An AG kindof Christmas

The girls each got an American Girl Doll this year! Lindsey got her first one last year for her 8th Birthday. She has been asking for McKenna forever! And Hayleigh followed suit and kept asking for a Look-Like-Me Doll. Well Santa came thru and they both were SO excited when they opened them after their stockings. The expression on their faces were priceless and one we will never forget!

Christmas Present Funny!

My mom told me their Christmas package was going to be coming either Monday or Tuesday. So the doorbell rang on Tuesday around 5. I answered the door, and the mailman was already getting in the truck...but I noticed he kindof chuckled and waved at me when I opened the front door. I looked down to pick up the package and this is what I saw.....

My first thought was, I can't believe Mom and Dad placed 102 stamps on this package!! Now I realized why the mailman chuckled and gave me a weird look/wave. The girls and I were laughing SO hard! I called my mom and she assured me that she nor Dad stuck all those stamps on. I guess they really do live in small town Iowa. They really don't have an electronic price checker? Really?! We are still laughing about this! The best part of all~my favorite present was inside! Mom sent along her home-made sticky buns (my Grandma Wilson's recipe)!! I cried! :( We will eat them on Christmas morning and think about my parents and brothers family back home in Iowa.

PS...we are going to keep this box! I am going to pull it out whenever I need a good laugh! :)

Annual Chauvette Family Christmas Party

Last Sunday (Dec. 16th) we had our annual Chauvette Christmas party. My MIL is one of 7 brothers and sister. Darryl's grandparents have both passed away, but the family tradition has carried on. Every year one of the siblings take charge of planning the party. This year was my MILs turn. It was held at their local bowling alley's function room. The party was from 12-4 and then the family bowls for a bit afterwards.

Korrie, Darryl's cousin took family photos of everyone. I saw some of them, and they came out awesome! I can't wait to get my hands on them, so I can order some. We are long-overdue for a good family photo.

My MIL asked me to be in charge of crafts for the kids. That was not a problem! I ran off some Christmas color sheets, and threw some small projects together so they'd have some choices to choose from. The kids had a great time!

Santa came too, which was such a nice surprise! He even knew all the kids by name and passed out presents for them. Darryl was even chosen to be his Elf. When Santa was walking out, Hayleigh said to me: "Mommy, you know that is only Pepere dressed up". I assured her it wasn't and that Pepere was across the room. She immediately turned red and then realized, "Wow it really is Santa"!

We had a wonderful buffet of food, yummy as always. I made a bunch of desserts, and Aunt Louise made a gorgeous cake: All Because Two People Fell in Love. She had it decorated with every family member's name on a little circle, just gorgeous!

There were Minute-to-Win-It games, and as always....a trivia game. We cleaned up and finished out with a string of bowling. Another successful Chauvette Family Christmas!

Neglected Blog :(

I thought since I am not in graduate school anymore, that I would have all this time on my hands to blog more often...haha! Summer got away from me and now we are into October! Maybe now that school is well underway, I'll get on the ball. I'll start with Hayleigh's birthday on Saturday. :)

Toothless Hayleigh

Hayleigh lost her 1st tooth tonight! Just a few days before her 6th birthday! She is so excited! She had just finished her gymnastics class and she was showing me how loose it was. I barely touched it and it pooped out! She kept going into the bathroom to look at the whole in her mouth. She asked me if she could be a pumpkin for Halloween! Too cute. I had to run to the store tonight to get "change" to leave the tooth fairy. I wanted to make sure we didn't forget to leave her $ on her first tooth fairy experience.

1st Day of School for Hayleigh

Hayleigh started Kindergarten today! I can't believe my baby is 5 1/2 and in school already! She is more than ready and we know she will do well. I cried in her classroom telling her I loved her and that she will love school. All she wants to do is to read! She is in all day kindergarten with the same teacher Lindsey had at NCA. She talked my ear off when I picked her up...a huge sigh of relief!

1st Day of School for Lindsey (yesterday)

I have a 3rd Grader! She is so excited! 

It was pouring rain, so I wasn't able to get a picture of her outside like I normally do. 

Forever Friends!

Today was awesome! I was able to meet up with 2 of my best friends from college! I hadn't seen Lauri-Anne in 15+ years and Michelle in about 8. Way too long! We had a great day of shopping and catching up. It never felt like all those years were between us. 

I just know that it won't be that long until we meet again.I miss them already!

Awh Summer!!!!

I thought I'd have all this time to blog all summer long....nope! Enjoying every single second of my time off with my family and friends! The weather has been great and we have been beachin', lakin' and poolin' it all summer (so far). I have taken a bunch of pictures, but those will have to wait. I guess I'll start again once school starts.....26  days until I go back to work, blah!

ABCs

We are having laptop issues so I decided to back up my photos and videos tonight. I came across this adorable video of Hayleigh singing her ABCs. WOW she has grown up! Watching it brought a tear to my eye. Remember this Mom? Time just goes way too fast sometimes. I love you Hailstorm! xo

Did I Really SayThat?

The following devotional came through my email the other day from Proverbs 31 Ministries. I really think it is worth sharing!

Did I Really Say That?

By Wendy Blight

"Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)

I had just cleaned my kitchen ... everything perfect and in its place ... counters shining, stovetop sparkling. And then it happened. Within moments of completing this labor of love my husband walked through the door.

