NEW SCHOOL YEAR!

Well the new school year is well under way and I must say this year is so much better than last! My children are in good hands this year and I feel so blessed and thankful for that.

School is important-I want my kids to have a passion for learning and exploring and that can only happen when it is presented to them in ways that are positive! Yes there will be times kids hate school but not learning!

Shawn's teacher this year told me she witnessed how he was treated last year and since she was new was not sure how to handle it but assured me that he was an amazing and bright child and will not be treated that way again and is so excited to have him because he is amazing! I cannot believe he is in 1st grade! WOW time is flying by!

Talk about flying by my baby girl-well she is in 5th grade umm someone wanna tell me how that happend! Next year is middle school! Im a bit scared!

But this year she is not going to fall through the cracks-her teacher and the principle are finally listening to me. Her doctor is finally hearing and listening to me! She is so smart and her personality is wonderful but as I know all to often is just on a different page than others and needs help understanding things differently and that can be very frustrating-It kills me to know she has to deal with this as I have. But I tell her- she is smarter than the rest of the world and just has to be taught differently because of that but it isn't her fault it's a gift and others have to embrace it!

Attention Deficit Disorder is not something that can easily be lived with but with the right people, concepts, and support-which support comes from everyone-teachers, principles, doctors, family and friends- A.D.D can be a gift and that is what I want her to understand!

I also feel this year will be not just for learning but growing in other aspects too!

She is asking about crushes and is it okay to like boys- she is asking questions about our faith and growing more in God everyday! She starts Bible Bowl again soon and is so excited!

Cant wait to see the accomplishments of the year!

As for Bryan and I-we are overcoming life and choices everyday! We take it sometimes- a minute at a time! We are growing closer and gettng to know each other all over again! It is improving daily! Thank you all for your love-support- understanding!

Here's to a better year-fingers crossed!

Hollar later! The Parkers

Summertime!

The summer is suppose to be a time for family, fun and relaxation. Instead so far this summer has been nothing but a constant reminder of how life is so fragile and no day should be wasted and don't let anyone go without knowing what they mean to you-no matter how small the connection is! Because they could be gone in an instant!

We had a sleep over with the kids friends from Hico and that was fun and went to Fort Worth to spend time with Bryan's mom and went every where but had a blast.

Then we started summer recreation which the kids play basketball, run track, play tennis and physical fitness everyday, and play volleyball. We are also doing lots of swimming.

But soon after that I went to 2 funerals back to back. I lost a friend and that was tough and her memory and kindness and sweet nature will forever be in my heart and I pray her children are kept safe and are reminded daily how much their mommy loved them and how special they are!

Then following that funeral I lost my Great Aunt Dean Harper. Losing her hurts-bad! I miss her and her stories and funny comments. I will miss her hardheaded and strong wisdom. I will miss her hugs and kind words and pretty eyes! She truly will be missed by many and I know she is not hurting anymore and is with her husband and pawpaw and I think that is hard too-she was my link to them-in some sense Dean made it all okay and assured me that they were alive since they did die when I was young but I do remember them but she talked about them and told stories about them and that was nice to hear. She will be greatly missed by many.

Church camp starts soon-and it will be the first year she has not been there in my lifetime so that willbe very weird and hard to cope with.

Here are a few pics of the kids from this summer:

Babies

On March 22, I had a hysterectomy-at first I was quiet excited and thought I was ready. BUT TONIGHT-

as I lay with my lil guy tonight reading him an awesome kid's book- named

"If Animals Kiss Goodnight Like We Kiss Goodnight."

It hit me-never again will I feel a little flutter in my tummy. I will never hear the heartbeat over the ultrasound. I will never teach another little one to speak, walk, or rock one to sleep signing the same lullaby over and over.

Now don't get me wrong I had a tubal when my son was born but sometimes even those aren't real reliable. And it's not that I want any more babies. I have the best of both worlds a little girl and a little man-and I love them more than anything.

