Friday, February 6

Lunch with Eden



I went and had lunch with Eden today...oh the joy of cafeteria food. Eden is one of those students that every body loves-you can just see them grin at her as she walks by...teachers and friends. But she is also that student that is mischievous and a trouble maker. Today she was one of five students in her class that had to eat in the cafeteria--the rest were being rewarded and were allowed to eat in the classroom. Eden was totally oblivious...she didn't care she was being left out-she is just happy to be alive! That is what I love about my girl--so happy-go-lucky! But, on the other hand I don't understand why it doesn't phase her that she was missing out on what was to be a reward for her and her classmates. She was so content to sit at a table with only two other students and me. I want her to care. I want her to be a good student. Kelly and I had a conference with her teacher yesterday, Mrs. Brown. It went well. Kelly and I wanted to discuss some issues with Eden such as responsibility, school work, and second grade (next year). Eden is excelling in reading...she is at the top of her class and is actually placed in reading groups with slower readers as a helper--but we were informed that Eden "can't handle group work" and has to be moved during these sessions. We are also told (and saw with our own eyes) that Eden's desk has been moved to accommodate her classmates because Eden can't stay seated and no one can see over or around her when she is in place with her fellow students...she wants to stand next to her chair with one knee ever-so-gently placed in her seat. This isn't so bad--her teacher moved her so that she can continue to stand if she wishes and so that everyone would be happy. She is know perpendicular to her classmates next to a window. Kind of sad...but if she is learning and doing her work-no biggie. We also received the information that Eden isn't doing so well in math. This isn't news to us-but thought she had improved some. We are striving and looking for ways to improve this. Mrs. Brown did comment that the worst thing would be that Eden would be "placed" in to second grade instead of promoted. I really was not sure what that meant. I learned today that it means she did not meet all requirements to be moved up, but that she did qualify for the most part to be moved up. That completely breaks my heart. Everyone prays and wishes the best for their children. I even thought as smart as she was going in to Kindergarten that she might be tested for Alpha (accelerated class) one day. But so far no mention. For me that is not a huge deal. I was never in Alpha and I graduated high school with a 3.8 GPA. I am, however, still trying to complete college. I guess as a mother--I am going to blame myself for everything. The good news-she is only in first grade and there is still time in this school year to get her caught up in math and for her to be promoted to the second grade. We started last night looking online for helpful math sites...one's that she can navigate by herself and improve her skills. I intend to spend more time making up my own worksheets and practicing with her.

So back to our lunch date. Eden was so cute. Today was pajama day and she was excited to show me all her friends in their pj's. She even asked me where mine were. Silly girl:). My baby is growing up and she is so big. I am so proud to be her mother and feel so privileged that God blessed me with this perfect, healthy, beautiful, smart, sassy, independent, head-strong, talented, most wonderful little girl! The list could go on and on.

So here is to my precious Edibug. May you continue to blossom and grow...at your own rate. You will be you and that is all we ask for.
I love you dearly. Mommy.

Prayer Request

I would like all my followers to please keep a very special person in your prayers. Gail Ledford. This is my brother-in-law's mother. She was diagnosed last year with cancer. Doctor's were never really able to completely diagnose her with which type-first it was ovarian then stomach, and then she was supposedly better and had responded to treatment, and then she would relapse. Currently she has been in a lot of pain and recently suffered from a seizure on Monday. After being readmitted in to the hospital she was diagnosed with brain cancer (terminal), tumors in her back, and internal bleeding that could not be stopped. It is now being said that it has not spread to her brain, yet her tumors are Stage 4. She was flown Wednesday night to Emory hospital in Atlanta for a procedure to find the point of bleeding with hopes to stop the bleeding to hopefully prolong her life. Attempts failed on Thursday and she was brought back to her local hospital in Calhoun. I spoke with Justin last night and her hemoglobin levels were back up near normal-indicating the internal bleeding had slowed. This is a very good sign but it can return at any moment. So now they are playing the waiting game. The doctors have told the family that it could be a matter of days or up to six months before she passes. We all know that God is the almighty physician and that he can heal anyone--we just all need to pray and continue to lift her up. For anyone that knows Justin then you know his story-his father died when Justin was only 13 years old and he was the one that found him lying in his bedroom floor. His mom has been his rock for all these years and he cannot bare to lose her too. It seems as though it is inevitable at this point considering her cancer is Stage 4-but we all know the mighty power of prayer!
I will continue to keep you updated. Thanks and God bless.

Sunday, February 1

Super Bowl Spread

Super Sunday was spent at home...with just us. It was a simple day with much anticipation of the much talked about commercials.

The Taco Ring I made...my kids devoured this! It was an absolute hit. Click here for the recipe.

The kids getting ready to watch the 3D commercial for Monsters vs Aliens.


