Sunset Rock

The weather here is so nice (60 degrees) that we decided to go hiking on Sunday. We drove up Lookout Mountain and parked at Point Park. This was a battle site for the Civil War. The kids enjoyed the canons and monuments. We then decided to hike from Point Park to Sunset Rock. The trail markers said it was a 1.3 mile hike. We decided we could manage this with the boys. What we didn't count on was the wet trail and rough terrain. There were several steep drop offs and many rocks to climb. We ran into some real rock climbers while on our trip. The rest of the time, we tried to hug the side of the mountain. Ethan loved it. He was such a trooper. He ran out ahead to scout for us and tried to find the driest route. I definitely saw the leader in him emerge. After a little over an hour, we arrived at sunset rock. It was beautiful and really high. I made the boys stay back from the edge. We decided to forgo the hike back and walked instead on the road next to the amazing houses. It only took 30 minutes to get back to the car. It was a great day! We can't wait to go back when we are better dressed and more prepared for the hike.

Caldwell Christmas

Chris' parents came to visit us the day after Christmas. It is such a blessing to have family that is willing to travel to see us. The kids were so excited to have them here. The brought Tyler a giant boxing set and a farm set. Grandpa sat and played farmer with the boys. He taught the boys how to take care of the horses.

Ethan got a Chinese Checker set. When we went to visit the Caldwell's for Thanksgiving Ethan played Chinese Checkers the entire time. He loves board games so this was a perfect gift for him. Grandma also made beautiful blankets for each of the boys (Chris included). They will be perfect for those cold nights.

Christmas Day: Wii Wish You a Merry Christmas

Chris and I spent Christmas Day with the boys at our home. This is the first year we were without extended family. I was a little nervous, but it turned out fine. Ethan asked for a Wii and that is what Santa brought him. Chris and I decided to set it up the night before and just wrap the empty box. Chris and I stayed up late playing the Wii by ourselves. The next morning, Ethan and Tyler woke up before us. Ethan ran down and looked at the tree and all the presents, but the Wii was set up in the basement. I yelled down at the kids to not touch the presents until we came downstairs. Ethan replied, "We aren't touching the presents, but someone set up a Wii in the basement." So much for surprises.

Tyler asked for an Indiana Jones Whip. I made him open that last. Every present he opened before that received a "Cool, but I didn't ask for that." We were done opening presents in about 20 minutes. So much planning for so little time. Chris got the first season of Battlestar Galatica. My sweet husband got me a pair of UGG boots. I wore them all day and only took them off for bed.

We spent the day relaxing and playing the Wii. It was very sad to be without family, but it was nice to relax. Chris' parents are coming the day after Christmas and my parents are coming for New Years. It will be nice to see our family.

The Real Reason...



I heard this song on the radio yesterday and wanted to share it with you. I get so caught up in this time of year with everything that has to be done and I was forced to take a moment and remember that Christ is all that really matters. I took the time today and made room for him in our Celebration since He is the reason we celebrate. I hope you will take a few moments and watch this Casting Crowns song:

Santa

Now that I am out of school, I have time to focus on doing all those Christmas things, like seeing Santa. I took the boys to our local mall today. The funniest part of the visit is that the man who was Santa is a substitute for our local school system. When I am going to be out my students all beg me to get Santa as my sub. After Ethan and Tyler talked with Santa, Ethan confessed that he recognized Santa's voice as someone who works at his school sometimes. Chris quickly explained that this may be one of Santa's helpers. I think this is our last year for Ethan and Santa. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Titans -vs- Steelers

For Chris' Christmas gift, I got him tickets to see the Titans play the Steelers in Nashville. He has never seen the Steelers play even thought it is his favorite NFL team. We all went to Nashville to spend the weekend with my sister. We had a great time on Saturday at her boyfriend's, Brandon, family holiday celebration. His aunt owns 1000 acres in Nashville and the most amazing Log Cabin. Everyone was so nice.

I planned on going shopping during the game on Sunday with Jessie, but Tyler woke up in the middle of the night throwing up everywhere. (Sorry, Jessie) My sister was a trooper. If I didn't have kids and someone elses kid vomited on me twice during the night, I would freak. She was so loving and gentle with Ty. I owe you big time, Jess.

Chris took Ethan to the game on Sunday. The high for the day was 32 degrees. That is freezing for TN. They bundled up and braved the cold. Despite the fact that the Steelers lost, they had a great time. Ethan felt so grown up to get the chance to attend a real NFL game.

