The Jaspers

IT'S A BIG DAY

2011-01-21T14:46:00.001-08:00

Today was PAJAMA DAY at Kate's school....she has looked forward to this since she went back to school on the 3rd and got her January calender from her teacher. She said today was a great day and that is all...she's not big on talking about school (maybe because we ask her so many questions!).

Today is also the 16th birthday of our precious babysitter, Mary Elizabeth. She lives in our neighborhood and her yard was "flocked" with flamingos to celebrate her big day. Kate thought this was the funniest thing so she had to get out and take her picture with Mary Elizabeth's sign so that I could text the picture to M.E. This girl is the big sister Kate did not have! We are so thankful that we know her and that she will have a driver's license when me move to our new house this summer (crossing our fingers!).

oh yeah...the Jaspers are back!

2011-01-10T19:15:00.001-08:00

Let me begin by saying how embarrassed I am that I have let more than a year slip by with blogging. I do plan to go back and post the happenings I can remember between October 2009 and now (but please keep in mind that I have a long line of Alzheimer's in my family, so my memory is scary at times). I cannot believe that we are ALREADY 10 days into 2011. And more than that, I cannot believe that in a little over a month, my sweet girl, Kate, will be FIVE YEARS OLD!!! Time has flown by!

A LITTLE SNOW FOR MY BABY GIRL

2010-12-27T19:50:00.000-08:00

Since we moved to this house 3 years ago, it has snowed every winter and now sweet Kate just expects it. And, since it snowed while we were in the mountains last Christmas, she thinks that snow and Christmas naturally go hand in hand! Well, the day after Christmas, I looked out the window and "to what did my wondering eyes appear, but SNOW"...just the tiniest flakes, but snow just the same. So out Kate and I go to get her "annual" snow picture. You can barely see it but the pictures were worth it snow or not!

This first picture just does something to my heart everytime I look at it! Bliss!

Do you see the tiny snowflakes???

Look at that face!!! The "flairies" were courtesy of Santa!

CHRISTMAS 2010

2010-12-26T20:04:00.000-08:00

Kate snuggling Jazzi at Granna and Poppa D's

Barbies Galore!

The pillow pet she's been eyeing for months!

Setting out the milk and cookies for Santa!

Our beautiful girl

Christmas was great this year...Kate was SO into every aspect of Christmas, but I have to tell you that the most precious memory I have this year was this...I had picked Kate up from preschool and she was telling me about her day and that they had gone to Chapel that morning and that Pastor David (She goes to The Weekday Preschool at Christ United Methodist Church) was telling them the Christmas story. She was telling me that there was no room for Mary and Joseph in the inn and that they had to stay in a stable. I was adding details to the story and she listened very intently as I drove. She was quiet for a few minutes and then she said, "Mom, tell me everything you know about Jesus." I almost had to stop the car for fear that I was going to wreck from the tears in my eyes. This precious child never ceases to amaze me with her desire to learn about Jesus. I explained to her that Jesus came to be our Hope and that he grew to be a man and taught many about God's love for them and that he died on a cross so that we may all know the Lord and experience eternal Life through Him. I pray that with every passing day, her love for the Lord grows stronger and that no matter what happens in her life that she knows that she has a Savior who paid it all for her.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2009-10-31T20:55:00.000-07:00

We always go to Scott's Aunt Betty's to start the night
Ready to go

Cutest cheeseburger ever!

Months ago, Kate and I started discussing what she would like to be for Halloween. I had her talked into the Cat in the Hat until I tried the makeup on her (black nose/whiskers) and she freaked out, so she decided that she would like to be the cupcake on the front of Pottery Barn Kids. We went online to order the costume and they were SOLD OUT! So we had to go to plan B and I talked her into the spider costume and sold it to her as the Itsy Bitsy Spider which she loved...until the costume came in and she refused to wear it (5 days before Halloween)...now plan C..."well Kate, what would you like to be now?"..."well, I think I'll be a cheeseburger"....WHAT?? I am stressed out thinking how will I ever pull this off and remember that my sweet friend Robin's little boy Riley had been one the year before and so I start praying that she still has the costume. I text her and beg to borrow it and she was thrilled for us to use it, so instead of anything "girly", Kate was a cheeseburger!!! We trick or treated around the block with our neighbors, one of which was a skeleton which Kate was terrified of!

PUMPKIN PATCH

2009-10-26T20:49:00.000-07:00

Kate and her friend Silas

Sliding down the hayslide

Momma's girl!

Scott and I went with Kate on her first field trip today to the Pumpkin Patch...how fun!!! She had fun on the hayride and playing in the maze with her friends...she cried when she found out that you actually have to go home when it's over!

MSU/FLORIDA GAME

2009-10-25T20:40:00.000-07:00

Tailgating is hard work!

Kate and her daddy

Precious face!

She loves ringing that thing

Dan is our man!

Thank you Lord, for cooler weather! This was the best game yet because it was finally comfortable. Kate had a ball and was obsessed with the Florida Gators...she stayed in this one tent next to us admiring their gator and had to have her picture taken. I must have taken the Gator pics with my phone...will upload on a different post if I find them.

THE FAIR

2009-10-16T20:33:00.000-07:00

Scott and I took the afternoon off today and took Kate to the State Fair after school. It was sooooo cold! Less than 2 weeks ago, we were still sweating to death...go figure! Kate loves riding just about any ride and loves climbing the big slide with her daddy...good thing, because I am not a fan of climbing all of those steps! HA!

GO DAWGS

2009-10-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

Ring that cowbell

Loving the slides

Kate and Perry Powell

Not sure what we did in September besides get back into the swing of school, because I don't have a single picture from last month...oh well, we have been enjoying taking Kate to Starkville for the football games. She loves all the activity...I will be glad when she is mature enough that I don't have to worry about her wandering off like she did at the first game of the season...surprised I didn't have to be hospitalized after that!...it was as hot as blazes, our tailgate area was soooooo crowded and two things i don't like are heat and unnecessary crowds...and guess what, neither does Kate...I turned my head for a second to clean up a mess and she was GONE!!! When I tell you it was so crowded, I mean it was wall to wall people and I started crying knowing there was NO WAY I would ever find her!!! I was that hysterical momma screaming her name and totally about to lose it when out of the corner of my eye, I spy her sitting under a tent that no one else is in but her...When I get to her (before I about shook the life out of her) I said, "Kate what are you doing?" to which she frankly replied, "Mom, I just wanted to be by myself." I totally got it and in fact, 10 minutes before the game started, I made Scott go and get the car so that Kate and I could go home because while games are fun, sometimes there is no place like home...and it started raining while we were loading up and besides heat and crowds, I also don't do football in the rain. Bless Scott's heart, he LOVES football season and was so excited about the first game, but he piled in the car to go home with us instead of staying with friends.

SESAME STREET LIVE

2009-08-30T19:45:00.000-07:00

Ready for the show to start
Oscar the Grouch

Abby Cadabby

Zoe

Wow!

Scott and I took Kate to Sesame Street Live for the second year in a row and she was so excited. She told everyone before going that she would be sitting on the front row and she was. It was so great because all of the characters would come down on the floor at some point and hug her or shake her hand...she was in heaven!

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL

2009-08-17T18:03:00.000-07:00

At home before the big day sporting the name tag!

Marking the day outside the front door of school

Running to her class!

Kate with her teacher, Mrs. Lana Perkins...too busy to pose!

Kate wins the prize for being non-compliant!

Well the big day has come and Kate is in Preschool!!! She is going to school 3 days a week at Pinelake Christian Preschool which is at our church and across from PCS where I teach. She rides to school with me and our sweet friend Gayle Matherne picks her up and takes her across the street for school. She was so excited on her first day...I was so scared that I would cry, but surprisingly, I did not! I was quite proud of myself. Thanks to my sweet friend (and parent of one of my students), Dana Graf and her precious daughter Breanna, I was able to leave my classroom to take Kate for her first day of school! She literally ran to her classroom...I could barely get pictures. When we got to her room, all of the other children were sitting at tables playing with playdough and the teacher said, "Kate, come sit down and play with some playdough", to which Kate replied, "No thanks" and hopped over to the toys! I was mortified being a teacher and tried to get her to come sit down. Her precious teacher said, "It's fine if she gets something else out", but I was still completely embarrassed that my child was the only one who wouldn't do what she was supposed to...dear Lord, I know you and I will have lots of talks about this in the years to come!!! :0) The last picture posted above shows all the kids sitting and the teacher talking and Kate hopping around behind her...gracious!!! Scott almost died when he saw the picture and heard the story!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

2009-07-05T17:59:00.000-07:00

We got back from the beach just in time for the 4th with a group of old friends. We all gathered at the Powells super fun pool and the only pics I took were of Kate eating a cookie!!!! I have got to buy a smaller camera that just fits in my pocket so that I can carry it around anywhere. Well, at least it is a cute picture.

