Winter Land~

We LOVED the snow last week. We had a blast playing, sledding, building snowmen, making snow ice cream, and just being together. I can't remember the last time we had so much snow. Most of the time it melts with in 24 hours. The boys loved it. I think we all loved the extra time off from school and work. We just wish Chuck could have been on break with us too.

Now it's back to reality. The boys have started basketball. School is in full swing. I can't believe the holidays are behind us. They go by way to fast. We had a GREAT Christmas. Even when the flu decided to camp out at our house. We made the best of it. The boys got most of all the things they asked for. The big hits were the xbox, bb gun, and ipod touches. That bb gun is still making me a nervous wreak. I feel like the mom on the Christmas story. BE CAREFUL YOU WILL SHOT YOUR EYE OUT! I can't believe the words were coming out of my mouth.

Garett is loving kindergarten. I am so impressed how far he has come over the past few months. He is getting way to big. BUT he still likes to remind me he is JUST a LITTLE boy. Of course he only pulls that card when he doesn't want to do something or he needs something. He is such a mess. But the cutest mess I have every seen!

Zachary is loving the middle school. He is the one that is transforming right before our eyes. He has changed so much in the past year. I can't believe before I know it I will have a teenager. Wow! Time flies! He amazes me how at times he seems so grown up. He is in that in between stage. Where he THINKS he knows it all and then other times he seems like a little boy again. I am not ready for the attitude to stay.

Chase is ready for 5th grade to be over. I don't think he realizes how different middle school is going to be. He is ready for baseball to start again. I miss it at times but not all the time it takes to do it. He is the one that has changed the least this year. But I know from Zachary in the spring time Chase will start transforming right before our eyes like his big brother did. I love that he still enjoys to snuggle with me. I am not ready to give that up yet!

I am headed to TCEA in Austin for a week in February. Be praying for Chuck! He will be home with the 3 boys all by himself. I know he will do just fine. I on the other hand have NEVER left the boys or Chuck for that long. I might be the one that needs the prayers.

Well I am off to see what the next adventure will be. The life of a mom of 3 boys is never dull! They keep me on my toes and keep me laughing. I would not want it any other way!

Boys, School, and Sports!

Been awhile since I have been able to take time to write a blog. The boys have been keeping us busy. Zachary is playing soccer, Chase is playing baseball, and Garett is being dragged to all the practices and games. Life could not be better. I just wish it would slow down a little bit.

The school year started off with a bang. Zachary is in 6th grade at the middle school. It was really hard on me to not have him on the same campus, but he loves TMS. He is getting to play golf and soccer at school. He is in all pre-ap classes. On his first report card he had straight A's! I could not be prouder. His homework in math is making me have to reteach myself a few things but he is doing really well.

Chase is apart of the student council this year. He likes getting to work the candy store and take down the flag. It was really good for him to get to be apart of that. He is doing well in school. He hates studying but he is being more responsible for keeping up with things. Which is good since next year he will join his older brother at the middle school.

Garett is loving kindergarten. I cried when I walked him to class for the first time. It was really hard to watch him grow up right before my eyes. I walked him to class for the first few weeks, but now he goes all by himself. He loves school. I hope that continues.

I have a sweet group of 2o first graders. Don't have any complaints this year at all. No major problems and they are smart. I am having to learn a few new things this year since my school district is following cscope. So we are having to try and change the way we teach or at least the order in which we teach things. Part of being a teacher is learning. It's been a stressful year so far but I have a wonderful group of ladies I work with. So that makes things a little easier.

Chuck had state visit this past week. Once again he had a GREAT state survey. He is getting ready to head out again next week to New Braunfels, TX for his TASA leadership classes. I dislike him being gone but it's only for a few days. Last month he went to Amarillo. I wish I could go with him but I have to hold down the fort while he is gone.

Well that's all for now. Duty calls! Ready for sports to be finished for a little while so we can just be home and relax. The boys on the other hand never want to stop playing. Thank goodness I love sports!

Pictures From Camping

Camping At Dierks Lake!

The boys and I had a blast camping at Dierks Lake. I was really not sure how it would work out since it has been so hot. I guess being out on by the water really kept it very comfortable. There was a nice breeze and of course air condition in the camper. The lake was clean and not busy at all.

The boys had a blast. Garett was very brave and had fun playing with Rylee. They built sand castles and floated on their noodles out in the water. Zachary and Chase made friends with a group of boys and girls. They played in the water and hiked around at night with flash lights.

