Update and Merry Christmas!

Just a brief update:

*I made an A in both of my classes. WooHoo! No Grad school until January 12th!
*Clint applied to Clemson and heard back from them in 3 weeks. He was accepted, and they offered him $56,000 (14,000 per year)! Although, they are not his 1st choice. Remember the Park Scholarship that I told you about in the last post...he didn't get it. They had 1200 nominees, and they only pick 50. But, God has something else in store.
*Callie sang a solo in the Christmas program at church, and it was BEAUTIFUL! Thanks Mrs. Kristi and Mrs. Carolyn.
*Cassie's cheer team competed in Greensboro last week, and they came in 2nd place.
*Terry's job will most likely hold out until March 31st! Keep praying!
*We are enjoying being at home and wish all of you a Merry Christmas.

Myspace Glitter Graphics, Christmas Glitter Graphics

I am alive!!!!!

I bet you have all been wondering if I was alive or not....well I am happy to report that I do have a pulse! Graduate school is KILLING ME! Here are a few quick updates:

* Clint took his turkey (Lynard) to the NC State fair in October and placed 6 out of 15 in his class. He just got a check in the mail for $35 from where they auctioned Lynard after the show. Poor Lynard!

Clint posing with Lynard before they are off to the NC State Fair. Lynard is camera shy!!

* Callie tried out for the NC Elementary Honors Chorus and made it. There were only 20 from Cleveland County and 160 from all of NC. Their rehearsals and performance were last weekend in Winston Salem. It was AWESOME!

Can you find Callie in the picture?

My little singer!

*Cassie's 1st Cheer Competition was last weekend in Raleigh. They won 1st in their division. Go Force!

Cassie after her competition at Dorton Arena in Raleigh.

* Terry's plant is closing December 31st. He has worked there for almost 21 years. We are scared but know the Lord is in control. PRAY!

*I am in a Masters program through ASU that meets in Hickory , and so far I am making A's. It is sooooo hard, and I cry a lot. But God's in control of that too.

* Clint was nominated by his high school as a Park Scholarship recipient (full ride to NC State!). Each high school can choose up to 2 and they only chose Clint this year. He has completed his application and all the necessary requirements. They only choose 50 for the scholarship out of all their nominees...we are praying.

*We toured NC State on Monday...unfortunately, I think Clint liked it!

Clint outside of the 1911 Building at NC State.

* Clint has applied to NC State, UNCC, and I think he is going to apply to Clemson. I'm thinking Cleveland Community here we come!!!!

* Cassie and Callie made straight A's on their 1st report card, and Clint made A's and a B (in Honors Biology II). Way to go kids!

I guess that is about all to report at this time. I have been overwhelmed with my responsibilities at work and grad school. I can't wait for Christmas break so I can breathe.

Blah!

I have been in a blah mood lately. I guess I always get this way when its about time for school to start back. Don't get me wrong I love my job, and I do miss it in the summer. But each year when it gets about this time, I get frustrated with myself that I didn't do as much summer planning as I had liked to and that I didn't do as much in my house as I should. Yes, I'll admit I have been LAZY! But I keep telling myself, in 2 weeks I will be so busy that I will only be able to dream about being lazy.
A week from today, I go back to work full steam ahead with meetings and getting my room ready. On the following Monday, the kids start back to school. Then on Tuesday the 26th, I start graduate school. Not to mention all that Clint, Cassie, and Callie will be doing outside of school.
Speaking of Clint and Callie, they are leaving in the morning with Mrs. Janet and her crew to spend the next 5 days in Pigeon Forge/Sevierville. Mrs. Janet is in desperate need of a vacation, and she thought it would be a good idea to let 2 of her children take 2 of mine as companions. I am a little jealous! She also invited Cassie, but she has her last week of drivers ed. training this week. Also, Cassie has a weekend babysit gig lined up that she is ecstatic about. That girl loves to babysit!
Speaking of babysitting, Callie has been dying to have K come over for a play date. So, Marla let us get her this afternoon at about 5. They played baby dolls, dress-up, and kitchen. She also had supper with us. We bathed her and took her home around 8:30. You know what that crazy young'un wanted to do when we got her home? She wanted to take another bath. I guess because the rest of her bunch were in the middle of getting their baths when we got to Marla's. Callie really enjoyed having K over and can't wait to do it again soon.

