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