At School...

The Fall colors have really begun to pop this week! I love it! This tree at school is always the most beautiful color red! (This picture doesn't do it justice)! It's like it has been painted! Gorgeous!





My sweet Jill in my class brought me back candy sticks and Apple Butter from Gatlinburg!! So thoughtful!! This class is one of the most loving classes ever! I am blessed to have them in my life!! :)























Apple gourd!! My sweet Caroline brought me and apple gourd from her family's pumpkin patch! I had never even heard of an apple gourd before, it is so cool though! She is such a sweetie!! Again, I am blessed beyond measure!! She also, brought her classmates tiny little white pumpkins- they were so cute! The kids loved them!!























It's amazing how God has been encouraging me at school! I am surrounded by the most amazing people- My co-workers, children in my class, their parents!! Mr. B, our principal, brought by a little goodie for us yesterday!! It really blessed my heart!! I am so thankful to be a part of the SMCS family!!

Fall Break!!

Yay for Fall Break!! This past weekend we enjoyed some quality time at home!! No School Friday or Monday!! Mainly the only thing we did on our Fall Break is sleep!! We were all in need of REST!! On Thursday evening Francie fell asleep at 6:00 pm and did not wake up until close to 8 am Friday morning!! She didn't even eat dinner- she slept right through it!! Then, on Friday I went to bed at 8pm and slept until 8am!! There was even a 2 hour bonus nap on Sunday!! :) So much for the long list of chores I was going to catch up on- laundry, organizing the closets, deep cleaning the entire house!


Saturday we did manage to get out of bed to go pick out some pumpkins and enjoy some fresh air!! We went to a local church to pick our pumpkins!! We spent way more than I would have liked for 2 pumpkins but at least the money is used for a good cause- they use the money from the pumpkin sales for missions trips!!






















Then we went for a walk at Star Lake!! Star Lake is always one of our very favorite places and it holds such special memories- Clint and I used to go on LOTS of dates there when we were younger!! It was such a beautiful day! I loved just being with my family and soaking in God's beautiful creation!! There just aren't enough days in my life like these!! I really want to savor EVERYTHING about them- my kids' smiles and laughter, my Sweetie holding my hand, the breeze, the way the sun comes through the goldish trees, acorns in the trees, how the sky is so blue, baby turtles, loud quacking ducks, skipping rocks across the water!! EVERYTHING!!









It was great- a real blessing- to have this time to relax and enjoy the company of the most important people in the world to me!! Laundry and house-cleaning will always be there but my babies won't, so I am seizing the day!! :)

Pumpkin Patch 2011

Yesterday we went to the Pumpkin Patch!! It is always one of my very favorite field trips!! :) It was supposed to rain, but praise God- He heard our prayers and the rain held off until we got back to the school!! It was such a beautiful morning!!
























I have a sweet, sweet, class and wonderful, wonderful parents!! It has been a great year so far and each day I am falling more in love with my class!! They really had their best behavior on the field trip!! Everything ran smooth!! :) It was one of the best days we've ever had at the Pumpkin Patch in all my years~ I think I finally have it down!




**Francie loved the Pumpkin Patch too!! Her favorite part was petting the animals!! :) There were goats, chickens, rabbits, and even llamas!! I wish I had gotten a substitute to go on the field trip for me, so I could have spent a little more time with Francie -just being a mommy! Sometimes it's hard to balance everything- at least I was there though!! :)

Us With Our Pumpkins!! :)

Happy Birthday Francie!!

Francie is 6!! Oh my gosh- I cannot believe it!! I know I say it every year, but I really cannot believe my sweet baby is so big!! She is so happy to be six- she has been looking forward to it for several months actually!! I don't love it though! I miss a sweet, tiny girl who didn't talk back and who let me pick out her clothes!! ;)

This year we went to Pablo's, of course, and had cupcakes from YOLO!! It was so much fun!! We also have a very full weekend to look forward to- dinner at Nana's and lunch with Granny, Granddaddy, and the Dollar's!