I guess its just knowing that part of my life is completely over.

Im am 28- many women my age are just either having their second or third but I sit back and think- now what am I suppose to do?

It brought a lump to my throat as I finished the book-looked at my guy passed snuggled in my arms-Im not sure if he even finished the book. I tried hard to swallow it back and just be thankful for the 2 healthy happy ones I have.

Kathy will be turning 10 soon soo I'm about to have my hands super full. She is so full of life and dreams and hilarious and just thinks that she is queen bee. Shawn is quiet for the most part-an observer in many situations. So I have the best of both worlds.

SO here's to the future- I say bring it on- I think Im ready for the next chapter in this job.

I will miss those first years and the excitement of a little one on the way but now I have to look forward to is school plays, football games, and long talks and laughs that will hurt.

Hollar back soon- Much love,

The Parkers

Hobbies

I love to write as many people know. Writing is a cleansing for me and it is a way to just look at life in a new light and a new perspective.

There is a part of me that would love to see this hobby become more than a hobby. I have been working on a children's book series about a raccoon raised by squirrels. I know I know- seriously raccoons and squirrels. But I love these animals but Im sure many of you are surprised it does not have anything to do with cats or kittens or the feline breed. Hmm that is in the works lol.

I have also just been doing some free writing and some thought provoking writing that is dealing with life decisions as they come and go.

It has been quiet hard for me to keep up with this blog here- at times I forget that I have it. At times, I get so caught up in what is really going on and forget that I have this to write on.

As a mom I just forget everything all together if it does not pertain to the worlds of a 5 year old boy and a 9 year old girl.

As Kat enters in a different stage in her life she is full of intriguing questions and some I would realy like to ignore and just say "go play with the dog and be a kid." But in a world where everything is so in their faces and the information out there anywhere for them to find I cannot always choose the "go be a kid and go play' route.

Shawn is a breath of fresh air at times because he is still so young that he is not thinking on the issues as Kat does. I love that he is so young and innocent in his thinking and find my conversations with him quiet refreshing and fun. The problems are easy to solve most of the time. And at times, Im slapped in the face with our conversations and find the solutions to my own issues in his world.

Bryan and I are at a different place right now and hopefully will one day look back on everything and say "wow-glad that is over." Just unsure about that right now. Just remember for every action is a reaction. And although that reaction may no be what is best- it is the way a person chose to react whether it be out of anger, pain, confusion or bitterness or just out of spite.

Another thing that is happening is SPRING! I love this time a year and then follows my all time favorite time- SUMMER!

I am missing Spring in East Texas though- the smells, the rain, the fireflies, the green grass. Pastures of rolling green and baby horses and calves running and playing.

We are slowly adjusting to where we live now and I am learning my way around the area quiet well although I do get lost I try to not get frustrated and just laugh and embrace it knowing that sooner or later- I will find my way back to where I need to be and head home out of frustration because I didn't find where I am suppose to be so I shall try again another day.

ANYWAYS-that is all for now-hollar back when I can!

Much love and light to you all!

The Parkers

Christmas and Anniversary!

Wow- what a year!
It has been very crazy and eye opening!

The kids had a great Christmas-at mom and dad's this year. Although
keeping them young and innocent is getting harder as they get older. They
are questioning how real Santa is. Christmas is so fun when they are small-
its like if they find out Santa isnt real it wont be near as fun.
I know that they grow and will find out I just want them to wait a lil' longer.

Kathy is 9. Shawn is 5. Bryan is 31 and I well Old enough! Kat will be graduated
in less than 10 years. Its about to be a fast 10 years though. Shawn will be driving in
that amount of time almost.
As for Bryan and I well- we are celebrating 10 years of marriage this month
and its quite scarry. I take a step back and see where we began and started and
its funny that we live in Andrews again-especially now that it has been 10 years.

I would have never thought that what all has happend has happend in that amount of
time but it has and it has made us stronger and made me realize what I can survive.

