Induction Night!

What a day!  I am blissfully exhausted!  I got the kiddos off to school this morning, and then headed to Kohls to do a little shopping before my classes.  I picked up one of Cavan's birthday presents (a Tony Romo jersey); I think he'll be very excited about it!  After my classes, I hurried home and ironed clothes for our church directory pictures, which we had after the kiddos got home from school today.  Once we finished with pictures, I had time to run home and change and then I was off again to the Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremony.  We didn't get home until almost 9pm (and I still haven't began my homework), but it was so worth it.  :)  I wanted to participate in the induction ceremony so badly in February, but I was still recovering from my knee surgery.  So, tonight, it was a chance to reclaim something that was "taken" from me with that fall.  I was very proud to celebrate such an achievement with my family.  If I didn't have such a rockstar for a hubby, and an awesome support system - there perhaps would not have been an achievement to celebrate!  Here's some pictures from this special night.

Three of the kiddos after church pictures.

I'm loving that I was able to walk down the stairs for my induction!  I went down those steps like a pro! :)

Saying our "vows."

It's almost my turn!

One of the advisors - reading my introduction and message to my family.

Getting my stole (am I short, or what?!)

Hooray!

At the reception.

Me & my #1 fan - the hubby!  Muah!!  I love you, Mr. Jones!!

My beautiful family!  They're so supportive!!!

Edd, me, and Mom - I'm so glad they were there to celebrate this special honor with me!

Me & my beautiful babies! 

I love this guy!

Me and my future honor society member. :)

Blessings (I'm feeling very blessed tonight)~

A Buddy Birthday Bash

My baby will be six on Friday...I almost hate to think about it!  Six years old!!!  Uff da!  Tonight we celebrated Cavy's 6th birthday with his very first "friends" birthday party.  I love planning birthday parties, but I've been so busy with school, it's just been difficult to find the time.  Cavy requested a party at The Playground for Kids, a local kids play place with inflatables and slides.  I thought it was a great idea, so that's what we did.  Cavy, 13 of his Kindergarten friends (and his sister and brothers), had fun time playing on all the equipment.  After we played, we had pizza, cake, and opened gifts.  Those kiddos were busy, busy, busy, and I can only imagine they are sleeping soundly tonight.

 

Cavy was really looking forward to this party.  He literally has been counting down the months, weeks, and days.  Of the 13 guests he invited, 4 of them were girls.  One of the cutest moments of the night came after Cavan opened one of his gifts.  Each child brought their gift to Cavan, as  he sat in the big "throne" chair like a king reigning over his court, and then the child stood by him as he opened their gift.  One of the little girls planted a big ol' smooch on Cavy's cheek  before she sat back down and the hubby caught the whole thing on video...priceless.  I had no idea my baby was so popular with the ladies! 

This was right before the smooch! :)

The birthday king.

Yes, for the most part, I would say the party was a success.  Cavy seemed pleased with the turnout and that's pretty much all that matters to me. :)  I'm off to bed now too.  Tomorrow is another busy day...school, and then we have church directory pictures (always a fun time).  Then after all that is said and done, we are going to my induction ceremony for the Phi Kappa Theta International Honor Society.  I'm very excited and very honored to be a part of this ceremony.  I was supposed to be a part of the ceremony that took place last February, but I was not able to participate because I was still recovering from my knee surgery.  Hopefully I will have some good pictures to share with you...the camera has been acting up a little lately.  I hope you had a pleasant Monday and have an even better tomorrow! :)

Blessings~



Hanging In There...

Oh, what a week we had at the Jones house...sick kids, a ton of homework, soccer, dance, church activities, and we also had a death in the "family." Wednesday morning, Miss Shay and I found her beloved hamster, Penny, laying awkwardly on her side at the bottom of her ramp...she was gone. My poor girl was so heartbroken. I felt so terrible for her - she finds her hamster dead and then has to finish getting ready for school and head out the door. She just cried and cried and cried. I contemplated letting her stay home, but she already missed three days of school the week before because she was sick. Her teacher emailed to say she was teary eyed that morning, but was doing okay the rest of the day. When it was time to go to bed that night, the tears flowed again...along with some tough questions that even adults wrestle with the answers to. "Mommy, why do animals have to die?" "Mommy, why did God let Penny die? Why didn't he save her?" I laid down beside her and held her while she sobbed. I did my best to answer all her questions. Her biggest concern was that no one in Heaven would have the proper equipment to take care of Penny. She told me she had gotten down on her knees before she left for school that morning and prayed that someone would have the "proper equipment" to take of Penny until she got there. What a sweetheart...I couldn't help but shed some tears with her. A loss of a pet is difficult, but this was her first pet - hers alone. The loss has been tough for her. Shay decorated a box for Penny to be buried in. It was too wet over the weekend to have a service for Penny, but when the ground dries up a bit, we will bury Penny in the backyard and say a prayer for her.

Miss Shay & Penny in June of '09

While no animal would ever replace Miss Penny Poops-a-lot, Shay did express interest in getting another pet. We decided a guinea pig would be our next step (they tend to live longer than hamsters). We spent Thursday evening and Friday evening browsing our local animal shelters at some really nice guinea pigs. In the end, we found one on Craigslist, complete with a cage and everything necessary to care for it. We brought Shay's new friend home yesterday. His name is Teddy (for now...we'll see if it keeps). Look for pictures of the new member of our family soon. :)

Yesterday Cavy had his second soccer game of the season and did an AWESOME job! Papa Edd came down to watch him play and brought along our niece, Dana, and her little guy, Kaevon. It was so great to see them - it's been awhile! I can't believe how much Kaevon has grown! He is a busy little guy..and so darn cute! :) Miss Shay's soccer game was rained out for the second week in a row. We're hoping for nice weather next weekend so she can finally get out on the field!

Today we had church, the hubby and I both taught in our own respective classrooms, and then made a mad dash with the kiddos up to the Uptown Location for their 3rd service. Cavy and Mr. B both sang with their choirs and did a great job! I had Bear record it, but after watching the video, I have decided NOT to post it...as to not make anyone suffer with seasickness. :) I have to admit I had a couple of tears when Mr. B was up there singing. He is now in the "Young Prophets" singing group, having graduated from the "Kids of the Kingdom" group. As I was watching him singing so beautifully and looking so grown up and handsome...all I could think about was this cute little guy who would get up in front of church and sing and wave at his mommy and daddy. So many years have passed...he's grown so much. He's still the same big hearted little boy, who has been stealing my heart since the day he entered this world. How time flies...

Mr. B

After church, Miss Shay had soccer pictures, and then we stopped by the school playground so Cavy could show us how well he's doing on the monkey bars.  It was a beautiful day to be outside!  I'm glad we got to enjoy some if together as a family. :)

Well...I'm off to bed.  It's going to be another busy week...hopefully with more smiles and less tears.  I hope you are hanging in there as well.  Thanks for checking in with us. :)

Blessings~