When He Grows Up...

Chase drew this picture in church last week.  It's him on the stage in our sanctuary...preaching!  I really would not be surprised if God called him to follow in his daddy's footsteps!

A Letter to Thomas (not originally published)

My sweet Thomas,

I love you with all of my heart. Today is a day I have been dreading for a long time, and unfortunately there will be more like it. Today, I had to let you go to kindergarten. I am sure you will never understand how difficult this has been for me as your mother.

For six years, I have eaten breakfast, lunch, and dinner with you. I have put you down for naps and quiet times every day. I have taught you almost everything you know at this point. And this morning, I turned you over to someone else for 7 hours. I just can't imagine being without you the majority of the day. I am jealous that your teacher gets to spend so much time with you, and I am praying fervently that she will treat you with the love and respect you deserve.

You have such a sweet spirit. I have prayed for years that you would have teachers who understand the way God has uniquely made you - that they will be drawn to your sweet spirit, and that they will be able to lead you in the direction you need to go even when it is difficult.

You are so smart. I am amazed at all the things you know and remember. It has been so much fun to teach you, and I will continue to do so.

Last night as we were eating dinner, I realized we hadn't discussed prayers at school. In your preschool last year, you said a prayer before eating, but all of the sudden I realized that you would be expecting that and it isn't going to happen.  Of course, that made me sad, too. When I explained that the teacher can't pray with you, you didn't understand, but I told you to say your own prayer if you'd like!

I can't wait for you to get home on the bus to hear how your day went and what you thought. We will be eagerly waiting your arrival at the bus stop!

Thomas, I am in love with you! You are an amazing kid. My prayer for you continues to be that your love for God and your eagerness to learn will mature as your mature physically - the older you get, the more you love God! Although, I am happy to wait for you to grow up, I am looking forward to seeing how you allow God to mold you into the man He has created you to be, and I hope that He will continue to let me be a part of it!

I love you, sweetheart!

Love,

Mommy

20 Years

It is hard to believe that Ray C. graduated 20 years ago!  We celebrated with half of the class this past weekend at the Country Club in Monticello.  It was so much fun to see old friends.

Jill, Stuart, and Ray C.    

 Kurt told the boys that he was the guy that protected their daddy on the football field!  He was an offensive lineman, and Ray C. was the quarterback.  You can be sure there were LOTS of football stories!

I was excited to see Rosalyn & Jill.  We've been friends since Ray C. & I started dating!

Here they are....looking great!!           

           

  I think we look pretty good too!    One of Ray C's oldest friends - K.C. Cooksey!    

                                                   ...and Gerrick

School clothes shopping

Well...I just dropped a load of money on school clothes today!  I got great deals, and no one got an outrageous amount of clothes.  But, shopping for 2 preteens and a fashion wanna-be son was not cheap!

I went in to Abercrombie for the first time ever!  I want to make sure my new middle school boy looks sharp, and he will!  He'll even smell good because he requested cologne! However, we couldn't find anything appropriate for girlie!   We had to shop Justice for that!

So...for now, all the clothes are on my bed with the tags still on just in case my hubby comes home and flips!?!  

New Photos

Mary Frances needed some new pictures for her next play audition.  So, we had a little photo shoot around the neighborhood.  I can't believe how much she has grown and matured!

Frontier Camp

All three kids went to Frontier Camp again this year!  They had a blast, and we had a relaxing week of date nights!  I'm so glad they have the opportunity to go to such a wonderful camp!

July 4th

We stayed in town for the 4th this year.  We spent the majority of the day at the pool - cooking out and playing.  Afterwards, we went over to mama & daddy's house for some of Papa's famous Bloody Mary's and burgers.  I am still so incredibly thankful that my family chose to move out here with us!  We love having them here, and I love that my children get to spend so much time with all of them!

 Chase loves Papa G.!

 the grill master

 Even Honey jumped off the diving board!

 and, of course, Grandaddy, was also up for the challenge

Mary Had a Little Lamb

I discovered this letter in Thomas' backpack!  It describes his personality perfectly.  It really is about "Mary Had a Little Lamb".

Beijing, China

 I traveled to Beijing for a very quick guided tour by EF Tours.  It was my free training tour since I am taking students this coming summer.  It was an amazing once-in-a-lifetime trip!  I ate with chopsticks the entire trip, and ate only Chinese food.  I didn't love it, but I survived and have many stories to tell.

I walked on the Great Wall of China!  I can't believe it!  The wall and the area around it are absolutely breathtaking!  It is unreal to stand there and think of how long ago it was built.

 I enjoyed hanging out with Jaime, my EF rep!  I was so excited she was able to go.  I was in a group of 40 teachers.  I loved Robert, our tour guide!

This is me in Tiannamen Square!  It was so much fun to visit a place that I teach about!  I cannot wait for my trip to Europe this summer!

Best Dog Ever

Beautiful Kitty

I love this picture of our Lucky kitty!  He is 8 months old now!

Halloween

This year we have a Ninja, Robin, and Steve (from Minecraft).  Also, notice the table and chairs in the back!  We are setting up for a fun party - rockin' music through the loud speakers and giving away hot dogs, chips, and water!  Neon nights!!

Dinner with Papa G.

We took Papa G. out for dinner.  He was craving some oysters tonight! The kids absolutely love hanging out with him!  I love watching how they help him get around and hold the door for him.  Even more fun is watching the other people in the restaurant enjoy the kids doing so much for him.  I am so thankful he moved to Texas to be near us.  I love that the children know him so well and love him so much!

Date Night

I love this man!

Sweet Kiddos

I needed a good picture of the three together! It's almost impossible to get one with Chase making a serious face!  Oh well!  It is where we are in life, right!?!

My Visa is Here

I am so excited about going to China next month!  My visa came in the mail today.  It takes up an entire page in my passport!

Soccer Season

Chase is trying out a new sport this year...soccer.  As with most everything he touches, he's pretty good at it!  If only he didn't act like he was so good...

When you're grounded...

What's a girl to do when she can't play with friends or electronics?  A tea party with paper plate friends, of course!

Eating the Dove

Along with the great memories of dove hunting goes the memories of eating them!  And who better to fry them up and make some biscuits and gravy to go with them than my daddy?!

Hunting with Papa G.

Chase had the wonderful opportunity to go Dove Hunting with Papa G. this season...and he killed a few!  I have many memories of bird hunting with Papa and his dogs.  I was so excited that Ray C. invited him to go hunting with them, and I know he enjoyed it.