Year Six.

Emma,
It is hard to believe that seven years ago tomorrow, you were born. It just seems like yesterday that I found out that I was pregnant - that I was having a girl - that you would have your daddy's lips and your grandma's attitude. From the first day I saw you, I couldn't believe how sassy you were, how much you could cry in protest until I figured out what you wanted.

This year has been a year of change. I watched in awe as you shined during your "real" year of Kindergarten. I loved the way that you took care of Mallie at school. I thought it was so neat how you loved to do all of your homework, and you worked so hard to excel at everything that Mrs. Parsons threw at you. I was so proud to discover that you had a fourth grade reading level halfway into the year.

During year six, you have grown. You went from size 11 to size 1 in shoes. And boy, do you have alot of shoes. You also went from size 5 to 7 in clothes. Your hair has grown out. You no longer look so small or so young. I see you turning from my little girl to a young lady.

This year, I have watched the most miraculous transformation for our family ever. I watched you accept and love two sweet girls and call them "sister" without any hesitation. I love how you look up to them and how they care for you. I love how much you and your brothers have no bias toward anyone. I also love to watch how careful you are with Tripp as he started school and you moved up to first grade. Many times this year, I have sat at this computer doing my homework, and I listen as you read him a bedtime story. It makes me so happy to see how nurturing you are not only to Tripp, but to everyone else as well. I see that one day, you are going to be a loving, caring, detail oriented mother and wife.

I am amazed at how you love to learn. This past Sunday, during church services, I noticed that as you were writing the scriptures, you wanted to know what they meant. When I turned to Proverbs 31 and told you that we should all want to be like this, you nodded your head and took it in. While I am sad that another year has passed so quickly, I am so proud of how you are growing.

I love you,
Momma

A New Chapter.

Oh joy!!!

I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. I am quitting my job.

I have known for a few weeks and I couldn't tell anyone. But, as of Sunday, the news will be public, so I wanted to share here first.


Lots of things flow through my head. Fridays off- no school, no work.

Finished laundry.

Trips to the store.

Shaved legs.

Time by myself without the pressure of "work"

The ability to just "go to church"

See, the list goes on and on... I am ready to begin this new chapter.
My departure is bittersweet. It is scary, in some ways, to lose my income. I know I am secure in my job, but emotionally, it is tearing my to shreds. I am tired of talking about it, complaining about it.

So, here I go! Only two weeks left. I get to finish my senior year in college by studying, being a mom and getting caught up on the laundry.

Woot! Woot!

Sorry... I am a thug.

Well, I can't tell you how many times I have tried to write a blog post.. I always have so many thoughts in my head. But, yet again... You know how it goes. It doesn't.

Today? Well, let's see... Dave has gone to the UT game in Knoxville. So it is just me and the five kids hangin' out, cleaning house, doing some homework. I wish I had a more exciting life, but I would surely die.

On Monday, for Labor Day, Dave and I snuck out of the house and went furniture shopping. You woulda thought I was in Heaven! We held hands, I pretended that I didn't have three teenagers and two Early Childhooders at home. I found a really cool sectional at Ashley. Here is a picture.

Then I found this super cool ottoman that matches. It is the same color as the sectional.

Did I tell you all how hard five kids are on a couch? They are tough.

Anyways, that was my Monday. Tuesday was a long day at school. Wednesday was followed by Tripp producing the Great Spaghetti Dilemma of 2010. (Nothing like dripping, stinky, stomach juiced noodles hanging from everything...) Oh, It was then and there I found out how much Dave actually loves me. He cleaned the noodles outta the van.

He is a gift from God.

After that, Emma started running a fever. That lasted from 2 a.m. on Wednesday till late Friday evening. So, here I am on Saturday, chillin' with my kiddos. Well, they want to go somewhere/do something. Except - I have the little problem of having six classes to keep up with.

So I am off to study.