Thursday Thirteen - #9 for me

My last day of work was last Friday! Yippee! Summer has started, and I have the opportunity to be a full-time mom for a while! Here are thirteen things I've already enjoyed this summer! 1. My parents came to our house to help celebrate my birthday and to take my kids to their house so that I could work the last 2 post planning days of school. It was a fun evening out, and I enjoyed spending time with them! 2. Since Mom and Dad had the kids, RJ and I were able to have some time to ourselves. That never happens! We had a good time eating out, shopping around and (gasp!) TALKING! We still remember how to do that, and I was somewhat surprised that we could carry on a coherent and interesting conversation without constant interruptions! 3. A trip to visit family. We went to see family over the Memorial day weekend. We had a wonderful time staying with my parents and having an opportunity to visit with them. 4. On this trip, we also got to spend a lot of time with my brother and his family. We played kickball with the kids outside and sat around and talked. What fun to catch up a little! 5. Sunday, we went with my parents, and niece to my Grandmother's church to hear her preach. She's retiring (again) this June, so the times I will get to hear her will be more limited. I enjoyed the service! 6. On Memorial day we had a cookout at my Grandmother's house. My uncle grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, while my aunt made homemade ice cream. We talked and visited with aunts, uncles, cousins, and Grandmother. I can't imagine a better way to spend the day. 7. Putting together some puzzles with the kids! We have several jigsaw puzzles and have put one together so far. The second one is on the kitchen table right now. It's been fun to work with one or two kids at a time and talk while we try to fit pieces together. 8. Cleaning out. The kids and I have pitched in together to clean out all three kids' closets and dressers. We've even cleaned out - brace yourself - under the beds! Eeek! We've bagged up 4 bags of clothes for the American Kidney Foundation. It has been good for us to work together and accomplish something important. 9. Reading time. We've snuggled in each day with stacks of books and read. What fun! I know, I'm a geeky teacher. 10. Softball. We are still going to games and practices. It's fun to be outside in the fresh air! 11. The weather is perfect! It's not too hot yet, and we're able to be outside without roasting! It's gorgeous - balmy and breezy! 12. Dreaming. We've been looking for a plot of land on which to build a house. It is a dream for the future, but it's been fun to hunt for land, find it, walk it, and dream about what can be built on it! 13. Hanging out before getting ready in the mornings! I'm not the type to "sleep in." I just can't do it. I've gotten up early every morning. But, it's a huge treat to me not to have to hit the ground running. I don't have to climb straight out of bed and into the shower. I've enjoyed leisurely mornings! Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Sunday Seven #7 for Me

1. CRCT is over! Standardized testing is a necessity in today's schools, evidently. Since every grade level except kindergarten has to take it in our large school, it has taken 2 solid weeks of off-schedule arrangements to complete the testing according to state guidelines! I'm happy that my own children are through with the testing! I'm glad my students are through with the testing, and I'm happy that our school can return to our regular routine and activities!

2. We had a beach dance for 4th-5th graders to benefit Relay for Life and raised a lot of money to fight cancer! The kids had a great time and a good cause was supported.

3. 18 school days left in this year!

4. B has really improved in her hitting in softball and has finally started seeming to enjoy the game. She got her first base hit last Saturday, and hit the ball well even though she was thrown out at first this week.

5. Our niece, K, turned 16 yesterday! I am thankful to be a part of her life! I am thankful that she is a beautiful girl both on the outside and most importantly, the inside! I am thankful for the positive role model she is for my own children. I am proud of her, her attitude, her efforts, and her accomplishments!

6. We have started cleaning out my MIL and FIL's house. They both passed away during the last 2 years. I am thankful for a family of 12 who can get together for a couple of hours each week and work together to accomplish such a tough task. I am thankful that we get along well and talk things over, and that relationships are much more important than things. I am also thankful that being in the house together again is reminding us of many happy memories and stories. I am thankful that I had loving, caring, and remarkable parents-in-law.

7. I have made a concentrated effort to make meals - as nutritious as possible - at home this week. Unfortunately, we've hit fast food places much too often lately. It made an already hectic week, more hectic, but it's rewarding to feel good about what I've served my family to eat. I hope this week and the coming weeks will help me impress upon my children that French fries are not a food group within themselves.

The Green Skittle

My son plays on a T-ball team with 11 other 5 and 6 year old boys. They have a lot of fun and the coach is laid-back and handles the boys' playfulness well. Their games are always interesting, because it doesn't take long until the boys in the field are terribly distracted and finding things other than baseball to occupy their time and energy. This week we had a left fielder who was lying in the green grass making the motions to make a snow angel. We had a right fielder who was kneeling on the ground with his head touching the ground in front of him. At another time the center fielder and right fielder had their arms around each other in deep conversation and were pointing to something off the field. The third baseman was skipping around in circles during the 2nd inning, and the short fielder was playing his own imaginary ball game with his very own imaginary ball. The short stop had his ball glove on his head to the chagrin of his mother who kept yelling for him to put it back on. The center fielder kept sitting down and twirling in circles making what I'm sure will be an awful grass stain to get out of the seat of his pants. Several children drew pictures in the sand, and my own son took his glove off, and repeatedly threw it in the air and caught it. It's all very entertaining to watch.

