I'm moving
Posted on Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 03:14
This will be my final entry on homestead blogger. Why you ask? A couple of reasons...
1) Most of my close friends who have blogs are at another location and I have to log in whenever I want to make a comment. It would be a less of a pain in the neck if I was on it once a week and reading the blog while posting.
2) It is much easier for me to post videos of events there. After several years I still can't figure this template out and don't have the time to play.
I will miss all the beloved friends I have made here on homestead blooger and will try to keep up with your activities from time to time.
My new blog address will be www.thesharpfive-connie.blogspot.com
See you over there!
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Rockin Parker
Posted on Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 02:32
This is Parker's first real song that he has been working on this week for guitar. He wanted me to record him and post it so his Aunt Lee Ann who lives in West Virginia could see his progress. I think this is pretty good seeing he just started lessons on March 10th.
Here he is....you'll have to copy and paste the link below...I'm having trouble uploading the video
http://s94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/5_sharps/?action=view¤t=rockinparkervideo.flv
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First horse show....kinda
Posted on Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 01:55
Today was Kaleigh's first horse show....kinda. It was a schooling show where the trainer works with them during the show to get them ready for the "real show". Kaleigh and her good friend Emily entered in the show together. Kaleigh took 4th place in the lead line walk, trot and 5th place in the lead line walk, trot trail. She also entered a non- lead line class and took 6th. I was a very proud mama seeing she was the youngest in that class and had a tempermental horse. She did well showing her who was boss. Here are a few pictures of our day.

  All Miss Jeanna's students
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Toad Tales
Posted on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 08:36
So my youngest has a 'thing' for reptiles and amphibians. He wants any kind as a pet. There are certain ones I draw the line at. Snakes for example. So when he brought home a toad this past week and begged to keep him, I said, "O.K". There were conditions, however. He had to read several books on toads and learn how to care for him. He begged to go to the library, so we went first thing the next morning. He sat with me for what seemed like an hour, looking and listenening, while I read parts of the book to him. He did learn that the toad would need water and dry land. Also, because it was wild, he would need to catch live bugs to feed him. So far we have given him flies, spiders and a beetle. Friday morning, before school started, I gave my boys haircuts. I sent them up to take a shower while I cleaned up the hair. When I was finished I went up to check on them, only to find them in the tub with the toad. NOT something I would ever find my daughter doing. They are such boys I tell ya! Here is a picture of the little terrarium my friend gave us so we could make a home for the toad. Thanks Nicole!

Here is Tank the toad.
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Ground breaking
Posted on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 09:09
This past Sunday we had our groundbreaking ceremony at church. It is exciting to know the process is really going to start to fly now that we have broke ground. Blake was picked to be one of the groundbreakers and my heart just oozed with joy. The pictures of the new church (or addition) are just fabulous. We will be able to seat 550 now and will be able to drop down to two morning services instead of three and no more folding chairs for the overflow...YAY!!! We will have plenty of room for youth events and weddings and funerals now. I can't wait to see it all done!

Blake is the one wearing his hard hat.
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Opening Day
Posted on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 09:01
I am coaching my boys T-ball team again this year and opening day was beautiful! It started with a parade from the school to the field. I have such awesome moms on the team and they made a banner again this year for the kids to carry.


Make note of how Blake is wearing his hat...sideways is his new style...too funny!
Parker is really excited about ball this year. He even wanted to go out and get 'real' pants like his dad!

Swing batter batter Blake!
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A visit with Glory
Posted on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 08:54
Over April vacation, the kids and I took a trip to my husband's cousin's house in RI. Glory is such a peach and the kids really enjoyed each other's company. They live on a farm so we took a tour and got to see baby cows less than 24 hours old, the kids picked eggs from the hen house and there were plenty of horses for Kaleigh. Right before lunch they kids broke eggs with confetti in them over each other's heads. They had a blast! I think next year I might make a few of our own.
 
Mikey getting down on his knees so the little ones could get him...how sweet!
THE AFTERMATH!

