The End of The 1st Week

Today marks the end of the first week of school. All three seem to be settling into their new schools, and I am adjusting to life without them at home all day. Paige is constantly amazing me. She seems to age each night as she sleeps! She is adjusting to a life of lockers and lunch lines and homework and Health class. She seems to enjoy her classes and is the first one up and dressed each morning. Abby loves her class and making new friends. Her teacher, Mrs. Osborn, really seems to appreciate Abby's "outside-the-box" creativity and that is an answer to a summer of prayers. Carter is still a little unsure at drop off each morning, but every afternoon when he gets in the car, he talks for 10 minutes straight about all he did that day! I have been offered a position at Idlewild Christian in their Mother's Morning Out program and will start training next week. I'm very excited to get back into the swing of working again. I will have a class of 2 year olds (my passion!) and am looking forward to this new beginning.

First Day of School

WE LOVE YOU DADDY!










Well, today was THE day! It's a little after 9am and I am home alone for the first time in 3 months. I spent the early morning hours taking everyone to their new schools. They did very well (I was another story altogether!) and seemed not nearly as nervous as I expected them to be. Carter and Abby's teachers both have about 45 years of combined experience teaching 1st and 2nd grade, so the two of them are in great hands. Paige's school is beautiful and everyone seemed so wonderful, I know she will do fantastic. Middle school is a huge change for both of us! Pray for me! The above are a few pictures taken this morning.

Haircuts & Hairline Fractures

Yesterday was an interesting day full of fun and adventure! No, really is wasn't!! It was a day filled with haircuts and X-rays. Here's the abbreviated version.... Carter has not had a haircut since December. He has wanted to grow it long like Daddy. This excuse doesn't real hold any value, since Daddy cut his hair in July! But Carter likes his long hair and he wasn't too excited about the possibility of getting it chopped off. I found a really cool kid's salon about 20 minutes away and thus began the day... We get to the salon and it's so awesome, I wanted to get MY hair cut there! There was a pink Barbie jeep just calling my name! The 1st thing we see is a motorcycle. Carter LOVES motorcycles, so I think this is a win-win situation. Carter had other plans! He begins to scream like a maniac, hold his hair and start yelling, "Don't cut it, don't cut it!" I now am ready to strangle him... I drag him outside, and begin trying to explain the need for a haircut. (ex. I know we're in NC, but mullets are still not acceptable.) He does not agree, gets a spanking and then goes back in the salon. I put him on the motorcycle and the sweet (and very patient) stylist says, "Do you want the Zack and Cody haircut. That'll make you look super cool!" He says yes and so the haircut finally begins. When he is all done, with lollipop in mouth, he says, "Can we come here every week to get a haircut?" I could just scream! After the "fun" haircut adventure we head to the doctor's office. About 2 weeks ago, we had a sleepover w/ some friends and Abby's arm landed under a very creative leap off the bed. No bruising, no swelling, so no ER visit. Now this week, she has complained every night that it hurts. I start thinking hairline fracture, so does the pediatrician so off to radiology we go. Long story short, all is fine, just a deep tissue bruise, but now Abby is ticked off that she will not have a pink cast for the 1st day of school. My kids are so screwed up!! I wonder where they get that from???? After the fun time @ the hospital, we head to another salon (I am a gluten for punishment!) for Paige's first "tweenage" haircut. She was amazing and sat still and in the end looked beautiful. Very grown up, but beautiful. Now the real fun begins - School starts Monday!! Pray for me!!

Confidence

Today was my niece, Sofie's, first day of kindergarten. It is so hard for me to believe that she is old enough to go to "big" school! Ever year older she gets, that's another year on my calendar too! She's brilliant (I'm not just saying that 'cause she's my niece! She really is!) and beautiful, just like her momma. I spoke with her on the phone tonight and asked her all the typical "1st" day questions. Did you like school? How was your teacher? Did you make some new friends? The last question I asked was if she thought she was the smartest student in her class. I love to ask her questions like this just to hear her response. Her answer, in true Sofie form, was "Hmmm, yes Aunt Tina. Of couse I was!" I so admire her confidence! I pray she never looses that! Somewhere along the road I have lost some of mine, I guess I could learn a thing or two from this precious five year old. I love you Sofia Madeline....

Crazy

Have you ever done something crazy? Something that goes against everything you think is right, or at least what the world says is "right"? I think if we are honest with ourselves, we all have at some point in our lives. Some of us, more than once! Today I did something that at the moment even seemed insane, and I did it anyway! A couple of months ago I had a falling out with someone I considered to be a good friend. It has haunted me for months and is something I have prayed about on a daily basis. Today I took the first step in "burying the hatchet" and we spent the morning talking. It amazes me how the Lord takes the oddest of situations and brings people closer together. It takes entirely too much energy to be angry and vengeful. Matthew 18:21-22 says, "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." It's so hard to let go when you have been wronged, but in the end, I truly believe it's is harder to hang on to the anger. There is such a freedom with taking that first step! Is there someone in your life that you need to take a step closer to? Do it today, don't wait!