However, this week there was a particular item that proved to be a HUGE source of distraction and entertainment for the boys. In the on-deck circle, there was a green Skittle. One Skittle. Every child that stepped into the on-deck circle found something interesting to do with that Skittle. It was flicked, flipped, stomped, twirled, buried, unburied, tossed, balanced on shoes, stacked on rocks, kicked, hit with the bat, thrown in the air and caught, and bounced in ball caps. It's amazing what can entertain a 5 or 6 year old boy, and it's amazing that they found so many different things to do with that one little Skittle. I was just shocked and thankful that not a single child put the Skittle in his mouth!

Maybe I'm in the Top Ten

I sat down on the edge of the bed as I took my 6-year-old son to bed tonight. Following our usual routine, I sang "You Are My Sunshine" to him. When we had finished our bedtime prayers, he very sweetly told me that he loved me. Then, with a gentle hand patting my arm he said, "You're probably the best mom I've ever met." I told him thank you and that he was the best son I'd ever met. Then he said, "You're probably the only mom who hasn't given her kid ice cream money for the whole month of April, too."

Maybe that's why I'm only "probably" the best mom he's ever met. One should never underestimate the importance of ice cream!

Just a Thought

I've missed blogging. Things have been hectic lately. With 3 kids playing ball, homework, and end-of-the-school-year school activities, we simply haven't been home much. I got up early this morning to do some housework - load the dishwasher, straighten the living room, put away some laundry, etc. Nothing major - just some decluttering. As I was cleaning I thought, "Boy, I haven't even been home enough lately to keep the house somewhat straight!" But, then it hit me..."How have we been home enough to make the house this cluttered?" Someone surely must be sneaking in and doing this to our house! Just wait 'til I catch that little bugger - I have a feeling there are 3 of them!

I hope to write again soon. Summer's coming!

Sunday Seven - #6 for Me

My blessings and highlights this week have been much to numerous to count! Wow, what a fantastic week I've had! Here are a few of the high points.

1. Family time! Family time! Family time! It's so nice to take a break from work and have an entire week to be a full-time mom! I have enjoyed 9 glorious days with my children - without the responsibilities of my job.

2. We had a trip with my husband's brother and family to our farm house. More family fun!

3. We took a trip with my parents to Pigeon Forge. More family fun!

4. We saw 3 excellent shows in Pigeon Forge. It was so much fun to lose myself in the music and comedy and just enjoy the entertainment!

5. My nephew became a teenager this week! He is a wonderfully sweet, thoughtful, and responsible boy. He will make a dependable teenager! I'm proud of you, D, and wish you a very happy year!

6. We had an unconventional, but beautiful Easter Sunday morning. We were leaving Pigeon Forge and beginning our drive home. We didn't go to church. However, we saw some of the most beautiful scenery. It had snowed the night before, and the mountains were glowing with the sunlight reflecting from the snow. The drive was magnificent! Ice hung to the rocks on the side of the mountains. God has given us a beautiful world!

7. Every day is a gift. We are not promised tomorrow. Thank you, Lord, for every moment of this wonderful, exciting, family-filled week!

Thursday Thirteen - My #8 - Spring Break!

Thirteen Highlights from this Spring Break! 1. E's birthday! We had a blast celebrating it all week long! 2. Being at the farm. Riding and learning to drive a 4-wheeler! Playing baseball, football, basketball with the kids. Sitting on the tin-roofed front porch watching and listening to the rain. Cooking out. 3. Walking and exploring in the woods and just being outside together. 4. Spending a day and a half with my brother-in-law, sister-in-law and niece. We had fun being together at the farm. 5. Spending an afternoon on the floor with my son and daughters building with Lincoln Logs, Magnetix, and Legos. Sitting on the couch with B while both of us read our own books. Relaxing, good times. 6. Getting caught up on laundry! That only happens on Christmas break, Spring break and over the summer! It's a huge relief. 7. I read 3 books and 2 magazines! I never have time to read! It was nothing heavy. I just read three light, humorous novels from Janet Evanovich. I thoroughly enjoyed them! 8. Watching N play ball. My other 2 children had no practice due to Spring Break, but N's coach called a practice. It was a beautiful night and we had fun being outside and watching her play. The rest of this hasn't happened as of Thursday Thirteen time. So, I guess this now turns into "Thirteen Things I Expect Will be Highlights of Spring Break!" 9. Going to Pigeon Forge with my kids, husband, and parents. We'll have fun being together! 10. Going to 3 shows while we're there- Black Bear jamboree, Comedy Barn, and the Dixie Stampede. 11. Going to the Gatlinburg Aquarium. My kids and my dad especially love aquariums. I can't wait to visit it with them. 12. I'm looking forward to having a quiet cabin in the woods with a hot tub to relax in! 13. Easter Sunday. When I planned this trip, I didn't realize it was over Easter weekend. However, I think it will be very appropriate and special to celebrate Easter Sunday with family in the middle of God's beautiful mountain creations! Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants