Monday, November 15, 2010

Grateful to be an American

Last week was Veteran's day.  I am so grateful to be an American and live where I do.  What a blessing.  I am so grateful for the amazing, selfless men and women who have fought and given their lives over the course of our country's history and for those that so valiantly serve today, so that I can enjoy the abundant freedom and life that I do.  May God bless those men and women and their families.  I am so grateful for you.

 Our town always celebrates Veteran's day with a parade on the Saturday following.  It is a good time to teach my kids about the blessings we have because of where we live and the many lives that were sacrificed so we can stand on a street corner on a cold November day and salute our flag and remember those who have served.
Seeing this huge flag carried by the men and women who serve and sacrifice for us always brings tears to my eyes.  We are very blessed. 

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Branson, MO

Last month the kids had a 4 day weekend, so we decided to go to Branson, MO and visit our bestest friends there.  They used to live in our town, but moved away this summer, and we have missed them tons!  We had a lot of fun in Branson.  It is a very pretty place, but very busy.  The traffic was crazy!  My friend told me when she picked up her kids from school one day she was in the car for 2 whole hours because of stop and go traffic.  Ugh. . . but we loved the weekend we spent with them.  Didn't see any shows, just played with friends and went on the lake. 

This is me and my friend down at the Landing--a fun shopping area by the Lake. 

Our friends have a boat, so they took us out for a ride on the Lake.  It was so fun!

They even let my kids drive :)  Miss E loved it!

Mr J thought is was really fun to drive the boat, but he about made everyone sick because he would turn the wheel one way then the other--back and forth--ugh.  Better watch where you are going son!

The kids love the boat!

What a life. . . 
It was very beautiful with the leaves starting to turn for fall.   
What a fun place with the greatest people!  We can't wait to go back and visit again!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Why I love fall

Nature's colors are so amazing!  I saw this tree while running errands this morning, and I just had to stop and take a picture.  The colors are amazing.  Hope you are enjoying the colors wherever you are.  Happy Fall!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Our new neighbors

I wanted to introduce you to our new neighbors who are now living through our back yard in the back pasture.

Betsy, Sally, Moe, Joe and Fred or something like that.  I can't keep them all straight.

Thankfully they are very quiet and go about their own business and kindly ignore my band of screaming, crazy kids although they give them pretty funny looks at times.  The aren't permanent figures in our neighborhood.  They only stay for the winter, then the move onto greener pastures. . .

But the guy on the right looks a little scary.  We will have to keep an eye on him.  Come visit anytime!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Halloween 2010

Very scary at our house this Halloween, a witch, Leonard DaVinci, Harry Potter and the Dread Pirate Roberts. 

Beware!

Ah, just kidding.  They are the sweetest kids you will ever meet (most of the time. . .)

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Pre-Halloween Fun

At our house the Monday before Halloween we have a family Halloween party.  Everyone has to dress up.  We carve our pumpkins then, decorate pumpkin cookies, sing some Halloween songs and have Pumpkin stew for dinner.  It is a fun family tradition.

Miss E was Leonardo DaVinci and this was her masterpiece that night.  She has a cool beard and hat, but for some reason blogger was not letting me upload that photo.  Maybe later. . .

This is my Dread Pirate Roberts and he always tells me "As you wish" (if you have no idea what I am talking about, please rent "The Princess Bride" or better, read the book :)

                                                                    Hoola girl, Miss A
Not exactly sure what Miss O was going for here, but bathrobes with tie headbands are always cool.
A very serious Harry Potter.  Love his concentration.
Miss O's pumpkin
Harry's pumpkin
Hoola girl's white pumpkin. 
All ready for Halloween!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Crazy, crazy week

I seriously think this has been one of the busiest weeks ever!  I feel like I have just been running, running, running from early morn until way too late.  Just lots of things going on--Halloween stuff, church stuff, school stuff, but probably the most time consuming is I have become a volunteer Spanish/English translator.  Didn't plan on that one.  A new family moved into our small town from Mexico with no prior English speaking (except the Dad who speaks perfect English).  They have a daughter in Miss O's class, and I had heard about her from Miss O, so I knew she was struggling with English.  When I was volunteering in Miss O's room that week I had the new girl in my reading group, and I was talking to her in the little Spanish that I know, well the teacher heard me and was soooo excited!  It went something like this. . ."You speak Spanish!  Oh that is so wonderful, so you can help her and translate and. . . "  "Um, I had about 20 hours in college 15 years ago" I said, but I don't think she heard me because next thing I know I am walking down the hall and another teacher comes up and says "Oh I am so glad you are helping the new family because you are fluent and . . ."  Fluent!!!   Fluent???!!!  I about threw-up, "Um, no, no, no, no that is not me!"  I speak a little bit--hablo un poco espanol--not fluent, don't translate--especially math/science/grammar terms--most people can barely explain math/science/grammar terms in their own language let alone translate them to another, um, I think you have the wrong person.  Then when volunteering at school on a different day I get called over the intercom about my "Spanish class" that I'm teaching.  Ugh!  Where did all these rumors get started?  I about burst out laughing when I heard that one.  People, I am not fluent, but no one is listening to me.  Anyway, by default, I guess I am the most "fluent" person available, so I have really been stretching my brain this week as I "translate" and explain things to this sweetest family in the world.  They are the nicest people.  Luckily I still have my Spanish/English dictionary from back in the day.  That was one textbook I didn't or maybe couldn't sell back. Can't remember.  Maybe that is why I feel so tried, it is all this brain work as well as physical running around, baking Halloween cookies, making costumes.  I think mental work can make you just as exhausted as actual physical labor.  That is my excuse anyway, and I am sticking too it.  Looking forward to next week, and hopefully a slower pace!  Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!