Family photos

Hello Everyone! Two months have passed since I last blogged! Time flies when you are busy! DUH! It was a crazy fall and now Chris is already working overtime. May be a crazy winter too. Just thought I would post some family photos. The kids were hilarious! Hattie was scared of the photographer! (as you will see)

My Birthday!

Let me start by saying turning 29 sure is hard to take. 30 is just around the corner now! (HAHAHA...If you believe that I have some great property in FL I will sell you!)

• My day started with Chris actually remembering and wishing me a happy b-day as he left for work.



• Then the music teacher and students sang Happy B-day to me during our morning gathering.



• Next I got some great cards and heart felt wishes from my kids and staff.



• Upon coming home at 4:30 (although i was shooting for 3:30), There were 2 cards and 2 packs of gummy bears (my favorite candy) sitting with two very anxious kiddos.



• We all went out to eat Mexican for dinner (again one of my favorites).



• After dinner, we came home, Chris let me grab my book and take a hot bath, while he took the kids outside and he cleaned my car. Armor all and everything! PEACE and quiet...

What else could I have asked for? I did have to do alot of prompting on the car thing, but prompts are OK right?

God has blessed me with and amazing family. I am so very grateful!

School Year

Hello everyone! I have missed blogging and will try to have more time to do it. I am learning the ropes so far as far as my new job! I am still learning how to manage home and school! HA! I wasn't so good at the home thing to begin with...(inside chores are not thing) I have already figured out Friday will be the night I can get the most work done...Everyone else jets! Although I am exhausted by then too... I have learned alot about work ethic too...my parents raised kids who are not afraid of hard work, but I know not all people are workers... Also before I sign off with all the randomness...I am joining Emily and writing a book. The craziest things happen in schools...Odd things kids say...and wierd things teachers want! How about 12 sharpie markers...Sorry no $...(obviously a story with that) Have a great day...until next time...God Bless!

Mom and Dad-45 years

Today my mom and dad are celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary. I am so proud to have parents who have stuck it out and have been such great role models for my marriage. I can't imagine 45 years. Chris and I celebrated 10 years earlier this summer, but 45 WOW that's amazing!

Need More Time

I am struggling how to manage my time with my new job! I need time management suggestions...Although I must not be doing too bad...Chris is unloading mulch and I am blogging!

By the way...The incident that began March 20 ended today with UNSUBSTANTIATED!!!!! Praise GOD! Without Him I would not be where I am today. Those of you who walked this journey with me, THANK YOU...I made it through because I knew you were praying for me! GOD listens and answers.

Becomes Crystal Clear!

As I read my daily Bible verse...

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27

I had to know God put this on my page today for a reason. I just got word this afternoon my friend from High school lost her 10 year old daughter Friday. I wondered to myself how could any person get through such a tragedy. (This is the second high school friend of mine and Chris who have lost a child recently.) This verse spelled it out...You have God to get you through the most difficult times in life. I prayer as I work through life's most difficult situations, I keep God in the center.

Thank you Lord for giving me peace as I move through tomorrow! And thank you for two beautiful healthy children..

Fair Pics!

God continues to bless our family with good times together as a family!

I want to thank Him for allowing us to make this experience a family affair!

Jackie stole the show...of course Phillip and Hattie were cute too!

Monday a.m. Phillip and his cousin Cody as his mentor showing sheep

Monday p.m.

Hattie with Pee Wee and cousin Shanna helping.

Hattie is Shanna's mini-me!

Phillip and Hattie showing one of Blake's pigs.

Who is leading who?

Phillip showing Miss Calloway (from Home on the Range)

She definitely had the attitude.

Daddy sure looks thoughtful in the background!

More pics to come...Stay tuned...

I'm back!

Hello fellow bloggers and readers...it's nice to be back...I've missed you!

Last week was a crazy week. The Fayette County Free Fair was packed full of excitement and shows, shows, shows. Monday morning was the goat show, Monday afternoon-sheep, Tuesday-swine, and Wednesday- cattle. Phillip was a second year mini 4-H member in each project. Hattie got to show in PeeWee showmanship in each species as well... except cattle. She and Daddy showed together in old-timers showmanship and won. The judge deposited $32 in her pocket. It was packed full and the kids had a blast.

It was exciting to be a parent of a child who does this because they love it and not because we do. Phillip loves all parts of the animals down to cleaning the barn. I am so glad we are able to raise our children on a farm. It is so important to me that our children have a strong work ethic. I know instilling this is the responsibility of the parent.

I am hopeful that the 4-H program will move children and families back in this direction.

By the way...I can't get pictures to load...You can bet I have pictures of all of these and will post them soon!

