To Infinity and Beyond!

My sweet "Roo" (as we call him) turned 4 last week. This is a monumental age to him. You see, the cut off for most things around here is October 1st...he was born October 10th. His first words after we woke him with a vibrant "Happy Birthday", were "YES!...I can go to basketball camp and play baseball on a team!" Oh my, maybe I want him to stay 3.

Roo is quiet, passionate, mindful, sensitive, and the best cuddler I know. Up until the week before his birthday he said to me that he didn't want to have a party because he had one last year. Sounded good to me...then he asked me 5 days before the big day, "Mom, when are my friends coming to my party?" Seriously??? So, giving in to his big eyes, I called some of his friends over for his favorite things, Toy Story the movie, popcorn, and cake. He had a ball and proved to a momma that always plans 6 months in advance that the best parties are the ones that are thrown together last minute.

I smile when I look at the pictures I captured of these precious 4 year olds. What a carefree age!!!

Roo, I love you to Infinity and Beyond!!!!

Momma Mia (what he affectionately calls me)

They all chose their spots, got comfy, and watched the movie.

still sitting...

still sitting....

...and then PRESENTS!!!! Everybody run wild!

His best little buddy and partner in crime

FOOD!

How many clowns, I mean kids, can we fit in the tent?

They made a boy band and rocked out...

...with pink guitars and purple mike stands from his sisters room.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

Yee Haw!

My girl started riding lessons today...on a horse...in the barn...with dirt...

If you know her at all, you know that she is all girl and rarely is covered in dirt. This is why I was surprised when she said that she wanted to take riding lessons. But, her love for animals far outweighs her disgust for dust. When the instructor told me that she would need a pair of boots for her lessons, I thought I might be able to find some at Wal-Mart or Target...nope, not what she had in mind. So we go to this "boot lady" (suggested by a friend) and there they were...glowing...calling her name...and in her size. Take a look...


I mean, who wouldn't want to ride a horse in those?? I just hope that the horse didn't draw his own judgement of his rider after he saw them. Actually, I think that her horse, Doctor Yankee, loved the little lady that took him out for a spin this morning. If he could talk I think that the conversation would go something like this...

DY: Hello little lady, I sure do like your boots...

C: Thanks, you know that pink and brown are really in so I thought that it was important that we coordinated our outfits.

Thought this picture was a classic...

Those boots sure do show up well.

She was a pro after just one lesson. I am glad that she wants to go back because I am not sure how many of her Fall clothes would go with those boots. However, I think that after paying for lessons for a year, it would be cheaper to just buy a horse...Yikes!

Going to the big "K" and I don't mean K-mart!

Here she is as a baby...

...almost two...

...going to preschool...

... first day of K4...

...and last years school picture

Wow! Where have the last five and half years gone? I cannot help but think about what we have done/not done to prepare her for the next 13. Have we taught her this, have we taught her that? What I do know is that we are sending one excited little girl off to Kindergarten tomorrow.

I thought it only fitting, that I would write a little bit about my thoughts for her as she embarks on this next phase of her life. SO... HERE YA GO!

You are well equipped to start this journey. I was a lucky mom because I got to choose to stay home with you for the last five years. It is I who has received the blessing from being your mom and watching you grow into the amazing daughter I know. I got to see you write your name for the first time with side walk chalk, clean up the glitter and glue, read your favorite books, and to see you splash in the puddles in your rain boots.

Today marks a new day in your life. From this day forward, an education outside of our home will be part of your life. You will learn things that your dad and I can’t teach you, things that you have to learn by living and experiencing and meeting new people, but this we are sure of, you will do it with all the love and laughter that we are accustomed to seeing from you. You truly shine in so many ways.

We take our role as your most important teachers very seriously. While your school teachers will be there to help you gain knowledge, we will be there to provide you with understanding and support when you have questions. Whether you can believe it or not, we don’t know everything. Neither do your teachers. And neither will you. The beauty of this is that it leaves an opening for you to ask questions. I love that you want to know what the world is like. I want you never to lose that. Always ask questions. Always know that not knowing the answer is okay. And always know that just because someone gives you an answer doesn’t mean it’s right.

The most important answers will come to you as you grow in your knowledge of Christ. He is your ultimate teacher in life and your guidance counselor when you need direction. When it is tough to stand on your own, remember that God is always for you, never against you. He will teach you to have empathy towards others when you don't understand them. Find out who people are and what drives them, then love them.

