My classroom BEFORE and AFTER

The first day of the school year went over as a success! I always wonder the night after each new school year begins WHY I worried so? I guess some things just never change, even though this is my fifth year to teach, I have now had five years in a row to perform the first day of school 'SPILL' with my kids. Maybe one of these years I'll get comfortable enough and prepared enough to not feel nervous before the first day of school. We'll see!
When I got hired for this Agriculture Science teaching position, I knew that the classroom and facilities where in bad shape. I had so much excitement though that I saw past this into the possibilities of what I could do with the place. I immediately started envisioning what it would be like when I did this or that. I still have a LONG way to go, but here are some BEFORE Mrs. Mabe pictures...



It was a pretty sad looking place, dirty, old, dingy, smelly, etc.....




After a fresh coat of paint, new white boards, waxed floors, lots of dusting and cleaning, and lots of air freshener this is what it looks like...











Check out my table covers! My step-mom, Cay, made these for me. Thank you Cay!







This is the greenhouse before...






Things were pretty bad out there. We got a water, electric, and gas line put in. We got all the scrap metal and junk moved from in front of it, weeds pulled, ground tilled and leveled, and the ground cover put down.








I still have a long way to go on the greenhouse. The next step is to get the ends closed in, there will be a door in each end. Also, we have to get a shade cloth over it before I can go pick up the plants. It is a work in progress, but I am VERY excited about it!
It's hard to believe after five years of waiting I have my dream job! Life is so much more rewarding and enjoyable when you love what you do. I am so thankful for this opportunity.

And, it all started my freshman year in high school, when I got inspired by this little organization....


I just hope to one day inspire one student the way I was inspired...

"All things work together for good to them that love God." Romans 8:28

Back to School !?!

It is that time of year again. Although I have been working most of the summer, there will officially be no more fun summer days at home with my Kaden. Teacher in-service has officially begun, and the kiddos will be back in full force next Monday. It never ceases to amaze me how nervous I get EACH and EVERY year before the first day of school. Seriously! You would think I am one of the students. Until the first couple days have past, and I have met all my students and see exactly how my schedule is going to work, etc. I am a MESS!!! True confession there.

We have been battling illnesses at my house all month, another reason for no blogging. Kaden got croup while we where on vacation in Galveston, which got diagnosed at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Tx. This is Kaden leaving Texas Children's, poor sick, boy...

They treated him with steroids, which evidently lowered his immune system. He then picked up Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease. Oh Yes, you didn't mis read that. It is common in young children and a viral infection that in Kaden caused blisters in his mouth and throat. Not fun! He also got a little rash looking outbreak around his mouth and diaper areas. He ran fever for three days straight. That is definitely long enough to account for the many grey hairs that have recently emerged in my head!?! It was very nerve racking, tiring, heart breaking, and worrisome to see our baby boy feel so bad. And, he hasn't eaten real food since Galveston(July 29th). Yesterday is the first day he has started feeling good and normal again. He ate good yesterday, some spaghetti, finally! He has been on liquids only this whole time. I'm sure blisters in any ones mouth and throat would put you on a liquid diet. We are happy to be on the healing side of this now though. When you look up hand, foot and mouth disease and how it is spread, it is by close contact. And, it says from not washing hands properly or often enough...ha! I am a hand washing PHEN!!! I even wash Kaden's hands with soap and water. I think somethings your just gonna get, regardless of how cautious and clean you are.

In the middle of these 2 sicknesses we had our 18 month well visit where we post poned all vaccinations due to his sicknesses. His blood count has been running a little low, so he goes back on Wed the 25 to re check his blood count. I'm sure his sickness is what contributed to his only 1 pound of weight gain from 15 months to 18 months. He is still 95% in all areas, and our pediatrician says he's the size of a 2 1/2 to 3 year old already. He is 35 inches tall! 1 inch short of a Yard stick. And, not to far away from riding kiddie rides. Ha!
This little boy LOVES to DRIVE Mommy's car or Daddy's truck!


Kaden has 14 teeth! Oh my! They just keep coming! And, he is wearing 3 T clothes, size 6 diaper, and size 8 and 8 1/2 shoes. He's getting so BIG!
Look at our big boy coloring...


Now some vacation pictures...
Kaden and Daddy at the Rainforest's Cafe...

My sweet boy...


Silly boy...

Sleepy boy, starting to get sick...

Giving Mommy kisses...

Mommy, Daddy, and Kaden on the boat (K is waving!)

Playing Putt-Putt Golf...






Kaden eating french fries with ketchup!


Coloring again...


Sitting sea side baby...

At Moody Gardens on a day well over 100 outside! What were we thinking???





We did have a good time on our vacation, except for the Kaden getting sick part.
I hope everyone is ready to go back to school, because it's that time of year again, ready or not! This summer FLEW by! Off to work I go...

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

Year and a Half Birthday!!!

Today, Kaden Angus turns one and a half years old! Wow! It has really hit Lance and I this week just how FAST he is growing up. We looked back at his newborn pictures last night and where just in disbelief that he is already so grown up. Time truly does fly, especially when your having fun! Kaden is the definition of fun for us. He is full of laughter, love, and curiosity. He has the most precious red hair and blue eyes in the world. He is not only a good baby, but a smart little boy. His new vocabulary is so expansive I can't even begin to write it down here.
He had his first haircut on Saturday. He was the BEST boy while Janeen cut his hair. This can be attributed to the fact that he got his very FIRST lollypop during his haircut. What a day!!! He loved it, and was really still and good! Here are some photos of his first haircut session!











Happy year and a half birthday buddy, you have changed our lifes forever. We love you so!

Mommy and Daddy

"For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him." 1 Samuel 1:27