8th grade!!!

To my brave daughter...

Your first day as an 8th grader at a new school almost double the size of your old school...and having only lived in this area for a week!!! I am in awe of how well you adapt to new situations... Well honestly I know you well enough to know that you have such determination and strength that when you put your mind to something, you will succeed! I am just Thankful that you were willing to stay strong and give it your best shot even though this move is not what you wanted! I am Proud of the way you handle these disappointments and it warms my heart listening to you express your thoughts and feelings of God being at work, and knowing that God is planning to use you here in O'Fallon! 

I am Thankful that you have had a Wonderful start to the school year! I'm not saying it's been easy, because I know it's been extremely difficult for you, but I am Thankful that all the teachers and staff and your peers have been extremely helpful and welcoming, and that you have been just as sweet as can be to all of them!! 

Even though the number of students was a little intimidating... I'm beginning to think that bigger is better, in this instance! Overall I think you are able to just "be you" and even though Tourette Syndrome and OCD are very much a part of your every day life, it hasn't seemed to be the focus. More people are familiar with it here and it just seems like it's no big deal! But at the same time the teachers "get it" and are willing to accommodate any way needed! I have good feelings about this school year and I hope you do as well Allyssa! 

I have to brag a moment.. You know that little hobby of yours.. Singing?!! Yeah, and you know how I've told you there's talent there.. Well now do you believe me? Getting picked 5th for Honor Choir out of all that tried out! I am impressed! And oh so Proud! 

Keep on keeping on Allyssa! You are such an inspiration to others... Myself included! Stay strong, keep your Faith, believe in yourself! Love God and know that you are Loved!!

With all my Love,

Mom

A New Chapter Begins...

O'Fallon, Missouri

We moved into our "rent" home on  August 2, 2014 (with the option to buy when we sell our home in Poplar Bluff) We brought the kids, the dog, some clothes and the kids beds.. A few kitchen items and toiletries! THAT's IT!!  The movers came a few weeks later with all our belongings! It's been chaotic as any move is sure to be, but we are slowly getting organized and into a routine! 

We like our subdivision, it's very quiet and conveniently located.  We've met a few of our neighbors and they are very welcoming and nice...but we sure do miss our Wolf Run peeps..and you too Julia, if you are reading this, our Wolf Run Wanna Be!!  :) Adilynn was so cute after meeting the little six year old neighbor girl, she said "mommy I didn't even know Izzy was in this world!" It's been a bit more challenging to find someone Allyssa's age here in the neighborhood but we are thankful she made a good friend at school right from the start! 

Bob is still having to commute back to P Bluff a few days a week and we are all looking forward to the end of September when that will come to an end and he will be here with us all the time! 

We are now only an hour and forty five minutes from my family! Sooo exciting!!! 

A lot of changes...some good...some not...but we are embracing this opportunity God has given us and look forward to what He has in His plan for us. 

Times gone by and the present...

Wow!!! Allyssa in 2010 and Adilynn with same headpiece in 2014!!!  Look alike much?!

Look what this shark swallowed!!!

Adilynn Marie!!!

Awesome Pumpkin....

Allyssa was invited over to her friend Mycah's house yesterday to join Mycah's family in carving pumpkins... She had a ton of fun, and made an awesome looking pumpkin!  Thanks So Much to the Shupe's for including Allyssa in this fun Family Day!!

Allyssa had a little help with cleaning out the pumpkin's inside...but as for the carving.. she did it mostly on her own!

TANG SOO DO

Mr. Boxx Presenting Allyssa with her White w/ Green Stripe Belt.
Allyssa started Tang Soo Do in Feb. of this year with a plain White Belt.  She earned her White w/ Green Stripe on May 3, 2012!  Only 3 months! Way to Go Allyssa!!!!









Mr. Box Tying Allyssa's White w/ Green Stripe Belt!
You can see her Plain White Belt folded in front of her feet.

When she first started Tang Soo Do I had no idea that there was a correct way of tying these belts, so I just double knotted it.. well let's just say it's a little more complicated than that!!! It took us several classes to get it right! And actually Allyssa is the one that caught on... I'm still Struggling!