Where have I been???

I know Emily and Milah will relate to where I have been...

Next week is our county fair (formerly known as the McQuinley vacation...we got to camp there as a kid). Phillip is in mini 4-H and has taken 7 projects.. 4 being live animals. He will be showing a pig, calf (Calloway), sheep, and goat (Jackie); as well as turning in 2 posters and a gardening project. This is a family affair and we are all very busy trying to get animals to do things they would rather not, like walking on a leash. (Her leash is very cute...mint green from the Vera Bradley outlet sale.) Goats would rather be eating anything than walking around with a mint green collar! She is doing great and cute as a button. Calloway (name is from Home on the Range) has a bit of an attitude. Last evening we were taking a walk (again something she would rather not do) around the barn lot and she was choosing to jump and hop. A calf jumping and hopping is not the best situation to find yourself in (I am sure emily relates to this!). Any way one hop and jump and I land myself a trip to the emergency room. Nothing was broken, but I am sporting a beautiful splint on the right thumb. they say 7 days, i say until the swelling in down, We will see.

Anyway if you are in need of a funnel cake, corn dog, elephant ear, or homemade ice cream come visit us next week! I am guessing it will be an eventful week and loads of fun!

How We Spent Our Weekend!

2008 Cambridge City Rookie League All-Stars
# 56 Phillip Hobbs

"Hey Batter, Batter!"

He hit a hard line drive!

(Too bad it was the best catch the short stop had the entire tournament!)

Man what do I do now?

(By the way the white legs next to the dug out is Chris in shorts!

That was our strategy...blind the batter!)

Nothing will get by this kid! Ha ha!

(He actually asked to play the hottest position on the field!)

This was a great weekend to be a Mommy! There is nothing like watching your kid love what they do. Phillip loved getting the bats as much as he did playing!

Rascal Flatts!

Now that I got the transferring of pics down, I think I have an obsession. Does anyone know a good counselor???

Rascal Flatts 2008

(The only thing that would have made this a better evening is helping Pastor Kris break that anti-country concert goal of his!)

Girls night out + Alex (behind the camera)

(Robin, me, Tracy, Lynn, & Kib)

Look at that smile.
I hope she doesn't get a blog soon, or she will kill me for posting this pic!

More pics! TN '08

This is Hattie and her foster mom!

(a.k.a. Tracy Brannon)

Boy did we get him!

That was one big splash and he didn't have a clue it was coming!

It's Official!

At the Richmond Community Board of Trustees meeting I was officially named the Westview Elementary Principal. I am so excited and nervous. I remember when I got my first teaching job thinking "what in the world am I going to do with 15 Special needs kids in one room for 6 1/2 hours. " Now I am wondering if I am fully prepared for this next stage in my career. I know God has put me at Westview for a reason. Now I will be quiet and pray without ceasing to see what His plan for me is! Thanks for all your prayers throughout this process.

More Pictures!

Here are more pictures!
We celebrated Hattie's 3rd Birthday while in TN.

Are these for me?
Get those bugs off my cake! It was too cute to pass up!
I love Doggies!

Yummy!

Vacation

I am going to post some pictures from vacation with the Taylors and Brannons!

I will write more later! What an amazing weekend!

Before the Dixie Stampede!

Riding the sheep at Putt-Putt!

Phew!

My second interview was today and was a little intimidating. I interviewed with two teacher teams and they asked all the questions. It went amazingly well. I hope to know something at the beginning of next week. I am very excited about the potential change for me.

Tomorrow, the Hobbs, Brannons, and Taylors (part of them are already there) are heading for TN. I am so excited to get away for a long weekend! We are blessed to have such great friends. The kids will drive me crazy tomorrow..."when are we leaving, how much longer, I'm hungry, I've got to potty". YET...I am so excited to take them on this trip, hopefully they will nap alot! What did we do before DVD players in the car?

We found out this week, Phillip is an official Rookie League All-Star. Which means practices through the week and weekend tourneys. He was so excited, he actually got a real uniform, belt and all! I am so exicted for him, but am tired and sun burnt just thinking about the amount of time we will be spending at random ball parks!

I think I have ADD today...there is no fluency to this blog. Guess I should head to bed! Until Tuesday... have a great holiday weekend!

WOW

What an amazing day! Lots has happened in the last 24 hours. The church service was amazing. Small group is growing... I love you guys! and Chris and I had a real discussion about the nights events. Jack and Jim need to know how much they mean to Chris. WOW! God is working on him and I love seeing it! I don't know what tomorrow will bring (if I was a betting woman I would have to say rain haha!), but God's plan will be magnificent. I think I better head to bed! I need to get up early (and for a teacher in the summer, that means 8ish). Until later!

