{Social Development}

One thing I truly miss about the “old” days is, being a blog stalker! The last time I took a quick peek into the blog life world, was when I posted a short piece about the happenings of the children and even then, I didn’t get a chance to read the happenings of others. 

Before my body and mind gave out on me at 9:30 last night (yes I said 9:30...on a Friday night), I had a chance to visit one of my favorite blogs. I say favorite because, this blog happens to belong to a family who is very near and dear to my heart. The blog happens to belong to family who was brought into my life because of the military. Almost 14 years ago, this family welcomed us with open arms as we crossed over into the military side of life. This family was our first military family!

It’s amazing to me how the military life works. Moving around is not my favorite part. For those of you who know me well, you know that I don’t do very good with change. I can adapt (eventually) but it’s not something that comes easy. There are however some positives to moving. The one thing that I can say above anything else is that moving around the past 13 years has brought many people into our lives. The people that have been brought into our lives have literally become our family! What is even more amazing to me is that you can go months or years without seeing each other or talking to each other but that bond that was once created, NEVER ever goes away. I know that even though I haven’t seen some of my favorite military family members in 1, 2, or even 10 years, that if our family of 5 were to knock on their doors, we would be welcomed, embraced, and things would pick up exactly where they left off.

Getting back on track, I had a moment to sit and catch up on a few happenings that are going on over at Planet Caddick. As I read, I realized that I have missed out on A LOT of things. I feel like such a loser of a friend these days. There is so much going on around me and I have missed out on most of it! I have always had an awesome support team and lately, I feel like I have not given back my support in return. Uhm...EPIC FAIL on my part!!!  

The days seem to get away from me. Yesterday as I was cleaning up my classroom after a week full of apples, Johnny Appleseed, apples, and more apples, I realized that I have to change the calendar to October!!! Wait...What??? October is here already?!?!? How in the world did that happen?!?!? Life keeps moving forward and there is no way to slow it down! Moral of my story, figure out a way to keep up with life before it passes you by!

On a slightly different note, I know there are some of you who have been anxiously waiting to hear the news from this week’s big 7^th grade event.

A while back ago, I mentioned something about how Ms. Bry would be participating in a school unit called Social Development. Once again, I had no idea how BIG of a deal this was. I did however quickly learn after shopping with 3 preteen girls just how important this event is for the 7^th grade class.

Let me quickly explain that Social Development is a weeklong unit that consumes the life of a 7^th grader. During this week, the students learn etiquette and manners. This past week, Bry has been learning things like how to set the table properly, how to eat properly, and how to sit and exit the table during a meal. She learned appropriate table conversation skills and she even learned a few new dances like the foxtrot, the cha cha, and the waltz. The students end the unit by attending a huge luncheon and dance where they have to show all of the skills they mastered. YES, they are graded on this entire event!

Moving back to just how big of deal this was, we had to find the perfect dress, the perfect shoes, just the right hair accessories, and yes even a little make-up too. We had to pay a visit to the hair salon for that perfect hair style and the nail salon for those pretty French tips. ALL of this for Social Development!!! I can’t even begin to imagine what homecoming is going to be like!!! I guess I better start preparing now since it’s only a year away!

I was sworn to secrecy about the details of the “look”. Bry made a pact with her friends that they wouldn’t reveal their dresses until the day of the event.

Before

After

Social Development was a huge success! Bry had A LOT of fun. She lost count of the amount of times she was asked to dance. They actually had set rules about the dance. The boys had to ask at least 3 girls and the girls had to ask at least 1 boy. If you were asked to dance, you could not say no. Poor girl had blisters on her feet. All you ladies out there can relate to wearing those cute new shoes on the dance floor!

My baby girl is blossoming into quite a beautiful and simply amazing young lady!  

{September Salutations}

I’ve been a little out of sorts with the whole blogging thing and I want to thank y’all for being patient while I try to find a few minutes to share some updates. Actually, what I really should say is thank you Dad and Pops for not giving me too much cr*p about not giving you your daily reading updates =) Although, I will say that I feel completely lost when it comes to life outside our family of 5. I was able to sit down this morning and actually catch up on some current events and daily happenings. I don’t know if I’m thankful or sad that I've missed out on everything that has gone on, especially in this past week. 4:45 wake-up calls come very early in the morning. Add that to late nights filled with school, homework, or planning and activities such as watching TV, surfin’ the net, playing my favorite Song Pop app, and reading my beloved Kindle are COMPLETELY left in the dust!!! I wish I could say I was a little sad about it but honestly, I’m not. Don’t get me wrong, I mean I am counting down the days until I finish school for myself and I do miss curling up at night with nothing else on my mind but the book I am reading but, the cloud I am floating on these days is pretty great and I wouldn’t trade my life right now for ANYTHING in this world!!!

Moving on to more important things, it’s a little hard to believe that we are halfway through the first grading period. Things are definitely in full swing. The kids and I have gotten ourselves on a pretty good schedule. Well, I guess I should say that it’s working for us this week! I would include Jason in this mix but, his schedule changes daily. We never really know what’s going on when it comes to his work schedule. 

