Hi Siestas! I sent Mom a text a few minutes ago asking if I could drop in and say hello today. I’ve missed y’all! How is everyone? I’m looking forward to seeing many of you in January at the SSMTC. I was just at LifeWay’s Dot Mom conference in Birmingham and enjoyed seeing a handful of our Siestas there. It’s funny how we feel like old pals by now! Speaking of that event, if you’re a mom you must find a way to get there next year. It was phenomenal. I recapped it here on my little family blog if you want to see what it was all about.
The problem with popping in every now and then is I don’t even know where to start! It seems like we have a brand new life these days. I’d say we are finally adjusted to having our firstborn in kindergarten. (I’ve stopped worrying that I’m going to forget.) He loves school but, I have to admit, his face lights up on Saturday mornings when I tell him he gets to stay home. Yesterday I got to help with the writers workshop in his classroom, which is officially my favorite use of my journalism degree. I cannot stop thinking about how precious his face was when he would look up from his desk and catch my eye. I wanted to give him lots of embarrassing hugs and smooches, but I controlled myself and waited until he got home. The highlight of the experience was at the end when the class thanked me by giving their “seal of approval,” which consisted of them barking like seals. It was pure kindergarten greatness.
Annabeth is the source of much laughter in our home. Y’all, she is funny. Curtis and I used to pray that our future children would not be boring and, Lord have mercy, He answered that prayer. I ordered Annabeth a butterfly costume from Zulily (moms, have you found that yet?) and when it arrived we all got a full display of girlish delight. She was wearing her Christmas pajamas from last year when I opened the package, so you can just imagine what she looked like with a tutu and butterfly wings on top. It also came with a wand, which she was desperate to sleep with. She was not about to let me pry that thing out of her sweet, sticky little hands. I forgot all about it until the next morning when I was greeted at my bedroom door by a cute little bed-headed urchin wielding a butterfly on a pink stick. Seeing her delight in all things girly is really a joy. We went on a long walk with Jennifer Hamm (Bible study coordinator at LPM) and baby Karis this morning and Annabeth wanted to bring five baby dolls with her. I talked her down to two.
There is so much more that I could say – especially about the journey we are on with our new church – but I will save that for another visit. Thank you all for interceding for us. We have needed and felt your prayers. I hope you ladies have a great Wednesday!
Much love,
Amanda
Great to hear from you Amanda! I love the idea of the kindergarten “seal of approval”! Hilarious!!!
Much love back at you,
Adrienne
Yay an Amanda post! As good as your are with describing the events in your life there must be a photo of Annabeth in her tutu and wand, as well as a vimeo of the seals of approval. I was grinning from ear to ear as I pictured everything in my mind. I am thinking Annabeth may have a bit of her namesake in her, really funny. Thank you for posting today it was a nice surprise, and it brought the joy of children into my day.
Hi Amanda,
What a sweet surprise to see you stopping by in Siestaville! Sounds like your life is non-stop busy these days! I have been praying for you and your family as Jackson has started school and in the wonderful begining of a new church. So exciting! I have never seen you in person but was looking at a picture of you on the blog and thought to myself how even in a picture your face so reflects the love of Christ. I know everyone who walks into your church must be so blessesd by that. I know I am even from afar. Won’t stop praying for you..God Bless!
Oh, these are precious days for your family. Isn’t kindergarten awesome? I may have to lay on the floor and weep for a moment… ‘kay. Better. Mine are 8th and 10th grade — and I LOVE every minute of their lives, but those were such sweet days, too. Oh, I know you see it flying by. Grab those smooches when you can. Throw an extra one on for me, since I can’t anymore.
Hi Amanda! I’m new to Siestaville and so glad to “meet” you! I see you have inherited your mom’s fabulous talent for putting things into words. Am enjoying reading everyone’s comments and how much my siestas love the Lord! Congrats on your new journey. I am a pastor’s wife myself, but haven’t had the joy of birthing a new church. Blessings to all of you! (((((((hugs)))))))
So good to hear about your fun times!!! Best Wishes and God bless!
It was a wonderful surprise to see your comments here. I have been keeping up with you through your family blog but it is still refreshing to see you here.We continue to pray for BCF and the ministry you are doing in your own home as well. Blessings on your day!
Yay! A fresh hello is always so wonderful! Our little ones are very close in age (5 year old boy & 2 year old girl) so I very much “get” many of your stories and warm fuzzies. I’ve also been follwing your Baby Bangs blog & am hooked there as well. It’s so inspirational to me how wonderfully dedicated you and your entire family are to Christ. I’m always so thankful for the openness and genuineness you all share.
Continuing in prayer for your family, your church and your ever-growing ministry! You’re doing BIG things for the Kingdom, girlfriend!
I’ll be chaperoning my first kindergarten field trip with my son later next week… I can’t wait! I can only hope for the same “ark, arks” when it’s all said and done. 🙂 Oh…and I can’t wait to check out Zulily…we love tutus!