I should have been thrilled, but I wasn't. I knew what was coming. He was home for lunch and was going to create one of the gourmet sandwiches he loves to make. All I could think about was the grease that would soon be on my freshly polished stove and dishes that would soon fill my sink.

My mind went right to the mess he was about to make in my freshly cleaned kitchen. I couldn't stand it, so I launched into a series of instructions:

"Please don't make a mess. I just cleaned."

"Please put your dishes in the dishwasher."

"Please wipe your crumbs off the counter."

"Please clean the stove I spent an hour scrubbing."

I was polite. Did you count my "pleases?" I just have a way I like things to be done in my kitchen ... my way.

I saw the look on his face. I knew what he was thinking: You have got to be kidding me. Did she really just say that? Why did I even come home for lunch?

I realized I was nagging. I knew I was being controlling. And this wasn't the first time.

Often after I speak such words, I find myself asking, Did I really just say that?

When I make such big deals out of minor things it brings resentment and discord. It's wrong. Yet sometimes it feels like I just can't help myself.

But when I get in God's Word, I am inspired to change. I want to stop being a control freak. I promise myself no matter what—dishes in the sink, crumbs on the counter, grease on the stove—I won't say anything.

It could be hours or days later when the opportunity comes again, and I blow it once more. Within minutes, the words start spewing.

I'm convinced my way is best. Deep inside, I know I should not be this way, but then I hear that voice of justification: "It's just who I am."

The truth is, it is not who I am. It is who I am used to being.

But it's not who God wants me to be. In fact, His Word tells me exactly how He wants me to respond with my speech. My words should be:

Edifying:

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

Gentle:

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

Self-controlled:

"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." Proverbs 29:11 (NIV 1984)

Compassionate:

"Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)

This can so hard to do on our own! Yet God enables us to walk in obedience to these scriptures through the power of His Holy Spirit. He will mold us and make us more like Him. And on those days when we feel as if there is no way we can speak kindly to others, let's remember His Word says we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13).

When we quiet our hearts. When we open His Word instead of just opening our mouths. When we approach Him with a heart of surrender. When we choose to submit to His ways instead of our own ....

That is when God will do His work and help us tame our tongue. And the next time we find ourselves asking, "Did I really just say that?" I'm praying it will be because we responded with patience, kindness and gentleness that is evidence of His work in us.

Dear Lord, help me to tame my tongue. Make my heart tender to Your Word. Guide me into all Truth. Enable me through the power of Your Holy Spirit to speak gentle, edifying, self-controlled, compassionate words of life. Thank You, Father, that You are faithful and will do what You promise. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Hayleigh's First Gymnastics Meet

Yesterday Hayleigh had her first gymnastics meet. She did amazing! All the KinderGym girls participated in vault, beam, floor, and bars. She didn't seem nervous at all! She came home with 4 ribbons: 1 Blue, and 3 Red, and a beautiful pink and gold trophy with her name engraved on it! She was so proud! Considering she missed 2 months with her broken hand, she did awesome! She can't wait until the fall to do it all over again!

Thank you Miss Kelsey for an awesome year! I will miss you! xo

My family!

My favorite picture of us! 

May 12, 2012

Graduate Hooding Ceremony

Last night I had a Graduate Hooding Ceremony. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was very nice. We all walked into the church after the opening prayer. A few people spoke, and then we had to get in line (row by row) and one of the faculty members from the College of Education, placed the graduate hood on as our name was read. It was very nice and the service was about an hour and 15 minutes. Tomorrow is the graduation at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, MA. at 10am. I am very excited! 

The graduation festivities have begun!

Graduation is near...

Only 4 days until I will graduate with my Masters of Education in Reading! I have been attending Rivier College for pretty much 10 years, but really in the last 5 years I have buckled down to finish. Working full-time, raising a family, and going to school part-time...I am finally finished! 

Stay tuned for more graduation festivities this weekend.

Sunny Florida!

I have been terrible at blogging lately, and so much has happened this past month. The highlight of April was our trip to Casey Key Florida! We rented an apartment at West Winds in Nokomis, right on the beach! We had a fabulous week spending time together as a family! We had truly amazing weather, and we loved seeing the sunset each night. 
Check out our photos below...

Pictures from Nancy

Click here to view these pictures larger

Happy Easter!

Amazing Video...
He died, so we can live!

Lost Tooth #3

Well Lindsey FINALLY lost her 3rd tooth tonight! It literally has been loose since November. I have no idea why it took so long, but thankfully it came out tonight. She barely touched it and it fell right out! We are were looking at it in the mirror of the bathroom, and I DROPPED IT DOWN THE DRAIN!! Really?! How could this have happened?! So Lindsey went right to the kitchen and composed a note to the Tooth Fairy. She left it on the bathroom sink. I am pretty sure the Tooth Fairy will see it and be very generous to her. Especially since her Mama dropped it down the drain and it has been loose for 5 months! :)

My Birthday!

Yesterday was my birthday and I had a very nice day! The girls made beautiful cards that opened before work. My team gave me a nice card and a delicious cake and brownies for lunch. Then we met for dinner at La Carreta (my fav) after class. They sang to me in Spanish and I wore a huge sombrero on my head, the girls laughed so hard! When we got home, they were anxious for me to open their presents. The girls each gave me a charm for my bracelet, and they even picked out a nice Vera Bradley bag for school. We had an ice-cream cake for dessert and had a nice evening as a family!