 We had no idea that tonight was the night that she was going to receive her belt... I stayed home with Adilynn and Daddy took you.. as you can see him in the background!! He didn't even have a phone or camera to take pictures, we are sooo Thankful to Mr. Boxx for having someone take these pics and text them to me so we could have them!

Allyssa in her new Tang Soo Doo uniform.  Around July they changed their uniforms from Red to White! So Allyssa is proudly showing off her new stuff!!!

Mr. Boxx congratulating Allyssa on earning her Orange Belt! She was testing for a Yellow Belt, and got to skip to Orange! Go Allyssa!!! It took her 3 months to move up from White w/ Green Stripe to Orange!  Way to Go Again, Allyssa!!! Keep up the Hard Work!! Again, you can see her White w/ Green stripe belt folded at her feet!
So very proud of you Allyssa, Your technique is very good and your instructors have told me how impressed they are with you, and what a Great Student you are!

Allyssa posing in her Fighting Stance with her Orange Belt!
Love It!!! And little Sister Adilynn even tries to do Tang Soo Do... it's hilarious! I'll have to try and get a video of her and post it in the future!

Allyssa's favorite part of Tang Soo Do class is sparring... they put on their protective gear and let loose!! It's mostly boys in her class but she is alot taller than them.. and she sure does kick butt!!! It's alot of fun to watch!!!  My favorite part of Allyssa learning Tang Soo Do is the selft discipline it teaches and the self defense she is learning!

Allyssa Doing her Bow! Allyssa has a habit of putting her hands on her bum as she does this.. not exactly how they want it.. hands should be on thighs.. !!!!




We are so very Proud of You Allyssa, Keep Working Hard!!!
Love ya, my lil Fighter Girl!!!

Couldn't Love 'Em More if They Were My Own...

Tabba... You Made me an Aunt for the first time... and your kiddos have made me a Great Aunt!!! Thank You Thank You!!!Watching you Grow into a Beautiful Young Woman, and becoming a Mommy, now for the second time, has been Awesome.  I am sooo Proud of You!  I Miss spending time with you, I still remember calling over to your Gma and Gpa Carter's to see if you could come over and play.. Pretty Pretty Princess will always be a fond memory!  You have a Lovely Family and I wish you all the Happiness in the World! I Love You Tabitha!!

Jenna Dawn... You're a Senior!!! WOW!! You are my First Newborn Niece!! I have Loved you from the day you were born and was sooo Proud to be Your Aunt, over the Years you've continued to make me Even More Proud in all that you do and all that you are!  Good Luck in the Future, You'll do well, No doubt! I Love You Jenna Dawn!!!
Scott Carter... My First Nephew!!! I absolutely Love your personality.. always joking around and that giggle you have.. Priceless!! You have made me sooo Proud, and I see alot of sports talent in you! Have Fun and Be Safe!!! and btw did you get my letter???? Hmmm musta forgot to STAMP IT!!!  I Love You Carter!!!!!
 I Miss you both like crazy, but treasure the  memories we've made over the years.. Mt Dew seems to
always be involved!!!! LOL...
 
Hannah Lea... You were like my twin daughter to Allyssa.. only being 10 months apart, we spent alot of time together!! You are a sweetie!  I have the Most fun watching you two cousins interact, and I sooo Miss that we don't have those times as often as we used to!  We think about you everyday Hannah, and are so Proud of You!  You are Beautiful and I want you to know Aunt Heather is here for you Always!! Love ya Always Hannah Bananna!!!!

Benjamin Big Boy Arlie Hunt... Wow you probably don't even remember that you used to say that was your name!!! You have grown so much so fast!! My Heart melts with your smile! I LOVE seeing you happy, and I like to torment you alot! You're a hoot!! Always Remember Aunt Heather Loves you and I'm here for you!!! I Love You Arlie Boy!!!!!




I Love Each and Every one of you, and I have a special bond with Each one of you individually, I also feel like we've had alot of fun Cousin Sleepovers and Bonded as a Family as well!! Thank You So Much to Each one of you for Making me an Aunt.. For Only An Aunt....
                                                               Can Give hugs Like a Mother....
                                                               Can keep Secrets Like a Sister....
                                                               And Share Love Like a Friend!!!