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!