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Easter
Posted on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 08:40
Easter around here is pretty much the same every year.... We decorate eggs
 
Make Ressurection rolls

Get all dressed up and go to church.
 
After church we celebrate Jesus' ressurection with family and enjoy a big lunch

This year I made everyone chocolate and caramel covered pretzel rods for Easter. They were yummy!
And then the moment the kids were all waiting for....the Easter Egg Hunt outside.
  
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Goodbye
Posted on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 08:18
On March 31, 2009 I said goodbye to my Uncle Bob. He had gone to the doctors to begin the process of having his knees replaced and they found his arteries in his heart were 90% clogged. They scheduled an operation for a quadruple bipass and the morning of the surgery, he had a massive heart attack and died. I am grateful that I was able to visit him one last time before he died. Was he a believer and did he go to heaven? I think so, but I don't know for sure. That is the part that plagues me. I feel like I didn't do enough to make sure he knew the truth. You see no matter what you do on this earth, or what church you belong to, or whether you were baptized or not....there is only ONE way to heaven and that is believing in Jesus. Believing that he took your sins for you on that cross of calvery. We ALL sin. That sin seperates us from God. He is Holy and cannot have a relationship with sin. But if we accept that fact that we are sinners and confess that to God and ask him to save us from that sin telling him we have placed our faith in what Jesus did on the cross, He sees us as Holy, blameless, righteous. I know it is mind blowing. But if you read enough of the Bible you will see it is true. There is no amount of prayer that can get us into heaven, not enough church attendence, not enough good works. We are saved by faith and faith alone. So to anyone that may be reading this and has never told God these things....please don't wait....tomorrow may be too late.
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Snack time
Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 10:28
Here at the Sharp Academy we break around 10:15 for snack. They usually have a piece of fruit, yogurt, or crackers. Today both my boys requested salad for snack.....yes salad. I think it is funny. Several years ago, my children had their annual check up and the doctor asked me if Parker was a picky eater because of where he fell on the curve. He is in the 95% for height, but only the 10% for weight. I assured the doctor that he eats...in fact he probably eats more than I do in a day. He is just not your average kid when it comes to food. He prefers broccoli over mac and cheese. A peice of fruit over a chocolate chip cookie. Weird, huh? Several weeks ago I was at IGA getting a couple things I needed for dinner that night, rice being one of them. They did not have a single box or bag of brown rice in the place, so I opted for white rice. Well I had never realized this but my children have NEVER had white rice. I thought no big deal, rice is rice, right? I mean I know all the health benefits of brown and whole grains versus white which is why I buy multigrain pasta and brown rice and whole wheat bread. Well they would not eat the white rice. They thought it was gross and asked me if they could have the other kind. LOL! I have inadvertently created heath nuts without even realizing it. I can't say I'm upset about the fact but it does make me chuckle about how different they are compared to how I grew up. I lived for McDonald's and Chef Boyarde. It took me a LONG time to get used to the taste of wheat bread and brown rice. Well I think I'm gonna take the lead of my boys and go have a salad 
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Coco Keys
Posted on Friday, March 20, 2009 at 06:09
We left Thursday around 3:30pm for our mini vacation. It was a overnight stay at Coco Keys Indoor Water Resort courtesy of Pepere Constant and Memere Liz. We stopped in West Hartford and picked Daddy up at work and then continued on to Waterbury. We checked in and then headed to the nearest Chinese Buffet where we all stuffed ourselves. It was nice to see Parker's appetite return to normal. He ate more than I did! After dinner we fed the fish at the resturant. The kids thought that was the best Chinese Resturant they had ever been to. LOL!

MMMMM!!! This fish food is yummy!
After dinner it was back to the hotel to check out the water park. The kids loved it and it was practically empty seeing it was a school night.
Blake having fun with the water.

Kaleigh getting ready to go down the Lazy River.