What is Normal?

I have spent the last hour trying to figure out how to get the kids back into the swing of "normal" life. Since the move, our schedule has been not really a schedule at all. I am embarrassed to admit that most nights the kids have gone to bed around 11:00pm and then Rusty and I fall into bed about 1:00am. This then causes our days to begin around lunchtime! Not awesome parenting I'd have to say! This new ministry opportunity has allowed us to make some amazing changes in our life. One of the changes that has meant the most to me has been family time. In years past our family time was scheduled, or at least we attempted to schedule it, around everything else. We could squeeze in a few hours here and there and pray nothing happened that would need Rusty's attention. I have really enjoyed spending time with Rusty and the kids. Last night we lucked out and found out Charlotte's best kept secret. There is a movie theater here called The Dollar Theater. This is funny, because as Chris pointed out in church Sunday night, it actually costs $1.75! Not that I'm complaining, it's still better than 8 bucks! Anyways, last night we decided to take the kids for a fun night out. When we get to the theater we see a sign that reads, "Mondays - All movies $.50". Every Monday they run family movies for just $.50 a person! It's funny how something so small can be so exciting to us, especially a family on a tight budget! I just recieved the kids school schedules and Abby and Carter will begin the school day at 7:15 (Tardy bell @ 7:30!). That's a bit early for kids who's internal clock tells them to wake up just in time for the Noon newscast! I am putting my foot down (wish me luck!) and starting tonight, all three of them will be in bed before 9:00 (it's a start!). We just bought them new alarm clocks. They think this is the coolest thing they have ever received (how twisted is that logic??) and are excited to wake up to them tomorrow morning. We'll see how long THAT lasts! I have come to the conclusion that our family might not ever have a "normal" schedule, or lead what some would call a "normal" life, but as long as we are together, having fun and seeking God's plan for our family that's all the normal I'll ever need!

Look Who Has Hit The Big 30!!

Happy 30th Birthday Sam! Wish we could be there.
Eat some Cold Stone for us!! Love you bunches!

Weekend with the Family

The Burchards in Victory Lane
Carter looking for gold
Kyle finally caught a fish!
Paige, Britt & Krysta panning for gold


We had a great time this weekend visiting with Rusty's family! We went fishing in the pond across the street, took a tour of a gold mine, panned for gold (I was pretty unsuccessful @ it I'd have to admit!) and did a lap on the Lowes Motor Speedway in an EconoVan at 90 mph. Crazy, huh?? It was wonderful to just relax and spend some time with family. We are so blessed to have a family that prays and supports us in all we do. The above are just a few pics from the past weekend. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Gabriela Rose!!

My sweet Gaby is TWO!!

Anticipation

As I write this I am sitting in our office listening to Carter ask me for the 400th time (I promise you, I am not exagerating!) "When is Kyle coming?" Kyle is our 17 year old nephew who lives in Port St. Lucie, Florida. He is the son of Rusty's oldest brother, Brian. Brian also has three daughters and a wonderful wife, but Carter does not seem concerned as to when, or even if, they are coming. Also, on the road heading this way, are Rusty's parents. Again, Carter does not seem nearly as excited that Grandpa and Grandma are also on their way. He thinks Kyle hung the moon! I was sitting here thinking about how we all handle the anticipation of events differently. I, on the other hand, have been up since dawn, cleaning like a mad woman, hanging every picture that hasn't been hung yet. Abby has been busy "decorating" her bedroom for their arrival. By decorating, I mean finding every bit of scrap paper, empty paper towel roll and Pop-Tart box in the house, and then making a "city" for her Littlest Pet Shop toys. Those of you who know me well, know this is a huge pet-peeve of mine. I throw it in the trash, and Abby comes behind me and pulls it out. Her new nickname is "MacGyver". She is so creative, it's pretty amazing to watch the things she creates with what I call "trash"! Paige has been anxiously awaiting their arrival by finding everything she has wanted to show Brittany (Brian's middle daughter) in the last two months and laying it across her dresser. This includes printing off every funny email (Thanks Aunt Kelli!) that she has received since the move. She has grown up so much this summer. She has really turned into such a beauiful young lady. It scares the heck out of her dad! Middle school is just around the corner! Oh my!! Rusty is also very excited his family is coming. His office @ the church is pretty much complete and we have finally narrowed down a facility and a date for launch (Levine Center, 9/9/07) so he is excited to show the family around town. It has been hard being away from all of our family. I think I have had the hardest time. You don't realize how much you relied on them until they are a 12 hour drive away. I plan on enjoying every minute of this weekend. I'm sure with 7 kids in the house it will be crazy at times, but the laughter of 7 cousins playing together is just the medicine my homesick heart needs!