What's Up with Us?

Over two months and no post! I guess nothing really exciting has been going on and we've been so busy that I haven't had time to post. I've been getting adjusted to my teaching position and all that goes with it. Last week and this week we've been completing testing in the fourth grade. Funny, I have been posting on my class blog. You can check it out at Mrs. Mack's class. It is a useful tool for parents I think.

We now volunteer as small group leaders for sixth grade at our church. Last night was our first official meeting as solo leaders. We had the boys last night. I don't have brothers...so wow! was this eye opening. We really enjoy the teachings of our youth pastor. We feel like we're learning as much as the students are. We're also involved in a small group book study of David Platt's book Radical with three other couples. It has been truly life changing. It is so nice to be able to share and learn in this small group setting. Another big deal for us is our house is officially listed! I have been praying that it sells sooner rather than later. I am still commuting about an hour each morning even though the school I work at is only eight miles from our home. I take E twenty minutes away from home to her school. I know the easy thing to do is to change her school, but I won't do it. These ladies have kept her since she was seven weeks old. I am comfortable with her there and I feel peace knowing that B's mom works right next door. Her care is much more important that my convenience. We bought 42 acres between my school and her school. Hopefully we can get out of "town" and out to the country soon.

Brett has been gearing up for another busy hay season. Right now he is getting all the equipment ready and some odd and end projects that needed to be done around the farm. He's also the chairman for our county Young Farmer's group. We have a petting zoo for all the kindergartners in the county. He's held several meetings for that and we attended the state young farmers conference in Huntsville in February. We always have so much fun at those with all the families from our county and the others that we have met from throughout the state. He has also gotten to go turkey hunting a few times.

E has probably had the most going on. She has been battling allergies. We thought she had RSV, but were so thankful she did not. Miss E weighed 24 lbs. 2 oz. at her appointment. I can't believe it!! She is growing so quickly, even though most people still think she is tiny. I love being her mommy. She is my world. Her personality is so bubbly. She loves to sing and dance. About two weeks ago we went to the zoo. I was talking to B and telling him how I need to learn to bake a coconut cake. She starts singing patty cake!! This is the second time I "accidentally" found out that she knows a song.
These are her favorites as of now-
Hokey Pokey (or Pokey Pokey) as she says
Pattycake
The Wheels on the Bus
Jesus Loves Me

She has counted to nine without making a mistake. She recognizes several shapes, especially a circle. We're working on recognizing letters and numbers now with flashcards...kind of like a homemade "Your Baby Can Read". I am amazed daily at all the things she knows and learns. I worked with some children while interning in kindergarten that came to school knowing less. That just breaks my heart.

E still loves books and likes to "read". She really seems to be studying her books. I know this is getting extremely long winded, but I just wanted to give a general update on us.

Sickness, Slacker, School

We've been sick at our house! For almost two weeks someone has had something. We've had our share of "the virus". We even made a 4:30 am trip to Dothan to take E to the emergency room. She had such bad diarrhea for days that we were scared she was dehydrated. We had to wait around for many hours for her to produce a stool sample. She is well now, but had a bad case of diaper rash...bleeding bad! Thank goodness for great friends and homemade remedies (we tried everything else including prescriptions). She now has a "happy hiney" (the name of the remedy). That should be bottled! Someone could make big bucks!

Now I've got what I think is a "summer cold". I cough and hack, my ears are so stopped up I can't hear a thing and have such sinus congestion I get sick to my stomach. That all started late Saturday night at Brett's high school reunion. I was the wife that could be found in the bathroom all night! I thought it was something I ate, but it continued for the next two days. Before any rumors get started...no, I am not pregnant (as one friend...Michelle...already asked)! There is no possible way that can be at this time. Brett asked me repeatedly if I wanted to leave, but this night only happens once every ten years. I didn't want him to miss it. I hung on as long as I could.

With all of this sickness I have been slacking! My school work was not at its best. Our house is a total wreck (and we've got two people that want to see it). I haven't been a good wife and probably not the best mommy. I haven't sent out thank you cards from Everly's birthday yet and I haven't ordered her last set of pictures. I feel like poo! I am catching up on the cleaning now (clothes and dishes washing) and folding will take place during my guilty pleasure...Teen Mom. I'll get E's pictures ordered when I can sit and view them. This is all so unlike me! I pride myself on taking care of my little family and our home. I have been so tired and really physically unable. Thank goodness for wonderful in-laws. E has been there a lot lately. We didn't want her to get sick again.

Today was my last final...ever! I missed my last weekend class in Phenix City. My teacher, Mrs. Collier, was awesome! She met me today to go over the last two chapters and take a final. We finished the chapters and she said thought that was it. I was all prepared for my final and she surprised me. She said all the activities and questions that she asked me during the review was my final and I passed with flying colors. Thank you Mrs. Collier!!

Just wanted to give a little update on the S's...I am ready to bid them all farewell!!!!

