Relaxing at the cabin

Relaxing at my in-laws' house...cabin!


The girls picking peas in the garden!


Playing in the sandbox!


Riding in the tractor with Grandpa!


Brenden's first fishing trip...and he caught his first fish! But, the camera was left in the car and the fish was too small to keep.

ABC's of me

A. Attached or single? Attached!!!!!
B. Best friend? Jesus, my husband, Amy
C. Cake or pie? I like fruit pie with ice cream and yellow cake with either chocolate or cream cheese frosting
D. Day of choice? The days Josh is home...Saturday and Sunday
E. Essential items? Bible, computer, books, DVR, Tex-Mex, calendar
F. Favorite color(s)? yellow...though I don't wear it or decorate with it a lot.
G. Gummy bears or worms? Sour Gummy worms
H. Hometown? Kenedy, Texas, Cd'A, Idaho, home of Bethel
I. Favorite indulgence? homemade cookie dough, homemade ice cream, once again...any dessert made by Kristen or Tara
J. January or July? July because I love summer, January because it contains 2 of my children's birthdays
K. Kids? 3 adorable little munchkins
L. Life isn’t complete without? My Savior, my husband, my kids
M. Marriage date? August 14, 1999
N. Number of brothers or sisters? 3 brothers
O. Oranges or apples? I love them both!
P. Phobias? Heights, roller coasters, something bad happening to my family
Q. Quotes? The love chapter in Colossians
R. Reasons to smile? Jesus loves me, Josh loves me, my kids love me and are adorable!
S. Season of choice? I love all the seasons because I love change and each season brings new change
T. Tag 5 people: The first 5 to read this…. that means you!!!
U. Unknown fact about me. I wish that I enjoyed and was good at cooking.
V. Vacation of choice? Cruise to Hawaii
W. Worst habit? Talking too much
X. Xray or ultrasound? Ultrasound, because that would mean that my husband consented to another baby!
Y. Your favorite food? Tex-Mex
Z. Zodiac sign? I am not into signs...I think I am aries.

I'm handing over the books...

4 years of college
A degree in Elementary Education
7 years of teaching in the classroom
5 years of being a mom

and yet I am clueless.

I was working with Katelyn on her vowel sounds and she just wasn't getting it. Okay, so we had just spent 8 hours in a vehicle and it was fairly late at night...but even still, it just wasn't clicking. I felt helpless. I couldn't move on without her grasping this concept. After about 15 minutes of complete frustration (by me, not her), my lovely husband spoke up. "Honey, I am a very visual learner. Maybe she is too. Try showing her the words when you say them." I admit, my first thought was...that is not what the book says to do. Well, I decided to leave my pride and try his idea. Well, she got it...every single sound.
I realized that sometimes you have to look outside the box...or book in this case. Even though I have the teaching degree...sometimes or many times I may need to get a different view point. Thanks honey for your help!

Tagged...

Kitchen sink...do you see our grass man in front of the window...thanks VBS!





Fridge - yummy Tex-Mex leftovers!


Laundry room...not much excitement there!


One of my kids - the other two are sleeping...worn out from company!



My favorite room - center of everything!



My favorite shoes! I am with you Jackie!


Closet - best storage place in the house!

Dream Vacation...Hawaii - this is a postcard sent to us from there!

Self-portrait - don't have any pictures of me by myself...so here I am with the man of my life...oh, and this picture is pre-kids.

Toilet - I have no idea why this was needed!

