How I am Feeling Right NOW

I have really been tested this past week on how I handle things. As everyone knows Kane is laid off and has been since November. Well, we had hopes that things were working out. Long story short, he takes the test for Conroe Police Department, finds out he is 11 out of over 200 on the hiring list. Well, we find out from someone else, who found out from someone else that they are only hiring 5. Of course I get discouraged, I go through all the motions of losing faith in everything we have done and thinking we made the worst decision in our life. I then have to overcome a family situation. I personally have had the worst three years of my life. I went through alot of ups and downs, more downs then ups. I almost lost the best thing that has ever happened to me...my husband. I have a good friend, Beth, that told me we needed to go back to church. I am so glad she did. I have been able to work on my relationship with my friends, my husband, my family, and most of all with him. But...this past week has really tested my faith in HIM!!! I do not want to GIVE UP, I do not want to LOSE FAITH, I do not want to think he would have given us this choice if it was NOT the RIGHT one!! I have heard this song at least five times since Tuesday. It has helped me to remember even though there are things that are DRIVING ME CRAZY RIGHT NOW because I can not control it, he does know exactly what he is doing and I have to have FAITH that things will work out. One way or another, everything will work out!!!

Lily's 3rd Birthday

I can't believe my baby girl is 3 years old!!! It is crazy to know that in 2 years she will be going to kindergarten:( Well this year we decide not to do a big family birthday party. Well, Lily ended up with 3 birthday celebrations!!!

Her birthday started off at 6:30 in the morning. We got Lily the dollhouse she has been asking for. I had to go to work that day, so we didn't want to make her wait till I got home from work to let her open her presents. Therefore, we woke her up at 6:30 to open presents.

She was so happy to finally get her dollhouse!!!

That evening we went to Shogun for dinner!! They gave her a pineapple boat for her birthday. She loved it:)

Saturday night we went to BJ's restaurant with some friends and family for her 2nd birthday celebration. Here she is dressed up like a princess for her princess dinner. My mom, her nana, came into town, along with her Aunt Wendy, Warren, and Uncle Bruce.
Lily with her princess birthday cake!!!

Isabel and Jon also joined us for dinner that night. Lily's just adores Isabel and Jon. My friend from work Linda brought her daughter Valeria to Lily's princess dinner!!

Lily's friend Valeria.

Lily's 3rd birthday celebration was at her Aunt Wendy's house. Kane's side of the family came to that birthday celebration.

Lily getting ready to open her presents.

Lily with her princess cake that Kane's mom made.

Lastly, ALL the kiddos on Kane's side of the family.

Colten, Lily, Cody, Avery, Ryder

I think this had to be Lily's best birthday yet. She was actually counting the days down. Each day she would wake up and ask, "Is it my birthday yet?" Not sure what I am going to do next year to top this one. I may keep it low key again. I will however, go all out for her 5th birthday. To me that is a HUGE milestone. It's a whole new chapter in my little baby girl's life!!!

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate Lily's birthday!!!

What I MAKE!!!

5 Minute Friday

Want to join me? 1. Write for only five minutes. 2. Link back here and invite others to join in.

Today's 5 minute is.....WAKING UP!!! Ready Set Go... When I think of waking up, I think of my alarm clock going off at 5:30. I commute a hour to work so I am up before the crack of dawn. I have to hit my alarm clock at least 3 times before I get out of bed. So, I actually get up around 5:50 or so. I HATE HATE waking up. I could seriously sleep forever. I usually wake up next to my sweet 3-year old. Yes...I am that mom that has her 3-year old still IN bed with her. It has been rough. We have tired many different methods to get her to sleep in her own bed...we have not been successful yet!!! When I get up I kiss my daughter and my husband Good Morning and then its off to get ready:) Right now when I think of Waking up...I am thinking about being able to sleep in tomorrow and not waking up till...let's see 9:00am...maybe...

Stop!!!

Now Go Link up!!!

In LOVE with this Song

I have heard this song before, but this evening on my way home I heard it and made ALL the crazy stuff that has happened this week much BETTER!!! After working 12 hours today, grades being due, changes for next year, Kane being laid off, and a hour drive home, I was beat. But when this song came on....ALL my worries went right out the door!!! I LOVE the way this song makes me feel...I hope that when you listen to it, it makes ALL your worries go right out the door too...ENJOY!!!

5 Minute Friday

I know I am a day late but, I really like this 5 Minute Friday...so here goes....
I Feel the most LOVED....when I am at home with Lily and Kane. Kane was laid off in November, so he has been a stay at home dad for almost 5 months. He is a great stay-at-home dad, I tell him every day maybe he is doing what he is supposed to do!!! He doesn't buy it. Well, I have enjoyed every minute him being home. I come home to a clean house, dinner cooked, daughter taken care of and dishes done. He has really done so much the last 5 months. I enjoy being able to come home and enjoy him and Lily without having to worry about dinner or cleaning.
Lily's birthday was this past Thursday. I can't believe she is 3...I have a 3 year old. But I have loved every minute of the last 3 years. I love seeing her grow into a bright little lady.
I feel the most loved when I am at home with Kane and Lily:)I feel the most loved when I am at church worshiping the Lord.I feel the most loved when I get to wake up everyday to the most precious gift from god...Lily!!I feel the most loved when after even 10 years, my husband tells me he loves me more than the day he married me!!!
Okay time....I got off alittle from the actual topic...but its true since my husband has been laid off, our relationship has changed so much. We both have learned to really appreciate each other and ALL the things we both do!!!
So, I hope you have enjoyed my Late 5 Minute Friday...well Saturday:)

I leave you with a picture of my birthday girl!!

Nature Trails

In the post The Woods I told you that I taught outside to our 3rd graders at Nature Trails. Well every year, our ONE and ONLY field trip is to Nature Trails. The students get the chance to explore Simple Machines out in Nature. It is alot of fun, but alot of work on us teachers. The kiddos have a blast at it:) Unfortunately, I can not post any pictures of the kiddos, so I will leave you with this one.....

The students had to use a compass to navigate through a series of questions. Yes, compasses are not simple machines, but it still is a tool the students must know how to use!!!

I wish sometimes I could teach outside everyday. It is a good change from teaching inside all day!!!