Parker attempting his fate on the (don't know what it was called)

The view from the hot tub outside that connected to the building...you could open this little half door or swim right under it to get outside. The two bigger ones were for tube rides and the smaller one was the body slide (which I could not get the boys off)

Parker coming out of the body slide.
We got back to the hotel room around 9:30pm and realized that this was the first time the kids had seen the inside of a hotel in four years. Nobody remembered that the last time we were in a hotel was for Uncle John's wedding down in W. Virginia. They probably don't remember because they were 1, 3 and 5. Blake had no trouble sleeping and Parker was on his way to snoring in a matter of minutes. Kaleigh, however, is just like her mother and didn't get to sleep till almost 11pm. We both agree there is nothing like your own bed!
We were up before 7 and out the door by 8 for a good ol' breakfast....McDonald's.... This was also another first for our kids...they have been to McDonald's TONS of times.....but never for breakfast. After breakfast, they hit the playscape....

Then it was back to the water park where we spent the remainder of our day. We had to drag them out of the place. Mom and Dad were cold and tired and shriveled after 6 hours of water play. The kids could have stayed another 6 hours I think! Then it was back home to our house and our own beds.. AHHHHH! They are gonna feel SOOOOOO good tonight! 
Thank you Pepere Constant and Memere Liz for our wonderful Christmas present! The kids are going to remember it for years to come!
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Lenny Leprechaun
Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 09:24
We are not Irish, but I thought I would get into the whole history of St. Patrick's Day and see what it is all about. It is to celebrate the life of a man who was brought to Ireland as a slave, later escaped, became a priest, and returned to Ireland to tell others about Jesus. Yeah! I'll celebrate that! So our St. Patty's day began as follows:

The kids woke up to a leprechaun mess in the dining room. (The night before my hubby and I trashed it and painted leprechaun prints everywhere.......

The kids were in total shock.... they did not like Leprechaun's until they found his note......

GOLD! Really???? Not real gold...gold wrapped chocolate coins.
Next up was breakfast.......green eggs, kiwi and the official breakfast of leprechaun's

It was the kids LUCKY day because they did get a cash card inside their box of Lucky Charms.
After breakfast they started putting their lapbooks together about St. Patrick's day. They had books to read, math codes to decode, Leprechaun related math problems an acrostic poem to do, a map and flag of Ireland to color, as well as a crossword. They had fun but half way through the reading part Kaleigh busts out with..." Hey this book says Leprechaun's are make believe! So it was you who trashed the dining room!" Eric and I just smiled and said ...."Gotcha didn't we?!?" She was not pleased that she had to help clean up a mess her parents made on purpose. It was quite funny. We asked her if it was fun...she said it was. I said.."Was it worth it, then?" And I got a resounding YES! I told them to be on the lookout because Lenny might come back next year.
The kids learning...



After the lapbooks were done we all watched the old classic, Darby O'Gill and the Little People. Then it was onto lunch...green mac and cheese and green apples.

After lunch, I asked them if they knew where the gold was hidden. They had learned that Leprechaun's hide their pot of gold at the end of a rainbow ( by the way...we learned that rainbow are complete circles, we can only see half.) I asked them where in the house is there a rainbow. Kaleigh quickly remembered that I had been working on a rainbow jello snack for today and went to the fridge.

Here's the jello dessert...almost too pretty to eat!
They found their gold coins and a shamrock lolipop.

