the preacher said

Pastor Mark preached a great sermon today. It was about Marriage, Parenting and Money. He talked about how we like to always protect our kids and not let them take risk. He said, "Let your kids play in the street." One point that really made me think was "The purpose of having children is to create Godly offspring for the next generation to learn about Jesus." We have to teach Hannah and Hunter about Jesus so they can teach their kids. You should listen to the sermon, it was will be well worth your time.

While I was at the grocery store Derrick sent me this picture. He said instead of letting him play in the street he was letting him play with fire. I tagged Pastor Mark when I put it on Facebook and he responded, future missionary. Hunter said, "Does that mean I can go to Africa?" We told him we hoped if that is what God wants and tells him to do.

Happy Fall!

 We have never decorated this early. We have a Halloween party and usually never decorate until the day before or maybe the day of. It always looks nice when we finish and then we do not get to enjoy it for long. This year I have two weeks off of school in October and Derrick has lots of work, so we are getting a head start.

 Whiskers had to check everything we bought out and it made him tired. He spent a while napping.

 Front porch.

 I thought the little hay bale was so cute and that it would look good on the front porch. I think it turned out very cute.

 Gypsy was busy watching the lizard. She pawed at it but never tried to catch it.

 I love cornstalks. I still have to put the ribbons on them, but  we have a good start.

 We planted some fall flowers. Flowers make me happy!

 More mums and pumpkins!

We will carve the pumpkins and put out Halloween decorations closer to time for the party. I am excited to enjoy the pretty fall flowers, pumpkins and decorates for the whole month of October.

apples, apples, and Hunter

 We had a potluck at school today. I made these cookies. All teachers love apples, right?

 We have been learning about apples all week. The apple unit is one of my favorite to teach.

 We had to send our animals back but we added some apples to our tree.

Hunter dressed himself today. I did not see him until this afternoon. I asked him why he had on blue socks. He said, "Mom, they have an orange basketball on them that matches the orange on my shoes."

friends

I work with the greatest people. Ruth and I were able to co-teach a few years ago. It was one of my best years ever. I miss working in the same room with her. I am thankful for our friendship. Not everyone can make me laugh/smile this early in the morning.

Grandparent's Day at Lighthouse

Hunter has been blessed to have each set of his grandparents come to his grandparent's day each year he has been at Lighthouse. Thanks Mike and Nene for coming this year. I can't believe that next year he will be at Kelley with Hannah and I. Hunter and Ethan will both be at Kelley. I am not sure the K team is ready for them.

dotMOM

I made some cookies for us to have this weekend. Hannah gave me the idea. She said, "Mom make a dot and then write mom on it, for dotMom.

 This is most of our group after the first meeting. I love that our group is growing each year.

 Nicole is good at taking pictures of lots of people. She has really long arms.

Here is another picture with a few more of us in it.

 It was POURING down rain Saturday morning when we got up. We made it to breakfast without getting too wet, but getting from breakfast to the conference center was not going to happen without getting SOAKED. So, we did what any smart groups of ladies would do, we called a taxi. Yes, 8 of us piled in the van.

Since it was still raining and we had not bought the $10 box lunch we ate this yummy lunch.

 Some of us stay a second night to just hang out and talk about all the things we learned during the conference. We went to dinner and then had to get ice cream to eat while we discussed all we had learned.

After the week I had with Hannah, I needed this weekend so bad. I learned A LOT, but the two main things I came away with were: I need to parent with joy and grace. I need to keep Christ at the center of my life and family. I am so thankful I get to go to dotMOM each year. Thanks Danielle for keeping the kids Friday night and Mike and Nene for coming to help Derrick with the kids while I was gone. Next year it is in Nashville so I hope that more of my friends will be able to attend.

