I'm Back...

Well, we made it! We all survived 6 weeks of me teaching 1st grade! Let me just say it was an interesting 6 weeks with a bunch of crazy kids and I am so glad it's over. It was a great learning experience for me and I was challenged to be a better teacher because of it, but I am not ready to be a full-time teacher and part-time mom anytime soon. I'd much rather work for free as a full-time mom and keep my sanity than make "lots of money" teaching and end up in the funny farm! Maybe I'll share some of my crazy experiences in the classroom in a blog post soon. I'm sure you'd love to hear my stories about everything from head lice checks to shoes being thrown at me to finding "sexiest fantasies" perfume in a 6-year-old's desk! Let me just say I am so thankful for the life, husband and kids God has given me. I am blessed!

I am scheduled to sub for them again several days in the coming weeks as the teacher will be out getting treatments. I think I can handle a day here and there. Maybe that won't be quite as exciting!

We had a nice quiet Thanksgiving at home this year just celebrating with Mark's family. My side of the family will spend Christmas together this year so we didn't get to see them for Thanksgiving. We spent the weekend decorating the outside of our house for Christmas and now I'm starting to work on the inside since the kids are back in school. Thought I'd decorate our blog for the season too. Enjoy the Christmas music!

Workin' 9 to 5!

Just a quick note to let you know the Strickland's are fine! Sorry we were stuck on that sick day post for so long, but I have not had one extra minute to post anything new. I was asked to sub at Lydia's school for a first-grade teacher who will be out for surgery for six weeks and I still can't believe I said yes! Am I insane? I haven't taught school in 14 years! I just finished my first week and am beyond exhausted, my house is a total wreck and my boys are even having to help do their own laundry! So, we are in a serious period of adjustment in this home and you probably won't hear much from me until Thanksgiving when my job is over. I'm just praying this teacher returns because when my 6 weeks is up, I am outta there! Wish me luck and that I won't catch any of the flu germs that are flying around my room!

Sick Days

Fall is here and that means cooler temps, colored leaves, apple cider, flu shots and the arrival of germs! And we are not happy about it! The school nurse called Monday afternoon and said Levi had a fever and cough, please come get him. She was sure it was the flu since she'd sent 5 kids home that day with the same symptoms. The flu test showed NO flu so we are super excited about that. Just a virus that acts like the flu. So, the last couple of days Levi's been going puzzle-crazy and finished three 550-piece puzzles! He's been pretty bummed because he hates to miss school and he hasn't been able to play with his cousins who are here visiting from KC. He's much better today and should be back to school tomorrow. Now, we're just crossing our fingers that no one else gets it!

We don't have time for sickness around here with our crazy life. We've been busy with soccer tournaments in St. Louis, getting a new heating and air system installed at our house, Mark having to rebuild the computer system at work due to a virus, and just the normal daily stuff for school and church. I've been subbing quite a bit and still trying to get adjusted to this "working mom" thing. I think I got spoiled being home for 14 years! I still can't complain since I'm only working a couple days a week, if that.

We are off to the pumpkin patch tomorrow with Lydia's Kindergarten class--IF everyone stays healthy and the rain stays away! Stay tuned for pictures!

Tiger Spirit Day!

Every Friday is Spirit Day at the kids' schools, so they wear orange and black Tiger colors. Here's Lydia before school this morning. Mark thought she looked too cute in her braids so he took some pictures on their way out the door! She informed me that she needs some "pretty" Spirit day clothes. Not too sure where I'll find orange and black pretty clothes, but I'm on the hunt!

Welcome Baby Hope...

Proud big brothers Noah & Josiah with new baby sister Hope Louise!


We have a new baby girl in the Strickland family! No, we did NOT have a baby but Mark's sister Resa and her husband Wayne did! So we have a new niece and baby girl cousin. Lydia is thrilled with another girl since she and Abby are way outnumbered by a bunch of Strickland boys! Hope is the baby sister to Noah and Josiah and we can't wait to hold her. She was born Friday when my kids left for Kansas City for the holiday weekend and they all came home sick with croup and sinus junk so they haven't even been able to see her yet. Welcome Baby Hope! We are happy you are here!

