Sunday, September 12, 2010

Weekend Trip to Baba and Papa's


Sarah's new favorite activity is .............................
playing nail salon!
She asks me just about on a daily basis if she can paint her nails. I put a towel down on the carpet, and then she goes to work. Occasionally, she will paint my nails; however, most of the time she likes to paint her own nails. She actually does a pretty good job. I guess she has a future career as a nail specialist. Is that the proper name for the ladies who paint nails at these "LV Nail" shops????



Sarah knows how much her Baba enjoys having her nails painted. So, she was eagerly anticipating the opportunity to paint Baba's nails. Baba was very pleased with her work. This is Hannah on the way back home today - eating her feet! Oh, I wish I were still that flexible!!

Daddy and Sarah Home Addition


Mark and I have thrown around the idea of building a deck on our house ever since we married; however, it just never took flight. So, after much discussing we decided to go for it. We have taken on the mind set of "wherever you are - be there". We are here, so we are enjoying it to the fullest!!!

Mark included Sarah and I in every decision. Sarah even helped him draw out a plan for the deck. She was ecstatic about helping her daddy with a wood project!

Sarah is "helping" daddy hammer nails, while he put in the footings.
They are wearing their matching Anchor Synergy t-shirts.
Safety glasses are a must!!!
Of course, Hannah has to help her daddy as well.
I must brag on my wonderfully talented husband! He built the entire deck - solo! I attempted to help him twice; however, he insisted I stop trying to help and let him do it. According to him, it was much easier without my "assistance". Okey - deokey - no problem there!!!
It's almost completed!
The girls cheering on their daddy!
Hannah taking on the clean-up process - along with her blankie - of course!

The deck is beautifully crafted and perfect for our space out back. Our backyard is 100% secluded, so it is very enjoyable having our own oasis in the backyard. The girls are thoroughly enjoying the ability to run in and out without boundaries to play.

This is the finished addition! Thank you Mark for making our home even more enjoyable! You are amazing, and your girls (all 3 of us) LOVE you!!!

Hardware Days With Daddy

We took a few family trips to the Hardware stores with Daddy during the deck project. Mark always enjoys it when he can take his girls with him to Home Depot.
Sarah is trying to help her Daddy by pulling the huge pile of bagged bark we used in the play area.
Sarah is straining to get the pile going and of course, no one is "allowed" to help!

This was another outing for some deck project material. Mark and Sarah are trying to keep up with Hannah. This is what happens when Hannah is permitted to be out of the shopping cart!
I like this picture - so cute of the three of them!

Deck pictures are coming!

Night Under The Stars

Mark brought home a projector from the office, connected it to the laptop, connected some speakers, hung a sheet up on the swing set, and turned our new deck into an "outdoor movie theater".
We sat up lawn chairs, cuddled up with blankets, played nail salon (Sarah and I - not Mark - just to clarify), and nestled in for an evening under the stars.
Hannah was awake for the pre-movie events, ice cream, then she went night-night!
We had a wonderful evening, and we look forward to many more family movie nights! I love starting new family traditions.

Hannah's Special Day

Hannah has learned about playing "hair-dresser" from her Sissy! She is just waiting on her hair to grow in so she can really play beauty shop.
This photo makes me giggle! The deal is Hannah has to be the hair-dresser or else!!!
Here we go!!! Now she's happy!!!
Hannah playing "Mommy"!!!
This was Hannah's special Baby Dedication Day at our church. Our pastor, Steve Hammack, performed the special ceremony. Mark and I acknowledge that Hannah is a gift from God, she is not ours to keep, and we made a promise to raise Hannah in a way that is biblical. We pray one day she will accept Jesus Christ as her own Lord Savior.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

First Day of School

Sarah started her first day of preschool today at Bethlehem Christian Academy (BCA). Sarah has been looking forward to this day for years. She has been asking me for almost 2 years now when she could start school. Today was the day and my heartstrings were definitely pulled!
Several weeks ago, I took her to Belk's to pick out a "first day of school" new dress.
Mark went in late to work this morning, so he could experience the excitement with us. I am so thankful he was able to be there with us. I needed his strength as we walked away with one less little set of feet.
Sarah starting her coloring page this morning at her table.
I will love you forever Sarah! I am thrilled you are able to be in a Christian learning environment with biblical standards being taught and the opportunity for you to be around other little people your age.
Sarah telling Hannah bye-bye before we left. I cannot even start processing the fact that Hannah will be here in 3 years - AAHHH!!!
Sarah's teacher's name is Mrs. Teresa, and the assistant's name is Mrs. Kristie.

Hannah and I left "Sissy" at school and met my friend at Chick-fil-A for breakfast and then had a field trip to Monroe for some antiquing time.

It is definitely strange being on this end of things as opposed to being on the teacher end. My mind wonders back to the years when I taught first grade - granted a little different than pre-k - nonetheless still leaving one's child with another adult. I hope I came across as being reassuring, patient, and understanding with the parents and children. As I drove away, I started thinking: "Oh dear, what have we done, will she be okay without us, will she remember to go potty, will she remember that I love her, will she be okay if I am the last one in the carpool line to pick her up??" I prayed as I drove away, and knew that God had her in His hands protecting her every step. God gave me the peace to move on and know that He is in control.

Before I knew it, 3 hours were gone, and I had to zip back to Bethlehem. I really enjoyed spending the morning with Hannah. I look forward to having a lot more Hannah & Mommy time.
AH - deep breath!!! Safe and sound back in my "arms"!!! She had a splendid morning! Wow - 3 hours zip by very quickly! She hopped in the van, and said, "I learned how to spell the number one." Then, proceeded to spell it for me. Later she told me her teacher read the book, "The Kissing Hand" to the class, which is what I read to her a few weeks ago in preparation for school starting.

As a mother, I want to hear ALL about the entire the day, but I am learning to be patient and get the little tid-bits as they come to mind. Hannah and I took Sarah out for lunch - her choice - so we ended up at Taco Bell. Sarah asked me what Hannah and I did while she was at school. I told her we went antiquing with my friend, and her response was , "School was a lot more fun than antiquing!" I am so glad she feels that way. So, she will go again on Friday! Right now, she has to do some homework: locate 4 circle objects in the house and bring them in to show the class and learn her bible verse: "All things were made by Him."

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!!!

Mark, Grandpa, and Sarah went out to the Gwinnett Braves Baseball Game last week. I think Grandpa was the most giddy of all of them - He loves baseball! I snapped two photos at Grandpa and Grammy's house before they left and had to make Mark promise me he would get someone to take their photos at the game for me.

Mark, Grandpa, and Sarah about to embark on a fun adventure of baseball!!!

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."
Not sure who #96 is - oh well!!!
Grandpa looks happy - This is his element!!!
I think they snapped this one right before they left. Mark said Sarah finally got bored after about 2 hours (I completely understand Sweet-Pea!)!!! So, they decided to leave; however, he said Grandpa would have stayed until the very end - sorry Grandpa!
I am thrilled they were able to experience this together! I know if I had tried to take Hannah along, we would have been home a lot sooner than 2 hours. Maybe next year Hannah will be up for it -we'll see!