Looking back

I just want to stop time and enjoy my kids right now.  They are growing up too fast.  I was looking back at pictures from just a couple years ago.  They have changed so much.  Here are a couple of my favorites!

 Dress up with friends!

 Easter two years ago!  I could never get them to hug now!  Ha!

 Dollywood - 3 years ago!

Chuck E Cheese seeral years ago!

Halloween - 2 years ago!

These days, Corbin doesn't want to pose for pictures.  C and A would NOT hug each other at all.  They barely stand beside each other.  Ha!  Since they are close in age, the teenage years should be a lot of fun.  Ha!  At least I have these sweet pictures to look back at and enjoy!

Happy Birthday Eric!

Tomorrow is my husband, Eric's birthday.  He rarely makes the blog - which is fine by him.  But I thought I would do a little post on how much we love him and are thankful for him.  Marriage is not easy.  I am glad we can say we will celebrate 11 years on our anniversity December 9.  Eric and I are completely different in some ways, but on the important things we agree whole heartedly.  Here are some pictures from his fishing trip in Idaho. 

We love you Eric.  We hope you have a great day tomorrow!  And just because -  I found this old picture of C and A.  They were so little!  I could just squeeze their faces!  Time moves too fast!

I am so blessed to be their mommy!

Day 3 of the Commenting Challenge

Even though I am a teacher and use technology on a daily basis, I struggle with it.  Usually if I have a problem, I ask the students.  They have grown up in a technology- driven era. It is just second nature to them.  I know I shouldn't rely on them that much, but most of them don't care at all to help me.  The one negative to them helping me - they also know how to go around the county's website blocks set up.  Ha!  Which is crazy!

I use Facebook to keep up with old high school friends.  I love looking at all the pictures.  I spend way too much time on Facebook sometimes.  I don't use twitter or Pinterest.  Blogging and Facebook take up too much of my time already.

I have several shopping sites I check daily.  1)Amazon.  I read a lot in the summer, it's just easier to browse and order off Amazon.  2)  Ann Taylor Loft - my addiction to clothes.  3)  Gymboree for Allie and 4) FansEdge for my son Corbin.  I am sure my husband wishes he could block these 4 sites from our home computer! Ha!

The dreaded word - Budget

After our Disney trip, Eric and I thought we would sit down and write a budget.  We know we need to save more money.  We wrote out all the bills and paychecks coming in.  Then I got a small notebook to write down every time I spend money.  It is a lot of work, but hopefully, this will help us.

Of course, I spend more than Eric.  I have the kids with me at all times.  He doesn't.  He also has a work account that he uses for food and travel.  I am trying to use cash because I forget to write down those little debits.  I am also trying to say "NO"  to the kids.  Corbin and Allie have entirely too much.  A little "NO" is not going to hurt them.

We spend most of our money on FOOD.  Which is crazy!  I go and by groceries, and then I don't want to cook.  So we go out to eat.  All those fast food meals are adding up quickly.  It is also hard since C is Lactose Intolerant.  He is always hungry.  He eats a lot of meats, chicken, and eggs - and I mean a lot.  I am going to have to come up with a plan for him.  I know he hates not being able to eat bread, pizza, ice cream, or any dessert.  But he is not getting filled up and he is getting very expensive!  Ha!

I also run around in the summer more.  We go swimming more, Dollywood, lake, have friends over.  Our second highest category was gas.  Maybe I need to work in the summer since I can't sit home.  I know Eric would agree!  Ha!

The Third Annual Commenting Challenge

Hello!  My name is Christi.  I have been married to Eric for almost 11 years.  We have 2 wonderful children: Corbin who is 10 and Allie who is 8.  I have taught middle school for 14  years.  Which explains why I am crazy!  Ha!  We have 2 wild dogs named Buddy and Snickers.  We live in Tennessee and love the Volunteers.  Hopefully, this football season will go better than last year.  I love to post pictures about my kids and all the fun things we get to experience. 