We are still waiting to hear whether or not Miss Bry made the All State Choir team. She is very anxious about this so, I’m hoping that we will hear something this week. Last weekend, I got to spend a day out with Bry and her two crazy besties. Shopping with 3 preteen girls is quite the experience!!! Why would I do that to myself you ask?!?! Well, Social Development season is here and we just had to find that one perfect dress. I would share a picture {or two} but I pinky promised I would keep the dress and the look under wraps until the BIG day! 

I can however share this look

Miss Kalyssa has been a busy bee in 3^rd grade! Her schedule doesn’t allow for much down time. She has become a first grade wing morning assistant and has special “Desk Fairy” duties in mom’s classroom. Of course, she is completely ENJOYING every minute of it!!

Last but definitely not least, we have this guy.

September is a very special month in this household. Why? Let me explain. Once upon a time Jason and I had a plan. God however had a different plan for us.  As much as I tried to hold onto the “normalcy” of life with 2 girls, my growing belly was trying to prepare me for something else. My grandma once told me that life has a way of throwing surprises your way and that the best way to live my life is to embrace the gifts I have been given and learn from the mistakes I make. When I was pregnant with Travin, she touched my belly and said that I would soon understand what it felt like to be complete. I didn’t fully understand her words until the moment I looked at Travin’s chubby little face. It was then that I understood exactly what plan God had laid out for us. My grandmother’s words rang true. For the first time, my world was truly complete. In September of 2005, Jason and I made our full circle. September {many many moons ago} we began dating. Fast forward a few years later to September of 2005, our family circle became complete.  In September of 2005, we became a family of 5. On September 14^th, 2005, God gave us Travin.

My little man is officially 7!!! 

Can you believe it?!?!? 

I sure can’t!!! 

Let me explain the difference between girls and boys at least in our house.

BOYS are simple!!!

Boys DON’T need all that fancy stuff!!!      

Boys just want to be BOYS!!!      

For his birthday this year,

Trav just wanted a night with his two best friends!

{He even let his sister and her friend join in on the fun!}

Trav just wanted a morning to play video games and Legos!

Trav just wanted to turn 7!!! 

   

Happy 7th Birthday Travin!!! 

{August Happenings}

I read this quote this morning.

It made me smile.

Quite fitting...if I don’t say so myself.

This past week, 

we finished our 2^nd full week of school.

This past week, 

my 3^rd semester as a graduate student began.

This past week, 

marathon training became real.  

This past week, 

my planner became my very best friend!!!

August has been relatively calm. I think we are still trying to adjust to our new schedules. Personally, I’m taking the time to enjoy the calm before the storm hits. September will bring some new adjustments with the addition of fall ball, cheernastics, baton, and scouts. PHEW!!!

I haven’t been able to make very many phone calls so hopefully I still have some dedicated readers. I know that I have slacked on here but I will do my best to keep the "happenings" of the children going. Luckily for me, there hasn’t been too much fun stuff happening in the month of August. We had our first Back to School night last week for our big 7^th grader.

7^th GRADE!!!

I’m still having trouble actually saying the words.

Although, I must admit that after meeting the teachers and listening to what is in store for the year, I can say that I am very excited for Miss Bry. She has so much to look forward to. It’s going to be a tough year academically but the girl has pure determination running through her veins. 

A quick meeting with all 7 teachers this past week taught us that she will be taking on 7^th and 8^th grade math in order to prepare for a test at the end of the year that could land her with high school credits as an 8^th grader. Her Science and American Studies teachers are both completely hands on and have a list of activities and monthly field trips that will keep the students on their toes. For the first time since 2^nd grade, Bry is excited about science and has listed it as one of her favorite classes!!! Later in the year, the 7^th grade class will be taking special etiquette courses which will teach them everything from manners to dancing to the dos and don’ts of dating. Saving the best for last, at least according to "The World of Miss Bry", the addition of advanced choir to her schedule this year will keep her busy traveling around Louisiana and Texas. SHHHH!!! Don’t tell her I told you but, next week she will be trying out for the All State Choir Team. She is beyond excited about the opportunity so, please keep her in your thoughts this week.

Back to School night for the rest of us is next week. Jason will have to brush up on his note taking skills so that I can update you on the "happenings" for Miss Kalyssa and Mr. Trav.     

Our morning routine is quite busy. Somehow my bathroom has become our meeting place in the morning. Our daily news is usually discussed as we brush our teeth. Bryanna is the first one out the door. I hadn’t had a chance to capture her on camera until the other day.

I finally got a picture with my most favorite 7^th grader in the whole wide world!!!

She happens to think that CMS is better than Stockwell but unfortunately for her, Mom ALWAYS knows what’s best!!!

