New Chapter

Well as we begin to close a old chapter, we are starting a new one. Usually how it happens huh?!? This weekend was the beginning of writing that new chapter, especially for my mom. So let's back up a  little and I will kinda catch you up on how all of this happened....... So about a year ago Brent and I decided that we would start looking to try and sale our house. It was becoming very small and the neighborhood was not a place we felt comfortable raising our girls. So I started checking around and we found out that our credit wasn't were it needed to be so we would have to wait. Of course we were bummed but I was reminded to praise God while I waited and that's exactly what we did. So fast forward a year and God was faithful in his promise 

(as he always is) and my mom comes to me and says how would you feel about living in my house and I will move in with Ricky ( her husband). So I confronted Brent thinking that he would be totally against the whole idea, but surprisingly he was very excited. The next big obstacle was o.k.ing this with my brother and sister. I wasn't sure how they would feel about all of this. They both have been very supportive! So from then on everything has begun to fall into place. So as time has progressed we have helped my mom begin to pack and lord at the stuff!!!! You see she loves her stuff!! She has kept everything that has even the smallest ting of memory to it and I am thankful for that because there are things that would have been forgotten had it not been for that small item that means nothing to anyone else but one of us. But when you are moving 26+ years of stuff if becomes a little overwhelming. So we packed things up and began having to part with somethings. You see, Brent and Ricky don't understand our love of "stuff". So we did the best we could and packed those boxes and began loading them up. Well this weekend we helped my mom move. Although I was completely overwhelmed with the stuff, but more than that, the memories that have come flooding back as I remember my childhood growing up in that house. I see my girls playing as my sister and I did. Its a wonderful feeling to know that they will get to experience the fun and build memories as we did and I cherish them to this day :) My mom said something this weekend that continues to ring in my head. She said as we pulled into her new driveway.. "I'm gonna write a book and instead of chapter 1, chapter 2,..etc. I'm going to label each chapter 'New Chapter'"  How true!! Instead of numbering our life chapters we should be excited by each new one we start and not at the number of them. So here is to all our new chapters may they hold as many exciting memories as the last!!

Closing a chapter

Field Day Kindergarten

First day of Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

    

Third grade and Pre-k

As I dropped Hannah off for her very last of school at CLES I am again blown away by this child's confidence, because instead of being sad she is so excited about going to a new school and making all new friends. This is a very strong testament to the wonderful teachers that she has had while she has been at CLES. I remember the first time we meet Ms. Roberts. She was Hannah's para-pro in Kindergarten. Boy did Ms. Roberts put up with a lot from my little fire ball, but has become a integral part in building Hannah into the young lady that she is becoming:) As we began, this school year not knowing really what to expect after coming off of a rather rough 2nd grade year I became defeated before the year even started until one day I set off on a run. You see, running sometimes gives me the most clarity and that day was perfectly clear!! I headed off toward County Line Elementary and began praying for the school and my girls. I prayed that the Lord would place his hand on this small little school and that both my girls would grow this up coming school year. I was completely at peace when I got back home, but I had no idea at the time what an incredibly blessing this school year would be. These girls were blessed with some of the most amazing teachers!! Shelby instantly fell in love with Miss. Heather and Mrs. Erin. These ladies made sure my little red head was completely taken care of! Miss Hannah was blessed with the most amazing 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Rice. She took Hannah under her wings and Hannah has grown more than I could have ever imagined. But not only did they have amazing teachers, we began to make friendships with other teachers at CLES. I would like to think it was my amazing ability as PTO VP(but we all know that's not true). It was a blessing from God! Mrs Stowe always took the time to make sure my girls were in line and to stop and to give Lyla Belle lots of kisses :) Everyday I dropped them off at school I knew that they were in wonderful hands!! From the office staff that put up with my crazy emails and phone calls to the lunch room staff that dealt with my absent-mindedness. I'm not sure that next year will even compare to this year at CLES, but I do know that God has something amazing planned for the Barela girl's as they head off to Baycreek Elementary and the schools Brent and I grew up in. I am forever grateful to the teachers and friends of CLES. You will forever and always hold a place in our hearts! We love you all!!

Mother's Day

My world!!

Wow what a wonderful mother's day I had!! This was the first mother's day that I think my children ( well Hannah and Shelby) actually understood what mother's day meant. I was treated to a nice breakfast with Brent's mother, grandmothers and aunt at the Cheesecake Factory. You see, this small town princess has never been to a nice restaurant like this before and with three children I will never do it again!! But overall it was a delightful brunch! Oh and the cheesecake was divine. I mean if you are going to the cheesecake factory you should have cheesecake right?!? Although, I waited till I got home to devour this enormous piece of cheesecake.

My enormous piece of red velvet
cheesecake

       After we left, we went to the mall because my wonderful husband didn't think and advance and buy my mother's day gift! So he let me shop for a little while for the perfect outfit for my hot date with Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan this weekend :) Let me tell you, I don't know if my behind has just gotten bigger (which is the case but I refuse to admit it) or the clothes these days have just gotten smaller because everything I tried on was way to short and tight!! I mean geesh!!  I guess this mama just can't wear those teenage styles any more. So feeling VERY defeated I found my husband in Dick's sporting goods store and he said why don't you just get you a nice running outfit. Oh, how well this man knows me!! I mean this is what I wear 90% of the time anyways. So I found me a nice pair of running shorts and I was beyond happy :)
      To top the day off, I was able to take a nap, yes I said I took a nap, read a book and have my dinner cooked, cut and served to me! I had the best little waitress!! Hannah was so sweet and waited on me hand and foot. I was treated like a queen, but you see if I had not been showered with all this nice little gifts and adventures I would have been just as happy. My life revolves around these 4 people and I am so thankful that God choose me to be their mommy!!

Flowers from my mother in law

Teacher appreciation

This week is teacher appreciation and the girls and I have tried our very best to show their teachers how much we appreciate them! They truly have made a huge impact, not only on the girls lives but mine as well!! These wonderful young women are the best there are!! I also wanna give a huge shout out to my favorite teachers, my beautiful sister, Katie Buffington!! She is so inspiring and I admire her patients immensely!! Some of the stories I hear from her I only have to laugh and shake my head :) Love you yis!! So if you haven't already, thank a teacher. I also posted a picture of one of the treats we showered the teachers with at CLES. Love you ladies!!!