Oh, The Places You'll Go

When I held Macie in my arms a little over 5 1/2 years ago (well, actually while she was in my belly), I dreamed for her, wished for her, and loved her completely.  Never did I realize how fast time would go and that  KINDERGARTEN would now be the next big thing in her life. Over the summer I teared up several times thinking about the fact that school would now have her for most of the day.  I prayed and prayed and am still praying for her teacher...that she love Macie, connect with her, and make a positive difference in her life.  As a teacher and even a student growing up, I loved the first day of class...loved it.  I loved school.  As a momma, I see school in an all new light and now I see it through Macie's eyes.  Her excitement is so much fun.  I love hearing about her day and hearing her say over and over, "I have to catch the bus."  Macie has a bright future ahead of her and I am excited to watch her grow.

The Sunday before school started we tried another church and it was the perfect church for us that morning.  The preacher asked all parents with kids starting school on Monday to stand, circle around, and hold their children's hands.  He prayed that the children would be a light in the darkness and thank God for the kids.  It was the perfect prayer.  Then he said, "I am going to ask you to raise your hands in a minute and I know this may be hard for some of you (a lot of Baptist people are not used to that) but you will see why."  He told us to let go of our child's hands and lift our hands to God because God is going to be with them through the day and  HE is going to protect them and guide me."  It was exactly what I needed to hear.  This whole time I have felt like I am about to give one of my GREATEST BLESSINGS to this teacher and I was feeling so anxious because I am wanting her to not only educate but protect and love my daughter the way I do.  After that prayer I realized that God has this.  All is in his control.  So did I bawl like a baby after dropping her off...no.  Yes, I cried, lingered and had to watch from the door for a few minutes but I kept telling myself all day long, "She is Yours.  You have her in your hands."  What peace I felt.

Here are a few pictures from Meet the Teacher...

Macie and her sweet friend, Anderson

The night before school we read The Night Before Kindergarten.  At the end of the book, it is the parents that cry and the kids have to give them a hug.  Macie kept asking me if I was going to cry and would laugh. "It's going to be the best day of my life!"

"Kindergarten" pancakes for this special day!  Macie was dressed and her bed made by 7:30  and kept asking when it was time to leave.

"When I grow up, I want to be a kid doctor, an eye doctor, a ballerina, and a rock star."  I am not sure where the rock star part comes but she said it last year too.

Macie picked out her new backpack.  She was very excited to pick and it was totally her choice.  So when we got her backpack in the mail before we left for Texas, she tried it on.  She told us as she hopped on her bicycle that she was going to school and rode off to play.  Tears rolled down my face and I saw them in Zack's eyes too.  I said, "You know how after long days you wish for bedtime....well, I wish I could take some of those wishes back."  Time is precious with my three.

Weston got a hold of a yellow marker and managed to write on Kinsley's face.

Here are two of Macie's favorite friends.

Zack and Macie held hands as we walked into the crowded halls.  I caught myself reaching out to touch her and give her reassurance(and me reassurance).  This mom right at that time looked at me and said, "My daughter tried to let go of my hand and I just have to keep hanging on."  I told her I totally got it and then again thought about God holding her in his hands.

Deep Breath....let's go in! 

Here's our beautiful, precious Kindergarten student!

When we walked in the room, Macie looked  up at Mrs. Busch, smiled and said hello.  I remember how much I admired my teachers and when I played school I would mimic what they did. Teachers are a BIG DEAL...they have a BIG job!

After making sure Macie was settled and I lingered as long as I could, we said our good-byes, kissed her, and left her as happy and a little nervous.  Then the countdown started until I could pick her up to hear about her first day.

When Macie spotted me a huge smile spread across her face.  She jumped in the car and gave me the tightest hug.  I didn't want to let go and teared up again.  We did it!  We made it through the first day!  Macie loved it, told me as much as she could remember, and was pretty tired from the big day.  She was able to eat on the special plate again her favorite meal and I found mint chocolate chip cookies for dessert. 

 Waiting on the Bus

Macie is most excited about the fact that there are no seat belts so she doesn't have to wear one.

Tuesday when the bus arrived, it was a bit chaotic so I didn't get a picture; however, this one is from Wednesday.  Weston was crying that he wanted on it and she was running to get on without a hug or kiss and I was just a little overwhelmed.  Wednesday though we got our hug in and I very much appreciated it.  Again her excitement makes me excited. I believe in her and know she is going to do great things.  AND no matter what I will love her Always Always!

