Wordless Wednesday- Weeeeeeee!

ivyisms.... they never stop

Ivy and Jack the one guy who she ALWAYS loves.... despite a rotten mood!

Every now and then I have to stop and write these things down. Ivy is funny... and sometimes I mean silly funny and sometimes I mean bad funny. Lately, it has been that latter- so I try to discipline her and then I have to stuff my face in a pillow and laugh. So I am writing these 4 year old Ivyisms down because before I know it she will be more mature (haha-probably not) and these will be a thing of the past :)

After a long day of timeouts....
Greg: Ivy, I hate days like today. I hope that tomorrow the good Ivy is back and we can have so much fun.
Ivy: (With not even a smirk) I'm afraid the good Ivy is on vacation for a while.
Greg: Hmmmm, I hope she comes back soon.
Ivy: We'll see.....

After hearing Ivy talk very rude to Tula and some a friend....
Mommy: Ivy, I don't like the way I heard you talking. You had a mean tone and were being kind of bossy.
Ivy: Well, I learned to talk that way from you.
Mommy: (Eyes bulging, mouth opened, no words)
Ivy: Like you say, "Ivy, get on your shoes" (very calm and sing/songy) and then you say, "IVY! GET YOUR SHOES ON RIGHT NOW!"
Mommy: That is a way that mommies talk to their children when they don't listen. Not a way to talk to friends or Tula.
Ivy: Will I be your child when I am 10?
Mommy: Yes, mam. Even when you are 35.
Ivy: Does Nana still talk to you like that? (She was trying to catch mama in a lie!)
Mommy: Yes, when she needs to she does!

During a sinus infection....
Daddy: Ivy, let me help you blow your nose one last time. (at pre-school)
Ivy: You have got to be kidding! I am NOT blowing my nose a school!
Daddy: Why? That's silly!
Ivy: That's not silly, it's embarrassing!

After Ivy and Daddy jam session on the way to school....
Daddy gets Ivy out of the car still singing and NO one is in the parking lot around them.
Ivy: (Giving Daddy glaring eyes...) Stop, singing, we are at school and that is embarrassing!

Wanting to play with JUST Mommy....
Ivy: Can you put Tula away?
Mommy: What?
Ivy: Can you put Tula away in her bed for a while?
Mommy: Well, no, I am excited to play with you and Tula. This is what you do when you have 2 kids.
Ivy: That's why you don't need any more kids? OKAY?
(She has changed her mind on this subject many times.)

Shooooo..... they never stop! :) At least they are all things that have had enough time pass that we are all smiles around here now.

Compassionate Ivy giving kisses to Jack

Thanksgiving's Thankful Thursday

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I am thankful every day of the year but today (or this whole month) is really a time that I really think about all I am thankful for. My family has had lots of dinner table conversations about thankfulness and my students have had many share squares and table talks about all we are thankful for. There has definitely been a theme of thanks all month long in my life!

I am thankful for....

God. Wow! Where would we be without God and the continuous grace and forgiveness that we are offered through His son every single day. I heard that a student of mine (this is a first for me) doesn't believe in God or Jesus. Absolutely heart breaking! So I have prayers that seeds will be planted in him this year. I have already eavesdropped on my missionary second graders hard at work and I know nothing is impossible through Him. Teaching is a calling that God put on my heart and while I can't minister to him directly, I can love him and I can answer questions honestly. I am excited to watch God work in this situation this year.

God was recently revealed to Greg and I through the book The Shack. Oh my, was this a healing read for my family. After reading this, I do have a different picture of God, as Papa, as a comforter and healer. As one that is far from legalistic but seriously wants us to trust him and let him fully love us. We are letting him do this. We are allowing him to work on people who have hurt us. We are trusting that we can forgive others and let him do the tough stuff. I am thankful for the words of William Young and biblical picture he painted through this story.
My husband. He is my rock and my soul mate. He is my partner... in the fun and the not so fun parts of life. He is also a father.... in the fun and the not so fun. He is the lunch packer and the bath giver. He is the grass mower and the weed picker. He is the man who teaches my girls to love all that nature has to offer. He is the calm in the storm. He is the reliever of my stress. He is my TV buddy. He is my tattoo guru. He is the one who lessens our footprint on this earth. He is the artist and the creator. He is the do-it-yourself-er. He is the subtle make you laugh til you cry commenter. He is the one who humbles me and praises me. He is my husband and my best friend. And for him.... I am so thankful.


My children. They are a joy every single day. I still pinch myself to think of my healthy girls and to know that I am entrusted to be their mama. I am thankful for the memories we create, the lessons they teach me, and the never ending laughter. While every age and stage has it's difficult times or tough conversations parenthood is still such a blessing. And that picture makes me more than ready for the summer and a wonderful family vacation.