We finished up the day with a corned beef and cabbage dinner with the kids great- grandmother. It was a homeschooling day to remember! Thanks Lenny!
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Scary...as both a teacher and parent
Posted on Monday, March 16, 2009 at 04:41
I read this article and thought to myself...yikes! When my children did go to public school I hated the amount of time they were gone....7:45- 3:45...And when they did get home there was about 40 minutes of homework a day which always took my daughter double that time because of her ADD. As a teacher, this is scary because children, especially young ones, are exhausted come afternoon and no real learning usually takes place. They are freshest in the a.m. The most important point that I think the author makes is the amount of time spent with an individual and the bond that is created. It is a fact that holds true, if you want a strong bond with an individual, you need to invest time with them. Plain and simple. Well here is the article for your reading pleasure...feel free to share your thoughts on this subject.
Since taking office in January, President Barack Obama has been on a whirlwind.
His efforts mostly have been focused on rekindling the battered economy. But surprisingly and energetically, he's also tackled many of his other campaign promises with a verve that is admirable and at times astounding. Take for instance, public education.
While campaigning, he vowed to undertake that weighty issue and didn't waste time. Just recently he proposed more stringent education guidelines for earlier grades and pay incentives for teachers. He then went on to suggest an extended school day. Up until the last part, I was sold. I had been caught up in this new administration's encompassing wave of optimism, but after this announcement I find myself asking, "What am I missing?"
Why would parents agree to keep their children in school up to the dinner hour or beyond? As it is, on my way home from this or that, I often get stuck behind big yellow vehicles depositing elementary-age students to their front yards at exactly 4 p.m. And I don't believe these are the late buses. This, after kids have been been at school since about 8 a.m.
How much longer can a young child sit in a classroom and actually absorb any information? I know from my own childhood that by afternoon I was spent, and little went in other than my sincere wish to join the free birds outside the classroom window.
It seems counterintuitive to try to force education when the day is done. And what about homework? Would students be awake at 10p.m. putting finishing touches on their assignments?
I hope I don't appear cynical, but this is yet another reason there is a home-school movement in this country. I had sincerely hoped no child would be left behind and that our new president would develop a structure that could attend to at least some of the current weaknesses that embattle our education system. I'm unclear about what the answer should be, but clearly it's not a longer day.
From a home-schoolers perspective, there are a multitude of academic reasons the later-day option seems peculiar. But mostly its oddity pertains to family bonds and forging a lasting quality relationship with our children.
How can we as a society possibly imprint our family values and really know our kids if they spend all their daylight hours with others in school? How do we show them that we deeply love, understand and sincerely know them? And that we are the ones they can depend on and turn to as they grow and struggle with more complicated issues? It's impossible if they aren't around us enough.
Maybe I do have a suggestion. It seems parent/guardian accountability should be at the top of the list. I'm no expert public-education official and I won't even attempt at implying how it would possibly be overseen, but maybe it's a great place to start.
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Amen!
Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 09:09
This was my the devotional I opened up to today.
From Clutter to Clarity: Simplifying Life from the Inside Out
by Nancy Twigg
When most people think of simplifying, the first thing they think of is getting rid of clutter around the home or office. Cleaning out closets and drawers is definitely a part of simplifying, but true simplification goes far deeper than that. Clutter is much more than old magazines, outdated clothes, and kitchen gadgets you never use. Certainly those things are clutter, but from now on, think of clutter as any possession, habit, thought pattern, attitude or activity that fits into one of these three categories:
Anything you don't need or use anymore
Anything that doesn't fit or work for you like it used to
Anything that doesn't add value and meaning to your life as it once did
Under this new definition, clutter is anything that complicates your life and stands in the way of simplicity. In the past, you may have only thought of clutter in terms of stuff: those size 8 jeans you hope to wear again someday or those unfinished projects in your garage. But let me share a secret with you. These kinds of unwanted and unneeded material possessions are only the tip of the iceberg! What about the multitude of commitments that cram-pack your schedule? What about the thoughts that jumble your mind and the spending habits that sabotage your finances? All of these things are clutter too, because they cause chaos and confusion.
When you think of clutter in this new light, you begin to see what a tremendous problem clutter truly is. You will also see that the root causes of this ugly clutter make the clutter itself look tame. Think about it. Why do you say yes to everyone who requests your time and services? Are you afraid that people won't like you if you say no? Do you feel the need to present a Super Mom image to the world?
What about those clothes you hold onto even though you know you will never wear them again? Are you afraid that if you get rid of them you will need them again someday? If you did happen to need them, do you doubt God's ability to provide more? And if you have a tendency to spend more than you can afford, ask yourself why you do that. Are you driven by feelings of discontentment or the need for instant gratification? Are you afraid that if you pass on a sale now you will never find a good price on that item again? These issues go much deeper than just having a messy desk or disorganized pantry. These are issues of the heart.
Clutter is a problem for anyone, but for Christians, it spells major trouble. Clutter does more than affect us physically and emotionally; it affects us spiritually because it keeps us from following Jesus fully. We simply cannot make room for Him when so many other things are in the way. The more we stay focused on the junk of this life, the less time and energy we have to focus on the important matters God and His plans for our lives.
Have you ever tried to lug an overstuffed suitcase through a crowded airport? Not an easy task, is it? No matter how hard you try, you simply cannot move quickly and efficiently when you're carrying a heavy load. Think of clutter as baggage physical, emotional, and financial baggage that weighs you down and holds you back. Clutter is the heavy load that keeps many of us from maneuvering effectively through our lives. Our suitcases are filled with all kinds of deadweight: habits we need to give up, attitudes we've long since outgrown, activities and possessions that no longer serve a reasonable purpose. If we want to lighten the load, we have to get rid of some of the junk.
What keeps you from moving forward at a steady pace in your life? Undoubtedly the things that slow you down are some kind of clutter; clutter you want to get rid of for good. Maybe you struggle with physical clutter around your home. Try as you might, you cannot seem to get organized. Or maybe you want to get a handle on your finances. You are tired of making good money but having nothing to show for it. Or maybe yours is an issue with time. You are tired of living at warp speed. You want to stop running and start living.
Whatever clutter challenges you face, trust me when I say you can learn to clarify your life by putting clutter in its place. I know because I have done it myself. My biggest clutter challenge was not dealing with cluttered living spaces or even cluttered finances. My challenge was to open up my emotional suitcase and go through its contents carefully. When I did, I discovered all kinds of clutter lurking inside. I found worry and doubt. I uncovered a faulty self-image and an inability to set appropriate boundaries. I even found an unhealthy preoccupation with what others thought of me. It was a painful process, but necessary. One by one, I learned to trade in these old clunkers for the more efficient models God offered.
I'm not saying I have it all together. Believe me, I don't. I'm not saying I never face challenges. But I have come to a place of clarity and life is much more pleasant now that I have. Is my life perfect? No, but it is much more peaceful and purposeful. And isn't that what we all want to live in peace as we live out our purpose?
Being a teacher, I used to struggle with clutter. I had the mentality of...Oh I'm gonna hang on to this, I might need it for a class one day. But the word of God is sooo true. When we give to others , He gives back to us in our time of need. So there is no need to hang onto those items for their "someday" use. When the time comes you will make due. In fact, you mind find you never even missed it!
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Happy Birthday Aunt Lee Ann
Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 09:40
Yesterday was my sister in law's birthday. It was an exciting day for the kids because my kids absolutely adore their Auntie. Unfortunately, they don't get to see her much as she lives in West Virginia. So, because she is here for a visit they wanted to go all out. We took a trip to the craft store and they searched the aisles for something star and moon related. She loves stars and moons. Here is what they found and simply LOVED making.
A stepping stone with stars that will glow in the dark..... which they thought was too cool. Now she can think of them everytime she steps out in her flower garden in WV.
They also made her a birthday cake.....

