I just love these “pouty” pictures of Jesse that I took while he was in time out.
Two Plus Two: Why Do I Feel Outnumbered?
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
I am thankful for my aunts…
I was blessed to grow up with a large extended family full of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. My Grandma and Pa lived just a hop, skip, and a jump away and I am so thankful that I got to spend my childhood taking those trips through the field to their house. And while I was an only child, I did have cousins. There were six of us born within 4 years and while we lived in three different cities we were still able to spend much of our young childhoods playing together. I have many fond memories of playing made up games like “Murder in the Dark”, “Ribbons”, and “Caveman” , swinging in the swings & even having them fall on us a time or two, climbing trees, trying to dig to China in the middle of the dirt road, daring each other to walk around Grandma & Pa’s house in the dark, swimming in the lake at Aunt Dot’s, and riding bicycles and tightrope walking on the wall at Aunt Esther’s. And then there are the Aunts. My wonderful Aunts who each remind me of my Grandma in some way, who are always willing to open up their homes, and who love to “Grandmother” and spoil all of the grands who are now running in and out of the house slamming doors.
Last July, Aunt Dot and Uncle Kirby hosted a big family Fourth of July celebration. I wanted to come up early and have the boys photos taken by a former colleague turned stay at home and photographer. Aunt Dot and Uncle Kirby graciously allowed us to invade their home for three nights. And where did my boys sleep? In the guest room. In a tent. The first night we were there they discovered this tent outside. They wanted to sleep in it. BUT. NOT. OUTSIDE. I said no. But Aunt Dot, being the Grandmother that she is, said no problem. So the tent came inside and my boys had the best time “camping” at Aunt Dot’s!
The next day was Aunt Dot’s birthday, but I won’t tell you how young she is.
After cake, it was time to take a ride on the boat. The boys had been begging for a boat ride since we arrived and they could hardly contain their excitement!
After the boat ride it was time for more playing outside. Aunt Dot’s house has so much to do!
And of course no summer day is complete unless you get wet!
Sleeping in a tent, photos on the railroad tracks, Chick-Fil-A, Target, birthday cake, boat rides, gettin’ wet…as you can tell, my boys had a blast visiting Aunt Dot and Uncle Kirby! And for that, I am thankful!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
I am thankful for these little ones & the big ones too...
Last Sunday, November 7, 2010 was Homecoming at Pine Level FWB Church. To celebrate this special day, we had a song service at 10:00a.m. featuring several of our talented singers, our adult choir, and all of our children's choirs. Our children never cease to amaze me. Not only do we have some talented youth in our midst, but their love for our Lord always comes shining through as they sing their praises unto Him!
Our Joyful Noiz Choir consists of our youngest children. Each week Mrs. Jessica, along with several others who always pitch in to help, lead these little ones in song and praise. I have been blessed to sit in during their weekly song fests and I know that we have some awesome singers coming up. However, getting in front of an audience always makes them nervous and they don't belt out their songs on stage the way they do on Wednesday night. Homecoming Sunday they all stayed on stage the WHOLE time and that is a big step for them. A few of them even danced. And it was such a blessing to watch them. I am very thankful for Mrs. Jessica and the time she gives and dedication that she has to these little ones. And I am thankful for each one of these little ones, and for their love for our Lord.
Jesus Loves Me
This Little Light of Mine
God's Musicians is comprised of our medium sized kiddos. They are led each Wednesday night by Mrs. Lora and I am so thankful that our youth have her. I am always blessed to hear our littlest ones sing. Their joy and exuberance bring a smile to my face every time. But I am MOVED when God's Musicians take the stage. They are accompanied by music but they do NOT have voice accompaniment. These strong, clear voices of praise are all our kiddos. When they sing you can feel the Holy Spirit moving in our midst. It is powerful stuff. And it brings tears to my eyes.
How Great is Our God
Shout to the Lord
I simply can not do a post about how thankful I am for all these kids and the people from Pine Level who dedicate their time to working with them and not mention Mrs. Kay. It would take pages to list all the things that Mrs. Kay does for our kids at church. She and Mr. Pete are simply amazing and we are all very blessed to have them!