Family. Having a family who is open and loving is something that we are thankful for every single day. My parents teach us so much- they are role models in the way they have raised us. They have shown us the importance of putting your marriage as a top priority. They have been married 31 years and that is impressive. And their marriage isn't old or stale, it has spark. They do fun things together, they laugh together, and they have supported one another through raising a family, dealing with loss, and stressful jobs. Such an example of true love. My parents also work hard to teach us God's love. They lead by example in the way they give to others. They are disciplined about many things in life but a relationship with Christ is something they never skimp on. I am thankful to be their daughter, I am thankful that my husband as become a second son to them, and I am thankful that my girls will always know they are loved by Nana and Pops.
My parents aren't all I am thankful for! My brother is amazing and I am thankful for him. If you would have asked me if I was thankful to have a brother when I was 8- it would have been questionable. (I wasn't very nice!) But by the time he reached high school he was someone I really looked up to and loved to talk with. He couldn't have chosen a more perfect bride. Chelsea is better than I could have hand picked, and we knew that almost instantly! I am thankful for their presence in our lives and the impressions that they make on my children. And I can't wait to be an aunt to their children someday :)

My home. My home is not perfect and it is usually not in tip top shape, but it is a home. If the walls could talk they would share our laughter and dance parties. They would tell of our moments of sadness and stress. They would paint a picture of my family. And that is what makes our house a home.

A home is where toys need to be strewn about and kids need to playing. It is a place for imaginations to grow and art work to be created. A home is where sisters become best friends and good character in our girls is formed.

A home is not about perfect floors and kitchen tables without sticky spots. A home is not about furniture so shiny you can see your reflection. A home is not about being able to lay on the floor without cat hair and graham cracker crumbs. A home is to be lived in, and a to create a happy family. And my home is definitely that!

My job, my students. I am a teacher and I am thankful for that. I am thankful for my students (this is sweet, hilarious, Turner- I know his mama won't mind that I stole her picture). I really work for my students and that is that. I do not work because I am passionate about change in education- even though somethings do need change. I work because I love those 25 faces that look to me Monday through Friday to be their consistent, nurturing, exciting teacher. And my classroom is like my home away from home.... and oh, if those walls could talk. They would tell stories just like the walls in my home.

They would tell stories of change in students- like this card- seriously unbelievable change in my 2nd graders. The walls would tell stories of on fire learning and blooming of new friendships. They would tell a tale of character building and tough conversations. The walls would tell about confidence, hard work, and pride. I love my job. I love who it makes me become at 7:55 when my kiddos walk through the doors and I love who it allows me to be when I walk out before it is dark outside, plenty of time to go home and be a wife and a mom. I love that God chose me to teach, and through a series of ups and downs he helped me to fully embrace that calling.

I have so much to be thankful for and this is just a snipet.... because let's be honest.... it is more like a novel! But I could go on and on and on. I hope that today you find yourself surrounded by love and thankful for the gifts in your life.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

A Jamfest of Children.... plus one

There are some people that are more than friends.... they are really like family and the Amburgey's are that to us. Through the years, I hope Ivy and Tula will be able to see Rob and Cicely as an extra aunt and uncle and they can enjoy growing up with Rhett, Sidney Shea, and now Oaklee like some cousins get the opportunity to do. This is such a blessing that we can live so close, have so much fun, and be just like family. I am so thankful for this family like friendship, because who can turn down a little more family!! :)

This picture captures it all... they have so. much. fun. Seriously! Everybody had their instruments, Rhett was the leader counting off, and the jam fest began and went on and on! They danced and sang and marched and skipped. Greg and I would laugh and think... this is what it would be like with 4 kids under 4- shoooo- it made us tired just thinking about it! When I asked him, "So are you ready for 4 kids?" He was quick in answering, "Yep" and then added.... "for a few hours!" Haha!

At the next family jam, there will be 4 plus one! Sweet Oaklee made her arrival on November 10th and look how stinking cute she is :)

I think she is already ready to start shaking a maraca and being part of the next kid party!

Welcome, Baby Oaklee Jo into our family!!
We love you :)

Little Mommies

In the last two months, Tula has been in serious training. Ivy has been purposeful about teaching her how to be a mommy. And as time passes, I am already seeing the shift from baby to friend. Before long Tula will be Ivy's favorite playmate! I can't wait until they can really play together and I get to hear them BOTH talk about cooking, dressing up, caring for babies, and going to tea parties. It will be freedom from the real world to step into their land of make-believe.... even it is just for a moment!

"Here Tula... every baby needs a bottle. Hold her like this... and silly girl, don't pour the bottle upside down!"

"This is how you change their clothes. And every mommy needs a well packed diaper bag with outfits, bottles, food- not like our mama who is totally unprepared with her purse and a stand-alone paci and usually one diaper and our mama never has wipes. Mommies must have wipes."

"Put your babies in their seats so they are safe while you cook for them. The kitchen can be dangerous for little babies like you, Tula Belle."

"Good job, Tula. Stand right there to feed your baby!"

And then my moment in the land of make believe is interrupted with screaming after Tula falls over with the high chair and is given her latest goose egg smack in the middle of her forehead. Who knew being a mommy was so dangerous?!?! Apparently, in the kitchen things get kind of scary- according to Ivy!