Ahhh-today is President's Day, which luckily for me means no school!! This was a much needed day!! I'm trying desperately not to go completely crazy before the LEAP test. We have around 7 weeks before testing starts, so hopefully I can hang in there!! My students are a group of great kids, even though they drive me bonkers!! For Valentine's Day, they all pitched in and bought me a vase of silk red roses. I was highly impressed because they are just 4th graders and I thought it was extremely thoughtful.

My Maddie Rae is also 22 months today. 22 months? Really? She is growing up way too fast and it makes me so sad. She is my angel though. She is such a fun little girl to be around. She is so friendly and happy. She waves and says hi to everyone, whether she knows them or not. Joseph calls her our own personal Wal-mart greeter. She has the sweetest laugh in the world and it doesn't take much to get her giggling. She still adores Landon, and sometimes does not want to share him with his friends. She also tends to be extremely bossy!! We're working on counting to ten and saying the alphabet. We're also working on getting her into her own bed. We moved her into her own room after Christmas and she has a day bed in there. The problem is that she won't stay in there because she knows she can get out. We've ordered some rails so hopefully when they come in we can try getting her out of the crib again.

Landon broke his arm last week in a 4 wheeler wreck and will be in a cast for 6 weeks. He was only in his 2nd week of Biddy Ball (basketball) and I'll be sad not to watch him play anymore. He was getting pretty good and he was such fun to watch. We told him to try and be a little more aggressive and not be afraid to block people and get the ball. You know, still be nice but get in there and really play. He took it to the extreme just a little. At one point during his last game he jumped on another kids back trying to get the ball because he turned away from him. I couldn't help but laugh and be proud because he was doing what we asked. After the game we talked about how being that aggressive was called a FOUL and we worked on stealing the ball. He also has tee ball coming up in about 2 weeks and I cannot wait!! I love baseball!!

Today marks week 14 of this pregnancy. It's also the last week of my hormone treatment. I'm so thankful they caught the hormone problem early, but I am greatful to be able to stop the treatment. It has made me so groggy, on top of the normal early pregnancy tiredness. I can't wait to find out what we're having (5 more weeks) even though I feel very strongly it's a boy. I've been blessed to not have had morning sickness with either one of my pregnancies. I have been nauseated and I have the worst gag reflex EVER!! I've managed to keep it under control--thank goodness!!

Joseph and I had a great Valentine's date. He left Friday before Valentine's so we went out on a date Wednesday night. We went to eat at Trailboss--always a fav and lately a huge CRAVE!! I love it!! Then we went to the movies and we saw "He's Just Not That Into You". It was a good movie. I love having dates with my hubby and appreciate the thoughtfulness he put into the evening. He planned everything, even the babysitter. He also sent me a huge bouquet of flowers to school on Friday. It was beautiful and had some of the biggest gerber daisies I have ever seen. No roses, thank goodness, because they are just not for me. So thanks again Joseph, and I love you tons!!

What's Going On

So to play catch up--Thanksgiving and Christmas were awesome around here. And yes, it has been that long!! Joseph and Landon were home for neither Thanksgiving or Christmas, but they came home the day after for both. Landon is not very animated about his presents. I know he enjoyed what Santa brought him, but he doesn't show it very well. That's just his nature. Maddie on the other hand, is very animated. Santa came on Christmas day, even though Landon was not here. So until Landon came back home, it was like Christmas morning every morning for Maddie. The first time she saw her gifts, she just kept yelling, "Wow!!" She's fun, and that's her nature to be animated.

Before Christmas our family found out some very exciting news--we're going to have a new addition come August!! We're so excited!! The due date is actually August 17th. So far, this pregnancy has been basically the same as Maddie's, with the exception of being extremely tired--like ALL the time. It's all so worth it of course, but it does make for an extra long day at work. Landon is excited, and he's hoping so hard for a little brother. Joseph and I have agreed that we have a boy and a girl, so this one being whatever it is is going to be awesome.

We had a great New Year's. We went to I guess you could say our annual New Year's Eve party at the Deal's in Alexandria. There was of course the yummiest food ever and some great fireworks to ring in the New Year.

From our family to yours, we hope that this year brings nothing but greatness to all of you!!

Latest and Greatest

I'm going to quit promising to be better at blogging, and then maybe it will happen!! Life has been crazy!! Luckily I have had my camera for most of those special moments--in the past, that hasn't always been in case. I'll start with the most recent and work my way to where I left off last.

Our latest adventure was to the State Fair in Shreveport. My brother Zack shows cows, and this was his last State Fair to show at because he's a senior. I have to admit, I love being in a show barn. There is just something about it. It reminds me of the times I was showing my pigs--I loved it!! Landon and Maddie both love being there, too, and that makes me happy. Hopefully showing in the 4-H program will continue on after Zack graduates. He did awesome. I don't remember all of the placings, but I know he got Grand Champion Bull. His bull is a BEAST, but oh so gentle. Congrats, Zack, we're proud of you!!

