Day 8

We went to the outlet malls and to the Mote aquarium. The kids really enjoyed the aquarium, not so much the shopping.

We got to touch these sting rays. Nathan wanted to stay here the whole time!

City of Sarasota from the bridge

Health update

After all the stress of waiting, they finally diagnosed me with epilepsy and narcolepsy. I started my new medication last night, because I wanted to get vacation out of the way. The doctors say that I am having seizures while I am sleeping. By taking this medicine, hopefully my seizures will be controlled, and I can get quality sleep at night. Of course, the medicine does have side effects. I am crying out to God as El Roi to hear my deepest desire that this medicine works and I can enjoy feeling better during the day!! Please join me in prayer and praise that he will take care of this situation!!

A Time of Reflection

I have a few goals this summer. I hope to clean out and organize closets. Things get pretty ignored when you are a working mom. I also plan on training for the 5K that the whole family plans to run in December. My goal this summer is to build up to walking 3 miles at one time without falling out! To most people this is a drop in the bucket, but for me it is huge!! Lastly, but most importantly, I want to grow in His Word, training myself in spiritual discipline.

We just got back from a 10 day trip to Florida. I grew a lot on this trip. I started a daily guided reading -- "Praying the Names of God", by Ann Spangler. It has been so good, and exactly what I need at this stage in my life! I have studied Elohim--GOD, Mighty Creator, and El Roi--the God who sees me.

We are the reflection of God's glory and we are made to reflect His character to the world! So often we miss God's beauty because we are so preoccupied by its flaws. I feel that the word preoccupied describes how I have been lately. You miss out on so much when you are in this state. Praise God that His eye is on the sparrow! When you pray to El Roi, you pray to one who knows everything about you. He hears your cries for help, and offers timely help. Praise Him!

I am also reading the book, Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. Unbelievable display of God's Love and overwhelmingly convicting! I have discovered that I am missing it!

Pictures coming soon from our trip.

Memorial Day Weekend

Friday evening we headed to my mom's house to spend the night. On Saturday, we went to a family get together at Mr. Jack's and Mrs. Debbie Treloar's house. They are good friends with my family and offer for us to use their house on Memorial Day and Fourth of July. Their house is gorgeous, and most importantly has a beautiful salt water swimming pool. This keeps the kids entertained for hours!! It was great fun. Thank you Treloars'!!

Not sure why MM has this ring on? She swims like a fish!

Our newest baby--Katherine Winters Norman-- 5 months old

My mom chilling out!

Mari Morgan and Edie

Hogan--glad I wasn't his target!

Nathan in goggles bigger that his face

My Aunt Jane and me!

Party in the pool

After the party, Brian and I rode to Cumberland, MS to see our High School that was hit hard during a recent tornado.

The gym is named after my grandfather for his many years as coach/teacher and contributor.

A basketball goal on top of the gym!

We all played basketball in this gym, including my parents! :(

Tennis courts, or what's left of them

Cafeteria

This first room was my first grade classroom

Field house

This is where my parents and brothers went to school. Brian and I also had high school classes in this building!

This was very sad for me to see. So many memories! It is very rare that you go to school the same place all 12 years, not to mention the same exact school as your parents! Pretty cool!

God's blessings on East Webster, you will be missed by all!

School's Out!!

This was our first year for all of us to be in Hernando schools. We had an awesome year! Nathan and Mari Morgan missed Desoto Central, but seemed to make the adjustment well. Nathan complained the least, and Mari Morgan's biggest complaint was waking up an hour earlier. I must admit, we had a hard time waking her and getting her going...but, we did it! She was cranky for about 30-45 minutes, and then she was fine. It was great timing. Fourth grade was not so much of a challenge for Nathan, and I was able to be there for MM more her Kindergarten year. First grade taught her a lesson about play and work, and she was aware that mom couldn't come to her rescue when things got too hard. She grew a lot this year. I am proud of her for that. She was a trooper!! Here are a few end of the year memories.

My classroom all packed up! :(

MM's certificate for all A's

Nathan's awards

Looking forward to a fun summer!!!