THE JASPERS LOVE THE BEACH

2009-06-30T20:53:00.000-07:00

To say that we love the beach is a huge understatement...we love everything about it (except for the fact that I am still not thin, when i vowed that i would be while we were here last year...oh, well, maybe 2010 will be better!)...Kate's swimming lessons definitely paid off...she is swimming up a storm...in fact, we couldn't even go down to the beach but once, because she just wanted to swim!!! People kept stopping us at the pool to remark at what a good swimmer she was to be so little. She jumped in the deep end, which is of course over my head before i could tell her NO!!! she didn't seem to mind that we both almost drowned as i huffed and puffed to get us both to the side...(i can swim, but i quit lifesaving lessons on the first day because i dropped the weight we were passing around in a circle and refused to swim to the bottom of the deep end to hoist it back to the surface...no thank you, i worked at the bank that summer instead of sitting in a cute chair working on my tan at the pool!) Our sweet friends, the Powells were at the beach while we were so we were glad to get to go to dinner and hang out with them at Cobalt. I think our favorite part of the trip this year was ordering in from Louisiana Lagniappe and eating dinner on the balcony...nothing like family time!

SWIMMING LESSONS

2009-06-11T20:22:00.000-07:00

DAY 1: LOOK AT THAT FACE!!! POOR THING!

DAY 2: STILL SAD

WEEK 2 AND THE EXCITEMENT HAPPENS!

AND THEN A SMILE!

GETTING READY TO HOLD HER BREATH!

Kate started swimming lessons last week and things seemed very bleak for the first 3 days. I thought day 1 would consist of getting her used to the water since this was her first time at lessons...WRONG!!! Literally the teacher demonstrated how to hold her breath and then under she went!!! The only time she was not crying for the first 3 days was when she was under the water holding her breath! Poor Ms. Kay...I do not covet her job!!! Week 2 has been much better...she has actually been excited about going and loves jumping off the side and swimming to her teacher. We leave for the beach in a couple of weeks, so we are hoping the lessons will pay off!

SUMMER'S A SPLASH

2009-05-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

What would summertime be without a good ole plastic backyard pool if you can't have the real thing??? Kate loves the water and is starting swimming lessons for the first time tomorrow...I will be saying lots of prayers for Kay Crotwell tonight!!!

School's Out and Kate Gets a Pet

2009-05-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

Today was the last day of school and since it was a half day, my precious headmaster let Kate come to school with me since only a few of my students were coming for the last day! It was such a treat for Kate...she thought she was such a big girl! It's so funny how she thinks school is big fun...of course, her idea of school is coming to work with me in my classroom when no kids are there and I clean or do plans and she watches dvds...I'm wondering how her thoughts will change once she is actually in K3 in August!!

My precious friend, Jillian, who Kate adores, asked Kate if she would like to have her class pet (a beta fish) to take home for the summer...Kate was happy to help her out...She named her fish Dorothy (after Elmo's fish, of course!)...Scott was not as excited about the fish as Kate was!! I must say I am not thrilled knowing I will be the one to clean out the nasty fish bowl; however, Kate's face was enough to make it worth doing...

So glad to see that summer is here, even though I LOVED my sweet class this year and will miss seeing them this summer! Thank you, Lord for summer!

SUPER BULLDOG WEEKEND

2009-04-18T18:22:00.000-07:00

She had just woken up from a little snooze.
Look at that face!

I still cannot believe she got this close...

We took Kate to Starkville for her first Super Bulldog Weekend and she had a blast! We went to the spring game and to the baseball game. She loved wearing her cheerleader suit.

HAPPY EASTER!

2009-04-12T18:14:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU EASTER BUNNY!

SCOTT, KATE AND POPPA D

THE THREE OF US

Kate loved checking out her Easter basket this year! Today was a big day because our church did not have children's activities and Kate had to sit through the entire church service. We were amazed, because she only got antsy one time. She was blown away everytime the music would start.

STONE'S 3RD BIRTHDAY

2009-03-20T18:07:00.000-07:00

Mason's catch

Cooper Lampkin

The birthday boy!

Maddox and Stephen Greer (is that precious?)

Kate, her daddy, & the "big" catch

Today we went to a fishing party for Stone Myrick. Kate had a great time until she stepped in the lake and then we left kicking and screaming....ahh, the terrible 3s are so fun!

ZOO TRIP

2009-03-19T18:00:00.000-07:00

Is this a hoot?

Scott and I took Kate to the zoo for the first time. She loved it. We can't wait until she is big enough to go to a really big zoo like in San Diego!

Would you like a snack?

2009-03-19T06:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon I was putting on my tennis shoes to take Kate for a ride in the stroller and she came in holding a box of PopTarts and a bag of powdered donuts (is that healthy or what?). As she came in she was saying, "Do you want a poptart or a donut, a poptart or a donut? Pick just one!" I have really been working with her on getting just one thing instead of every little thing she picks up and wants. I guess she is starting to pay attention!

KATE'S FIRST TRIP TO THE DENTIST

2009-03-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

Today, I took Kate for her first dentist visit. We have been talking to her about it for weeks and she was actually looking forward to it. That was before she found out she had to lie down and let the hygienist actually clean her teeth! She squealed through the entire process, but I guess that was to be expected for her first time. The first picture is of her sitting on the chair/bed after her cleaning thinking this is not too bad. The second is when she sees the dentist coming into the room!!! She did a little pre-clean entertainment for them by singing "The Itsy, Bitsy Spider" and the "ABC song"!

THE BIG SNOW

2009-03-02T20:53:00.000-08:00

Last night when I went to bed, it was snowing. I could not wait to wake up this morning and show Kate. We had just the slightest dusting of snow, but she thought it was such a big deal. We went outside just for a few minutes to let her see the snow. I scraped just enough off her slide for the tiniest snowball that she brought inside to show her daddy. I can't wait until she is big enough for Scott and I to take her to see the snow in Lake Tahoe!

KATE IS 3!!

2009-02-21T20:03:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe that Kate is 3 today! It seems like yesterday I was fussing at Scott and telling him that it was stupid to vacuum before we left for my planned C-Section at 5:30 a.m.!!! (He is still a neat freak, but boy has Kate relaxed him in that area!!) Most of my friends know that I had to go through IVF to get pregnant with Kate. Looking at her sweet face each day confirms 100% how much all of those shots were worth it!! She is even more adorable than I could have ever imagined when the sonogram tech told me I was going to have a little girl. She is the most unbelievable gift Scott and I could have ever hoped for & I praise God each night before I go to sleep for allowing us the privilege of being her parents.

I've always known I wanted to be a mother, but had no idea just how deep my love for a child could be. Being a teacher, I have taught/mothered some of the most precious little ones you will ever meet. But giving birth changes you for the better. I know that being a mother has made me a better teacher and having been a teacher has also made me a better mother. Not only did I always know I wanted to be a mother, I knew even more that I would give anything for a little girl. It is my mission to give to Kate the same kind of love that God extends to all His children - totally unconditional. I want to her to have life so much better than I did as a child. No matter where her path in life might lead her, I pray that she will always know that she can count on me and that I am her biggest fan.

Some of her faves these days are Elmo, Big Bird and anything Sesame Street; singing to the top of her lungs no matter where she is (I admit, I really egg her on sometimes), the book, The Napping House, and ME (she is the biggest Momma's girl on earth, and don't think I don't LOVE that!!).

I look forward to many more wonderful years watching her grow up. I hope that she will always know how much her daddy and I love her and what she has meant to us. I pray that she will be as kind as she is beautiful and always look for ways to serve others. Thank you, God, for our little miracle!

KATE'S PARTY

2009-02-16T20:34:00.000-08:00

KATE AND HER BOOK

KATE, AIDEN, AND BRAXTON

COOPER AND SARA KENNEDY

STONE

MADDOX (HE SET THIS POSE UP HIMSELF!)

