Friday, July 27, 2012

Happy Birthday, Mark

Nine years ago at 7:17am, my first born decided to make his appearance in the world.  It was a fairly long labor, lasting about 24 hours, but Mark made it safely, with some hiccups along the way.  I am glad he is here.  There are times when we fight like cats and dogs, but I know he loves me as he has to get a hug and kiss every night before he goes to bed.  So, here's to you Mark!


Mark's baptism.  He was one week old exactly.


 Mark at three.


 Mark's first day of First Grade


 Mark's first 5K.  He beat me by 6 minutes.



  1. Mark 6 weeks ago.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Catch UP

Life has been crazy around here, so I have very little time to write.  But here are some big things going on here:

1.  The kids and I went to Pittsburgh last week to visit my family.  I will post about that soon.
2.  I will be teaching my very own class in the fall.  Trying to wrap my brain around that.
3. School starts in 2 weeks and we are trying to squeeze everything in.

What has been going on in your world?

Friday, July 13, 2012

4th of July Boone Style

Boone, being a relatively small town, goes full out for July 4th.    The parade is a fun yearly tradition.We were all in the parade this year!







 Patrick was particularly proud of being in the parade!

After the parade, the town had watermelon and cake.

Afterwards, we had a big "linner" and then went to park for some baseball fun and the fireworks.  At the end of the parade, the moon looked particularly interesting.

I hope everyone had a fun 4th!  What did you do?

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Mother Daughter Camp








Two weekends ago, Ann and I made what may be our yearly trip down to Ginger Cascades for Mother Daughter Weekend.




We were able to meet up with some friends we met last year at Mother-Daughter, Michelle and Katie.  After staring at each other, the girls started talking.  It was like they saw each other last week.  Michelle was able to bring a mom and daughter from her troop in Winston, so the three girls had a wonderful time together.



We arrived Friday night and it was hot!  It was the hottest weekend of the year where we are, so it took a few minutes to get used to.  As soon as we got settled in our cabins, it was time to go to sleep.  It was hard to sleep as it was so hot.

Saturday morning, there was a flag ceremony and breakfast first thing.  Then it was off to canoe (a true test of having to work together with Ann) and then we were in the pool and then it was lunch.  Boy, was I starving.  We had a little bit of free time, then it was time to Cascade.  There is a natural waterfall that the girls love to slide down on.


After cascading, it was time for a craft and then dinner.  Again, we were starving.  After dinner, they had a treat for us as the staff brought in a Zumba instructor from another camp to lead a Zumba session for us.  Being 95* at this point (around 7:30) and on a black top, it was hot.  It was fun to watch Ann try to dances out being a ballet dancer.  She said she could not move fast enough.  But, she and Katie stuck it out.  They had a very small coffee laced milkshake for a snack and I think the caffeine hit them.  After that, we went to the lake for songs. Katie, Ann and I did not make it to the end, as it was close to 9:30PM at this time.  They were very tired and they needed a shower and some sleep.


look how tired they are!

Sunday morning soon came and it was time to pack up and leave.  After breakfast, we said our goodbyes and our hopes to see each other next year.  Then it was back to the real world for Ann and I and we made it back to Boone just in time for church.   


Wednesday, July 4, 2012

It's a blog party

Welcome from http://www.baxtronlife.com/!
 She is having a blog party today and I decided to join in the fun!



Welcome to my blog!

I'm Amber, a mom in the mist of a big transition in my life:




I have been a stay at home mom to my four wonderful kids and an all out volunteer for the last 9 years.  But, my youngest is going to kindergarten in the fall, so I am off to my newest adventure:



Grad School at ASU.  So follow my story as we go from a stable house to complete I don't know what.

I would love for you to going in the adventure!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Going Through Discovery Toys

One of the ventures I took about a year and a half ago was into direct sales.  A lot of my friends sell Mary Kay and I was being recruited.  I did not think it would be a good match for me as I don't wear make-up and I am awful about taking the time to take care of myself except for working out (and there are many mornings I am half way through my work out at 6:30 and I wonder why I am doing this to myself).  So, I tried selling Discovery Toys.


I thought it would be easy as the closest consultant to me is in Raleigh and most of my friends were moms.  Was I ever wrong.  Maybe selling is not for me (but I can get excited about selling some Girl Scout cookies as you know).  So, after a little over a year of trying and it not working, I gave it up.


I do have some toys left over from my kit.  If you are interested in any of the following, send me a comment or an email:





Gone!
Go, Go Caterpillar http://www.discoverytoys.com/PUBLICSTORE/stores/homeoffice/product/Go-Go-Caterpillar,613,179.aspx


Retails $18.50, asking $10






Flip Flop Faces:
http://www.discoverytoys.com/PUBLICSTORE/stores/homeoffice/product/Flip-Flop-Faces-Emotions-In-Motion,632,181.aspx


Retails $20, asking $10







ABSees
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Discovery-Toys-AB-Seas-ABSEAS-ABC-Alphabet-learn-teach-FISHING-POLE-MAGNET-GAME-/400294838021?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d336e7f05#ht_7295wt_1186


Retails $18, asking $10



Gone!
Busy Bugs:
http://www.amazon.com/Discovery-Toys-2109-BUSY-Learning/dp/B001DKIGX4?ie=UTF8&tag=chilteacmama-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969


Retails $20, asking $10




Rainfall Rattle
http://www.discoverytoys.com/PUBLICSTORE/stores/homeoffice/product/Rainfall-Rattle,602,179.aspx


Retail $13.50, asking $7


Caterpillar Shape Sorter:


http://blog.christyscreations.com/caterpillar-shape-sorter/


Retails $20, asking $10


Ring Around:
http://www.discoverytoys.com/PUBLICSTORE/stores/homeoffice/product/Ring-Around,605,178.aspx


Retails $10, asking $5

Gone!


Puzzle Island
http://www.paul-adshead.com/page10.html


Retails: $15, asking $8