Smith Lake

Emma Tucker took this picture
Sandra made Emma Tucker this apron

We have been visiting Brandon's family this weekend and went over to the lake yesterday. Here are a few pictures of the children swimming in Smith Lake.

5th Year Anniversary

this was our sitting room
dining room

mom, this picture is for you

Friday was our five year anniversary! We are in Alabama for a long weekend, so Brandon booked us a night at Cobb Lane Bed and Breakfast in Birmingham. It was really neat, but at first we thought it was very weird. We found it strange to be staying in someone's house, but soon adjusted and want to go back. We especially loved the breakfast. The house was decorated by antiques and lots of dolls and teasets. Emma Tucker would have been in heaven!

We had dinner at Highlands Bar and Grill which was awesome. The restaurant was just down the street so we were able to walk and it wasn't too hot either!

At dinner, we were trying to think of the top 5 things these past five years. I tried to come up with one per year, but wasn't very successful. So, here is our top five list:

... these are in no particular order

1. Bought our first house

2. Joined FBC of Covington

3. Emma Tucker was born

4. Will and Walker were born

5. 5 in 5- Five jobs in five years... 2 for me... 3 for Brandon

Fishing

Dustin and Brandon got up and went fishing yesterday at Lost Creek. Here are some of their pictures from their outing. The first picture is my favorite.

School, School and More School

Last week, I went to Athens everyday to take a science class from 8-5. I need to get 10 PLUs by next May and this class will give me five. The science was way over my head, but I did get some great ideas to take back to the classroom this year. On Friday, Brandon picked me up in Athens and we drove to Charlotte for the coaches marriage retreat. Gary Chapman who wrote the "The Five Love Languages" was the speaker Friday night. He was great and we bought his book, "The Five Love Languages of Children." It is supposed to give you ideas on discipline and loving them in their particular love language. I can't wait to get it read! The conference lasted until Sunday morning and all the speakers were excellent! Right now, after being in class all week and going to the conference this weekend, I feel like I am on information overload. I've got to finish up two more classes that I am taking this week and the finals will be posted on Friday. We are leaving Thursday for Jasper for a few days next week too.
For all you moms and grandmoms, I am selling Castles and Crowns childrens clothes this summer and I just got my catalog and the clothes are so cute! I can't wait to get them and play in all of them!

Weekend Fun

Saturday, we took the children to Athens to Lauren's birthday party at Chick-fil-A. They played themselves silly and had a great time! Afterwards, we went to the Botanical Gardens and walked around. It was a little too hot for me.

I am taking a class in Athens all week for my certification and Dustin is in town babysitting for us the next two days.

VBS Show

notice Emma Tucker out front by herself

Tonight, Emma Tucker had her debut on stage at church for the culmination of VBS. I really had no idea of how she would do or if she would do it. Her teachers even had to carry her up to the stage; however, then the ham came out of her. She saw us and acted like she was about to walk off the stage to us, but thankfully the music started up real soon. As soon as the music started, so did she. She danced and took over the stage the entire time. There were at least 40 3 and 4 year olds on stage and she was on the very front all by herself. She made a new row so she could dance, clap, and run by herself. She truly stole the show. We are going to try and post some video if we can figure it out.

By the way, I took the job at the church. I will be teaching first grade next year. If you have any suggestions, please send them my way.

VBS and Gwinnet Braves

Can you believe it? I don't have any pictures to go with this post. I know... I know.... it's going to be boring then. I know I just like to see everyone's pictures on their blogs. Anyway, this week is VBS and I am helping out in the preschool department. However, my own children haven't adjusted too well to VBS and I don't quite understand why. Their class is in their sunday school room... they go to preschool there during the week... they are there on Wednesday nights... Sunday mornings and nights and love it then... so why not now? Yesterday, the boys cried forever and ever and ever..... Today, Emma Tucker wouldn't stay in her class and the boys cried at times again. I don't know if it is because I am up there and they know it, but I am up there on other days too. I think by the time they are finally adjusted to one class, it is time to switch to a different room for a different class..art.. music.. bible study... recess... they just don't do well with change. Hopefully, the rest of the week will be better.
When we got home from VBS today, Brandon called and said he had been given tickets to the Gwinnet Braves game if we wanted to go. So, I put the children back into the car and met Brandon at Collins Hill and we drove over to the stadium. It was great... air conditioner... baseball...an empty suite for us. The kids enjoyed it for a while, but after 4 innings we knew it was time to go home. I want all of you know this was Brandon's first experience at a ballgame with his children. He now has a little taste of what our Friday nights are like at his games. He can at least see why I can't tell him a thing that has happened during the game. Will was by far the most interested in watching the ball game. When Emma Tucker realized we were going to leave, she sat down and said, "I just want to watch the ballgame." A little too late though. It was a fun unexpected outing that we all enjoyed for a little while.
Oh yeah....I interviewed for a job last week and today was offered the position. I have a few days to decide what I am going to do. Our church has decided to add primary grades to our preschool, and I interviewed for the first grade position. The goal is to add one grade per year. If I take the job, I would be the only primary grades teacher this year. Keep us in your prayers as we decide on the best decision for our family!