Rain, Rain, Go Away

This weekend has flown by...I am looking forward to church this morning, a mild afternoon, and growth group this evening. The kids have been playing inside and running outside when the weather will allow for it. I am ready to shoo them out and clean today, but there is a chance of rain again. Being married to a farmer...I have to be very careful to wish rain away.

By the way if you read my earlier post...I am still working on that picture thing. Can't find the cord...Maybe Emily has one that will work since she has to get a new camera every other month! hehehe

We survived!

We had a blast. Phillip lasted the entire night until we got to the car. Hattie konked out about halfway through Brad Paisley. They danced and danced on the shoulder of whoever would hold them! I will download pics later. I have a video of them dancing if I can figure that out. It was very tame and a perfect concert for them to go to! Kris, you would have fit in in your Gunslinger get-up!

On a side note, I peeked through the crowd and saw one of my former basketball players, Sarah Kitchen. She is now doing her residency to become a Dr. I was so excited. Phillip couldn't hardly stand himself. Kitch was an amazing kid and now she will be a doctor. (Right now she is doing an OBGYN rotation, she said she has seen enough ........ to last a lifetime!) Makes all those trips to Logansport on a bus well worth it!

My oh My!

Early this summer Chris and I bought tickets to the country summer concert series at Verizon. Shanna and Josh were going with us to all of them, but...Shanna has to work tonight, so we had two extra tickets. Because it was on a Thursday, noone was able to go on such late notice, so Chris and I have decided the kids will go to this one...Brad Paisley (and some other people). We thought this would be a safe one for them to see. Should prove to be an interesting night. I will let you know! When we bought the tickets, we said 5 date nights for sure this summer...Oh well, we still have 4. I am looking so forward to it! Phillip is already asking a million questions. We will have so much fun, but good thing Chris took the day off tomorrow!

Can't Believe It!

Romans 8:28 ....we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him......

This morning I woke up to my phone ringing (at 8:42 am OOPS!). I got a second interview for a principal's job. It is scheduled for July 2nd with a team of teachers. So this is the big thing he was preparing me for! I like these quick answers! haha

Have a Great Day!

My Friends

Hello all, well the interview is over and was a bit painful. Although I never wavered from the truth, I still questioned every answer. I worried that through my honesty, I was selling someone else out. The best I can say is ... it is very hard to explain. At this point I am just playing a waiting game. Two more interviews are to be scheduled. Once completed, a review will be held and their hope is to have it completed before the school year begins. I am grateful for the thoughts and prayers this afternoon. I am thankful I had a wonderful christian attorney. I am thankful I went through this with a great christian teacher. God blessed me with each of you. When I was done today, I spoke to a friend who said..."God is preparing you for something big!" I look at this as God's preparation for my next step...Without better words...THANKS!

Today

Today I hope will bring closure to a situation that began March 20th. I pray that I will seek God's guidance as I speak to the people involved. I want to thank my small group from Farmland Friends church. You have been my strength as I have walked through the last several months. I am going in knowing God is in control. I pray because of this I will continue to fight the good fight no matter how hard the road is. Please pray God will be my strength and whenI walk away today I will feel his presence in the room!

Cleaning!

Sorry Milah it took so long between blogs. LOL. This past week was one spent focusing on the kids; baseball, swimming, and hanging out at the park. We are enjoying the summer weather. Just wish I could convince my 3 year old little girls do where shirts outside even when it is hot! I hope everyone noticed in my list of activities, it did not include any dishes, cleaning, or laundry. I must try to catch up on my house this week or I may go crazy! What a mess....Well why am I sitting here! I better get the kids busy! hehehe Until later...(in Hattie's words..) Peace Out!

The Weekend!

Well what a weekend!. Saturday started at 4:15 when Chris got called out to close a road due to the rain. Then at 5:30, I was up in the shower and off to BSU for the TEST! Boy was it a test, a test of patience, a test of endurance, a test of knowledge...6 hours of intensity. No one who pays for 30 hours of classes should have to pay $430 for a test to prove they can do the job! OH my!!!! This was the test to get my principals license.

As soon as I left the test it was off to Rascall Flatts and Taylor Swift! I am really glad I paid for Rascall Flatts, Taylor Swift left a little to be desired. The concert was amazing and the company was even better. A true girls night out (+ Alex)...I haven't laughed that much in a long time. I actually had to tell people, "I WAS NOT DRINKING." I was proving a good time can be had without alcohol. Chris took the kids to the tractor pull with his buddy and kids. They must have had a better time by the looks of them Sunday morning. (They were filthy!)