8 Months Old and On the MOVE

Kinsley is now 8 1/2 months old.  She is loving life!  Kinsley is now on the move which is impressive; however, this leads to every little things she can find into her mouth.  She started off slowly but I have found her in all the rooms of the first floor. She tends to get stuck under the coffee table which reminds me of her sister. When I hold her she just leans toward the ground.  WHAT IS HAPPENING???  I really want her just to stay a little baby.  It is so fun to watch them grow and learn new things but at the same time I get just a little sad because time is flying.  My sweet little Piggly Wiggly is loving food as well.  She is known to grab any food she can.  She had a cookie the other day, stuffed a small potato in her mouth and absolutely loved the spaghetti I put on her tray. Macie and Weston want to give her little bites all the time too.   She is starting to clap more often and seems to copy me when I clap.  I swear it looked like she was dancing the other day when we had music on.  She shakes her head "no" but doesn't realize it means no.  I love how she starts bouncing to get on all four when I walk in the room so I can pick her up.  I love her sweet, slobbery kisses and her pretty blonde hair."   She still loves her thumb and I rarely try the pacifier anymore. She is improving with her naps and sleeping at night.  She did wake up randomly again around 5:30 am  and it sounded like she was hurting.  I took the opportunity to hold her and let her sleep her last hour with me.  I loved having her little body next to mine.  What a JOY she is!

Weston turns 3!

My sweet little boy is now three.  He keeps asking me over and over if he is big.  This is because his sister reminds him that he isn't older than her all the time.  Age is a big thing when you are little.  It's hard to believe that Weston is already 3.  It really does seem like yesterday I was holding him in my arms for the very first time.  So when I think about all the things I love about my sweet little guy, I just feel overwhelmingly blessed.  Weston has a very compassionate, caring heart.  He is a big helper and often helps with little things before asked.  He has a smile that lights up his whole face, makes his eyes shine, and melts my heart.  I have a feeling there are going to be lots of girls someday thinking the same thing. I love the sound of his voice, the way he talks which is still hard for some to understand, and his laugh is contagious.  I love his MUSCLES because boy is he strong.  I have to ask to see them all the time because I just laugh when he shows them off.  Anytime he says he is full at dinner and he has only taken two bites, we remind him that his muscles won't be big if he doesn't eat.  I love his muscle hugs and I love when I am changing Kinsley or sitting on the floor and out of no where I am hugged or tackled from behind.  I love at night when I go in to kiss him goodnight (when Daddy reads to him) that he stands up in bed and wraps his arms around me so I can hold him and sing his song.  I absolutely love his prayers.  Plenty have made me laugh because he often thanks God for the most random things but each prayer just means he is learning who to thank for all we have been given.  I love his passion for golf! His love of golf often leads to lots of tees in my wash along with tons of rocks (I ought to check pockets).  I love that he drops his pants when he has to go and he really doesn't give any thought to where he is.  I love that he is in the middle of my girls...because I know he is going to be protective over both of them and that works for me!  There is just something about Weston that makes him extra special and I love watching him grow!  I love that Weston is my son and I thank God for the joy he adds to our family!

On Weston birthday, we started off with cinnamon rolls and presents.  It was a rainy day so we went to the indoor Rainbow place and played on all the swing sets.  We followed that with haircuts because he and Macie were both in need of one.  Then we hit McDonalds for some "delicious" food.  After Meet the Teacher, we had cupcakes outside with all of his friends in the neighborhood.

 Weston was thrilled about all this birthday balloons.  He was excited to open his gifts too!  He carried the balloons around the whole day.

 We sang several times.  He would blow out the candles and then Macie would blow out the candles.

 Macie walked in my room around 7 and immediately said, "It's Weston's birthday."  So when he walked in she was so excited to tell him happy birthday.  It was super sweet.

 Weston couldn't resist a lick. Then he drove the golf cart into the sand trap.

I know we need to put this little potty away because he has been potty trained for a year but for some reason this is the fastest place to go when he holds it so long.

Shaving kit...a gift from Blake and Blair

He said, "I just like daddy."

Oh and now he thinks daddy goes to work at "skypapers."  

