life is whizing by!

Last night Ryan graduated from PRE-SCHOOL! Pre-School! I no longer have a pre-schooler. My little boy got all dressed up, mostly by himself with very little help from his momma and we left the house a pre-schooler and he came home itching to go to Kindergarten. How in the world???

I sat in the auditorium last night waiting to hear "Pomp & Circumstance" and see a line of marching little ones. My heart jumped forward about 13 years to all the emotions I will be experiencing as he graduates high School. Then the music plays and all these little humans come walking in so excited to sing to their parents and receive their diploma .... and the emotions just flooded me. I'm sitting there trying to get pictures to document this momentous occasion and I'm crying! Who turned on the waterworks? Where did that come from? I wasn't expecting them. Now, I'm prepared for them come dropping him off for kindergarten but I wasn't prepared for them last night. Oh my!

I made it back to my seat (I sat in the back to get pictures and video of him marching in) and composed myself and waited on my little ones class to sing. The Frogs were on the stage and they began their song ... my little man sang his little heart out ... he had the biggest grin and he sang out so loud and proud the entire time. Hands behind his back, standing up so tall. I was one proud momma.

I am realizing how little time I have left with my little man. I know he has 13 more years left in school but how many of those years will he willingly want to spend time with his momma and daddy? We are doing our best to make the most of this time and enjoy the moments we have while he will allow us to be his best buds.

They are only little for a moment! Don't blink!

Patience

Patience is not a virtue that many little people have ... in fact it's pretty hard for some of us big people :) Yesterday, my brother and SIL were close by so we drove over to spend the afternoon with them. All 3 of my kids LOVE the beach!

My brother is the perfect uncle and is a big kid at heart. He had Ryan out on his boogie board in no time flat. Ryan LOVED it and enjoyed riding the waves in. He was so impatient though. He couldn't wait on the big waves he wanted to ride each and every single one. He was having fun though. We just might have a surfer on our hands!

We had such a fun day. Uncle Benjamin buried both of the boys and then they buried him. Kennedy had fun running from the waves. She got knocked down once but she got right back up.

There's just something peaceful and calming about being at the beach!

She loves to sing

My children LOVE to sing ... all three of them. There are times when I will turn on the ipod upstairs while I am cleaning or getting ready. All three will congregate in my room with Microphones or maracas used as microphones and sing their hearts out. I have tried several times to get it on video but today at snack time ... well I was able to get a bit of footage. It's not great especially, since Kennedy really does sing. She will pick up every few words but she knows them and where they fit in the song. This morning as we were driving to school she even asked me to play the "knee" song. She kept saying "Momma, Knee, whoa ooooo" I knew exactly what she meant .. City on our Knees by Toby Mac! I just love it! Enjoy the video ... hopefully a better one will come later ....

The power of a spoken word

We are trying to teach Ryan how important it is to think before he speaks. How the words that come out of our mouths can never be undone. Once they are out ... they are out for good.

His mouth has gotten quite sassy and I would add that his mouth is quite "clean" lately as well. I'm just saying!

Anyway, today we were driving to school and he asked me a question. I didn't answer it the way he thought I should so the following came out of his mouth ... "That's not what I'm looking for. Let's back up and try this one again." Obviously he has heard this come out of my mouth before when he doesn't respond the way he should. However, it's not so appropriate coming back to me. I explained that sometimes mommy and daddy say things to help him remember to do the right thing, but he should not respond to us in this way.

Then this afternoon, I asked him to do something that he didn't like or want to do and he mumbled something under his breath that may or may not rhyme with doupid. Again, it was the wrong choice of words. So his mouth got a mountain fresh feeling. Afterward, we sat and talked about our word choice and how words are powerful and hurtful. That we should choose our words carefully and make sure that they lift others up and not tear them down.

I know he gets this. I know it! He just has such a sassy mouth! I hope this lesson is one that doesn't take too long to sink in! I know it took a while to get through my thick skull when I was a kid and so I pray that my son is a bit less think skulled than his momma.

Conversation with Ryan

This weekend we were driving and Ryan saw a motorcycle beside us. He began talking about "when he was a parent" he wanted to own a motorcycle. I told him that "when he was a parent" he was welcome to buy himself one. He then said he would buy two ... one for him and one for his wife. We all just smiled and talked about it for a few minutes. Then I told him that I was going to pray that God would take away his desire to have a motorcycle .... He then commented ...

"NO MOM, please don't pray that. Mom you can't pray that. Mom DO NOT pray that."

He knows that God answers prayer! :)

Wonderful Weekend

This weekend we spent some time with one of my closest friends at the beach. She is one of those friends that challenges you in every area of your life. She is someone that I look up to and respect more than she will ever know. She has taught me so much in the last 10 or so years that we have been friends. She is definitely a "balcony friend" - one of those friends that will cheer you own pushing you forward not pulling you down ... I just love her. Everyone needs a Karen in their lives. I'm blessed that she is a part of mine!