My little 1st grader

I was at Target the other day with my family looking around. This lady passed by me and then slowly backed up and turned to me. I instantly recognized her...she asked, "Are you Mrs. Potter?" I instantly said "yes!" and quickly searched my brain for a name...this was the mom of one of my favorite students...from my 1st year of teaching! I turned and there stood this little blond 1st grader...I mean, this gorgeous, tall 8th grader! I was ecstatic! This student and her family had meant so much to me and I always wondered if I would see her again! We were able to visit for a few minutes. I do not know where to begin to tell you about this girl. Her name was Kimberly. This is no exaggeration...she adored me! She was so wonderful! I have to admit, she was one of my favorites. She was not the smartest in the class...but she always did her best with a smile on her face. Even if I was asking her to redo something...she did it with a smile. Her family was just as wonderful...
There was one day that Josh had to take me to school, and so I had to wait until he got off from work (6:30 - 7:00pm). Somehow her family found out about this and invited me over for the afternoon. We had a wonderful time together. I then learned that they had a horse...Camelot. He was an old, stubborn horse, but did well with kids and beginners. They told me that I could come over whenever I wanted and ride him. So I did. Well, sort of...I have always loved horses, but since I am not around them all the time, I am also terrified of them...it is a bittersweet relationship! I was pretty comfortable with brushing and saddling Camelot, but I was nervous about riding him when I was alone. Like I said earlier, he was stubborn, and decided that he was boss. He rather enjoyed staying near the barn and so did not like to be ridden away from the barn. I was not brave enough to make him. Remember, he is the boss! So, this is how our time together went: I would walk him across the pasture to the fence opposite the barn. I would then get on him and enjoy the ride back to the barn. It was rather humorous! One time, the family was there and we decided to take him out of the pen so I could ride him farther. Well, once again, Camelot and I were led by Kimberly's mom down the road. When we reached the end and turned around...lead no more...Camelot took off for the barn. It was a thrilling ride, even though I had a hard time stopping him and almost got myself clotheslined by the swing set! Everyone thought I was a natural and that I was in complete control...little did they know!
Well, back to Kimberly and her family. Her parents were both very involved in my classroom and I was really able to gain a relationship! We were even invited over for the 4th of July during summer break. At the end of school, my class had a party for me...a "thanks for being our teacher" party! Kimberly's dad made me a little hope chest with "Mrs. Potter" engraved on it. It sits on my plant shelf. It was filled with notes, pictures, and a few of my favorite treats and things! This family truly made me feel loved and blessed! It was definitely a blessing to get to see them again. Kimberly even told me that I was still her favorite teacher! :)

Newborn to infanthood...

This stuff isn't half bad!

More, please!!

Just like the old days...

A little over 6 years ago, Josh and I decided to build our first home. After much search we decided that R.M. subdivision would be the best place for us. One day while visiting our "piece of dirt" as we liked to call it, we came upon our soon-to-be neighbors also checking out their "dirt". I recognized this couple from college, little realizing the plans God had for our families. Over the last 6 years God's plan has slowly unfolded. They have become lifelong friends. Amazingly, we both have 3 children (though their baby is not here yet, she is still theirs!), all the same age and gender.

Our oldest girls are like sisters. They have been together since the beginning. The boys are little buds. I am excited to see them play "ball" together someday. The baby girls don't know each other yet, but I believe that they too will be great friends.

Not only does this family provide friends/playmates for our children, but I have gained an amazing friend and sister in Christ. She is what I call "perfect"...and I am sure that she is laughing as she reads this. She knows how to do everything...and if she doesn't know, she is not afraid to try and figure it out. She is an amazing homemaker, mommy, and friend. She is beautiful inside and out. Her love for the Lord shines throughout her life. She is a woman full of grace, beauty, patience, kindness, and love. I know I have tried too hard to "be like her". With that, she has taught me to appreciate who God desires for me to be...me!

This summer was a sad one for me...our friends decided to move. I know that God has blessed them in this decision, and that friendship doesn't end with more miles. I have many great memories from the last 6 years, but even though our friends are farther away, I know that we will have many more memories to come. I will miss our impromptu and spontaneous visits, but will cherish the planned ones to come.


My friend and her kids came over today to play. It was such a joy for me to see them all play together again. I am so glad that God thought of us when He brought them here. Thanks for all the memories, laughter, tears, and cream of chicken soup...or milk...or eggs...


Here is a snapshot down memory lane (for our girls):

My First Born

My dear sweet Katelyn...shy, kind, obedient, fearful, thinker, curious, giggly, imaginative, cautious, bossy, concrete, helpful, talkative, funny, petite, cute.

1 month old

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old

Happy 4th of July

What a wonderful time of celebration! We are so blessed to live in such a wonderful country where we can serve our Lord Jesus Christ freely! Here is a quick picture list of the events from our week! God bless America!

Church Picnic

God and Country Rally...yes we all have matching shirts!

BBQ and fireworks at Slater's house!!

VBS

This week we are having VBS at our church. I am doing the games for the preschool crews. Katelyn is having a great time with her friends learning about God's power! Makenna is enjoying being spoiled in the nursery! Since Brenden is still "coughing" he is hanging out with me, and let me tell you, it has been a joy! I feel like I have had some real special time with my middle child...something that seems rare with 3 young children. Brenden enjoys playing the games with all the kids in my station, but he especially loves the music! Here is a video of him during our end time worship!