Glade Spray

A friend of mine shared this AWESOME website with me years ago.  I get to try up and coming products if I just promise to spread the word about that product.  This time I got to try

GLADE EXPRESSIONS^® COLLECTION

   Those who know me well know this is right up my alley!  This stuff is AMAZING!!! It works better than any product I have ever tried!! Steve fried catfish the other day and this spray made that nasty smell disappear.  Check it out?

Boo Bear

When I drive with the kids in the car we never listen to the radio.  We just chat.  Mason asks me to spell all kinds of words  and he tells me stories.  I love this time that we have together.  Tonight Mason turned to Mazy and explained that when we get home he would play dolls with her.  It was such a sweet and tender moment.  Then Mazy replied (how she normally does) with a loud grunt.  Mason continued discussing with her what they were going to play and Mazy kept grunting.  Mason then asks Mazy if she wanted to play trains instead.  Mazy then said "yay".  Mason was so excited that she wanted to play trains.  When we get home dinner was ready.  As we our eating Mason asks Mazy if she wants to be Thomas.  Mazy shakes her head no.     Mason asks Mazy if she wants to be Percy.  Mazy shakes her head no.   Mason asks Mazy if she wanted to be James.  Mazy shakes her head no. (This continued through ALL of the trains.)  Mason then asks what train she wants to be.  She kept saying something that sounded like Boo Bear.  So now it is finally time to play with trains.  Mason tells Mazy to go and get Boo Bear.  Sure enough our little princess goes and gets her doll.  I love Mason's tender heart and that he loves to play with his sister!  Thank you Lord for such great children!

I miss you Mom!

19 LONG years ago my mother was taken from me.  I know that God has a plan! I am super blessed with great In-Laws.  They truly treat me like their very own daughter.  I (we) miss you like crazy!

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This morning as I wrote the blog I was throwing myself a pitty party.   However as today unfolded I was confirmed many times that I am right where I need to be.  Thanks Lord for your plan.  Thanks for allowing me to feel your presence and purpose today.  

Different Outcome

The last time I blogged was about how God sent me a text message.  I have not blogged again because I am still in shock that this post does not have a different outcome.  I thought I would be teaching at a different school, in a different district.  I know in my heart that I have followed God's plan.  I just wish that His plan and my plan were closer to the same at times.  While I will miss being on the same schedule as my children I work at a school that I love.  I am on a great team!  I truly pray that I learn what God wants me to learn from this situation.

God Sends Text Message

I have really been struggling for the last couple of months.  I struggle with knowing if I am making the right decision. I struggle knowing if I am following God's plan.  I know that He has a plan for me.
I was driving home from school back in September when I heard a whisper that I should apply to Lees' Summit School District.  WHAT?  I had a great day at school.  Why should I change, I thought?  Then about a week later my friend informed me that there will be 3 openings at Mason Elementary. Mason only has about 14 teachers so it is unheard of to have 3 openings.  A couple weeks after that our sermon was about listening to God's whisper.  In my heart I knew it was time.  It was time to act on these whispers I have been hearing.  In fact, by now these aren't whispers.  I feel like He is shouting at me.  HELLO, do you get it yet?  I get my application, cover letters, resume, references and  all that jazz together and submitted.    As I wait for his plan to unravel I hear about a new position at BSSD.  This position would be a great job.  It would be closer to home.  It would be with Michelle.  It would be where my nieces go.  It would be the perfect job for me.  Now I am confused.  Should I apply for the new position within BSSD?  I think hard about it and pray about it.  My poor teaching partner has heard me go back and forth about what I should do.  Every time I sat down to apply for the job I hit a stumbling block.  The first time I tried to apply I did not have all the information I needed to apply.  The next time I tried BSSD's site was down.  I tried one last time and I ran out of time to apply.  (I know now that these were all signs that I should not apply.)  Yesterday was the due date to turn in the application.  I really struggled knowing if I should go forward with this.  I talked to my small group about what I should do.  I talked to my husband about it.  I did not feel any peace after talking to people about what to do.  I finally went to God about it.  I got on my knees and I prayed.  I prayed for a sign.  On my way to work yesterday I cried.  I want to make sure I am doing what He wants me to do not what I want to do.  I had a nice long talk with Whitney.  She confirmed my decision.  I was starting to get a clear picture that I need to let this new position go.  I e-mail Jodi just to confirm my decision. (That is a whole different story.  :)  Thanks so much for all you did that day Jodi!)   God has something better for me.   My heart's desire is to be in Lees Summit.  My heart's desire is to be at Mason.  
Wow, this feels good. I start to feel at peace with my decision to let this position go.  I came home and was telling Steve about my day and how I was letting it go.  A few hours later Mason brings me my phone. I kid you not, there were bible verses listed on my phone.  This is literally laugh out loud funny.  I often joke and ask God to send my text messages because I "can't" hear his whispers.  The bible verses were Philippians 4:6 (Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.) and Matthew 21:22 (If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.) REALLY?  I feel like this was God shouting at me again.  I really feel at peace with His decision.  I know now that it was the right thing to do, letting the position go.  I know that is not what He has in plan for me.  Thanks be to God for sending me a text message.  

Extended Holiday Vacation?!

HELLO THERE!  Sorry for shouting but I wanted you to know that I am still here, alive and kickin'.  I sort of took an extended vacation for the holidays.  I truly struggle with keeping things balanced in my life.  Blogging gets put on the back burner far too often.  Do you ever feel like that guy at the circus.  You know that one that can keep 50 plates spinning all at one time? 

