FFA

Jack, Josie and Kate love to go to the farm. They play, eat all their fave foods and basically get spoiled. They also help. My parents are organic farmers and have a huge garden, raise chickens and cows. This requires daily work, so the kids get to pitch in. A bonus is that they love eating the fruits of their labor. They ask for vegetables often, (what other four-year old asks for broccoli and cauliflower at dinner?)eat eggs like champs, and can put away burgers in no time. During their recent visit, Kate even joined in on the farm work. She looks so big roaming the garden rows! Jack's favorite vegetable is peas, and Josie loves to eat carrots straight from the dirt....I used to do the same thing.
Here are our Future Farmers of America.

first book

This week Jack read his first book by himself!
We made the words mat, sat, and Sam with magnetic letters over and over. He put the sounds together to make the words and then I knew he was ready.
Here is a pic of the first of many books for this boy.
I am so excited for him! The greatest part was his beaming face at the end of the book.

Little Gymnasts

What fun it was Monday to watch Jack and Josie show-off their new gymnastic skills. For the past 20 weeks they have been taking a beginners gymnastics class at the Little Gym. This was the last week of the semester so they had a "show day," where each student showcased their skills: floor routine included front rolls, donkey kicks, monkey jumps, and the candlestick; the balance beam routine included forward walk, full circle turn, crouching position, high kicks, the dismount; and the uneven bars showed their ability to hold chest above bar, hang below the bar, flip and dismount. Will and I (and #1 fan Kate) cheered on and took videos and photos.
We are thankful for this opportunity for J and J to increase their balance and confidence. Thanks to Doc and Mam for this generous gift! They will not forget these skills or the memories.
Jack: He had every routine memorized, and coached Josie from the side as she performed her routine! His favorite was the balance beam.


Josie: She laughed and smiled throughout most of her routine. She was anxious on the balance beam (don't know why since she has loved it all semester) but loved the uneven bars.


We are proud of you, Jack and Josie. I hope you will always be this excited about new endeavors.

Dear Josie,

At 40 months today, you are pure delight. You surprise me with your silliness. Your love of jokes and all comedy keeps us laughing. I don't understand your "girliness," but I love you for it. Joy for you is finding your lip gloss and putting on makeup with Mommy. Yet, you love to dig in the sandbox and get dirty and messy! What fun it's going to be to watch you grow.
Many times of day you like to retreat to my bed and read your library books all alone. You are still my most content child....content to sit in my lap, content to do nothing, content to run errands with me. I wish I were more like you!
This year I look forward to getting to know you more, and knowing you aside from being Jack's sidekick. When he goes to kindergarten in the fall, we will have lots of time together and it will be sweet.
At 40 months, you wear 4T clothing, size 9 shoes, and are almost too heavy for this mama to carry. I do love laying down with you each night while we pray and sing. You are a snuggler, a thumb sucker, and a blankie lover. You love to sing your repertoire of songs but don't mind sharing the spotlight with Jack. You are the perfect little sister.
I am proud of you and love you with my whole heart.
Your Mommy

butterflies

With the new year also comes memories of one of my most favorite days - our wedding day. We were married at Camp Balcones Springs where we met and became friends. All of my bridesmaids stayed in a cabin there on the property the night before the big day. When I awoke that Sunday morning, I jumped on the bed like a silly schoolgirl! Marrying Will was a dream come true, and an answered prayer.
Today, nine years later, I still get butterflies about my husband. He is handsome, athletic, talented, funny, honest, good, humble, the best father around, and a true friend. Happy 9th anniversary, Will.

looking forward to....

1. having a new baby to love in less than 4 months!
2. having a new niece or nephew in 6 months!
3. homeschooling my Jack-boy for 7 more months...
4. then watching him go to kindergarten.
5. celebrating 9 years of marriage with Will.
6. celebrating my parent's 60th birthdays in July and August.
7. organizing my garage and closets...strange but true.
8. watching and hearing my baby Kate learn new words.
9. going to Josie's first ballet recital in May.
10.walking with my Lord and knowing Him more.

What about you? What do you look forward to in 2009?