Buckaroo

Capturing Buckaroo's personality on camera is more of a challenge. He doesn't like his picture taken, and when he knows you want a picture, he gives you a cheesy grin-he comes by it naturally from his father. His intense personality comes out when he plays sports, board games, or just about anything competitive. What I love most about him is that he is strong in who he is and knows what he wants. I tried to get him to play soccer last year, thinking he might enjoy it. His response to me was, "No, Mom, I need to focus on baseball." What kid replies like that?! My baseball-lovin' son is who.

This is one of my most favorite pictures of him! He just pictched a no-hitter to win the world series. Rock on!

If his tongue were hanging out, he would look just like his dad dribbling down the court.

You can see how focused Buckaroo can be

Buckaroo's first full 60 target 3-D bow shoot--his first real trophy-a proud moment

Punky Girl

As I began working on this blog, I went through pictures of the kids that I wanted to add. It was fun to go through the albums and see the many facets of the kids. Punky Girl is definitely the one with a colorful personality. As we have joked since she turned breech right before she was born, she knows what she wants and what agenda she is going to follow, no matter what anyone else thinks. At first I was dreading the whole life of raising an independent, determined little girl. But as my family and friends have pointed out (over and over), she comes by it naturally so I really need to get over it and figure out how to "harness it for good, and not evil"-a line from some movie I am sure. Having watched her interact with her friends, I have since come to realize that she is definitely a leader. I jokingly tell my friends, she might not be going down the right path, but she'll have a group of followers right behind her. Here are few glimpses into the life of one little sassafras!

They say that dogs are loyal to their owners. In our family it is the other way around with Punky Girl and Stinko-dog

Punky Girl loves to play imaginary. Her favorite job is a fireman (when it is not being a mom or a teacher) This is her original, uniquely created fire fighter's uniform.

She definitely has a little show-off in her personality

My nemesis, toads-- her favorite Summer pastime

First Day of School

The first day of school, sigh, comes with mixed feelings. Our summer was short and hot, but am I really ready for the regimen of school to start? The kids played so well together this summer, almost like they liked each other, I hate to see that end. And yet, the days of them being siblings and pushing each others buttons can be gone forever (fat chance of that happening!) Buckaroo has been counting down the HOURS until school starts. He started a week ago, talk about a math lesson. As a "grader" he can hardly wait. I asked him what he was excited for and he said, "a new teacher, a new class, seeing friends, playing at recess, all of it!!!"While Punky Girl doesn't go to school yet, she will go daily for a couple of hours to a preschool where she can boss the rest of the kids around. And so, the inklings of an empty nest are starting. However, dare I say this aloud, I am looking forward to the quietness of our home. Oh, rats! I did something wrong. I won't really be home. I will be teaching high school students--I traded in my quiet time to torment other people's children. I might have to reevaluate my sanity as the year goes on.

Does anyone else have kids who can't do a normal picture without the promise of being able to do a goofy one?

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About Me

Who am I? I am a 30ish woman living in a small town where I love to go to the grocery store and know just about everyone as I peruse down the isles. I have been married for almost 13 years to my high school sweetheart, an "untypical male" of a man whom I like to call Nimrod. We have two beautiful children (who look like me, of course-not really according to our whole town!)Buckaroo and Punky Girl have added so much joy and a few extra pounds to our lives, but they are worth it:)

I am gal who loves God and am blessed to be a child of His. I give thanks everyday that Jesus is the Sonshine of my life. I love the church we attend and am thankful for a great church family.
Some of my favorite things to do are laugh with my husband over the little things that go on in our lives, watch Buckaroo play baseball, and watch Punky Girl play in her imaginary land.

Something I am passionate about is kids-any age-but my heart is with teenagers, whom I taught for 8 years and have recently started teaching again. My degree in English feeds my passion for reading-which sometimes gets me in trouble with my husband :)

As a family, we LOVE sports! My hubby is the best coach ever, just ask our son. We love to watch and play baseball and basketball-except Punky Girl, she's a football girl. She definitely marches to her own drum! We also like to camp and shoot 3-D tournaments with our bows.

I love hanging out with my friends. I am priviledged to have 3 friends from junior high that I am still close to and could not live without!

Email

Email me at gvethx@gmail.com.

Why Walkin' On Sonshine

If you're wondering where 'Walkin' on Sonshine' came from . . .One day I was singing along (off key, of course) with with my daughter's cd and the song, "I'm Walkin' on Sunshine," which gave me a little kick in my step. So I got to thinking about how songs can do that and then began to wonder what else puts a smile on my face and and song in my heart. I realized that Jesus, the true "Son shine", is what really puts a smile on my face and a song in my heart. Music fades but His light never does!