Thank you again for being you and for sharing with all of us. I hope you have an amazing rest of the week!
Amanda,
I’m glad you took the time to visit. The first few years of school are so fun. Enjoy every minute of it. My children are 23yr and 17yr and those younger years of helping out in their classrooms are great memories.
Love, love the barking seals’ “seal of approval” and loved that you had to talk Annabeth down from five dolls to two. Precious stuff 🙂
Sure am glad you checked in, Love you so much!! Praying for you and your family!
So good to hear from you, Amanda. Such sweetness and joy in your “voice” as you talk about the little ones. Brings back fond memories.
Looking forward to hearing about the church….real soon!
Thanks for popping in… always a delight to hear from you.
as a mom of 4 boys I love to hear your stories of all the girly things!I am the oldest of five girls, I miss all the angel wings and pink stuff, barbies,and hair ribbons!
I just discovered Zulily about 2 days ago – saw it on Kelly’s Korner – love it! Praying for you and your sweet family. Keep on keepin on sister!
Love it when you stop in and we can “virtually” hug your neck! We’ll keep praying, and ya’ll keep servin’! Glory to God those sweet little children get to witness their parents servanthood to the King!
Thanks for the update Amanda! It is so good to hear that you are adjusting to kindergarten! I jump into that world next year and am a little worried about sending my only child to school . . . which is why I’m homeschooling him this year for pre-school. 🙂 Loved your story about Annabeth . . . would love to see pics b/c am sure my imagination doesn’t do it justice! I imagine that was a sight! Girls are so precious!!!! Am so excited for your new church! What an exciting adventure with God!!! Thanks again for sharing!!
Amanda,
It never ceases to amaze me how much I can know about the lives of you, Curtis, Annebeth, Jackson, Melissa, Collin, Beth, and Keith, and how deeply I just love you all with every bit of my heart even though I’ve never met you. I try to explain my love for y’all and for Siestaville to my
Co-workers and they just look at me like I’m an alien. And it reminds me that I AM. And that only in The Kingdom can u find “family” in people you’ve never officially met. I hope I never get over how incredible that is. He blows my mind. Thanks for dropping in today. I love hearing about your lives!
My mother, who for the first school year is a retired teacher, decided her first task was cleaning out our old closests.
To express my joy to open up a package of a few selected Barbie dolls (whom my mother chose to dress properly before sending) should cause embarassment.
Sometimes girls never leave that girly stage of life. 🙂
So good to hear from you! I have been thinking about you lately and wondering how the kids were. Thanks for the update!
Hi Amanda,
I follow your family blog, but have not figured out how to leave a comment, so it was good to see a post from you today. Just yesterday, as I was praying from the first chapter of Colossians, the second half of verse nine through verse twelve for my pastor, I included Curt, along with a handful of other pastors on my prayer list. I asked God to fill them with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. I prayed for them to live lives worthy of the Lord and prayed that they will please the Lord in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that they may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully give thanks to the Father, Who has qualified them to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
As a former K/1 teacher, I love that you are volunteering to help with the writing workshop, and don’t even get me started about the importance of laying a strong
communication foundation as early as pre-school and kindergarten. I could just hear their seal of approval! Enjoy this special time.
Much love to you and yours,
Patti Hayes
Great to hear your “voice”!
We miss you to Amanda! Can’t wait until our weekend together and I know that many of us will be looking forward to having the opportunity to worship with you and Curtis at your new church. Blessings!
Ginger
Wetumpka, AL
We look forward to hosting y’all!
by the way….I meant too, not to! 🙂
Hello Amanda,
It sure was good to hear from you on this blog again. I have been dropping by your babybangs blogspot sometimes and clicking the pictures you post on twitter, too. May God bless you abundantly beyond as you balance your roles as loving mom and pastor’s wife. I will see you at the SSMT celebration in Houston again, and we plan to stay over and go to BCF on Sumday morning, too.
So enjoy your visits here! Loved how helping with the writer’s workshop is your favorite use of your journalism degree! The seal of approval was precious and fun! Your girly girl sounds like a hoot! Glad you are savoring these moments! …Till next time!
Amanda,
You are about the most precious thing I have ever met. I love your post and have missed you soooo much. I can’t imagine Jackson in kindergarten. If I could have been lucky enough to have a daughter, I would pray that she would have your heart.
Jan
So good to hear from you, Amanda. Loved the “seal of approval” comment.
Thanks for checking in and updating us. It’s always exciting to learn what is going on in your life.
Love and prayers to you and your family,
Pam McDonald
Hey girl! 🙂
I love hearing every journey God takes you on:)
I’m in the middle of my own…it is ALL GOOD my friend:)
So grateful for you 🙂
xoxo
ang
HOORAY!! So good to see your name at the top of this post, Amanda. Like the old days 🙂 THANK YOU for checking in here and filling us in on things in your precious world. I continue to pray for BCF and hope for ALL BEST there for the Kingdom.