Enjoying Spring with Dada

Everly's Pop (Brett's dad) put up her swing at their house on Easter Sunday. She loved it! Brett sat in front of her and kept her going. She would just squeal with delight! There will be lots more fun with Dada this summer. Yesterday, Pop and Dada got a new to them tractor with an enclosed cab and air conditioner. So Sweet E can ride around with them this summer while they're baling hay. I think she is going to love it! We can't wait to move closer to the farm soon. We're putting our house on the market and moving to B's hometown. It's only about 10-15 miles away, but will be a totally different life for us. We want to teach E values like work hard, love your family and your neighbor, and that she isn't better than anyone. We hope our move towards a full fledged farm life will help us grow along with her. I know I for one have been caught up in a materialistic world for far too long! Thanks Dave Ramsey! (We're in Financial Peace University right now). You've reminded me about the most important things in life...which are not the house I live in, the car I drive, the bag I carry or the clothes on my body.

Spring Day on the Farm

Two weekends ago (yes, I am very behind on blogging) we went to Spring Day on the Farm at Landmark Park in Dothan. The weather was beautiful! We had a yummy lunch and looked at all the exhibits. This festival displays life on an early 1900s farm. I am so glad I do not have to do laundry the way those ladies did. We saw a beautiful farm house and heard some awesome bluegrass music. Sweet E loved it! She loves to ride in her stroller, but you better keep that baby moving! She and Dada tested out the digs in a new Case tractor. One day we hope to get one with a buddy seat so that she can ride with him. We put her in this one and put on her seat belt. She just played and played. I was glad I volunteered to go. I will be out of town when the Junior Woman's Club has the inaugural Three Notch Market on May 1st. The chairman had members visit other festivals for ideas. Come visit our quaint little town and pick up a piece of local art while you're at it!

Snow Day in LA

I'll mostly let the pictures speak for themselves. I've got lots of housework to catch up on! Friday it snowed in our neck of the woods(as in very near the Florida line). We are in LA(lower Alabama). No one ever imagined that the weatherman was right when he predicted snow. Boy oh boy was he right!! We had between 5 and 6 inches total. Our day included sitting on the couch watching the largest snowflakes fall while I held a sleeping baby (she has an ear infection-her first trip to the sick side of the pediatrician's office), B getting off work early and us heading to the farm to check on all the animals, getting stuck in the mud in the dually, sledding on a trash can lid, being pulled behind a four wheeler on an old tractor fender, and capturing a few treasured family memories in E's first snow.

We hope you enjoyed your weekend. Happy Valentine's Day!

Sickness Stinks!

Hello from Nurse A! Last week at Sweet E's daycare there was a terrible virus going around. Only two of the babies were at school E and one other. Luckily she only goes three days a week. Most of the babies had been sent home the day before. On Friday I took her like normal and handed her off to her sweet teacher Ms. Rose. As I was filling out her morning report(what time she ate and any notes they need to know about) a grandmother was waiting to fill out a report too. She proceeds to tell us that she though that she had the virus too. She had gotten sick that morning, but was feeling better. Hello lady!!! A daycare is not where you need to be!!! So anyway. We were fine until Saturday evening. Brett put E to bed and I got into bed myself. I was not feeling so swift. I woke up at 11 and it was all downhill from there. B got up at 2 am and he was sick too. I was burning up and he was freezing cold. I made my way to the couch and the ceiling fan. E usually sleeps through the night and we prayed that she would this night. At 4 am we called his parents to tell them of our sickness and requested a few items(gatorade, ginger ale, crackers). We were down for the count. B nor I ever get sick. This was really hard for us. They came over with perfect timing. I heard E back in her crib playing and they were here within minutes of her waking up. Pop and Gimme (as they are called) came prepared with all the goods, including a bottle made for E! How great is that!! I had sprayed all the doorknobs (inside and out) before they got here and wiped down her carseat. She stayed with them last night too. This is the longest we've gone without seeing her, but I would much rather her be away and not get sick. So far, she hasn't even been sick...knock on lots of wood!! I am so grateful for our health and having a loving family!

Sweet E's Dedication

On Sunday, we had the most meaningful day for our little family of three. It was Sweet E's baby dedication. E got all dressed up in her pretty Castles and Crowns "Faith" smocked dress and sweet little pearl bracelet. At our church, they do a slideshow of pictures of the child. Then, we promised to raise E in a Christian home and our fellow church members vow to help us along with our journey. It was a very special day for our little family. We were so happy to have Everly's Gimme, Pop, Papaw and Mamaw in attendence. Afterward we had lunch at our house. A delicious meal of potato soup, homemade bread, and a Dean's caramel cake (I am not that talented in the baking department!). I love to have family in our home, especially on such a joyous occasion! Today is Miss E's four month appointment. I'll post stats as soon as I can. I know she has gained a ton of weight. I can't wait to see exactly how much, the shots on the other had are a totally different story!