4th of July Weekend

Just bear with me, I've got a lot of catching up to do.



This year, as usual, we spent the 4th of July weekend at the lake with my parents and other close relatives. We had a cabin full, but it was a lot of fun. The more the merrier. Ella and Lucy especially love being the center of attention. We skiied, swam and rode in the boat. It was a very relaxing weekend. I need another one like it very soon. The only negative to the weekend was that the big fireworks display in Paris was rained out. The girls were pretty disappointed, but after a long day on the water they were so tired they just fell asleep and forgot they missed out on the big event.

This is Lucy laughing at Pops because he fell skiing. Isn't she so nice?

My Dad before he fell. He's still got it!

My handsome baby brother.

John Paul showing off.

Erik skiing.

My Birthday

At the beginning of August I turned 32. 32 is a rather nondescript birthday. No special fanfare, no big hurrahs. But there was something about this birthday that made me sad. I don't know that I've figured out exactly what it was, but I cried off and on all day on my birthday. I don't know if, after all these years, I finally figured out that the world really did not stop because it was my special day. Or maybe it was the fact that I worked for almost 9 hours that day trying to decorate a preschool room. OR, just maybe it was that my first born was starting Kindergarten the next day. Whatever it was effected me in ways I was not prepared for.



But as I've learned, the show must go on. And on it went. At the end of the week Erik and I went with my sister and her husband and our friends the Williams to Benihana for a fun dinner. I had such a great time and it definately made up for a "sad" birthday.

Me and my little sister

amanda and me

my favorite part of Benihana--the firey volcano

The girls and I eat my favorite birthday cake. Angel Food with strawberries and cream.

Ella poses beside the birthday gift my sister and brother gave me. Isn't she so stinkin' cute?

Lucy's First Day of Preschool

Lucy's first day of 3-year old preschool at TCA was a lot easier on Mommy than Ella's first day of preschool. I guess it helped that I was with her all day. It also was an easy transition since Lucy already knew her teacher and LOVES her. Mrs. Joy was my teacher when I was Lucy's age. I am so happy that we decided to put her in 5 days. It's been a big adjustment for us all, but she is going great.

Lucy is a natural comedien. She loves to entertain and likes that she has 9 other friends to play with everyday. It's just perfect for my Lulu. My sweet angel that makes us smile and laugh every day. I love you Lucy! There's no doubt you are going to do great things one day. My angel sent from heaven.

Lucy in the green dress that she HAD to have!

All the children were supposed to bring their favorite stuffed animal. Lucy chose Buzz Lightyear since she is absolutely attached to Buzz and her two Woody the Cowboy dolls.

Ella's First Day of Kindergarten

Just as many of my best friends did this year, I sent my first baby off to Kindergarten 2 weeks ago. The day before I was so emotional. I cried off and on all day long. For most of the day I could not figure out why I was so sad. It was my birthday and I should have been thrilled. But I wasn't and it was evident. By the end of the day I figured out that it was a mixture of the stress from my new "part-time" job and the fact that my baby is growing up so quickly.

It's hard to even believe that she is old enough to go to school. It seems just like yesterday that she was born. Wow! Do I love that girl! She is so beautiful, smart and loving. She is just perfect.

I have to add, its was great sending her to Tipton Christian Academy this year. I love being able to watch her during the day. It's like being that proverbial fly on the wall.

"THE" backpack-mommy loathes, Ella loves

Ella picked out Daddy's shirt so that they could be "twinkies."

Ella, Mrs. Beverly and best friend Mary Gracen

I am Proud

1. I am going to be an Aunt. I am SO excited! My sister Rebecca and her husband Tommy are expecting in April. It's been a while since we've had a baby to hold, so we are all thrilled. Congratulations you two.

2. Big day at the swimming pool today. Ella finally mastered diving. She now dives as if she is taking off for an olympic swim meet. It's awesome to watch her. I am so proud. And Lucy, totally out of the blue, started jumping in from the side. We begged her to do it all summer and she wouldn't. And then, to just top off the day, she took her floaties off and started swimming. I mean really, really swimming. Head under water, kicking her feet and using her hands. It was a great day.

I don't regret my afternoon at all, but I now have a 4-K art project to finish and a center rotation chart to create. Oops! Probably not the most effecient use my day. But the memories are going to be awesome!

These two girls make me the happiest, proudest mommy in the world!

I'm a Survivor

I think that I have literally put in close to 80 hours getting my new preschool room ready over the past 2 weeks. That might not seem like much to you, but my teaching job is only part time. That means that I have already worked 4 weeks----and school has not even begun yet! Wow! I am tired.

My feet ache, my back hurts and I can't sleep at night due to my mind reeling with the next thing I have to do. But you know what? It's wonderful. I have had so much fun. The best part is that my mom has been right there with me the whole time. I think she is sort of sad it's over. We both love a project--and this has been one huge project!

I have to brag on Erik, too. Not only has he put in his fair share of hours at school, but he has basically been Mr. Mom this week. He has been wonderful! I could not have made it through this transition without him.

A shout-out to my dad, too! Thanks for building my "Reading Rodeo." It was a hit today at Orientation. --pictures to come.

So, time to get back in the swing of a "normal" life. I will eventually have to go to the grocery again and I think my house might need to be cleaned. I finished off the pile of ironing tonight and finally got around to putting all our clothes away. I will try to blog at least every other day and I might actually get around to reading the pile of magazines that have come in the past few weeks.

Random fact: I went to Wal Mart on Saturday of last week for the first time since July 10th. I think it might be a new lifetime record. Being on vacation, then sick and then at school for 2 weeks really took a toll on me ( and my family).

Random picture:

Ella and John Owen Hensley roughly 4 months old.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Since I am the one that does the blogging around this house, I suppose its up to me to write about my own birthday.

It's 7:31 am. I have taken a shower and mopped the kitchen floor. I have a dust rag sitting beside me beckoning me to get busy dusting. In about an hour I will welcome a baby sitter and then head off to meet my mom in my preschool class to continue organizing and decorating. Ella and Lucy have gymnastics at 4 and then a party at the Ripley Water Park at 6.

Standard Operating Procedure once you become an adult with children. No sleeping late and getting breakfast in bed. No cupcake parties at school...although I could eat an entire birthday cake from Costco right now!I don't mind though. I have everything I could ever want. A wonderful husband who showered me with love this morning, an almost-6 year old who padded down the steps to crawl in my lap and tell me "Happy Birthday" with her stinky, but sweet, morning breath, a 3 year old who got wide-eyed and excited when I told her it was my birthday and a ton of friends who all sent me birthday wishes before I could even open my eyes this

morning. Life is Good. God is Good. My life is Great!