We're Off...School Year 2009

Well, today officially ends the 2nd full week of school. I cannot believe it has gone by this quick. Thankfully I am able to say that the kids LOVE it. They look forward to going everyday and joyfully do their homework...right now. :)

The Tuesday before school started we had "Meet the Teacher." Before we left I prayed that God would encourage me to know that this is what we were to be doing. These were my babies who had been with me every day of their life and now I sending them off to be in the care of another. I KNOW this is what we are supposed to do but me of little faith needed another affirmation...God is good.

We met Kaibryn's teach first (Mrs. Bingham). She is very sweet. I think she could tell I was a "newby" because I kept asking questions. She said if I ever had any questions to let her know. She said that she knows how hard it is to send your kids off to school...they are your babies and you want to know that they are to be taken care of...remember the prayer I prayed that morning. Reaffirmation #1.

Next was Christopher's class. I prayed so hard for the kids teachers over the summer that there would be a special connection between them and my children. Christopher is ALL boy...hyper (all the time), finishes through things quickly (there is always something else to do or play with...and I wanted a teacher who would work with us to help him. Well, when I walked into his room tears came to my eyes. His teacher is a friend of my younger brother and used to go to our church. When I talked to her a few days before I did not recognize her married name. Reaffirmation #2.

God has been so good and faithful to this Mom of little faith at times.

Christopher & Kaibryn are both doing great. There have been a couple issues we have had to deal with but God has truly blessed us with kids who are teachable. My prayer now is that I won't look past "teachable moments."

Cooper, Kaityn and I go to "Little Sprouts Learning Center" at our church on Tuesday and Thursday. Cooper loves it & Kaityn walked into her class for the first time Thursday and did not cry. Another answer to prayer. On the first day (the first day of school for the older 2) she screamed and I walked out of the room with her...both of us in tears. She loves it though and I love going by and seeingw hat she is doing. She always talks about her friends "Dacwee" (Zachary), "Owie Tate" (Ellie Kate), "Atley" (Ashley) and "Ason" (Addison).

I teach in Cooper's class with a friend of mine. I absolutely love it. I was a little nervous at first but look forward to going each week. Cooper and one other boy are the oldest in there. He is learning that he is the leader now. He is to set the example and other kids will follow. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday I do school with him in the afternoon. He is doing so much better than I expected. He is sounding out words and learning to write his letters and numbers. I am LOVING this time with just him and look forward to it.

I have purposed in my heart that this year my kids will be sent off with a happy momma. Mornings can be hectic but we have made time before they leave to sit down, read out of the Bible and pray. They are going to be faced with alot from the world and I want them to know God's Word has the answer to any situation or problem that they will face. I want them to leave a happy home and come home to a happy home and Momma.

This is going to be a fun year and I look forward to growing and being stretched.

I also have been talked into being a homeroom Mom.....WHAT??????????!!!! Good thing I had good homeroom Moms when I was a teacher. They have set a good example for me.

Hope everyones school year is off to a great start.

Birthday Boy

Today is Christopher's 8th birthday...EIGHT!!!!!!!!! What a joy he is to our family. He is full of energy and has fun whatever he is doing. I get tired just watching him sometimes.

Here are some tidbits of information about our EIGHT year old...

Won't be long until he is taller than his Mom.
Still loves to be read to.
His Mom can almost wear his flip-flops.
He loves school.
He has never met a stranger.
Everywhere we go he makes a comment about making new friends.
Is a great big brother.
He is a leader.
He is kind.
He is obedient.
He is a big helper.
He loves OU...very important for this family.
He has a great imagination.
He At random times will just say, "Mommy, I love you."
He gets excited over anything "Star Wars."
He is tenderhearted.


There is so much about this boy to love.

Christopher, Your Mommy loves you so much. This week has been kind of bittersweet. You have spent everyday for the last 8 years with your Mommy and yesterday I took you and your sister to school for the first time. I am so proud of you and the little man you are becoming. Thank you for being a helper, a great big brother and for making Mommy laugh. I pray that this year God will continue to work in your heart and draw you to Himself. Hope you have a great day. I am so glad that God chose me to be your Mommy. I LOVE YOU!!!!!

This Week

Well...this is THE WEEK!!!!!

This is the week I have prayed about for such a long time. At the beginning of the summer I thought it was a long ways away...then June went by so quickly, then July so quickly and AHHHHHHHHHHH here we are in August.

My oldest two go to school for the first time (without their Momma). I am emotional but really feel SO GOOD and at peace at what we are doing.

With all that said, I took the kids on a surprise trip today. They had all kinds of guesses...the zoo, a museum, "Sand Antonio" (that would be Cooper)...a movie...etc. A few weeks ago my friend told me about a place in Edmond called "Unpluggits." It is a play place that has a huge playing area which includes a pirate ship, a two story play "thing" (nice wording) that you can climb through and slide on, a sand/water table, and dress up clothes. There is also an "art" section. The kids were able to paint, play with play dough, puppets, chalk, stamps and other crafty things. We didn't do the "other" crafty things because those were not included in the cost. I was not sure how long we would be there but ended up being there from about 10 to 2. My kids had a great time. I would highly recommend this place.

This being THE WEEK. I have something fun planned everyday...maybe too much with all that is going on ... we will see.

Not only is this THE WEEK for school but also THE WEEK my baby turns 8!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!? More on this later.

Sweet Friends

Yesterday on my facebook I got a message from my friend Courtney who said to come see her when we got to church. I just thought it was to give me the sippy cup we left at their house earlier in the week.

NOPE...

When I went to go see her this is what she gave me...








She is so talented. These cookies tasted great as well.