BLESS YOU AND YOURS!!! Come back soon 🙂
Oh, the picture you painted of AB in her costume and Christmas PJ’s has me smiling… what a blessing both kids are!
I hope I get a chance to make it to Houston and the new church!
Thanks for the post,
Jacquelynn
Nice to hear from you Amanda! Kindergarteners are some of the most precious folks in the world…and I’m a bit biased because I have one too! Annabeth sounds like a pure delight with her pajamas, costume, and babies! (zulily is wonderful!) I hope and pray that the new church is thriving and doing well with God’s work. Oh, and thanks for the scoop on dot mom–I could not work it out to go this year, but Lord willing, I will be planning on going to next year’s!
Oh how I love to hear the children stories! And yes, I have ordered from Z myself. Cute things with great prices. Blessings on you and the new church! Keep us posted as you go along.
Hi Amanda, it is great to hear from you. Love the update. I passed on the Zulily site to my DNL. She has been looking for a cute costume for my grandson. Your comments on helping in your sons class reminded me of those years long ago that I helped in my sons class. It is the sweetest thing ever when they look at you so happy that their Mommie is at school helping. LOVE those memories and that The Lord allowed me to be there. 🙂 ♥
God was gracious to bless our home with both genders. But I love me some girly girls. My oldest (and Most girly) asked if I could spare some time today and drop by her college apt (an hr away) for some craft time. Well, bless my soul, she didn’t have to ask me twice! We spent this afternoon sitting on her floor hot gluing wreaths made of old books. I left with hot glue stuck to my pants, candy corn stuck in my teeth and my heart stuck once again on the blonde delight I call my firstborn. Sigh. Thank you, Lord. I better go floss.
I have 2 grandsons . Jonah is in K-3 and Ezra is in 1st grade. You talk about having some fun……………..last week i took of from work to go to Papa Simpsons Farm with Ezra and his class for a field trip. It was better than a day at the beach. Grand babies are soooooooooooooooo much fun. I try to be a BIG part of their lives cause i know how soon they grow up. I want to make everyday count.
Nice surprise to open the blog and find a post from you. I have missed you here. Loved the mental image of AB in pj’s and tutu. Now waiting for some real pictures. Don’t stay away so long and looking forward to seeing you in January.
Carolyn
Oceanside,Ca
So glad to hear from you on here, Amanda. I read your personal blog posting last night and it gave me chills. I have been praying for you and your husband and will continue. May God continue to pour His favor out upon you both.
Blessings, blessings, blessings from an Aunt Siesta. May you and yours experience God’s energy, love, encouragement and JOY!
Hi Amanda-
What a blast to have you stop by and catch us up so to speak. We’ve missed your input though your darlin sweet mom has tried to keep us up to date some with pics and musing over the grandbabies. The grandma’s holding gum tweet had me in stitches.
I saw you from afar at Angeles Temple when you and the P31 team served at the Dream Center. I couldn’t get over to say howdy from a CA Siesta and didn’t want to shout Amanda I am a Siesta and have everyone think I had lost it or was a stalker. You looked cute by the way with your gladiator sandals.
Stop back by anytime and bring pics we/I especially like pics.
Madelin, I would’ve loved meeting you! Do you go to church there or were you on a visiting team? Our time at the Dream Center was amazing. I hope to take a team from our new church to serve there. Blessings!
It is so good to hear from you Amanda! Praying for your new ministry! Blessings on your week xo
Sure have missed you, Amanda! I loved the update!
Wonderful hearing from you, Amanda, and all about your children. I raised 2 boys–now 32 and 31–and I still remember their kindergarten years. Such a precious time–well, let’s face it, it’s mostly all precious! 🙂 I saw two toddlers playing in the yard kattycorner from my backyard and oh! the memories that came flooding back. Enjoy these days! 🙂
The seal of approval is hilarious- that teacher deserves “Teacher of the Year”!!
Amanda, we’ve missed you so! You are an amazing mother and a wonderful example to me. So glad he loves kindergarten. You certainly do have two precious and funny children.
It was so great to hear from you Amanda!
Such a sweet posting. It made my heart happy and brought back happy classroom mom memories when my now adult children were little. Thanks for the smiles.
Amanda,
Good to hear from you! Maybe someday I’ll meet you or your Mom… Until then, the Lord Bless You Both…
Amanda! I have a 4 year old who just started pre-k. Her name is Naomi. Thanks for your post!
So precious!! I still remember a fall morning walk with my 3 year old (now 14) pushing her baby stroller curls bouncing in her white cowboy/girl boots. <3 🙂
Amanda, it is so good to hear from you. I miss your posts terribly!!! I am very happy that you are able to be a part of Jackson’s class, and to have those special moments with Annabeth. That is priceless!
Love to you,
Deanna