School Year coming to an end 2

I still have mixed emotions about this school year ending, but feel confident my students are prepared for fourth grade. I have become so attached to them. When you spend 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, 9 months out of the year with one group, you do become attached. If you don't, then you might want to check your calling! I did not give them the poem. I decided to do picture collages for each of them. This took quite a while, but one day, I know they will enjoy them. I promise not to blog any more about my class.....but they were the best!! :)

Until next year.......... :)

Nathan's Baptism

Nathan has been talking about becoming a Christian for a long time. Last summer,at kid's camp, he asked the camp pastor lots of questions. He told us that Nathan knew the correct answers, but he didn't feel he was quite ready. Through the school year, we touched on the basics of the faith with our children in our devotions at night. Nathan told us about 2 months ago that he had asked Jesus to come into his life. We believed him, but wanted to be certain. Brian had to travel to Hot Springs, AR and asked Nathan if he wanted to ride with him. Of course, he said yes, because he would get to miss school!! :) Brian was able to talk to him about his salvation experience, and told me when they returned home that he felt Nathan was saved. We have seen a difference in his behavior, remembering that he is a new Christian. We are so proud of him, knowing this was the biggest decision he will ever make. We pray that we will be the examples he needs on this new journey of his life. So, May 22, 2011, Nate was baptized at Riverbend! Praise the Lord! We love you, Nathan!

The school year is coming to an end! :) or :(

I have mixed emotions about this school year ending. I am so very blessed to have been given the best class in Desoto County. Not only are they brilliant, but the kindest, coolest 8 year olds ever. When God gave me this job, I never knew what a blessing they would be. Yes, it has been difficult juggling everything, but I know it is my calling. Nathan has done remarkably well at Oak Grove--all A's! Mari Morgan struggled at first, but I believe she has grown up through the process. She too is an all A student! So proud of my kiddos, and so blessed to be an employee of Desoto County Schools! Go Tigers!

Yes, I have already cried in the classroom at the thought of them leaving me. I can't imagine what the last day of school will be like for me. I will need lots of tissues!! :( I plan to attach this poem to their end-of-the-year gift from me. It says exactly what I want them to know. I plan to give them each a small potted flower.

I've worked with your flower,

And helped it to grow.

I'm returning it now,

But I want you to know...

This flower is precious,

As dear as can be.

Love it, take care of it,

And you will see...

A bright new bloom,

With every day.

It grew and blossomed

In such a wonderful way.

In September just a bud,

January, a bloom;

Now a lovely blossom

I'm returning in June.

Remember, this flower,

As dear as can be,

Though rightfully yours,

Part will always belong to me!

I love my class of 2010-11!!!

Mother's Day and a miserable hubby

Brian has been in India for two weeks, and finally came home Friday night. We missed him so much, and are so glad he is back home safe and sound. He has been down in his back, so the kids and I got out a little bit to allow him to rest. The kids took me on a hike. Sorry, forgot my camera. We then came inside, and MM wanted to make cookies for me for Mother's Day. Brian brought me many things from India for Mother's Day. He is so thoughtful, and I love being his wife. I am so thankful for God's blessings today. I pray that he will continue to guide me to be the best "mom" I can be, prayerfully remembering that they are really His!

She sliced them all by herself.

I was monitoring closely!

Picture frame from India

My beautiful rug!

Cute coffee mugs

Our sweet blessings

MM finally loses a tooth!

Mari Morgan is now a 2nd semester first grader, and has finally lost her first tooth. She was so sad that all of her friends had already lost one, some even two or three. We went to the dentist the other day and he told her that one looked like it was about to fall out. She twisted and turned it until it was just hanging. I tried to pull it for her, but she wouldn't have it. She is a very independant little girl. I was putting away laundry upstairs, and I heard---"Mom. I did it!" She was so excited! There will soon be a second, because the one right next to it is lose also. :)

Before...sorry, you can't even tell! She would not let me take a before shot!

After- she did not like the bleeding!

It's gone :) Yay, MM!