Trick-or-Treat

We had the whole evening planned....the kids were going to dress up, we were going to take them out to dinner, and then trick-or-treating to a few homes before band practice. That was all before the day fell apart. Doug took the truck for the emissions test and it failed....$200 later it is working fine. Then, as the lady from the water company was reading the meter, we realized we had a leak going into the house. The plumber has been at our house since 12:00 and has left us with a big hole in the yard to go and get a part that he broke. I think he may be on dinner break. He estimated the cost to be $600-700. Needless to say, since we are without water, Doug ran to Zaxby's and the kids and I are going to go to my cousin's house to do a little trick-or-treating. I feel as if all the tricks have been on us today. I will say that I am thankful for an emergency fund....

I am blessed!!!

Today has been one of those days that I have been just counting my blessings. I have so much to be thankful for and at times I find myself taking my blessings for granted. I am blessed with a wonderful husband and 2 healthy children, a great family and the best friends in the world. I am blessed to have such a rewarding job that offers me great flexibility to be involved with my children. I am blessed to be a part of CATR and seeing lives changed for eternity. I am blessed because I have some quiet time to read before getting the kids. I am blessed! Thank you God for all of the wonderful blessings in my life!

Feeling like a duck

I have felt like a duck the last few days....but I am very thankful. I have been in and out of my car a 100 times doing home visits, going to the school, and buying and returning items for the Fall Festival. It seemed every time I turned the car off to get out, the bottom fell out. Of course, I would always park next to a 3 inch water puddle. A friend of Ashleigh's told me yesterday that my pants looked like they had the chicken pox from all the rain drops. An umbrella would have been nice, but the 2 or 3 that are always in my car are nowhere to be found. Anyway, I am so thankful that God has provided some much needed rain.

Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Here is a soup that my family enjoys. It is so easy and was given to me by a friend from church.

5 2/3 cups of water
1 pkg. Uncle Ben's Long grain and wild rice mix
1 envelope chicken noodle soup mix
1 celery chopped
1 carrot chopped
1/3 cup chopped onions ( I leave this out...Doug hates onions)
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup cubed boiled chicken
Combine water, rice, seasoning packet (from rice) and soup mix. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in celery, carrot and onion. Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in chicken soup and chicken. Cook until rice and vegetables are tender.
Enjoy!!!

Spirit Week Over

Today is the last day of Spirit Week and tonight is the Homecoming Game. We definitely have team spirit. We painted Ryan and Ashleigh's hair and faces blue and white. It has been a fun week but I am glad it is over :)!

Dentist

Well, I had a dentist appointment yesterday. I hate going to the dentist. They always try to talk to you like you are in a position to talk back. Anyway, it doesn't matter what I do, I usually have a cavity or need some kind of work. I was cavity free this time...Yeah!!! Of course, they didn't do x-rays so who knows what could be going on. I do need a crown but we are waiting until after the first of the year since I have maxed out my insurance for 07. I left feeling pretty good. Doug goes today so I hope the good reports continue.

Wednesday....almost Friday

This has been a different week. Last night we had the Elementary Homecoming/Powder Puff game at school. The kids wanted to go to see their friends...well, Ashleigh wanted to go see her friends and Ryan just wanted to play football behind the goal post with a bunch of boys. Today was Disney Character Day and Ashleigh went as Minnie Mouse and Ryan was a pirate. They are having a great time dressing up but it has made getting homework done a little more difficult. We are having a hard time staying focused this week....I wonder why? Band practice got cancelled tonight...Yeah!! I don't' mean that in a bad way. It was just a welcomed break with the crazy week we are having. Tomorrow Ryan and Ashleigh are dressing up as Royalty and Friday is Spirit Day. We will be covered in Blue and White. Well, I had better get Ryan in so he can study for his Science test...there is a lot to know about flowers and state birds :).

Spirit Week

We finished the poster for Ashleigh's class for Spirit Week tonight. There is nothing like waiting unitl the last minute. The theme this year is " A Ramtastic Voyage" and we had to design it around a cruise theme. The elementary posters are presented and judged during the Podwer Puff Game on Tuesday night. Ryan and Ashleigh get to dress up everyday and tomorrow is Aloha Day. We had to bring out the grass skirts and board shorts. These weeks are always a lot of fun, but stressful at the same time.

Pumpkin Patch

This past Saturday, we took our annual trip up to Elijay to Burt's Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard. We had a great time and the weather was beautiful. We couldn't have asked for a better day. I can honestly say that I have never seen the pumpkins as big as they were this year. They must have been given some Miracle Grow. The kids always have a blast finding the perfect pumpkin to bring home. We were unable to do to the Hay Ride...no one wanted to wait 2 hours. The Apple Festival was going on in Elijay so everyone else was also checking out the pumpkins. I highly recommend Burt's...we always enjoy ourselves. It is also a beautiful ride up there.

Room Mom

I don't know how, but I did it again. I agreed to be room mom for Ashleigh's class. I love volunteering and I am at everything but I am not good at being the one in charge; however I am the one sitting here trying to compose the letter for the upcoming Fall Festival. Delegating is not my strength but I am learning. October is probably the busiest month of the year at school. We have Spirit Week in which I have to design a poster for our class (I will be recruiting Doug for some help on that one) and then we have our big Fall Festival. I love all these events but sometimes I get a little overwhelmed just thinking about it. Ryan and Ashleigh love it so it makes it all worth while. Well, I better get back to composing the letter so I will have some help at the Fall Festival :).

Movie

The kids are out of school today and tomorrow for a short Fall Break. I took them to see the new Disney move, The Game Plan. It was so cute. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. It was probably one of the cuter movies I have seen in awhile. I even had tears at the end. Anyway, if you are looking for a cute movie for the family, I recommend this one. Ryan and Ashleigh really enjoyed it.

Sunday

Today has already been a great day. We seemed to have a really good crowd this morning and we started a series geared toward men...Warriors. I think it really touched home for some men. Ashleigh just beat me in Yahtzee...I don't like to lose. We are now settling down to rest before small group. I love Sundays.

Ryan...The Policeman

Ryan has been saying for years that he wants to be a police officer when he grows up. He is going to go to Georgia Tech to become a policeman (we're not sure the two go together). Last night while waiting for Ashleigh to get out of dance, he witnessed a man being chased and caught on foot by two officers. Needless to say, it really scared him. He was shaking and ready to leave immediately. He told me that he wasn't sure about being a policeman anymore. In fact, he said if he was one of the officer's he would have told the other one to go after him. He said he is going to think about being something else. When he prayed before going to bed, he asked God to be with the man that was running from the police and he also prayed that the man would come to know Jesus. Tears welled up in my eyes....I think God may have other plans for Ryan.

Yada Yada

A friend from church loaned me the Yada Yada Prayer Group books and I am addicted. I have found myself challenged and convicted. I relate to the main character in more ways that I would like to admit. Anyway, if you are looking for a good series to read, I highly recommend these. Well, I am off to finish my papework so I can finish the 2nd book :).

Perspective

I have tried to blog over the last few days, but have been at a loss for words with the passing of Casey (a 6 year old little boy that passed away after being diagnosed with cancer 2 1/2 weeks ago). His funeral was today and my heart just breaks for his family. When things like this happen, it puts life into perspective. I have been hugging my kids a lot tighter. Please pray for his family.