Callie dressed K in a Christmas dress and cowboy boots!

K posing with her babies

Lookie here!

Terry found this conch shell while he was playing with the kids in the ocean. Ain't it purdy? We've never found a shell this nice at the beach. They also found tons of hermit crabs. (no pics of those though) We kept the shell while we were at the ocean that day, but Terry made us throw it back before we left because he didn't want the animal inside of it to die. I thought it would have been a great souvenir.

Moustache Monday

It is taking me a while to catch on to this blogger thing. I am learning that a faithful blogger carries a camera at all times. Yesterday I needed one when the kids and I went to lunch. I had a busy day of running them from one place to another so, we decided to eat a quick lunch at Pizza Inn. Well they are celebrating 50 years in business, and they are trying to spice things up a bit. Yesterday just happened to be Moustache Monday. They gave everybody in the restaurant a sticker moustache to wear while they were eating. If you wore it, you got a dollar off your meal. Well of course I made my crew wear them, that was a $4 savings! We giggled all the way through lunch. What I couldn't understand was why none of the other customers would wear them. Everyone kept staring at us, which made us giggle even more. We had a good time together.

Do you see what I see?

We just got back from the ocean and for the most part we are all fried! Look at this pic of Callie... do you see what I see?

She has a white trail all around the outer edges of her face where she applied her sunscreen. Apparently, she didn't get it rubbed around her whole face. It is hilarious!

Here are Cassie, Leanna, and Abby doing what they like best, cruisin' and cheesin' on the back of the golf cart.

Hope you all had a super Sunday. We sure did miss our church people.

We're Here!

Well, we made it! And I was wrong I do have Internet access. I am apparently bumming off of somebody else's connection. (Don't tell nobody!) Anyway, we arrived at about 11:30, checked in, unloaded, and went to check out our friend's place. Then Marla, Leanna, and I went to Wal-Mart for groceries. Now we are all set, for a few days anyway. You know how excited I was to see Clint? Well, He asked if him and Cory could stay with a friend of theirs tonight. Kids! Well have a super Saturday. I will keep you posted.

Beach Bound

Well the car is packed and we are ready to go. We will be leaving at 6 am tomorrow morning for a week of fun in the sun. I don't know how much Internet access I will have, so don't expect much out of a Hoppin' Place to Be until we get back. I am looking forward to seeing Clint (He's already at the beach with a friend), I have only seen him 19 hours (most of that time he was asleep) out of the past 14 days. We are going to miss Bailey while we are gone, but she's in good hands with our friend Hannah. Sorry Bay Bay we will make it up to you.
We are all looking forward to spending some time with some good friends of ours from church also.
Have a good week!

Blogiversary

Happy Blogiversary to me,
Happy Blogiversary to me,
Happy Blogiversary to me-e,
Happy Blogiversary to me!
It's my 1 month Blogiversary today. No gifts, please! lol!

Appointments and Packing

I bet you all have been wondering where I have been. Well, I could blame it on being extremely busy, but the truth is I have been mostly LAZY.
Let's see...Friday the kids came home from PR. After we picked them up at the airport, we went to the Cracker Barrel and ate some good ole American cookin'. By the time we got finished and made it home, it was 10:00 and we were exhausted. I started washing Clint's clothes as soon as we walked in the door because he was going to be leaving for the beach with a good buddy of his less than 24 hours later.
On Saturday, I continued washing clothes, helped Clint get repacked, and uploaded Cassie's PR pics to Walgreen's so that I could get them developed. She took 213 pictures, I was so proud of her! You can view a slide show of some of them at Cassie's Corner . Callie went to play and spend the night with a friend on Saturday, and that afternoon Clint went to his friend's to leave for the beach. That left Cassie as an only child. That evening we went to Walgreen's to pick up the pics I had sent via Internet, and Cassie wanted to go to Ham's for cheese fries and a cheesy chicken sandwich.
On Sunday, we went to church, of course. We had two wonderful, spirit-filled services. God is blessing in our church family, and I am glad I am able to witness it. Our teens testified about the PR trip, and many others testified about miracles that are happening in their lives.
On Monday, I substitute taught for a friend of mine at this summer enrichment program I told you about in an earlier post. Also, Terry turned 52! The girls made him cards, and I cooked him a good meal. He wants a new pair on tennis shoes, and that is something I can't go out and buy him. So, he is going to buy his own gift. After we ate and cleaned up the dishes, Cassie had cheer practice.
On Tuesday, Cassie was dying to get the new Miley Cirus cd. She purposely saved some of her PR spending money so that she could buy it. So, the girls and I went to Wal-Mart so that she could purchase it. Then, we went to Chick-fil-A for lunch. Next, I had a hair appointment. Later that evening Cassie had cheer practice again. After cheer practice, she went to spend the night with Taylor from Taylor's Blog.
On Wednesday, Callie and I were truly LAZY! We laid around in our pjs all day and watched the tube. We were still in our pjs when Terry got home from work! That evening we went to church, and again we had a tremendous service. A man that was sitting behind me got saved!
Well today, Cassie has a dentist appointment and an orthodontist appointment. Sometime today we have got to start packing for the beach. We are leaving early Saturday morning for a week. When we get there, Clint and his friend will meet up with us, and his friend's parents will be going home. There will also be some good friends of ours from church staying at the same place as us.
Well, I believe I have caught you up. Hope you have a good day.

