Hearts...

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also- Matthew 6:21

In the past couple of weeks, we've been teaching about the heart (the real heart, not the shape). Then we've also been learning about the origins of Valentine's Day...and discussing the heart shape...a whole lot of heart.  Anyways-After learning about St. Valentine and how he married people when it was against the law, we also learned that people first made Valentine's Day about hearts because they thought that is where their feelings came from , but really it's your brain that controls your feelings....I think maybe they were talking about the heart as God does...your souls heart...(this is my serious thought) and maybe they thought the heart shape was a lot prettier than a fist shaped organ (trivial thought).  I always like Valentine's Day for the silly reasons and any opportunity to think about one's real heart. This year it turns out a very good opportunity for both.  As we celebrated and enjoyed the fun things about Valentine's Day, there have been several losses among people we know this week...even the loss of Brandon's Uncle Robert.  So today I know there are happy hearts and heavy hearts but I also know that indeed where your treasure is, your heart will be also. We will be remembering and celebrating this special life later this week. Please send prayers as there will be some hard days ahead for the many people's lives that Robert has touched as a friend, father, Poppy, brother, uncle, husband and son...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here are a few pictures of our past few days...Anna sent us home with a box. It has proven to be Thomas the Train, a hiding place, a slide...Parker even wrote his homework on it. Now I'm kind of afraid we aren't going to be able to get rid of it.

Silly chocolate faced Tinley...

 Some of our Valentine goodies...

More of the box...oh boy...They decided to pretend they were Daddy's package in the mail.

More than a blogfull!

There have been a few things I just haven't gotten to post on here....and I'm trying oh so hard to remember the things I want to remember (this could get confusing). So here's a little recap of the past several days...

Last Thursday we had a new venture at HCE...a math and science night. We kicked off the day by dressing like a math or science word...Parker wanted to be minus so naturally I was plus. I think that makes us nothing? Neutral...neutral sounds more peaceful than nothing. See why I have never understood math- I'm even trying to give math words a personality..  

Then I got to have a quick and fun trip to Atlanta...a visit with Anna- such a treat! We enjoyed lots of talking, some great movies, a little shopping, lots of yummy food, a great church service, laughing out loud and happy happy girl time!  I love this girl!  She also took me to this great view of Atlanta. This is at a restaurant at the top of the Westin in downtown Atlanta. 


We went up really high in this elevator (kind of reminded me of Willy Wonka) except we did stop and instead of being with Willy Wonka we were in the elevator with a couple who got married that morning...So sweet.

Here is one of the views of the city...

And a view of our dessert...

And we are here about to be sick from eating that yummy dessert but smiling still:)

Then we went to a little store where we wanted to buy about everything...and at last when I wasn't looking for them...I found panties just the right size for Tinley. Why am I so excited about this you ask...well I had just given up that she was going to have to wear cheapy pre washed saggy panties until her bum grew into them. (This is one area we don't have a lot in common!) These looked perfect and comfortable...and they worked. If you can't see what they say- it says, I'm a Big Girl Now! Yes you are. 

They were a little more expensive...but hey everyone deserves to have some comfortable underwear...at least one pair right? She was so excited to put them on! Not to mention her new bathing suit...just as it's getting cold, we are getting ready for the summer!

Anyways we had a great time and went to a movie/dinner place and saw The Vow...you should see it...and call me after you do so I can reflect with you. 

I headed home today and was happy to see these sweet faces. And thanks to Anna I did not go home empty handed! Parker loved his new Angry Bird shirt. He is planning to wear it tomorrow! There is more to update but I think I need to get ready for Monday now...it comes every week! Hope you all have a great one!

When I am 100...

I think I would be happy! Today is the 100th Day of school, I guess that makes this my 8th 100th day of school. It's only Parker's first 100 days and that is why in Kindergarten it is so special. On the 100th day of school, we do all kinds of 100 projects- What would I do with $100, we do 100 exercises, play 100 Bingo, make a necklace with 100 fruit loops, every child brings or wears a 100 project, and my personal favorite- We draw and write: When I am 100, fill in the blank.  I always enjoy this activity- some of our class answers today were... I would have wrinkles, I would walk slow, I would be very smart, I would take naps (that's what my grandpa does my student says), I would play Bingo, I would have lots of grandchildren. Today someone even told me they think they would wear diapers again...hmmm not the best thought but I guess there is a realist in any group. Parker's said he thinks he will be happy. I sure hope so Parker! Congratulations Parker and all my other little children- you made it through 100 days:)


This is us in 100 gear (well not Tinley but we didn't want to hurt her feelings and tell her she hasn't made 100 days in school yet) Parker stamped 100 up arrows on his shirt because we've been counting up to 100- his idea. I have 100 buttons because Mom made me this shirt my first year of teaching. I was not excited about wearing it but I've got to tell you I've gotten more compliments on this shirt than about any other I've had and I only wear it once a year (only inside the walls of a school- but hey a compliments a compliment.)

