Days Gone By....

(pre-school graduation 2010)

It seems just like yesterday that I was posting this and this. I cannot believe that Addison graduated from Kindergarten this morning. The statement, "you've come a long way baby" does not even begin to describe where she came from to where she is today. God has something amazing planned for her life and granted me the most amazing gift ever when He chose me to be her Mom! I love you more than words can express Addison Faith - you are the sunshine that lights my world each and every day!!

Addison and her friend Anna Grace.

I am so glad that God led us to Bartlett Baptist Kindergarten, Addison made some wonderful friends and so did I!!

Mrs. Susan, Addison and Mrs. Lisa

Thanks to these amazing ladies for everything they did for Addison! She will never forget her year with you two!!

It's the Small Things...

I do not know if I can express in words the joy I have had in being a Mom these past two weeks. When Addison was two years old, I went back to work and was blessed to have my Mom keep Addison for me. Since I graduated in May and school does not start back until August, I have some free time this summer. I have told myself that if a part time job were to open up then I would go back to work but, if one did not then I would enjoy my summer with my family.

Just this week she and I have spent afternoons at the park, went on walks, and even went with a group of her school friends to the play area at McDonald's for a couple of hours. I was a bad blogger and did not snap ONE picture on any of these outings!! I have cherished these days with her and just realized how much I have really missed doing "Momma" things. She will only be 6 once and I have decided that it is worth being on a strict budget to have this time with her.

Speaking of a strict budget, I have started clipping coupons and will be attending a class about extreme couponing on the 31st. I am excited to see and learn from someone who uses coupons to save tons of money for their family.

And speaking of saving look at these fabulous teacher finds from Dollar Tree!! You cannot BEAT the teacher section - I cannot wait to get these laminated and ready for use in my future classroom!!

Please continue to pray that I will be placed at the school God sees fit for me and my future students in August.

Here is a shot of doodlebug on her bike before our ride/walk yesterday afternoon

No Boys Allowed...

So, I was in the writing mood a few nights ago and well, Blogger was down and out. I actually thought about writing my posts in Word and then copying them here when the site was back online. I am kicking myself now that I did not do that; I can assure you that what I had to say was so profound that you will be sorry I forgot it all!!

I had a wonderful Mother's Day and was able to enjoy it with my Mom and Mother In Law. My gift was a graduation/Mother's Day gift all rolled in one and I ADORE it...

I am the proud owner of a new iPad 2!!

I have to tell you that Addison has actually used this new gadget more than I have! I told her that I was going to have to start calling her the iPad hog if she did not start sharing with me!

At church, Addison made a cute little "Mom's Day Off" sign but then she felt the need to add this sign as well...

Shawn told her that he was not a "boy" he was a man, so she went in her room and wrote this on her easel...

That is my handwriting in red, she needed help spelling words on her first sign but the blue writing/drawing is all her. "No Boys and mun (men) allowed" That is a man with a X on him and then a door that says OUT!! She is one hilarious little girl, you cannot be around her without smiling!

With Honors...

I have had 3 days in my life that I will never ever forget. The first was the day I stood on the beach and said, "I do" to my amazing husband. The second was be the day that my Addison was born and the third was on May 6th, 2011.

In 2007, I made the decision to go back to school and complete my degree in Elementary Education. I can honestly tell you that it was the best decision I ever made. I do have several regrets about not graduating from college after high school when my amazing parents were paying my tuition; however, I mentally was not ready to buckle down and study! So, for the past three years I have worked during the day and attended classes twice a week, and on May 6th, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education! Not only did I graduate but I graduated Summa Cum Laude!!!

My teacher education girls - no doubt God knew what a strong bond we would all have!! If any of you are reading this, I love you all very much!! XOXO

(The gold cord is for my Summa Cum Laude honor)

Getting ready to walk that stage - just a head shot for this gal, as graduation gowns are hideous!! Can I get an "AMEN"??