Friday, February 29, 2008

In Case You Are Interested.....

My Mom told me that WBNG's website is playing Corys interview for Teacher of the Week...so if you would like to see this for yourself you can visit that site. Apparently they have been playing it over and over since there was a break last week...he gets lots of heckling about it...why not join in the fun!

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Pre-Retirement Party

This photo was taken right before we left for Mom and Dads retirement party. It was held at the Runway Restaraunt. The food was delicious, and it was fun for the kiddos to see the planes taking off.

Some say she looks like me....HA!


My Little Gaylie Lou Who





Amusing....but also a little painful --HA!

A Prayer For Those Growing Older ~ Author Unknown

Lord, Thou knowest that I am growing older. Keep me from growing talkative and possessed with the idea that I must express myself on every subject. Release me from the craving to straighten our everyones affairs. Keep me from the recital of endless details. Give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips when I am inclined to tell of my aches and pains. They are increasing with the years and my love to speak of them grows sweeter as time goes by. Make me thoughtful but not nosey; helpful but not bossy. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong. With the vast store of wisdom and experience, it does seem a pity not to use it all. But Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends in the end.

Monday, February 18, 2008

OH NO!

We are on vacation right now in Western PA. I just woke up. I have been battling a nasty sinus cold so I asked Cory if he would get up with the kids and let me sleep longer, and then I would return the favor the next day. So he did. The next thing I know there was a loud banging sound, and I thought someone had run into our car...dont worry it was just the garbage truck....whew. Then Cory had come upstairs to wake me up...only to find me up...he told the kiddos to keep an eye on Eli while he talked to me to find out the plans for the day....so were talking ...and we hear Eli...that is no big deal...he is always making noise....and then Cory says we have to watch Elijah and the stairs...Esther says he can climb up them...I said ok we will watch out. Cory goes to leave and Eli is at the TOP of the stairs and when he sees Cory he starts to stand up....Cory lets out a YELP...and grabs the chubby bundle and hands him to me...and we smother him with all kinds of kisses because we were so terrified...and he is eating it all up because he is sooooo proud of himself and well, he thinks that we are fussing all over him for his good work....QUITE a scare. We are keeping a closer eye now.

Friday, February 15, 2008

JUST A THOUGHT....

I have been trying to post this for days...lets see if it works this time...

A while back I was checking out some peoples blogs and I found something interesting. A lot of people were talking about creating routines, developing handy household skills, and general homemaking...it just must be in the air. I love this kind of information and in fact crave it. JJ you have addicted me to the "correct way to crack an egg"...after smashing it to pieces the first time, I have consistently gotten better, and can do it no other way! Also , the handy way to fold sheets....another JJ fun fact...thanks.

Isaac had to make a chore chart and follow it for one month for one of his scout requirements. So we made up a good chart and are all reaping the good benefits of that! Even little Gayle drys the dishes! On this chart the kids work for 6 days and on the 7th they just make their bed and they get a prize for all of their time and effort. Now when I say prize, I mean like a pack of gum, or a trip to the dollar store or something like that. I will admit it. Cory and I hardly ever buy the kids anything. I would say that we spend our money on letting them take swim lessons, being in t- ball, soccer...things that will keep them active and social. We buy them toys at Christmas and Birthdays. In doing this Cory and I have found that our children are more thankful for the things that they recieve. For instance...a trip to the dollar store may not seem like much...but for those that dont "get " something every time they go shopping it is a delight! Cory and I decided also long ago that we would not buy them something every time we went to the store...one because we did not have the money, and two because we did not want them to think that they were going to get something. Prizes are small and cheap at our house...but no less exciting for them. stickers were the reward for potty training...not candy. I feel bad for some parents who have set the standard so high. Isaac asked me the other day if he could have a prize for doing so well at swim lessons...I said your prize is that you get to take swim lessons. Believe it or not we had the best prize for when Isaac brought home 100s on his spelling test. Spankings. Yes you read that right. He would bring it to us with a big smile on his face, and we would act angry and say " What is this? You had better not let this happen again" and then we would chase him down and then Cory would hold him while I spanked him with the spoon....he LOVED it. Later on someone told him what they got for good grades and he told him that he got spankings...and then the reaction he got embarassed him...sooo no more spankings...HA. At any rate...I guess all I am saying is that when you dont make your child expect that he deserves something...he will be thankful for whatever he gets...even if it is just a stick of gum.

A Nice Surprise!!!

Happy Valentines Day belatedly. While I did not get anything for my husband he decided to get something for me. When I got up that morning all bleary-eyed...I noticed that there was a gift for me on the table with a nice note. There was a bottle of black currant/vanilla massage oil...(and I had to ask...is this for me or you?) and a pink heart shaped box full of yankee candle votives....thank you to my thoughtful husband...I love you so.

CONGRATULATIONS CORY !!!

Congratulations to my Cory!!!! Cory was Educator of the Week this week. He was interviewed by Channel 12, and he did a really great job!! Well Done Cor!

The Sweetheart Dance

About a month ago I told Esther that her school was going to be having a "Sweetheart Dance". I told her that she should ask Daddy if he wanted to go on a date with her...she was soooo excited and asked him right away. She then proceeded to go straight to her closet and pick out her fanciest dress...(which by the way is not really all that fancy.) She has been so excited about this day, and it has finally come! Esther is in for a big surprise though! It is official...Esther will never marry I am sure because I am convinced she wont find anyone who can live up to her Father--HA. As soon as Cory found out about the dance he went out and bought her a BEAUTIFUL dress. It is red and black with sparkly flowers on it. It also has a shiny red bow too. The bottom of it has that filmy kind of material...She is going to be beautiful. (As if she needs a dress to be beautiful says the Mother.) Anyways, Cory also bought her a wrist corsage, and each of the girls a half dozen carnations...I have been waiting for this moment too...I really think it is important that a Father make his daughte(s) feel beautiful and special...after all, isnt that how you would want your daughters husband to treat them? Esther really eats this kind of attention up, so I am really proud of Cory for picking something out so beautiful for her...and treating her like such a little lady. I will take pictures :)