Sunday morning Chris and I were up in time for church but the sleeping bears slept until we woke them at 10:15. We took daddy out for breakfast at Yesterday's Cafe' in Connersville and then we were off to visit my Dad. Chris helped my dad fix Grandma's garage. We all came home and gave Chris his gifts. We got him SANDALS, (too funny if you know Chris) and shorts. he actually wore the sandals on the pool deck. We had a great evening and daddy picked Spaghetti for dinner.

Monday night Chapman's (Phillip's rookie league team) won there first game of the tourney. We play our second game tonight against DCC (league champs) at 7:15. Have a great day! GO CHAPMAN'S!!!!!

In Need of Parenting Advice

Hello all, I need some advice from the parents out there. Phillip can't stand change. (maybe I should make him read Pastor Kris's blog LOL) I want to get him involved in things outside of the house. Today they had Mini-4-H day camp. He hid in his bedroom hoping I would forget he was there just so he wouldn't have to go. He went last year and had a great time. I wish I could get him to do things with his friends without a huge crying fit or making himself sick. The Golay has a program 2 days a week for 4 hours a day (games, crafts, and swimming), and all his buddies go. I would love him to be involved. I will accept any advice on how to get him to open up to change. Thanks~

It went very well!

I am pleased to say the interview went really well. That does not mean I am a fit for this job, but if that's where God wants me, I will be happy to go. I took my bible along and read a few verses before I went in. God just always seems to know what we need and when we need it. I guess now it will be wait and see.

Thanks for the prayers.
Sheila

By the way the verses were Eph 6:6-8.

Interview

Well it happened I got the call today. I will be heading to Richmond tomorrow for an interview for an administrative position. I really do not know which school or much information, but I am excited. I have updated my resume' and looked through a ton of information. I have given it to God. If this is where he wants me great, I will go, but if not, I love where I'm at too. I'll keep you posted. The interview is at 11:30.

10 years later!

Today Chris and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary. I will be sending this letter out to friends and family who no longer live around us! I hope you enjoy!

Dear Family and Friends,
Do you remember where you were 10 years ago, June 6th? We remember… you and many others were celebrating our wedding day! We have heard since then, there were bets taken how long we would last… I am so excited to share with you that with God’s Grace and lot of prayer, we are still happily married with two beautiful children.
We have decided to do a 10th Anniversary letter to update you on our lives. We are excited about the direction our lives have taken in the last ten years. We have purchased an 80 acre farm in Wayne County. Our property line is I-70. We are approximately 5 miles from the Cambridge City exit.
We have moved to a wonderful “neighborhood” and feel as though we have been here for years. We are attending an amazing church in Farmland, IN. (Yes that’s really the name of the town.) It is called Farmland Friends Church. It is amazing and offers so much for each of us. The kids attend Kids Zone while we are in church. It is a contemporary service and you truly come as you are! We also attend a Growth Group on Sunday evenings in someone’s home.
I am still teaching at Fairview Elementary. I have K-3rd grade students with special needs. I have left coaching to devote more time to my own family. I have finished my Master’s degree in Special Education and take a test June 14th to get my principal’s license. By next May, I hope to have a Special Education Director’s License as well. Currently I am looking at administrative prospects, but wherever God puts me I will be happy.
Chris began working for the Wayne County Highway Department in Nov. of 2006. This job has given him more time to farm and more money to do it! We all know Chris and know how much he loves his cows, he continues to add to the herd and we seem to be at an all time high. He sold several show calves last fall and he will stay busy breeding, clipping, and grooming this summer. He and the kids love doing the farm chores together everyday.
Speaking of farm chores, Phillip (with Hattie’s help, yea right?!) is responsible for 23 hens, 3 roosters, 4 goats: Salt, Pepper, Romie, and Jill (one new baby Jackie), his 4-H calf, dogs, and rabbits. When Phillip goes to Mamaw and Papaw’s (McQuinley) he helps take care of his 4-H sheep. Papaw and Mamaw gave him baby chicks for his fourth birthday…he sold that round and has now purchased more…to be laying any day! That was the gift that keeps on giving! If you ever need farm fresh brown eggs, Phillip sells them to make his own money! We have had to buy him very little, when the hens are laying! He spends his own money.
Phillip just celebrated his 7th birthday. He will begin second grade in the fall. He is playing Rookie League (coaches pitch) this spring in Cambridge City Youth League. He says he will be an Eagle one day. (He wants everyone to know where he will attend school) He is so excited. This child loves Baseball and 4-H.
“Miss Thing” came into our lives July 5th, 2005 weighing in at 8 lbs and 20 3/4 in. long. Her name is Hattie Marae Hobbs. She will turn 3 next month and has truly made our lives complete. She keeps us on our toes to say the least. She loves to do “girly” stuff, but is a real tom-boy at heart. She follows her brother everywhere and is amazing to watch! Shanna is her everything. She reminds us so much of Shanna at that age.
The signs of spring have set on the Hobbs farm (A.K.A. Shawnee Creek Cattle Company ). The farm is green and Daddy has his crops in the ground. We hope if you pass through on I-70, you will stop by Exit 135 Cambridge City and stay for a spell. We always have enough food for a few more and if not we can always make it. Remember to bring your swimming suit, to go swimming or sit in the hot tub (imagine: from renters to home owners with a spa house and a pool). Life is grand and always changing at the Hobbs’ house.