These are our friends who had Kaibryn in their Sunday School class when she was 3. They are HUGE OSU fans and we are HUGE OU fans. Every week Kaibryn's art project was sent home with something orange on it...on purpose. So I'm thinking the orange ribbons around the cookies was intentional.

That's OK. She is a sweet friend so I won't hold that against her. :)

Fried Okra Salad

I just read a blog and someone asked her what okra was????? Are you kidding me...okra. LOVE it. It reminded me of a recipe that my sister-in-law Lindsay gave me (hope she doesn't mind me sharing it). It is WONDERFUL so I thought I'd share it with my faithful readers...haha!!!!! ENJOY!!!

1 1/2 lbs. breaded frozen okra
Vegetable oil for frying
2 lg. tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/w green bell pepper, diced
1 bunch green onions, diced
6 slicers bacon, cooked and crumbled

DRESSING:
1/2 C. vegetable oil
1/4 C. sugar
1/4 C. distilled white vinegar

Fry okra in vegetable oil according to package directions; drain on paper towels. In a medium bowl, combine okra, tomatoes, bell pepper, green onions, and bacon. In a small saucepan, combine oil, sugar, and vinegar. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves. Pour over okra mixture, tossing gently to coat. Serve immediately.

School Supplies

Every year, beginning the first week in August, I have this picture of Wal-Mart and Target being a ZOO because everyone is buying their school supplies. And every year I would make a mental note to myself to remember when I am getting my kids supplies (which at that time seemed FOREVER away & here it is) to get them early and not wait.

Well, I remembered and this weekend school supplies were bought. Honestly, it was kind of fun. Kaibryn went with us to get them. The boys HATE shopping so they were happy to stay home. I have never bought so many pencils, crayons & glue sticks at one time. It was still pretty crowded but we were able to get everything that we needed.

So here they are. Now the goal for the next few weeks is to keep little fingers away from them!!!!!!!!!!!

A Change of Seasons

I have NEVER dealt well with change in my life...well, major changes. In a few short weeks I will be entering a new season of my life as a Mother. My older two will be heading off to school. They will be attending the school that is in our neighborhood. This week has been extremely emotional for me as I have been filling out paperwork and making plans for them to have the needed shots (I fell a little behind on those...oops!!!). My babies are not babies anymore. I am so excited for them and know they will absolutely love it and do well. But as a Mother my heart is being ripped apart because for the past 7 years Christopher and Kaibryn have been with me day in and day out. I have always been there. But now it is time for them to go to school.

I have always gone to a private school and to be honest with you the thoughts of sending my kids to a public school has scared me to death. But this is the path that the Lord has led us on and we are going to obey. The Lord has taught me alot over the past several months about my role in this world. I am to love the Lord with all my heart and soul and love my neighbor. Yes. My priority is first to my family. But what about my neighbor?

I tend to get caught up in my own little world within the four walls of my home and not look out at the people around me who are lost or hurting. Yes. I am a mom of four. I stay at home. We go to church. We are not involved in alot of outside activity where I am around the lost. And sad to say, I don't know alot of lost people. Over and over God keeps reminding me that my life is NOT about Keli...what makes Keli comfy...what is easy for Keli. The Christian life is not easy and God never says it is. He just promises us that He will never leave us and that when Keli is weak then He is strong and He will equip me for whatver situation I face.

I prayed and prayed over the spring and summer that if God wanted us to send our kids to a private school that He would provide the money. I probably drove by a school 4 or 5 times a week and just prayed. That prayer was never answered. The phrase that kept ringing in my heart was "too easy." When I have stopped and prayed it was like God said that if we sent our kids to school there it would be "easy" for me. "Easy" because I would already know people. "Easy" because most people already went to church somewhere. "Easy" because most people talk openly about the Lord. God has not called Keli to an "easy" life.

Sending my kids to a public school is a huge step of faith for me and will be a time of stretching for me as well. Those of you who know me well know that I am not a very outgoing person. Chris tells me I am "SAD" (Social Anxiety Disorder). I do tend to panic in a group of people especially those I don't know...my heart races...I start sweating...and in my head I am constantly trying to figure out what I am going to say next...I'M WEIRD!!!!!!!! :) I really think that God has prepared my heart the past few months for the months ahead. I can honestly say I am excited (don't get me wrong...still nervous) about getting to meet new people and allowing Christ to use me to show His love to others. It is not going to be easy one bit for me but God is reminding me over and over that He will be faithful to be strong in my weaknesses and that I am just to walk with Him and allow His love, kindness, people skills, words to flow through me to everyone I come in to contact with.

Another change I am facing is...I have a job.

A few months ago I had a friend who taught at the "Little Sprouts Learning Center" at our church. She asked if I would be interested in teaching and that I should think about it. I did think it would be a good way to help earn some extra money for our family but prayed that if God wanted me to do this HE would have to allow it to basically fall in my lap. I really didn't think about it any more past that.

Last week I got a message on facebook from the director of "Little Sprouts" saying that some people had given her my name and asked if I was interested. I talked to Chris and began praying specifically for 3 things. I asked her some questions and in her answers those three things I prayed for were answered. I went and filled out an application, had an interview and got the job. It is only 2 days a week and Cooper will be in the class I will be working in. Once again, God has placed me in a ministry position where I am going to have to give Him all my weaknesses and He will show Himself strong. I will be in contact with people who don't know Him. It will be difficult for me but I know that all He asks is that I am obedient and He will do the rest.

All this to say there is a change of season coming. I am excited and nervous at the same time. It is time for Keli to grow up and to look outside the four walls of my safe little home at the world that God has placed me in.

By the way, I know most of the people who read this are just a few family members and friends. If and when you think of me pray for the Momma who is sending her babies off to school.