Best Friend Day

Today Bob, Ellie, and I met up with Meg, Josh, and Eme for some Holiday World fun. Ellie had never been to HW, and I wanted to go before it got too hot this summer. This was a great time to go. It was not really that crowded nor too hot. Ellie and Eme had a great time. They especially loved the water park. I think they could have stayed in their all day.

First ride of the day

Waiting for the boys and the girls to get off the train

Riding the rollercoaster (her favorite ride)

Mid afternoon nap after the waterpark

All smiles when she saw Santa

On our way home we stopped by the Overlook to eat in Leavenworth

Time for Ear Piercing

Today I finally took Maddie to get her ears pierced. I was right on it as soon as I could with Ellie, but for some reason with Maddie I never got around to it. She did pretty good. She only cried a little. After we were done, Ellie said, "Maddie sure was a cry baby." She did not say much else when I told her that Maddie cried less than she did when she got hers done. :)

All done, doesn't know what to think

Devestation

Just when I thought that this crazy spring weather was over, more devastation occurred today. Joplin, Missouri was hit really bad by an F5 tornado. The pictures are phenomenal at the path. There is NOTHING left.

Soccer

It seemed liked this six week soccer ordeal was an eternity. Because of all the rain this spring, this was the sport that never ends. One week we played four games. Ellie was not a big fan. I think a lot of that can be contributed to the fact that she has no social skills. Outside of "Bible Jesus" she never is really around a lot of kids. She didn't mind kicking the ball as long as there was no one else around. I can see now that preschool is going to be more important than we thought.

Something else that did not help was the fact that we did not have any coaches. Really-parents had to go out on the field to try to keep the kids moving and line them up. I am not sure how much you can teach a 3 year old, but there were plenty of teams that had kids on them that looked to have developed some fundamental basics of soccer.

She was proud of her medal

29...

AND HOLDING.

Visit from the Congressman

I have been working all year to get a political figure to come to my classroom and visit my students. It finally happened today. Congressman Todd Young (who is our 9th district representative of IN) came to speak to my government students today. It was such a nice opportunity for my students to get to hear him speak. Regardless of political party it was nice for them to hear that what they think matters. I want to send my students out into the world more politically minded and willing to make a difference-if even by just placing a vote.

I sure hope that I can get some more political leaders next year.

Prom

WOW! I don't think I have ever been this excited about prom. I have been the sponsor of the class of 2012 since they came to SHS and they have finally reached junior year-which make Ashlee (co-sponsor) and I prom planners. The class is so laid back and really did not care what was ordered or where we went.

Ashlee and I wanted to have the prom somewhere different the the "normal" place they always have prom. So we chose the KYEs, which was an excellent choice. The place was beautiful. They did chose the theme "A Night in Central Park." Which turned out quite nicely.

Ashlee and I by the fountain outside

Liz and I (Loved her dress)

My work posse

Crowning Laura as Q

Too much fun with the photo booth

We love Debbie and all her craziness

So dramatic :)

Serious pose
Crazy pose
Chad didn't get the prompt :)
Really gonna miss this group

Happy 50th Jerry Lee

Today, Derby Day we had Jerry Lee's 50th birthday party at our house. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time with friends and family. It is nice that we are starting to get together more often with the Zollmans.

The awesome cake Lindsey Wolfe made

This was a huge hit with the kids

And the adults

Praying

Wow, I have seen a lot of destruction around the world in my lifetime, but never I have felt like it has been this close. Last night we had a pretty severe threat of tornadoes in the area (it has been a very active April). As they moved closer, something odd happened. The energy was sucked right out of them as they came into our area. But little did I know where all that energy was going until late last night.

Hundreds of people lost their homes, security, and their lives in a matter of a few hours. A massive tornado cleared a path through Tuscaloosa right around 3:00. The timing was good for many people because they were not in their destroyed homes, because they were at work.

They have so much clean up ahead of them. I am sending prayers and at the same time thanking God for keeping us safe.

Maddie's First Easter

What a nice and relaxing Easter. We got up and went to church, which the service was great as always. Then we went to Nanny's. Did I mention that yesterday I was at Kohl's trying to find Easter dresses. That was a total disappointment. There was a lady in Scottsburg that made pillowcase dresses. I could not find any matches dresses for the girls (and I really wanted them to match for Maddie's first Easter). So I ordered the custom dresses mid-February. I told her that I needed them by Easter. So I didn't think much about it considering Easter was at the end of April. So about two weeks before I sent her a message asking about when I could pick them up. She did not return my message until Friday before Easter saying that she was sorry they would not be done in time. WHAT! I was completed disappointed. Then she topped it off by messaging me on Saturday telling me that they would be ready Monday sometime. Really, like she was going to work on Easter. SO needless to say I had to settle on some pretty cute dress, even if they did not match. But I remembered that Easter is not about dresses but Jesus.