God will always give you the strength to face any situation. Be willing to be different. Be tolerant of those that are different from you. Embrace change and be open to learning what the world and the people in it offer to teach you. You will stumble. Your father and I will do what we can to be there to help you stand back up again, and to lift your chin to Christ as he leads you in a new direction. We will hug you when you’re down and we will celebrate with you when you reach your goals and dreams.

We have tried to teach you from early on that there is nothing more powerful for you than a desire to learn but also a desire to think for yourself. If you don’t agree with an answer, that’s okay. Stand up and speak your mind about what you think is wrong. Do something if you see something that doesn’t make sense. Act on all of those “why”s and bring about change in the things you don’t like, but do it without sacrificing the grace and character that is so unique to you.

Tomorrow, when I walk you into class, and you are ready to let go before I am, I will stop and pray for you. As you unpack your washable markers and your safety scissors, I will pray that you to would someday have the blessing of sending the one you love off to Kindergarten. As your child turns to engage in a conversation with a new friend, you will smile, and then feel something warm running down your cheek...then you'll know.

I love you to pieces!

Mom

I am still here!

After a much needed, refreshing summer break from blogging, I am back! However, most of my posts will be over on my family blog this week (click on it on the side bar) because I am going to do a week long post of our summer in review. Hope you enjoy it...we sure did!

Mom’s The Word…

 

I cannot begin to express how blessed I feel to me called “Mom” by two wonderful children. 

They brighten my days with their laughter, their smiles, and their questions that leave me speechless.  I am still in awe that God, in all His glory, entrusted me with these two precious human beings.  I am honored to be able to teach them in His ways each and every day. 

For me, MOM is more than a three letter word, it is my job title.  I take it very seriously.  However, wanted to share a few “not so serious” photos of things that I have learned from my children.

1.  Life should be a lot more “fancy” sometimes.

2.  It is OKAY to really enjoy a bowl of ice cream.

3.  We all need someone to hold our hand now and then and to offer a little encouragement. 4.  Sometimes, we are not the only ones pulled in a million different directions. 

5.  Often, we don’t really enjoy the beauty of something, until we dive right in (clothes and all). 

6.  Everything is so much easier if we all lend a helping hand.

7.  When trying to take a picture at night, make sure the strobe flash is not on.

8.  They are proud of you no matter what place you come in (as long as they can wear your medal). 

   9.  Napkins, plates, and hand sanitizer are over-rated. 

10.  Good friends are important and should be treasured.

  11.  Your family loves unconditionally. 

12.  That LOVE is all around us.  Take time to show it, embrace it, and to let others give it back.  This might even be in the form of a peanut butter kiss on freshly ironed clothes. 

So today, I sit and sigh as I look at the laundry, the mud on steps, the toys scattered about, the half-eaten Pop Tart on the table and just let my heart smile.  I AM A BLESSED MOMMA!

Run Forest Run!

Well...actually his name is Brent, and he is my awesome husband who has more "umph" to him than anyone I know. This weekend he is running in his second marathon and we are so proud of him! Pray it is not too warm and that his knee will not give him fits. Really, my goal is to not hear his name paged over the loud speaker and for them to ask an immediate family member to meet him at the emergency tent.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I have never done this before, but after this week, I thought I had some good ones!

I did not buy this hat for my child's Easter Basket just because he likes to wear hats and I liked the team's colors and it matches a lot of his clothes.... NOT ME!

I most certainly did not put off shopping for an Easter dress for my daughter this year and then place a call to my sister to see if she had something that I could borrow... NOT ME! I have had my son's outfit for weeks!



I did not get my children all excited about coloring eggs only to never let them touch the dye or the eggs... NOT ME!
*I did let them use the stickers.

I did not take my children to an Easter Egg hunt to get candy, and there were so few hidden eggs that I started explaining the economy to a 3 and 5 year old...NOT ME!

a few more...

I did not take my daughter to get her haircut this week and the stylist did not find a tick in her hair and I did not scream like a little girl and make the stylist get it out... NOT ME!


I did not let my daughter eat an Easter cupcake for breakfast because I have not been to the grocery this weekend... NOT ME!


I most certainly did not tell my kids one day that I could not play in the back yard with them because the day before they had seen a snake... NOT ME!

I did not let my kids fall asleep with the T.V. on last night because I was tired of reading books... NOT ME!


LASTLY... While getting my daughter ready for school this morning, I did not try to convince her that she doesn't need to go to Kindergarten next year, and that she should stay home with mommy. She did not respond by saying, "I love you mom, but that is the craziest thing I have ever heard!" Nope... NOT ME!