PICTURES OF CAMPING WITH YOGI BEAR

THIS IS JUST A BUNCH OF PICTURES FROM OUR CAMPING TRIP WITH YOGI BEAR AT JELLY STONE PARK. IT WAS A BLAST. WE ALSO WENT TUBING DOWN THE GUADALUPE RIVER AND THAT WAS FUN-SORRY NO RIVER RAT PICS OF THAT THOUGH. HOPE YOU ENJOY THE PICS. HOLLAR LATER AMBER!

SCARED AND NERVOUS-TRYING TO HAVE FAITH

I know that we should just pray and have faith and know that whatever happens that we are going to be okay.
Shawn has had a lump on his neck for a while and it was okay but we went to the doctor to check up on several issues. At first the doctor said its just a swollen lymphnode it will be okay.
But then later in the appointment he said "you know what I do think that is too big and it is a bit hard so lets get himt to a pediatric specialist for that. I also want him to go to a pediatric gastro doctor because of the hiccups."
I know you think of hiccups as nothing major but he gets them everyday and they hurt bad.
So we thought it was acid reflux but its not so now we are going to run some tests to see what is going on.
I just have to remain strong and know that he will be okay and whatever happens we can survive.
But at the same time I am worried about my little man. He is having a blast at school and loves going. He really already has learned alot and we had no fits on the first or second day. He told me "Bye mom see ya later-love ya. Now go make my cookies." I did- I made him cookies and then they got a milkshake too.
It has been a great week. He was so tired when he got home-he told me he was going to play cars and was in the floor in front of the door-and like 5 minutes later I hear snoring! He had crashed-so to speak-his car still in his hand.
Kathy had a great first couple of days too-she has grown so much. We cut her hair-she wanted it in a swing bob. It comes right below the chin-I will take pics later-but she looks like my baby again because she has a baby face thanks to her daddy. She loves 3rd grade.
Well it is getting late and I am tryin to go to bed early sooner or later.
Good night Amber

AND WE HAVE DECIDED.....

Hey ya'll how are you?
Life here is moving right along.
After many months to think, pray and debate and discuss options-I think that Bryan and I have twisted and turned and debated and discussed this topic till it has nothing left.
We think that from where we are the best thing for Shawn is to go to preschool. We feel that the cirriculum, the teacher, the other kids and the opportunities that it will provide will be good and can only build him up.
I am expecting some behavior changes but just like with this and every other bad habit you see the behavior-you then correct the behavior. If the behavior is repeated-you punish if not you reward. It will only be for a few hours in the afternoon.
He is excited and I am excited to see how much his little brain learns. I am not really sad about the issue because I know that I will have him in the mornings to myself and to preteach and remind him and eat lunch with him.
It is a new stage in our lives-another year to grow and explore and learn and see what is to come.
We are facing this change in our life positively and full of prayer, and just ask for the support in this choice. Again-you can disagree but still be nice.
Thanks for all of the ideas and thoughts on this-I for one did not think that this was such a hot topic but obviously it is.
Thanks
Hollar later
Amber

More thinking on preschool.

I have read all of my comments on my facebook and realize that many are for preschool. But a few aren't: To each it's own.

I do not think that it is going to hurt him spirituality or hold him back from becoming a Christian.
My daughter did go to preschool when she was 3 and 4. She loved it and was happy about it. It was an amazing experience for her. The difference here is first Kathy went through a church. Second difference is special people that I knew very well were her teachers.
But I know the teacher Shawn will be having and have had conversations with her and I am impressed. I am comforted by things she has said.
No matter the age of a child unfortunately our world is changing daily and why be fake about it. Sooner or later the child will have to enter the world. The child's parents are responsible for guiding him and keeping him safe in the world and making sure that everything around him is safe for him. I know most of the people who will be in his class and their parents. I am impressed but as always there will be people no matter what you will not agree with everything.
But I do not think that me sending him to preschool is giong to ruin and damage his whole demeanor.
I also think that where matters-there are schools where the preschool program is awful and the teacher and environment would be horrible and damaging on the child. But I do not feel that with this school. I have been in the school as a substitue teacher, a parent. The experiences there have been nice and have standards of their children and keep the school under control. It really is a school where the kids are still good.
Last point-yes it is only for a few hours a day in the afternoon. If he were home he would be taking a nap from 1pm-2:30 everyday. Then going to get his sister and then coming here.
So I think this time could be spent better else where. Yes at this point in time I do stay at home with him but if he did do this I would get a job-right now even an extra 150.00 a week would help big time.
I could continue substitue teaching, or I could just work on the house and have it all done when everyone gets home that afternoon and spend time with them instead of trying to get things done after school.
I just dont think it would harm him-it didnt Kathy-she is amazing in many subjects but I do think that if we didn't start her early due to the situations and troubles she has had in the past years that she wouldnt be where she is now.
I never think that it is harming a child when putting them in a position that can only better them in the long run.

The more I think about it the more I am considering preschool. Who knows?
Hollar later Amber

TO PRESCHOOL OR NOT TO PRESCHOOL-HELLLPPP

Hello everyone!

Life here is flying by and I cannot believe summer- my favorite part of the year-is almost over.
This summer has been litterally one of the worst hands down.
Bryan losing his job, me not finding one, the kids not going anywhere, and it seems every where I go there is something else falling apart. I know that it will get better-I just want to know when and pray and continue to pray that it gets better soon.
OK SO several people have asked over the past months if Shawn will go to preschool this coming fall.
It is getting down to the wire and I am so confused and not sure what to do. First let me say that I have been in the preschool classroom in Hico and I love em. I think the people are nice and they truly teach kids and this is not just free babysitting. These kids are learning and enjoy it.
Now I have several close people that I love who are telling me two different things.
Some say "do not do preschool. It is horrible. You will regret it. You are giving your baby away.
He is to little. He needs his mom still."
Then I also get- "Hey he is going to love it. He is going to learn so much. He needs to start meeting people and learning to be social. He will miss it if he does not get to do it."
The differences in opinion go on. But school is two weeks away almost and I have to decide.

So first let me tell you Shawn is asking me "momma do I get to go to school yet?" He has had his backpack picked out and saved for almost 2 years. He talks about it all the time. Second I should say that it will only be 3 or 4 hours a day.
Now my mind thinks wow that is alot of time-I could get alot done. I could get a small job. I could do my school at the same time as him. I could continue in substitue teaching and see him.
I could star back to scrapbooking or something.
So many say that it harms them and it is neglecting my child and that he is not old enough.
Others tell me that it will do good.
Last thing I can tell you-the school district of Hico is amazing. The kids are clean and for the most part from what I have experienced are well behaved. The teachers are passionate and are always looking for ways to reach and inspire and motivate their students. They love it when parents are involved in the child's learning.
I for one maybe too involved but I would rather be safe than sorry. I am always asking questions and making sure that we dont miss something.

I JUST NEED SOME HELP HERE. PEOPLE PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK?

HOLLAR LATER AMBER