Week in Review

We have had a great week. On Monday we went to see Katie play her last basketball game on home court as an 8th grader. She is an awesome basketball player. We enjoy watching her play. This was also 8th grade night for the basketball teams and cheerleaders. The school had a very nice ceremony for the 8th graders. The parents were also there to escort their 8th grader. I can not believe that Katie is graduating from 8th grade in a few months. We are very proud of you Katie and the young lady you are becoming.

 

 

On Tuesdays, we get in some PE time by swimming. The girls are working on doing their swim strokes with proper technique. They both are excellent swimmers and have loved swimming since birth. This class is teaching them how to swim with endurance and with proper techinque. They really like the class and are doing an awesome job.



On Tuesday night we went to see Hairspray at the Tennessee Theater. It was an AWESOME show. It was so good. The dancers were wonderful, the singing was great, the costumes were so cute. We loved all of it. We could not take pictures or video of the show so all I have are pictures of the Tennessee Theater sign outside and a picture of Aubrey on the way, can you tell how excited she was? Her and Taylor both had been so excited about the show since they had found out we were going the weekend before. Taylor took this picture of Aubrey while we were driving to the theater. (Notice the sign in the background behind Aubrey!!)



These are some pictures of my floor before when we had carpet and after the carpet is gone. We have wood floors now downstairs. This was done by my wonderul husband and wonderful dad before Thanksgiving. They worked really hard and worked many long hours to get this done for me. Thank you to both of you for all your hard work. I LOVE THE WOOD FLOORS!!
(stay posted: they have done other jobs around the house that I will post about randomly!!)

Friday

Today, Taylor and Aubrey went to get their haircut. These are before the haircut:

 
 

These are after the haircut:

 
 

It makes me sad to take them for haircuts now because they tell the hair cutter how they want their hair to be cut and what length all by themselves. Of course I have already consulted with them on the way there. But they still like to tell the hair cutter how they want it cut themselves. I remember and miss the days when I got to make all the decisions. I am glad they wanted to go get their haircut, it looks so good.

After getting haircuts, we went to Target. We found some really good deals on clearance items. A dress for Taylor, a dress for Aubrey, a pair of pants for Jody, etc... It was a good day at Target!!

Then we went to the Tomato Head downtown for dinner and then to Rita's for Italian Ice. Both were yummy!!

I hope everyone has a great weekend and stays warm!!

Thankful Thursday

Letter to President Obama's daughters

What precious words of advice from one family to another. Don't forget to scroll to the bottom and pause the music!

SNOW

We had a little bit of snow this week. On Monday it snowed some during the day. It was a pretty day of snowing. Not a good day in South Knoxville to play outside in the snow. There was not enough to build a snowman, snow ball, etc. Taylor and Aubrey tried to play in the snow. They were able to catch some snowflakes in a cup and put them in the freezer for a hot summer day!! I am wishing for a blizzard this winter!!

Ober Gatlinburg

A couple of weekends ago, we went ice skating at Ober Gatlinburg. It was so much fun. I was too scared to let go of the side railing very much. It would not have been a pretty sight for me to fall. But the girls had a great time and did great ice skating, luckily they don't take after me for ice skating!!

Birthday Festivities

Tonight we went out to dinner for Nana's birthday. We went to the Olive Garden and it was delicious. We then had ice cream, birthday cake, and gifts. I have to let you know that Aubrey picked out the birthday cake for Nana.

I hope you had a great day Nana. Happy Birthday!


and here are pictures Taylor took with her camera!!

My Mom's Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to Mom,
Happy Birthday to you!!

Today's is my mom's birthday (aka "Nana"). There are so many great things about my mom that I could not begin to list everything. I am so lucky to have a mom that is also my friend. We love doing things together and have a lot of the same interests. She loves my children just as much as me (although many times it seems like she may love them MORE!!) and cares for them just like I do.

A Sonnet for My Incomparable Mother

I often contemplate my childhood, Mom.
I am a mother now, and so I know
Hard work is mixed together with the fun;
You learned that when you raised me long ago.

I think of all the things you gave to me:
Sacrifice, devotion, love and tears,
Your heart, your mind, your energy and soul--
All these you spent on me throughout the years.

You loved me with a never-failing love
You gave me strength and sweet security,
And then you did the hardest thing of all:
You let me separate and set me free.
Every day, I try my best to be
A mother like the mom you were to me.

(by Joanna Fuchs)

I hope you have the best day ever. You are so special to me and I love you very much!!

- Amy

50 Things You Possibly Didn't Know About Me

I really don't want to do dishes or clean my house or any of that other stuff I should be doing so I had gotten this awhile back and I think today would be a good day to post :)

50 Things You Possibly Didn't Know About Me

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now? books, clothes, shoes, purses, games, roller blades, DVD, magazines and I am sure lots of crumbs. You could survive out of my back seat for a few days I am sure.

2. What's your favorite curse word? I don't say any curse words. I guess the nearest word would be "shoot"

3. Name 3 people who made you smile today? Jody, Taylor and Aubrey

4. What were you doing at 8 am this morning? fixing breakfast

5. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? unpacking groceries

6. What will you be doing 3 hours from now? cleaning up dinner

7. Have you ever been to a strip club? no.

8. What is the last thing you said aloud? "that is crazy"

9. What is the best ice cream flavor? peanut butter from Molly Moo's

10. What was the last thing you had to drink? Pepsi Icee from BP

11. What are you wearing right now? blue sweatpants, grey tshirt and fuzzy crocs

12. What was the last thing you ate? tomato soup for lunch

13. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? not this week, it is only Monday

14. When was the last time you ran? I don't run...unless someone is chasing me or I am running away from danger!

15. What's the last sporting event you watched? In person I have watched Bennett's Upward Basketball game and a UT Men's basketball game. Seen lots of games on t.v. in the last few weeks.

