The Pics I Promised

There will be more pics another time...another post!

Hope you're enjoying today!

Busy, Busy, BUSY!!!!

I thought summer was a time to SLOW down and take a deep breath after a hectic school year, but the Mellette household has been anything but SLOW!

A few days after school was out, we headed to KENTUCKY to visit the hottie hubby's grandparents. What a memorable visit. It happened to be our 10th anniversary and the hubs did a fabulous job surprising me the night before our big anniversary. He took me to a quaint restaurant I had never been to before...BUT, earlier that day he had dropped off a mini rose bush, card, and present so that when we walked into the restaurant, the gifts were decorating our private table! SOOOOOO romantic!

So, on our actual anniversary - June 17 - we were in London, KY visiting with his Granny and Papo (pronounced PaPaw). His Papo is a Korean War Vet and OH the stories and pictures he shared with us when the kiddies went to bed!!!!! I felt like I was sitting with royalty! He is a TRUE AMERICAN HERO! He was one of EIGHT men out of his platoon of 800 who survived Korea. His love for Jesus and his love for his wife is precious and at 81 years old, that's just too cute!

After a night's visit in KY, we joined up with my family in North Carolina to begin a week-long celebratory vacation...and, just what we were celebrating? My dad's upcoming 70th birthday! You'd never guess my dad was reaching that milestone...as my hubby pointed out the other day, "Your dad is one of the hardest working men I've ever met. He's hard to keep up with!" They had been chipping wood together and my dad is one energetic dude.

Anyways, in NC we tutored the largest private home in AMERICA: the Biltmore! Wow! What a home! It was 250 rooms and we spent 2 1/2 hours there and still didn't see everything! My children walked away from the experience saying they were thankful for where we live because they'd get LOST in such a BIG house....plus, there would be WAY TOO MANY toilets to clean! hee hee

From NC, we traveled to Tennessee - the Smokey Mountains and stayed in one of the coolest cabins ever! The cabin was stocked with a pinball machine, air hockey table, arcade games, Foosball game, pool table, hot tub, swimming pool, movie/theatre room and so much more! We never heard, "I'm bored" from any of the 9 grandkids there! We also went to DollyWood which was soooo much fun! It was a neat amusement park that was so family friendly and sold many Christian t-shirts. I'd go back in a heartbeat! Like Pretty Little Princess said, "We just need to go home to get Rocky (our beagle) and Pollyanna (her hamster) and then we can move into the cabin!"

My hubby's brother-in-law, his prego wife and almost 2-year-old son spent a little more than a week at our home. We shopped, showed them the sights and did a little of this and a little of that. And, today I just finished a 2-day INFO packed grad class! Now to do the homework!!!!

I'll post more pics...my computer is being a stinker!

How are you spending your summer?

A Birthday She Won't Forget!

The Pretty Little Princess Turns SIX!!!!

She began the morning VERY early...before 6am. She had 2 of her girl cousins overnight to celebrate this blessed event! After chocolate chip pancakes, we were off to a surprise stop at a local pottery place. The girls (and I) picked out a piece of pottery and began painting our masterpieces. Surprisingly, by the time we were finished, it was lunch time. We met some family at a restaurant where we took this

BEFORE PICTURE....

...Then, it was off to the hair dresser who gave me and my children our first haircuts. I know, I know...she doesn't look old enough!

Although the Pretty Little Princess wanted to give her hair to her Pop-Pop who is lacking in the hair department, she gave it to....

...Locks of Love!!!

www.locksoflove.org

The finished look! Too cute and just in time for summer!

Now, for my mop. My hair wasn't exactly long enough for a donation for an actual wig, but Locks of Love will still take my locks so they can sell my hair & use the money to benefit the organization.

So thick and painful...at times!

I could FEEL the burden LIFTING! I wish I could describe the weight that was lifted when she started to snip! Ahhhh!

Our hair, ready for mailing.

We did it!!!

Matching haircuts!

AFTER PICTURE!!!

Next stop: MeMa & Pop-Pops' for a little swim and more presents - this time from the eldest Auntie.

Wheeeee!

Swimming with Cousins is so much fun!

Little Bear

The HIGH DIVE...yep, with NO life jacket!

But, to go WAY out where the water is about 13 feet deep, she decides a life jacket may be nice!

Back at home...surprising Daddy with our hair donation!

Little Bear and Daddy have been growing their hair out, too. Wonder if they'll be next for Summer Cuts? Daddy is close to "donation status"...you have to have 10" to donate if you want the donation to go to the wigs for children.

Pretty Little Princess was a little worried about what Daddy would think about her haircut, but he thought it was cute!

Oreo Ice Cream Cake...Yummy! A great way to end a wonderful, unforgettable day!

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY, Pretty Little Princess!

A God-Thing

My female Middle School students got me hooked on Christy Miller books! I just can't put them down. The books are designed for tweens and teens, but I'm addicted to them! I even heard some of my students' parents are non-stop readers, too!

With the prompting from a school mom, I started a book club. The Middle School girls would meet in my room every Monday during lunch and we'd discuss the week's reading. After flying through Volume 1, 2, & 3, I just couldn't order books fast enough for me or my students! Each volume containers 3 books each. I'm almost done with Volume 4. The next thing is...The College Years. Then, I think I'll move to the Sierra Jensen Series.

Robin Jones Gunn wrote the books so well, and what's especially cool is that the books are from a Christian perspective! The Gospel is clearly laid out in the books. I find the books to challenge one spiritually, as well! What a blessing these books have been to me. Have you ever read them?

Something that the character, Christy Miller, says often in her books is, "It's a God-Thing!" Today, I experienced a "God-Thing!" My dear Little Bear & his Cutie Cousin were walking out of Wal-Mart when I happened to see an elderly lady who lives across the street from me. She lost her car keys and needed a ride home to get her spare! I have never seen my neighbor outside of our development and the fact that we were at the very same place at the very same time in her hour of need was TRULY a GOD-THING! My dear neighbor had to agree with me on that one! She is one of a few Christians I know on my block!

Have you experienced a God-Thing lately?

www.christymillerandfriends.com

Time Flies

Today marked the last day of school for our son and daughter! I think I'm more sad this afternoon that my daughter has just finished Kindergarten than the day I saw her off to her first day of school! How did her year just fly by like this? And, our son will now be a 3rd grader! My goodness! I distinctly remember when I was a stay-at-home mom how long the days seemed. Would there ever be a day when I would have a few moments for just me? Now looking back, I can't believe how fast it all flew by!

Since I am teaching Middle School English this year, I still have school until Friday, but the rest of the week is half days. Since I have my elementary education degree in K-6 grades, teaching 6th, 7th, & 8th grades has been a bit of a stretch, but it has been SO rewarding! It's hard to believe that my year teaching Middle School is almost over, too. I will miss my middle schoolers as I move to teaching 5th grade in the fall.

Looking forward to spending this last week of school with my students and looking forward to a summer full of adventure with my family. What are you looking forward to this summer?