JETT (STRIKING HER POSE)

KATE AND HER UMBRELLA

All Kate wanted (or needed) for her birthday this year was a "jumping party". We had her party today at the Courthouse JumpZone. It is a room full of inflatable jumphouses and slides. Kate loves it, although she has not quite mastered climbing to the top of the slide. She probably could have done a better job if she hadn't been carrying around her latest, favorite Sesame Street book which she calls "Put Down the Duckie" - don't ask! Anyway we had several of her sweet friends and their parents there along with her Poppa D and Granna. She thinks now that someone is supposed to have a party everyday. Thank goodness our sweet friend Maddox is having one there in a week or so!! When we got home, she had the best time opening her presents. One of her favorite things was a Hello Kitty umbrella from her friend, Grant. She stood in front of the mirror for 30 minutes singing "Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day." Thanks to everyone who made her big day so special!

2009-01-18T19:50:00.000-08:00

One of Kate's favorite gifts from Christmas was a bicycle helmet and knee pads from her Mimi and Pop. On Saturday she decided to accessorize her pajamas with them - throw in giraffe rain boots and a pink guitar from Poppa D and Granna and she was in business!

THE BAG OF GOODS

2009-01-03T18:55:00.000-08:00

THE BAG

THE CRITTERS

HER NEW FAVORITE "BOOK"

If you read the Christmas Eve post, you know about Kate's bag that she takes EVERYWHERE! Well, here is the bag and all the little critters she takes with her wheverer she goes. There are more. These just happened to be the ones that were in the bag when I decided to shoot the picture. The last picture is of a leaflet that came in a DVD Kate got for Christmas. She has started carrying it everywhere and also sleeps with it at night, except she forgot it tonight. She had her mind on other things (next paragraph). It is just a picture of Big Bird and his pals at a birthday party, but Kate thinks it is the most fabulous "book" on earth!

Good news!! We think we are on the road to separating Kate and Daisy. For anyone who hasn't seen her, Daisy is a stuffed duck attached to a pacifier that Kate has had since she was 10 weeks old. In fact, she has four of them and many others have been previously retired from overuse. Well anyway, Kate will be 3 next month and it is just now starting to bother her if we tell her something is for babies. She is not fond of babies (baby dolls, baby brothers, etc. - except baby rabbits. Who knows?) so we have started telling her that Daisies are for babies and she is beginning to put them down during the day. However, when she got in bed tonight, she insisted on having them. I told her she could only have two (she usually sleeps with all 4) since they are for babies. We were shocked that she laid down and didn't put up a fuss. Maybe she really is growing up.

Other news, she did "drive" the pink car last night! She looked like someone learning to drive a stick shift for the first time, but we all have to start somewhere!

2009-01-01T08:34:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance! ~Jude 1:2

SANTA COMES!

2008-12-30T07:57:00.000-08:00

Kate has been asking for a "pink car" for at least the past 4 months without end. I had to take her to see it every week at Walmart. Luckily, I convinced her that because it was hanging up on a rack, you couldn't just take one home. To anyone who has asked her what Santa was bringing her, she has replied, "pink car". Well, he brought it indeed and boy, was she excited. So excited that she only wanted to sit in it and admire how cute she looked! She has no interest in learning how to drive it right now. I'll bet Santa is glad he spent that money!! She also got a pink guitar, a harmonica, a kazoo, maracas, and a trumpet. Do you get the sense that she LOVES music. Check out the picture of her playing the guitar!

CHRISTMAS EVE

2008-12-24T22:30:00.000-08:00

Good stuff for Santa!

Let me make sure this is good enough for Rudolph!

Smells good to me!

ENJOY!

Every Christmas Eve since Kate was born, we have gone over to our good friends, the Powells' house for food and fun. Kate always looks forward to seeing Perry and talks about it all day. The older she gets, the harder it is for me to sit back and enjoy myself for fear that she is into something she shouldn't be. This year our biggest challenge was not wanting to share. Kate has a bag of things that she likes to take with her EVERYWHERE and she doesn't want anyone other than Scott and me to mess with it. Our sweet friends the Willoughbys were there too and they have a little boy named Trey who is the same age as Kate. He REALLY wanted to see what was in Kate's bag, but she said "absolutely not!" Don't tell her that I gave him one of her things that we have 2 of. I will have to take a picture of the bag and everything that's in it so that you can see just how much stuff we have to carry and try to keep up with.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to snap a bunch of pictures that night because I was busy getting Kate out of Perry's closet (that she locked herself in!), saving her from Princess the cat, and trying to get her to share with Trey. What I did get pictures of were the Santa and reindeer snacks that Sweet Lee sent us home with. That girl thinks of everything! My dad tells me all the time, "You better hold onto her, she's a good one!" She really is the best. Kate had so much fun putting the snacks out for Santa and his reindeer. I love the picture of her sniffing the snacks before putting them on the plate. Only the best for Santa!

THE LIGHTS IN CANTON

2008-12-21T07:18:00.000-08:00

We took Kate to see the lights on the Square in Canton on Friday and boy, did she have a good time! We had to peel her away from the Merry-Go-Round! She kept calling it "my merry-go-round". They had a firetruck and train to ride and a horse drawn buggy, but she wanted no part of that, just her merry-go-round. When we left, we drove through Indian Pines (a street in Madison that takes Christmas lights and blow up things to the extreme) and let Kate see the "singing house". This made her forget all about the merry-go-round. We must have sat there for 15 minutes just watching the lights blink to the music on that house. Kate was in awe! Bless her heart, she is soooooo into the Christmas lights and decorations this year. I don't think she will understand when everyone puts them away!

BLISS

2008-12-20T20:22:00.000-08:00

When I was trying to get that "perfect picture" of Kate for our Christmas card, we ended up in the backyard - Kate running and me chasing. Last year I had to get a camera that would take a picture the instant I pressed the button because she was so fast. This year, I had to add a telephoto lens so that I could get close enough because she is out of the posing and hamming it up phase and won't let you get as close as you have to with a standard lens. Anyhow, at the end of our photo session, Kate decided she would jump on the trampoline for a while. I am not good at action shots, but these pictures of her jumping (with her back to me of course!) and that pony tail swishing in the air and her arms up in celebration just made me think how fortunate I am to have those things that money cannot buy and that to me is bliss - just being 100% happy in the moment (and unfortunately I don't think we take the time to realize how few times we stop to just be blissful). As I watched her jumping, I remembered doing the same thing as a little girl and how much fun it was. When she jumps she is totally into it. The best part is when she invites you to join her. Thank you, God, for the times when you allow me to see beyond that "perfect shot" to what really counts.

AM I REALLY 36?

2008-12-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

Today is my 36th birthday and I CANNOT believe I am getting so close to 40!! It seems like yesterday when I was still in my 20s and all of my older friends would say, "you're still a baby" and now I am just OLD! My students gave me a surprise party the other day at school which was really sweet. When I got up this morning, there was a cake on the island. Since I don't do photos in the early a.m., I just took Kate's picture with the cake since she really wanted to eat it for breakfast. Hooray for 36!

A STAR IS BORN

2008-11-30T20:14:00.000-08:00

On Thanksgiving, Scott and I host anyone in our family who wants to come for dinner - sometimes my family and his, sometimes just his. This year it was just the Jaspers. Since they moved to Madison from Hazlehurst, Scott's aunt and uncle have come to eat with us as well. Scott's Aunt Betty is the sweetest thing and has such a knack for picking Kate out the perfect "happy" when she comes to see us. In the past, she has given her pianos, but this year she brought a guitar. Unfortunately, lunch happens just before Kate gets grouchy and ready for a nap so she didn't act thrilled when she opened the guitar. However, when the crowd dispersed and she got a bath and some fancy striped pajamas on, the show was ON! When I figure it out, I will have to download the video we made of her with this pink guitar onto vimeo so that the talent scouts can see her. Watch out Sheryl Crow, your replacement is on her way up.

