I love this picture. This picture was taken on our recent visit to Tennessee to visit family. There is a great community park on Signal Mountain called the Pumpkin Patch, which was so confusing to my kids because when I said we were going to the pumpkin patch they tought we were going to go pick out pumpkins not play. The kids had a great time running around with their cousins and playing with their uncle and "Googy".

Thanks Tank Thursday

Here are a few of the things that I am thankful right now.

1. The kids are quietly watching Calliou dressed and ready for bed. It's nice that there is something all three will watch so that I can get some things accomplished before the bedtime routines hit.
2. Gabriel enjoying his books. Lately, I have been finding him reading a book without having been told to do so. This makes me smile. I love getting lost in a good book.
3. Today's Fall Festival meeting went really well and I think the next two weeks should go well with the final preparations.
4. Gabriel is excited about the prospect of earning his tiger badge. He's been practicing so hard and it seems he will be ready to earn it at his next meeting. It has also been nice to be able to use the Boy Scout motto when doing his school work. Sneaky I know but it works.
5. Fall Break next week. With no school on Thursday or Friday we are heading to Tennessee for a quick visit to see our families. We won't be there long so we probably won't be doing much.
6. Praying. I've been doing a lot of praying lately. Some of it has been for others but some of it has been for me as well. It has done me a lot of good in so many ways. And some of those prayers have been answered.
7. Knitting Lessons: I will be starting knitting lessons when I get back from fall break. One of the Mentors from MOPs will be teaching me. I can't wait!

Preschool Board Complaints

I enjoy being on the preschool board. I was very flattered when I was asked and then last year even more flattered when I was asked to co-chair and then chair the following year. With that said I am also very frustrated. We have several committees we serve on throughout the year. I ended up co-chairing the Fall Festival but little did I know that I would end up chairing it because she can't be counted on to finish her projects and to show up to meetings. This morning we had a whole packet of items that should have gone out. When I got to school this morning the papers this person was suppose to have done is not in the office. When I called her she said that she had not finished them and would not be able to get to the school until 10:30. So now it looks like they won't go out until tomorrow. If I had been a different person I would have told her that my papers were there and to just put hers with mine and put them in the teachers boxes. But because I'm not I will be brining them home to work on during naptime and after dinner. Matt keeps telling me to get off the board. But if it weren't for this I would be fine. I actually enjoy it and feel like I am doing something valuable. I just wish I didn't have to deal with the frustration.

Thanks Tank Thursday

Here is what I am thankful for this week:

1. I had a good parent/teacher with Gabriel's teacher today. The comments she made were, he's a gentleman, he's kind, has lots of energy (which shows with him having to turn cards), very bright, needs to work on doing his best. I didn't hear anything that I didn't already know. He has all Outstandings except in his hand writing.

2. Matt finally went to the doctor after weeks of complaining about headaches and his ears hurting. He is now on medication for a sinus infection and allergies. Hopefully this will take care of the headaches.

3. I have loved the cooler fall weather we have been experiencing the past couple of days. All the beautiful fall colors and beautiful blue skies make me happy.

4. This week Gabriel told me that he is really enjoying reading. This brought joy to my heart. It has also brought me joy to listen to him read as he shares his new love with me, his dad, and even his little sisters.

5. Watching the kids make friends in the neighborhood. We have had kids in our backyard and front yard all week. And the kids have been playing in our neighbors yards as well. It's been fun watching them and listening to them play and laugh together.

6. This week at Target Elizabeth spotted an Elmo shirt. She was so excited about it that she tried to throw herself out of the shopping cart to get it. I bought it for her and she kept pointing to it and saying Elmo. Once we got it home she carried it around showing it to everyone. It still makes me smile just thinking about her excitement over a simple shirt.

7. I am thankful for the new hairdo that Abby gave me today.