I guess I should post a picture of me.  I would much rather post pictures of my sweet kids!  Ha!  The hubby does make the blog, but he is picture shy! 

Dollywood- trip 2

Teamwork = first team to the top!



Do we really need any stuff animals? NO.

Allie swimming with her BFF

Since Corbin is at 4-H camp, I took Allie and her friend, Katie swimming. Katie spent the night, as well. Even though Allie would never admit it, I think she really misses Corbin.

Big Changes

This summer we have experienced big changes in the Townsend family.  I do believe they are all good changes, and we prayed on each one.  Because if God is not in it, then these changes could be disastrous.

1.  We took our first trip to Disney.  We had talked for several years about going.  This year was the year.  It doesn't hurt that Eric had points that paid for our hotel and our rental car.

2.  Corbin went to 4-H camp.  This is the first time he has been away from home for a week.  I was more nervous than him this morning when I dropped him off.  Allie had to calm me down.  I know this experience will be great for him.  I can't wait until Friday to hear what all he has done.

3.  I changed teaching positions.  I truly know the Lord was involved in this decision.  I am excited about my new school - OSMS.  I really like my new principal and can't wait until August. 

4.  Allie started piano lessons.  She has wanted to for a while now.  But we just didn't have time.  I thought this summer will give her a good start to see if she wants to continue during the school year.

5.  Eric finished his latest project - a mandolin.  He never ceases to amaze me with his talent.  He was so proud of it, and played it in church last Sunday. 

6.  I have learned to say, "No."  This is a BIG one.  As a mother, I want my kids to have new experiences.  But with Eric traveling for work so much, I can't do it all.  I can't do my teaching job, keep my house clean, homework, church, and run my kids to their various extracuricular activities.  I need to take time for myself every day to relieve stress.  We have assigned chores to the kids.  No chores = no allowance.  We have also told the kids when school starts, they may choose one activity at a time.  I can't handle cheerleading, dance, gymnastics, etc.  That was just Allie's schedule.

Swimming with friends

C taking a break!



Nathan



Christian and Corbin



Allie and Matt



Allie on the high dive



Corbin on the high dive



We love swimming!

Magic Kingdom - Meet the Characters

I have tons of pictures from Magic Kingdom.  I have pictures on my iPhone, my camera, and photo passes that you get at Disney.  It is overwhelming to get the pictures organized.  Ha!  Allie really got into meeting the Disney characters and getting autographs.  Corbin - not so much - but he did hang around for a few.  Sometimes I let Eric take Corbin to ride something while we were waiting.  Sometimes, they would make it back for pictures and sometimes not.  I didn't care.  I know that 10 year old boys really do not care about meeting characters. 

Merida -from the new movie "Brave" - gave Allie a message for Titania from "The Princess and the Frog."  It was "tag, you're it and no tag backs."  Which Allie thought was great!  She could not wait to deliver the message.

These are just a few characters that we meet. I think I enjoyed meeting them as much as Allie.  Ha!

Enjoying summer

We have had VBS every night this week. Since I am teaching, we have just stayed at home during the day. So Allie and Corbin are do bored, they decided to wash my car. I'm not sure if they sprayed the van or each other the most! Ha!

Allie's dance recital - 2012

The day before we left for Disney, Allie performed in her dance recital.  She took ballet and jazz this year.  Next year, she wants to take 4 classes.  I hope I can keep up with her.  Ha!

Animal Kingdom

The kids loved Animal Kingdom. We met the Bracketts there and enjoyed spending some time with them. I have way too much pictures that I am going to post. I do need to work on taking better quality pictures.




Allie wore zebra print to blend with the animals! Ha !




Taking in every word the guide was saying.




On the Safari ride, I was this close to a real giraffe! Crazy!








Termite hills




Parade












Stay tuned for tomorrow- Magic Kingdom. It really was magical!