Landon and Pop

Landon and Zack on Ty (I told you he was gentle)

Landon on the mechanical bull
Zack's turn
Maddie riding the pony
Feeding the giraffes

Before the State Fair, actually the night before, was Halloween and Zack's Sr. Night football game. I'll start with Halloween. Landon knew right after our DisneyWorld vacation that he wanted to be Indiana Jones for Halloween. There was no changing his mind, that's what he wanted to be. Joseph and I had a hard time deciding on Maddie. Everyone at DisneyWorld called her Tinkerbell so that's what we originally planned. I did not like any of the costumes I found for her to be Tinkerbell. So then we decided for her to be a '50's sockhop girl. The costume was absolutely adorable. Long, sad story short, the sockhop costume did not come in. Luckily, we had her ladybug costume from last year. It was actually much cuter on her this year because last year she wasn't walking. Halloween turned out great!! Yay!!

We took the kids Trick or Treating and then headed to the football game. All the seniors were acknowledged and were given flowers to give to their parents. Kind of lame--but it's tradition.

Dad, Zack, and Mom

All the Seniors for the coin toss

watching Uncle Z
The weekend of the 25th the church had a Fall Fest. Instead of the traditional Trunk or Treat, we had a hayride and bonfire. It turned out nice.

Maddie and Pop

Landon and Presley

Landon, Presley, Maddie

(I dont' know why Pres was upset, but it's the only pic I have of all 3 of them from that nite!!)
Well, that's the latest and greatest from the Hendon House. Let's be honest, I may not post before Thanksgiving, so I hope everyone has an awesome one. Lots of love!!

Tagged!!

Ok, so Heidi tagged me to list 6 quirks. I am a pretty quirky person, so let's see if I can name 6!!

1. I dislike odd numbers with a passion. It sounds crazy, but they really annoy me. You know, life the TV volume when it shows numbers? That's what I'm talking about. Or the radio volume if it shows numbers. I need to see that even number.

2. My left sock and shoe HAS to go on before my right sock and shoe. Silly, yes. But true. So if I'm wearing socks, my process would be: left sock, right sock, left shoe, right shoe. Every single time.

3. I love for everything to be in alphabetical order. Or at least some sort of order. All of our DVD's and videos are in alphabetical order, and it drives me crazy for someone to mess that up.
My spices in the kitchen are in height order, and the clothes in all of our closets are in color order. I'm starting to sound a little scary!!

4. I do not like for the toilet paper or the paper towels to be going the wrong way. I like mine over, not under. It's kind of an ongoing battle with Joseph and I. He mainly does it wrong to tease me

5. Oh, and in the shower, I love all of the bottles to be in their correct spots and facing the right way. All the shampoos and the conditioner together in one spot, the labels facing out, and in height order. Same with the body wash, etc.

6. I also don't like for people to talk during movies or tv shows. Just watch and find out what's going to happen. What's with all the questions?

So there. I made it to 6. I'm sure I have a lot more. These are just the major ones!! I tag: Nellie!!

Oh Happy Day

Today is Joseph and I's 3rd Anniversary. It's hard to believe we've been married 3 wonderful years. They have been wonderful, although they may not have been perfect!! We were able to spend our day together--the first time to spend this day together since we were married. However, we spent the majority of our day in court. I won't go into details, but I will say it had to do with my awesome step-son Landon. So today I wanted to post a huge shout out to my hubby!! He's such a great man. He honors his Priesthood and tries to do what's right for our family. He works so hard to provide for our family, too. He loves me and accepts me for who I truly am, and for that I am eternally greatful!! I love you honey!!

Sorry!!

I know it has been an incredibly long time since I have posted--I feel awful!! I never knew how crazy life could be until I started working. I love teaching; it is something I have always wanted to do. It's so hard leaving Maddie, but it is a relief to know she is in good hands. I'm also thankful that because of me working Joseph is able to be home more. Our family has gone from him being gone a month at a time and only home for 2 weeks, to him being gone a week and then home a week. It's nice and crazy all in one!!

I am getting into the swing of things at school. I am teaching 4th and 5th grade, and I teach Math, Science, and Social Studies. I am also helping coach the cheerleaders and have taken over as the 4-H sponsor.

Landon is in kindergarten and is LOVING it!! I'm so happy that he enjoys school. He's so cute when he comes home so anxious to show us all the things he learned that day. He loves his teacher and says he has 20 new friends!! There is also a little girl's name that keeps coming up in all of our conversations--we'll have to keep an eye on that!!

Maddie is growing and learning so much as well. SHE IS SUCH A GIRL!! We now have to have jewelry and purses to go places. She has the biggest personality and is very head strong. You cannot be in a bad mood when that angel is around!!

I hope all of your lives are going great as well. I hope I won't be so long in between post again.

Vacation

We had such a blast on our vacation to DisneyWorld!! I was kind of dreading 8 days of it, but that actually gave us enough time to kind of relax and still see everything. Our first night we headed out to Downtown Disney. We had a dinner reservation at Cap'n Jack's Restaurant. Little did we know it was supposed to FLOOD that night. We ate as slow as we possibly could, and at the end of dinner, it was still pouring down. So we enjoyed our evening running from shop to shop to stay as dry as possible and still have the chance to look at everything. Our next morning we had breakfast at the Polynesian Resort with Lilo and Stitch. It was awesome!! Then we headed off to the Magic Kingdom, where else?

The next day we headed off to Hollywood Studios. And again, we had such a great time. We got to see The Little Mermaid show, the Beauty and the Beast show, the Lights, Motors, Action stunt show, and the Indiana Jones show. Landon also got to meet the Red Power Ranger--his absolute favorite--although you can't tell from his reaction in the picture. We ate lunch with the Little Einsteins and JoJo's Circus.

Ok, I need a break. More to come later!!