Back in the Swing of Things...

Well, sort of!  I am finally not feeling like I am drowning at school.  I actually have lesson plans through the middle of next week...weird.  I am normally so on top of it, but this was a difficult start to the year.  However, I am growing to love this group of kids more and more each day. 

I am teaching (more like facilitating) a Biblestudy through our Women's Ministry at church this semester.  We are studying "The Life Changing Power In the Name of Jesus," by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.  It is good...really good!  It is so powerful to deeply study the names of Jesus.  He is the Bread of Life.  He is the Light of the World.  He is The Good Shepherd.  He is The Gate.  He is The Resurrection and the Life.  He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life.  He is The True Vine.  We had about 20 ladies last week and they have been such a blessing to me already! 

Last weekend, Bryan completed a "Warrior Dash" or "Jailbreak Race" or whatever you want to call it.  All I know is when he got home, he was a little muddy!  His shoes were so muddy that he had to donate them because they were beyond salvation.  Bryan said he had to go through a junkyard maze, run through a river, climb walls, climb haystacks, army crawl under barbed wire, and I have no idea what else.  I am very proud of him for completing the race (even if I do think he was crazy.)  He is such a great boys' dad.  I'm sure he is already dreaming of Nathan and Jordan being old enough to join him on such adventures!  I prefer to watch and cheer them on! 

We had the best time at the soccer fields on Saturday morning watching our nephews and niece play on their very first soccer team.  They are so precious!  Brayden and Bryce ran up and down that field nonstop!  They were hilarious!

Vivi's team was playing a couple of fields away.  In the beginning, she was way more interested in her snack than the game.  But, she built up some steam and ran with the team toward the end.  I am so proud of her!!

Nathan and Jordan cheered on their cousins!

Jordan got a little hot and grouchy for a while.  :)  But he cheered up! 

And, we could hardly keep Nathan off the field.  He was cracking us up!  How do you explain to a one year old that he isn't old enough to play yet? 

Such a fun weekend centered around lots of people that I LOVE!

Going down the slide...

If you are Nathan...

If you are Jordan...

Isn't it crazy that these two boys were born to the same parents only two minutes apart and yet they are so different?  The Lord made them each so special in every way.  It completely boggles my mind.  Nathan is wild and crazy, always looking for a social situation, smiles at everyone, and thinks everything is hilarious.  It is also totally in his character to slide down the slide backwards and on his belly even though he started on his bottom.  Jordan, on the other hand, is very serious about new things.  Once he is comfortable, he can be quite a ham.  He is nervous in new situations, but as long as he has "Elephant" and paci he can be happy.  He likes everything neat and orderly.  And, it is totally in his character to slide down the slide on his bottom, with his feet forward.  Awesome.  The God-given characteristics of their cute personalities has totally helped me understand the students in my classroom too. I can now understand why some children might learn and pay attention better if they are sitting in the floor.  I understand why some children are so quiet but can be quite whitty if you get to know them.  I can understand how some children can act so goofy but have the sweetest spirit inside.  Gives me goosebumps. 

First Day of Preschool

I can not wrap my head around the fact that my babies are old enough to go to preschool this year.  They looked so big walking up to the church with their little backpacks on their backs.

I tried to get a picture of the boys together but neither one of them would stand still long enough to take a picture.  Nice.

Nathan walked right in to his classroom and never looked back.  Jordan, well he was a little disturbed.  This is Jordan with his darling teacher while she tried to console him.  He recovered quickly and had a great day at school.  If only we could convince Nathan that naptime is not "party in MY crib" time.  Oh, my little social bug!