Thursday, September 5, 2013

Update

I have been wanting to blog for a while now, but have not had time even to upload my pictures. I always feel that whoever out there still actually reads this thing probably only does so to see pictures. Well, sorry...you're outta luck today.

Life has been treating us pretty well lately. We had a restful summer (maybe a little TOO restful at times) but stayed busy as well. The girls were involved with band (yes, they even practice over the summer!), girl's camp, youth conference, and community volunteering to name a few things. We had a visit from both of my brothers and their families this summer and headed down to Naples to celebrate my Grandma's 83rd birthday! Travis, the girls, and I took off for a short getaway to Stone Mountain for a couple of days and managed to sneak in a Braves game--we had a blast! I do have several pictures of these things, so maybe I can get them uploaded this weekend (it's good to have a goal).

Travis has been busy working two jobs--if you've been watching the news lately, you know about the hiring of "part-time" only workers. The commission thing has been stressful financially, so he has just finished up his first year at Publix. He really enjoys it, and we enjoy the fact that we know that when he is there, he is being paid. If he can get full-time and eventually work his way into management-that would be our dream. So, for now, he is doing both--commission job during the day, and Publix at night. It's hard, but going well. We pray daily for the right thing for our family, and know that Heavenly Father is mindful of us and our needs.

I got a new job this school year that I feel was just made for me--I am LOVING it! I took over as our school's bookkeeper after ours retired. The interview/testing process was stressful, and waiting for over a month to find out wasn't easy either, but it was definitely worth it! I am so happy that I still get to work with the same people and so happy with the job. I had always joked that my "dream job" would involve numbers and being shut away in an office by myself--kind of makes it seem weird that I got a teaching degree, huh?!?--and that is exactly what I have here. Of course, I don't shut myself up in my office--I do get out and mingle--but when I need to, I have a place where I can go and shut the door and work quietly. It is an 11-month position, so I still get a month off in the summer in addition to all of the other breaks throughout the school year. And more pay--another blessing!

I was thinking back to a couple of years ago when I interviewed for a teaching position here, made it to the final four, and then didn't get the job. I had prayed so hard, and felt for sure that the teaching job was for me and I was upset for a long time about not getting it. I am so thankful now, though. I enjoyed my secretarial job for the last two years, and being here and seeing what these teachers go through, I am so grateful that I DIDN'T get that job! And everything led me to where I am now--such a blessing! I know that I have been blessed with exactly what I need, and I have complete faith that the right thing will come along for Travis and our family when the time is right. What peace that gives to our family!

The girls have all settled back into the routine of school and busy afternoons--church, band, dance, piano, clubs, and of course--homework, and LOTS of it! They are all in honors and advanced classes, and Shelby has added AP classes as well. I am proud of them and all they do, but I am also often completely exhausted! I know it is all worth it, though, so I happily do all I can to help and support them.

We have recently found out that Shelby will be needing to have some surgery soon. She has what is called a "malrotation" of the intestines, meaning that her insides are "flipped." She will have her appendix removed, and from what we understand so far, will have her intestines 'tacked down' so they don't kink and cut off the blood supply (which would be disasterous). We have met with a surgeon here, but he chooses not to do the procedure laproscopically (since it is so rare) so he has referred us to a surgeon in Augusta. We are waiting to hear from them now. I am confident that everything will be fine, but I will be glad when we are able to meet with him and have more questions answered. Through it all, though, Shelby has remained her upbeat, happy, resiliant self--she teaches me a lot! So, to any of you who actually still read this blog, prayers would be appreciated!

I suppose that is it for now. I really do have some great pictures that hopefully I can get put up soon...goals are good, remember? :)

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Emily's 11th Party!

Emily decided that she wanted her birthday party during the summer before the mad rush of the beginning of the school year--smart girl!

She had a gymnastics party at the Y, and I think everyone had a great time running, jumping, spinning, etc.

Our birthday girl---
still cannot believe my "baby" is 11!


Fun after jumping into the foam pit!
(I tried really hard not to think about the many germs that are probably lurking in those pieces of foam!)

Her favorite--
swinging like Tarzan on the big rope!


Singing "Happy Birthday"...

Emily is such a sweet blessing to our family!

