HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I had a really lovely birthday with my family. I got to sleep in as long as my four year old would let me. Then mom and dad took us all out to eat. After that we came back and opened presents and had cake and ice cream. I heard from my older girls. Megan was here with us but Sara and Julie called. I also heard from some really good friends. It was just a really nice day.

We took several photos but I didn't realize till I was going through them that I didn't get one of me with mom. So that's on my "to do" list.

Here's a few of the shots we did get:



Mama and her baby boy!



Me and my Megs



Mom and Carly



Big Sis with the sibs



Me with the first man I ever loved. Love you Daddy!

TENDER MERCIES

The beginning of this school year has certainly been harder than the one last year. Carly made tons of friends in Kindergarten but she has seemed more shy and reticent this year. She came home the first few days telling me no one would play with her at recess. It broke my heart but I tried to stay positive with her. I asked her questions. "Did you ask anyone to play with you? Did you try finding your friends from last year on the playground? Did you try . . . ?" The answers that came back just made me sad. She had asked and had tried and had been turned away.

I decided to go in and help in her class and see for myself. When I did, I talked to the teacher about it and she suggested we go out during recess and watch for ourselves. Sure enough, there were lots of twosomes and Carly would wander around and approach but never get invited in or in some cases actually get turned away.

The teacher asked Carly to play with a little girl in her class that only speaks Spanish that needed a friend, too and her teacher and I tried to help them communicate with each other. That helped for a little while. But there were other girls in the class who could speak Spanish so that success was short-lived. Her teacher told me that a lot of first grade girls get it in their heads that they can only have one best friend and she would have a talk with the class. Well, my little girl remained sad through the first couple weeks of school and my heart was so heavy. I was praying about what to do when I realized that prayer really might be the answer. (Light Bulb! Lol!)

When Carly came home that day I sat her down and told her we really needed to pray for her to find a friend. I told her we would start praying every morning when I woke her up that she would have a good day at school and feel happy and also find new friends. That very day when I went to pick her up she came running up to me with her new friend Brenna. I saw her coming toward me, hand in hand with a little friend and just started saying a prayer of gratitude. Everyday since that one she and Brenna have been fast friends. My little one has started seeing the sunshine again and having happy days. She is finding others to play with and I am seeing her old confident self return. I am so grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord and for the blessing of prayer--of being able to just talk to our Father in Heaven when our hearts are heavy and we need His help.

ICE CREAM DAY . . . NEAR DISASTER

So, Carly's teacher sends out emails from time to time asking for help in the classroom. I've gone over and helped her out before. She sent out one last week asking if any mom or dad was available to help her today in the classroom with ice cream. I looked at my schedule and responded to her that I could. So, I headed over at the designated time. When I arrived in the classroom they were discussing their favorite flavors. The teacher turned to me and asked "What kind of ice cream did you bring us?" Uh, uh, uh .  .  .

You saw that coming, didn't you? Well, I didn't. Lol! Never entered my mind I was BRINGING the ice cream! DUH! I have got to get into teacher mind reading mode! Don't worry. I recovered quickly. The school is only a short distance from a store and I was able to run and get ice cream and get back in time! Whew, close call!

I had to sneak out on Jonathon to go to Carly's school to help. The Kindergarten teacher used to let me bring him but First grade is different--much more serious. So Grandma saved me. She and Jonathon planted flowers I was gone. I was really nervous he would be really mad at me because he had told me earlier in the day he really wanted to go pick Carly up today. I knew she would be coming home with me after I helped at the school but I didn't want to upset him. I was hoping I could find something to keep him busy while I went. Anyway, his reason for wanting to go was super sweet. He said, "Mom, when we go get Carly, you give me the keys so I can open the door for her and then I will say, "There you go M'lady!" Lol!

Rob's been teaching him the importance of being a gentleman and he has really taken it to heart. Rob always opens my door for me. Once in awhile Jono tries to and Rob has to remind him it is Daddy's job whenever he is with Mommy. Jono knows he can open it for me when Daddy is not there and he relishes the chance to do so. But he's extremely happy now that we've told him he can be the main door opener for his sisters. That has also calmed some of the competitive energy between him and Carly!

One more funny for the day. Grandma was warming some leftovers up tonight and asked Carly what she wanted. Carly told her she just wanted some rice with Karaoke sauce. Then got her the Teriaki sauce from the fridge to put on her rice. Lol! My kids make me laugh . . . well, most of the time! Night all!

SHE'S CLEAN!

Grandma had her second year check-up today for the bladder cancer and got a clean bill of health. We love getting great news like that! Thanks for all the love and prayers on her behalf! We know that helps!

I have been pretty punk today. I had some dental surgery yesterday on my gums and slept most of the day yesterday and didn't feel like doing much of anything today. I did take Jono to his official first day of pre-school. I also gave him a haircut before he went. He looked pretty cool and was excited to go. Other than that, I've been a pretty big bum. Hoping tomorrow I will have some energy back.

Rob is on-call this weekend and wasn't home a whole hour before he got called out again. He's back home now and hopefully will stay that way for the rest of the weekend.

Well, just wanted to let everyone know Mom's news. More later!

CATCHING UP

Aunt Susan came up yesterday to help Grandpa with some of his work and ended up spending the night with us. She didn't get finished in time to drive home before dark so she stayed and worked some more today and then drove home after the work hour traffic rush. It's really great of her to come and help especially since she has such a hard time driving through the big city by herself.

Jono had his welcome back to pre-school today. He was so excited! He actually starts on Friday. He is going back to the same pre-school this year he went to last year but for 3 days a week instead of two. He's an August baby and was a preemie so we are not sending him to Kindergarten until he is six. Rob is an August birthday also and he really wishes his parents had held him back a year. He was always the last chosen for everything because he was the youngest. So, we figure this will give Jono a much better shot at being not only the oldest but maybe even the biggest. We can hope anyway. :)

Carly is loving being a first grader. She has a wonderful teacher. We just love her and she loves Carly! It's fun to get her up every morning and get her ready. She wakes up with a huge smile on her face and can't wait to get to class.

Grandma is doing well and Grandpa has been up and working hard at his desk this week. The weather here has been really nice. It's been warm but a mild warm with a nice wind. I love this time of year.

Well, that's all the news for now. Take care.