SUNDAYS WITH POPPA D

2008-11-29T20:03:00.000-08:00

Mitch Albom had "Tuesdays with Morrie", but Kate has Sundays with Poppa D. Almost every Sunday Scott's dad and stepmother (I hate that word, especially because Scott has one of the sweetest in the world, so let's just say Kate's Poppa D and Granna) come by after church/lunch to see Kate and find out what's new with her. Kate knows that this means going outside - her favorite place to be. I only had one grandfather growing up and he was not the world's most outgoing person (good, but not outgoing), so I don't have alot to compare things to, but I can tell you that Kate Jasper hit the jackpot with her Poppa D. There is no one who loves a grandbaby the way this man loves his. She's got him so wrapped around her little finger and he will do just about anything she wants. He's always bringing her some little surprise that he knows she will love. She spent the night with them this Saturday so that Scott and I could go to a 40th birthday party and she came home with a stuffed MingMing duckling (check out the Wonderpets on Nogging if you don't know Ming Ming). They know just what she loves! Now if we can just get him to move closer to us, we will have it made!!

HAVE YOU EVER?

2008-11-13T20:41:00.000-08:00

I am seriously thinking of writing a book called "Have You Ever..." For my (present and former)teacher friends, you will SO understand this. The other day, I gave my class this HUGE lecture about letting me be the teacher and them being the students and that how Mr. Thompson (our Headmaster) had complete confidence in my ability to lead the class spiritually and academically and that if he felt I needed an assistant, he would hire one for me. (Are you getting the picture that maybe I have a couple of self appointed "helpers" in my class?? Don't misunderstand, I love them and they are precious - pushy, but precious!) Anyhooo, a few days after the lecture, I was almost finished giving a spelling test - we were on number 14 of 15 words and one of my sweetest, non bosses has her hand raised. I called on her and she says, "I know you are capable of giving a spelling test and we are not supposed to tell you what to do, but I think you just called out all the wrong words." I looked down at the list of words and sure enough I had called the words from last week!!! I felt like a complete idiot and said something spectacular like "oops" and "let's just throw that away and start over." Maybe God was trying to show me that sometimes everyone needs a little helping hand.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2008-11-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

This is the year of some really fun firsts for Kate. It is definitely the first year she has shown any interest in Halloween and her first time to say, "Trick or treat!" We practiced all afternoon before going out for a little trick or treating. One thing Kate wasn't interested in this year was a costume!! The closest I could get was letting her wear her new MSU cheerleader suit. She loves doing cheers in the bathtub and her favorite is "We've got some dogs up in here, woof! woof!" So, we got her dressed and tried very unsuccessfully to take her picture in the backyard. No good shots. Last year I bought an SLR camera that was fast enough to catch her, but this year, I needed a telephoto lens because if I get too close with the camera, she turns away or runs. I'll put that on my birthday list!!

We stopped by Scott's Aunt Betty's house first. She always gives Kate the sweetest happies! Then we went to Ashton Park to have a little fun with Kate's favorite big girl, Perry Powell. Attached is a shot of her first solo trick or treat. She loved this guys house. In fact, she walked around him at the front door and went right into his house!! That must have been her version of a trick!! She was on a roll and doing great until someone had a barking dog at the front door and then it was all over for her. We went back to the Powell's for snacks. Kate had more fun sitting in a chair eating cupcakes than she did all night. Life is good.

PUMPKINS ARE FOR COUNTING

2008-10-27T19:55:00.000-07:00

Just look at my baby!! She is organizing and counting her pumpkins. I cannot believe how much Kate is growing and how much she loves to read, sing, count and learn new things. Some lucky preschool teacher is going to get a prize next year (hopefully we will be past the tantrum stage by then...If not, please don't tell her teacher that I'm a teacher!). I guess what they say about preacher's kids is sometimes the same for teacher's kids!!

Our next adventure is potty training. I have it in my mind that we'll try it over the holidays, but right now Kate is just not having any part of the potty. Suggestions anyone???

IT'S ELMO

2008-10-27T19:38:00.000-07:00

THE WHOLE GANG

"HEY, GUYS! IT'S ME, KATE"

"OH, ZOE!"

Kate has a newfound obsession with all things Sesame Street, especially Elmo's friend Zoe. Scott and I debated for weeks and lost out on front row seats trying to decide whether or not to pull the trigger and take her to see Elmo when he was in town. Well, we finally felt confident that she would love it and took her this Saturday morning and boy, did she have fun. She spent the first 20 minutes screaming, "Hey, Elmo! Hey, Zoe!....." I so thought that we would watch the show and walk right out without buying any of the overpriced snacks and merchandise. Well, wouldn't you know that some sassy little 1 year old behind us had to keep showing Kate her brand new Zoe doll, so, of course I had to get Kate one too, so that everyone around us could enjoy the show. She does love Zoe so much (see the picture of her telling her, "Oh Zoe, you SOOOOO sweet!") and has carted her to church, to our Sunday School picnic and to Miss Cindy's today. She sleeps with her every night so we are getting our money out of Zoe. I was so impressed that we got out of there with only a Zoe doll and not one of those $8 Elmo balloons they sold during the intermission. Can you imagine, an intermission in the middle of a production for a bunch of toddlers???? Like those precious children wanted a break from those beloved monsters!!! Bless those people's hearts, they were just dying to sell those balloons. Scott and I have been in awe of the people lined up to pay $8 for those balloons. We'll just buy one at Kroger this Friday for $3 if Kate thinks she has to have one & you know she will!

READING IS FOR EVERYWHERE

2008-10-16T19:30:00.000-07:00

Kate has always had a mind of her own (don't ask me where she gets that quality!), but she has reached an all time high as of late. You cannot perch in one spot for long or she will having you reading one of her favorite books. I had just sat down one morning in my private "office" and noticed her peeking around the corner and then she ran off. The next thing I know she is back with The Napping House saying, "Let's Read". I cannot include a picture of this fun event because private "office" pictures do not belong on blogs!!! Scott has also been invited to read to her several times this week. Her place of choice is the dry bathtub. Of course, he hops right in and does what she wants. To be such a momma's girl, she still has him wrapped around her finger!!

KATE'S FAIR FUN

2008-10-10T13:11:00.000-07:00

We took Kate to the fair today in hopes that she would be ready to ride the kiddie rides this year. Last year, she reluctantly rode the merry-go-round, but LOVED the huge slide. She made Scott ride it twice. Well, this year was no different, she rode it 3 times and actually had a ball on some of the other rides. In an effort to only take one camera (Scott loves video), I just took the video camera which also takes stills. However, the battery ran low rather quick into our fun time, so the pictures are minimal. The fair is something we predict will get to be more fun each year as she grows! Pictures to come since I now have to figure out how to get them off the video camera. Never leave home without your FAVORITE camera!!!

A DAY IN THE COUNTRY

2008-10-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

This weekend we took Kate to the annual Day in the Country at the Chapel of the Cross. Kate loved the space jump and slide, but wasn't too crazy about the petting zoo. Check out the picture of her trying to ignore that their was a kangaroo at her feet!! I wanted to bring that cute critter home with me (look at his bandana)! That night, Scott cooked Kate some BBQ sausage on the grill. Anytime he turns on the grill she says, "Sausage?". After she made a complete mess, she went and planted herself in my flower bed and I got some close ups of her. I think she is the most beautiful "mess" I have ever seen!

SCHOOL DAYS

2008-09-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

Above is a picture of my sweet little class this year. I only have 14 (Heaven!) and they are loving, vivacious, and precious, just to name a few. It is so awesome to spend the day with them learning all that we do, but especially to share with them how much that God loves them. While my class is great, I also work with the best team EVER! Our headmaster and principal are the 2 most loving, Christian leaders I have ever had the privilege of working with. The other first grade teachers make doing my job so easy and we have the BEST time. I think some of the other teachers could be a little jealous of how much fun the 3 of us have!! Speaking of the rest of the teachers and staff...they are AWESOME too! I've died and gone as close to Heaven as one can get.

I do still miss my teacher friends at MRA and especially the three sweet groups of children I had over the past 3 years and their parents. When I see them around town I am happy to see them, yet sad that I'm not there to see them as they grow and change each day, but I am certain that His hand is upon them and that they are loved and taken care of. It is my prayer that they will grow in their love for Christ and become the people He desires for them to be and always know that Mrs. Jasper thinks the world of each of them.

Being a teacher is a blessing and a gift that only a few have the privilege of knowing. Next to being a parent, I believe it is the best and most rewarding job on earth!

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT IS OVER...