 I do!!

But I am back!  I promise that I will get you caught up very soon.  Until then (at the top) here is a picture of my kids!

BZZ Agent

A friend of mine shared this AWESOME website with me years ago.  I get to try up and coming products if I just promise to spread the word about that product.  This time I got to try Burt's Bees facial product line.  Those who know me well know this is right up my alley!  This stuff is AMAZING!!! It works better than any product I have ever tried before AND it is all natural!!  Check it out:

What a GLORIOUS morning!

With the Daylight Saving time change our children have been waking up a little bit earlier.  This morning they were both awake by 6:45am.  We had the best morning.  We were just living in the moment.  Mason and Mazy were  playing together.  Mazy was talking to us and all 3 of us were focused on listening to her.  We cannot even pinpoint what was so spectacular about the morning.  However, this is a morning we will never forget.  God is AMAZING!!!  We absolutely LOVE our lives!!!!!  Thank you, God!

Out of Mason's Mouth

Today when we were leaving the farmers' market and talking about different foods Mason amazed us AGAIN.

Mason- What kind of foods did God create?

 Mommy- Well, He created everything; pizza, popcorn, you name it.

Mason-How did he do that?  Did he use a magic wand?

LOVE IT!  

Bonfire

Ever since we moved into this house Steve has wanted to have a bonfire in a fire pit that was left by the previous owners. Today was the perfect night for a fire.

One of Steve's favorite things is to make popcorn in a bonfire! Mason LOVES it too!

BIG Brother

We were so nervous about having our second child. We were scared that Mason would be jealous and have animosity towards to Mazy. That is the fullest from the case. Mason adores Mazy! He is such a helper. He always ask me if he can babysit her. As I went to get their change of clothes I asked Mason if he would "babysit" her. This is what I saw when I returned! Mazy also adores Mason. She is always watching what he is doing. Getting her to sleep is a challenge because she wants to know what Mason is doing at all times.

Radiator Springs

We were driving to Union Station and we were in a dilapidated part of Kansas City. Mason says "Mom, are we in Radiator Springs?" For those of you that do not know that this the town where the movie Cars takes place. My little man is such a thinker. I truly enjoy having "adult" conversations with him. I am so thankful for my time off to spend with the loves of my life!

Memorial Day

We really try to make my parents a part of Mason's life. This is not super easy because he has never met them and does not really understand where they are. It is days like this that make me happy and sad at the same time. We visited my parents at their graves. We cleaned their headstones and planted flowers. I love and adore the time I get to spend with my family. Here are a few pictures from our day:

38 Weeks

Just wanted to give the world an update on our baby girl. I went to the doctor yesterday for my 38 week appointment. She said that I am dilated and even effaced. However, the baby has not dropped yet. She seems to think that once the baby drops I will go into labor. She also mentioned that she thinks I will deliver within a week. We will spend this weekend preparing for our baby and our move.

Lovin' Life

I know that it has been a long time since I have blogged. Life is going by way too fast. Right now I am in the process of closing out a school year, packing up a classroom, moving to a bigger house and I am 37 weeks pregnant. To say that we are busy is an understatement.

After attending a retirement party then Emma and Gretchen's preschool graduation I rushed home to put Mason in bed. I truly almost cried that I was only able to spend about 15 minutes with him tonight. I just hate how busy May is. I cannot wait for life to slow down. Oh wait, will it ever?

ALL ABOARD

We all know how much Mason loves trains. For Christmas he received a train conductor costume. Normally he will put it on for a few seconds and want to take it right off. Tonight he wore this around the house searching for train tickets. He was also shouting, "ALL ABOARD!" I love this guy!

Baby Name

I am officially 33 weeks today! This morning Steve and I created a list of things we need to do to prepare for this blessing. We listed things like wash clothes, get diapers, etc. I then mentioned we should probably decide on a name. This has been a topic of discussion since January when we found out we were having a girl. After Steve and I were married we discussed baby names before we were even pregnant. We both liked Mazy for a girl. When we were pregnant with Mason we did not know if he was a boy or girl. We liked the names Mason and Ty for a boy and Mazy Jo for a girl. Well we all know how that turned out. :)

When we found out we were pregnant with a girl this time I thought it was a given, we would name her Mazy. It was not that easy. Steve was not on board as much as I was with the Mazy. He really liked the name Rosie after his Grandmother Rosalie. I loved Rosalie but did not like Rosalie Jo. The name Jo is a Freeman family tradition. My sister and I have the middle name of Jo. This is after my Aunt Joyce, who is my Mom's sister. Needless to say, Steve and I were not on the same page. After many discussions and prayers for guidance to name our daughter we have come to an agreement.

As of right now, our daughter will be named, drum roll please...............

Mazy Jo

Two Peas in a Pod

Steve and Mason are alike in so many ways. I could create a never ending list. I do not mind at all, actually I love it. Think about it... I MARRIED Steve so I must like the characteristics that he possesses.

Mason truly loves popcorn as much as Steve, if not more. The funny things is I do not like popcorn and want nothing to do with it.

Here is a picture of the loves of my life having one of their favorite "midnight" snacks. I took this with my phone so it is not the best.

Watermelon

Here are some pictures of Mason throughly enjoying watermelon when we were at Brad and Teresa's:

Do you see the t-shirt and shorts? Man do we miss that 80 degree weather?!