As of right now the best marriage advice I can give is- take it a day at a time, and when
that seems impossible take it a minute at a time. Dont speak when angry- it doesnt help.
Moments of silence are great to plan what you really mean.

I look back on my wedding day and know how scared I really was. I took a leap-the biggest
jump to date. Many think we married because of the package that was on its way but
that isnt true we were already engaged. We just moved the date up from June to December.

Its funny how time changes people and their dreams so heres to the future whatever it
may bring!

Love ya'll hollar later1 Amber

NOVEMBER 2010

There hasn't been much going on since my last post.

The kids are doing great and making it here and seem to be adjusting well. Shawn seems to be settling finally in class and although he isnt very volcal on what goes on I do hear from others how great he is doing and what a wonderful lil man he is growing into.
Kathy seems to be okay-she is making friends and loving it as far as I can tell. Her report card was great- just one C but it was a high and in Math soo its okay-I can live with that. As long as she is trying and I can see she is.

Thanksgiving came and went and I cannot believe that we have lived here now 5 months. I miss my friends greatly and think of them often. I know that just because I left doesnt mean we cant still talk and hang out but it is hard with me being amom. I just cant pick up and go see them when the day has been bad and enjoy some chocolate with them and hang out and breathe.
But I am thankful for them and know that there will come a time when I can see them again.

Christmas is right around the corner- I hate this time of year. I am not sure why but I just have never been a fan. I find it harder and harder every year to perk up and get a tree and throw decorations on it but I know the kids love it and enjoy it so we do it. It seems that people only focus on what to get or money this time of year or lets be nice just because of Christmas but as soon as it is over that goes out the window.

Bryan and I are getting ready for our 10 year anniversary. This year it comes with a breath of deep relief- it was a tough year and glad to see it go. I am glad to see us hanging on. Take it a day at a time and sometimes even by minutes so that we can remind each other of what it is were doing.

Looking forward to the spring and summer- warmer temperatures and pretty days. It will be nice to be able to not freeze and wear my flipflops without numb toes. I miss my friend the hot sunshine oh and rain where are you will I ever see you again? I remember seeing you all the time but we dont live there anymore- we now live where you hardly ever visit. I do miss you though and cant wait for it to pour here.

Well that is all I know Like I said life is very slow right now which I welome and am comforted by the lack of action around here.

Love ya bunches- hollar later Amber

Just a few pics from the summer and moving here.

A VERY LONG TIME.. SORRY

As pointed out to me I havent been on here in a while. Things have been CRRAAZZYY!
First of all in May of 2010 Bryan lost his job in Hico-- he immediately left to work with his dad in New Mexico. We thought it was going to be a short term thing.
But May turned into June-kids missed Bryan, Bryan and I were losing touch- so we go to churchcamp and I was so totally against moving. I loved being Hico-I loved our life there-the house, the family, the scenery, the friends.
I kept saying "No moving is not happening." But apparently--someone else had other plans and all week at camp small messages and big messages kept coming to me about how I was ignoring what was goin on around me and being scared and being stuck. People kept saying "As long as your with Bryan-it will be fine."
Scarry thought about moving-literally I was crushed. So in July-we packed and moved to Andrews Texas.
Talk about change-much bigger, more people, more places to eat. But at the same time-much bigger and more people.
I have lived in Andrews before-when I was in high school and I loved it but I had special friends who were here with me. Now not so much the story.
Kathy and Shawn are still adjusting. Deep inside me yes I miss Hico and I miss everything soo much. But for my children-being positive is what needs to happen. So that is what I am trying to do soo much. When they are gone at school is when I try to deal with adjusting. Bryan is working all of the time which is not what we are use to.
I am pushing Kathy and Shawn to meet and talk to people. Kathy has done amazing and loves school and the school is amazing for her. Instead of us paying for testing being done to see why she struggles in certain subjects- the school here does it.
Shawn is still struggling-he still fights me going to school-he tells me how awful his class is and how mad it makes him. Kindergarten is suppose to be the best year ever-- and I am getting frustrated and disappointed that it isnt for him soo we may see what can be done there.
Other than that we are here-it is October-so again Fall is here and my favorite time-Summer- is gone.
That should be everything it has been crazy and hard to adjust but one day at a time and Bryan says only 25 years here and we can go back... Sooo hope time flies.

