Lunch Date with 2 V.I.P.'s

Jeff and I have had the opportunity to eat with the kids a few times this year. The kids love it and I wish we could do it more often. It is such a treat to give them something to look forward too and to eat with them in their own school environment. Looking forward to many more school lunches in the future!

Interskate--Skating Birthday Party

Reese and Collin had their birthday party at Interskate. We were so lucky that so many of their friends could join us and help them celebrate turning 6! Great time with family and friends!

Happy 6th Birthday

How is it even possible that these 2 angels are actually SIX years old? How could it be that just 6 short years ago, I was living the scariest day of my life? How is it that they have both proven to be two, amazing miracles that have surpassed all of my wildest dreams and have filled my heart with a love that I never even knew existed? I feel so truly blessed to be there Mommy and know that God puposely gave me twins because he knew I would not be having anymore babies. I know that is not a coincedence. I love these two kiddos so incredibly much that there are no words that could ever explain. Thank you Reese and Collin for adding so much joy and love to our lives!! We love you and are so proud of the little people that you are!!

First couple of pictures, are of the little place settings I had set up for Reese and Collin for their first day of school. I wanted them to wake up to something a little special and know that this was a very exciting day! So, we made them a nice little breakfast spot and made their favorite for breakfast, chocolate chip muffin bread and bacon. After that, we got ready for school and had to take "first day of school" pictures. Then, you can see where they were walking into school....it all seemed so surreal, that they were actually starting REAL school and going to Kindergarten. I held up really well and they did AWESOME! I only teared up momentarily, as I realized how nervous my sweet Collin was. Bless his little heart, he was so quiet and so calm and so unlike himself. Reese seemed cool as a cucumber and was excited to be there! She popped right into her room, found her seat and started on her color sheet. When I realized how nervous Collin was, I was so surprised that it was completely opposite of what I expected it to be. I thought Reese would be the one who was nervous and Collin would be fine. They both did great and they had no tears....and I held up surprisingly well. Only a brief moment of tears and I pulled it together pretty quickly. I knew I had too--it was MY FIRST DAY TOO!!!

Reese loses her second tooth!

The tooth fairy was green this time. She sipped the water and it turned green, plus she left green fairy dust! Not too mention, the $5.00 she gave Reese--not too shabby!

Magic Time Machine

To kick off our start to the new school year, we wanted to take the kids to do something fun. So, we took them to Magic Time Machine and the Keiser's joined us! We appropriately were seated in the school bus, so that was neat. The kids loved seeing all the characters and getting to see all the giant table/booth decorations. After a fun meal, we headed to Paciugo for a little ice cream. Such a fun night!!

"Meet the Teacher"

"Meet the Teacher" night was great. Collin got Ms. Jamison for his teacher and Reese got Ms. Martin. Each of them got to do a little scavenger hunt around their rooms and got to see where they will sit and meet some of the new friends they will have in class. Before we were released to actually go meet the teachers and go see the rooms, we had a brief "kindergarten" meeting. The counselor, Ms. Salmon, read a poem that almost killed me. I literally was doing the ugly cry and had to stop listening just so I could pull it together. I know they do this, so as parents, we will know our children will be well taken care of, but seriously--send the poem home with us or something. I did eventually pull it together and we enjoyed the rest of our time! Luckily, the kids were in the gym with all the other new kindergarteners, while we were meeting. I would not have wanted them to have been worried about me! After, we met Nana for dinner and she gave them their new backpacks and lunch boxes for school!!! So fun!

Going Back to Work....

Life. Altering. It has been a much more difficult transition than I ever anticipated. Good news is, I seem to be the only one really effected by it. On a more positive note, I think I am finally getting adjusted. It has definitely taken some time to get used too, but think life is finally settling into a "new" routine and we are growing accustomed to our new normal. So, I am going to try to briefly catch up the blog with the major highlights since August.

Going back to work....

Well, while I was in Rockport, I received a job offer at Roach MS in Frisco. I am so thankful, and relieved, and at the same time so sad. The job offer is for 6th grade ILA (Language Arts and Reading), pending passing my certification tests. I had promised Terri, the principal, that I would be willing to take both the ELAR certification test AND the Generalist test to up my chances of actually passing one or the other. So, the Tuesday and Wednesday after Rockport, I took both tests (one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday)---and by Friday I found out I had passed BOTH! This brought on a flood of emtions, for that meant, I am DEFINITELY going back to work full-time.
This, of course, is a blessing and I know without a doubt that it is meant-to-be, but it is still difficult. I am sad that I will not be the one picking up Reese and Collin from school and that I will not be able to volunteer at their school like I had always hoped for. This is temporarily giving up a little of the dream I have had as their mother, but sometimes we have to step up to the plate for our families, and that is what I am doing.
I have been on an emotional roller coaster for the last couple of weeks, shed lots of tears and have needed time to digest all that has happened so quickly. I am now trying to get myself geared up to teach. I actually LOVE teaching, and look forward to being back in the classroom. I know that me going back will hopefully relieve Jeff of working such a long, and early, hours. It was also hopefully allow him to get some help in the office (eventually). I also think it will help us put some additional fund towards the kids college funds and give us a few opportunities we would not have had if I had not gone back. So, there are definitely positives to it, it is just getting myself used to the fact that life has changed (and quickly).
I might be on a similar roller coaster, even if I was not going back to work. These emotions have snuck up on me, unexpectedly, and the fact that Reese and Collin are going to Kindergarten has really struck a nerve with me. I just don't want their little lives to go by too quickly. I want to cherish my every moment with them, soak in their little laughs, hug and kiss their sweet cheeks, listen to all their cute stories and just enjoy them while they are young. I have so enjoyed being home these last six years and I will always treasure all the time I have been able to be with them. I feel so blessed to be their Mommy and I want nothing but to continue to savor every moment.

School Supplies

A couple of weeks ago, I took the kids school supply shopping. I thought it would be fun for them to help me read the list, find the supplies they needed, get the appropriate amount and start getting them excited for school! They really did enjoy it and were really good about finding all of their stuff. I can't believe they are starting Kindergarten--they are going to do great, but these last 6 years have gone by way too FAST! I am going to be an emotional wreck on the first day....I already am.

Pre-season Football and Cheerleader Cook Out

The Red Raiders football coach and his wife Erin (team mom) contacted me to see if the cheerleaders would be interested in participating in a pre-season cook-out with the football team. I thought this was so nice and we were thrilled to be included. The cook out was a ton of fun and the kids just ran around and played. Forrest (the coach) spoke a little and said that he really hoped that the football and cheer parents could get to know each other and for us to become one, big cohesive group. I am looking forward to a great season and hope that we have many more seasons to come! What a fun way to start the year!