Easter!

The Easter Bunny hooked Mady up with art supplies and Mika up with a Rapunzel dress!

Oh, the joys of dying Easter eggs:) Mika had a bit of a panic attack when the dye would not come off of her hands. She ran around hollering, "Help! It won' come off, It won't come off!" A little baking soda did the trick!

Finished product: food coloring worked wonders!

We started today off the day with you girls sitting and listening to the letter from the Easter Bunny which explained why Easter is so special. You both know the true meaning and we have celebrated this for several days. It was yucky after church but Mamaw and Papaw always know how to make it fun! Dinner was great and hunting eggs with Thomas in the rain made the day feel complete. Nana and Poppi went out of their way to make you girls feel special as they always do. They got you Easter goodies and some new clothes. We are so thankful for the family who loves and supports us and pray that we, as your parents, will bring as much joy to our future grand-babies.

I am watching my daughters grow so much and at times it is hard to handle. Every stage has been equally beautiful but if I could just slow down the clock. I'm so proud of their Daddy, he is growing in his understanding of Lord in a way that he never has before. I see excitement in his eyes as we learn new scripture and March 19 he chose to pick out a Bible for himself (one moment I have prayed for for years). I feel so blessed to be his wife. He works so hard so that we are taken care of and so that I can take care of everything at home. This has been one blessed year as we have called upon the Lord and I want to shout it out. This life that I live is all because Jesus died and rose again and I choose to believe Him!

sidenote: education

An artist is never really ready to finish a painting; they feel as if there is always more they could do… In the same way, our whole goal in education is to create life-long learners; this means creating students that are never finished learning. To begin my analogy, students act as a blank canvas. They come to school ready to absorb whatever “colors” (lessons) are brushed upon them. Every canvas has a bit of texture; this texture is equivalent to background knowledge and experiences the students’ house. The painter (teacher) comes before the canvas with an image in mind (their goals based on Student Learning Expectations). Before the painter is ready to use her paintbrush (research-based lesson delivery method), she makes sure all her supplies are accessible. Her easel (community) provides strength and a foundation from which she can work. The rinse station (Department of Education) is the basis for maintaining a clean workspace and clean utensils (clean record, licensure upkeep). An artist must have a supply tray (superintendent and principal) for utensils that may be needed while working (professional development, latest technology, feedback on observations). As the painter chooses what colors (lesson) she will display, she must have a palette (curriculum coordinator); as a palette houses the colors the painter is using, so does the curriculum coordinator house helpful information regarding lessons and how to best meet SLEs. The painter chooses her brush (delivery method), and with each mark onto the canvas, the color (lesson) changes it. In every stroke of the brush authentic learning is occurring, rearranging and reshaping what once was there. Along the way, the painter may have to use a color shaper (special needs strategies) to bring forth understanding and form. And, there are times when paint razors/knives (enrichment) must be placed upon the canvas to give depth to the image. Once the canvas is full of color and the painter’s image(SLE) is impressed, it can then be framed and this desired product is metaphorical to that of a school’s curriculum, where experiences, goals, and key players come together to “fill-up” what once was a blank canvas.

Happy 7th Birthday, Madyson Elyse!!

2/19/2011 (NanaNette's surprise party)

Precious Mady,

I woke you up this morning and explained just where I was in the process of giving birth to you this time seven years ago. I also explained how cool it is that God chose me to be your mom and have the privilege of helping you discover the gifts He placed within you. We talked about the fact that the very God who created heaven and Earth also created you. There was something missing in the world and He equipped the one and only you to cease it. GOD made you for himself. Anytime you begin to feel small in the world just remember that...You were made BY God FOR God and that is no small thing!!
I love you and have enjoyed every minute of the last seven years, God really knew what He was doing with this whole motherhood thing:)
Here are a couple of things I pray over you daily:

• charge angels to protect you in the name of Jesus, build up a hedge of protection
• plead Jesus's blood over each of us and our home
• great is the peace of my children
• NO weapon formed against you will prosper
• many are your days on the earth
• by His wounds you are healed
• you'll find a man who already has blessing and he will love you second only to God and overflow with the fruits of the Spirit because he love his heavenly father
• there is divine favor upon your name
• wisdom will guide me and daddy to lead you the right way, you'll be wise
• you will listen when the Holy Spirit speaks
• EVERYTHING you set your hands to do will prosper