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.