Friday, November 12, 2010
I am thankful for ACA’s third grade class & the bonds that they are forging…
In August 2006 I had to do a very hard thing. In fact it was one of the hardest things that I have ever had to do. I had to let my baby grow up just a little bit and go off to school! I managed to let him stay 4 whole hours and went to pick him up. And. He wasn’t ready to come home!!! Oh, how that broke my heart. And made it swell it up with pride, love, and adoration all at the same time. And that is how Trey began his school career at ACA. ACA is a small school. So small that there are only 12 students in Trey’s class this year. And while there are some new faces that have come over the years & there are some friends that have left, most of these kiddos have been together since that day in 2006 and that makes for the forging of some close bonds. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these young people & the ties that will continue to bind them together.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
I am thankful for field trips…
I love going on field trips with my boys!!! I adore getting to spend that one on one time with them. It is such a special time and I am thankful that they both still want Mama to go with them. I know that the day is coming when it will be oh so embarrassing to have Mommy go anywhere with them. But for now they still love it and so do I! And this past week I was blessed to get to go on field trips with each of them.
On Tuesday I went to Poppell’s Pumpkin Patch with Jesse and his classmates. I was extra blessed this day because we didn’t leave until after 9:00 so my sweet hubby got up and took the boys to school and I got to sleep late and get ready in the peace and quiet!
Poppell’s is a working farm and has lots of animals for the kids to enjoy! They’ve got our old favorites and have even added a few since last year. One of our faves are the huge catfish that love their food so much that they will come right up on the bank to get it!
Another favorite…riding the cow train!
Racing the ducks down the waterways! I just loved watching Jesse while he worked the water pump…tongue stuck out, a look of intense concentration, pumping his arm as fast as he could…so cute!
A new addition and a new favorite!
Whether he’s ridin’ the bull & ropin’ the bull he’s enjoying every minute and giving it his full concentration…complete with his tongue stuck out!
Poppell’s added this huge bounce thing last year and it is the FAVORITE thing of all the kids! They love it! And I must admit, I think it’s pretty cool too!
And once we got home, Jesse very quickly went to dreamland.
Friday was my field trip day with Trey. On this trip we left at 7:00 am and headed to Jacksonville to see the play, Let Freedom Ring, a musical celebration of our country’s birth and history. It was a very early morning and I pulled double duty on this trip as both teacher and Mama but Trey chose to sit with me during the play and it was wonderful to watch it with him. History is his favorite subject and this play was right up his alley. And any time spent with my big boy is always special. Unfortunately, plays don’t provide a lot of photo opportunities but I did manage to snag a couple pics of my handsome big boy.
So there you have it. This busy Mama is very thankful that last week I got to spend some one on one time with both my boys doing something that was extra special with each of them.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
I am thankful for trunk or treating…
Yes, I am thankful for trunk or treating because it gives us the opportunity to gather with family and friends and enjoy Halloween in a safe, fun-filled environment!
Anakin, Obi Wan Kenobi, and Yoda
Our Star Wars Knights
Our youth
Pretty girls
Handsome Hinson
Trick or Treat Daddy!
Halloween candy is sweet as can be, just like God’s everlasting love for me!
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth. Psalms 119:103
Monday, November 8, 2010
I am thankful for my boys…all three of them!
Three of my biggest blessings are my three boys! December 19, 1998, February 6, 2002, and April 14, 2006 are the three days that my life was forever changed and I am most thankful that God placed these three in my life!
Halloween night we all gathered at our church for trunk or treating and my boys were all decked out in their Star Wars gear!
My favorite Anakin ever, Trey!
And (one of) the cutest little Obi Wan Kenobi’s you’ll ever meet!
Trey would NOT just stand there and let me take a picture. He HAD to do a Star Wars pose! Just one of the many reasons that I love him.
Jesse was much better about taking pictures this year. My baby boy is growing up so fast!
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