Social Media and the Pursuit of Change

I may not understand it, but hubby is really into "social media."  I guess it has something to do with business blogs, helping business with blogs/advertising, and other media things...that I have no idea about.  I'm lucky I blog.  Ever.

Anyway, Mike has started a social media blog.  I'm really proud of him for sticking with it (even if it means writing late into the night..) and making some great business contacts.  He has even "guest posted" several times.  No idea that was even possible, or an option (but feel free to contact me if you want to write my blog so I can remember what happens with my family!  :) )

Check him out....  www.pursuitofchange.com

...and only 13 more days until I'm a stay at home mommy!  Whoohooo!!!!!

The Countdown has begun!

Being a teacher, there are several things that we look forward to...fall conferences (followed by 4 days off), Thanksgiving break (5 days off!), winter vacation, spring break...and SUMMER!  Okay, so there are many more things that we look forward.  Yes, we look forward to the milestones that the children accomplish.  Seeing them learn and acheive new goals.  The fall play or the spring musical...but those are all expected, right?  However, I love that my job enables me time off with children.  Since I have to work, this is the best job for our family!

I am so excited for this summer since this is the first summer in all my teaching years that I have OFF!!!  I have either been in graduate school or pregnant (and in graduate school).  I am so looking forward to spending time with Ash and Ave, LOTS of playdates, warm weather, and VACATIONS!

We have been planning a big two week vacation this summer for quite a while.  It involves a week long family reunion on my mother-on-law's side to Disney World.  Yes, we are going to the place where "dreams come true."  I'm sure Avery will be starstruck seeing all the princesses or Mickey Mouse.  Asher is looking forward to any Cars character there might be.  Mommy is not looking forward to long days with many breakdowns...but it is worth the crying on both parts because of all the memories being made! 

We are then hitting up a weekend long family reunion for my Granny's family in Georgia....venturing back to the deep south where all my family is from.  I'll most likely have it out with my cousins who cannot let go that the North won the Civil War.  Seriously, this is what our family debates.  Sad, I know.  It's not my fault my parents moved me to Yankee territory when I was little!  This will follow with my uncle telling me I talk to fast and that I have an accent.  Ha!  I really do love spending time with my family.

From there, we are going to good ole Panama City Beach.  We have gone there basically every summer since I was born and my grandparents live there fulltime now.  My mom's entire family is going to be there for a week and we're sharing a condo on the beach with my sister and brother-in-law and my cousin and his wife.  We'll have lots of fun playing in the sand and swimming in the ocean (although Mike won't because he's weird!).  So looking forward to my kids spending time in the summer like I did every year of my life.  I know they will make great memories!

Here's the condo where my grandparents live (and we'll be staying!)

And the walk down to the beach!  Can't beat that view!

It's kind of interesting because we are spending the week doing what Mike's family did every year for vacation (Disney) and then doing what my family did every year for vacation (the beach!).  Obviously, I'm partial to the beach! :) 

We'll swing by and visit my grandparents in Alabama on the way home.  Should be fun!

I'll also be going with my aunt, mom, and sister to North Carolina to my Aunt Karen's cabin for several days in the end of July. That should be so fun!  My aunt and sister are a riot to be around...always keeping us laughing (or making fun of me and my mom!).

What about you?  Any great plans for the summer?

Fun Weekend

 We had a jam-packed weekend...but it was a jam-packed with fun activities, so it was worth it!  Saturday was house cleaning, followed by worship team for mom & dad while the kids played with Uncle Marc, Uncle Matt, & Rowie.  Always a hit there!

Sunday was church, a 1st birthday party for Josh Denny (such a sweet baby boy that we LOVE!  I forgot to take pictures though!), and dinner with Uncle Ry and Auntie Janna.

We went to dinner at the Chancery up at Pleasant Prairie in the Ramada at the outlets.  I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant.  Their nacho dip is amazing!  We always get it...so check it out after a long day of shopping.  It won't disappoint.

Janna wanted a new background picture for her phone with her favorite neice and nephew.  This was quite commical and took about 15 minutes to get one with both of them looking and not moving!  Here are two that I took on my camera.  Two because, although my sister always looks amazing, my children do not!  One is great of Ave and the other is decent of Ash.  Got to love taking pictures with children!

Thanks for dinner Jan and Ry!  We had a blast!

Awana Awards

Asher participates in Awana every Monday night at our church.  It is a great time for the children to learn Bible verses, about the Word of God, and make new friends.  Being a working mom has made it tricky to get him there, fed, knowing his verse on time every week, but it was a commitment I'm glad we kept.  Asher had so much fun and I know he learned a lot!

This past Monday night was Awana awards.  Asher got an award for being a first year Cubbie.  He was so cute accepting his award.  Once again, he did not sing.  Oh well!

My friend Kristy (and the kids' sitter who they LOVE) took these pictures for me because my camera was dead.  Surprised?  Kristy's daughter Carissa was inside the Cubbie bear.  Asher thought that was the coolest!

Here he is with all his Cubbies buddies...

At receiving his award (he was behind the stand).

Finally with Cubbie Bear!

Better late then never!