6 quirky things about me

I was tagged by Susan from Boogers in the Woodpile to do a Meme.

Here are the rules:
1) Link to the person who tagged me.
2) Mention the rules.
3) Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about myself.
4) Tag 6 other blogger´s by linking to them.
5) Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged

BTW, I ain't good at stuff like this!

• I have this thing about flesh touching flesh. I don't like for my skin to touch my skin or anyone else's skin to touch mine for that matter. I know this is strange, and I am dealing with it. I know what you're thinkng...how in the world did she manage to have 3 kids? Honestly, I don't know!!!!
• I love to eat meat, but I don't like to handle it. The more I handle it the less likely I am going to eat it. And oh yeah, I hate the words meat, pork, etc. I didn't eat any meat when I was pregnant with my girls.
• Most nights I don't sleep in the same place all night. For example, if I start out in the bed I move to the couch, lounger, love seat, or even one of the kids beds during the night. Sometimes I move more than once. Maybe its related to the flesh thing I mentioned earlier, who knows.
• 2 foods I totally despise are mayonaise and eggs. However, I can eat them hidden in certain dishes. The strange thing is my family says I make fabulous deviled eggs.
• I can't sleep with rings, watches, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, etc. on my body, including my wedding ring. I know by now you are probably thinking...my goodness its a miracle this poor girl ever sleeps!
• I smell everything. I am not going to elaborate on this one.

Who I am tagging: (I broke the rules, I am only tagging 2)

Kim from Kimberly's Place

Cassie from Cassie's Corner

I Took the Test

What type of Mother Hen Are You?
by Montessorimom.com: Educational Resource

I saw this quiz mentioned on Thimble Thoughts and decided to try it out. Boy, did it hit the nail on the head. Why don't you give it a try?

BTW, my babies are home!

Boy Am I Tired!

I got back from my Teacher Academy yesterday around 2:00, but I was so tired that I crashed on the couch at about 4:00 and didn't hardly move until 9:00! I learned a lot, ate a lot, laughed a lot, and got excited about science for my classroom. We had a full agenda of classes, mostly working with other teachers on our grade level across the state. They fed us every 2 hours, and I bet I gained 10 pounds. The fourth grade content was electricity and magnetism, which is the physical science strand of science for 4th grade in NC. We did lots of exploring both concepts and how they are related. I brought home a huge box of items and ideas to use in my classroom and share with my team at school. Over the next 2 years, they plan to have an earth science component and a life science component which will cover the other strands of science that I teach. They also expressed they would love for the same schools/representatives to return for both strands. They even said they would accept us 1st. I can't wait!
Callie was excited about me being home. I'm sure it wasn't because she wanted to see the surprises I had bought her! Terry was pretty happy too, although I didn't get him a surprise. (I'll leave it at that!)
Woo! Hoo! Clint and Cassie are coming home today! I am soooo ready to see them young'uns. Terry, Callie, and I are going to meet them at the airport this evening. I can't wait to see Cassie's pics. We will be in a hurry to get Clint's clothes washed, because he is going to the beach for a week with a friend on Sunday morning. We will be meeting him and his friend at the beach in a week, and they will be staying with us for the week.
Today, Callie and I are going to a local church where a summer enrichment program is being held for struggling students in our city. The program is sponsored by the church and local businesses, but it is ran by our school board and my principal. One of my friends/team members is teaching at the program and needs a substitute on Monday. She has asked me to sub for her, and I am going to check out the facilities and meet the kids. After that, we are going to see Space Chimps at the movies with that same friend and her daughter. (That will help us pass some time until its time to get Clint and Cassie from the airport.)
Hope you have a fantastic Friday!

