Mums and more

Well, I should probably refer you to my mom's blog for our updates! I can't believe it has been two weeks since my last post. Here are a few thoughts going through my head and what's going on with the kids.

I'll start with school. Last week went much better with the new schedule. I still am having a hard time with the five period day. It's not that I don't like it, it's just different and feels longer. After third block, I really want there to only be one block left, however, there are two! My class sizes are a bit smaller. My room looks better than it ever has, and that makes me feel better too. The best part of the day comes at the end when I go to get Maggie. Maybe I'll record it on day. As soon as Maggie sees me, she yells, "MOMMY!!" and runs to me as fast as she can. Jessica and I laugh everyday.

Jason and I are doing great with our Couch to 10 K Challenge. Tomorrow starts week five. The hardest part is finding time every night for us to run separately. This will be harder as the length of the run gets longer. Of course we prefer to run together, but that requires someone to watch the kids (thanks mom and dad). Here is the week five plan:

Warm Up! Then jog 2.5 miles 4 to 6 days.

This is my favorite time of year. I love this weather, the festivals, mums, Gatlinburg, orchards, hay rides, caramel apples, bean soup, Halloween costumes, and everything pumpkin. Mom and I went last Sunday to a lady's house on Brannon Road close to church. She has a sign out front that says, "Hardy Mums." You drive around back to her beautiful field of mums. She gives you plastic grocery bags to lay beside the mums. She digs them up and puts them in the bag for you. They vary in size and color. The small ones are $2 and all the rest are $4 ($3.50 if you buy 10). We got some huge, beautiful mums for $3.50 each!

A trunk full of mums... without too many blooms!

This is a planter at Amy's house. Mom and I planted a few at her house while she was away for the weekend.

I planted three in a bed in my back yard.

This year we attended Picnic with the Pops for the 9th year. This is one of my favorite traditions! In college I worked in the book store. The store manager is Kay Blevins, Don Blevins' wife (retired county clerk). She invited Jason and I my junior year in college along with another couple from the store. We sit at the same table every year. We now know their friends and look forward to it each August. I always bring an appetizer, and Kay makes a beef tenderloin that is WONDERFUL! She also brings a homemade cheesecake, strawberries, and whipped cream. YUM!

Don and Kay Blevins

This year I made Rosemary Cheese with Fig Preserves. It was great! Everyone commented on it all night, and it was completely eaten! Here is the recipe:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (3-ounce) log goat cheese, softened
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
3/4 cup fig preserves
Garnish: fresh rosemary sprigs
Crackers, toasted French bread slices, or bagel chips

Process first 5 ingredients in a food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides.
Spoon cheese mixture into a lightly greased 1 1/2-cup mold lined with plastic wrap. Cover and chill 2 hours.
Invert chilled cheese mixture onto a serving dish; discard plastic wrap. Spoon fig preserves over cheese. Garnish, if desired. Serve with crackers, toasted French bread slices, or bagel chips.

IT is a radical commitment to a radical generosity.

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love"...Gal. 5:6

Wow! What a wonderful challenge is before us! Jon sent 10,000+ people out to love and serve our city. I can’t even begin to explain how moved, excited, and ready I am to take on his challenge. Jason and I have been in prayer, and we feel this challenge is going to be a priority for our family. We are challenging ourselves to do one act of service or express love in one way each week.

Immediately after service Sunday we went to Wal-mart. The boys picked out a toy and I picked one out for Maggie. I remember going downtown with Brewster every summer to pass out VBS flyers around Johnson Elementary. I thought this would be the perfect place for the kids to give away their toys because I remember kids out everywhere. We started on 2nd Street, then 3rd Street, 4th Street, but no kids. Martin Luther King Street, Race Street, and no kids. On to Newtown Pike and Georgetown St. Douglas Park. No kids. At this point the boys are getting upset because they don’t see any kids, I was very hungry, I needed to potty, and Jason was getting tired of driving around. We ended up on New Circle. We questioned heading home and trying this again. I was devastated. I just knew we were supposed to do it right then. We got off on Versailles Rd and headed to Cardinal Valley Park…. No kids! We turned around and headed to a Hispanic grocery and restaurant parking lot. There, we parked and unloaded all three kids with gifts in hand. We immediately spotted two women and a little boy. We walked up to them and handed the little boy the first toy. We quickly found a little girl and another boy. I was able to communicate clearly with the children and their parents to give them a quick greeting and short conversation. As we walked back to the car Jason said, “Wow. That is so cool that you can do that. We were meant to be here all along.”

