Iowa Standardized Test

So, I admit to being a little nervous about Kaity taking the test. After all, I've been her teacher for 4 years now, but has she actually learned anything? I mean, I'm pretty pragmatic about it and I feel like she's a very bright kid, but when it comes to her someday entering college I want her to be prepared. I didn't want the first test she took that didn't come from me to be the SAT! Then the there's the fact that I don't actually test her! She doesn't get grades. Anyway, all that's beside the point because she tested amazingly well. I have to remember, too, that she's actually a grade level ahead. She started Kindergarten at 4, so other children her age are just finishing second grade instead of third.

She tested at grade level (3.8/3.9) on only two of the nine overall categories. She tested at nearly 8th grade (7.8) on two categories. The rest were anywhere from 4.0 to 6.9 grade levels. Out of the 40 "sub-levels" Kaity made a 90 or above on 17. Out of those 17, 15 were 100% correct! So, yeah, I think we did the right thing by starting her in Kindergarten early!

This is Kaity handing out programs at the wedding a couple of weeks ago. Please notice her perfect first position feet from ballet!

What I Did on Summer Vacation

... not take a vacation, that's for sure! :) Seriously, we've stayed pretty busy since we finished up school for the year. A couple of weeks ago, we went to the Jefferson Civic Center to see a jazz band perform. They did a great job, and Kaity got to go up on stage to play the cowbell.

On June 6, a couple of friends of ours got married, and Jeff was in the wedding. It was truly a beautiful wedding, complete with a bride and groom who were absolutely glowing!

Last week we went to the Maysville Public Library for a sewing class. Kaity loved that! She made a pillow of her very own, using a sewing machine.

On Friday, I repotted a plant I received for my birthday. I know that doesn't sound like a big deal to you, but I'm amazed it's been nearly a month and I haven't killed it yet! It's practically a miracle that it had even grown to the point of needing a larger pot.

I made some incredible Orange Zucchini Muffins yesterday -- definitely a keeper! Maybe I'll share the recipe someday ...

So, other than all that, we've stayed busy just keeping up with housework, laundry, playing games together, playing outside, watching videos. The everyday stuff of life!

Twister with College People!


Joe and aforementioned glowing bride, Lydia.


The groom graduated from Georgia Tech. Jeff couldn't resist getting a picture with the "Ramblin' Wreck".

We're Gonna Be Outnumbered!

Though not thrilled about it being 3 versus 2 ... Jeff and I are very excited about the new addition coming to our family soon. Baby #3 is due in February! Naturally, in cleaning out and organizing this year, I have sold/given away every piece of baby furniture, every baby accessory, baby clothes, maternity clothes, etc. I have also gone down a size in my jeans. What perfect timing! :)

The kids are really excited as well, and are lobbying for a sister. We've explained that God has already given us one or the other -- we don't get a choice. But they're still pretty convinced she's a girl. Jeff doesn't care one way or the other as long as he/she is healthy and strong and has brown eyes. As for me, girl clothes are so much cuter ... but I really don't mind either way!

On the coffeehouse front, however, this means a big change. With the economy the way it is, banks are just not lending right now. We kept getting the same message -- "Great credit, great business plan, great idea, but ..." So, after learning of our pregnancy on Saturday, we've decided that God's plan for us is to put the coffeehouse on hold for now. We're sad about that, but the sadness is greatly outweighed by the joy of our new baby!

Bananagrams!!

This is me challenging myself to use all of the Bananagrams tiles using only words related to nature. (Two-letter combinations don't have to be in the category.)

These Little Piggies

Kaity and I got pedicures together last week!

Sour Cream Apple Muffins

I don't have any news on the coffeehouse, yet. I do have a recipe for delicious muffins! They're hearty and yummy without being too sweet. Enjoy!



Mix all of these ingredients:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/3 cup brown sugar

Stir in:
1 medium apple, peeled and diced
1/2 cup chopped nuts

In a separate bowl, whisk:
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1 egg
1/2 cup milk

Add wet ingredients to dry, stirring just until moistened. Spoon mixture into greased muffin cups, 3/4 full.

Top each muffin with:
1 teaspoon reduced-fat sour cream
A sprinkle of white sugar

Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes.

CopperPot Update

Okay ... I feel like someone just hit the fast forward button on my life! It's a long story, but we've just taken several steps forward on the coffeehouse. I have a meeting with a bank tomorrow morning! I'm very nervous, even though I know that I've done all I can and it's ultimately up to God. We're just doing our best to trust in Him and not to worry about the future. The business plan is as done as it's going to get. Now it's time to see if it will convince anyone to give us any money!

Surprise!

I had a wonderful birthday on Friday, had to work on Saturday, and Sunday was church as usual. Or so I thought. I knew that on Monday we had a meeting scheduled with a friend of ours who owns the local radio station to talk about advertising for the coffeehouse. Well, after the worship service, Craig asked me if we could change the meeting to that afternoon at 4:15. That was fine with me, so Jeff and I met Craig and his wife at Starbucks (ironic, I know). After the meeting, Jeff wanted to go by Wal-Mart to price something and I stayed in the car with the kids. Here's what happened when we got home ...

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"SURPRISE!"



I had not the first clue that the "college people" and Jeff had arranged a surprise 30th birthday party for me! Kim and Hope organized everything from the food to the invitations to the decorating. Those two girls, along with my friends Chrissy and Lisa, came over while we were gone to get everything set up. I was so overwhelmed by the whole thing! I was truly amazed and humbled that they thought to do all of that for me.


My friend Lindsay made the cake, which Kim ordered for me. Check out more of Lindsay's fabulous creations here.

That's Hope standing behind me.

Some of our guests ... Jacob, Andy, Michael, Lydia, Robby, Alysha, Brannan, etc.

Brannan and his sweetie pie, Tara.


Jeff, Pam, Ben, Hope, Amber, Kim.

My Birthday in Pictures

Jeff and me before our date to Inoko in Athens.



One of my "College Girls", Kim, went grocery shopping with me yesterday morning ... and she met me at the Starbucks in Kroger with this bouquet of flowers and a Hazelnut Latte. So sweet!



And this one's for my mom ... my cute new sandals! I rarely have cute shoes, for various reasons, but I couldn't resist these.

Turning 30

Thank you, Mom, for giving me life ... and for allowing me to live to be 30.


I've been told I'm entering the "last decade of cool". I've been told that it's all downhill from here. But that doesn't matter to me, because it means I have 10 more years to be cool ... and I'm on top of the hill!

Seriously, I LOVE where I am in life. I wouldn't trade 30 for 20, or even 25, for anything. If I were 20 years old, I wouldn't have my beautiful daughter or my adorable son. I sure wouldn't be the person I am, and even though I have a lo-o-ong way to go ... I like me. I'm completely in love with my handsome husband, and I'm beyond excited about the coffeehouse we'll be opening so very soon! God has brought me through some incredibly trying times, and I know that there are more to come ... but He has brought me through and He will again. I know that He allows trials in our lives to refine us to become more like Him.

The joy that I have has come not from myself, but from knowing Jesus Christ as my Savior. He is my rock and my salvation, my shield and defense. If there is no joy in your life, then can it be that you are trying to go through life on your own? Jesus Christ came to Earth, lived a sinless life, gave his life on the cross, and rose from death to life so that you could have "life, and have it more abundantly." (John 10:10b) Not a perfect life, but one that is rich in His mercy and grace and forgiveness.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10