Maddie and Nanny

My beautiful Ellie

Hunting eggs

Sleepy head

I can never get a good picture of the two of us

Easter Saturday

Because of a lot of odd circumstances, we had Easter festivities at Bob and Janet's tonight. It was great. This was the first time since Bob and I have been married that all of us actually got to eat dinner together as a family.

Ellie with Easter basket number one

The girls and Aunt Tricia

Maddie and Grandma

The girls love RY-RY

Notice how Ellie is NOT thrilled about dyeing eggs

After we left Bob and Janet's, we decided to go ahead and celebrate Easter at Mom and Dad's too. That way the kids (who were both awake) could enjoy their time. Normally we go there after Nanny's, and we have to wake Ellie up. We got to stay and visit also.

Ellie checking out her "cool" stuff

love this outfit and my little cutie

Maddie with her Memaw

Maddie's new toy at Memaw's house

When we got home, Melvin and Donna were waiting to give the girls their Easter baskets. Donna filled them both up with lots of goodies. The girls sure do love their Aunt and Uncle.

Maddie and her Uncle Mel

I don't know who enjoyed catching bubbles more...Ellie or Chloe.

A Decade

Ten years ago today, I met my wonderful husband for the first time. I had known who he was but I never really talked to him. I am so glad that he put my number in his pocket and...actually called.

What a great decade it has been, and I look forward to the next one.

LOVE YOU BOB :)

Storm Day

We have had a very violent spring. Last night so storms came through (a few tornadoes are unconfirmed) and several of our buildings are without power. So we have a storm day. Yet another day to make up at the end of the year.

But on another note, I am glad that everyone is safe. These storms looked really ugly on the radar. I have never see a squall line to defined, intense, or mirroring a snake like this one did last night.

The Lord kept us safe yet again.

Vera Bradley

This weekend is one of my favorites of the year. Susan, Shelby, and I have recently created a tradition of going to Fort Wayne to the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale. It is crazy madness, but we love it.

Shelby and I all smiles on Saturday waiting in line

The line on Saturday at noon looked to be brutal, but actually we only had to wait about 30 minutes inside (last year we waited about two hours in a misty rain) until we were able to go in. Wow the patterns they had were way better than last year, but the prices were a little higher.

Saturday night we ate at an amazing Asian Restaurant, best by far I have ever had!

Sunday morning we got up around 4:30 and headed to the coliseum to get in line. The doors would not open until 7:00. But with a little breakfast and lots of layers, we stayed pretty warm and the time pasted quite fast. Then we had to wait from 7-10 inside waiting for them to open the doors into the sale. We were probably about 100 people back. There were many tents up when we got there at 5:00 am.

Shelby being entertained while waitingAt least we were close to a bathroom :)Leaving with our goods.
We could not fit one more bag in the back of Sue's truck!

Cuteness

Maddie Update

Maddie weighted in yesterday at 12 lb 7 oz and she grew 2.5 inches to be 24.5 in long. She was so funny, especially when she was kicking herself out of the scale and then doing toe touches on the exam table.

She was not however so peppy after she received two shots :(

4 months

Maddie turned four months last week, and I am starting to get sad. We have pretty much come to agreement that we are done having kids. We are thinking forward in ten years when we have an 11 and 13 year old girl and that scares us :) But I as I watch Maddie hit all those new milestones it is sad to think that will be the last time we get to experience that first (unless God has other plans). So here is what's new with Maddie Pattie :)

* You are growing and chuncking up quite nicely (we will not have official numbers until next week).
* You started cereal last week and at first was a little apprehensive, had a three day constipation phrase, but now you have adjusted well and love it.
* You are "talking" and laughing more each day.
* You is still sleeping through the night. You normally goe down about 10:30 and I wake you up to feed about 6:00 (on the weekends you tends to sleep in a little longer-just last week it was 8:00).
* I am still nursing in the afternoon, night, and early morning. Which I love and do not want to give up yet (one of the things I will never experience again ): )
* You are in size 1-2 diapers but I think you may be moving up soon.
* You are in size 0-3 months (unless it is a one piece and then you are too long) and 3 months clothes. But hopefully you can fit in your cute 6 month clothes soon.
* You love watching your sister, as long as it is from a distance. You get made when she is in your face.
* Laying on your mat is your favorite thing to do at night. You can reach and play with all the hanging toys.
* Rollie Pollie could be your nickname. You can twist and roll and pivot your way to anywhere in a room.
* You recognize your name really well now.
* You also want your mommy a lot if I am around. As long as you can not see me your are fine.
* You are a great traveler and we never hear a sound from you in the car.

I will post your updated stats after your doctor's appt.