First Day of School......Already??????

Can you believe it is the first day of school already??? I can't!! Although I must admit that I think I am ready for it!! ; ) My children are extremely tired of each other, the pool is now closed, we watched all the movies, and it is just too hot to even think about being outside!

Conner started middle school this year! Can it possibly be that he is really in 6th grade already! It seems like just yesterday that I was walking him in to Kindergarten!! And I walked him (and stood at the back of the room so no one could see--haha) in to the Auditorium this morning for his first day at a new big school. They only went until 10:00 (what a waste!), but they got to change classes, but didn't get to go to all their classes yet. But he loved it! I new he would!

Mari Cate is in 3rd grade this year!! My baby can't be that old, can she?? This is the first year that she is going to get to have one of Conner's former teachers (all of his others left after him--haha, not because of him, I don't think--???, but seriously all of them are retired or teaching somewhere else now). So we have begged Mrs. Calfee to stay at least until after Mari Cate has been in her class!! She is a wonderful teacher and actually graduated from high school with Frank, so that is kind of neat. She was great with Conner and I am sure she will really encourage Mari Cate with her creativity. I can't wait to show some of the neat things they make in class!

Tomorrow is a full day for both of them, so we shall see how that goes. I am sure they will both love it. I will have a busy day in Chattanooga at the high risk ob for my nuchal translucency ultrasound and genetic counseling. If you think about it, please say a little prayer for me, I am kind of nervous about it. Thanks!

A Little Change In Plans....

Well, since most of my family now knows, I guess it is ok to announce it on here too.

Our "Simpler Life" plan, just got changed around a little bit. So we are just going to have to work around things a little differently...but that's ok.

As my Frank quoted to me when I was a little stressed over all this "The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9. He will direct us and guide us through this new phase of our lives, even if it wasn't exactly the one we were thinking we were heading on. ; )

On June 19, I found out that I was pregnant! This came as a surprise to us, believe it or not! Obviously with my history we are a little nervous about what is to come, but we are trusting God to take care of everything. I am scheduled for a cerclage (click on the link to read more about it) on Saturday, August 11, so please be praying for me during that time. As of today, I am 10 weeks 3 days, my due date is Feb. 24th (which also happens to be my cousins birthday!). And one of my very good friends from high school is due the day before me--how neat! I will be having (and have had) lots of doctors appts. with my regular ob and with the high risk doctors. They are "co-managing" me as they call it. I will try to keep you posted on what is going on, especially for those of you who live far away and I don't get to talk to very often! Please just continue to pray for our family and this little one on the way!

The Party

Well, I guess I better update on Conner's birthday party. The pictures above are from his actual birthday on the 18th. We got him a "Refuel" magazine (which is actually the entire new testament themed for pre-teen/tenn boys), the Dangerous Book for Boys, and a metal detector from us. On Saturday the 21st, we had just a few family and friends over for a party. The theme of the party was a patriotic Young Marines theme (since he is a Young Marine of course!). Check out the beautiful cake with the Marines emblem on it---and it was edible!We served pizza, salad, chips, and cake & ice cream. Yum! Conner got some really nice gifts and had a great time. One of his favorites was a lazer gun set, which of course got put into use immediately! Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Remembering...

July 19, 2005, I delivered our baby girl Abigail Grace. She was almost 16 weeks, so she was not strong enough to survive. She was a beautiful baby girl and we will always remember her, but with God's grace we are able to smile and know that one day we will see her again, but for now Jesus is taking care of her for us. We love you Abigail!

Happy Birthday Conner!

11 years ago, we were sitting in the hospital waiting for Conner to be born. What an exciting, yet scary time that was! Being an adoptive parent, I had not really had the normal 9 months to prepare for what I was "getting myself into" (haha). I definitely did not know ANYTHING about babies (just that I wanted one), but most certainly not about little boys! I am an only child and was a total girly-girl--no tomboy here! But we live and learn!

Eleven things that I have learned about little boys over the past 11 years...

• Little boys can be dressed a cutely as little girls!
• Little boys aren't always behind girls in their "milestones". Mine has been ahead in most circumstances.
• Little boys can drench you if you don't "cover" while changing a diaper! : )---but to add a side note, I found out little girls can do that too!!
• Little boys can climb all over everything...and survive!
• Little boys will play with toy guns (even if it is just pretending with their finger) without you teaching them how to, I think it just comes naturally to them, therefore it is important to teach them safety even with their toys.
• Little boys can have extremely soft hearts, and it is good to teach them it's ok to cry.
• Little boys can be just as particular about their clothes as girls are!!
• Little boys can be just as particular about their hair as girls are!!
• Little boys (or at least mine) like to live in an "extreme" world, making his poor Mom a little worried sometimes. But only one trip to the ER in 11 years isn't too bad, I don't guess!
• Little boys aren't always just "mommas boys", mine is just as close (maybe closer!) to his daddy!
• Little boys grow up to be big boys TOO FAST!!
  

We are going to enjoy a birthday breakfast this morning with Frank's family and then we have church tonight where all Conner's friends will be. Saturday night we will have a family birthday party, with pizza and cake for everyone. I am sure he will have a blast and their will be lots of pictures to share!

Happy Birthday Frank!

Ok, so I am a day late posting it on here...but Happy Birthday to my sweet hubby! You are an awesome husband and dad and I appreciate you so much! I hope you had a great day! I LOVE YOU!

The "Joy" of Camp!

First, let me apologize for taking so long to add a new update. A lot of things going on here in our lives...I will share them with you as God leads me to in His timing.

Friday, we picked Conner up from a week of camp at Camp Joy . He went last year too and absolutely LOVED IT!! This camp is a ministry of Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga and through donations and fundraisers, they are able to offer a week of camp with great food and activities and of course awesome Bible Studies provided for the AWESOME price of $20.00!! It is almost unbelievable, but most certainly worth it! But what makes it even more special is when you see your child worshipping the Lord.

It is also a "joy" to see your boy...just being a boy!! LOL!

Thank you Highland Park Baptist for offering Camp Joy!