Back to School 2012

I cannot believe it is already the end of October, and I am just getting around to posting about the first day of school!  Needless to say, we are very busy around the Mitchell household!

And here are three of the reasons for that busy-ness...

Shelby is a sophomore this year!


Emily is in sixth grade!


Abby is in seventh grade!


We just got report cards for the first nine weeks, and I am so proud of our girls!  Two made the all-A honor roll, and one made all A's and one B.  We have had a LOT going on this year, and I am so relieved that they are all such wonderful students.  Abby and Emily are in a new MERIT program at the middle school, so their classes are tougher this year and they have also added a mandatory Spanish class.  Shelby is in advanced and honors courses at the high school and is also taking her first year of Latin in hopes of helping her SAT scores when she takes it.

Whew!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Watermelons!

On the Fourth of July, the girls decided to do something American...

they opened a business.

Papa had gotten watermelons at a farm for 50 cents a piece, and the girls were determined to make some money!  It was a HOT day, but they braved the heat and set up in the driveway...



Notice their cute red, white, and blue shirts!

Then there was the advertising...

In addition to the lovely signs, they called some folks they knew and went around the neighborhood letting people know about the sale.

At the end of the day, they had made over $11 each, and we even had some yummy summer watermelons left over to enjoy!


Abby LOVES her watermelon!


Shelby has a more dignified way to eat it!  :)

Emily just digs right into hers!


Here's to the American entrepreneurial spirit!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Girl's Camp

I had thought I would get "off the hook" this year and stay home with Emily while Shelby and Abby went to girl's camp.  I only went once as a youth (once and a half if you count the time I faked sick on the second day so I could go home), but since moving to Thomasville in 2007, I have gone every year!  I was released from the Young Women's Presidency in December, and while it was bittersweet, I was looking forward to spending a relatively quiet week with my "baby."

Apparently the Lord had other plans.

The Sunday before they were to leave the new YW President got very sick and was unable to go.  No one else was willing or able to step up, so I got "volunteered."  I must admit that I did not have a very positive attitude at first, and was glad the Sunday School lesson that week was on having a "change of heart"--I needed it!

Of course, once I was there things were fine.  I was glad to be with the girls again and many of the lessons that were taught during the week were ones that spoke right to me.  Someone higher than me knew I needed to be there and hear those things that week! 

Abby with Franki and Haley in their room...

The theme this year was "Quest for the Best" and there was a medieval theme to the week.

At each meal, names were drawn to sit at the "princess" table at the front of the room.  Here is Abby (with Sarah from our ward) who was chosen to be at the head table for the very first meal!


Here is the skit the girls had prepared before coming to camp.  It was about all the big milestones in a young woman's life...

Mom was sweet enough to whip up a cute white dress for Abby, who was the young woman on her baptism day--she's so talented!

Shelby and Franki were visiting teachers...

After last year's fun, the girls were again looking forward to the gigantic inflatable water slide!

Shelby spent nearly an hour on it!

I think Abby went once--just so silly, sentimental mom could snap a picture.

I LOVE watching them grow up together!

The last night there was a big "feast"--the girls had to wear a skirt or dress (isn't it amazing how such a simple thing can alter how they behave?) and that afternoon they each made a flower head wreath, a goblet, and they dipped real roses in wax to lay at the table with them.

Abby ready for the feast...

Shelby before the feast...

Sisters!!!

Even though I didn't spend the week like I had planned, I was so glad to be there doing the things I did and feeling the things I felt. 

Only one more summer and then all of my girls will be at camp.....I'll probably be there too!  :)

Monday, September 17, 2012

Father's Day 2012

My girls are so lucky to have such a wonderful father! 

I have said it before, and I'll say it again...he sure does a great job as a dad to daughters!!!


No meetings before church today, so we were actually able to go together!

Silly faces!

Present time!  :)

So very thankful for this amazing husband and father!

82!

Back in June my Grandmother turned 82! 
We were so glad to be able to travel to Naples and celebrate with her!

Doesn't she look great?!?

Abby and Emily LOVED spending two days in the pool!

My mom and her mom...

Getting ready to make a wish...

The family celebration!

Here's to many more healthy and happy years!