Baseball Tryouts Are Thursday....

....and I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!

Icicles....In Florida?

That's right! Florida had been frigid for the the last week or so. Todd has watered the trees religiously. He has a special guava tree that he has raised from a seed. Every night he goes out to turn the sprinkler on which makes beautiful icicles. Nathan made sure we saved some, so there are several on a pan in my freezer. There have been snow reports as close as twenty miles away, but none developed where we live.

The guava tree is actually about seven feet tall, but is bent over from the weight of the ice. This morning we had no water. I brushed my teeth with a bottle of water. Then before we left for work, I heard a strange noise. When I looked out the back door, water was spraying all over the backyard. Todd had it fixed before I got home from work. Hopefully tomorrow morning that won't happen, because I am going to want to take a shower....a hot one at that.

Back To School!

After two weeks off for Christmas break, yesterday, was back to school. I can honestly say, Nathan was excited. When I put him to bed Sunday night, he tossed and turned and talked and talked and talked and finally after what seemed to be an hour he drifted off to sleep. He usually goes to sleep really fast unless he is excited about something. Florida is having a cold spell right now and we are about to freeze to death. Usually Florida cold spells last a day or two. This one is suppose to last all week and into next week. I am really thankful for my heated seats when I take Nathan to the bus stop. Todd has a guava tree he is trying to keep from freezing. So, every night he puts the sprinkler on it so the ice will insulate it. One of those cool miracles. Nathan and I still think the tree is a dud because it hasn't produced any fruit. But, Todd is a determined man. After all, he has raised it from a seed.

We had a good two weeks off. Todd had to cut down a tree and of course Nathan helped him. Nathan also worked on his science project and got it ready to turn in. So, we are back to our school schedule and life is good. Really, really good!

Where Did This Year Go?

It is just too hard for me to believe that Christmas is next week. But, believe it or not I am almost ready for it. Just a few more gifts to buy and I will be ready to invite my husband to the wrapping party we will be having. I sure hope he wants to attend.

Nathan's class is having a party today since it is their last day before the Christmas break. Later today I will be taking in Cokes and Cheetos, and gifts for Nathan's wonderful teacher, Mrs. Flagg.

It seems every year I get a new revelation about the Christmas story. This year I have been pondering Mary's feelings after she gave birth to Jesus. I know how overwhelming my feelings were when I first held my newborn son. I waited thirty six years for him. I remember one time while we were still in the hospital, Nathan was having a squalling fit. My mother handed him to me and as I layed him on my chest under my chin, he snuggled his little head into my neck and settled right down making little cooing noises....kind of like when a cat is content and purrs. I'm sure Jesus did that to Mary. Can you imagine the face of God snuggling into your neck. WOW! It was the one time that humanity actually "held" God. It makes me wonder. Does He still feel like he can snuggle up to us and let us hold Him? Does He find contentment by being with us? I think when our attitudes, mind frames and intentions are pure, He does.

Straight A's!

From the looks of the above picture, I think 8:15 is way too early to have an awards ceremony. They had to have it early because the third grade was leaving at 9 to go on a field trip. Even though it was early, it was well worth attending.

Of all the third grade classes, only 10 students made straight A's. Nathan was one of those ten. He is so glad that he is finally getting real letter grades. Since kindergarten, he has received S's for "satisfactory" and E's for "excellent."

All the students were very attentive and they were very quite. The principal did a great job complimenting them on such good behavior.

Nathan was also a super pilot and received a window decal. This award is given for good behavior and good citizenship.

Mrs. Flagg is Nathan's teacher. The first day of school he got off the bus, walked over to the van and the first words out of his mouth were, "Mom, I love my teacher." She is wonderful and Todd and I love her, too. She is a great teacher and we are so thankful for the investment she is making in Nathan's life and education.

A Little Bit Of This And A Little Bit Of That.

That's exactly what we've been doing lately. We went over to April and John's for Halloween. Nathan didn't want to dress up but he sure wanted to go trick or treating. Which we did. Cruz was a little horse. The hoodie on his costume was the horse's mane. And, of course it was just too cute. The food was good and so was the candy! And...it still is.

Nathan has been the best boy ever. He is making straight A's and working really hard in school. He even got chosen to be on Student Council. He continues to get better in baseball and is just an all a round good boy. This morning he was watching TV in his room and I went in to get his dirty clothes. I picked up a big pile and on my way out he said, "Thanks, Mom."

I said, "For what, baby?"

He said, "For washing my dirty clothes."

And, he did that all on his own. Not after a big fat lecture from me or his dad. So, now he can do anything he wants to. Just kidding or not.

The Pitching Continues...On and Off the Field!

Nathan continues to improve with his pitching skills...on the field that is. He has started the last two games and pitched two innings. In the first two innings of each game, he struck two batters out.

Off the field, he needs to improve in his decision making skills. Twice now he has managed to make decisions that were less than wise. While his Daddy was away on a trip, he and I were outside by the barn. He decided to start throwing the keys to the barn in the air. I was busy trying to water some potted trees. The throwing got higher and higher until the keys landed on the roof of the barn. That's where they stayed until his Daddy got home and retrieved them.

Then, the other night we were at a church social after the evening service. None of his friends were there so he went into the youth hall and started entertaining himself by throwing his Croc shoe into the air. Harmless, right? It was, until the Croc landed between a built out wall and the wall of the metal building. Thankfully his Daddy and the pastor were able to locate a ladder, a flashlight, a piece of rope and a homemade hook. In a matter of minutes his daddy had fished it out saving us $30 on another pair of Crocs.
There is about a 6 inch space between the black metal wall and the blue sheet rock wall. Todd said the Croc was all the way on the floor between the two walls. Only my son!