I'll be home for Christmas

Faith of course understands that Bud is going away for school this winter and won't be home for Christmas. When that specific song came on the t.v. yesterday she went on to make Bud feel even worse than he already does for being gone. She stated, "But daddy, you won't be home for Christmas. I'm sad just thinking about it. Let's stop thinking about it because if we don't think about it it can't make us sad. Okay, daddy?" She is a sweet heart and very aware of things that are going on around her. She picks up on things that a normal four year old wouldn't. We are celebrating early this year before Bud leaves and Santa is still going to visit Christmas Eve. She has been playing with Bud a lot recently. Two weeks till Christmas here at the mountain and we still don't have a single present purchased.

Like sister, like brother

One minute Faith was putting lip gloss on and the next minute she is telling me to come look at Champ. Champ had made himself a little cozy reading spot within two baskets. His books were thrown out and he was in the middle of enjoying all of his stories. Well, Champ decided to come to the kitchen and when I had turned around to talk to Faith, she had decided that Champ had a good idea. She moved herself into the living room and into the same corner. She opened up her new Dora story book collection and started reading. It is interesting that she decided to do this. Her growth in reading has grown tremendously since the start of the school year. Upon closer examination of test scores from other children in her class, I discovered that Faith had the third highest scoring on her PALS. She is not only the youngest in her class she is one of the smartest. Thank God that we fought for her to attend Kindergarten this year.

The last picnic

It was a beautiful Fall day and probably the last nice one of the year. With the temperatures in the mid 60's Faith and I ventured out into the leaves to play for awhile as lunch was cooking. Just some hot dogs sizzlin' and some corn spinning in the microwave would make a fine meal for a picnic. After playing leaf monster and hide and seek we brought the picnic table outside for the final picnic of the year. All of the trees have said goodbye to their leaves and now the ground is covered in a beautiful array of Fall colors. Part of me loves Fall and then another part hates to see Fall because I know that colder weather is on the way. So goodbye Fall, I know winter is just around the bend even though the calendar says differently.

Stinky things

Faith cracked me up laughing last night. I tried my best to not laugh at first but then she added the kicker at the end. We had turned off the lights and layed down to sleep when out of no where she started talking about farts. "Mommy did you know that some big farts are stinky and some little farts are not? And did you know that some little farts are really stinky and some big farts are not? And did you know that my friend Evie's farts are the stinkiest of all?" I wish that I had a quote book full of things that she says. I could make some money with that one. They are precious and unforgettable.

Lions, Tigers, and Bears

Two months ago, Faith was placed in the lowest reading group. Knowing fair well that she did not belong there I placed my emotions on hold and knew that her teacher would place her where best fit in the long run. Two weeks ago she came home and said, "mommy, I'm a tiger now in reading time." That is wonderful I told her knowing that now her teacher is seeing her true abilities as she begins to open up and become more comfortable. Yesterday we came home and her little voice cried out. "Mommy I am lion now." Wow! I exclaimed. See, Faith is not supposed to understand reading groups and how they are separated but she learned this and recognized it the very first week of school. How can millions of books and millions of hours later turn such a young one into such a vivid reader? I know how. She strives to do her best at everything. She is the youngest in her class and at the top already. Even her math is similar. Her teacher does not mind if she misses a math class once a week to take Spanish lessons because she does not worry about her. She catches on quickly and retains information like a sponge. My little lion is about to "roarrrr". Watch out!

The great artist

Faith has always enjoyed art however recently her coloring has just exploded. Last Spring I noticed the attention to detail that she was using but now she is coloring because she loves coloring. She chooses her colors well. She stays in the lines. She tries her hardest. I stayed a minute in her class the other morning and noticed that the first thing that she went for was the coloring book. She knew which one she liked because she dug right to it on the cubby shelf. She was all about wanting to color until her teacher asked her to write her morning sentence. She hurried up and did it so she could color in her book. This is what she brought home. The blonde hair, mismatched socks and wearing of pink tells me that it is her.

The solo

Thanksgiving Feast

Bud is coming to Faith's Thanksgiving Feast at school today. She is excited because it is not everyday that her daddy comes and visits her at school. His work schedule is from sun up to sun down and mostly Friday, Saturday and Sunday are time with the family. Today's menu consists of turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes, pie, green beans, cranberry sauce and hopefully some good stuffing. I love Thanksgiving time but most of all I love the closeness that this time of year brings for our family. I am hoping to enjoy lunch with her also. We will see how my classroom behaves and how long we stay in the gym. I am hoping to sit with her for a little bit for I am not sure what we are doing for Thanksgiving this year as a family.

Far far away

In a land far far away, a mother, father and their 2 children have moved away from their families. Their families meant the world to them but life moves us where we have to go and we look towards the day to return and be together again. The families are a tough 13 hours away but somehow they still manage to get together atleast three times a year. One of those days is quickly approaching as the holiday season begins full swing. The ticket is bought and not soon enough will mother, father and daughter be hugging again. Faith loves her Andma. That is what we call her.. When Faith was 18 months, she couldn't pronounce the G sound so with Andma pushing for a name to be called we decided to give Andma a go and it has stuck for years to come. Same thing happened with Pa Pa. The G sound was difficult so we dropped it and just stuck with the ending. It has stuck for years to come also. So life moves on and changes here in this far far away place but we are grateful for the random visits several times a year. I long for them. Just when I start to feel down in the dumps, Andma calls and says it is time to come out.

The journal

So we are encouraged to journal our lives for the ones to come. Do you think that Jesus would be excited to see Blogger? I think about how much time it must have taken to write the books of the Bible and how more time effecient we are now in our journal writing through blogger. I can't sit and write. I've tried. My hand tires. But do you know what Blogger offers. It is called SharedBook in which it takes my blogs and puts them into a book form. Faith's book was started at 18 months when we were in Motown. I put my blogsite into the program to see what would come about. Her journal consists of 175 pages complete with a soft or hard cover of my choice and color pictures throughout. I know what my Christmas present is going to be this year. Also, what a lovely story time for Faith as she grows and wants to remember her life as a little girl. They all forget you know.