2008-08-10T19:46:00.000-07:00

Where did my summer go??? I love this time of year...back to school....but I'm always amazed at how fast the summer seems to go each year. 2008 has been an interesting year for us and not always good, but I am amazed at how good our God continues to be and His perfect timing. He has given me a new spot to grow as a Christian and teacher this year as many of you know. I will be teaching 1st grade at Pinelake Christian School, and I am so excited. The change was not something I went looking for, but I have so seen God's hand in the situation since I stepped foot on the campus for the first time. While I will definitely miss my teacher friends, students and parents at MRA, I am thankful for the opportunity to not only teach, but to grow in His word. I have never worked anywhere like PCS where the teacher's spiritual growth was just as important as the academic growth of the children. Our executive director (like a headmaster) is one of the most Godly men I have ever met and I am so excited to work under his leadership and that of our sweet principal this year. They are both terrific people and leaders and I am so thankful that they saw something in me that was special enough to work at such a precious school. The teachers and parents have been so welcoming and I am looking forward to a terrific year.

Now Miss Kate, on the other hand is not welcoming the ushering in of the new school year, because this means her schedule returns and she doesn't get to lie around in her pjs all morning. I started letting her go back to Ms Cindy's last week even though I wasn't officially back at work, just working in my room. I took her each morning which I normally don't do and there is a reason....she CRIES!! Scott has always been so sweet and has taken her in the mornings which will start again tomorrow. This is the only way that I can retain my sanity and go and do the job I really love to do. I hate to see my girl cry for her momma!! The pictures above are of her "reading" (and posing) which she loves to do by herself, but especially with Scott or me!! I have hidden some of her favorite books in the past week to try and convice her to get "hooked" on some new ones!! I mean, you can only read "Good Night, Blue" and "Dora's Super Silly Fiesta" sixty-two million times without just going CRAZY!!

I hope you and your little ones have a fantastic school year! Blessings <><

FUN AT THE FAIR

2008-08-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

Well, 2008 brought another fun time at the Fair - especially at the Groovy Garden!! Kate actually got to make her grand entrance this year and boy did she have fun. I had so much fun watching how much fun she had that I didn't take pictures of anyone but her. The three of us went up on Wednesday afternoon. Janet and Poppa Jim graciously accepted the challenge to watch Kate while the grown ups went to the Cross Canadian Ragweed concert. The concert was good, but about halfway through, that "mommy intuition" made me want to check on my girl. I fully expected her to be asleep, but when I got back to the cabin, she was up and looking for her Momma. Janet said that she had conked out just after the concert started and that they didn't even get to take her to the Midway. Lee says that was probably for the best. She recommends that I "hide" the Midway from her a little while longer!! Kate had woken up just before I came back and was frantic and wanting me. It took me an hour and a half to play her out and convince her to go back to sleep. Kate and I were the first ones down for the night at 11:00 which everyone knows is VERY early at the Fair. It was my intention to just lie down with her until she nodded off, but being the old geezer that I am, I fell asleep and never made it back downstairs until morning.

Kate woke up raring to go the next morning. She had so much fun playing on the front porch and carrying Janet's paper plate sign around. (It said, "Absolutely no fun until I get back!") We look forward to next July and fun times with the Powells at the Fair!

FOR THOSE OF YOU WITH DAUGHTERS

2008-07-07T14:42:00.000-07:00

I ran across this yesterday and it describes so eloquently what I believe to be true about Kate. For those of you who have children, this applies, of course, to both boys and girls. But, for those of you with little girls....you know that nothing is quite as sweet as a Momma's (or Daddy's) girl. Just before I started typing this, Kate came into the room with a doll that our friend Perry gave her. She laid the doll down on the floor so sweetly and patted her as she said, "It's night, night time baby". My heart melted, because this is exactly what I say before I put her in the bed and tell her how much I love her each night. Thank you God for the blessing of this precious one and for allowing me the honor of being her "Mumma". Knowing that You love me the same way I love her is such a daily comfort! Hope these words touch you all like they have me...

Just think,

your daughter is here not by chance,

but by God's choosing.

His hand formed her and

made her the person she is.

He compares her to no one else -

she is one of a kind.

She will lack nothing

that His grace can't give her.

He has allowed her to be here

at this time in history

to fulfill His special purpose

for this generation.

~Roy Lessin~

Blessings,

Tammy <><

Happy 5th of July

2008-07-07T12:22:00.000-07:00

This year, we celebrated the 4th a day later with some friends that we just don't get to see enough of anymore. This is the funnest group on earth! We used to have a certain silly Halloween party every year and although we will not be reviving that tradition according to Mrs. Powell, a good 5th of July party cannot be beat! Next year, or next time, I intend to get more pictures of everyone who was there, but I am learning that with a very head-strong two-year old, that isn't an easy task!! The party was at the Powell's gorgeous pool. Kate, of course, was no stranger to the water and Scott and I had to watch her like hawks. After she seemed tired of swimming, I took her inside to eat and put her in some dry clothes. We went back outside for the cutting of Mike's birthday cake and before I knew it, Kate had jumped back into the water, clothes and all!!! She had so much fun, especially with the bubble machine. Maybe, my sweet friend Jimmy will send me some of his pictures from the day to post later. I just hope this group will make a point to get together again really soon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

2008-07-07T12:11:00.000-07:00

This year was the laziest Fourth of July ever! Scott, Kate, and & I hung around the house all day and just wore our comfy t-shirts and shorts and played in the backyard. Kate had gotten some new floaties yesterday at Wal-mart that she insisted upon wearing all day (literally)!! I got a couple of pictures of her with them on dancing in front of the TV watching Puzzle Time with Moose. When it finally got dark, we drove and parked closed to Liberty Park to watch the firework display. Kate was more excited about getting out of her carseat and looking out the sunroof than she was watching the fireworks. We will be celebrating tomorrow with friends.

MORE BACKYARD FUN

2008-06-27T07:14:00.000-07:00

When we got back from vacation, "Kate" used some of her birthday money to buy a small trampoline because she LOVES to jump. The best part is that it was a surprise, because she had no idea she had bought this with her birthday money. She would live on that trampoline if we'd let her. One of us is on it everyday with her. I have learned just how out of shape I am jumping on it with her. Just a few bounces and I am about to pass out! I think God is trying to say, "Sister, GET IN SHAPE!!" Of course, summer would not be complete without your own backyard pool, so Kate and I went to Wal-Mart and got her the plastic, "fancy" kind. She will stand at the door waiting to get out there.

We are having such a wonderful summer. Very laid back and relaxed. I have only painted the hallway in our house so far. Scott even let me pay someone to come paint Kate's room (the horrible mural is gone!), the den and our stairway to the bonus room!! I only have two rooms to go!

POOL PARTY WITH THE POWELLS

2008-06-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

One of our best couple friends, the Powells, just had the finest pool added to their backyard and they invited us and the sweet Willoughbys over for a fun time! Kate and Trey had a super time deciding who would use which ring in the pool. Perry and Ally were terrific lifeguards so the grownups got to just sit back and watch and let them corral the little ones. Kate could not have wished for a better "big sister" than Perry!! I first laid eyes on Perry when she was only 3 months old on the Fourth of July. She is one special little girl. She has called me "Aunt Miss Tammy" since she was 3 and then practiced calling me Mrs. Jasper when she was in K5 hoping that somehow she might be in my second grade class someday. Well, as luck would have it she was this year and she is quite a jewel. And, of course, so is my sweet Ally Willoughby - also in my class this year. They are 2 of my best girls ever and I thank God for allowing me the privilege of being their teacher this year.

BEACH TRIP 2008

2008-06-13T21:26:00.000-07:00

Well, we had another fun year at the beach with Kate. Last year she wasn't walking and we could stick her somewhere and she was pretty much there (which made picture taking a breeze). Now this year, on the otherhand, she hit the ground running (literally), and we couldn't hold her still for a minute. The three of us headed down on a Thursday morning and Scott's brother, Brian, joined us for the fun on Sunday. I think he had the best time of all of us! Kate wasn't the least bit afraid of the water. She would run into to the waves like she had been doing it forever. It was high tide most of our time there, but it didn't stop her from wanting to just jump in. We, like crazies, waited until our last afternoon there to try and take some pretty beach pictures of Kate. She was having no part of that being sweet and still stuff - she had some water to get into! The morning that we left, we dressed her up again and were about to walk out the door and it began to rain for the first time during our trip. I was livid, but lesson learned!! I am so thankful that we were able to take this trip as a family and that even though Kate won't remember 2008 in a year from now, Scott and I will have those memories and all of the fun times to laugh about when we go back next year.

KATE'S GOT A NEW SPRINKLER!