Boys' Room

Well, it's finally time I guess to fix up the boys' room for once and for all. We never did them a room because we thought we would be moving. Since no one is even calling about our house and they are about to be two years old this summer, we have decided to fix them up a room of their own. Currently, there is a crib in the guest room where Walker sleeps. Will is sleeping in Emma Tucker's bed and Emma Tucker sleeps with us. Our plan is to put the guest bed in storage and put up toddler beds in that room. We still are not going to do much to the room b/c:

1) they will destore it probably

2)we do hope to move at some point

3) and we know we will be redoing it again in a few years when we buy bunk beds

For all of the reasons above, they are going to use the furniture that is in the room now. It is my furniture that I have had since I was a little girl. We purchased 2 toddler beds for $60 each at Walmart and two trains, planes and automobiles bedding from Target. My goal is to not spend more than $300 fixing them up a room. So far so good. We have spent about $250 so far including two beds and two sets of bedding. We found some oops paint at Home Depot for $5 and we may try that color on the walls. My friend Sarah gave us some cute wrapping paper that she framed for her son's room and we did the same. We found some frames at Ikea for $1.99 each and we framed 4 pieces of wrapping paper for their room. The best part about the frames is that they are platic and not glass. The boys tend to throw the pictures off of the wall, so nothing can be breakable in their room. I contemplated Brandon and I painting a train on their wall this summer and putting up the scripture about... Train up a child in the way they should go.... As we work on this project this summer I will update our progress.

Playtime

Last fall, our church had a yard sale and we bought different items for the children. They were supposed to be Christmas gifts, but one gift Santa just didn't feel like dealing with Christmas Eve. We paid maybe $10 for a blow-up ball pit that has a little slide and basketball goal on it. I have been wanting to get it out for the children, but we never got around to it until this morning. We thought it was going to rain all day, so we blew it up this morning for them. THEY ARE LOVING IT! Will jumps in head first and has no fear. We have to be careful with them so they don't hurt each other. Earlier this morning, Will jumped right on top of Walker. Gamma and Poppy stopped by for lunch on their way to Atlanta for a wedding. After lunch, Poppy suggested we go to Scoops for some icecream. Of course, no one objected. On the way home, I stopped by Kelly's yardsale and racked up on some cute clothes for the children next winter. Afterwards, the boys took a nap and Emma Tucker played some more. However, as you will see in the pictures Brandon and Emma Tucker eventually took a nap right in the middle of the ball pit.

Last post about the beach

I thought I was finished posting pictures from the beach when I came across these. I crack up everytime I see this picture of Walker lying on top of Brandon. Walker was refusing to get in the sand or water so Brandon laid down in the sand. He continued to stay right on top of his Daddy and never got in the water. Will and Emma Tucker are looking for sea shells.

These were taken at our condo right before we went to Aunt Catfish's for dinner.

Another Day at the beach

Just another day at the beach! Do you notice how lonely Brandon looks playing in the sand? The children were not as interested in playing in the sand with him as he hoped. Poor Emma Tucker still isn't feeling well at this point.

Day 2

Here are some pictures from day 2 at the beach. Notice Emma Tucker's adorable bathing suit! Thanks Three Mommas for the cute bathing suit for our trip. By now, Emma Tucker was starting to get sick. She ran a fever for four of the days we were there. This is one of the days she slept most of the time we were outside (and inside for that matter.)