Lazy Days of Summer

School is back in session and our lazy days of summer are over.

Although it is nice to be back in a routine, I do miss our quiet mornings at home, playdates and times of not getting out of our pajamas until late morning.

Now Landon starts school at 7:45 AM, so we are all up well before 7:00.

This morning he was gone, breakfast had been made, eaten, cleaned up and Blake and I were dressed and ready for the day by 8:15...quite a contrast to what we did all summer long. 

All in all it was a GREAT summer.

We played hard

Rested hard

Grew

Laughed

Loved

Learned

Swam

Caught creepy crawlies

Shot off rockets

Explored

and just enjoyed each other as a family!

The stage we are in is challenging and rewarding at the same time (such a weird contrast at times)

I know when my kids are all teenagers and wanting to be off with their friends, I will look back and miss these times in which I am their best friend and if they could choose one person to be with during the day it would most likely be me.  Such a heartfelt love they give me on a daily basis!

Raising littles is hard...but there is so much joy, grace and love to be found amongst the challenges!

First Day of Preschool 2015

Yesterday was the first day of preschool for our loving, happy-go-lucky middle baby!

He was ALL smiles in the morning and on the way to school and then the waterworks began when he knew I was going to leave :(

He was so excited to be in the class with the same teacher that Landon had last year, but the separation anxiety and fear of the unknown is real for Blake. 

It definitely broke my heart having to leave him crying.  Big crocodile tears were rolling down his face as he begged me not to leave.  Of course those are the moments I question what the right thing is to do.  I texted the woman who is in charge of the preschool and she said that he settled down quickly and by recess had a huge smile on his face.  I had a knot in my stomach all morning at work and it didn't help that I wasn't even able to pick him up (since Wednesdays are the day I work).  

Sadly, I know that the tears will come again next week and that it will take him some time to adjust to the new class, teachers and students.  He does love it though and I have to keep reminding myself of that.  He was so excited to talk about his day and tell us all about his class. 

It's so interesting for me to see the differences between our kids.  There are some similarities in which they are both so loving and sweet.  

BUT Landon never cried in preschool and has an easier time adjusting to new environments.  He gets nervous and will hang back to observe, but can handle those situations better.  

Blake wears his emotions on his sleeve...he loves big, cries big and throws fits big :)

I wouldn't trade either of them for anything and am so thankful for the ways in which they challenge us as parents.  

We definitely have to rely on the Lord and the Holy Spirit for wisdom in how to parent each one in order to bring out their strengths based on the personalities the Lord blessed them with. 

Blake is definitely our sour patch kid! There is honestly no one sweeter or more loving then him, but when he is sour he IS sour!

What a sweet boy he is! 

I can't wait to see him grow and change and learn this year! I have a feeling we will see a lot of it!

First Day of...Kindergarten!

Our sweet, oldest son started Kindergarten just over a week ago! 

Crazy, crazy how time flies! I got emotional at times the days leading up to this big event, but no tears were really shed the day of! I think it helps that he is only half day and is home again by 11:00 :)  

I read a blog post somewhere that talked about times in which you look at your children and get a feeling so intense that it feels like you are looking at the sun. That there isn't really a word that can properly describe the emotion that wells up inside...I think that is the feeling I had getting Landon ready and watching him leave for school.

I am so beyond proud of our 5 year old.  I am proud of the little boy that he is and the little boy I am watching him become.  I love who God has made him! 

He is sweet natured, desires to please, so smart and has the ability to really process and reason through things.  Overall, he has a sensitive and soft heart.  He is teachable and will daily show us his love and affection.  

I know that he will succeed in school and strive to do his best.  But along with academic success our prayer for Landon (and all our children) is that he will be a lover of Jesus.  There will be failures, mistakes and things that could have been done better, but I pray he will understand grace is what covers it all.

 

 I pray that he knows Jesus in a personal way and understands the depths of Christ's love and grace for him.  I want him to know that he can never be separated from that love and that he can't do anything to change that love.

I'm excited (and scared) to watch him grow up and see the story God has for his life.  I'm so thankful that I have a Savior that I can trust wholeheartedly, knowing that He loves my son even more than I do. 

 

Whatever the story is God has for Landon, I know I can put my confidence in Him and I pray that Landon comes to know this and trust in God from an early age too. 

So far school has been great.  He is really enjoying it and all the first day jitters, nerves and excitement he was feeling has gone away.

We can't wait to watch our little man fly!

Daughter of Mine

A daughter is a wonderful blessing,
A treasure from above.

She's laughter, warmth and special charm,
She's thoughtfulness and love.

A daughter brings a special joy,
That comes from deep inside.

And as she grows to adulthood,
She fills your heart with pride.

With every year that passes,
She's more special than before.

Through every stage, through every age,
You love her even more.

No words can describe the warm memories,
The pride and gratitude.

That comes from having a daughter,
To love and to cherish... like you!