Back to School 2009

Showing off their new backpacks stuffed full of supplies!



Lydia's first day of Kindergarten. Standing in line with her teacher.



Lydia's new locker. Lydia's school cubbie.



Ready to start the day and NO tears from Lydia or Mom or Dad!!!




Caleb is ready for 8th grade at the Jr. High. He had no idea we took this picture!



Levi started 5th grade at the Middle School. "No picture of me either, Dad!"


Wow! 3 kids in 3 different schools this year! I think it's going to be a full-time job running carpools and keeping everyone's schedules straight. We have 2 days down and everyone is off to a great start. The boys were ready to go back and Lydia is excited about Kindergarten. I've had a child home with me for 14 years straight so my house is about to become way too quiet. Although I've already been a lunch volunteer both days at her school and I have to sub 3 days this week, so I think I'll stay pretty busy. I've got a to-do list a mile long of projects around the house just in case I get bored!

I love writing on my blog so I'm hoping to do a bloggy make-over soon and update a little more often than once a month! So, stay tuned for a new look coming Fall 2009!

A Quick Hello!

I just looked at my blog for the first time in a few weeks and I'm wondering where are all my slideshows????? I checked slide.com and they are still saved there but for some weird reason they are not showing up on my blog. Who knows! Computers drive me crazy sometimes and my cute computer guy (Mark!) just happens to be busy for awhile and can't seem to get to my piddly little blog! Maybe it will fix itself, so please check back soon!

Our summer has been full of fun but very busy and it is flying by way too fast! The kids start school on August 13 and are begging to get their school supplies already. Here's a few things we're keeping busy with this summer:

***Mark & Caleb's World Changers Mission Trip
***Mark & Levi's Centri-Kid Church Camp
***Levi's Scout Day Camp
***Lydia & Levi's gymnastics classes
***Lydia's cheerleading camp
***Vacation Bible School
***Babysitting Cousins Ellie & Macie
***Eating boxes of popsicles in the hot afternoons
***Catching fireflies at night with neighbor friends
***Learning to do tricks and flips on Lydia's new trampoline
***Mom constantly doing laundry and packing someone to head out on their next adventure!!!

I'm looking forward to school starting soon--that's when this Mom's vacation starts! Woohoo!

Happy Birthday Lydia!

Lydia turned 5 last week and we had a teddy bear tea party in her honor. She invited 15 little girlfriends and they came in cute little summer dresses with their teddy bears and favorite stuffed animals. Lydia picked the menu which was peanut butter sandwich shapes, cheese cubes, goldfish crackers, cupcakes and a chocolate fountain for extra fun! We had strawberry tea to drink! It was lots of fun! It's hard to believe our baby girl is 5-she says she's a whole hand now! She's turned 5, had her shots and is all ready for Kindergarten in August. Just wish her Mama was! Enjoy our photos of our afternoon at tea!

Family Beach Trip 2009

For several years now, my parents have taken our family and my 2 brothers' families to the beach near Destin, FL. It's always such a fun week and no one ever wants to come back home. Between all the cameras of the different families we usually have hundreds of pictures, but I tried to pick out just a few of our favorites to share. People ask us if we have a photographer come to the beach to take the more formal pictures and we never have. Mark just brings his tri-pod, sets the timer on our little camera and runs like crazy to jump in the picture before it snaps! We always get some great smiles tho watching him try to make it in time. And some funny looks from people walking by! Thanks for enduring our little beach photo shoot!

Paradise!

We're back home after spending 8 beautiful days at Waterscape Resort in Ft. Walton Beach, FL with my family! We were all trying to figure out a way we could stay there all summer! We had a great time and I'll post some fun pictures soon, but for now I'm unloading sandy suitcases, doing laundry and repacking the boys who head off to camp this weekend!

