SANTA COMES!

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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.