kindergarten

My baby started kindergarten.

Even though it's been 4 weeks now, it still hurts my heart a little when I think about it. He was so excited his first day, and I did a really great job of pretending to be! But driving away from school that morning, it really hit me - KINDERGARTEN! How are we here already? Time is going way too fast, and my heart just isn't quite keeping up with it!

His going into kindergarten this year was a really big decision for us. There were many meetings, much discussion, and a whole lot of prayer to get us all here. He has done really well so far. There have been a few rough moments, but overall he has transitioned incredibly well. This guy is continually surprising and amazing us in so many ways. We are so proud of him and are looking forward to what this year has in store for him.

| printable sign here |

| printable questionnaire here |

we went to the zoo

We finally made it back to the zoo a couple of weeks ago. We went in the spring with Caleb's school, but it ended up being a short trip on a rainy day, so we had been meaning to go again all summer. It was a mostly fun visit, and the weather was wonderful that day - not nearly as hot and humid as it normally is this time of year.

We took a picnic lunch, which the kids just loved. They are really into picnics right now - whether we're at the park or on a blanket in the family room, they think they are so much fun! We also took them to the huge playground/jungle gym.  They had a blast in there!  And then they got to go on a carousel ride with their daddy. They smiled at me and posed for pictures every time they came around. Such cuteness.

Caleb was really into studying the map. He loved finding things on there that he wanted to do and figuring out where we were and which way we needed to go.  He became our personal GPS.

And then the trip went downhill.  This is when we found out that the train was not running that day.  The train that we had already told our slightly-train-obsessed-little-boy that he was going to get to ride on.  The train that he had already located on his map and decided on which way we needed to go to get there.  

Cue meltdown.....

After a little chat with daddy, and a lot of bribery, we were up and running again.  Although, little man never really recovered and was pretty grumpy the rest of the time.  So, what is the moral of the story?  Always call the zoo ahead of time and make sure that the train is working.    Because seriously - who goes to the zoo to see animals?  Everyone knows that the train ride is the most important part!

THE END

nine years

We are celebrating nine years of marriage today.

How . is . that . possible ?

Looking back through our pictures, I really do feel like it wasn't so very long ago...and yet, a lifetime ago. We have done a lot of living since then, and somewhere along the way, we found our stride.  We've figured out our give-and-take, our ebb-and-flow, and we've settled into what marriage is for us. And I gotta say, I kind of love it.

We have faced more trials and heartache than my 23-year-old self ever could have imagined.  But we have also been blessed beyond measure, and life has been more full and more beautiful than I ever dreamed.  I don't know what lies ahead for us, but I do know who will be by my side for the ride.  

I love you, Robert Lee.  You have my whole heart for my whole life.

summer swimming

Does anything scream summer time more than being at the pool?  I have such wonderful memories of being at the pool when I was a kid.  We lived in the greatest subdivision growing up with a really big pool, and we would just hang out there all summer long with our friends.  I am determined to give our kiddos some wonderful pool-time memories as well!

We are off to a good start because Caleb has turned into a little fish!  He has been taking lessons this year at the Y, and asks to go there pretty much daily.  He has learned a lot and is so comfortable in the water now - he just jumps in now with no fear at all, which is a huge step since last year!

Makayla is still pretty nervous and hesitant.  You can tell she wants to just relax and have fun, but she also has to make sure that you are right there and that she can still reach you if she needs to.  She tells me "No, I don't need you!"  with one breath, and then "Mommy, I need help!" with the next!

It's funny how their personalities in the water are really what they are like in everything.  Caleb is my little daredevil - always jumping and flipping and running like he could never get hurt!  He totally gets this from his daddy!  And Makayla is always more cautious and careful about things, which she most definitely gets from me.  I can just imagine my two guys on the roller coaster one day while my girl and I watch from the ground and wave as they go by!

cookies and memories

Today the kids and I got in the kitchen and made some memories.  And cookies.  And we had a lot of fun.  

Our cookies came from a box, the kitchen was a complete mess, there are no Photoshopped-Pinterest-worthy photographs, and Martha Stewart would have been appalled at our finished product.  And the truth is that not so very long ago, that would have bothered me.  If you know me well, then you know that I can be somewhat of a perfectionist about things.....sometimes to a fault.  I can build things up in my mind and make all sorts of plans and give myself absurd expectations - and of course nothing ever goes "perfectly" and my vision comes crashing down around my silly little head.  Because the thing about life is that things rarely go according to plan.  Even the most wonderful and amazing moments usually have a hiccough in there somewhere.

After a few crafting-fails and cooking-session-bombs, I finally figured out that I was the problem.  I was wanting my kids to color in the lines, or pour the milk without spilling, or perfectly crack the egg when their precious little hands are still learning how to do those things.  And what they need is a mama who will help them learn with all the patience and love and grace that they deserve.  So I'm reminding myself every day to stop with the ridiculousness and to let life happen.  

Our messy, sloppy, beautiful, wonderful memories are worth it.

God continues to teach me lessons with patience and love and grace.

These children continue to teach me lessons as well. Being their mama is a blessing that I am daily humbled by.