2008-06-01T18:21:00.000-07:00

Kate loves the water so I decided to get her a sprinkler to play with in the yard. I didn't really read the instructions just hooked it up and Scott and I started to film and take pictures. Scott started saying that surely the thing would spray more water than it was, so as I was trying to adjust it, all of a sudden the thing started spinning round and round!! Well, Kate thought that was even better. Not long after the water began to run down the little hill in our yard, a mud puddle formed and Kate forgot all about the sprinkler in favor of playing in the puddle! I hope this doesn't mean she won't be a girly girl!!

WHERE IS "PUP DOG"?

2008-05-18T19:19:00.000-07:00

It is on days like this that I am extra glad to live in the South! Scott, Kate and I spent the afternoon riding around looking at some beautiful homes that were open for the Spring Parade of Homes. Scott and I are always on the hunt for new ideas for when we build the next house. Kate rode along watching her Blue's Clues DVD, happy as a lark.

The attached picture is of Kate playing in the backyard one day last week. Please tune out the dead plant at her feet. The people who owned our house before were big fans of all things that sprout up and look good only for a short time and then they die off and there's nothing green in their place all winter. Being the lovers of all low maintenance plants that never die or lose their leaves, Scott has been killing every living thing beside our fence in order to spruce up and plant new. One of Kate's favorite things these days is to stand at the fence and call to her favorite neighbor "Pup Dog". The dog's name is actually Sami, I think, but Kate prefers Pup Dog. I think Scott actually feels sorry for her and may actually let her have one of her own in this lifetime!

RUN FRIEND RUN

2008-04-12T20:31:00.000-07:00

A group of good friends recently ran in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Our team set out to do the race and raise a little money for the cause. We ended up raising over $6500 dollars and finished only behind one of the race's sponsors!!! Right before the race began, Katie Magers was set to walk in the fun run/walk with the little ones. I didn't want her to go it alone, so I volunteered to walk with the kiddos too. My walking buddies were Ayden Kilpatrick and Will Barber. Ayden and I had the most marvelous conversation all the way around the park. Will spoke up only to tell me that he would not be walking around 3 times, just 1!!! He was a trooper and made it the whole one lap. We all ran/walked in honor of Avery Edmonson and various friends and family who have fought breast cancer. I hope that we will make this an annual event.

SPRING BREAK 08

2008-03-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

Kate and I had a terrific Spring Break. This year it was extra long because it ran through the Easter break. It was warm and we played in the back yard all week. Kate got a doll house for the backyard for her birthday so she was in hog heaven!! We also took a little trip to the park with our friends the Lampkins, Mayos, and Myricks. We had a picnic lunch and everyone's child except guess who's sat so nicely on their picnic blanket and ate so that they could play on the playground. I spent my time chasing Kate and begging her to sit down. Boy, she is really at that age!! I don't know how I can corral a room full all day and can't get my own to do a single thing - the "terrible 2s" really are TERRIBLE!!!

NOT QUITE A BIRTHDAY!

2008-02-24T18:53:00.000-08:00

As luck would have it, our heating unit went out 2 days before we were to have Kate's birthday party. Of course, the weather decided to be extra cold so, there was no way we could have it at our house inside or out! So we spent the weekend like vagabonds shuffling from Scott's dad's in Crystal Springs to our super friends, the Powells. We did manage to take Kate out for a birthday dinner and came back to our frigid house for cake with Poppa D, Granna, Brian and Keith. Scott's dad gave Kate a red corvette pedal car and Janice gave her the sweetest pair of tap shoes. Kate is obsessed with tap shoes! Kate loved her cake. Everyday for a week, the first thing she would say when we would walk in from picking her up in the afternoon would be, "Cake!" She gets that from her momma!

In case you were wondering, within a week of having a whole new heating unit put in, the control board on the brand new unit was faulty and on a Friday night we were booted out of the house again because the house just wouldn't heat up. But we just took a quick trip over to the Powell Hotel where we have a standing reservation. Kate's party had been rescheduled for this weekend and again had to be cancelled. We are officially moving her birthday to May from now on when heat is not necessary. Good thing she was still too young to know it was her big day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATE!!!

2008-02-21T14:17:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe that today is here and that my "baby" is turning 2!!!! The thought that 2 years of our lives have slipped by so quickly just blows my mind. For those of you who knew me well during my whole saga of trying to get pregnant, you know how much I wanted and prayed for a healthy baby. You also know that it was never any secret that I REALLY wanted a little girl. In His time, God not only sent me a beautiful baby, but a precious little GIRL to boot. Everything I went through to have her and all the craziness shortly thereafter was worth every moment of joy and sorrow along the way. She is the absolute greatest gift I could have ever hoped for. To say that I am proud to be her mother is probably the largest understandment on earth! It is my prayer that she will be grow to be a young lady who is grounded in her faith, loved by her friends, and caring and compassionate to others. I hope that she always knows how much I love and adore her and how very thankful I am that God has allowed Scott and me the privilege of being her parents. We are some lucky people!! Above are a couple of pictures she reluctantly agreed to POSE for. Check out how she likes to smile while exposing only her bottom teeth!!!

SHE'S AT IT AGAIN!

2008-02-09T14:13:00.000-08:00

Today, I decided to do a little more painting of our "new" old house. I was standing on the vanity painting and turned around to find Kate on the top rung of the ladder about 4 feet from me. I got down and got the camera and Scott and took her picture so you could see just how high she was. She isn't afraid of a thing in the world and thinks climbing is a sport! Check out the pictures. Don't worry, we only let her stay for the picture and then she had to get down. After climbing she and Scott were so exhausted (remember I'm the one slaving away painting) that they had to go and lie down. I am happy to report that the bathroom is painted and I only have 4 more rooms and 2 hallways to go!!

BIRTHDAY FUN

2008-02-04T19:53:00.000-08:00

Today Scott and I took Kate to Deep South for her friend Sara Kennedy's 5th birthday party. Sara Kennedy's brother, Cooper, and Kate are the same age. Kate absolutely LOVED the big slide and the jumping house. We were so busy taking pictures of her at the party that I neglected to even get a picture of the birthday girl (I am still learning how to act at these kid's parties).

EVELYN'S VISIT

2008-02-01T20:49:00.000-08:00

My teaching friend, Kerri, had to take her son to the doctor today and didn't want to take her little girl into the flu and strep infested children's clinic, so we invited Evelyn over to play while they were there. There is not anything Kate likes better than a "big girl" to play with, so she was in hog heaven. As you can see in the photo show, whatever Evelyn did, Kate wasn't far behind. After they played in our playroom (which needs painting -- who in the world uses navy blue paint???!!), we had a little tea party. Kate thought she was so big sitting at her table (which also needs painting - do you see a theme??) having snacks with Evelyn.

HOME WITH KATE

2008-01-30T08:40:00.000-08:00

On Monday morning at 9:00 our sitter called us to tell us that Kate was running a high fever. Of course it was Monday and I was just getting my kiddos at school settled in for the day. To top things off Scott and I had found a nail in my tire on Sunday and had dropped my car off at the tire shop before school, so I had no car. Scott left work to get Kate and pick me up to go and get my car. Don't you just love a "Manic Monday"??? I finally got Kate to the doctor where they did a flu and strep test. They said that she tested "slightly positive" for strep so off to the pharmacy we went for our antibiotic. It took me all day and into the next morning to finally get her fever down. But, as is always the case with our little wonder, one dose of antibiotic, and she is on her way back to the wild child that we live with everyday. I stayed home with her on Tuesday, because nothing is better than a momma's touch. That afternoon, I was getting something out of the icebox (i love that word) and Kate was trying to climb in. The phone rang so I left her to her devices for just a minute. Whoever was calling caused me to go to the computer to look something up and when I went in the den to check on her, Kate had brought a 6 pack of yogurt into the den to use as a stool to stand up a little taller in front of the TV! I wish I could have gotten her picture quicker, but she had step off her perch thinking she was going to be in trouble. Check out the picture above.