  

{The Mall's Go Back to School}

Summer vacation came to end for us this past week. Normally I would add a really big sad face here but, after a fun filled vacation with only a bump or two in the road and three children who desperately needed to head back to school before they actually became completely confined to their own personal quiet spaces, I would say that only happy, ecstatic, overjoyed happy faces will be used for this occasion! Oh and did I mention that I have officially become a grown-up too??? Complete shocker, right?!?!? It’s okay to shake your head yes because honestly, I’m still in a bit of shock myself.

For those of you who don’t know, let me begin by sharing that over the summer I received the most AWESOME phone call ever. And by awesome, I pretty much mean the BEST phone call I’ve ever gotten...EVER!!! 

The principal from Kalyssa and Travin’s school called to ask me how I would feel about teaching 1^st grade. She explained that one of the first grade teachers would be on maternity leave and was planning on taking a sabbatical. When I heard her words, my mouth literally fell open. First, it was the last phone call I expected to get since I had decided to put my job search on hold. After finishing up my summer classes, Jason and I made the decision that I would put everything in to finishing my Master’s and then move on to finding a job. When I packed our bags and headed west, my plan was to sub whenever I was needed (at Stockwell of course) and jump the fast track to complete my degree. Second, she the principal was really asking me Shannon Mall to come in and work in her amazing and wonderful school!!! I tried to sound all calm and collected over the phone but honestly, I failed miserably!!! The mere thought of being able to work in the first grade wing at Stockwell had been an implausible dream of mine ever since Kalyssa first roamed the hallway as a first grader two years ago. Last year on the last day of school, I was heartbroken at the fact that Trav was moving on to second grade because I wasn’t ready to leave the first grade wing behind. Although Stockwell is truly blessed with some amazing teachers, the teachers in the first grade wing are truly one of a kind. They have inspired me, motivated me, and shown me exactly what it means to be a teacher who cares.

I can’t begin to explain how honored I feel to be able to take on this role. I know that I have some very big shoes to fill. I know that there are parents who are concerned. I know that there are little faces who might even be a little confused right now.

Am I nervous? ABSOLUTELY

Am I scared? ABSOLUTELY

But, I am also excited, happy, and ready for this new journey in my life.

I am absolutely overwhelmed by all of the love, well wishes, and support I have received from my family and friends!!! Thank you for keeping me and the rest of my crazy crew in your thoughts and in your prayers. Lord knows we will need them this year! =) I am also extremely grateful for all of the support and kindness that I have received since the announcement was made at school. I am beyond blessed to be surrounded by the best of the best in EVERY aspect of my life!!!

I suppose y’all actually want to see pictures of the first two days of school and know just how well the kids survived. Now that I rambled on about myself, let’s move on to the more important stuff!!

I did have to come to terms with the fact that we have moved up a year. I think this does require a sad face!

Middle school wasn’t as hard to take this year. I think it came down to the mere fact that I actually knew what to expect. We’ve already been working on homework over the summer and we pretty much knew what classes to expect once test scores were reveled. We just had to wait for an actual schedule and for that impending day that would require mom and dad to dump their life savings with the purchase of spirit shirts, school fees, and additional materials needed...for now.

Miss Bry is beginning her 7^th grade year as a member of the Beta team and she is very much looking forward to her studies in advanced choir. She will spend a lot of time on the road this year! So far, she is pleased with her teachers and although she was a little upset with her schedule, she is happy to be surrounded by some of her bestfriends. 

Kalyssa and Travin are back on the same side of the school again. Although they are in different wings, they are not too far from each other. I’ve had a chance to get to know both of their teachers and I can share that I am very excited for them. This year is going to be a fantastic year for the both of them. They both had lots of great things to share about the first two days of school. Miss Kalyssa loves her teacher and Trav thinks his teacher is pretty.     

    

 Day 1

  Day 2

Life with 3 kids, 1 Millie, and 1 Jay plus life as a full-time grad student kept things pretty busy around here. Now that I am a "grown-up" too, I’m not quite sure how well I will manage our family blog. My hope is to keep up with the important kid stuff on the weekends but, only time will tell. My goals have been rearranged a bit for me this year. I now have 21 other little faces to think about too.    

{Cali~finale}

I haven’t had the chance to share the last of the over 3000 photos we took while vacationing in California. What can I say, it was a busy month!

Our vacation has officially come to an end. However, I must share that we all enjoyed ourselves more than words can say!!! Our visit was longer than anticipated and although we were all ready to head home, our time felt relatively short.

The end of our vacation was spent hanging out with family, friends, and the beach of course.

  

We were able to spend time with some of our most favorite people in the whole wide world.

We got to meet new faces and laugh with old friends.

We were able to visit some of our most treasured places and spaces and even got to explore some new ones.

I am sad that there are many people we didn’t get the chance to see and various places we missed out on exploring

BUT

I must admit,

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!

I truly believe there is something magical about

tucking the kids in their own beds, 

waking up in your very own bed, 

enjoying that first cup of coffee in your favorite coffee mug, and 

having neighbors like mine who make coming home even more magical by having a homemade dinner waiting for the 5 of us to devour after a 26 hour drive!!!

There truly is no place like home!!!