Here is my favorite commercial from the Super Bowl:

Monday, January 26

Bulldog Birthday

Coy is 2 and celebrated with a Georgia Bulldog theme.
Happy Birthday buddy-it seems like he was just born yesterday.











Sunday, January 25

Pictionary

Ok--so whoever new this game would be so much fun! We got together with Brittney, Brandy, Preston, Jess and Brent (and of course Baby Kye) to eat lasagna and hang out. We were kind of bored considering we are accustomed to watching football or hanging outside--no games on and it is way too cold to be outside. Our other option was to play board games. No one really wanted to be stagnant and watch pieces move around a board...so we drug out Pictionary. We had a blast!

Not wanting to be stagnant (stuck in a chair) we made some revisions to the game and used dry erase markers on our mirror that hangs over our fireplace. It was girls against boys and it was so fun to laugh at what we were trying to draw and to watch everyone get excited when they got one right!


Noah's Ark. I drew this one...and this is all I had to draw for my teammates to answer it correctly.



So the boys were pretty stubborn about using the mirror at first.


This is a lot more fun this way!



Every one ranted and raved for two days how much fun this was. We really can't wait to get together again just to play this game!



Kye's first visit to our house.

Saturday, January 24

Tooth #5



Eden lost her 5th tooth. It has been loose since she lost her last one...but is very reluctant to let us pull them. I caught her off guard on this one and just pulled it right out while pretending to just want to look at it! Sorry baby...at least you got a visit from the Tooth Fairy for it! I love you.

See her first loss here.

Birthday Party


Emma's 7th Birthday party. River City Pottery was such a neat place...we all really enjoyed our time there. I am considering going back for a girls day and make something for myself.
I can't believe little Emma is seven...time has really flown by. She is such a sweetheart.

Hank painting his shark.


Eden and her Chihuahua.



Kelly getting his pinky painted for Emma's birthday souvenir plate.

The girls painting Kelly's fingernails with the polish from the goody-bags. He is such a good sport!

Aunt Emma and Niece Eden. These two are going to be a mess together in 10 years!

Happy Birthday Emma!


The day after...the girls painting the gift we got her. A stone making kit.


Basketball Saturday

Eden had her second game this weekend. She is improving with every quarter she is playing. It is so fun to watch my daughter run up and down the court. Ten years ago...I would not think this is what I would be doing. It is so surreal to be a parent and to watch life work out like it does. I can only pray that she will blossom and develop a love for this sport. Promise: I will not push her to do more than what she desires for herself. Kelly and I have made the commitment to offer all options to our children-and they can decide what is right for them. We just have our fingers crossed..:)

Below is Hank dressed in his Batman cape for Eden's game...needless to say he got some attention in that one.


Friday, January 23

"Jesus' Off Day"

Funny story:
Our church, as a mission/fundraiser for the Men's Club, buys and butchers pigs and the sells the sausage to members and to the public. Well, on Friday when pulling up to the preschool to pick up Hank, I sent Eden over to the church with $3.50 to buy a pound. I was going to run in to the adjacent center (where I was actually working for the evening) and then she would meet me inside. I took my time in the parking lot gathering my purse and her backpack, so that I could watch to make sure she got in the door. As I was locking the doors I looked up to see Eden already heading back over to me from the secretary's entrance. She then says "I guess Jesus isn't working today, no one answered the door."
I laughed so hard! She is too funny and she was very serious. Too cute. I just love that girl.
Things kids say :)

Tuesday, January 20

Visiting Kye




He is getting so big and will be a month old this week. What a sweet baby! Hank and Eden could just eat him up! They love him just as much a baby brother!

Snow Day...finally

The kids and I were able to finally enjoy the benefits of staying home on a snow day preceded by a holiday (MLK Day). It was nice to have two days to do...nothing, nothing at all!!

Playtime on the DS's with Emma.



The kids playing in the snow on Monday night. Poor things-they wanted so badly to build snowmen and have a snowball fight. It's hard to comprehend that this all we get!

Sunday, January 18

It's a Family Affair

We had a great long weekend which included a lot of family involvement and activities. And needless to say; a LOT of eating!
Here is a recap of our glorious weekend

Dinner reservations for 10 at Fuji's. Guests included: Donna, Eden, Hank, Brittney, Chris, Brandy, Preston, Heidi, and Kelly and I. What a great way to start our weekend!


After dinner drinks with all of my sisters at the Dalton Depot.





Saturday started early with Donna and I attending an aerobics class together and off to Eden's first ball game at First Baptist.







Playing in the Saturday evening snow!


Out to dinner at Hennen's in downtown Chattanooga for Bernie's 60th birthday party. It is rare to get all 4 kids in the same photo...what a fun evening and a great surprise party!





Watching for trains out the Depot window Sunday after lunch with Donna and Jennifer and an end to our busy weekend.
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