School's Out for Summer!

This week has been EXHAUSTING! I'm so grateful that school is out. Although I have some training during the next three weeks, I'm now enjoying a long awaited break! The last week of school is such a joyous and sad time... I'm glad to send my little kiddos to 1st grade, but I will miss them terribly! I really struggled the last few weeks with a few of my little guys... My prayer was that I could show them the love of Jesus even during their most "unlovable" times. I'm so glad I have the power of prayer to help me through my job, because sometimes it's ALL that gets me through! Now that I've made it to summer break, I will try to post more pictures of Sadie!

A Surprise Pitstop

All parents who have a child in diapers know that the phrase "blowout" can mean two very different things. When your child is traveling in a car seat... a "blowout" is never good! It's been quite awhile since Sadie has had a diaper blowout. Although they are much less frequent now then when she was an infant, they are always much worse. Today we were traveling home from a fun weekend in Burlington. We had about an hour left in our trip and decided to stop for a drink break. As we pulled into the gas station, I commented "I think Sadie has a stinky diaper." Marc parked and opened Sadie's door to get her out... His first glance was of her hands covered in something green... Yes, I'm sure you've all guessed it by now!

Her cute little skirt was overflowing! She had also taken the liberty of smearing her smelly mess all over her legs and car seat straps. Needless to say, I'm sure it was a humorous sight watching Marc and I maneuver her out of her car seat and attempt to clean up the mess. (Of course the bathroom in the gas station did not have a changing station AND the back of our car was completely full, so we ended up changing her on the driver seat!) Thankfully, we were able to laugh at the ordeal when it was over. Not something we want to do again--EVER!

Cute Picture!

Courtesy of Jennifer's mom (from Jordan & Josie's graduation party)

FYI--In the time that it took to post this picture, Sadie (sitting on the desk in front of the computer screen) dumped out a bag of hot glue gun sticks and chewed on many of them, dropped a princess snowglobe on the floor and busted it, tried to chew 1/2 a piece of gum--wrapper & all, and dumped out a container of paper clips. Iguess letting her sit on the desk wasn't the best idea!

Jordan's Graduation

This weekend we were home for my youngest brother-Jordan's graduation. We were able to spend the day Saturday helping get ready for his party. His graduation was Sunday afternoon... Sadie did pretty well for the first half before she needed to go for a walk. His party was fun. Sadie's shirt was covered in strawberry juice after about 10 minutes (of course!) She had a blast walking all around and saying Hi to people (many of whom she didn't even know!) It was a long day by the time we got home (at 9:30), but it was worth it! Sadie & Uncle Jordan
My family
Me with my brothers and sisters (How is it that I'm the oldest, but the shortest?)

Cubs Game!

Marc and I on the church bus!

Marc and I took the day off work Thursday to go to a Cubs game. The whole day was fun... We got to sleep in and have breakfast with Sadie (we got McDonalds--so of course she loved it!) We went with a group from church--including our friends Liz and Ryan and their little girl Megan. The game started at 1:30, but we got to the stadium a couple hours early so we had plenty of time to shop and eat lunch. The weather was... COLD! We had brought a blanket with us, but we (along with MANY other fans!) ended up buying another blanket and a new sweatshirt for Marc (that I got to wear!) The game was somewhat uneventful--but the Cubs did score 4 runs in the 6th and got a victory, so that made it all worth it! It was sa long day--by the time we got home, we were very happy to see Sadie (although we realized that it was a very smart choice not to take her...)

Sadie wore her cubs outfit, even though she didn't go to the game. For part of my Mother's day gift, Sadie got me this jersey and picked out this outfit for herself :)

I LOVE this picture... it looks so sweet!

Sitting in her baseball chair, but not happily!

Taco Skillet Pie

If your family likes Mexican food, make sure to try this! I made this tonight--it was very easy (and quick) and yummy! Sadie chowed it (which isn't too unusual).

