Praise you with the dance

Well, she finally did it. The ladybug has been in this little choir for some time now, and this was the first time she actually sang during the service. Not only did she sing, she did the motions. Amazing. Ah- maze-ing!!!
I love Sundays - have I said it before ? We have already been to church, it is a wonderful day, the weather is great, and I cleaned house yesterday, so I don't have to do that lovely task today.
School is still great, home is still wonderful , and every one is happy. Life is good.
Hope you have a great week. Ours will be busy, but that is what makes it fun.

get into the groove

We are loving school around here. Ladybug is really getting into her class - she learns a Bible verse every week , along with the Pledge and the Lord's Prayer. She is amazing. The monkey is hanging in there, as well . He is not as vocal about loving school, but I have a feeling he likes it . A lot.
And as much as I hate to say it, I am still having a really great year. I don't know why it is , but this year I have so many really well-behaved students. What a difference it makes. All those prayers have finally been answered !
The weather has been just beautiful here, and that makes us all happy - now we just want to play outside as much as possible .
Hope you all have a wonderful week - be nice to someone!

September 1 is not my favorite day

Not long after we got back to the states with the monkey, my parents and I took him to Cleveland, to visit old friends. I think I took this photo outside our old church - Cleveland First United Methodist. What a happy time . Look how sweet and happy every one is! This is the way I remember my precious father. Gosh, I miss him. Eight years have seemed so long without him. I promise, I am not going to stay on this pity wagon - I just miss him today.
The monkey has mono - MONO. The husband says that the doctor told him that monkey was exposed to it 45 days ago - do you think he meant 4 to 5 days ago? I am not sure, but I do know that monkey cannot do any physical activities for a while, until the doctors say his spleen is back to the normal size. Poor baby - he is supposed to be checked out of school today, and go to the State game with Uncle Dale. I hope he is up to it.
Have a wonderful day - count your blessings. I read a quote the other day [ on pinterest - my new love] that said 'what if you woke up today with only the blessings you thanked God for last night?' it has certainly changed my prayers, I can tell you.

Tell me why the road turns?

It is almost here . Again. And I hate it. I also hate that I hate a day . I know it does not make sense. This September 1 will be eight years that my father has been gone. I miss him every single day. I mourn the fact that Ladybug will not get to know him, and that Monkey has already forgotten just how awesome he was. He could do anything. I love him , so much.
I don't mean to write such a depressing post, really. I want it to be happy and light. Every year around this time, I start feeling the dread that I know is coming. I don't want my students to see how much it bothers me, and I don't want to spend the day crying. I just miss my daddy.

summer breeze, makes me feel fine

I love the summer. I do not love going back to school in the summer, but what else can we do? The monkey is now a sixth grader, and mighty proud. Strutting around the house proud. Big smile on his face, and dancing to Bruno Mars songs proud. He is a man, I can tell you.
The ladybug is now in the three-year old class full time. Big fun in there, and she has made several new friends.
The man and I started back to school last week - and I have to say, it was the best start to school I have ever had, in all my teaching. I did not have to call the office for an escort out, I did not have to break up any fights, and I did not have to clean up any body fluids. Good times ahead. I do have an afternoon full - and I do hate first period planning. That is for the birds, I can tell you.
I have to say, life if pretty good around here. We managed to keep the house pretty clean all summer, I accomplished everything on my summer goal list, and now we are back in the school groove. We are ready to start the countdown for our first adventure of the school year , when we take Ladybug to China Town. She is going to love it.
I hope you have a great week, and I hope your transition to the school year is a smooth one, as well .

Good day, sunshine

wow - it is hot. Africa hot. Really and truly hot.
We had a long day yesterday - after church, we went to Sissie's home in Collierville. She is preparing to move to Florida , and sweet Julie and Addie were there for a while. Ladybug loves loves LOVES her baby Addie. [if you are ever within hearing distance of her, you would know that] This was the second time she was able to visit with Addie, and she could barely keep her hands off that sweet baby.
The monkey was able to hug and kiss Addie, too. Great time !
After that lovely visit, we went to Kirk's birthday party - another fun time, with some good friends. Ladybug loves Kirk , and his wife, Fifi . Monkey played ball, swam, and had a long chat with his buddy , Bailey. We were all four worn out by the time we made it to our home.
Only one more week of vacation for us, then back to the grind. We are going to squeeze as many adventures out of these last seven days as we possibly can. Monkey was up and dressed and out the door before 10:00 a.m. , which is pretty early for him.
It looks as if it is going to rain all day - not a bad way to start the week !
Have a great day , and count your blessings!

It's that time again -

Of course I mean one of my favorite things in the whole world - Vacation Bible School ! Ladybug is officially old enough this year, and she is loving it all. I think she gets that from me, really. She sang, she danced, she snacked, and she played games. Tomorrow, she comes to my craft station, and we will work on our mission project. The monkey is too old for VBS, so he 'helped' which seems to mean run around, eat lots of snacks, and act totally silly with other boys that are just too cool for Bible School. Bless him.
Tomorrow will be Ladybug's first full day in the three year old classroom. She was promoted friday afternoon. Not sure why it happened then, but I am not judging. She is very excited about the fact that the big girl class has "assignments" and they say the Pledge every morning. Love. Her. Utterly.
I am watching the end of 'Celebrity Rehab' - I love watching this show, because it reminds me that I REALLY do not have any problems. I might think I do every now and then, but looking at these train-wrecks just reminds me of how good my life is. The Lord has been good to me, and I am thankful. Daily.
This is the week I am teaching at the Art Museum down town - gonna be fun, I can tell you. Combine that with VBS, and it will make for a great week. I hope you have a great week, as well. Count your blessings. One by one.