They each got to pick out a decoration for the top of the cake. Kaleigh picked out star candles, Blake put on star candies and Parker went with yellow roses and a candy Happy Birthday sign. Here they are singing Happy Birthday to her as she blows out the candles.
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Baptism
Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 09:45
 Dear Lord,
Thank you for giving the desire to my daughter to follow you in baptism. I thank you for giving her the courage and strength to go up in front of hundreds of people to proclaim her faith in her risen Savior. I pray that she grow to love you more each day, that you fill her with the desire to know you more. Help her seek your plan for her life and to follow you in all that she does. I thank you for the awesome privledge of being her mother. Lord, help me and guide me to walk in your ways and be an Godly example to her. Help me to what is right and give me Your wisdom and Your patience, Lord. Lord I pray that she will hide Your words in her heart and her heart will belong to You now and forever.
In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen
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Valentine's Party
Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 10:13
I'm realizing that even though this is my third entry today, but it should have been my first to keep things in chronological order...oh well!
One wish Parker had for this year was to have a Valentine's Day Party. That is one of the things he missed the most about public school. SO...we were planning this huge party...until his accident that is. I could not and did not want 20 kids in my home with him hurt and all the hospital stuff hanging around. So we comprimised....I let him have his party still, but we only invited 5 of our homeschooling pals....I could handle 8 kids.
We played some games, did a craft, and decorated our own heart cookies. The kids had fun and it was a very manageable 2 1/2 hours.

