Thursday, April 23, 2015

Cheap Entertainment

One thing we really love about our home and it's location is that there is a lake about 5 minutes away.
 
It is a fairly large lake, and many people have their boats docked there.
 
We have enjoyed many, many summer days there. Kevin was given a fishing boat from his parents that they fished in while he was a small boy. He has enjoyed each and every trip he has taken in that boat.
 
Now, he gets to enjoy it with his boys.
 
 
We took the boat out for a ride last weekend. It doesn't cost us anything to put it in the lake, and we go out for about 3-4 hours before the boys are done and want to go to the playground at the lake.
 
My husband and oldest son Karson (6) are REALLY into fishing. They love fishing for bass and are entering tournaments together this summer. I love watching that bond.
 
Kipton (4) and me are not fishing lovers, but we love to be together so we go :)
 
But, what we do love is eating snacks :) We love swimming in the lake, and snacking.
 
Our big boy who LOVES fishing.
 
Our little boat is definitely not fancy. We would LOVE to have a pontoon boat one day, but they are just too expensive. So we enjoy what we do have and love our time together.
 
 
We did however, get a new motor for the boat this Spring. It has had a few problems in the past, and we decided since this was such a good entertainment piece for our family it was worth the money to invest in a new motor.
 
It runs much faster, and there are no worries now :)
(We have broken down a few times, and yes that is actually quite fun too)
 
 
 
So this is a cheap way for us to have fun in the summer time.
 
What do you do as a family together? For cheap?
 
I'd love to hear!
 


Monday, April 20, 2015

Planting this Spring

I love Spring.
 
 It is my favorite season.
 
I think the main reason is for the warmer days and the growth that comes.
 
I love to plant.
 
Flowers, garden, anything.
 
We have also been planting at school. Here I am with some of my students planting in the school's vegetable raised boxes. The kids had a great time and learned a lot.
 
 
I will not show any pictures with faces plainly seen.
 
The kids enjoyed themselves.



 
We have been talking about spring and planting in our class this Spring. It has been a fun unit.
 
I have also been busy planting at home.
 
A few of my scrubs didn't make it over the years because of sun/shade issues so I replanted the tall evergreen on the far right side. They are not cheap, but I had been saving for it. It took two people just to lift it into the hole.
 
Thankfully, I was able to do most of the planting myself and mulching. I had the boys drag the bags of mulch from the van to the flower beds. They are such serving children. They love to serve their momma and remind me I shouldn't do things because of the baby in my belly.
 
I am itching to get ferns, but it wasn't in the budget this month. Maybe in May.


 
Our grass is getting so green and growing very well this year. This is the first year in five years that we haven't had to sew any grass seed.
 
I love making our house a HOME.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Spring Break

 
We had our Spring Break a few weeks ago, and I wanted to talk about it before it's too late to remember.
 
The boys and I had a wonderful week together.
 
It started with Kipton having surgery Monday. He has had a hard time with his tonsils and adenoids. So he needed them removed as well as getting tubes put into his ears to keep from ear infections.
 
I thought Spring Break was the perfect time so he could rest up and momma could be his nurse.
 
He didn't cry getting ready and leaving us to go back, but he got upset over wearing "A DRESS" :)
 
 
 
He did well, and the next couple of days were spent at home just resting.
 
Karson started t-ball over our Spring Break. This was his first practice.
 
 
We did do some school work while on Spring Break.
 
 
Kipton has grown to love coloring. He will sit and color for a long time now.

 
One afternoon I got to take just Karon to run errands, while Kipton stayed home and rested with daddy. We had a good time and ended up eating at a steak n shake place where they cook the food and Karson loved that. He also loved that he got lemonade. It's the little things :)



We went on many hikes after Kipton got better. He hiked all over our property and came upon a huge patch of Easter lilies. He dug some and picked some to sit on our kitchen table for Easter Sunday. We have the best time together. I love having my boys. They are my best friends.

