Happy Easter 2024!

Mommy has been working hard for about 6 months to get my National Boards Certification in Teaching.  I took my exam last Thursday and will submit all my writing components by May.  The results from all of this hard work won't be shared until December so I'm hoping to put it behind me and focus on finishing out the year strong and enjoying the summer with my boys!  While I was studying one night, Zander kept me company by reading his Bible.  He said he wanted to read a nonfiction text... I love it! :)

Maddox is also working hard!  He is creating books to document the upcoming trips we have scheduled this year....stay tuned!

After my exam, my boys got me flowers and a sweet note! I have the best support system no matter the outcome!

I love taking my favorite niece to school every day! We discovered recently that she doesn't like the car rider line as it makes her get in the back of the line at breakfast and she much prefers being a "staff kid". ;)

Our Spring Break started on Friday.  We took the opportunity to complete our annual bike ride and run around Salem Lake! Each year the seven mile distance seems to get easier for these boys!

We went back home on Saturday to spend time with family and participate in an Easter egg hunt at Daddy's childhood church.  Grannie was the Easter Bunny, and one of my best friends, Lindsey, met us there with two of her kids.  We got to see Granny V, Uncle Grant and Sib as well!  The weather was perfect and the company was even better.  

The Easter Bunny found us when we got back home! New huggers and NFL gaiters along with baskets full of candy!  The boys enjoyed an egg hunt around the house to start our Easter Sunday!

We had the best service at church this morning.  I am so thankful we celebrate a risen Savior.  On Monday, March 25th, Maddox asked Jesus to be his Savior.  He will be baptized later this year.  I am so incredibly thankful that both our boys have committed to a relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is the best decision they will ever make and on this Easter Sunday, it gave me even more to be thankful for.  God sent His only Son to die for us!  His death and resurrection provide an eternity with Him and with all those that believe in His sacrifice on that cross.  Happy Easter!

Matthew 28:6:   He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Spring!

Spring has arrived!  Temperature wise, we haven't seen too many spring days yet but our schedules show us that we are, in fact, in the spring season!  Work gets even busier, the boys sports' schedules keep us busy every night of the week and we have started into some of our favorite spring traditions!

Carmen and I were working with circuits at our STEAM night a week ago!

Due to the busy schedules of the Bakewells, Houstons and Kennedys, we opted to dye Easter eggs a couple weeks before Easter.  The other option was the middle of May! haha

Zander helped as a tour guide for our Kindergarten Open House on Thursday night! I can't believe he is going to middle school! It seems like I just brought him to school for his Kindergarten Open House!

Zack and I had a date night to celebrate him turning 42!  We love sushi and finished out the evening Easter basket shopping and getting some cold medicine.... very glamorous! ;)

Angie and I represented our school at the Career Fair this weekend.... we gathered resumes for future job openings at our school.

Grannie came to visit to celebrate the birthday boy and watched Zander's soccer team bring home a win!  Zander scored the first goal of the game! It was so exciting to watch!

We are in the middle of March Madness and the boys were excited to cheer on Aunt A's Wolfpack as they made it to the Sweet Sixteen last night!  These boys love playing and watching all sports!

A Wet 13.1

It has been wet!  Of course we wanted snow but that elusive snow never arrived.  Instead we have had wet conditions for all of our outdoor activities lately! Maddox and I were huddled under my umbrella at Zander's soccer game on Friday night.  

Zander had a field trip to the local bowling alley.  A friend sent me this picture of my 5th grader!

On Saturday, the "sweaty sisters" ran our annual half marathon!  Given how busy the spring schedule is for Lindsey and me, we are glad to have knocked out our 13.1 mile race before the craziness of spring sports is in full swing!  The conditions were pouring rain and temperatures in the 40s.  Needless to say, this was probably one of the worst weather days for our yearly half marathon!  We were missing our cheering section but gave them a pass considering the weather conditions!  My best friend, Carmen, ran the race as well!  She came in first for our age group and I came in 2nd a few minutes behind her (1:54:05 overall time with a 8:42 pace).  Linds came in 3rd for her younger age group!  This was my first race moving up to the 40-49 year old bracket.... and my first race since my milestone birthday! I was excited about my time especially considering the weather and my "advanced" age! haha

After the race (and a quick shower), we headed to cheer on Zander for a second soccer game of the weekend and then to cheer on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in basketball.  It was great weekend with my boys!

Life Lately

We love our Sunday evening routine of going to AWANA at church! I love that I get to be with Maddox's group for the rotations and can see him serving within the children's ministry!  We always get our "sweet treat" afterwards... ice cream for dinner.... whose complaining?! ;)

Maddox finally has one of his front teeth coming in that were taken out 4 years ago!   While M has teeth coming in, Zander continues to lose the next group that has to come out!  Braces are in the near future for him once these permanent teeth come in!

Twin Day at School!  Zander wanted to match his mommy for his final twin day of his elementary career... I'm trying not to cry over here!  Maddox was twinning with one of his best friends!

Grammy, Grandpa and Daddy held down the fort while mommy was out of town for work!  I missed the last basketball games of the season but I was able to get updates on scores and get pictures from the end of season party that Zack planned for Maddox's team!  I am working toward my National Boards Certification in Teaching.  Basically, I am writing and studying any chance I get before my exam at the end of March and when the written components are due online at the beginning of May.  I won't find out the results until December but I am praying that all this hard work will pay off! It has been many early and late hours and time sacrificed to work toward this goal!  Prayers appreciated!

Emma's baby dedication was last weekend.  She is precious and the service was so special.  There was a luncheon afterwards for family and friends in the fellowship hall.  I love this sweet family so much!