Preschool Rocks!

My little Bear is going to school! Preschool that is.. and he'll be going for the next two years. We decided to send him to Kindergarten as a 6 year old since his June birthday parked him in the middle of age cutoffs. This year he's going two days a week to warm up and hopefully fall in love with school.

We've been so excited for this day to come. I had beautiful visions of a fabulous 1st day of preschool morning, complete with a freshly packed lunch full of all of his favorite things, a special breakfast date with Mommy, walking him up to his room, sending him off with a big Bear Hug!!

But what really happened... I did not sleep well at all the night before. All my stress, anxiety and excitement is reflected in my sleep - always as been. Couldn't sleep, woke up late. Lauren the Early Bird wakes up with me. She immediately senses something is happening, in which she will be left out and commences Kitty Cat tactic. This is her favorite maneuver in stalling, distracting and overall attempt to destroy all plans to hurry and get something done. Kitty (aka Lauren) actually weaves through my legs as a I walk, sits on my feet, abruptly stops and/or starts walking at inopportune moments. She picks fights with Beau, gets in trouble, wants to "hold you" and throws in an occasional hissy fit. As I was blow drying my hair upside down, she was standing under my hair trying to have a conversation about "hair dryers are hot Mommy!". Oh Kitty. I love you, your tactics and my lessons in patience.

Beau wakes up with catty-whompus hair. He needs a haircut, so I know it won't be laying down straight with water, gel and prayer. He needs a bath. For whatever reason - I decide its a good idea to put him in the shower to bathe himself. Awesome. He is totally not going with it. Oh well. Get him out, get him ready for school with now beautiful hair. Did I mention I woke up late?

The freshley packed lunch full of all of his favorite things did happen, complete with a turkey sandwich, kiwi, strawberries, goldfish crackers, a note from Mommy and a Dove dark chocolate. When I picked him up, one of the first things he said, "I found that chocolate Mommy!" with the biggest smile.

We're all finally ready to go, the clock reads - not enough time for the special breakfast date - but too early to go straight to school. Boo. Plan B - Casey's gas station. ugh. BUT - he was totally thrilled, he picked out a special treat - a Star Wars light saber with M&M's in the bottom. I picked up powdered donuts and chocolate milk. Yay!!

It took all of 3 minutes to drive to preschool. We still have a lot of time to fill and Beau was so excited to go inside. We go in, find a potty. He decides he wants a donut, we're sitting in the foyer of a beautiful church with navy blue carpet. In one of my biggest accomplishments, we did not ruin the foyer, or navy carpet with my terrible choice of white powdered donuts. However he gave me the hugest thumbs up and sparkly smile. Worth it. We got to Facetime Daddy for last minute loves and walked upstairs. The teachers in our classroom weren't quite ready for the littles so we're wondering around a bit more, which was a little awkward and Beau's getting antsy.

Once they were ready, he literally ran into the classroom. He paid me no mind, I went over a got a hug and he said, "This will be the best day ever!" Yesss, thank you Lord! I didn't even get teary eyed, I am so completely excited for Beau to have this opportunity.

When I picked him up he had a lot to say. They looked at earthworms with a magnifying glass - "they're all connected with circles Mom." In the gym they have 2 trampolines and those bouncy balls with the handles you sit on! They played music from Disney Jr. There was one girl who didn't want to share the ponies, but she changed her mind and made a good decision. He liked the girl with big bubble cheeks best (we talked about making sure we find out her name instead of referring to her sweet cheeks). He doesn't know anyone's name and asks me all the time if he can go back.

We are celebrating this big milestone for our little family. I hope and pray that Beau continues to have a great experience and attitude toward learning. Preschool Rocks!

I asked...

John 14:11-14 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

I asked for something and He did it.

I asked God to help me find a way out of my current job, help me find a way to travel less, serve my family more, a way out of working with the wine and grape industry. I asked for a way to serve the School of Agriculture with my natural talents. He did it. Simple as that. As wonderful as that.

I believe in the Father and I believe in His miracles. Our family received a miracle. I heard a very clear voice confirming to move forward with the request for change. I said, "Lord I want to be in your will. Do I talk to them about stepping out of this job?" very clearly, "Do it. I will take care of you." And He did. I went to my directors, we talked about the needs of our program and the level of commitment I can offer in this season of my life. I put it out there that I want my family to be a priority. They listened. They respected my position. They acted on my behalf to request changes. The first request was denied. I think God was watching to see how I would handle that answer. I was confused (bit back the tears), but I was willing to continue in my current position. 

Not only did my director approach the Provost a second time and received a YES on the new position, but the payroll news?? $1,500 deduction. We were preparing for a $5,000 loss. God took care of us.

