Very Odd and Endish

At the beginning of the year I made a new tablecloth with the new Primary theme for the table on Sundays.

My Silhouette came in very handy creating the CTR emblem.

Once I got it on the table I had to bring it home and make some adjustments in length but it ended up working out okay.

Out to lunch with friends...

The first blooms of spring...

always very exciting in my book :)

The boys decided to come to Free Motion with me on a day they had off from school.

They both did great and are anxious to go back.

Speaking of Free Motion and working out...

my right achilles tendon has been bothering me for quite some time now (over a year) and I finally went to the doctor.  He put me in a soft cast and a walking boot.  I also got a stem cell injection, and was put on an anti-inflamatory.  After two weeks of the boot I started physical therapy.

Things have not improved significantly, as a matter of fact, they have been worse at times, however, I continue to do therapy and am hoping for the best.

(the day I got the boot, Andy brought home this beautiful bouquet of purple tulips for me) 

I try to attend one of Andy's Institute classes each semester.  Now that he is the Pre-Service trainer for the area, it is the same class every time, but I love meeting the different people that attend each semester.  A few weeks ago, he had me follow him outside to see the new semi-temporary sign on the front of the building.

Then he had me look extra close at the "E"... that's my guy :)

A Hedgehog Valentine's Day

Matt was the only one that needed to make a box for his class valentines.

We had decided to do a hedgehog valentine and so he wanted to make a box to match. 

Here's our cute inspiration...

This is my sweet Valentine...

 Isn't he cute ?

He is always making me feel very special :)

Matt Lately...

Matt partnered up with a friend and did a project for the school science fair...

One morning I found him reading books to Ben in bed...

All the kids are actually very good about this :)

My poor, deprived children.  When they were young, it was rare that I let them play with playdough.

It was so messy and such a hassle.  I wish I could go back to those days and say 'yes' more often.

Anyway, Matt pulled it out recently and let his creative juices flow...

For Christmas, I bought the family a set of Harry Potter books.  

Josh and Abby had already read the series so Matt wanted to start into them.  I kept reminding him to be careful with them and not let the covers get bent etc.

One day he came home from school with the cover and many pages warped from water.

He admitted that he probably picked it up with a wet glove or something.  I was not thrilled and could tell that Matt felt bad about it.

I had read in a parenting book recently that if you feel that you responded poorly in a situation with your child that you can go to them and admit you were wrong and start over so to speak.  I know, it's not rocket science but that sort of clicked with me in this instance.  The same book also suggests writing notes as a technique for effective communication with your children.  

Hence, I decided to write a note to Matt and respond how I should have the first time.

I felt pretty proud of myself for once :)

Every winter the elementary school has their Western Night.

It's always a fun and tiring evening!

So happy to have gone with my sweet Matt.

Also, we enjoyed Matt's final Pinewood Derby...

His award was for "The Smoothest Finish" :)

Hello...It's me...I was wondering if after all these months you'd like to read my blog again...

It's so hard for me to try and catch up on my blog after a long absence, but that is exactly what I need to do so here goes...

Before I go all the way back to January, (Yikes) I wanted to post my first ever iMovie project.

I've never posted a video on my blog before so I don't even know if it will work :(

A little background first:

 I have been a Nathan Pacheco fan for a few years.

He recently came out with a new album called Higher.  It is all about the Savior and I love it!

You should check it out on iTunes!

The first track is one of my many favorites and I thought it was the perfect song to use in my Easter Sharing Time lesson at church.

So, with a lot of help from my sweet husband, I was able to put this video together.

(sorry the quality is not awesome...in order to get it to load onto the blog I had to reduce the size quite a bit.  It's probably best viewed not 'full screen' :)

Now, back to January :)

We had a few substantial snows that first month of the year resulting in a couple of snow days at school and a late start one day as well.  The kids were beyond ecstatic and I have to admit I was a little excited as well.

Ha! I love that last one with the snow curling over onto itself on the railing.

Also, Abby removed a large icicle from the roof and wanted to document it...

Well, hopefully that is the first installment of many over the next few days.  My goal is to catch up by my birthday which is quickly approaching.