Love n hugs
Amber

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO THE BEST MAN EVER!

It has been a long time since I last posted-life has been busy.

Shawn still has hiccups and so the testing is still occurring and will be going back to gastro next week and the pulmonologist in Feb. But other than that is amazing and growing up and turning out to be soo handsome but of course I am a bit biased!
Kathy is doing okay-struggling with her grades but hope to figure out some tricks to get her back to where she wants to be soon.
Christmas came and went very smoothly. The kids loved everything that Santa brought them and thankful to grandparents who were able and kind enough to chip in and buy a swing set for them-they are soo excited!
December is a special month for us-it is when Bryan and I were married. Today is our anniversary.
We have been married now for 9 years. 9 years ago I was right about 5:40-I was shaking so bad that I could barely stand-I couldn't breathe and then on the outside of my door I hear his voice say the sweetest things to me and pepping me up. My world was going to change forever-then my cousin Keith comes to get me and prepares me for the longest walk in my life. All I could hear was the song playing and my heart in my throat-I look up and I see him. He was perfect just as I remembered him-and then I couldnt get there fast enough-but then I see all these people starring at me-many I had no idea who they were and a few that I had loved for a few months due to new friends and then those that I had loved for years.
Then Bryan's uncle who married us said "there will be even greater temptations for you now because the world will see that you have a ring on your hand and will want to make you break that vow-that promise. So protect it with your life." Those words have forever rang in my brain forever.
Bryan and I have been through soo much in the past 9 years and there were times when we both felt that everyone was against us including each other. But here we are tonight-I am married to my hero-to the man I saw in Uncles and said "I will marry that man." and I did and I have never been more sure than I am tonight that I am with who I am suppose to be with.
He is amazing-strong and let's me be me and really is the only one who has ever loved me for me and accepted all of me despite everything I mess up he still loves me. I am thankful for him, his hands that hold me strong and tight, his eyes that see me despite my flaws still say the most amazing things to me, push me to get through the toughest times on my own when I think I cannot do it. He reminds me what a Christian is to be like and what I take for granted sometimes. Without him-I would not have survived life and would not be here today litterally!
I am thankful for the lessons, tears and fights that have gotten us to tonight.
I love him and my heart has never loved one as much as him.
So Bryan Quade Parker-thank you for taking me as your wife, and thank you for holding on when I didnt feel that I should be loved.
Here's to the next 90 years!

Later Amber

FALL 2009-YUCK

Ok =I have to say that I hate this weather. I am freezing! I was made to feel the sun burn my skin and the warm breeze blow-not have cold chills when it is 55 outside. Although I do get to slouch around in sweats all day now and wear my hoodies so that is good but still-hate this weather. I miss my sunshine. It is really bugging me.

Kathy is doing totally fantabulous! She made the AB honor roll-in the first 6 weeks. Usually it takes her several times but she is just glowing. Her favorite subject is science. Her math grade is amazing and she is coming home with her homework done everyday. She is growing up!

