What's been goin' on

You might think that because I pretty much dropped out of the blogosphere for three months that I just didn't have anything going on worth blogging about. Au contraire!! The last three months of 2010 simply flew by!
September was mostly spent trying to get accustomed to our new schedule. We enrolled our kids in the local public school for the very first time this school year and it has taken some getting used to. None of our family are morning people, so mornings are struggles because we simply don't want to get up while it's still dark outside! But the kids love it...especially our youngest, who is a fifth grader.
The first six weeks she was chosen by her teacher as the "Wildcat Kid." She made straight A's and had perfect citizenship! (I would like to see what she would have been chosen as if her teacher had seen her at home for six weeks! HA!)

She was invited to a special breakfast with the other Wildcat Kids and got to have her picture taken with the mascot.




Although a karate girl in her heart, I did get Morgan hooked on the Dallas Cowboys. She even picked a favorite player and made a commemorative jersey!




Near the end of the the local high school's football season, the fifth graders were invited to come sing the Star Spangled Banner before one of their home games.


Halloween weekend found our family at our church's Trunk or Treat event. Lot of candy and lots of fun. Not to mention a couple cool characters!




In November I made this very cool zippered pouch as a gift for one of my girls' friends. With a gift card inside it was the perfect birthday gift!


For Veteran's Day, the fifth graders put on a program full of narrative and music. Morgan sang a duet with a friend at the beginning. Have I mentioned my girl can sing? One of the things they did to decorate was make some stars to honor veterans, past and present, that are friends and family.






On a more practical note, I sold my refrigerator that I was in love with. We bought it when we built our house and it was sized for the space it was in. There was no way it was going to fit in the rental. *sniff*


Right before Thanksgiving break, the fifth graders (busy, aren't they?) had Native American Day. The whole day was devoted to studying and being immersed in Native American culture. Morgan even got a new name! I love how teachers can integrate learning and fun so effortlessly!






In December we celebrated my boy's 12th birthday. Unbelievable! He got exactly what he asked for but I think he was still surprised!


And finally, in the midst of getting ready to move I got a chance to have an afternoon with one of my best friends from high school. I hadn't seen her in about 17 years! It was a wonderful time. We ate, talked, got our nails done, talked, went to Starbucks, talked...well, you get the picture. Speaking of pictures, I didn't take any! Of course I wish I had now, but at the time I just wanted to concentrate on getting caught up! However, before I left to meet her I did take a picture of myself. I knew it would probably be the last chance before we moved that I wouldn't be wearing clothes covered in dust from cleaning out closets!


So, that's about it! The last quarter of 2010! I can't wait to see what 2011 holds!

Our New Digs

A new year...lots of people use this time to make resolutions and renew commitments. Not me. I'm terrible at making and keeping new year's resolutions. I usually have to resolve daily to change things about myself that I wish were different. But I hope everyone out there who does make resolutions, be it yearly, monthly, or daily like me will be successful in all their endeavors!
I've been endeavoring to get settled in this new house we're calling home. Like I mentioned previously, it's much smaller than the house we were living in. It's also got its quirks. The floors are loud and the windows are drafty. It smells funny...not bad, just different than the house I'm used to. But despite all that, I like it. A lot. It's close to the kids' schools and to the dollar store. The convenience store in town has excellent fountain Dr Pepper. I'm content. Would you like a peek?














I thought about waiting until everything looked perfect before I posted any pictures but, really, that could be a while...like never.

I hope everyone is having a great new year so far. Our family is finally getting over this upper respiratory stuff that has plagued us since before Christmas.

Here's to a happy and healthy 2011!

Moved!

Take a look at my blog header. Go ahead...I'll wait. You notice something different? That's right...I'm no longer writing from the Hay Farm. Our family has moved from the home we built a little over 4 years ago to a much smaller rent house in our local small town. This move was the result of a culmination of the economy, my husband's ever changing job situation, and many bad financial decisions. (We are human, after all.) We were determined to stay in the school district that the kids are currently attending. It's a small district and we like it very much. This was our first year of public school after homeschooling. Our kids had been through enormous changes already. We were fortunate to find a rental that was in our budget and right here in town. It's older, drafty, and quirky, but I can't express adequately how grateful we are to be here.
Although it's been emotional and, at times, overwhelming, it seems that we may make it through. This latest change comes on the cusp of others that frankly, I never thought I'd see. After many years of attending Christian meetings with a local assembly, my husband and I made the decision in January to leave this fellowship in search of something more fitting with how we wanted to raise our family. It was traumatic, especially for our kids. Relationships have been altered, some even severed. But we've not looked back, only forward...pressing on toward the life that we know the Lord has for us.
I'm looking forward to getting back in touch with all of you. And though my blogging whereabouts might have changed, my original goal has not. To share, to encourage, and to be encouraged with you.