Francie at Six:
~She can read now!! :)

~Her favorite color is Pink!!

~She likes to wear her hair down now instead of up in bows- Boo!! I still love a little girl with bows!!

~Is still the most cuddly, loving girl ever!!

~Wakes up with a smile on her face!! (Definitely gets that from her Daddy)!

~Writes songs! And is constantly singing!

~Still loves to play school!

~Looks up to her big brother!! She loves to play with him and whatever he says or does she does the same!! :)

~Beautiful inside and out!! She loves Jesus, she always wants to "help children who don't have food or family," and she would love for us to adopt!

~Told us the other day, "Somebody just put me on stage!" :)


A Very Silly Picture of Will, Francie, and Daddy!! (Daddy and Francie acting Serious)



I Love This Picture! :)


Francie,
You are a light to everyone around you! You make us smile, you make us sing, you are so sweet and loving and fun!! I can't imagine life without you, it wouldn't be the same!! Everyday I thank God to have you~ You are a blessing to us!! We love you so much!
~Mommy, Daddy and Will



"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11

The "Race"

This past weekend I did something I have never done before... I did a race! Of course, I didn't run! I walked! :) But I did "train" (I use the term loosely) for a couple of months to kind of get ready, even just to walk. I haven't done any kind of working out really since highschool (I did Curves after Francie was born, but I didn't really stick with it)! So my friend and I have been trying to hit the gym at least 3 times a week just to build my endurace!! I really must say- it has helped me!! All I mainly do is run/walk on the treadmill- but I am definitely building the endurace! The first time I went I could only run 2 minutes at a time and now I'm up to 22 minutes!! I thought for sure it would kill me to just walk 3 miles- but I am so happy to say I did it and it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be!

Melissa- My "Trainer"





















Saturday, friends from school and I walked/ran in the Susan G Komen Race For A Cure 5K!! A teacher we work with was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer and we did this to support her!! It was so wonderfully precious to see how moved she was to see all of us there!! I must say it felt good too- to do something sweet for a fellow believer, friend, co-worker!! It was such a beautiful day and so nice to hang out with friends all united in a cause and in love- being the hands, feet, and heart of Christ!!








"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones." Proverbs 15:30

Homecoming Week!!

This past week was Homecoming week at school! Usually I dread Homecoming week- it always makes the children NUTS!! But this year I just embraced it and every night we laid out our outfits or dress up clothes- I went with it instead of fighting it and it was really a lot of fun!! I can't believe we participated all week- that was a first for the Cvacho's!! It was fun -but it can did make the week a wee bit out of control!!

Monday- "Tacky Day" -the Kindergarten teachers dressed in the most tacky thing ever- Auburn shirts!! Yuck!! ;)






















Tuesday- "Character Day" -Will was a Jedi, Francie the Little Mermaid, and I was Minnie Mouse!! This was the most fun day!! Everyone was adorable in the their costumes!!





Wednesday- "Backwards Day"- No picture! Boo! It wasn't the cutest dress up day anyway!


Thursday- "Spirit Day"- Green & Gold!! GO EAGLES!!





















Friday- "Black & White Day"- Black and White was the theme for Homecoming this year!!






















The Homecoming Tshirts looked Awesome! They used a great verse on them... "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined." Isaiah 9:2

Fire Station!!

A couple of weeks ago Francie went on her very first Kindergarten Field trip!! We went to the Hoover Fire Station!! I am so excited this year- I get to go on every field trip with her since she is in K5!! I get to be Mom and Teacher!! It is just too much fun!! While we were at the fire station we watched a fire safety video, took a tour of the station, and climbed up in the fire truck!! The firemen are always so great with the children! They even got coloring books and fire hats!! :) It was a beautiful day and I have the best class with the most amazing parents ever!! We had such a great time!! This has really been a wonderful year so far!!