17 Years and Counting!

Mark and I are celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary today, officially at 3 o'clock. I laugh as I write the time because Mark and I always argue over the time of our wedding. He swears it was at 2 o'clock! One year I had to dig through boxes and pull out the invitation to prove it to him! We sent the kids to Nana and Papaw's house last night for a sleepover, then we went to dinner and shopping at some of our favorite stores without kids! Today, we spent the day running errands together for our upcoming beach trip and grilling supper. We're about to eat a chocolate-covered fruit bouquet the kids gave us, then we'll watch our wedding video with the kids before bed. They love to watch it so they can die laughing at the way we all look! Lydia's been looking at our wedding album and I hear she was wearing my veil today at Nana's house since my dress is still there!

We are so thankful for 17 years together. Our marriage is not perfect, and we have our good days and bad days just like any other couple. But, we feel so blessed to have each other and 3 healthy, happy kids. This is something we do not take for granted and we owe all the glory to God for giving us all these years together. We know Satan is attacking Christian marriages and families like crazy and we are not immune from his attacks. It is our daily prayer that God would bind Satan from our home and that Jesus would be honored in all that we do. We pray the same for you and your home.

Happy Anniversary, Mark! I love being your wife and can't wait for 17 hundred more years together!

Happy Mother's Day!

This is adorable! Pause my music playlist below then watch this little guy!





He's right! If it weren't for our "Mamaw's" we wouldn't be on this earth! It's been a fun Mother's Day weekend for me. I got to see Caleb perform 3 nights in "Cinderella", watch Levi set a new record for himself at his track meet with a 6 minute 20 second mile run and then we had lunch today with my mom and dinner with Mark's mom! The highlight for me as a mom tho was yesterday in Target with Lydia. She had to go to the restroom so I opened the stall door to check on her as she was finishing and as I peeked in she was lifting her foot to flush the toilet with her shoe and not with her hand! Praise the Lord! I have never told her to do that; I guess kids really do learn by watching what Mom and Dad do!

I am so blessed to be called "MOM" by my 3 favorite children on earth! The pay is little, but the reward is priceless! Happy Mother's Day!

Rat Race!

We're still here! Just way too busy to update these days. Here's what we've been doing since my last post:

• track meets in Perryville, Cape & Poplar Bluff for Caleb & Levi
• soccer tournament in St. Louis for Caleb
• Cub Scout boat race for Levi
• gymnastics for Lydia
• 4th grade choir trip for Levi
• Hours of Cinderella play practice for Caleb
• 3 days of subbing for Lori
• Hours of studying for Mark to pass his "green" test for work
• Levi's final mile run for Marathon Kids Club at school
• Teacher appreciation week
• Lydia's preschool field trip
• All our normal weekly stuff like church, BSF, school, etc.

That explains why my house is a mess and the laundry is piled high! And the next 3 weeks don't look any better as we try to finish out the school year. We are all counting down the days till our beach vacation at the end of school--24 more to go! We are all in desperate need of a break from our busy life! I know our schedule seems crazy to most people, but we are grateful for healthy, active kids that make our life so much fun!

Amazing...

If you've watched any news in the last few days, you've heard of Susan Boyle. If not, let me introduce you to her. She's a 47-year-old unemployed woman from Scotland who's never even been on a date before. She came onto this show called Britain's Got Talent to sing. The people and judges took one look at her and thought this would be a miserable audition. Take a look here at what happens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z0h1NNk1Ik

She totally blew them away with her voice! The judges and audience were shocked! I think this is so inspirational--I cannot stop watching it! We always try to teach our kids to not "judge a book by it's cover" and to give everyone an equal chance before quickly judging what we think they can or cannot do. What a great story to prove this point. Way to go Susan Boyle! We are cheering for you!

Happy Easter!