Shawn is loving learning. He has never come home with a frown on his calendar and he constantly tells me he wants smileys on "every single day of his calenders." He is learning so much-and to see that excitement in his eyes is a blast. I remember that look when Kathy started learning and asking all sorts of questions that spurred more questions on certain topics at this age.
He writes his name and thinks that his friends are great. He does have "close" friends-one day, he was on the playground and sister caught him as she walked by holding hands with a friend. Well they got in the car and she told me and he died-he just screamed "we are nothing but very close fun friends!" I reassured him that it was okay. And as long as he was nice to everyone that is all that matter. But deep inside it was hilarious. Knowing that he even has "close" friends-I am torn. I know he is growing up but I wish I could be a fly at least a few days a week to hear and witness things in their lives that I am not seeing now. He is also saying that a few of the teachers and the nurse at the school are his "favoritist" people because they help him and make things nice. Teachers-of all ages-have to know that parents want as much communication and the inside dirt on things that happen up there-comments or ideas that the kids have that are funny or insightful. Those moments are ones we, as parents, miss. Dont keep em and forget them-share them so how.
Both of the kids have such awesome teachers and we communicated almost daily with emails. I love that communication. Anytime I have a question-I just email and usually get an answer from a few minutes to a few hours.
Now as far as health goes-we have done some heavy talking with the doctors-neither of my kids will have the special flu shot for N1H1. Kathy can have the flu shot now and will have it soon but Shawn cannot until we clear up what is goin on with his lungs. He did see the gastroentonologist and she said several things-first she wants him to have a cat scan of tummy which will occur in a few days. She did blood work and chest x rays- chest xray was not clear so wants to see if it is asthma related or infection which we are working on. She also found another swollen lymph node under his arm. The blood test though ruled out anything scarry like cancer. She put him on another acid reflux med and a new antibiotic on top of his other meds-she thinks his stomach is not properly emptying when he eats and digests then it continues to get full and pushes on diaphragm and causes hiccups. We will know more after cat scan.
Thank you for prayers-and thoughts. God has given me my children and has taught me the most valuable lessons in life, on top of what I have learned through his example, through my children.
Bryan and I are wonderful and have almost been married for 9 years. It has been an amazing but difficult fight to get here. And we are ready for the next 29. We are thankful that we are growing and that we are learning new things everyday. God really blessed me when I found Bryan.

Well ok enough of mushy stuff-hollar later and hope the sun comes out soon.
The Parkers

UPDATE ON SHAWN

Hey I am becoming awful at this.
Ok so Shawn has had a rough few weeks. The first week of September-Shawn became ill with bronchitis. So we began the winter regimen already: the antibiotics, the breathing treatments.
He is done with the antibiotics but still has bad coughing. So the breathing treatmens are still going on and they make him super excited and hyper.
Last night I was in the middle of my final exam-literally had an hour left til I could turn it in. I made it but not before the small interruption from Shawn throwing up constantly for several hours. He has a fever still and is resting and taking things easy.
But first thing after Kat went to school I had to take Shawn to the doctor-the specialist for the neck. The doctor said that he has an allergy infection and that is causing lymphnodes to infect. He put him on a nasal spray, then he put him on Singular for chronic coughing and weezing. It is used on asthma patients but he said this will help with other things too. Then he changed his breathing treatment meds from albuterol to another one. He said that should cut down on the jitters.
Shawn did get the hiccups while there and the doctor was interested in that too-I did tell him we are going to a specialist in October for that. He did say that the singulair will help his chest so that it might also make the hiccups easier on his chest.
ANYWAYS thanks for the prayers, words of comfort and thoughts. Now if we can get the hiccups under control I think I will be able to stop thinkin the worst. Thankfully Kathy has remained well for the most part-she did get sick on Sunday night with fever coughing and upset stomach but never had any vomiting or anything else from her. She stayed home with me yesterday but felt great today.
Ok well I better go.
Hollar later
Amber

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

RANDOM SUMMER

THIS POST IS JUST A PICTURES OF THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER.


ENJOY!

This is kathy with her birthday cake for her 8th birthday. I finally gave in and let Bryan get her that b-b gun she has been wanting. I told Bryan when she was born he would have to wait til she was 8. Guess what that happens way to fast.

The puppies are growing fast and I am giving them shots today and then they are gone. The boys are 75.00 and the girls are 100.00.So the tails are docked, the duclaws are gone they have thier first round of shots, and they are cute and very sweet and are use to cats and kids.