We prayed as a family after leaving Wal-Mart for the kids we would meet, and we prayed after leaving them for the fun they would have with their new toys.
While shopping in Wal-mart we saw two other families expressing their faith through love. Mom and dad were even able to Pay it forward after a boy on a bike paid for their meal at Sonic. Can you imagine if this is what we do, and what we see others doing on a daily basis? IT can change Lexington… IT is changing Lexington.

First Day Back

Today was a smooth first day back to school. Jason is traveling from out of town this week, so he leaves very early and returns around 7:15pm. Getting dressed and out the door could have gone better, but it also could have gone a lot worse! After arriving at Tot's Landing, I realized I had forgotten the boy's stuffed animals. At school this week they have brought in their favorite book, photo, animal, and tomorrow will wear their favorite t-shirt (laundry going now). The boys were upset not to have their animals, and I didn't want my kids to be the ones without their animal, so I backed out of my spot and went home to get the animals. I really could have used that time at school, but I wanted to get the animals. This put me getting to school as the student drivers did, so the first day of school traffic and leaving Tots late made my morning a little stressful.

I have first block plan this year, so I lost most of my plan due to advisory time. We will have advisory again Thursday and Friday, but it will be shorter so I'll have a longer plan than today. We have a new trimester schedule this year, so instead of teaching three blocks a day, I now teach four shorter blocks (75 min). After having advisory, a little plan, a Spanish One class, and a Spanish Three class, I was tired and I felt like it was time to go home. Unfortunately I still had two classes to go! It will definitely take getting used to the trimester. The one thing I like about it is that I have a common plan with my co-workers Jessica and Thomas. This will be a huge help!

Maggie did great at school today. Although she was a little hesitant, she sat down at the table for her breakfast and I was able to leave. Lee said she had a great day. I peeped in one time during the day and she was sitting at the table eating and smiling. The best part of the day was picking her up. As soon as she saw me she squealed and yelled, Momma!" She threw her toy down and ran over to me. When I picked her up she yelled momma over and over with a huge smile on her face. I took my camera, but was out of battery.

I came home tonight and cooked dinner. The kids were bathed, teeth brushed, and pj's on when Jason walked in the door. He is putting them to bed as I type.

Going to run now. This week we are:

(4 to 6 days per week) Start with a 5 minute warm up walk, then alternate walking & jogging and walk only half the distance of each jog, as follows:Jog 1/4 mile (one lap) then Walk 1/8 mile (1/2 half lap)Jog 1/2 mile (2 laps)Walk 1/4 mile (1 lap)Jog 1/4 mile (1 lap)Walk 1/8 mile (half-lap)Jog 1/2 mile.

I did it Monday night and was sweating from head to toe. It was hard! I hope it will be easier tonight! If you missed the couch to 10K post, our goal is a 10K Oct. 17.

I Love My Husband

I love my husband because he loves and worships Jesus... in the shower! Right now this is what I hear:

Jesus, lover of my soul. Jesus, I will never let you go. You've taken me from the miry clay. Put my feet upon the rock, and now I know. My savior. My closest friend. I will worship you until the very end. I love you. I need you.....

I may not remember the words exactly, but isn't that great! Humm... I wonder if he'll be embarrassed that I wrote this?

A Night at Fort Boonesborough

Friday afternoon we took the kids camping with nana and pap. We camped at Fort Boonesborough and had the perfect spot! We backed up to the volleyball and basketball courts. The courts were right beside two playgrounds, and the bath house was behind the basketball court. It was great! The kids rode their bikes on the volleyball courts the entire time (there wasn't a volleyball net)! We could sit at the fire and watch them ride their bikes or play on the playground. Also, the site was almost 100% shaded. Saturday morning the sun was HOT, but at the camp site it was almost cool.