***Please ignore how late this post is...Someone took my camera at church, and finally returned it two weeks later when they figured out it wasn't theirs. I was so upset when it was gone, but it taught me to download my pictures, and that I should blog for more memories! Plus, Mike bought me that camera for Mother's Day two years ago with his own giftcard money, so it has sentimental value.***


We had a wonderful time celebrating Easter this year. The Good Friday services at our church were beautifully done, and I was given the privilege of singing with several people who are very talented and a joy to be around.

Easter was the debut of our new sanctuary design. Dan, our worship pastor, worked very hard to get it all done in time. Mike put in several long nights of work (along with Asher a few times!). I think it turned out beautifully. Don't you? The lights change with each background, and there are 3 screens now. I was joking that I should start matching my outfit to whatever lights were going to be used.

Here it is on Easter morning...LOVE the colors!

Another shot...

Asher was finally old enough this past year to sing with all the kids on stage. They range in age from 3-5th grade. He LOVES to sing, but for some reason never really sings when he is up front. He will do it perfectly before and after, but only sings a little on stage. Our Christmas singing was lacking, to say the least, so I took it upon myself to make sure that he new those songs PERFECTLY for Easter. They have a great message, and I'm glad that he's learning worship songs. He did okay this year. Happi and I laugh because all the children of the worship team are the ones normally getting in trouble or not singing! Caden (her little boy) and Asher always give us a run for our money! They are so stinkin' cute.

Here are our two stinkers Caden and Asher....so adorable!
(Ash is obviously an aspiring model in this picture!)


Finally singing (kind of!). At least they look cute!

I don't have any pictures of Avery at Easter due to my camera mishap. I was so disappointed! I decided that I am going to redress her up so I can have a cute picture of her in her Easter dress and frilly headband...these are what they at least looked like!

Avery's dress was from Gap and had a little off-white sweater to go with it. She's not really a "girly-girl" so it worked well since it isn't all frilly and lacey. I love dressing little girls!

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter! He is risen!

Hillsong Part II

I know this might seem obsessive (and I certainly do not have an obsessive personality. ha!)...another Hillsong post, but my husband just sent me this picture of it from his i-phone. (I left mine in the car, so no pictures here!).

Hillsong

Mike and I love worship music, and our favorite group by far is Hillsong. I was sceptical of the whole worship music scene a while back...I thought it was cheesy and I definitely did not listen to any of it. A few years ago, Mike challenged me to listen to a Hillsong CD. He was always playing it, so I decided to appease him and just listen. Once. Well, twice. An hour.

We love their music. It is always on playing at our house or we have the DVDs playing while we do housework. Ash and Ave can both sing almost every single song (including the guitar riffs and drum parts...scary, I know). I love hearing my kids praising the Lord in their carseats in the back. So cute! It blesses this mommy's heart.

So when we heard they were touring the USA in April, we jumped on the bandwagon to buy tickets. We ended up going to the soldout concert at Sears Center with some friends. We (my husband..) were the crazies who bought general admission tickets. Decoded that means "Standing room only...really close to the stage...so loud your ears bleed, your entire body feels the bass drum (including the credit cards in your pocket)...and you are in a mass of people praising the Lord (and not all singing on key)."

It was an awesome experience to be worshipping for 3 hours straight with thousands of strangers. We were so close to the stage, the is was just like being a church...with really cool lights, amazing sound, and thousands of people. Okay, so it wasn't like church, but it was so neat. If you don't have their CDs, check them out. Their newest is Faith+Hope+Love.

And before my husbands bashes me...yes, there is Hillsong and Hillsong United. Both equally fabulous. :)

Annie, Jr.

If you've been wondering where I've been...it is most likely at Annie, Jr. rehearsal! I have directed the musical at my school for the past three years. We have 3rd-8th grade students involved, and I love it! We've been working hard for the past two months preparing for the curtain to go up TONIGHT! The kids have been doing a fabulous job and I am so proud of them. It's fun to see this show come to life.

If you are interested in ticket info, email me and I'll leave one at the door!

Annie, Jr.
Friday, March 5th 7:00 pm
Saturday, March 6th 1:00 pm

I'll hopefully post pictures next week!

A Certain Someone's Birthday

A certain little boy in my house turned four at the end of January. Ash was so excited for his fourth birthday. I can't believe that he is already four! It feels like just yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital. He's grown up into such a sweet boy that is mommy's little helper. I am so proud to be his mommy.



He loves to help his little sister out is patient with her....even when she bites him constantly. Oh the joys of a little sister.


He loves the camera is definitely not shy. He is such a ham!



He is a daddy's boy and loves helping him. He has his daddy's personality (and mommy's "type A" OCDness).


Asher loves Slushy and he goes everywhere with him. His preschool teacher told him that Slushy was a Sled Dog. Asher was so excited that now he proudly declares that whenever someone asks about Slush.


We celebrated by taking him, Avery, and his friend Nathan to Monkey Joe's in Lake Zurich. He LOVED it and mommy got a workout!

Asher David it is such a joy to have you as my little boy! Can't wait to see what the next year of your life brings!