Tutoring Session Lessons....

Yesterday I went to tutor my little friend. She's a hoot for sure. She was definetly in a talkative mood, so we visited more than we read. She told me she still loves band, but is still not looking forward to Jr. High. I asked her why and she informed me that she doesn't want to do the whole locker thing....especially with a lock! I reassured her things would be fine, she said, "Well I won't have you next year either...." Boy that made me sad for sure!

She asked me how old I was....27 I said.... she says, "Well, that's not old... now if you were 50 or 55 that is WAY old." I couldn't help but smile. She also informed me that her and her brothers got out the Twister game again (thanks Mark and Amber for that gift!!!!). She said they had a blast playing it on Sunday afternoon.

We started reading the Box Car Kids again....she asked me why the pictures weren't in color. I was able to show her how to figure out when a book was printed as well as how to pick a good book. As we were reading we came to a part in the book talking about the children going to look for a "DUMP". I knew exactly what she was thinking by the look on her face. I asked her what was wrong, she says, " Well, why in the world are they going to look for poop. That is just nasty!" She got me to laughing right there in the library. I had to explain to her that a DUMP is not a DUMP like what she was thinking, but an actual junk yard.

We visited some more, I brought her pencils and a pencil bag this time. She said she really needed one of those. Each day I spend with her is more special than the last!!!

Lily's 1st Birthday

Luke and I went to Lily's 1st Birthday Party yesterday. Of course, we took our cameras! It was too much fun. We helped Christylee set up the place and then the celebrations began. Lily didn't know what to think when everyone sang Happy Birthday to her! She loved the cake and ice cream and was a sticky mess by the time she was done! She got a ton of presents, including a baby blanket I knitted for her. I got her a dress too, and even found a bib that says, "Your Auntie loves you very much." Too cute! It was very special for me to be able to sign her card, "Love, Your Aunt Melissa and Uncle Luke." It brought back all the wonderful memories from my Aunt Debbi and Uncle Will...oh how I would love to visit with her now that I'm an Aunt!

There was a ton of food, cake, candy, ice cream, and punch. We were able to get some wonderful family pictures and share some smiles and great fellowship. Enjoy the slide show!

Bye Bye Carpet!

So the pics are out of order, oh well!

Concrete floor

New furniture placement, yes it was too big to go elsewhere!

Me a little tired and overwhelmed at all the sand on the floor!!!

Bye Bye Carpet!

Deep breath and away we go!!!

Luke and I have been talking for a while now about removing the carpet in our living room and hallway. Well, we finally decided to take the plunge! The carpet is about 15 years old and it was time for it to go. It looks brand new in the bedrooms, so we decided to keep it there for now. I was amazed and shocked at how much sand and dirt was underneath that carpet...nasty! My friend Lisa let us borrow a ton of tools from their laminate floor project. We even had one to help pull the tack strips up....that made it easy for sure! We even tried a little rearrangement with our furniture. There aren't tables and lamps in their now, but I'll fit them in later. I'm loving it. Next week, I'll leave to go out of town and come back and the floor will be done....life couldn't get any better! Thanks Luke for working so hard!

Lessons Learned from a 5th Grader

I went to tutor again yesterday afternoon....I'm not sure who looks forward to this the most...me or my little girl??? They had lasagna for lunch (yuck), so she took her ice cream and grapes to the library with us. She told me several funny things I wanted to remember:

1. She loves playing the flute. She has just discovered this instrument in Music, and I'm all for kids playing an instrument! I told her that she could play in band in Jr. High, which she then informed me that she was NOT looking forward to middle school or high school. "They don't have parties like we do now." I tried to tell her there were tons of other things to do, but she wouldn't' listen!

2. I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up...she said she didn't know, but asked what I wanted to be. I told her a Veterinarian, a Storm Chaser (which I shook my head and said that was NOT a good idea), or a teacher. She says, "Well I would like to be a teacher I guess, but they don't make a lot of money....and you need money to live on." I told her, "Well, money isn't always everything....sometimes you do a job because you love it!" "Well," she said very seriously, "the way I look at it, you need clothes & food and teachers just don't make enough for all of that." I said, "Well, you also might need a car too- it can get you to work and all." "Well," she said, "Cars are bad for the environment, so I'm not going to have one." "Guess you'll have to walk then!" "Nope....it would hurt my legs," she said and we both laughed.

3. We talked about the book I brought her, the Box Car Kids. She really seems to like this one. I asked her how she would feel if she only had a little bit of food like they did at night. She then told me it would be better than what she had for supper...tuna fish sandwiches. She asked me what I ate, I told her tacos. "Well," she said smiling, "At least you can decide what you want to fix for supper, I just have to eat what's on the table...and I don't like that one bit!"

She's a mess for sure. Always leaving me smiling! They had a little guinea pig in the classroom that belonged to one of the kids, but I did check to make sure he was healthy. And he was! Can't wait til next week!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Mom & Dad

Dad's birthday dessert

A Table full of yummy food!

Dad looking at his present from us- 2 pkgs. of Nutter Butters...his favorite cookie!

Me & the hubby

Chris

Dad's Birthday was on Tuesday, September 15th. The whole family gathered and we went to Cozymels to eat. It was too good! We laughed, tried new menu items, and ate way too much! Happy Birthday Dad!

Lily's First Birthday Photo Shoot

Luke and I had a blast shooting Lily's pictures this past Saturday. Her birthday is coming up this weekend and we couldn't be happier with how the pics turned out! Enjoy!

Little House on the Prairie!

I've been recording lots of things I knew Luke wouldn't like to watch....one being Little House on the Prairie! I had forgotten how much I loved this show....and of course, it doesn't hurt that I'm actually named after Melissa Gilbert who played Laura! It dawned on me just now that I wish we had more of a Little House on the Prairie lifestyle in today's world. Now I don't mean no air conditioner or running water....we are fine with that. It's their lifestyle and way of thinking that I simply adore! This one episode was talking of divorce, and Laura made the comment that she wished they didn't know any couple who were divorced....speaking of the only 1 couple in the town! It was amazing to me!

Also, I love their way of living. The wife stays home and does chores and keeps the house going while the husband is out working. They love and respect one another and have a very simple perspective on life. It also thrilled me in a small way to realize that I'm like Carolyn....I stay at home and keep the house in order so that my own "Charles" can go out and do his job providing for our family. I think if we slowed down enough in today's world to realize that family and living right is the ONLY thing that mattered....we would be a much happier society.

Thank God for little lessons on the Prairie!