Garage Sale

All summer long I have been procrastinating about having a Garage Sale. We have soooooo much stuff to get rid of and so its a huge task. Well this is the weekend. Some people have said why don't you just take it to Good Will and use the write off. The thing is that since I just kind of abruptly stopped my EBay business I have so much stuff from that, I would seriously like to sell some of it. For one--we leave for vacation on the 9th and the extra cash would be nice.....:) When I was looking for a garage sale graphic I found this and I got to thinking if my hubby was any kind of a friend to me he would have hooked me up. Wouldn't that be hilarious to go to a garage sale that accepted credit/debit cards? My neighbor is leaving for the weekend and she has told me I can use her garage for run over, sad thing is I probably have enough stuff that I could use it too. I have to get busy before my hubby comes home and asks why I haven't gotten any further. Just doesn't seem like very much fun.

First day of school!

After some totally goofy smiles I got this good smile when I said there goes Awnna....
Way excited, practically running to go in to school
Colby's teacher, Mrs. Coleman. Super nice, and funny too!

Yesterday was Colby's first day of school. Off to the 2nd grade! Of course I did not receive much information on how the day went because I really only get a "it was good" "fine" "nothing" "can't remember". I do know that two boys from his class had to call their parents for misbehaving and I said a silent Thank Goodness it wasn't me. Really first day of school it would not be a good start. I've heard his teacher if tough-academically and with rules. I say GOOD! Colby needs to be challenged academically to he gets bored and then he is in trouble. I'm excited, a new year, a fresh start. Keep him in your prayers, and his teacher too!

Back To School-Tears of Sadness or Joy?

I have been thinking tonight that I cannot believe that Colby is going back to school tomorrow. Summer always seems to fly by, but this one seemed like it just started. Although don't get me wrong after the past few days I am more than ready and know that Colby is too. It has been some trying times around here and I have been trying to stay positive and asking God for his guidance with some extra patience. I know that it is a difficult time for Colby, he is uncertain about a new teacher, new class, new friends. We went last night to meet his teacher, who seems WONDERFUL! But I'm sure that Colby is still a bit apprehensive after the rough year he had in first grade. I've been talking with him about it being a new year, and everything will be great. So tomorrow its back to school and I'm hoping I'm not the worst parent ever to secretly be cheering. To all my friends that home school, God Bless You, but for me it would just not be in the cards. I'll let you know how wonderful Colby's first day of SECOND GRADE went.

Colby's birthday present.....

So for Colby's birthday he decided he would like to have a new bed. We purchased it at Homemaker's last weekend and Shawn picked it up today. So as you can only guess most of our afternoon was spent putting the bazillion pieces together. It is almost identical to the one pictured here, I borrowed the picture from Ebay. So not only did we have to get this bed together, but we are now changing to boys into opposite rooms. So next week, I've got to get the wallpaper border (I know-what was I thinking) off of the nursery since its Colby's room now (again). He has wanted a camo room for FOREVER, and so we are finally doing it. Blue camo, so I'm at least pleased with that. Of course not too much has to be changed with Colby's room to move Cale in, since its sports and he loves sports. All in all 2 happy boys.

Happy Birthday Colby!

Today Colby turned 8, I cannot even believe that. He is turning into such a little man. Here are a some things he has done or said recently to prove that very fact:

• Asking me if he could call a friend, who happens to be of the female gender.
• Telling his father and I that he had already put deodorant on, now could he please borrow some cologne.
• It is no longer acceptable to call me Mommy in fact if I use this term, he corrects it to Mom.

I know that there are some funny stories I'm forgetting about, but I am super wiped out from our day. We had a nice day, and we are heading to Omaha tomorrow to either (depending on the weather) go to the zoo or the children's museum. Then Saturday we are heading to Springfield, Nebraska to spend some time with my brother and his wife. My mom, 1 sister, 2 nieces will meet up with us there. We will have a small celebration for him then, and then will meet up with friends and family back here hopefully next weekend.

To my boy, I love you so much, and I am so glad that God gave me you......

Beautiful~Powerful~Angelic Voice

I wish there was a way that I could put Dara's voice on my blog. This morning at church it was absolutely amazing. Of course, she always sounds great but today in the middle of the song she quoted scripture and it was sooooo powerful. It was absolutely incredible, I guess you will all just have to take my word for it. AMAZING!

My beautiful niece, Ashlin!

Today Erica met with Ashlin for about 1/2 hour to take some photos to show Ashlin how nice they would turn out. Ashlin was thinking she wouldn't like outdoors pictures. She already has them posted on her site, and they are EXCELLENT! Erica is so talented and such a nice person. Now we need to get the rest of her session booked so she can take the rest of the pictures. What an exciting time, not that you could make me go back to my senior year, NO THANK YOU, but I'm really excited for what Ashlin.