BEACH TRIP

2008-01-21T14:43:00.000-08:00

MLK weekend has sparked a tradition of many moms loading up the cars and heading for the beach for some time that feels much more like college than the everyday "mommy duties". Those of us who have been have switched the acronym to mean Mother's Leaving Kids (sorry Dr. King!) This year we had 17 lovely ladies in attendance - only one was not a mommy yet and she may keep it that way when she sees what craziness sometimes comes from being one. We had cheerleader stunts, group dances and more laughs than you could ever count. Our "Hostess With the Mostess", Tonya Barber even made every one of us our own special t-shirt which you can see in the picture show that is attached. Speaking of pictures, the great thing about taking them with your own camera is that you are not in them!!!! Don't worry, I was in plenty of Tonya's. Luckily for me I don't have links to them to attach to this blog! We also had our own personal DJ, "DJ Mitz" (aka Mitzi Olson) spinning the dance tunes on the iPod!! I am so thankful to know this precious group of girls and to call them friends. Thank you Tonya for inviting us all!! I'm already looking forward to next year!!

SUNDAYS ARE FUN DAYS

2008-01-13T19:23:00.000-08:00

After Kate got up from her nap today (and Scott decided to lie down for his), Kate and I went outside to conquer the rugged terrain of our cul-de-sac on her 4-wheeler. This was her first ride outside. She has finally mastered pusing the gas and keeping it going steadily instead of bucking like a bull. However, she sees NO need in actually steering the thing (see pics). So guess who gets that fun job?? -- you guessed it, ME! She had a grand time on her ride and then we took a quick walk around the cul-de-sac. Much better than going to the park (for me anyway -- no carrying a kicking, screaming toddler to the car who doesn't want to stop sliding or swinging!!)

KATE RIDES...NOT AGAIN, BUT FINALLY!!

2008-01-07T17:33:00.000-08:00

I have quite a confession to make.....Twas the night before Christmas and Scott and Kate and I had just returned from our friends, the Powells' house. Kate drank some milk, jumped in her jammies and went down for a long winter's nap. Scott and I, on the other hand, had more to do. Just before leaving for the Powells, Kate spilled an entire cup of juice on the floor. We wiped it up and Scott wanted to mop the entire floor right then. I, on the other hand, convinced him that we could mop once we got home (especially since I was in charge of bringing the corkscrew to the party and it would be frowned upon for me to be late, if you catch my drift!!). Well, after we cleaned up that mess and prepared our brunch for the next morning, we went up to the bonus room (Santa's workshop) to get things ready for the big day. Scott worked on blowing up Kate's jumping gym and I started putting together the 4 wheeler. We were both so proud of our handy work when we were done. (I must insert that I am the normally the Jasper who puts most things together around our house. That's because I don't mind reading directions.) Well, sometimes even the best "readers" can have trouble with some not-so-clear directions. Needless to say, on Christmas morning when we put Kate on her 4 wheeler (which she thought was fabulous) for the first ride, the crazy thing wouldn't work. After much looking-it-over, we figured out that I had put the back wheels on the wrong sides of the toy. The little grooves on the wheel that the gears turn was in the wrong place so it just sat there spinning out!! Well, of course I was exasperated and felt like I had totally ruined this big day for her. Luckily for me, Kate's attention span is quite short and she lost interest quickly. So Scott and I set about the simple task of taking the back wheels off and switching places. Sounds easy, but not in actuality! To get those things off, you literally had to break the toy which rendered it out of commission!! Thank goodness, I had saved the instructions. I fretted until the "toy parts place" opened back up on January 2nd!!! I told the customer service rep my plight and he happily sent me the parts I had to destroy in the name of "fixing" the toy. Well, the parts arrived today and Kate had her first official ride tonight. I'm sure we will have fun telling her this story someday. The good news is that she now thinks she has a new toy again. After she tired of riding it for about 3 minutes she went on to playing with something else. Scott and I left the room and came back to find her standing on top of it watching Blue's Clues. Maybe she was channeling her inner Evil Kanevil!! Check out the pictures below.

EASTER COMES VERY EARLY THIS YEAR

2008-01-01T20:22:00.000-08:00

We don't know how it happened, but we had a little visit from a very cute little "bunny" this evening. I was on the computer, trying to make a cute header for my blog (still unfinished!!!!) and Scott and I were talking when into the room hops this precious little "rabbit" (complete with Daisy ~ her duck that is attached to her pacifier! ~I know we need to get rid of Daisy, but Kate sure does LOVE her and has since she was 10 weeks old!!). I bought these ears when Kate was an infant and she has never let them stay on her head for more than 2 seconds, so you can imagine how funny it was to see her "hop" in with them on. She was quite impressed with herself as well. She kept telling Scott, "Help me put my hat on"!! Bless her, she is cute. I know for a fact that someone's daddy told them the other day that the Easter bunny is watching since Santa is finished for now. Sharea, tell Casey that he is right because one of his helpers hopped down Stacy Cove today!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2008-01-01T19:57:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe another year has come and gone. Our New Year's Eve was very uneventful. We made a sparkler run, picked up takeout, and went home and played, just the 3 of us. Sadly, when we went outside to light our sparklers, I couldn't get my camera to work. All I wanted was one picture of Kate and Scott with the sparklers. I kept saying, "I don't know why it won't work!" Well, I finally figured out that the battery had gone dead!!!!! (I resolve in 2008 to do a better job of keeping a watchful eye on that battery situation!) We didn't use all of our sparklers, so maybe one night this week, we'll "recreate" the sparkler scene!!

As today marks a new year and new adventure, I am reminded of the many undeserved blessings God has bestowed upon me. Normally, I spend the beginning of the New Year making resolutions, that sometimes fall by the wayside (on January 2nd!!), but this year I am more aware of all of the wonderful things already happening in my life. I am most thankful for my Saviour who is always there when I need him (and even when I don't even know I do) and for the forgiveness he granted to us all by shedding his blood on the cross. To say that I am thankful for the blessings of Scott and Kate and our immediate and extended family would be an understatement to say the least. To my closest friends, Bunko Buddies, teaching partners, and church friends, I am grateful for your continued friendship. To Kate's babysitter, I cannot say how much it means to me to be able to go to work each day and do the job I feel called to do and not worry for a minute, confident that you treat my baby like you would your own.

Now, just because resolutions weren't first and foremost on mind today doesn't mean I don't have some. Instead of having a list, this year I have one simple resolution: to be the absolute best me I can be (doesn't sound hard, but you say it, but I find it a challenge). I find it fitting that the verse of the day was "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) I look at this year as an opportunity to change those things that are less than desirable and to celebrate those things that were already good. I hope that I will spend more time lifting others up and being a bright spot in someone else's day. My goal is to be the kind of person that my daughter can look at and be proud of. For those of you who know me best, you can appreciate why that is so important to me personally. It is my prayer for each person reading this that you too will have your best year yet and that you will blessed beyond measure. Happy 2008!!!

ALWAYS UP TO SOMETHING

2007-12-29T18:58:00.000-08:00

Scott has been home from work with Kate and me for the holidays and we have had such a good time sleeping in and not having anywhere we had to go everyday. On Friday, Kate and I picked up our friends Dawn, Sara Kennedy and Cooper and went to our friend Sharea's house to play with Jett and Stone. Our good friends Emily and Maddox were here for the holidays and we were so glad to get to see them too. Emily, Dawn, Sharea and I taught together about 7 years ago at Madison Station and have stayed friends. They are all stay home moms and Emily lives in Augusta, Georgia. I am so thankful for all of them and their friendship. I wish I could post pictures of the kids, but I dropped my lens to my camera when we got ready for the big picture and a button moved and I didn't realize it until after I had taken the few pictures the kids would sit still for. My lens had switched from auto to manual focus so all of the pictures were blurry. Maybe one of my sweet friends will email me a copy of their pictures and I can post them later!!

Today, Kate and Scott and I went to Keifer's for lunch (YUM!) and then I spent the afternoon until the State game came on (GO DAWGS!!!!!) painting our bedroom. It was the most hideous shade of green! While I was painting, Kate decided she would watch TV and keep an eye on me from the ladder. She LOVES to climb and would climb to the top of the ladder if I'd let her. I took some pictures of her and she was quite happy to pose. When she got tired of climbing, she took her usual "break" on our bed.

CHRISTMAS IS FOR KIDS

2007-12-26T12:02:00.000-08:00

I have to say that this was my best Christmas to date. It wasn't Kate's first Christmas, but it was the first time she really enjoyed her presents. Scott and I praise God for the most special gift that we were blessed with on Feb. 21, 2006. We look forward to a lifetime of Merry Christmases with her!

We spent Christmas Eve night with some of the best friends we could ever be blessed with -- Terry, Lee and Perry Powell. We got to watch 2 little girls open their Hanna Montana concert tickets which was a scream (literally!) and the Powells gave Kate the cutest cleaning set that you can see in the slide show. She has barely put the broom down since then!!

