Lots Going On!

We took the kids fishing one Saturday morning.  The following photos make the morning look so tranquil.  It was actually a little stressful.  Graydon's first cast got stuck in a tree.  Then his line got tangled.  That wasn't the only time that happened.  But everyone at least got a little turn.








Later that day, our church had a community cook-out.  Free food and games.  We had a GREAT turnout!














Bella wanted me to take her photo here.  She was practicing her smile for picture day the following morning.


I got a job! After eight years as a stay-at-home-mom, I'm back to work as a teacher's aide at the kids' school.  This is a job that I planned to volunteer doing; but when actual paid positions became available, I applied and was offered a job!  I'm working with the first grade classes and LOVE it so far!  It's a perfect "mom job" since I have all of the same days off/vacations as the kids.


Bella's class had a "Steve Urkel Day".  Their teacher rewarded them with a special day for good behavior.  This was what they chose.  I have NO idea how any of them even know who Steve Urkel is.


I had an awesome birthday celebration this year.  Due to soccer games and a wedding rehearsal that Andy was a part of, we celebrated my birthday a day early.  The kids had a grand greeting for me when I arrived at the Meade's house.


I turned the big 3-5!


My big gift was a new pair of cowboy books.  LOVE them!  I don't have any photos of me wearing them yet, but they are my far my favorite foot accessory!

Such a happy birthday!

It's Soccer Time!

Soccer gets going pretty quickly out here. We had our first practice AND first game last week.  And when I say "we", I literally mean, all FIVE of us.  All three kids are playing this season. . . and I'm coaching! {With Andy as my lovely assistant}.

As far as coaching goes, I am completely unqualified as I have never played soccer in my life.  And I initially tried to get out of it; but as time ticked on and coaching positions still weren't filled. . . I gave in.  Fortunately, it's a fairly low pressure position.  I'm coaching Graydon and Curtis's team of eight 5 & 6-year-olds.  We don't keep score at the games and we're just getting them exposed to the game.  But still, I do feel a little in over my head!

Here's Miss Bella before her game.  She was pretty excited to be on the orange team.


She and Tyler ended up on the same team!


Pre-game stretches.


While I was watching Bella, I lost track of Graydon.  After looking around for a moment or two, I spotted him across the field, running on the track.


Our girl in action!


The rest of us are on the red team.


I tried to strike a delicate balance of coaching and taking a few snapshots of the kids playing.








Three hot, sweaty, and tired soccer players.


Andy had a surprise for them after the game.


New fishing rods for each of them.


We used them the next day.

Back to School

We kicked off the new school year with our back-to-school dinner.

The napkin holders were from Thanksgiving a few years ago.

Bella added the limes to the glasses to make them "fancy".

Wednesday morning arrived and there was a definite stir of excitement in our house.

This little guy is ready for kindergarten!

Off to the bus stop at the end of our driveway.

That school bus made me cry.  Even though I was going to be spending the entire day helping out in Curtis's classroom, I still couldn't hold back the tears.  All three of our kids are now in school full time.  It's a big step.

Off they go.

Their cousins go to the same school!  This is the only year that all six of them will be together since Jacob heads to junior high next year.

So far the school year is off to a great start!