Playing Catch-up

I have been a bad blogger lately. On Monday, I went on a little retreat with the ladies on my grade level. One of our teachers retired after 33 years, and we wanted a time to fellowship and relax with her. I am going to miss her. She brings so much to our grade level. We call her Miss Hospitality because she never forgets a birthday, anniversary, or any other occasion. Another lady on our grade level has a family member that has a house in Seven Devils, NC, and she offered it to us for free! I didn't take pics, but it was beautiful. We watched movies, slept late, played cards, pigged out at Daniel Boone Inn Restaurant, and laughed a lot.
I returned home on Wednesday and scrambled around trying to get all the last minute items for Clint and Cassie's trip to Puerto Rico. Then, I spent most of the day Thursday packing Clint for PR because he had to work all day, and then he had banjo practice. Thursday evening we went to the church to weigh in their luggage and have one last meeting. Following the meeting, we took the kids to eat at Fatz. Clint let Cassie choose where we ate because he figured it would be her last meal for a while considering she's such a picky eater. Wasn't that sweet!!
Early Friday morning, Callie, Bailey, and myself took Clint and Cassie to the church for their long awaited trip. (I have pics but they are on the camera that is in PR right now!) After their departure, a friend of Callie's came home with us for the day. I took the girls to Mickey D's for lunch and to the movies to see the American Girl movie. (good movie) After the movie, I realized that I had locked my keys in my car. I guess I was being punished for smuggling Dollar Tree candy into the theatre!! My mom went to my house to get my extra key, and by the time she brought it to us it was time for Callie's friend to go home.
Callie was invited to a birthday party last night, also. I decided to stay with her at the party since Terry was cutting grass at home, and I had been on the verge of tears all day due to sending my older kids to a foreign place. I figured if I stay it would keep my mind occupied. The party girl's parents had rented a huge water slide for the kids to play on. They had a ball. Except...when Callie blacked her own eye with her own knee! (I would show you a pic except both of my cameras are in PR.)
Today, I am gathering my things for a trip I am taking to Hickory. My school was selected to attend the NC Teacher Academy for Science, so they are sending 1 teacher per grade level, and I was chosen for 4th. It is an all expense paid trip, and I will also be getting a stipend. I will be there from Sunday evening until Thursday afternoon. I have mixed emotions about going. I want to go and learn, but I want to be here with Callie too. Pray for me, I am having my own little pity party this weekend.
Well, I guess I have caught all 3 of my readers up!! Callie is begging to go swimming , so I think we will go to my mom's for a dip.

Why a public school teacher?

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

This verse brings to mind the reason I am a public school teacher. People often ask me why I spend so much time working at school and working on school especially since the pay is not much. The truth is my mind never truly stops thinking about the children I am serving. To me, school is my mission field. Currently, I teach 4th grade, and I know this is where God wants me to be. I believe that, even in a public school, children should feel safe, loved, and successful. Teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic is not all I do as their teacher. God has given me the opportunity and responsibility to act as their mother, nurse, and counselor while they're in my care. And while the state puts pressure and mandates on what these kids should know, their basic needs, beginning with love, are the most important things to me. Many of these same kids attend our bus church, and although I don't work in the bus church, I am blessed that people I know, love, and fellowship with are also getting a chance to impact their lives. Its not very often that the parents of these children say thanks or give you a pat on the back. However, my work is not in vain. That look a kid has when he/she gets it, or that hug he/she gives, and when a kid sits with you at recess just because he/she can, or even that note a student writes to you when you have not had a good day is reward enough for me. I thank God for the opportunities he gives me.