Christmas Miracle

Chris' sister, Kelly, gave birth to a girl at 8:34 am. Her name is Kaitlyn Rose Anderson. She is beautiful. She is a blessing and a miracle. Chris and Kelly suffered through the loss of a son. They adopted three children last year and have a wonderful family. Their three children are adorable and amazing. I love spending time with them and my kids do too. Nine months ago Kelly found out that she was pregnant. This was a shocking suprise and blessing. Kaitlyn Rose is absolutely perfect. I can't wait to meet her. Kelly, you and your family are such an amazing testiment to faith, love and hope. We love you and are so happy for you.

Calling All Prayer Warriors

Jeremiah 33:6 "Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security."

Chris and I have some friends who are currently going through a very significant health struggle. Our friends Lance and Anna Starks are facing a very serious situation. This Tuesday Lance is scheduled to have a kidney transplant. For the past several years Lance has been fighting a disease that has destroyed his kidney's. It has now reached a very crucial point and a transplant is necessary. Lance's mom, Lynn, will be giving one of her kidney's to her son. I am asking for you to pray with us for Lance and Lynn. There are so many details and intricacies that must go perfectly for everything to be successful and we are asking for your prayers on their behalf.

Chris and I pray that God will bring abundant health and peace and security to Lance, Anna, and their two children Will and Lily Beth. Lance and Anna are close in age to Chris and me and their children are the same age as our boys. I felt a moment of guilt the other day because I was stressed over getting my Christmas shopping done, cookies baked, and cards mailed. Then, I remembered Lance and Anna and my struggles at Christmas seemed so insignificant. May we all remember how truely blessed we are during this time of year. Thank you for your prayers.

Tyler the Singing Star





Our church had their big Christmas production today. The stage was packed with at least 250 adults, youth, children, and toddlers. Tyler sings in the Cherub Choir and of course, he had to steal the show. To practice for the big show, he went and sang at Life Care. Life Care is a huge independent living facility for Senior Citizens. He hid in the curtains, waved at me and sang much too loud. You can hear him singing in the video and only him. He also gave me a thumbs up signal at the end.



At the actual performance, he kept checking his watch. I think this was a tribute to pastors everywhere (that's for you papa). Eventually, he sat down. He did very well other than trying to take his suit jacket off over his head. He had a chance to wear his new suit. He looked great!

Bowling for Joy

My niece, Joy, had her birthday on Saturday at the bowling alley. We had a great time. Chris and I even bowled. Chris actually broke a hundred (101): He had a weak game. Ok, I had a weak game too. Tyler insisted on bowling by himself. I was suprised that the bowling ball actually made it down the lane. It did get stuck one time. Tyler then started throwing the ball and we had to put a stop to that. Ethan did well. It was a great time!

Tyler posing as his ball rolled down the lane. Yes, it took several minutes...

Ethan's action pose.

Making Stockings

I was so fortunate to get the opportunity to go to Ethan's school on Friday afternoon and make stocking with his class. My planning period fell just at the right time :) I burned my fingers a couple of time with the hot glue gun but overall, it was fun! I am not that crafty, but the kids seemed to be creative enough to make up for it. Ethan was so happy that I finally got to help like the other moms. Oh the joys of being a working mom. I'm sure he won't be so grateful that I am at his school everyday when he gets to high school.

Ethan with his teacher, Mrs. Hilliard. We just love her!

Muffins for Moms

Ethan's school has a Muffins for Moms event and a Doughnuts for Dads every year. Since the breakfast is from 7:00 - 7:30 am, I can make it before school. (Sometimes it stinks being a working mom and missing out on all the school activities.) Ethan wrote a wonderful letter in his journal to me. He is such a sweet and tenderhearted boy. (Ok, I am biased.) He was so excited to show me his desk and all of the work that he has accomplished this year. His teacher is amazing! She was the TN teacher of the year a few years ago. I teach with her daughter at the high school. She understands being a working mom and does so much to make me feel a part of Ethan's education.

I also made contact with another mom in the class who sent me pictures of Ethan's recent field trip to a science center. I love to see that my son has boys in his class that he hangs out with. I think Ethan looks like the class clown. Oh well, every class needs one...

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had an amazing holiday! We went to South Carolina to spend time with Chris' family. It was wonderful to see his family. The boys had a great time riding horses. Ethan even got to go on a long trail ride with his Papa. He even took the lead several times. He seemed very confident on the horse. I of course was too chicken to ride. Tyler was a little too cocky to be unsupervised. He looked at me at one point and shouted, "Look Mom, no hands!" This would not have been the first time he has fallen off a horse though. He is just like his Dad.