I just want to encourage anyone reading this that we serve a God that listens when we pray. He sees the desires of your heart and He has a plan. The God that created Lake Tahoe hears my thoughts. Hears my requests. He hears you too!! Standing on that lakeshore, I was speechless. We serve a God that speaks and wonderous miracles like Lake Tahoe and new jobs just happen. Wow - for a lack of better words.

My husband once heard, God only gives us the headlight view of our life. If we were to see the entire view, we wouldn't be able to take it in. The important part of this verse to me - be prepared for the answer. It may not always work out according to your plan, because it is God's plan.

cardboard and duct tape valance

This Lauren's bedroom before.

Enter this blog post: http://bibbidi-bobbidi-beautiful.blogspot.com/2011/01/diy-drapes-and-valance-from-sheets.html and the creative, can-do spirit was inspired!

I bought inexpensive fabric (1.5 yards) from Walmart and we had this large box in the garage. The extra helpers were expensive. If you would like to hire them, message me.

I held the box up to the window and it was way too large, so I'm cutting in down to size. Ma is the behind-the-scenes very important assistant. I couldn't have done it without her due to previously mentioned expensive helpers.

I used a blade to create the corners/folds, being careful to not cut all the way through the cardboard and then reinforced the fold with a lot of duct tape.

Next, you cut down quilt batting to size and duct tape it down. Two people are necessary in this step to make sure it is snug. This creates an upholstered/tailored look to the valance.

I put a peice of coordinating fabric on the back because our box was ugly, I didn't want it show outside the window. Then, I rolled the main fabric under and stapled with a heavy duty staple gun for the finished edges.

Be sure to leave the edge that will connect the valance to the wall fabric free.

The original blog post I read said this is so light, you can hang it with thumb tacks. You cannot hang it with thumb tacks or Command Strips. It's too heavy and fell. I ended up using small nails. They work great. It was a little difficult nailing them in because the box is narrow.

I used an old flat sheet that had a hole in it for the panels. It was a queen sheet. I cut it in half, left the edges to fray for that shabby-chic look and used a simple spring rod to hang it. The spring rod is secured with small hooks. I'm really happy with how it turned out. Overall, I spent less than $20. 

Destin..ation Vacation 2012

Mike and I celebrated 10 years of marriage July 20th!

 We wanted to do something really special. During Lauren's birthday party, it all came together that we all (the Party Barge) would take our maiden voyage to Destin, Florida and begin a bi-annual vacation tradition together for the rest of our lives. I would say it was a success. 

It was also the first Crews Family vacation. 

We left Friday night as a caravan from Harrison. Beau made an observation that he was not able to see the beach yet... when we were Branson. Oh my. We made it to Jackson, MS at 3am. We stayed at the definition of Roach Motel. Triple Yuck - and that's all I'll say about that. 

Sunday we hit the beach - Beau and Lauren Loved It. I was So Thankful.  

 Lauren had a great time in the sand. We gave her one bucket of water, one bucket for sand and she was all set! 

 Beau, oh my Beau made me nervous. He "punched" the waves and let them wash him up in the surf. He would catch the seaweed and "throw it back it where it goes". Daddy would take him out "to the deep" and ride on the wake board. Every day we had a battle when we'd have to head back to the house. Neither one of them complained about the salt water in their eyes or sand all over everything. 

 This is Lauren the first day. I said, "Baby, you ok?" She said, "It's a little scary. I just hold you." So I sat with her in my lap in the surf. She fell asleep! This moment was certainly a highlight of my life.

 We stayed at the Aegean House. You can see it in the top right of this photo, white house with the blue roof. The good things; obviously, a short walk to the beach, a short walk to the neighborhood pool, it was large enough for all four families, great views, great location to town, and Mike would like to add the hot water worked well. The BAD things; it was dirty, there was actually a hole in the ceiling with stickers on the floor letting us know where to place the bucket to catch the leak, roaches, mouse poop, lizards, spiraled narrow staircases, cracked tiles, doors that didn't lock, Matty's shower didn't work well, the refrigerator couldn't keep up, everything needed to be painted, the kitchen didn't have hardly anything. We ended up spending a lot of extra money because of these issues. It was incredibly frustrating. While there, we composed an email to the owner of how we felt totally deceived and ripped off. The photos posted on his Internet listing are NOT updated. He responded a lot of excuses. SO instead of being totally irritated, we all collectively made the decision to not be mad. We were probably better off having the ghetto house of the neighborhood since we had all these little people with us. If they tore something up, no one would have any idea. We learned our lesson. Which brings me to all those little (and big) people that came along on this adventure...

