Freshly Sharpened Pencils

What is it about the swiftly approaching fall and the ever impending start of a new school year that puts a knot in the pit of my stomach? If you know me at all, you know that I have a nervous personality anyway. Throw me out of my routine and into something new, and I can be a wreck. This year is definitely no exception. I am embarking on a "new" workplace/school, faculty, and administration. While the physical location will be unchanged, we will no longer be Riverton Middle School. As of August 6, you are looking at a 6th grade teacher for the brand new Riverton Intermediate School. I am beyond excited at the changes; however, that uncertainty still drives my nerves.

As I mentioned in the previous post, Lauren is starting pre-k in a couple of weeks as well. She and I made a trip to town a few days ago to start knocking out that insanely long supply list. Well, $50 later, and we're still not finished. Can you believe that educating a 4 year old can break the bank like that. I guess I shouldn't really complain until we start paying the tuition. It is actually about the same as what we were paying in daycare costs, so I'm not too taken aback. But, I do look forward to the day when we can save more money and enjoy the fruits of our labor a little more. The girls are totally worth it though!!! We feel the blessings everyday!

In the words of Meg Ryan in "You've Got Mail", "There is just something about the smell of freshly sharpened pencils". Bring on those loads of supplies, stacks of textbooks, school bus stops, students with nervous stomachs, and frazzled parents.

God Bless!
Brandi

Summer 2010

We are still here!! I have taken a long blog break but hate to keep looking back and see February as the last post. So, what have we been up to? Chris and I have had the pleasure of spending lots of time at home with our girls this summer. It has been fun, but I am exhausted. Work is just around the corner, and I am looking forward to it..well, maybe just a little.

We took a trip to Gulf Shores the last week of June. It was an absolute blast! Alyssa is a water baby and couldn't get enough of the pool. Lauren is also a big fan of the water as well as the sand. I really wish we could have had the opportunity to hang out and splash around in the ocean water; however, for the first time ever the Gulf water was just not pretty. The oil from the spill wreaked havoc on the beach the week we were there. It was really quite depressing, but we had fun nonetheless. The remainder of the summer was spent with us relaxing, taking a day trip to Six Flags, and mostly just enjoying being together.

Lauren starts pre-k at Mt. Carmel Elementary in a week and a half. I'm trying not to get too emotional about it, but it just doesn't seem possible. Alyssa starts back to daycare next week. I know she will be so excited to see her teachers again. I'm sure the teachers feel the same. She has changed so much and grown up before our very eyes. To wrap things up, I am feeling truly blessed to have had this time with my family. Let the good times roll!!

God Bless!
Brandi

**Update- I forgot to mention that Lauren started soccer last month. Watching 4 and 5 year olds play an organized sport is nothing short of hilarious! She is so very excited about her first game this Saturday. Go Eagles!!

The Crud that Keeps on Giving

The good ole' fashioned crud has hit our family and is not exiting quietly. Alyssa was diagnosed with RSV about 2 weeks ago. I've never seen such a small child be that sick. It has not been fun. She was on the mend, and then I came down with bronchitis or something closely resembling what she has/had. Well, she is now getting sick again and I cannot quit coughing to save my life. So, we are praying that spring will approach with zest. I know..not much of a post. I'll update on something of substance as soon as we start to feel human again.

This Life of Ours

I believe I set a record for the longest duration between posts. Life has a way of getting hectic beyond hectic, and updating the blog gets shelved. Having said that, we are well. Alyssa turned 5 months old a couple of days ago. Lauren will be 4 in just a few weeks. I cannot believe how my girls are growing up right before our eyes. It makes me weepy to dwell on that for too long.

We had a very nice Christmas holiday. It was filled with way too much food and an abundance of presents. We are running out of room in this house!!! Honestly, I think we're going to need a bigger house in a few years. The girls accumulate so much in such a short amount of time. I guess that's my fault. I hate getting rid of perfectly good things. Maybe I need to be on the show "Hoarders". lol.....I'm not even close to that bad!!

We've enjoyed the deep South snow that has blown our way this winter. It's been nice seeing more of the white stuff. That doesn't happen in our neck of the woods very often. But, it's been a crazy season.

Enjoy a few pictures of my girls. I have more recent pictures of the baby but just haven't loaded them to the computer. More to come. Toodles!
Brandi

What are you Thankful for this year?

My family and I have so much to be thankful for this year! We have seen God at work in both big and small ways.

TODAY I GIVE THANKS FOR:

my salvation- I sin and fall short of His glory so very often, but God continues to show his favor in my life!! For that, I am thankful!

my two precious children- They keep me young, do/say the wittiest things that reminds me to laugh and not be so serious all the time, they bless me daily. For that, I am thankful!

my husband- Chris took a chance on an "older" woman, and 12 years later we're still going strong. It has been a crazy, yet blessed 8 1/2 year marriage. For that, I am thankful!

my job- It is stressful to say the least, but I try not to take it for granted. Working with middle school kids has afforded me more laughs and good times than I can begin to mention. It is both rewarding and challenging. For that, I am thankful!

my home- I love this house which we have made into our "home". It is a wonderful place to watch our children run, play, and grow up in. For that, I am thankful!

overcoming- It has been a very long time since I wrote about our loss. We were so happy to find out in July 2009 that God was sending us another baby. Within days of finding out the wonderful news, He took her home to Heaven. Many tears were shed for months, but He sent Alyssa Claire Styles to us and our lives will never be the same. For that, I am thankful!

....I could write for days. These are just a few things that I give thanks for today. What are you thankful for this year?

Hanging in There

We are still hanging in there. Life is crazy busy though. The girls are both doing very well, and we are all adjusting as expected to our growing family. I'll try to do a real update soon. Until then, enjoy the girls fall "school" pictures. Toodles!!



Alyssa- 10 weeks




Lauren- 3 1/2

6 weeks old

It is hard to believe that my baby girl is 6 weeks old already. The good Lord has blessed us with another very good little one. She is a great sleeper, both at nap times (which are a lot) and at night. We still get up 1-2 times per night for feedings. She eats to her belly's content, and then she goes back to sleep pretty easily. I cannot complain. Lauren is adjusting fairly well to being a big sister and sharing the spotlight. We try to include her in everything, and carry on just as we did before to make sure she doesn't feel left out. She is responding better than I would have imagined and is a huge help. All in all, God is outdoing himself!! Enjoy some recent pictures..some from A's 1st weeks and some from our recent family vacay to Pigeon Forge, Tn.