Chris and I got to get a night away with his brother Keith and Christy. We went to Beaufort and spent the night in a Trolley. We visited some church ruins and a light house. I loved seeing the ocean again. It was a pleasant 60 degrees but overcast. We collected seashells for the boys. We spent the afternoon in downtown Beaufort. It is a quaint town well worth the visit. It was a wonderful weekend and I feel a little overwhelmed being back home. I need to start shopping for Christmas. Reality has set in for me. Let the Christmas rush begin.
The Trolley we spent the night in at the KOA. Who knew camping was so much fun?

Ruins of the Old Sheldon Prince William's Parish Church. Beautiful...

Keith, Chris' brother, and Chris at the Ocean.

Crazy Weekend

Chris and I got a date night on Friday night. He was so sweet that he agreed to go see Twilight with me. I have read the first three books and was anxious for the movie. The funny thing is that half of my students were in the theater with us. The girls squealed and cheered every time Edward came on the screen. It was definitely a high energy crowd.

We had two birthday parties to attend this weekend. Both boys were teammates of Ethan's on his select baseball team. It was nice to see all the baseball moms again. Tyler got to tag along. The first party was at a local elementary school. My friend, Kelley set up a large screen TV and we all watched the Tennessee game. The boys played basketball in the gym. We had a lot of fun.

The next party was three hours later at Pump it Up. This was Tyler's first trip to Pump it Up. He was so excited. He spent most of the time with his buddy Trevor. Trevor's older brother, Tucker plays on Ethan's team. It is nice to see that Trevor, Tyler, Tucker, and Ethan will be friends for a long time.

On Sunday, we decided to set up the Christmas tree. I debated putting the picture up of Tyler in his Batman costume, but that is Tyler. He spends half his time as some super hero. We ate cookies and played Monopoly when we finished. (This was Ethan's request.) Tyler bought every property he landed on and won the game. He even ended up with Boardwalk and Park Place with houses! What a little mogul!

Tyler's Stage Debut

Tyler is finally old enough to be in the Cherub's Choir at church. We attend a church of about 2500 people. It has a very large sanctuary. I was a little nervous as to how Tyler would react to being on stage in such a large and with such a large crowd. I now know that it was crazy to think he would be anything but himself. He stole the show by jumping during most of the performance and showing off his belly. I had to stop myself from laughing so the camera wouldn't shake. He is my little performer.

Walker Valley Pride

The football team at Walker Valley, the school I teach at, qualified for the state tournament. I have several football players in my classes and I also help to lead the FCA, so I interact with them quite a bit. I was so excited to see them play. We had a send off at the school where the students and band lined the halls and the team marched through. My FCA students made a banner. It also happened to be breast cancer awareness day, so we were all in pink shirts. It was a great day, but I have a feeling that the trig I tought will have to be retaught on Monday.

When school was out, Chris and I drove to Knoxville with the boys to watch the Mustangs play. It was cold (ok, that is relative... it was cold for TN) and raining. We were soaked in the first ten minutes. The boys played great, but lost by one touchdown. I love to watch my sons getting excited over the football game. We ended up staying in a hotel in Knoxville and I got a shopping trip on Saturday out of the deal. It was a nice getaway.

Size Does Not Matter (Ok, it does...)

I thought I would share this story in hopes that it will help other mothers and to expose myself as one of those competitive moms. Ethan begged to try out for the North Lee Elementary basketball team. Each elementary school in town has its own basketball team. Ethan is eligible for the second and third grade team. He has never shown a strong interest in basketball before and I had heard rumors of the N. Lee team. They practice seven days a week and win the tournament every year. They are normally the kids that go on to play ball at the high school level. I told Ethan he probably wouldn't make the team, but he asked to try out anyway. Of course, Chris and I said yes.

We started practicing at the YMCA after Chris and I worked out. Ethan was not bad. He made most of his shots and could dribble the ball pretty good. I started to get excited that he may have a chance of making the team. That competitive, ugly mom showed up. Chris took him to the two hour try out and I stayed at home praying. Surely he was good enough. Chris came home with a dejected look on his face. He said Ethan played well, but he was the smallest kid on the court by at least a head. I comforted Ethan that night as he cried over not making the team.

As a mom, I worry about my children and their safety, health, spirit, and now their size. I poured my heart out to a fellow mom and she reminded me that there is always going to be something our children are deficient in whether it is academic, socially, atheletically or yes, even size. I am grateful for everything Ethan is and is becoming in spite of his small stature. I am also praying for a growth spurt.

