March Madness

Both of our Children have birthdays in March, within 2 weeks of each other. Brian LOVES Basketball March madness, so I decided to call the "birthdays" March madness because that is what it is getting all of this together!! So, while he watches his basketball, I plan birthdays!! But, I will say he was a big help!! Could not have done it without him.

March Madness began on March 16th. Mari Morgan wanted a sleep over for her birthday. So, 7 girls were invited to a "Little Mermaid" party from 3:00- 5:00. They ate cupcakes, had a treasure hunt, blew bubbles, made necklaces, and took a swing at the pinata. I think everyone had a great time. Then, the girls ate pizza and fruit for supper. As soon as they finished eating, they wanted to put their pj's on and play up stairs. About 10:00 they had popcorn and watched Little Mermaid. They finally went to sleep around 1:00. Mari Morgan really enjoyed having all of her favorite people share this day and night with her.

Opening gifts

Treasure hunt

Mari Morgan made this treasure box

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you...

MM and her Aunt KayKay

Rebecca, Hannah, and Karis

MM and Maddy Lightsey

My princess and me

MM and Grandma

Maci and MM

MM and Karis

MM and JoJo

MM and Edie

MM and Carlee

Candy from pinata

Blowing bubbles

The whole group

More March madness

After Mari Morgan's party at our house, we went to Mantee and Houston for Spring Break. My brother's daughter, Edie, is only 4 days younger than MM. Nathan's birthday was about to be in 2 weeks, and Banks, my brother's son has a birthday in May. So, my mom decided to have them all a party at once. She put all their names on the cake, with the number of candles they were turning. She is so good! They were excited to celebrate together. Thanks Mom!! It was truly a special day!

Nate and MM

Edie and MM

Nathan, Banks, Edie, Mari Morgan, Bailey(cousin), and Carley Grace(cousin)

Happy Birthday to all!!!! :)

March Madness cont...

Nathan wanted a sleep over also. Friday, 5 boys came to his party from 4:30-5:30. Nathan only invited one friend from his class at school, Brett. He and Brett are very close and have a lot in common. I was so glad he was able to come. He rode home from school with us. They jumped on the trampoline, ate cookie cake, had football skill races in the back yard, and played a flag football game. Nathan was so excited, and I believe everyone had a blast. He is very fortunate to have such good friends.

The trampoline was a popular place

Play room basketball

The crew before the football game

Swoosh!!

Nate in throwing competition

One of the comps

Flag football

Nate and JoJo

Nate with Jacob and William

Nathan and Jonathan

Nathan and David

Getting instructions about competitions

Blowing out the candles

Nathan and Brett

Happy Birthday Nathan!

Happy Birthday to a very special boy. We love you!!

9 years old

Journey continues

Over the past month, I have been praying continually about where God wants me to be with teaching. This has consumed both my thought life and prayer life. It has been mentally and emotionally draining, but in a good way. I have experienced God moving in my heart and directing me to where I am supposed to be. I was once very excited about SBEC, and at one time teaching at Veritas. But, through many circumstances and people, God started changing my heart again. God showed me where I am gifted, and where I need to use that gift. I believe God has gifted me in teaching students with many different backgrounds and learning styles. It is not my desire to teach in a classroom where everyone is on the same level. I love the challenge of accommodation!!! God directed me to Hernando Hills Elementary School through very strange ways. I called the principal there, and she asked me to come in and talk. She shared with me that there was a position to finish out the year for a teacher that is ill. We talked close to 2 hours, and I had a peace. So, I will start at HHES the Monday after Easter. It will only be a short time, but I am very excited to go in and help out. Hopefully this will open up a job for me next fall, but I am only concentrating on "the now", and doing a good job. Those kids need me. I thank God for this opportunity, and believe He is in this!! Proverbs 3:5-6

Finally...A flower garden

For a long time, I have been wanting a small flower garden. I love to have fresh flowers on my table. So, this summer hopefully I can pick some from my own little garden. I do not have a whole lot of luck with this sort of thing, but I am going to give it a try. These flowers came from my mother-in-law, who has an immaculate yard. We had fun planting them. Mari Morgan was the most excited of all. She was a good helper. Hope they will make it.

My little gardner

Digging the holes

Yellow bells

Buttercups, Yay!!!!

Brian giving them a good watering

Look Mom, no training wheels!!

I was inside starting dinner and Nathan came running inside saying, "Mama, Mama, Mari Morgan is riding her bike without her training wheels." I ran outside with the camera and the video below is what I saw. We are so proud of her. Go Mari Morgan!!! Woo hoo!!!! First, Kindergarten, turning 6, now riding a bike with no training wheels. This is going way too fast

Happy Birthday Mari Morgan!!

Happy Birthday to our 6 year old princess!

Counting down the days!

Tuesday, March 16, is Mari Morgan's 6th birthday. I cannot believe my baby is turning six years old. When we first moved to Hernando, she was 3 months old. It seems like yesterday!! She is soaring through Kindergarten, almost reading on her own, and loves her teachers and friends. She is such a joy in our life. She is sweet, tenderhearted, and obedient. She has been counting down the weeks and now days until her birthday. We went and shopped for decorations today. We needed a Treasure Box for a game that we are going to play, and decided just to make our own. She picked out the decor, and designed it herself. It turned out really cute.

Painting the top of her Ariel treasure box

Watch that paint brush

Painting the bottom

MM and her treasure box- She is so proud!

A for Ariel

Can't wait until your special day! I love you bunches!!