Hello

I've gotten so lame about posting anything on my blog, so to anyone still checking it, I apologize. Facebook has become my new touchstone, but I will try to keep the blog up as much as I can.

Here's the latest- Back to school shopping is basically done and Caleb starts his first day of kindergarten next week. He's super excited about it, while I'm kinda freaking out about it. I know he's gonna do great, but it's gonna be such a huge adjustment not to have my little man around with me during the day. Time has just gone by so quickly.

I'll be starting practicum in a couple weeks and am really looking forward to having real clients and learning my job. Only 11 credit hours to go, and then I'll be graduating in spring! I also got promoted at work, which is just too cool! I'm now the psychology/sociology teacher. No more nights either, so God could not have worked out my schedule any better. His timing is truly perfect. I need to remember that.

Caleb's newest big thing is rock climbing. He's seriously a natural, and actually climbed 85 ft. the other day. I wanted to puke, but I let him do it and knew he was safe. Still, it's jarring to see your baby hanging 85 ft. in the air on the side of an old grain silo.

Update

Hello all. Sorry it's been so long since I posted an update. Here's the latest and greatest:

Caleb is doing great. Had his 5 year check-up last week and he's healthy as can be. Doc said he's on his way to being at least 6 ft. tall as an adult, which is not a big surprise. Got his last immunizations and now I can finish getting him enrolled in kindergarten for the fall. I'm so exciting about him going to kindergarten, but completely freaked out by it at the same time.

I finished up last semester well and got all A's. :-) I'll be starting up courses again next week, and I only have about 7 classes left before I'm done. I start practicum in the fall, so I'll finally be getting into the meat of what I'll really be doing. I'm looking forward to that.

I've got a lot of pics that I need to post from Caleb's birthday party and some other random ones of the stuff we've been up to. I'll do that soon, promise!

Easter! (Check out the video below!!!)

It was a busy Easter day! Caleb started off with the neighborhood Easter egg hunt then had another round at his cousin's house after church. The kid has way TOO MUCH freakin candy!

The highlight today was by far Caleb reciting John 3:16 at church this morning. He did such a great job, as you'll be able to see by the video below, and I'm so proud of him. For God so loved the world, and I felt like me especially today for blessing me with such a beautiful son.

Egg Hunt With Cousins

Neighborhood Egg Hunt

For God so loved the world...

Gymnastics Recital

Caleb had his first gymnastics recital on Valentine's Day. He did great, especially considering how long it was. Girls kept hugging him, which was adorable, except that he'd push em back. It was hilarious. The only girl he'll really tolerate is from his class. You can see them in the video below.

I think we're just about done with gymnastics now. Caleb's wanting to try soccer, so I'm planning on signing him up for that this week. I need to prepare for a lot of cold and early weekend mornings.

His first medal!

Blast from the past vid...

I found this video awhile back and have it on my facebook page, but realized I should add it to my blog too for those of you who aren't facebookers. It never ceases to bring the biggest smile to my face. I know most people probably think it was a fluke, but I'm convinced that my baby was saying hi to me when he was two months old. I'm telling ya, my boy is a genius. :-)

Caleb's got a girlfriend, or two, or three....

Caleb and I went to a birthday party today for one of the girls in his gymnastics class. This girl's sister is also in his class and has apparently chosen Caleb to be her boyfriend. It's so stinkin adorable. Caleb was sitting there minding his own business and playing with toys while all the girls there were just running around him trying to look cute. After his gymnastics class last week, we all went to lunch together and Caleb and one of the girls were hugging in the corner of the play area. He's already a stud muffin.... :-)

In other recent news, semester 4 is underway and going well. I'm enjoying my classes, except for one that's kind of a pain, but overall it's not bad and survivable. My schedule is a little trickier this semester since I'm now starting to get the point where I just have to take the classes when they're offered. I only have about 8 classes left until I've finished all my requirements to graduate. I should be done Spring 2011, then I'll be off to do my interning somewhere. Crazy how time is flying, even though at times it seems like I'll never get there. My mom has been my angel in all this, helping me with Caleb. I'm still with him the majority of the time, which is a miracle, but when I'm not, he's got my whole family. I know that many other single mommas are not so lucky, and I'm so grateful for God's blessings.