On Christmas Day, we spent the whole morning at home, just the 3 of us, opening presents and playing. It was so wonderful not to have anywhere to dash off to. Kate was tickled with her new 4 wheeler, Blue's Clues and WonderPets DVDs, food for her play kitchen, a toy drum, and best of all her very own "space jump". She is not the best jumper in the world but you can find her piled up in the middle of it with as many toys as she can.

On Christmas afternoon, we headed to Crystal Springs to eat and exchange gifts with Kate's Granna and Papa D. They gave her a table and chair set and a pink baby grand piano. She was tickled pink for sure!!! Needless to say with a slide, a kitchen, tooooo many toys and now a jumping thing, table and chairs and a piano, our bonus rooms is PACKED!!! No more toys for Kate for a while. With a birthday coming up in February, we can't imagine what else to get her!!

We hope you and your families all had a blessed and joyful Christmas.

FUN TIMES

2007-12-21T05:24:00.000-08:00

Kate has 3 new obsessions these days: sitting on our bed watching "Shape Detectives", feeding her piggy bank and playing with her piano (or any other toy) on top of the garbage can in our pantry!!! Her piggy bank plays "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" as she puts coins into it. The only problem is that she doesn't understand why she can get the money out! At the rate she's going at feeding that thing, she will be able to buy a car soon! Don't ask about the garbage can obsession. Scott and I are just as grossed out and confused, but she seems to think it is a fantastic table for sitting things on!

STAY BACK SANTA!

2007-12-17T14:00:00.000-08:00

As I said in an earlier post, Kate is quite frightened by Santa. We had tried having her picture made with him once over Thanksgiving, but she wanted no part of it. So one Saturday, I decided to take the risk with a different Santa. Before getting Kate out of the car, I asked Santa if he would mind if Kate sat in his chair and he could just peek over at her. After all, all I wanted was a picture of HER with him in it ~ preferrably without any crying!! She thought that she was big stuff sitting in his chair. The pictures I got with my camera weren't great because I was standing off to the side and trying to snap a picture and make sure she didn't see him out of the corner of her eye and jump down.

CHRISTMAS FUN

2007-12-07T19:47:00.000-08:00

We are looking forward to a very special Christmas with Kate. She has just -- after 2 and a half weeks -- "discovered" that the ornaments will come off the tree if you pull them hard enough! We took her last Saturday and stood in line to have her picture made with Santa. I don't think that we will have one to put on the blog this year. She wants NO part of the jolly old man!! I don't think that she has figured out that he is the one that brings the presents. Attached is a picture she let me take of her in front of the tree. I just got a new camera and am so obsessed with it and Kate just wants to run instead of sit still for a picture!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2007-11-22T14:29:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Blessings:

On this day when we are reminded of our many blessings, I am amazed at how long my list could be if I shared the whole thing. I am most thankful for a husband who loves me (flaws and all!) and a beautiful and healthy daughter who is the light of our lives. I am so thankful for our good friends and church family who enrich our lives as well. Our day started off at 1:30 a.m. when Kate decided that the day had begun. She had a late afternoon nap yesterday and I think it threw her off. She finally went back to sleep around 3 a.m. and rested up for a day full of family and of course turkey! Kate joined me as I got ready this morning (see pictures attached). She loves to help me get ready in the mornings. Dr. Will and Dr. Stephen will be tickled to know that Kate is OBSESSED with brushing her teeth!! She is also pretty in love with my eyelash curler! Everytime she sees it she says, "Eyewass!" and gives it a try for herself. Her day was made today when her Papa D brought her her very own miniature picnic table that he made for her. Of course, she didn't want to sit at the table because every 21 month old knows that tables are made for crawling on! It was so cold this morning that she didn't get to stay outside too long to enjoy it. Well, I must run, because Kate is pulling on my sleeve to let me know that it is her turn at the computer!! Boy she has us wrapped around her finger! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Halloween Fun

2007-11-16T19:09:00.000-08:00

Kate was the cutest black cat for Halloween. She had the cutest little ear headband that she absolutely refused to wear. I had to literally hold her down to get the nose and whiskers drawn on her face! I can only imagine what my life with her as a teenager will be like because that girl has a mind of her own these days, but she is a total doll! We went to two Halloween get-togethers this year. One with our friends the Youngs and the other at Ross and Lauren Hailey's. At both parties, there was a space jump which is Kate's favorite thing these days. She had so much fun sitting in the space jump while the other kids bounced her around. She made a new "big girl" friend in Mason Joyner who is going to be the best babysitter in town someday! Kate also went on a hayride around CrossCreek which she thought was fun until she ran out of steam. Scott and I had to jump off with her and walk back to the party!

KATE GOES TO THE FAIR

2007-10-13T19:08:00.001-07:00

Two posts in one day-I am going for a record!! Last Sunday, Scott and I took Kate to the State Fair and boy did she have a ball. It was so hot, but she was a trooper. Unfortunately, I only took this one picture of Scott and her on the carousel. She was totally unimpressed with the carousel, but she thought that the giant slide was the bomb. Scott rode it with her 2 times and she could have done it a million more if we would let her. I would attach the video I took of them riding the slide if I had a clue how to cut out the 10 minutes I filmed of them just climbing all those steps!

It's been a LONG time.....

2007-10-13T16:38:00.000-07:00

When I looked at the date of my last post, I was extremely embarrassed!! So much has happened in the Jasper family since July. We have sold one house, bought another and moved in, and of course school started back. We are finally settled in the new house (new to us, not new construction). You should all be receiving our moving card with our new address in the next couple of days. I was slow getting to those too! I don't want to miss a single Christmas card of anyone's beautiful babies!

It is hard to believe that Kate will soon be 20 months old. Time sure flies. It seems like just yesterday that Scott and I were bringing her home from the hospital. She is a busy girl these days and into EVERYTHING! She talks nonstop and I have NO idea where she gets that from! She is obsessed with Dora the Explorer and Blue's Clues. I had no intention of ever letting her watch TV before the age of 3, but oh well, that's just another of those things I have eaten my words on.

I came home from school yesterday with the stomach virus and thought I was literally going to die! I spent the entire evening quarantined from Scott and Kate. Poor Scott probably felt like a single daddy, but I'm sure he loved spending a little one-on-one time with Kate. She is in that stage of clinging to her mommy like glue and Scott doesn't get a lot of her attention these days.

Please keep me in your prayers this week. I am going to the doctor on Monday for some blood tests. I have basically felt rundown since the beginning of August. I had just been attributing it to the move and school starting and chasing Kate, but I can't seem to find an inkling of energy to do much of anything. I'm hoping it is as simple as a B12 deficiency or something. He'll probably just tell me what I already know -- get busy loosing that baby weight and you'll feel a 100% better.

More posts soon.....

Saturday, July 21, 2007

2007-07-22T17:16:00.000-07:00

Well, this was a weekend of celebrations. Scott and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary on Friday. It's hard to believe that 11 years have slipped by! Kate celebrated her 17th month birthday on Saturday (thus the donning of the "birthday dress"!). She is growing like a weed and really starting to have a mind of her own. She loves to tell us "no, no". Her favorite thing to do these days is stalking our neighbors' cats!

On Saturday, Scott and I left Kate for the night for the first time EVER and headed to the Neshoba County Fair to spend the evening with Terry, Lee and Perry Powell. You should have been there for the "hermit crab races"!! My in-laws reported that Kate was no problem and Scott and I certainly enjoyed a little one-night break! Can't wait to go again next year!!

2007-07-09T05:05:00.000-07:00

Here goes the Jaspers first attempt at BLOGGING! All my old teacher friends have the bug, so I guess I have to keep up with the times. Thanks to our friend Emily Greer for showing this "old-timer" what a blog even is! I hope to update as much as I can. I think this will be a great way to keep in touch with out of town friends like the Poiriers, the Kennedys, the Millers, and the Jeters. I hope you all will begin blogging as well, but let me warn you....it is not the easiest process to figure out in the beginning!!!!

MORE BACKYARD FUN

2006-06-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

To add to the fun of the plastic backyard pool, we have acquired an inflatable beach ball sprinkler!! Kate loves the thing and thinks it is especially fun to break out her Hello Kitty umbrella that her sweet friend Grant gave her for her birthday...5 days until we leave for the beach!!!