16. Who is the last person you emailed? my friend Pam

17. Ever go camping? YES, love it!

18. Do you have a tan? No, but I wish I did.

19. Do you drink your soda from a straw? no

20 What did your last IM say? from Allison about getting together for lunch one day

21. Are you someone's best friend? I would like to think so.

22. Where will you be tomorrow? same daily stuff and watching the inauguration

23. Where is your mom right now? She's at home I would think. Tomorrow is her birthday!

24. Look to your left, what do you see? I see the snow falling, my neighbors house and Taylor outside playing in the snow with Hannah.

25. What color is your watch? I don't wear a watch

26. What do you think of when you think of Australia? kangaroo, Outback Steak House, and that I would love to go there someday.

27. Would you consider plastic surgery? not sure

28. What is your birthstone? sapphire

29. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive-thru? go in unless it is pouring down rain!!

30. How many kids do you want? 2 or more !

31. Do you have a dog? No, but would really like to have one or two

32. Last person you talked to on the phone? Aubrey

33. Have you met anyone famous? Jeff Gordon before a race in Bristol, TN

34. Any plans today? It is already 4:30pm, so I am planning on cooking dinner, watching some Food Network, typing my dictation job, and having a fun night at home.

35. How many states have you lived in? Just one, Tennessee.

36. Ever go to college? University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a degree in Early Childhood Education

37. Where are you right now? in our "office"

38. Biggest annoyance in your life right now? I guess it would be that we are looking for a new desk for Jody and can not find what we want.

39. Last song listened to? "Lay It Down" by Todd Agnew. Listening to my Ipod

40. Are you allergic to anything? According to my children I am allergic to cigarette smoke. I always say this because I can not stand to be around cigarette smoke!! But I am not REALLY allergic to it, just trying to save my lungs!

41. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? My New Balance tennis shoes and fuzzy crocs

42. Are you jealous of anyone? yeah...of course:)

43. Is anyone jealous of you? haha...doubtful

44. What time is it? 4:45 pm

45. Do any of your friends have children? yes, most of them!!

46. Do you eat healthy? Better than I was and still trying to do better!!

47. What do you usually do during the day? type dictation (my part time job), homeschool my children, cook, do laundry, clean up, transport the girls to their activities, etc...

48. Do you use the word 'hello' daily? I usually say "hi" or "hey"

49. How did you get your scars? Falling into the corner of a stereo while I was dancing when I was young(forehead), cyst removal (left hand pointer finger and right arm in the inside fold of my elbow), C-section scar (yuck), lots of scars on my legs from being clumsy

50. How old will you be turning on your next birthday? thirty something!!

Let us know 50 things about you!!

Hotel For Dogs

We went to see the movie Hotel for Dogs today. It is really a good movie. It is a funny comedy that is so sweet and touching. A sister and brother who are in foster care end up taking in stray dogs and turn an abandoned hotel in the hotel for dogs. You will laugh and cry in this movie. Everyone needs to see this movie, call us we will go see it again with you!!

Roller Skating

On Wednesday afternoon we went rollerskating. Every month homeschoolers get together and rollerskate in Fountain City. The girls have a lot of fun and really like to rollerskate. They regular skate, have races, do the Hokey Pokey, play games, and do the electric slide!! I am always reminded of rollerskating when I was younger. It is lots of fun. Come out and join us! Next month I will take my camera and get some pictures of the fun.

We stopped after rollerskating at the Fountain City Park and played outside for a little while. It was only 20 degrees when the wind would blow, it was so cold. It was nice to ge out and get some fresh air and run around some. We warmed up by eating pizza at Cici's Pizza before going to church.

A Great Day at Church

We had an awesome day in church today. There was great music, great sermons, and a sweet fellowship. We were challenged today to follow God's main will for our life , to become more like God by the power of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:1-2 says "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I wanted to share my newest favorite worship song. I found it on you tube. Turn up the volume and worship the Lord!! God is here, his wonders to perform!

Happy New Year

From My Pictures

It’s New Year day, and I want to share my vows (or resolutions) for the near year

I vow to be nicer and help people more
I vow to lose 20 lbs
I vow to be a better mother and wife
I vow to reduce my debt.
I vow to eat less junk food
I vow to have less frivolous spending
I vow to have more family time


I can hardly believe it is a New Year. Where has this year gone? This year has been amazing. Today I'm writing a reflection of praise of 2008:

I praise you God for 2008 because:

*Taylor and Aubrey were baptized

*Aubrey who turned 9 years old

*Taylor who turned 11 years old

*Celebrating 15 years of a marriage and God's hand always on our marriage

*Bennett (my nephew) asking Jesus into his heart and being baptized

*The beach, the mountains, Disney World, New York City, Washington DC

*A scary road of sickness for me and a road of recovery that God lead all the way!!

*Safe travel for Jody on all his business trips this year

*Family

*Friends, new and old

*Laughter, Joy and Peace

*Get togethers with family and friends

*Saying good-bye to those who touched our lives

*Provision of everything we need

*Security and life that is found only in your arms

My amazing God,
2008 has been a great year. With many ups and downs Lord, one thing has remained the same.....you were there. Through every step, through every trial, through every praise...you were there.

Thank you for all that you did in our lives this year! I surrender 2009 to you and pray that you will do more amazing things in our lives this next year. So much uncertainty but still one constant.......you! Can't wait to see what you have in store!!