 
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Murder Mystery Dinner
Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 10:03
For Valentine's Day just about every year, we go to our good friend's house (Shaun and Lisa) for a murder mystery dinner. Everyone involved gets a role to play and at the end we try to figure out which one of us has killed the imaginary person. You never know if 'you done it'. It is a lots of fun, especially when people get into their roles. This year, I had the funniest role I think I have ever had. I was the aunt to the bride. No problem right........I however was a drunk who was nearly blind and deaf. I played it up. I put a bottle or unopened alcohol as well as a bunch of cough medicines in this big purse, and as you can see from this picture below.....had a field day with my make up.....after all isn't this how a blind, drunk lady would apply it?

A huge THANK YOU to Lisa, who yet again pulled off a fabulous dinner on top of being sick this year. It was a blast as always....thanks for having us.
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And the cast comes off!
Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 09:40
Well this past Tuesday we went to the doctor and got some more x-rays. The doctor was pleased with the new bone growth and Parker was able to get his cast off. The process was painful for him. The vibration on his broken leg really bothered him. My guess is the tool used was causing the metal rods inside his leg to vibrate which hurt him. He was fine when they cut the cast on all other parts. Here are some pics from my cell phone of the process..... The first cut.....

Working through the fluff to get to the gortex to cut it.....there are legs under there somewhere.

And it's off!!!! His legs are so skinny and pathetic looking. He cannot move the leg that was broken. The doctor said it would be a couple of weeks before he would be able to walk. I am a little dissapointed with the outcome. I really thought we would be able to walk out of the hospital that day. I just wasn't fully prepared. I have already put a call into the doctors office because, it has been 5 days and he still can't move his leg. I'm going to push for therapy. He won't move it because it hurts too much, but he has to in order to get better. It's a hard thing for a 6 year old to understand. For now we take lots of baths and try to get it straightened out little by little. My aunt worked with the elderly who had muscle atrophy. She showed me how to work his leg. She was able to get it almost straight after about 35 minutes. I can't seem to get it to the same degree as she can. She has that added bonus of experience, but I'm not giving up. He has to walk by the 5th of March or we will have to cancel our mini vacation. So we keep going and praying God will take away the pain and help him to build that leg back up again.
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Superhero Night
Posted on Friday, February 13, 2009 at 12:52
Two or three times a year our youth group has a theme night. It is just something fun to mix and shake things up. After all. who doesn't like dressing up. Some themes we have had in the past are color night, Get A Job Night, and Wild Hair Night. Last night's theme was super hero night. Here is what we dressed up as................................

I was Larry Boy from Veggie Tales

Kaleigh was Under Dog, Parker was Superman and Blake was Batman. The kids won a prize for best costume, as did I. My prize was my 2nd grade class got ice cream that night!! WOO HOO!! I have to give a BIG thank you to my husband who helped me with the headpiece. Thanks baby!
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About Me

I am a mother of three. I desire to grow closer with the Lord and raise children who love and honor Him. Knowing I am a work in progress, I have decided to start this blog to keep in touch with family and friend from a far and perhaps meet some new ones who can help me in this journey of life.
Recent Entries
• I'm moving
• Rockin Parker
• First horse show....kinda
• Toad Tales
• Ground breaking
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