Verse of the Day

This verse hit home for me tonight. What perfect words to begin the new year with. I find myself many times thinking of the past and wishing so much that things would have turned out differently, but I am constantly reminded of God's goodness and love for me. He does not want me to dwell on the past. Instead, I am to cling to the joy that is in the here and now and be filled with the hope that my Father is making a way for me in the desert.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

Isaiah 43: 18-19

Christmas!

We had a wonderful white Christmas! I know the roads were horrible, but we were cozy and safe at home and I just loved it. We're so blessed. :-)

Our salad snowman. We used tomatoes, carrots, and broccoli.

Ooooooo.... another transformer..... (I think he has them all now, seriously.)

Working on his new Handy Manny tool bench

I know we had a lousy season, but it's still all about OU for me. :-)

This was Caleb's present from Santa.

Kissing his new helicopter since he loved it so much

Caleb did not like having to wait for grandma and grandpa before opening his present from Santa. This is the best expression ever!

Iron Man rocket- it's awesome!

Chris fell asleep under his new OU snuggie.

Lainee and Avery in their new snuggies

Christmas Eve Blizzard

We seriously had a blizzard today. It was fantastic just being cooped up all together with family. I am just so blessed to be a part of what I think is one of the most loving families there are.

They were bundled up and played for about 5 minutes outside before calling it quits and coming in for hot chocolate.

Avery's so cute with her bow!

Late, late, late Halloween pics, but oh well. :-)

So, these are obviously late, but while I was downloading pics from Lainee's camera from today I found these on there. Better late than never. :-)

The best Iron Man Ever!

Me and my favorite Candy Corn Princess

Coolest Cousins....

Progress.....

My third semester ended really well. Grades are in and very good! My individual counseling class was the biggest surprise to me. My undergrad student/client really did need someone to talk to and had some fairly big emotional breakdowns in our sessions. (No one else in my class had clients that did this!) Our last session ended with him thanking me so much for listening to him and for helping him so much. It was an extremely difficult class, but a huge blessing. I'm looking forward to taking child & adolescent counseling next semester since I'll be working mostly with that age group in the schools.

I only have about 8 classes left until my practicum and internship. This fall I'll start working in the college clinic for my practicum doing testing. My internship should start next fall, and my advisor seems confidant that she can get me into the school where Caleb will be. It would be such a huge answer to prayer to not only have the same schedule as Caleb, but also be working in his school system.

Caleb is still doing great in preschool. He's got a pretty aggressive streak, so I'm thinking about getting him into karate or some other sport. I want to try and channel that energy in a positive way. This kid is just so stinkin strong, and I don't think he realizes it. Gymnastics is still great, but I think it's time to add something to it.

Enjoy the pictures and videos of our winter staycation! We've been having so much fun!

Winter Staycation

It's been a fun week! This past weekend we stayed at that hotel downtown with the indoor water park and had a blast of course. We did tubing at the ballpark, walked around downtown, checked out all the lights, and a bunch of other stuff.

One thing I just love is that Caleb is up for absolutely anything and isn't afraid to jump right in a try whatever. He has no fear. There were a ton of other kids getting scared and not wanting to go, whereas Caleb wanted to be first in line. Since ice skating was such a hit, I think roller skating is definitely going on the staycation agenda.

Working on Spongebob Puzzle in Hotel Room

view of the tubing stuff from our hotel room

Segway Santa Downtown

Caleb helping "Crappa" put the star up on the tree

Caleb and I getting ready for bed at hotel

Hotel Pool

Weeeee!!!!!

One of the best parts about staying at a hotel is getting to jump on the beds.

Breakfast at IHOP. I taught him how to play Tic Tac Toe.

playing hide and seek under hotel bed covers

much better gingerbread house this year compared to last year

getting ready to go tubing!

enjoying our morning coffee that Caleb made

first trip down

attempting to fix the crab (water wasn't come out the holes)

Mickey Mantle statue outside of ballpark