Weston got a trampoline for his birthday which is in our basement.  It's the gift that keeps on giving because all the kids will get use and fun out of it.  Zack put it together while we were in Texas and I was hoping the kids wouldn't ask to even go in the basement for as long as possible.  However, as I was unloading the car I saw the light on in the basement which surprised me because the kids don't go down by themselves.  I hollered out for Weston.  "I down here jumping."  He was thrilled.

OH HOW WE LOVE OUR FAMILY!

I can't think of a better way to end the summer than spending it with grandparents and cousins.  We left for Texas at 4AM on my first solo drive and I am praising God for great kids, safety on the drive, and did I say great kids!  WE did it!  We made it to Grammy and PaPaw's house for some fun.  We loved every minute of our time with them.  The BIGGEST thing that happened while there was Kinsley actually took her first few movements of crawling.  She had been getting on all for and scooting backwards but as soon as I set her down after arriving, she was determined and went for it.  She must have been tired of sitting in that car seat for all those hours and "needed to stretch her legs."  After leaving Grammy's house, we headed to my parents.  We enjoyed more family time.  All the cousins got some really good playing time and it had been since March since their last gathering.  It was great fun and as always goes way to fast! The girls were able to have some girls time too!  We headed back to to Missouri after an overnight stop at Sheldon and Reagan's and a little more cousin time.  It was nice to have 3 1/2 hours out of the way.  I am thankful for SUMMER and thankful for our family, their support, love, and encouragement!  This was a pretty hard good-bye because it is definitely feeling like Missouri is home and not just a vacation spot with Macie starting school.  It's a good thing we have FaceTime!  We miss everyone like crazy but I feel like the time we have together is even more special, valued and important. My kids are abundantly blessed to have the family they have and we feel the same way.

Jillian outlined all the kids.  Too bad we didn't get Jackson to lay down for the chalk drawing.  Macie added a dress and hair to hers.  She has style.

Kinsley's first wagon ride

This is a MUST every time we are in Tyler.  The kids love riding the wagon down the drive.

Water Balloon fun!

Kinsley had to watch all the action.  Put her on the ground and she will eat a rock.

The kids loved all the big bubbles blown!  They had so much fun and I think Jackson enjoyed it too!

Macie and her "OLD MAID" game!  She only likes it if she wins...just like her momma.

Pappy told Weston they were going to go to the golf range.  Weston walked around the house and said in a pouty voice, "I not go golfing."  When we asked why it was because he didn't want to go to the range but "I want to go golf course."

Just so we are clear, BIG WHEEL races are not just for the kids...Nonnie and I got in on the action too!

Little Miss Kinsley wanted in on the game playing...too made we found one of those itsy bitsy pieces in her mouth.

This is what happens when your hands are full and you fall down stone steps.  I thought we were on our way the ER for Weston's second set of stitches; however, it wasn't deep enough or wide enough.  Blood was everywhere and that just isn't the sight I want to see on my sweet little baby.

This little momma was feeding Weston and then wiping his mouth after each bite.

This is the best way to ride a big wheel and not have your dress get caught in a wheel.

Blake has the photographer blood in him...he kept telling the kids how to pose.  

7 out of the 8 having a great time.

We celebrated Weston's 3rd birthday!  

WE DID IT!  ALL 8 kids took multiple pictures and Nonnie was thrilled with the outcome.  Not a single one cried.  They were looking forward to the surprise in the bag Nonnie was holding.

We went to Fire and Rescue.  We ordered the large bowl of popcorn not even thinking that half would be eaten.  However, we were wrong.  All three kids kept handing me their cup to be filled back up.

Weston's First Movie

We were able to go to Splash Kingdom a couple of times and had a blast.  Weston was thrilled to ride the big slides.  He keeps saying he want to go back to Birmingham (July 4th) because he was able to ride down the slide at our hotel.

These kids shut the park down!  Splash Kingdom is awesome.  It isn't very crowded and it's run by Christian people.  They have Bible verses on tubs, church advertisements, and Christian music playing...an added Bonus to all the fun.

Yes, we had a girls days in AUGUST at CANTON!  How is this possible...Texas weather and Pappy and Sheldon for watching the kids.

Kinsley loved her first run at Canton and we loaded the car down with good buys.

Pappy, Sheldon, and Josh took 5 of the 8 golfing.