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 can (19 oz.) black beans (with liquid)
• 1 can (14.5 oz.) tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 pkg. (1.25 oz.) taco seasoning
• 1 cornbread mix (6.5 oz.)
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 T. oil
• 1/2 c. shredded cheese

1. Heat oven to 425. Brown beef and drain. Stir in beans, tomatoes, and seasoning. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Put meat misture into a 9 x 13 baking dish. Prepare cornbread using eggs, milk, and oil. Spoon cornbread mixture over meat. Bake 15 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes. (This makes alot! I baked 1/2 and froze 1/2 and we still had leftovers!)

Playing in the Dirt!

This weekend was our only weekend during the month of May to be home; therefore, we decided that Saturday would be our "yardwork" day! (Luckily at this point, we can tackle most of our spring yardwork in 1 day!) Our tasks for the day included: weeding and cleaning out our flower bed and all of the mulched areas around our shrubs, choosing and planting flowers along our driveway, minor trimming on our shrubs (Marc took care of the major stuff already!), and relaying new mulch.

Marc has also been tackeling some bigger projects this spring... When we moved into our house, we had overgrown shrubs completely surrounding our house, between our house and the garage, between our sideyard and the road, and between our backyard and the alley. Marc has now eliminated three different areas of shrubs. The ones we have left are more under control.

Sadie had a blast helping us! She had her own little shovel and watering can. She loves being outside and loves playing with Wrigley. It was a long but fun day overall!

BIG girl!

On Mondays I usually stay late to work at school. Sadie's sitter brings her to me at school and then Marc leaves work a little early to get her from me. Sadie and daddy have some quality time and make dinner. Last Monday Sadie was in a CRABBY mood (she was just coming down with hand-foot-and-mouth disease) and Marc picked her up from her babysitter's early. By 4:00 they "had to get out of the house" so they showed up at school to visit me. It was fun to watch Marc play with Sadie... I just couldn't get over how grown-up she looked sitting at my little Kindergarten tables. I know we still have 4 years before we need to think about Kindergarten, but I also know it will be here all too soon...




Sadie's worst rash was on her face. This was day #4 and it was getting better by this point. It's now completely gone.

Outside Fun

To say that Sadie likes being outside is an understatement! If she wants to go outside, she stands at the back door pointing and babbling--if that doesn't work, she resorts to an all out temper tantrum! I really think the child would spend every waking moment outside (except for eating time!) She asks to go outside the minute I drop her off at her babysitter's and she asks to go outside the minute we get home from school! Her favorite outside activities include: walks in her stroller and wagon, blowing bubbles, riding her riding toy, swinging and sliding at the park or at our neighbor's house, and chasing Wrigley around the yard. Today she was introduced to sand for the first time at her friend Emma's house (she loved it!) Emma (7 months older than Sadie) loves to show Sadie how to do new things. They "play" very well together!

Sadie's new riding toy (we picked it up for free at a garage sale!)


Playing with her bubble blower. (Wrigley loves this too!)

Trying to help mommy refill the bubble blower (while tasting the bubbles!)

Annie

This weekend, we went to my parents so we could see my brother (Jordan) in his HS musical--Annie. I was really looking forward to this for two reasons.

• The first--I have to confess that Annie was one of my favorite movies as a child. Marc now makes fun of me because I told him how I used to rent it from the public library on a regular basis (I now own it.) He also makes fun of me for the fact that fact that I used to lay in bed and sing (very loudly) "The sun'll come out, Tomorrow..." until my dad would tell me to go to sleep.
• The second--I was really looking forward to seeing my brother play the role of Daddy Warbucks. I have seen him sing before (he's very good!) but I've never seen him act. I must admit that I was very impressed! I guess he got the theatrical genes in our family because none of the rest of us stared in a musical (although, there's still time for my youngest sister, Kassie).

Daddy Warbucks and Annie during the curtain call.

Jordan and I--They did try to have him wear a bald cap, but it didn't work... I was a little disappointed!

Casting Crowns

Last weekend, Marc and I went to a Casting Crowns concert in Bloomington. We went with our friends, Ryan & Liz. Marc and I saw them one other time in concert--4 years ago, they were the opening act for Rebecca St. James. Of course, this time it was their show! It was an amazing concert--we had a blast!