I enjoyed reading the book "The Shack". I had started it last year but never finished it. It caught my eye packing so I decided to take it and give it another try. I really enjoyed being out in the swing at the lake or in the water watching the boys and reading. It was VERY relaxing. The book was so different then the 1st time I remember reading it. It makes you look at God in a different way. There was something about waking up at 7:00 and see the beautiful scenery that God created. The splashing of the the waves, birds chirping, and ducks quacking. It really was relaxing. There is nothing like see God's creations with out the hussell of life getting in the way.

Each morning Lori and I got up and made the kids breakfast outside on the griddle. Pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Then headed out to the playground or lake. Both were just a few feet from our camper. We would spend a few hours soaking up sunshine and the kids laughter. Then head back for lunch, resting, and a movie in the camper. Then back out to the beach for more fun in the sun before dinner. It was WONDERFUL. The boys did not fight, Garett did not whine, and I really enjoyed the peace and relaxation.

The only part that was not fun were the bees. They were everywhere. Chase, Rylee, and Lori each were stung. I have never seen so many. The juice and coke kept them around. There was honey bees, wasp, and yellow jackets that were bothering everyone that was camping. They would swarm then disappear. Glad no one was really hurt though Lori was stung twice and that wasn't fun for her.

I defiantly want to go camping again. Next time maybe Chuck and go. It was nice to spend time with my friend and I was pretty proud of 2 mommas taking the kids camping. Of course her husband did come and set the camper up for us and take it down. I am glad the boys had a good time. They didn't miss the computer, TV, or video games. They wanted to be outside as much as possible and were up early each morning to head out exploring. Defiantly adding a camper of my own to the wish list. I would recommend Dierks Lake to anyone that likes to camp.

So now its back to reality with laundry, dishes, and setting my classroom up. Glad I had these few days just to enjoy time with the boys.

Summer is coming to an end!

I have to say this has been the best summer I have had with the boys. Even though we have not gone anywhere exciting or spent a lot of money. We have just spent time together. It has been GREAT! I am sad that the summer is coming to an end. The boys have not fought. They have not whined. They have helped around the house and yard. This is the first summer in a few years that I have not been in college working on my masters. I think since I was not stressed out things went smoother.

We started the summer with a broken foot and All star baseball. The cast did not slow Garett down. He still loved to bowl and play. But we were so glad to get it off so he could swim. Baseball ended for Chase. I am very proud of my 3rd baseman and the other Texarkana South All star team. They made to the final 4 of the state playoffs and played hard.

We spent time at the bowling alley, in the pool, riding the dirt bike at my dad's, playing cards, and watching movies. I am sad to see it ending. I really enjoyed focusing more on time together and not on going places. The boys and I are heading out tomorrow to the lake in Dierks. We are camping for a few nights and going to enjoy the lake with friends. I hope the heat isn't to bad. I am bring cards and computer for movies just in case. Its just 2 moms and the kids so this should be interesting. But I am up to the challenge.

I am putting off thinking about school for at least another week. I want to make new memories with the boys in the little time we have left before the rush of the school year starts. Enjoy a few pictures and I will update on how the camping trip goes. Wish us luck!

Praying for Cohen's Family! I have been touched by their story and blog! Sending much love and thoughts your way!

Cast on foot + All stars =No summer fun YET!

FINALLY, summer is here! This was like the never ending school year! June 10th was my last day of school. The boys and I had many fun adventures planned. I was so excited for my 1st summer with out college.
Then the phone call came that Chase made All Stars in baseball. He is really excited and happy. He LOVES baseball and would play 24/7 if he could. So I am sucking it up and I am excited for him. Last year we played ball from March until August coming home with a second place trophy in state. So another summer of ball was not what I planned, but plans change!
Even with baseball we could have adventures during the day just not far from home. Then our second unexpected surprise was in store. Sunday night Garett hurt is foot. He never really cried and kept on playing. Daddy was on duty, I was at the hospital with my friend. I knew nothing of a hurt foot. He was playing when I got home. Monday morning rolls around and he woke up crying and his little ankle was swollen. I call Chuck he was in shock and couldn't think of what happened. Finally the pieces are put together that his foot was hit by the bedroom door. Needless to say a call to Dr Porter was in order. She confirmed it was broke and we spent from 1:30 until 5:30 waiting on a cast.
The cast means NO swimming, NO walking a lot, NO summer fun yet for Garbear!
Each of the boys have now broken a bone. Now we wait for the cast to come off and for baseball to end. Then our adventures can start. Until then my adventures will be getting all the clutter out of my house. Its amazing how much junk we have. Its time to purge. Not the adventure I was looking for but for now it will do!
Oh the life of a mother with 3 precious, loving, sweet, and handsome boys is never dull. I would not have it any other way then to be kept on my toes by the men in life!