 
We only have 31 days of school left until summer.
 
Yes, I am  counting the days. I have enjoyed my time teaching the little ones but I am sure ready to be home where I belong.
 
I will go back to my "true" job as a stay at home mom after school ends. It is really my calling from God I believe and I have missed it so much.
 
I hope your spring weather is well. We have had a lot of rain here in West Virginia, but also many pretty days and even some very 80 degree warm days.

Monday, April 13, 2015

Opening Day of Baseball

This past Saturday was such a fun day.
 
Karson (6) decided he wanted to play t-ball this year. This is his first time playing an organized sport. He tried soccer once, and really did not like it. I felt like he was too young to MAKE him continue. We have also done swimming lessons but that was one on one lessons at the university close to our home.
 
So this was the first organized sport our family has really been involved in.
 
Saturday was the opening day of baseball in our town. It was a fun time.
 
Little brother (4) decided he didn't want to play this year, just cheer on big brother. Here the boys are walking to the field. So cute!
 
 
Our boy is #34. He is on the Cardinals team.
 
So proud!
 
Daddy sure is proud. He is helping the team.

 
All of the teams gathered together on the field before the games began.
 
Little brother brought snacks for the team. He was proud of brother too!

 
In t-ball you don't keep score, so these guys just had a fun day. They came together and clapped hands and said good game. I think that is the best part of organized sports.
 
Learning to be a team player, and being a good sport.

 
Our boy got 3 big hits and played the field very well during the game. We are proud!

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

#3

Image MapI finally feel comfortable writing this post!
Image Map
We are EXPECTING #3!!!
 
It has been a very exciting, yet nervous time. Here's why....
 
 
  
 
When I was 23 we got pregnant with our first child, a boy. I had the best pregnancy, so easy and everything went so smooth.
 
When Karson turned 8 months, we found out we were expecting again. It was so soon, but we were blessed and happy to have another blessing. Our boys would be 16 months apart. This pregnancy went super smooth again, and everything was just perfect.
 
Beginning last January I brought up the idea of another baby. Our boys were 4 and 5 at the time. In 2014, we began praying and thinking about another baby.  Of course I figured the pregnancy would be just as easy as the first two.
 
In May 2014, we were so excited to be expecting our third. Soon after I experienced a miscarriage.
 
It was devastating. After researching the bible, and talking with friends I left it to God. He knows the reason, I do not.
 

September 2014 came. I found out I was pregnant, and then the same situation as in May. Two weeks later, a miscarriage. I just didn't understand. WHY ME! AGAIN?? What could be wrong with me?
Do I have a disease or cancer, or something really wrong with producing a healthy baby?
 
I prayed and prayed. Had lots of testing, but no real answers. Again, only God knows.
 
Then a phone call came. To teach for this school year.
 
Both of my boys were already going to pre-school and Kindergarten, and I felt like I HAD to get out or my head may explode with thoughts of wonder and depression. So I did what I thought was best and said YES to the job.
 
September, October, November, December were all very low but I managed.
 
January 2015 came. A new year, new beginning. Fresh start!
 
In late January, I started feeling funny. Sick, tired, all of that. Soon to find out,
 
I AM PREGNANT!
 
I am currently 12 weeks, and feeling so blessed God has let me carry this baby for this long.

 

 
I know these posts are not so fun to read, but I felt like sharing my heart and my situation. It's been hard to really tell many people because it's very hurtful and really unless you have been through it, it's hard to imagine.
 
So, would you please pray for me?
 
That I continue to do well, and the baby is healthy and strong.
 
The doctors are very hopeful because we are 12 weeks along, and have heard a healthy strong heartbeat at every appointment this far. We have had ultrasounds, and tests and all is perfect!!
 
So why did GOD have those two miscarriages in store for me?
 
I do not know.
 
But now, a pregnancy that is going well! Just like before.
 
BLESSED. THANKFUL. HAPPY.