And what's better than that is that our kids love each other too. It was so fun watching our kiddo's play together on the back porch swinging, in the ocean, in the sand or walking around town. As we were driving home my boys were asking when we would see them again. They were sad to know that it would be a while as they just loved their time with them.

Karen, Chad, E & C we love you guys! Praying for you as you journey into your next chapter of your lives! Cannot wait to see what God does in and through you and how he blesses your obedience and answers some of the desires of your hearts! I won't comment on the fact that you are moving the wrong direction ... well the wrong direction for me! I know you are going where God has called you to and prepared for you and I'm excited for you ... sad for us!

Thanks for being such wonderful hosts! We had a blast! Love you guys!

Plan B?

From time to time I get the opportunity to review books. This time the book was different because it was written by a pastor whose blog I read regularly. Just a fun tidbit before reviewing the book :)

Have you ever had a plan blow up in your face? I have too many times to count. If you know me at all, you know I'm a planner. There are many times when my plans have to be changed but what do you do when life hands you a plan be situation instead of a plan a situation?

In my own life recently life has dealt me a Plan B situation. Honestly, I'm still walking through a Plan B. So as the by line of the book asks ... What do you do when God doesn't show up the way you thought he would? What do you do when your dreams are shattered? What about when you wake up and life is falling apart? What about unmet expectations?

Plan B by Pete Wilson offers some real life stories and some honest encouragement for those times when Plan A turns into Plan B. I have laughed sometimes in this book, and teared up at others. My red pen has been busy underlining many quotes that I hope to remember as I am walking through my own Plan B type situation.

So I encourage you to read this book ... You can pick it up here. You will not be disappointed I promise. Ironically enough the day this book was released, the floods hit Nashville and gave them a Plan B type situation. Pete's church is stepping it up and offering hope to those in that area. So he not only writes about it, he puts his words into action and so do those he leads! From reading his blog for the past year or so he is the real deal ... he doesn't say one thing and do another. His life reflects a life that is lived to the Glory of his Savior!

An Awesome Day!

Today my middle child turned 4! Yes, 4! I cannot believe it! It seems like just yesterday they were placing him in my arms for the first time.

He is a typical middle child. He constantly cracks me up and we just never know what may come out of his mouth. He is always (well almost always) happy.

He loves one thing more than any other and that is quality time. Jeremy and I were brain storming about what we should get him for his birthday / do for his birthday and the thing that we came back to was a day alone with just the 3 of us. So we began working on a plan to spend most of his day alone with just him. Ryan went to school and then home with one of his friends from class. Kennedy was here at the house alone ... she's good at doing things on her own ... KIDDING ... a very sweet couple came and watched her for us and she was in heaven! And voila, we only had one kid for the day!

Jeremy and I spent the day doing only what Pace wanted to do! It was perfect and you couldn't contain the smiles on this kids face. It was the perfect day for him and for us. We had the best time just loving on him and making his 4th birthday a special one. He thanked us so many times for so much throughout the day ... the one that brought tears to my eyes was when he thanked his daddy for taking a day off work to be with him! He loved his day and I loved watching him take it all in.

I love my kids and I love pouring into them in ways that matter to each of them. Today wasn't just a great day for Pace ... it was a great day for mom as well!

Thanks for making my day a special one Pace! I love you!

Happy 4th Pacer!

4 Years ago today this spirited, animated bundle of joy came into our lives. He is such a blessing and I am one blessed momma to be able to call him MY son! (oh and Jeremy is a blessed daddy to call him HIS son as well :)

Pace cracks us up countless times throughout the day. We just never know what will come spewing out of his little mouth. I love it!

Pace,

Happy 4th Birthday buddy! I love you so much! You are a huge blessing in our our lives and I am so thankful that the Lord chose me to be your momma! How blessed I am! You are such a wonderful little guy and have such a soft heart. I pray that God will use your gentle and soft spirit to do mighty things to advance his kingdom!

I cannot wait to spend this day with you. To celebrate YOU today. You are special, loved and adored here in this household and I cannot wait to shower you with love on this your special day. Right now you are upstairs sleeping. You had a hard time going to sleep last night because you were so excited about all that we have planned for you today. Your daddy and I cannot wait to spend the day with just you! We love you little buddy!

Happy birthday!
I love you to the moon and back!
Mommy

Happy Birthday Pop

Happy Birthday Pop! Hope you have a great day! The video camera is missing so I'm sorry we don't have a great video singing to you! However, you will get a phone call soon. The trio will be singing to you! :)

Hope your day is wonderful! Sorry we missed being there!