Love to all!
Chris, Sheila, Phillip and Hattie Hobbs

Please feel free to stop by on the spur of the moment! We love the company! Just don’t expect a clean house, because we would all rather be outside than inside cleaning! HAHA!

Family tidbits: Mom and Dad (Ted and Joy) are both retired from their “real” jobs; Chris’s Dad, David, passed away 6 years ago suddenly; Mimi (Marilyn) is a noon-aide at Fayette Central school and living in a small house in Bentonville; Shanna is married to a wonderful man named Josh Smith; Phillip will be showing at the Fayette County Fair in July/Aug; Grandma Helen left to be with God in Oct.;
As a result of the Tidbits, our family grows closer and closer….

New Bunnies

I haven't blogged in a couple of days, the reason...It has been Hattie and I at home. I am tired!!! She is a blast, but I can't get more than a few feet without her. She also has a constant, "why" question. I was really happy to pick Phillip up from a two day sleepover at Mamaw and Papaw's. I have truly missed him! We also brought home two new bunnies. "Oreo and Snowball" I am just hoping they didn't lie when they told them they were both females. LOL Well it is off to bed... for tomorrow we are going to do mission organization of toys. OH MY! I will let you know how that works out!

Last Day of School! WOO HOO!

I never know who is more excited for the last day of school, the kids or the teachers. It has been an abnormally tough school year: broken foot, Phillip's sinus/adenoids surgery, Losing Grandma and Uncle Jimmy, and the "incident". Despite all these things, as I reflect back over the school year, I think about how far my kiddos came in 180 days. It is truly amazing to watch them grow. I love them so much and even on the tough days they know just what to do. (Hug, smile, or even just sitting quietly). I often worry about these little ones during the summer. I pray they are fed and safe in their homes. One of my students, who is Autistic, came up and bear hugged me before he left with his Mom. I was shocked and it brought tears to my eyes. He rarely wants to be touched, let alone hugged and he initiated the hug...HE HUGGED ME! As God moves me through life he so often keeps things in perspective. The last student I saw in the 2007-2008 was my hugger. Pastor Kris spoke of building relationships and finding true joy this Sunday, if this is the last student I see, talk about true joy provided by God!

Happy Day!
Sheila

P.S. Chris has all his crops in the ground as of 9:30 pm. That always make for a happier home! hehehehe

What a great Day to be Alive!

Sometimes I know I take much in life for granted...great family, fabulous friends, good job, and a wonderful church to attend. Farmland Friends is the church home I have longed for since I left college and the security of being on a Christian campus. Relationships came easy to my college friends; same age, same interests, and same schedule. The piece of Pastor Kris' sermon that touched me was making sure we have relationships beyond the walls of the church. My growth group has almost become my security blanket. I have grown to love these people more than I thought I ever could. Part of this group I have known for awhile, but not on this level. I remember being fearful of such a close group, I wasn't sure I was ready to expose myself emotionally, but God was ready for me to do it. As I move through this summer, I hope to build stronger relationships in Christ beyond my small group. God knew I needed this sermon to move me outside my comfort zone.

In Him,

Sheila

Never thought this day would come!

Today was a tough day in the life of a Farmer...Miss Medicine, a staple of our farm, was loaded on the trailer this morning and taken to Knightstown. Never thought we would get to this point. Miss Medicine was one of the first heifers Chris had (even before me). she had a great temperament and loved the life of a show cow. She was truly more of a pet than a cow. She loaded easily and seemed to understand the order of events for the day. We knew this would be tough for Chris, but I never thought it would affect me...Guess what, it did! We have several generations, daughter and granddaughter (soon to be great-granddaughter) left on the farm. She will long be remember as the cow that put us on the show circuit. We love her and will miss her, but God has again blessed us with many more Miss Medicine's to come.
Sheila