she has worked hard to prove she's deserving. As a teacher myself, I know that sometimes I have to overlook the small stuff and choose the child who wants it enough to try and who has good character.

I don't think for a moment she received this award for being a "perfect kid", but I am SO PROUD of her for working hard to improve on some of the previously mentioned traits while continuing to be the kind hearted girl she's always been!

I love you, Emma Catherine, and I'm proud to be your mama!

She got the certificate on Monday, along with a free ice cream

from McDonald's, which had to be redeemed immediately. ;)

Yesterday was the Good Citizen Lunch. MawMaw and I were able

 to be there with her (and MawMaw brought Subway for lunch:).

Since Daddy had to be at JSU on Thursday,

he came to eat lunch with her today. :)

Girls & Boys

When  I was pregnant with Emma I really wanted a little girl. After we left the sonogram at which we were told in no uncertain terms that my wish would be coming true, Justin's words to me were "you always get your way."

Fast forward three years. Every daddy wants a little boy and Justin is no different. I honestly didn't care. I guess, though, I was slightly hoping for another girl...a sister for my baby girl. Of course, we ended up with a boy and Justin was beside himself after finding out he was going to get a son.

Oddly enough (or maybe not so odd?), Emma is a complete daddy's girl and Luke is a mama's boy through and through. And if you don't believe me, just ask E. She will tell you that she's her daddy's and Luke is mine.

I'm glad God gives us what He sees fit for us to have. If he had seen fit for me to have girls or boys, I would be ecstatic with that. But He didn't. He saw fit for our family to have one of each. And I'm ecstatic with that. As a mother of one of each, I won't ever get to experience the bond of "sisters" or "brothers" like moms of only girls or boys have, but I do get the best of both worlds. I guess there are trade-offs with everything. :)

Last night Emma was invited to a sleepover at Kinlee's

with Ensleigh. Another thing I'm thankful for is knowing the

parents of her friends. That makes parenting so much easier!

April posted this pic on FB this morning before they left for

church. Justin's comment: Tell your son as long as his hands

stay behind his head we are good:):) Thats my baby. {Bless!}

Meanwhile, last night, we headed to Oxford to eat supper
and celebrate Cheyenne's 9th birthday! Speaking of which,
why is it that when you finish school, get married, start having
 babies, etc. that time starts moving much faster?! Anyway,
I snapped this when we got home. Notice Luke holding onto
his daddy's finger...a rare occurrence...be still my heart!

Tonight, we were able to go meet the newest member

of our family. Katelyn is SO tiny, and I could have

held her for hours...except I had a little competition. ;)

25 days until Spring Break:)

First Sign of Spring

After the treacherous winter we've been having, the spring-like weather we've had this week has been wonderful! I'm not even going to discuss the fact that the "S" word is in the forecast (again) for next week. :/

Today E went outside to play after school and came running up to the house carrying these daffodils (my Valentine flowers, according to her;). They're definitely my favorite!

27 days until Spring Break...

 

And hopefully even less until SPRING! :)

Frozen {and V-Day}

Y'all.

There is a reason I live in the south.

A good reason.

I. Don't. Like. Cold. Weather.

I have lived in places where your nose hairs would freeze when you opened the front door during the winter. Graphic, but true.

If I wanted to return to that type of weather I would call Delta and book a flight.

We were out of school Wednesday and Thursday. Again. State of Emergency. Again.

Thankfully, we didn't get much here.

This was taken at Bald Rock at Cheaha. Pretty eerie.

We spent our free days working on Valentines for school/daycare...

Luke got a hold of my computer...

And ended up at the doctor on Thursday. Thankfully

it's not pneumonia, but we have started back breathing

treatments to clear up some congestion in his lungs.

Friday we all had Valentine parties, and the kids got a few prizes

 too. We're not big "Valentine-y" kind of people, so when the kids

 decided to stay at Nana's we went to eat with the Wakefields. :)

Saturday night we ate at church. This picture cracks me up. Luke

 was yelling, "Mama, get Blair off me!" And all I could do was

 whip out the camera, take a picture, and laugh. Poor guy! ;)

 

Today I helped give a shower for a good friend. Three classmates there were expecting wee ones in the next few months. Of course, this gave me the fever. But then I started reminding myself of all the reasons having a third baby would be a bad idea. At the top of that list was sleepless nights and diapers. Y'all. Luke hasn't worn a diaper (even at night) since right after his birthday. For the moment, the fever is gone. And when it returns (because I know it will), someone please remind me how glorious it is to not pack the house up just to go to town. :)

 

30 days until Spring Break...

3 Random Thoughts

1. Last weekend we went to eat at Cheaha Brewing Company, which was very good and kid friendly. Emma decided to stay at Nana's, so we only had Luke. Being the second child, we rarely have (or have ever had) any "alone time" with him. It's funny to see his little (or BIG) personality shine when it's just him.

2. Be jealous. Very jealous. But he's taken. Sense of style and all. ;)



3. We had Pajama Day on Thursday. It was PTO sponsored, so the kids and teachers paid $2 to wear PJs and drink hot chocolate and eat cookies for snack. Let me just go on record as saying that I would pay $2 EVERY day to be able to wear my pajamas to work.

35 days until Spring Break...