HOLLAR LATER AMBER

REAL FAMILY AND BIRTHDAY WISHES.

But what I do know is summer is hot, and usually filled full with long days with sleeping in, cuddling watching cartoons for a bit then out to play while I get things done so I can hang with my kids later. Then we swim or fly kites or go to movies or get ice cream. Then it ends with nights in the yard chasing fireflies(love fireflies) laughing and then off to bath book then bed.

But something I often forget is FAMILY. As you all know Bryan lost his job but we are so blessed that we have not really gone without anything major yet. Everything keeps holding up and working and I keep thanking God for that one. Because literally I know he is the only one who can make it work the way it has lately.
But we had Kathy's birthday party on the 4th of July and it was great but what is perfect is that on the 3rd I asked her knowing our financial situation "If she could have anything in the world for her birthday what would it be?"
I was expecting a barbie, a pedicure, and tons of other stuff that I cannot get right now. But nope her answer was this " Mom-I just want my family and my friends and everyone to be happy."
I just hugged her and told her " I love you." But I had to go to my room and cry and pray.
Family is one of the most important things in my life-you only get one.
See in my eyes and my perfect world family would be like this: a dad that was home every single day by 5. A mom that only worked if she wanted as long as her babies came first. And everyone in that family knew how much they ment to one another and that they need one another to survive.
Bryan and I try to instill in Kathy that God will be there and if they do what God says and follow that book to the very best always then God will provide. Then we try to instill in them that we are all together in everything that we do. That the kids need one another forever-they are brother and sister and that is a very important job and they will need one another so they need to always put the other first and remember that at any moment they could lose one another.
Last we love one another even if we fail and we will work through that failure as a family but never leave the person who messed up to clean it up alone.
I have never been perfect but I know how I was raised-not saying it was bad-and I know how Bryan was raised-not saying it was bad. But we feel if we want a close family then we have to be the ones to start it.
That answer was the least I ever expected to hear from an 8 year old but I am so glad I did because somewhere in between this whole job losing situation and trying to stay positive I forgot that I am not alone and I have family.
Without my family there are days I do not think I could wake up another day. Bryan's hugs make me feel wanted. Shawn and Kathy remind me daily that I need to be better and that I am wanted and needed desperately. God helps me get those things done, have the strength to face another day and fight the urge that at times is deep with me to not wake up and face the world.
SO when you cannot anymore let God know and then look to those who God has given to you to help you hold on and survive.
Hollar later
Amber

Possibly a new start

At this point we are not sure what this means. For us we are just praying and trying to keep our heads and spirits up. Friday afternoon Bryan was laid off of his job-he was told he could sit at home for 3-6 weeks and wait for them to call him to go to work or find a new job. Well we began looking for jobs-and so far only one has considered hiring Bryan and seems very promising-at the interview that is-but we have not heard from them yet.
It is strange the way all of this has unfolded and we know somewhere Bryan will find work we just hope that it will cover what we need and pay what we need or I will have to get a job which is something I will do if we have to but I sure do not want to leave the kids if I do not have too. Day care is so scarry but I am praying that will be taken care of.
Anyways wanted to give an up date.
Talk later
Amber

Puppies Baseball and Kids-just pictures

First let me explain this picture- Remember that Lucky is part Boston Terrier and part Jack Russel Terrier.the day after Lilly gave birth-the kids woke up and found a jack russel terrier dog and a puppy outside that was boston terrier. The kids were so excited so they came to get me.

I went outside to check and it was a jack russel with a puppy that was identical to Lucky. Looks like Lucky has been "cheating on Lilly". Poor girl. LOL let me explain that too-Shawn asked where the puppies came from and I wasn't sure how to answer him so he answered himself- It's like you and dad-ya'll got married and had me and Kathy. So lucky and lilly got married and now she has to have babies. So below are all the puppies and kids in baseball and a few others..