This is Parker's 100 year old person. Let me tell you what it says, Win I am 100 I tak I wd b hbe. This is Kindergarten, for When I am 100 I think I would be happy.

Whether you are 10 or 20 or 100, I hope you are feeling happy today:)


Happy Birthday to all this week's February birthdays! They just keep coming!

Happy Birthday Meredith on February 5th! We are so proud of you!

 Happy Birthday Adam on February 8th! Wish we could be there to celebrate with you!

And Happy Birthday Amy on February 8th! So glad we got to share some time with you before your birthday. 

Beautiful Places + Sweet Faces = Love it!

When we picked the first weekend in February to go to the beach, we thought we get some relaxing, maybe some sight seeing, and some time with the Carmichaels which would have been perfect enough. We did not know we would get beautiful weather...and a taste of Spring...(dare I say summer) fever!  It was a fast weekend, but so nice. Sorry for lots of pictures, but there were lots of good photo opportunities. There would be  more if my camera hadn't died briefly:)

Tinley playing with Daddy..and cheering for the Seahawks!

Parker playing...and cheering for the Seahawks! 

 Sweet Lydia growing so fast!

Amy on double duty! Tinley wanted to be wherever Lydia was.

Checking out the water...

 Must be something special in there!

Use your imagination and you'll see a green ninja (at least if you're Parker)

Every beach trip for us means finding some treasure...You would think they would be pros now...look where they are...look where the X is. I guess the fun is in the hunt!

Then my camera died...right on the beautiful beach, but we did enjoy some treasure, seashells and the girls enjoyed many handfuls of sand. Treasure is all relative to what you find amusing I guess!

A visit to the aquarium...

Then we stopped at this beautiful area at Fort Fisher. 

Today (Sunday) we got to go to church with Amy, Gary, and Lydia.  It was a great start to our day. The girls enjoyed a little rocking before we left.

We went back to the place, packed up...and made a quick downtown stop for some sweet treats before heading home. Ahhh I do miss this place!

Now..Superbowl time. Parker and Tinley made their predictions.  Last year, they picked the same team and they were right, but this year they are divided! We'll see!

Phil and Charlotte Agree!

Happy Groundhog Day! In case you haven't heard the famous Punxsutawney Phil and our very own Queen Charlotte Groundhog from the nature museum both saw their shadows. I would have agreed with him too- he's pretty famous for this kind of thing.  It doesn't really seem to matter if he's right or not. I read somewhere that he's only right 39% of the time, but it doesn't seem to undermine his credibility...at least for February 2.  Interesting- we give meteorologists a hard time, but 39% is alright for a groundhog I guess!  I'm good with that- any reason to celebrate...Parker and I agree we're going to make it to Punxsutawney one of these days and celebrate this holiday the way those people do! 

We also predicted that six more weeks of winter was on the way last night...not really so much out of logic but more because we want just one or two little snow days if that's not too much to ask. We don't want to be snowed in...just make snowman, some snow angels, and some sledding and then back to this beautiful weather.

But...if we can't have snow, we will keep enjoying some outside time (even sometimes with no coat!) right here in the middle of this winter.

Shadows are big in our house right now (not only bc of g-hog day) but Parker's been learning about them at school which also means I've been teaching about them...and we watched Hook this weekend and Parker likes to make his shadow look like the Peter Pan shadow in the movie.  He's still working on flying...he can't seem to figure out why he has so many happy thoughts and goes no where.

February is full of fun little holidays for us and LOTS of birthdays. It's been 2 days of February and 2 days of favorite people birthdays! Many more to come!

Yesterday was Parker's favorite (maybe 2nd favorite if you count his mama) Kindergarten teacher's birthday- Ms. Ogden/ Julie to me! Here they are on one of the first days of school!  I could say a lot of great things about her but as Parker would say it she knows all the rules and is VERY smart.

And today is Kristina's birthday!! I wonder if she saw her shadow :) We love you Kris and can't wait to see you and your growing baby bump soon!