Up to my ears....

So the past few days I have been feeling like I'm living under a pile of clothes like this picture. Thursday Erica is going to do a mini photo session for my niece Ashlin. She is going to be a senior this fall at Valley High School. So we are trying to get organized for her senior pictures. Yesterday she brought a ton of her clothes over to my house and then we rummaged through my closet for some outfits. This morning she came over and we went through my jewelry for accessories for the outfits. I think we are set. Tomorrow afternoon Erica is going to take pictures for her and have the proofs for her to look at on Friday. Ashlin is kind of apprehensive about the outdoor aspect of the pictures, which is mostly what Erica does. Ashlin says her skin looks gross when she outside. I tried to explain how different professional portraits are as opposed to snapshots. So tomorrow Erica suggested we do a small "see we told you" session. I can't wait, Erica did such a good job on Josh and Dara's pictures. We are also trying to get a date figured out for us to get family pictures too. She is very talented. Check out her site.

It's A Girl!

My brother and sister in law are the proud new parents of a baby girl, they named her Ava. She is pictured on the right. Her proud big sister is on the left, Stella. My brother Curtis and wife Vallerie live outside of Omaha in Springfield, Nebraska. They are crazy animal lovers and there dogs are there kids. Sadly last month they had to put one of their weimaraners down, it was so difficult for them. They had gotten Zoe shortly after they were married and she had been a wonderful pet for them. About 3 years ago they got, Stella and have now added Ava to their family. Congrats guys!

Anyone up for another shopping trip?

So yesterday I finally added up what my little outing cost me.....so when Shawn gets home from work I tell him. He says is it under or over $800. WHAT? First of all I didn't know that an $800 shopping trip would be acceptable, but that is good info to have. Just kidding.... So I show him the paper where I added it up, he's like wow (i had added all the normal prices of each item up, so it was quite high). I tell him just kidding, that would be if I paid full price, and didn't use any coupons. Just for the record I was NO where near $800, not even close.

Girls Day Out!

Yesterday was Girls Day Out it was great time! At 9:30 we met in the "church parking lot" and headed out to Williamsburg for some serious shopping. It was tax free weekend so I think the idea was to get back to school shopping done. Clothes shopping for Colby is nearly impossible unless he is with me, because he really needs to try pants on. But needless to say I shopped until I dropped and got some great deals. A group of 8 of us left from West Des Moines, and another 3 came from Ankeny and met us there. It was downright pouring all morning but by the time we met and had lunch the sun was out. It was fun to get to know some of the people I don't know as well. Its so fun to share stories, of how we all got to this place in our lives. Kristal took a picture of us when we got back of all of our purchases, I'm hoping she emails it to me so I can add it to this blog. It was hilarious. Amy Main told me the other day that God knows what he is doing when he puts people together and that is SOOOOOOOO true. I got some really cute clothes, great back to school clothes for me...when I take Colby back to school. heeheehee It was a great day, and a much needed break on my part. Sounds like Shawn and the boys had a good day, they went to the Science Center and had some fun. Great times all around, we truly are blessed!

A little pampering goes a long way.....

Friday morning the boys helped me with my toes, since I have acrylic nails its impossible for me to get my polish off with out totally messing them up. I didn't have to time to run to get a pedicure so I looked for an alternative. The boys were so cute, and their attention to detail unbeatable. I can rent them out if anyone needs assistance.....:)

Backyard Adventures!

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of last week, I was lucky enough to host Backyard Adventures, which is the equivalant to Vacation Bible School. Since our church meets in the movie theater we obviously had to find an alternative location. So there were three locations to choose to attend and we had a great group of kids at ours. We mostly had kids that already attend JCFC but there were a few new faces. The boys and I had canvased our neighborhood passing out postcards hoping to get some interest, but you know its a hard time of year lots of people are trying to sneak in last minute vacations since school starts VERY soon! Alison helped me with teaching the kids and she is so good, she is a kindegarten teacher and totally knew how to keep the kids interested. We had a great time, and I hope the kids did as well.

Cale's Birthday Party

On the 29th we got together with a small group of friends and family to celebrate Cale's birthday. My children are spoiled, I mean blessed beyond belief and need presents like well I don't know what its like they just flat out don't need a thing. The kids had a great time, with water guns, and a pinata that I filled way toooo full. I just wanted to share a picture of his cake, it turned out really cute, courtesy of Sam's Club.

This was also a huge day because it was Cale's first day to join Pastor Lori at Creek Kids with all the big kids. She said he did great, and what a joy it is to sit and be able to give our full attention to Pastor Josh. Woohoo for being 3 and potty trained.....