Blessing number three...

Teachers!

My children are so blessed to have had wonderful teachers all the years they've been in school.

This year they were especially blessed! When my son was little, people asked us if he talked. Of course he did- but just with us. He was very quiet around everyone else. That all changed last year when his preschool teacher really drew him out. It was amazing and so much fun to see him stand very comfortably and answer some one's question instead of just hiding behind me or pretending he didn't hear the question. This year it's been so much fun to watch him not only continue that trend but grow even more. His two teachers this year, The Mrs.'s T's are wonderful, remarkable women and have now taught both my son and daughter. In another 3 years they will also teach my baby. Mrs. T always gives them a book of their art work over the year that includes a beautiful poem about their little hand and how much she loves it. Makes me cry every time because I know how much she means it.

My Daughter's teacher this year, Mrs. S has been a real blessing to her as well. She's very sweet and creative and matches my daughter's personality perfectly. My girl really needed her sweet spirit this year with all of the issues growing up brings. When they connect, it's magical to watch them interact with their teacher and see how well they learn. What a wonderful experience to have so many great teachers that are there for the right reason...they love our kids and they love to teach.

Blessing Number Two...

BABIES!

What a blessing and gift it is to have a child- by birth or by adoption.

We're all anxiously awaiting the birth of our new little niece or nephew. My sis in law decided since this is the second and last baby she wanted the gender to be a surprise. It is KILLING me. I've never been good at surprises and I HAVE to know... she doesn't seem to be cooperating with that- haha. I'll find out with everyone else in June but in the mean time, I'm guessing girl. You see there is 1 girl in this family and the rest are boys. We need to even out the numbers and get some more pink in our world. Either way- boy or girl, they will be loved beyond measure. Can't wait to see your face little one! We're counting the days...

Blessing Number One...

COUSINS :Their really the brothers and sisters your parents didn't have.

My family is very close and I have lots of cousins. Even more second cousins and we all grew up together. Each one is important just because their family. Some of my cousins are a lot older then me and I haven't had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with them but you can see pretty quickly at family gatherings that we all have the same DNA. My two youngest cousins are the two I've spent the most time with because we're close in age and it's been a blast. Jason is the male version of me in a lot of ways. We think the same way and see things a lot alike. We also have the same sense of humor but fortunately I'm a lot shyer because the world may not be ready for the two of us. We also have our own opinions and differences and that's OK too. Jacob is younger but we share the same hand washing obsession and love of music. He's 17 years younger and always called me the "Cool" Cousin because when he was little I would take him places and do stuff with him. I'd also school him in basketball because he hated to loose and especially to a girl... I took it as my solemn duty to teach him he'd live. Hopefully I'm still living up to the "cool" reputation even though I'm now a mom and therefore a stick in the mud, I think he's forgiven me for the basketball :). I have special memories of each and every one and some secrets that I'll never tell - though I may have to share some pictures sometime- ;). What I really love about cousins at this age though is watching our kids grow up together. Jason has 4, I have 3. Jacob has a ways to go before he adds to the count but someday they'll join in the fun. These cousins... They look alike, They act alike, They fight like siblings and yet they have each others back when trouble comes. It's great to see another generation share in that relationship.

Project 52

Some of you may have heard about the Project 52 that is going on right now in scrapbooking circles. Essentially you are to scrapbook, write, or blog about a blessing a week and at the end of those 52 weeks you will have a great reminder that you are really blessed beyond measure in all sorts of ways. So here is the reason for this blog. To serve as a reminder of the things or people that God uses to Bless me thru my year and to document it. I'm sure that this will not only help to remind me but to really make me focus on what is truly important in my life. I'd like to challenge you to do the same. In some way, blog, notebook, with pictures- do the same and share your blessings with other people. Now granted this isn't a January first start date but that's ok! I think the beauty of this is that it's 52 weeks, not 52 weeks starting January 1st. How about it- are you ready?