Another Party

Yesterday, we were invited to attend a reception/4th party for Terry's cousin and his new bride. The man had been a widower since his 1st wife died several years ago. He has 3 grown children, several grandchildren, and 3 brothers with grown children and grandchildren, too. His mother and Terry's mother are sisters (Terry's mom past away 5 years ago). There were 11 brothers and sisters in Terry's mom's family, and they remained very close. With all that family, not to mention the bride's side and friends too, you can imagine how many people were at this party! It was a huge shindig! It started at noon and lasted until midnight. We decided to get there at about 3:30, because we wanted to stay for the fireworks. When we arrived they had several things going on. There was karaoke, a dance floor, swimming in the amazing pool, games with prizes, jumping in the inflatable moon bounce, hamburgers and hot dogs, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and an ice cream bar. The kids swam for a while. Later, there was roast beef and turkey croissants for supper with fruit, desserts, a mashed potato/sweet potato bar, and crackers with all kinds of spreads and cheeses. Needless to say, we ate and ate and ate! They also had a band that night and a beautiful fireworks display. The kids spent most of their time swimming and eating. Cassie and Callie kept getting out of the pool and jumping in the moon bounce and then getting back into the pool. It rained quite a bit while we were there, but it didn't stop us from having a good time. As we pulled out of the driveway, Terry told the kids,"This is how the other half lives." I'm glad we're not the other half, because I would be as big as a barn! Hope you had a good 4th.

Clint and his friend, Cory, cooling off in the pool.

This table was filled with all kinds of candy for the kids.
This was the ice cream sundae bar. I think Cassie and Callie visited it 4 or 5 times!
A dessert table
The prize table for the game winners
Terry's cousin has a music room and these are just a few of the instruments that were in it.The girls swam almost all day and night. This was taken after the fireworks. They are swimming with one of their cousins.

Happy 4th of July

Last night, we went to my sister's house for a little cookout that she hosts annually. Usually we don't know many people there, but we always have a good time. My brother-in-law cooked hamburgers, hot dogs, and fish, and my sister had all kinds of goodies to go with it. The local mall fireworks show was last night too, and both of my sisters and my momma live right behind the mall. That gives us a great place to view the fireworks, without having to fight the traffic and crowd. Here are some pics from the cookout and a few of the fireworks.

Terry chowing down!

My sister, Jaime, the hostess

My momma

My other sister, Melanie

Clint and his best buddy, Cory, feeding their faces!

Callie being careful with her sparkler

Cassie waiting for the fireworks.

Today we are going to a wedding reception/4th party. Terry's cousin got married yesterday, and he is having his celebration today. Lots of Terry's family will be there. We missed the annual family reunion in April because Callie had shingles, so this will be like a reunion for us. Have fun today and be safe.

Shopping and Church

Today was not very eventful. The kids and I rode to the outlets to do a little shopping for their mission trip to Puerto Rico. Clint only ended up working half of a day, so he went too. During this trip, Clint actually got more than Cassie, which is very unusual. Usually he can't find anything he likes. He has crazy ideas about what he thinks looks good, not to mention he is color blind. Things we think look really nice, totally repulse him. Even though he is hard to please, I would have to say, he sure is a good-looking fellow (He is mine though!) . By the time we got home, it was time for Cassie to be at orchestra practice at church. Speaking of church, our associate pastor preached a good message about relying on God. After church, the girls brought a friend home to spend the night. Boy, are they loud! As of now, we have no plans for tomorrow other than Clint and Terry are working. (Poor thangs!) Oh, you want to see a picture of my handsome son? I'm glad you asked. I just happened to have a few!

Clint at the music store inside of Dollywood

Clint and Cassie at this year's SIGMA Banquet

Clint with his banjo, have I ever told you that he's a fine banjo picker?

Boomerang Bay

Callie has been sick ever since she came back from camp. She is still hacking up a lung today, but both of the girls want to go to Boomerang Bay at Carowinds for the day. We have season passes and haven't used them much, so I think we will go today. Poor Clint and Terry are working today. Too bad, we will miss them!

Laundry!

Guess what I will be doing all day? LAUNDRY!!! Look at this mess:

Callie spent 5 1/2 days at camp and a day and 1/2 at a friend's, and Cassie spent 3 days at Taylor's not to mention I took a day or 2 off. I HATE laundry! Terry does it all during the school year, and he does a mighty fine job of it. But, in the summer he has this strange idea that I have time to do it, and he can take a few months off. I try to do a horrible job of it so he will get aggravated and just do it himself, but it doesn't work!

My Four Babies

Aren't these the 4 most beautiful children you have ever seen? Especially the hairy one!!