Just keep swimming...

Oh the joys of this time of year and getting your Master's. There is so much going on and all I want to do is make crafts and decorate. I have to constantly remind myself that we are doing what God has told us to do, but sometimes Wade and I are both ready to quit! I am just feeling overwhelmed with school deadlines, household chores, church obligations and trying to be a good wife and mom - somedays everything falls and other days I can juggle a few things well. I try to work ahead on so many things but it doesn't happen enough. I need a clone or two to get this all done! Sorry, I had to get that out, now I have to start on another paper. Hope your stress level is manageable!

Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day and what would have been my dad's 71st birthday. I used to think it was cool he was born on Veteran's Day and was a veteran and told him once, he then said, "It wasn't Veteran's Day when I was born, that happened many years later" I couldn't believe it! My thoughts were that holiday's were created in the beginning of time! Anyway - I am very thankful for those who have served. I have a heritage of military service, my grandfather was in the Navy and fought in WWII, my dad was in the Army and served during the cold war as did my brother, my husband served in the Army and fought during Iraqi Freedom, his dad was in the Army and fought in Vietnam as well as his grandfather in WWII. I was certain I was not going to marry a guy in the military because I didn't want that lifestyle but God had other plans. And I am so glad He did. I loved our 8 years in the Army and cannot wait for Wade to get back in. I love the Army lifestyle and God has given us a burden to serve them. So today I salute my husband and all those who have served. I am thankful for our freedoms that so many have paid such sacrifices for my freedom.

Trick or Treat!

We had a busy weekend of the pumpkin patch (no pics right now because it wasn't my camera) Gatlinburg and the trunk or treat at church. Today the girls stayed home from school because of viral junk they have had, Mackenzie has an ear infection and I had a migraine all day. So we have taken it easy all day. They have tomorrow off as wekk due to a teacher workday. it hink it is good for them to get the rest though.

Pictures and boredom

I am in class right now and cannot concentrate so I decided to post a few pictures of my babies! Wow these pictures are all over the place! Let me try and explain them: 1. A sweet girl who goes to the college here in town is an amazing photographer and took this of my girls 2. Renah's first day of school - she was so excited! 3. and 4. both taken by the same girl as the first one - love her work!(and the subjects!) 5. Ainsley's first day - not quite as excited as Renah in fact she cried and she has never done that before. It nearly broke my heart! 6. At church on game day in her TN shirt (no we are not Tn fans but it was what we could find!) &. mackenzie on game day in her cheerleading uniform - her poppa really wanted to get it for her and she was so cute in it!

We are thankfully going out of town for staff retreat this weekend. We didn't get to take a vacation this year so we need some time away! Nana is keeping the girls for 3 days for Wade and I and next weekend we have a chaplain candidate retreat also in Gatlinburg and actually in the same cabin as the one this weekend but we are taking the girls with us then. I am just excited to get away for a few days!

It's almost break time!! I am having a difficult time listening due to the subject matter - it's theology and this overloads my brain. I am not wired for this!

2nd try

Mackenzie Grace turns 1!

Today Mackenzie turned one and she celebrated in style! Hopefully the pictures from Face book post! If not I will try later. She has 6 teeth and is walking and is still one of the sweetest babies ever! We are so blessed to have her in our lives.

Whoosh!

Did you see that? That was July and really the whole summer speeding by! I don't know what happened, I fell asleep and woke up and school was starting again. My Ainsley started 2nd grade and today my Renah had her phase in day for kindergarten! Yes, I cried both days! We had a busy summer, we moved into a different neighborhood and into a house with A/C!!! We were roasting and with the heat climbing lately into the 100's I am so glad we are out of the old house. The day we moved out it was 115 upstairs!
The new house is in a new school district and I think I'm having a harder time adjusting than the girls. I miss the old school and their policies but I know I will adjust. We are really enjoying the new place and while it is roomy it is smaller than the last place but feels very homey. Wade is doing some shuttling for the college and my older girls are as I said in school so it is just Mackenzie and me today. I did a few things is morning but am about to get started on some cleaning, I just wanted to take a few minutes while Mac enjoys her snack to update my blog. Here are some pictures of the first day of school and one of my little Mackenzie. (I wish it would upload the same way I put them in!)