Best Friends before the field trip!! These girls are too sweet!! :) BTW- I am loving our new field trip shirts!! They have one of my favorite verses on them... "Let your light shine"




















This is up inside the front of a big fire truck!!



I go on this field trip every year and usually I don't enjoy field trips so much because I get too stressed out! But this year was by far the best because I had my sweet Francie with me!!
Next, we go to the Pumpkin Patch!! That one is my VERY favorite field trip of all time!! I can't wait!! :)

What's Up

This time of year is sooo busy for us!! I know I say it every year -but it seems like time is speeding up exponentially! The week days and weekends are just full!! What are we up too? Well...

~The Fall Festival!! Last weekend we went to our school's fall festival- there were booths and candy, hayrides, and bouncy houses, and friends!! This year we were without Will, which was a little sad, but he was with Granny and Granddaddy in Chattanooga having a great time! We had a really great time too!! :)














~Drinking Salted Caramel Frapps or Mochas!! The most delcious drink ever- I love them both!! I really have to watch it, I am sure they have 1 Billion calories! I always love when Starbucks puts out the seasonal drinks- it really gets me in the mood!! :)





















~Trying on Halloween costumes!! ;)



























Totally, on a different subject, this was the sky today on my way home! It was beautiful and frightening at the same time! The black clouds against a blue sky- so strange, and lovely!! :)





In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety. Psalms 4:8

A Few Faves...

These are a few of my favorite things this week:

1. Will's Jay Barker puppet!! Will had to read a biography about a famous Alabamian, so of course he chose a football star!! Then he had to make a puppet of the person and give a 1-2 minute book report! Such a cute idea!! I think he did a great job!! :)




















2. My sweet Luke in my class brings me a Twizzler everyday and he leaves it on my desk!! I LOVE Twizzlers! I have the best class this year!! I am enjoying them so much!! :)


3. Beautiful Francie- all dressed up and ready for Halloween!! :) She is a cutie!!

I Wish...

I wish I didn't feel so helpless
I wish I didn't act so selfish
I wish I didn't wring my hands night and day
My hair was a little bit smoother
My jeans fit a little bit looser
And I always knew the right things to say
And I wish I wouldn't hide what's been going on inside
And I wish you wouldn't get scared and run away

I wish I was doing better
With all the things that matter,
I guess I got some learning to do
I wish everyone had someone
To hold em and to love em
The way I'm always gonna love you
I wish wishes came true

I was there was a cure for cancer
I wish somebody had an answer
And all God's children, never got hurt
I wish Eve never bit that apple
You men never went to battle
And I didn't get so mad at the world
I wish I was more like Jesus
And could pick up all the pieces
And make a better life for my baby girl

I wish I was doing better
With all the things that matter,
I guess I got some learning to do
I wish everyone had someone
To hold em and to love em
The way I'm always gonna love you
I wish wishes came true

For everything I am wishing
I know God is up there is listening
So, I say my prayers when I go to bed
Ahh, ahh, ahh
Oh pray my wishes come true
Oh

I wish I was doing better
With all the things that matter,
I guess I got some learning to do
I wish everyone had someone
To hold em and to love em
The way I'm always gonna love you
I wish wishes came true

I know wishes come true
I wish, I wish


written by: MADEIRA, PHIL / MORGAN, CINDY;
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc

I absolutely LOVE this song!! It captures exactly how I feel right now!! I do wish I was doing better on all the things that really matter ~talking, playing, loving on my children, being there for my friends, spending time with my husband, loving like Jesus, being kind to everyone I meet, praying more for others, sharing, giving, trusting, helping, encouraging, seeking the LORD in everything~ the list could go on and on!! I want to slow down, breathe, be in the moment, and enjoy all of the opportunities and blessings that God gives me everyday. To focus on the things that really matter most. I don't want life to just pass me by. *** It's like the theme of my life right now!! :) More like Jesus!!