I was glad to see these sweet faces. I hope to put into practice all I learned starting today.

am I the only one

Well today started out pretty good. We were all up and out the door by 7am. My kids at school were pretty good, my first observation went well, then 3 o'clock came. This is my struggle - my children do not listen to me or seem to take me serious. I came back in my classroom and asked Hannah if she was ready to do get Buddy so we could get to swim team on time. She said, "I forgot my bathing suit." Really!!! I asked her last night and this morning if she had all the things she needed for swim team. She responded yes both times. I asked her if she was sure to which she responded yes. So we made a stop by the house before getting Buddy so she could put a bathing suit on. We still made it on time to swim team so they that all worked out. We get home from swim team and I ask the kids to please lay out their clothes for tomorrow and tell Hannah to get her lunch packed and things ready for swim team Thursday (we have church tomorrow night and we get home at the time they are usually going to bed). While I am fixing their dinner what do I hear...them fighting. They should not even be in the same room to do the task I asked them to do. We eat dinner with no added drama, thank goodness. Showers/baths go well. Then I ask Hannah about a book she told me she read. She can't tell me anything that makes sense about it. I asked her if she really read it and she says yes. I told her I can't believe that if she can't answer any of the questions. I think she just wants to be the first one in her class to finish her reading for this nine weeks. I told her she has to read it again. She pouts and stomps off. As I walk into "Papa's room" I have to step over TONS of things in the floor. I told both of the kids that they had until I got the bed made to get all of their things out of the floor and put where they belong. I was even nice and made the bed really slow to give them more time. When time was up there was still things in the floor in their rooms. I gave them two more minutes to check everywhere and make sure all of their things were picked up. I am trying hard to be nice and give them every chance I can to do what I ask and that they know is expected of them. Well guess what? That is right, there were still things in the floor. When I started picking them up and putting them in a trash bad oh the tears, screaming, crying, yelling, etc. I told them I was sorry but I did not know how much clearer I could say put your things where they belong. I once again reminded them that if they would clean up when they were finished playing that we would not have this problem. I asked them why I had to raise my voice for them to take me serious. I gave them hugs and kisses and told them I loved them and put them to bed. I HATE our days to end like this. I want to be a good mom and want my kids to obey and do the right thing not just for me, but because they know it is the right thing and want to do it for themselves. I tell them that I have to obey God like they have to obey me. That is tough I know and God is really working on me. I am trying to show them grace because I am give way more grace than I even deserve. Am I being too hard of them? Do I expect too much? I feel like when I have to fuss and yell that I am not being a good parent and that I am not showing Jesus to my kids. I know we are all a work in progress and tonight I feel like I have a long way to go. Thanks for letting me share where I am tonight.

personalities and a dinner conversation

This is how they dressed themselves to go to dinner last night. Believe it or not, I just let them go.They have their own personalities, which shine at times.

 She is in a habit of carrying a notebook/journal with her when we go out to eat. She write about where we go, what we eat, and who goes with us and/or the conversations we have while we are out.

 This picture just makes me laugh. I lady I work consignment with gave me this jacket for Hunter. He think he has to wear it all the time now. He even worn it to school today.

It was such great weather yesterday that Derrick decided to get the jeep out. The kids think it is great fun to ride it the jeep. I like it too. It reminds me of our younger days. Hunter was glad he had his new jacket on the way home last night, it was a little cool. I looked back to check on him because he was quiet, and he was out.

Tonight while we were eating this was the conversation the kids had. They are too much some days.
Hunter: My teachers will not reward bad behavior.
Hannah: If a fly lands on your food, don't eat it.
Hunter: Why?
Hannah: Because when it lands it throws up.
Hunter: I have never seen throw up on my food before.
Hannah: That is because their throw up is so small you can't see it.
Hunter: What is a gnat lands on my food, can I eat it?
Hannah: I don't think you should.
Hunter: Mom, a gnat landed on my food and threw up. I will just throw it away.
Mom: Let's just eat and not talk for a few minutes.

I hope you all had a great Monday.

progress

I am excited that the hallway is painted and the new light is up. Hopefully pictures are next! I tried to talked Derrick into laying tile in the bathroom this afternoon, but he said other things have to be finished first. I am hoping the kids bathroom will be finished by Christmas.

My Swim Meet by Hannah

 Coach Nicole gave me some goodies at my swim meet.

 I had two evens at my swim meet today.

Hunter couldn't see the ipad so he hid under my towel. He is CRAZY, right!

 My dad is drawing a shark on my back. It looks good.

My shark is GREAT! My dad is a awesome drawer.

I am swimming freestyle in lane two.

I am swimming backstroke in lane six. 

We are done with the swim meet and are in the car ready to walk in to Zaxby's to eat.