Even though it is TOO much work to pack for the trip and set up camp, I believe it is totally worth it. Our car was completely filled just for one night. We really want a pop up! I grew up camping, and really want the kids to have all the same experiences and memories as I did with my brother and parents. Here are a few pictures.

The boys loved having their own little tent!

Pap cooking a hot dog over the fire.

MJ loves playing with her Pap.

We had a surprise visit from my brother! The kids were so excited to see Uncle Jason.

Jason drinking his Starbucks.

Yes, ashamed to admit it.... I did GPS a Starbucks first thing in the morning. In my defense, Maggie was up before the entire campground. I had to do something with her! Okay... I would have done it anyway.

Pap cooked a delicious breakfast... bacon, eggs, toast. It smelled so good!

Going for a bike ride.

Nana reading.

Camping is hard work!

Water fight!

My Last Day of Summer :(

I've been busy trying to enjoy my last few days of summer as well as get things ready for school. I've had several thoughts in my head to blog, but no time to do it! Here are a few things that have happened over the last week or so.

From Couch Potato to 10K

Jason and I have a new running goal. As some of you know, we started running last summer. After breaking the double jogging stroller (funny story), winter, and adding a kid, we haven’t been running. Jason came home with a printed out plan yesterday. It’s called “Couch potato to 10K.” It is a 10 week plan to get you to a 10K. I don’t know… I feel like it will take longer than 10 weeks to get me to 6.2 miles. I’ve NEVER been a runner. I really want to do this though. I need to loose some weight and get in shape. I’ll keep you posted. The first week we are supposed to only do one mile 4-6 days. It is a mix of running and jogging. We are two for two. Maybe we’ll stick to it since we’re being eased in! Anyone want to join us? Our goal is a 10K race on Oct. 17. It is a special cause we are excited to support, CASA. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. This is just another person to be an advocate for foster children in Lexington. They are volunteers who take the more severe cases. Run for Kids' Sake is the theme!

My First Sewing Experience

Believe it or not.... I used a sewing machine for the first time and ended up with a cute desk skirt! My co-worker Jessica and several other teachers at school have fabric desk skirts that wrap around their teacher desk. I’ve wanted one, but never knew how to make it (or had the time). On Saturday night I took my fabric over to my sister-in-law’s house and she helped me measure, cut, iron, and pin the fabric in place. Then, I sewed it! It fits perfectly and looks really nice. Anything to make my concrete block classroom with zero windows look homey!

Maggie's First Dental Check-up

Maggie had her first dental appointment Tuesday with Dr. Steckler. I felt like it was a little early, but they have a sign that says, “First tooth, first birthday, first appointment.” I guess it’s good to get them used to the dentist. Dr. Steckler just looked in her mouth to see how her teeth are coming in. He said everything looked perfect.

Evening with Kimmie, Brittany, and James

Yesterday afternoon Kim brought her niece and nephew, Brittany and James, over to eat and play. She brought salad and pizza from Puccini’s. Yum! We had a great dinner, and then Brittany and James played with the kids while Kim and I chatted. She also brought goodie bags for the kids that included new green, white, and navy striped Polos, Spiderman shirts, granola bars, rice crispy treats, and crisp new dollar bills. Maggie had a bag too with a new white Polo, PJ's, and goodies. Kim, Brittany, and James helped put the kids to bed. Great night! Thanks Kimmie!

Treasure Boxes

We are trying a new disciple strategy. On Monday I took the boys to the Dollar Store to make treasure boxes. They each got a small Styrofoam cooler and chose eight toys. It was so fun! The boys LOVED it! When we got home, they designed their boxes with markers and stickers. Each one has a discipline goal. If they meet their goal each day they get to choose one toy out of their treasure box. Thanks Sara for the treasure box idea!