A Sweet New Blessing...

Ben and I got to visit our sweet new baby cousin this month! I had this picture on my phone and JUST figured out how to post pictures on the blog from my phone! Olivia Fae...too sweet for words. We are so excited to watch you grow. Congratulations to Darrin, Emily, Aleks and Eli!

Happy Mother's Day

This year for Mother's Day we decided to have a porch tea party...girls only! Grandma came over, Katie came with the kids (Landen played Nerf guns in the backyard with Royce...because "Tea parties are for girls!") and Mom made an amazing spread of traditional tea party snacks! We had cucumber sandwiches, biscuits with jam and lemon curd, old maids (pastry dough rolled up with raisins and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon), and TEA! Everything was served on pretty china with real tea cups from England that were my Great Grandma's. The only picture that kinda turned out was this one of Grandma and Kyla...I promise to get better at taking pictures!

We had a great time and will definitely have to have more tea parties before the summer is over!

Fun In The Sun!

On Saturday Katie came by with the kids...Landen decided despite the beautiful weather he needed to go in the hot tub! I didn't dare get within squirting distance to take a picture, so instead Kyla was captured eating one of her favorite snacks...yes...a plain ice-cream cone...hold the ice-cream! She is easy to please!

It is FINISHED!

Well I made it, my Master's Defense was last night and I feel like it went well...not to say I wasn't nervous through the first half! It's hard to believe that two and a half years ago I registered for my first TESOL course...thinking "I'll start working toward my endorsement" and now I look back on a completed endorsement, a maters degree and a completed National Board submission! Time has flown by. I am so thankful for my supportive family...they have put up with a lot of "Stressed Abbie" in those two years...and let's be honest so have my co-workers! I am thankful the Lord provided me with a consistent job throughout the process, amazing health (both mentally and physically), and not to mention financially...there are no loan payments at this house for any college education! Woo-Hoo!

The feeling in our house in the last 24 hours has been amazing...not that we weren't happy before but now Ben and I both feel so relaxed...kind of like newlyweds again! I can't wait for a great summer! Only 20 more days of school ladies and gentlement...but whose counting? :)

Porch Date...

The weather today was nothing short of amazing...that being said, it was the PERFECT day to visit on the porch, and I just happen to have two of the cutest visitors! See for yourself...

Look at those BLUE eyes!

Landen, showing off his muscles!

Playing a little patty-cake!

And a perfectly cheesey smile to top it off!

This little taste of summer is just what this auntie needed...I can't wait for summer vacation! More porch dates!

Birthday Girl...

I know it's a little late, but we finally uploaded all our camera pictures to the computer, and this one is too cute! Kyla turned ONE on March 29th and is the sweetest baby girl I know. She is learning new things each day...time seems to slip away even faster lately! Happy Birthday Kyla Joelle...you are a gift!

Spring Time!

Is it seriously almost May? I can't believe how time has flown by...I can't say I am bothered by it though, in fact I almost appreciate it these days! This week went by so fast I didn't even realize it was Friday by Friday afternoon, and a second grader had to inform me...seriously?

Here are the updates for us:
-Ben is coaching track again this year and it's officially in full swing.
-Believe it or not, football is in the near future already! The schedule for Spring and Summer is hanging on our fridge and football camp is marked on the calendar.
-I have turned in my National Board "stuff" and taken the written exam...now we wait...until NOVEMBER! I'm glad it's done, and I think it will be good to have some time to process everything before I get my results.
-I am finishing up my masters this quarter, only taking one class at night. I'm feeling like I'm on the home stretch now, the end is in sight and the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. I have one more major presentation in front of a board of professionals and that will be the cherry on top of this entire thing.

Despite our busy schedule we still find time for our sweet niece and nephew. Such sweet babies...I can't get enough of them! Kyla loves to say "Hi" and now pairs it with a precious little wave. She is changing daily. She is devoted, ambitious, determined, and a touch stubborn. :) Landen is officially registered for pre-school...could he really be starting school already? His daily growth as a little man, son and brother is astounding. He is caring, generous, thoughtful and kind-hearted. We love these kiddos to the moon and are so lucky to get to see them as often as we do.

We also find time to go in our new hot tub...although it's never often enough! This was our big treat...it's a part of our "date night in"...because let's face it, a trip to Costco can't be the "date" all on it's own, so now we can at least take a dip in the hot tub after we put groceries away!

We are SO looking forward to the summer. We are praying for a relaxing, uneventful summer with no hospital visits, no emergencies...pretty much nothing but sun on our faces, a great tan, and a drink in hand! Could we be so blessed?