Where we're going....where we've been....

Just a quick update on what's been up with us lately. I know it's been a bit since I last posted. Since school started it seems that our days have been flying by. Meredith is so enjoying 4th grade. Some days it's hard to believe that she is nine years old! She is doing well and really loving her new teacher! I am so glad that school is fun for her again. She is enjoying children's choir at church. They recently began practicing for their yearly Christmas program. Should be fun! She has a singing solo this year too! In addition she is singing with the school chorus. That girl loves her music!


I have been busy with the Acteens group at church. They have been working hard to plan and organize the Fun Run/Walk to benefit the Sharing House and the Bread of Life (Soup Kitchen) here in Brevard. Sadly, it was too cold and rainy today to do the walk. So we had to postpone until the first weekend in November. I am so proud of their efforts and dedication to helping others in the community. Also, Mark had his Deacon ordination at church back in August. He is really enjoying serving the church members and community in that new capacity. And I could not be more proud of him and his dedication and passion to grow in the faith.

I have mostly just been plugging along at work. The class this year is filled with fun personality. The kids never cease to amaze me with the silly little things they say and do! Also, I had another birthday! Why does it seem that they get closer and closer together the older you get?? Mom, Dad, Ashley, David, Savannah, Mark and Meredith had a nice little party for me last weekend. It was nice to have time with family.

We are looking forward to our upcoming trip to Disney World. We have never been as a family so we are super excited to get to go. I will share pictures from that adventure when we get back!

Well, that turned into an epic post! LOL! Teaches me that I should post more often!

Meet Annie!

For those of you who know me....I know what you are thinking....SHE CAVED!! For years I have said I would never have a pet in the house. Dog, cat...whatever. Well, one day I saw this face and that changed.
Meredith has been asking for a puppy since we gave Sydney away almost two years ago. She wanted a little dog to cuddle with, to live in the house with us. I kept saying "uh, no way", "I don't think so", "who will take care of it?", etc. But her birthday was approaching and that was one of three things she had on her wish list. So, you got it....I caved, and we now have a new family member. She's a Yorkie Poo. Which means she's a mix between a Yorkshire Terrier and a miniature Poodle. Right now she is twelve weeks old and weighs in under 2.5 lbs. We are trying to house train her and she is doing okay. A few mishaps now and again. But for the most part, she's a good little puppy. Meredith is happy! And I have to admit, I am too! (Judith...can you believe that?)

Deep Impact - Fort Caswell

Spent last week @ Fort Caswell (Oak Island, NC) with the middle school youth from church. We had a fantastic time on this trip. Deep Impact was the name of this camp, which was missions oriented. There was a wonderful worship/celebration time with music and an awesome speaker daily. We ate all meals there on the campus and slept in barracks. The bunks weren't great...but they weren't awful either. Sleeping in an open barracks room w/ 49 other people was a real experience! Daily we got to go out to Kure/Carolina Beach and do "beach missions". This consisted of giving out cold water bottles w/scripture on the side, painting faces for kids and sharing the good news of Jesus. It was really an AWESOME time. Most people were really receptive, others not so much. But overall, I think our group really enjoyed the time they had there. Oh, did I mention we "got" to ride the ferry daily?!?!? It was cool, the first day....but after that it got a bit long. Most of our time was literally spent riding on the ferry! Oh well, it was all part of the experience. And I am so greatful to God for allowing me to have this wonderful journey!

All Stars!

We have been traveling to Canton since Monday of last week for All Stars Softball. Meredith and the team have had such a wonderful, exciting time playing in this tournament. They had some ups and downs! Lots of exciting plays that had us all up on our feet. They didn't win last night, but we were all so proud of their effort and dedication, night after night. I counted up in my calendar and found that Meredith has been practicing or playing softball for 14 weeks straight now. I am kinda glad that it's over. But on the other hand a bit sad. Watching her play and enjoy this has really been a joy for me!

Two posts in one day...

don't fall over Judith! I am posting twice in one day. What can I tell you..it's 111:20 and I am not sleepy. So, I am on the computer just fooling around. I saw this on Heather's blog and decided to do it. It's a "photo tag". You go to your photo editing software, open it, go to the 8th folder, then go to the 8th photo. Post it on your blog and share the story behind it. So here's mine. It's a photo from this summer's trip to Charleston. As most of you know, I LOVE me some Charleston! I took this photo of Meredith with another photo in mind. I wish I had it on this computer and could post it for comparison. But, it's a photo of her sitting on the beach, facing the ocean, when she was just 11 months old. This day on the beach, I just couldn't believe how fast she had grown and changed. This isn't a posed picture, she just stopped for a moment to gaze out at the vastness of the ocean, and I was lucky enough to have my camera ready!

Tagged!

Well, Erin tagged me on her blog. And I have been tagged several times on Facebook too, so I am going to post 10 Honest Things about me here:
1. I would love to have a job that involves my passion for creating. While I enjoy my current job, and have lots of fun doing it...my heart longs to do something "crafty" and creative and make money at it!

2. I love food, but I hate grocery shopping! Go figure!

3. I find motherhood to be the most challenging and rewarding thing I have done in my life, so far. Being Meredith's mom is certainly harder most days than I anticipated it would be. But I wouldn't trade it for anything.

4. I wish that I would have finished college. I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up, so picking a major and working towards a career seemed impossible, at the time. It sure would have been easier if I had had a bit of life experience to guide me back then.

5. I am so thankful for my friends! As I grow older, I realize it's not the quantity of friends that I have, but the quality! And wow...I can say I have some high quality friends!

6. I am trying daily to be more faithful. I want to pray more, read the Bible more and learn more.

7. I enjoy teaching classes at our church on Sunday and Wednesday nights. Although I have worries that I am not "qualified" to do it. **Refer to #6**

8. I am proud to be married to Mark for 15 years. I joke that I was a "child bride", but wouldn't change a thing about the road that we have traveled together!

9. My weight is a daily struggle for me. I wish that it wasn't always on my mind.

10. I love American Idol, The Biggest Loser and Clean House. I guess I am sucker for "reality" tv. Somehow it makes me feel a little better about myself...seeing how messed up some people are. That's sick, isn't it?

So, there you have it! A few little nuggets of truth about me. And here's a silly photo to go along with it. It was taken by one of the Acteens girls at church!

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Sugar coated

We loved having the snow the other day. I just wish it would REALLY snow. You know, the kind we used to get when we were kids?!? I felt so bad for Meredith, though. It was a snow day AND a workday at school for me. So, she had to go to school in the snow! What a bummer. But, as soon as we got home she layered up so she could go outside. This was such a powdery, dry snow here. After rolling and jumping on the trampoline, she looked almost like she had been dusted with sugar. Hopefully, the next snow will amount to enough for school to be called off (for me too), and we can stay out and play all day.