The Lovelace's - Kurt, Shannan, Shae and Kelsey. 

The Daniel's - Mike and Karista

The Phillips' - Matty, Cassie and Mackenzie 

Yours Truly. 

 Monday was Mackenzie's big three year old birthday! We went to the Gulfarium, which was super cool and amazingly hot. We got to see a great dolphin show, touch things in that tide pool and corral many small excitable children. Great day. After naps we had a little birthday party on the deck!

Monday night was date night. Mike and I went to our most favorite place to eat ever - Pompano Joe's with the Daniels. We are enjoying the Reggae Rolls and the first few bites of Coconut Shrimp when Mike leans over to me and says, "I don't feel good." He walked back to the truck. Sends me one text. I drop my phone off the 2nd story deck down into the sand. Calls me once and the three of us are running full speed to the truck. It was about 1/2 mile away. I was in a dress, flip flops and didn't even loose my breath, all adrenaline. I was so scared. Someone at the restaurant gave us wrong directions to the hospital. Mike D. is on the phone with 911 as they are giving us directions to the ER. I'm driving the Avalanche with my flashers on and honking down the center lane, praying Jesus help me over and over again. Mike is in the passenger seat soaked with sweat, no color in his face, tears running down his cheeks. Horrible!! We fly in the ER, Mike D. is fundamental in getting Mike to the back faster than what they originally stated. He experienced a burst appendix as a kid and it was straight from the Lord that he and Karista were with us. Turns out - Kidney Stone. By the time they let me go see him, he was much more comfortable with some serious drugs and an IV of fluids. Poor Mike. After staying there for 3 hours, they let us go home with Rx to help him pass it. The Daniels stayed with us the whole time, meanwhile Kurt and Shannan were back at the house with all of our littles. Can you imagine how this would have played out if I had the children with me?! Oh my I'm so thankful we were all together. I love these people. 

Tuesday morning everyone was concerned about Mike and how he was feeling. I went to check on him after an early run to Walgreens. As soon as he woke he was asking if everyone was ready to go down to the beach! I asked if he thought that was a good idea and he informed me that he would not be sitting in the house. And he didn't! In fact he continued through our vacation without complaining, without another bad episode and running at about 80%. He is amazing. So we go out to the beach. Most of the morning was consumed with a rescue team scanning our beach. Helicopters, Coast Guard ships, wave runners, divers, the National Guard were right in front of us about 100 yards out. Everyone on the beach was somber, however we weren't quite sure what was happening. 

Wednesday the boys fulfilled their vacation objective and went deep sea fishing. All of them were rookies. They actually made a pact that they would stay out as long as at least one of them could still fish if they got seasick! Kurt was the unlucky one and fed the fish for three hours. Poor Kurt! The others caught enough fish for our dinner plus extra we brought home. So proud of them. 

The Captain told them the events of the day before was a search for a local teenager that went missing off his wave runner when he was spear fishing. They never found him. This really bothered me. I had bad dreams. Several locals told us there are a lot of sharks this time of year because the seaweed comes in. Makes perfect sense - little sea creatures like shrimp are riding the seaweed, fish follow the seaweed, sharks follow the fish. I guess this happens late summer. Mama isn't going back to Destin in late summer, we'll be looking at June-ish. While the boys were fishing, a shark took the back end of Mike's fish. The Captain acted like it was no biggie. Yikes. 

Thursday was an awesome day. We took the whole crew downtown. A storm was blowing in so several excursions were canceling their cruises. One big goal was to take the littles on a cruise around the harbor. We were loosing hope that our afternoon was going to the crapper. Enter - Buccaneer Pirate Cruise!! Yo Ho Ho! We are the crew of the Buccaneer, Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of Root Beer!!! We're still yelling that around these parts. Seriously Super Cool to-do for the kids. They sang, danced, raising the flag, had a water gun fight, mopped the deck, face paint, played air guitar with mops, hula hooped, had a sword fight, listened to a pirate story, looked for treasure, PULLED A TREASURE CHEST OUT OF THE WATER, got the loot, had the time of our lives. I loved it too! 

 After the cruise we had dinner at AJ's and then stayed in town to watch the fireworks. 

 Friday was another big beach day. Mike and Matty aka sand structural engineers spent a long time on this awesome sand castle. Which was also on the vacation to-do list. 

I can't imagine getting through this thing called life without this handsome man beside me. We love each other and we get mad at each other. We are a united front with our children. We made a million memories on this anniversary/first family vacation trip. I'm having to pinch myself to think it has been 10 years since I walked down the aisle to the tear-jerking Remember the Titans song. And I'd do it all again... this time without a butt-bow.