Farewell, September

 Well, this month got away from me. 

Here's a photo recap of our month. 

A bumper crop of muscadines! Aaron made a delicious jelly! 

Building Legos on her own! 

School spirit! 

First Auburn game for Noah! 

Dressing up as Mirabel for Homecoming! 

Twinning! Two smiley girls! 

And tomorrow, we welcome in October-- my favorite month. 

Until Next Time, 

Much Love, Reba

13!

Michael is officially a teenager! It's so bittersweet! I'm so proud of whom he is becoming and so in awe of how far we've come. 

He's dealt with so much and handles it with a smile. We've had frustrations & medical hurdles, but he conquers and keeps pressing on. 

Tonight, we celebrated him with a dinner of his choosing--hamburgers, homemade onion rings (from star chef, Aaron!), Caesar salad, and ice cream cake. I wrapped up a bunch of his favorite candy & some bday goodies sporadically in a roll of cling wrap. :) It was fun having him unwrap his bundle of goodies. 

Michael, you are becoming a beacon of encouragement. Your humor is such a joy to witness, and I love seeing your personality solidify itself more everyday. Keep looking to Jesus and let Him forever guide your path. Even though I look up to you now (literally), you'll always be my sweet boy who called me Mom first. 

I love you! Love, Mom

Classroom Tour

 I LOVE my classroom set up this year! In addition to the hallway door, I have a door that leads directly outside which is so nice when it's time for me to get my kids off the bus! 

I love my desk garland!

My "Missed A Day?" section & leisure books for my students to borrow. 

I love my teacher corner! I set my diffuser & candle warmer each morning & it makes my room smell cozy & autumnal. 

And yes... it looks this chaotic everyday, but I roll with it. 

I'm so grateful to be in the classroom again!

Until Next Time, 

Much Love, Reba

Avery is 8!

  Today, sweet Avery turned 8! She's spunky, girly, confident, courageous, & kind. It's such a special blessing to have her as a daughter. 

We had frozen yogurt and pizza for dinner! Count me in! She'll open her gifts from us & her birthday cards today, and she'll have a friends party on Saturday. Busy girl! 

We love you, Avery! 

Love, Mom & Dad

Teacher Time

I'll spare you the details, but long story short... I'm returning to teaching! I didn't mention it very much on the blog, but for the past 2 years I went back to work for the federal government. It was what my family needed at the time, but 2025 has proven a challenge in that job location, so I'm returning to my passion and that's teaching! 

I'll be teaching a variety of science classes again, and I'm so so excited! 

The kids and I just got into my classroom last week, so more pictures will be forthcoming (especially once Aaron is able to help me bring in the mini fridge etc.), but here's a couple photos to start! 

I'm excited to personalize the space & create a classroom where students feel welcomed & excited to learn! 

Until Next Time, 

Much Love, Reba

Recent Happenings

 We had a busy week! The kiddos enjoyed some beach time with my parents, and Aaron and I traveled to Washington state to complete a task his late grandpa requested of him. 

Here are some photos of the adventures! 

These guys loved their little getaway! 

Aaron & I enjoyed our time away, and it was special to honor his grandpa's memory. 

We are home and enjoying our hot summer days! 

Until Next Time, 

Much Love, Reba

Sayings of My Children: 2024-2025

It's been a while (almost a year!) since my last edition of these, so here we go! 

Avery: what's that bear that grandma chips has? Butt bean?

(Laughter from boys)

Michael: do you mean beannie booty? 

Avery: Yes! Booty bean!

(More laughter)

Michael: beannie booty!

(On the 4th of July)

Me: hey, Avery. Go put your shoes on please. 

Avery: I know perfect shoes to go with this outfit! Red!

Me: you don't have red shoes. 

Avery: I know. But I have black!

(Wearing a new sweatshirt)

A: this is so soft. It's like if you're petting a wolf. In the snow. It's so soft. Or if you're petting a dog that's the closest thing to a polar bear. It's that soft. 

A: (gasps) something was just blown right out of my mind. 

A: (at the splash pad) I'm so watery!

(Playing trivia game. Aaron had a question about fitness instructor of 80s. He answered Jane Austin. I said "one of those is right." He knew it should be Jane so he says "Jaaaane")

A: Spann!

Avery is learning about Christmas traditions around the world. 

Avery: do you know what they call a Christmas tree in Germany? 

Me: what?

Avery: a cannon bomb

(Tannenbaum) 😆🩷

Conversation at lunchtime. 

A: I'm not going to college. I'm going to work on my computer like mom. 

Avery received a pack of playing cards in her stocking. She & I played go fish this morning but she didn't shuffle first. So she accidentally dealt herself all evens and I got all odds. Therefore, if I asked her if she had a 3, she didn't and I'd draw a 3 immediately. She'd ask me if I had a 4 and I wouldn't but then she'd draw a 4 immediately. It was funny how it worked out. She never caught on. I have since shuffled the cards but that was a cute little accidental game of odds and evens. 🤭💕

(Listening to me being unsure of something)

Avery: trust the process. I don't even know what that means!

(Me to Noah one morning)

Me: I found my name in the Bible. But it's not a girl. It's a king from Midian who Moses killed. 

Noah: That's why your initials are RIP. 

A: I have an idea for something. Can I do it?

Me: I don't know. What is it?

A: It's a secret. But it won't be an explosion or a potion. 

Me: (describing different ethnicities while living in Hawaii) and native Hawaiians are like...

Noah: Grampa bill 

Me: I was going to say Moana

Me: (still describing ethnicities while living in Hawaii) And you can tell Koreans by their last name. 

Avery: Were you ever Korean?

Me: Nope. Never was. 

(Usually, Avery will read or play with Barbies in her bed before she falls asleep).

Me: did you fall asleep reading your book?

A: nope. 

Me: playing?

A: nope. 

Me: Oh. How did you fall asleep?

A: closing my eyes. 

(Hearing an interview with Cynthia Erivo after watching Wicked)

Aaron: Is she British?

Me: Yes, she's British. 

Avery: No. She's English. 

(Reading from Michael's "screaming goats" pamphlet)

Avery: Why do goats scream? (Proceeds to give options A through D - which is "all of the above") 

Me: option D

Avery: correct.

Me: aw. That makes me sad. They miss their moms. 

Avery: no. You're correct. Option D. All of the above. 

Me: Yes. That's why I'm sad. Because they miss their moms.

Avery: No. It's option D. They don't miss their moms. It's option D- all of the above

***

Until Next Time,

Much Love, Reba