Snow Optional

It was such a nice Sunday afternoon that Chris suggested we visit downtown Chattanooga. We spent about an hour at the aquarium and then walked around and looked at the boats. The boat I wanted pulled up to the dock. Chris said I could get one when I get tenure at the high school. I don't think he realizes I get tenure this year and it doesn't mean any more money. Oh well, I can dream.

Chris came downtown prepared this time. He put a couple sheets of cardboard in the suv and we went sledding next to the river. It was great to see all the kids and adults out sledding down the hill. I went one time and spun around backwards. It was enough excitement for me. Tyler was fearless. He went down on his belly, backwards, and even tried to go down standing up. I quickly stopped this. Ethan was going down standing up by the end of the afternoon. This was so much fun! After we wore ourselves out, we at on the patio at the Mexcian Restaurant downtown. It was a great, but exhausting day!

Happy Halloween

We took the boys to a Trunk or Treat sponsored by a local church, Westmore Church of God. The boys had a great time. The candy was from the local M&M factory, so the kids made out like bandits. The boys were inspired by our Disney trip and everything Star Wars, so we had to incorporate lightsabers into the costumes. Tyler was so cute as Yoda. He walked around all night and said, "Yoda, I am." Ethan refused to remove his mask. We ran into several Darth Vaders at the event. Tyler was the only Yoda. While we were there we saw Christian and his family. Chris and I went to Lee with them and I teach with him at Walker Valley. His boys, Miles and Gabe, looked great dressed as Storm Troopers. Ethan decided that is what he wants to be next year. I think he was envious of the cool gun.

The highlight of the night for me was the Walker Valley football game. After Trunk or Treat, we went to the Cleveland -vs- Walker game. Walker Valley won by one point in overtime. It was an amazing game. The entire student body stormed the field and the parents cried on the side lines. This was a huge upset. As a teacher of many of the players on the field, I was so proud. I love my school and I am so honored to be a part of these students' lives. It is so great for my boys to see so many great role models.

Happy 60th Dad

For my dad's 60th birthday, all of the kids got together and planned a weekend at a cabin on Lake Norris. We kept it a suprise for 9 months! That is amazing for our family. We had 10 adults and 8 kids all in one house. We had a great time. The kids (ok, adults too) played Rock Band. Ethan rocked on the guitar! Tyler was an animal on the drums. I loved the song "Wanted Dead or Alive" when we first arrived, but after 20 times, I could go at least another year before I hear it again.


We spent the afternoon with a professional photographer. Thank you Jessie for setting this up for us. I can't wait to see our pictures. These are a few shots that my brothers took of the group.

It was a wonderful weekend! At the end of the weekend we shared our memories growing up with each other. It was great to spend this time together. Before dinner, we stood in a large group holding hands and praying for the meal. I was humbled and amazed looking at our family. It is a testament to my father and mother that each one of their children serve the Lord and have married a Godly spouse. I pray that the legacy my parents have begun will continue through many generations.

Downtown Disney We spent two evenings at Downtown Disney. This is a great place to go when you first arrive. It has some great shops and wonderful restaurants. We ate at Cap'n Jack's one night and the Rainforest Cafe on another night. It was nice to visit the shops here and not have to take time at the parks shopping for items.

Tyler had a great time at the Kid's Dance Party in the Square. They had hula hoops and music all night. Ethan, of course, is too old for this now. I love this video of Tyler dancing.

Animal Kingdom

We spent one day at the Animal Kingdom. It was a great day! We went straight to the Safari Ride. This was really amazing! We got to see elephants, giraffes, lions, and several other animials. I saw animals I never even knew existed. There were no fences separating us from the animals and sometimes we even had to stop because there were some animals in our path.

Chris and I got to ride the Epedition Everest roller coaster. There was no line, so we just kept getting on and riding. This was great! I really liked the Nemo show. I think that this park definitly has the best shows. We got the chance to meet several characters with no wait time. That was a nice change.

Chef Mickey's

One of my favorite events was breakfast with Mickey Mouse. You have to schedule your character meals well in advance. (Sometimes as far as 6 months in advance!) We went to the Contempory Resort at Disney and ate at Chef Mickey's. We got to meet Mickey and all of the gang. This is definitly worth the cost. If you get your pictures at the meal times, you do not have to stand in line at the parks to see them. The lines at the parks can get pretty long! At the meals, each character comes to your table. I highly recommend Chef Mickey's!