Here's a few pictures from Easter Sunday. We had a fun day, even tho the weather was cloudy and chilly. Not very good for taking pictures. The kids have been on Spring Break for several days so we've been sleeping in, shopping, going to the movies and eating at their favorite restaurants. Mark had Good Friday off so we took off to St. Louis for a day at the Magic House and the malls! Saturday the kids spent the afternoon at Nana's house dying eggs and decorating cookies. Sunday, after Easter services at church, we had a quiet lunch at my parent's house. My brothers and their families didn't get to come home this year so it was not nearly as much fun without all the cousins there to have our annual egg drop from the roof! We spent the evening with Mark's family to celebrate his sister's birthday. There was plenty of action there with all the little boys running around! And of course it was raining so we were all stuck inside! We've had a great break but I think the boys are ready to return to school to finish out the year. This afternoon Caleb has a track meet in Jackson and Levi has one in Cape, so we're off to watch them run. It's 40-some degrees here so I've got my winter coat, gloves and a blanket ready. Will Spring ever come to stay? On Thursday Mark and Levi travel to Jeff City for the 4th grade school trip to the Capitol. Levi is so excited! I'll post a slide show of our trip to the Magic House soon. Stay tuned...

Lydia in her P.J.'s with her basket on Easter morning!

I LOOOOOOVE CANDY!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not sure why Lydia always cocks her head for pictures!

My favorite 3, all dressed up and ready for church!

On Your Mark, Get Set, GO!

Wow! I can't believe I finally found a minute to sit down and write a new post. Sorry you had to look at those green pictures for so long! We just finished our big Mission weekend at church which has taken up most of our free time planning that. It's a really fun weekend where our church hosts missionaries for a Mission fair, banquet, projects and other activities. We've also been to a soccer tournament in Murray, KY where Caleb's team played well and finished in 2nd place! In the championship game, we watched the other team's coach get thrown out of the game for arguing with the ref! Then on the drive home I was pulled over by a policeman in Cairo, IL and given a speeding ticket! What a crazy weekend!

I think I mentioned before that Caleb is running track for the first time with his school team. He's had 2 meets and seems to love it! He's running distance so his events are the mile and the half-mile. He's not the first runner to cross the line, but he's doing really well and even shaved a few seconds off his time from last week's race! The only thing he doesn't really like are the uniforms and you'll see why in the pictures! You know he is still all about fashion, even while he's running!

Caleb is the 7th runner from the left of the photo (black uniform). That's his school in the background.

Sizing up the competition! Caleb is 3rd from left in black.

On your mark........

Sprinting to the finish line! It doesn't look like it, but there were still a few guys behind him!

Strickland Engineering Goes Green!

Our little cousin Abby along with the office manager Cathy planned a St. Patrick's Day party for Mark's office yesterday. We had a great time eating green cupcakes and cookies and drinking green foamy punch! The kids even had a shamrock maze to challenge the engineers and an office scavenger hunt. I think it might become an annual event! Thanks to Abby and Ms. Cathy for a super fun party!

Spring Has Come and Gone....

Just a few days ago Spring arrived at our house! The weather was warm and beautiful, the kids were wearing shorts and playing outside. So glad I took a few pictures because just as quick as it arrived Spring is now gone again--today it's cloudy, cold and snow flurries are in the forecast! Crazy!!!

The boys' Spring sports practices started up last week. That means we're living in our van once again each day from about 3:00-8:00 p.m. Caleb is running track for the Jr. High school team this year and still trying to keep up with his soccer team. Levi is still jumping for the jump rope club and will start running track for the city team next week. Caleb loves running about 3 miles a day but look what it's doing to him:

These last few pics are of Lydia with our little puppy that sits on our front porch. The kids named him "Jay" after our Grandma J. who passed away a few months ago. The kids gave this puppy to Grandma because the lantern in his mouth lights up at night. She loved it, so now Jay sits on our front porch. Lydia pets him every day and says Grandma J is thinking of us when he lights up! I know Grandma is happy that her puppy is being loved!

Daddy-Daughter Dance

Saturday night, our city Parks and Rec dept. hosted their first Father-Daughter dance. Several of Lydia's little friends from church were going so Lydia invited her Daddy to go too. She was so excited to get all dressed up in her princess dress, have her hair done and wear sparkly make-up. I had fun trying to figure out how to do her hair since I was too cheap to have it done! Daddy even dressed up in his tux for their special night! Mark was going to drive her in the van, but she wanted to go in Daddy's truck! She had a great time having pizza, decorating crowns and cookies, doing silly dances with friends and just hanging out with her Daddy. The night was special for them--I hope she still wants to do this when she's 16!