End of a Chapter

Friday was Andrew's last day of daycare/preschool. I left work early on Friday to spend sometime with him and his friends. We took a special treat of ice cream for him to share. When I got there, Andrew was sleeping--a rare occurrence for him during the day. Usually it's not something I want to happen because he then has a hard time going to sleep at night. Abby spent the night at friend's house though and the boys and I went to a movie that didn't start until 7:50 so it worked out great on this day.



There were lots of goodbye hugs. To say that Andrew likes to be the center of attention is an understatement.

I tried to find pictures that didn't show the other children's faces.

And a final trip to the Treasure Box.

I remember saying something about it being difficult to cry when Andrew is around. I didn't think I'd be emotional about him leaving daycare/preschool, but when we left there I was in tears. And while the end of this chapter is a good thing, there are times when it's hard to watch your kids grow up.

Traumatic & Ecstatic

Last night we went to a friend's neighborhood pool. It was a beautiful Carolina evening (read no humidity). Beautiful! The kids were having a great time on the slide, and I walked over to pick up my camera. I heard some commotion and it appeared that a woman was choking. We called to the lifeguard, and I ran over to see if I could assist. I hate to admit it, but even though I am CPR/First Aid certified, my mind was having a hard time recalling what to do. As it turned out, she was not choking and was breathing. We think she may have been having some type of seizure. While her husband and others tended to her and were on the phone with 911, I tried to keep her children calm and occupied and sent another child to a neighbor's so someone could look after them when their parent's went to the hospital. What a scary thing for them to witness. I'm praying that she is well today. I woke up several times during the night thinking of her and her family. I believe it was traumatic for all who were there.

On the flip side of that, Andrew started swimming last night and we were ECSTATIC! The little bugger just took off! He would come flying down the slide, go under, pop right back up and swim over to the edge of the pool to do it all over again. How exciting!

This is my favorite image from the night. I love it!

And For the Wordless Part of My Wednesday

Skull Cap

What do you think of this little accessory? Goes right along with being shirtless and working out. I'm thinking that the Gatorade mustache makes him look a little less tough.



He actually received this right before his surgery to fix his broken arm. One of the volunteers at the hospital makes these for the kids to help calm their fears. The kids like to "match" the surgeons.

Andrew Works Out

My kids have a new infatuation. He lives down the street. And when I say it's okay for them to visit, they practically knock me over trying to get out the door. Their bikes sit in his driveway.



Andrew is particularly smitten. He no longer wants to wear a shirt and he's learning how to lift weights in the neighbor's garage. Last night when I called them home, he showed me the muscles he had been working.





Then he demonstrated his new technique for doing sit ups.







I have no more words.

Pondering

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about how tough life can be. The current economic situation, relationships, single parenting. One thing I keep coming back to is this. No matter how tough the situations, God is Good. All the time. And all the time, God is right on time. He's never late. His timing is seldom my timing (because for those of you who know me well, you know that I'm not a very patient person), but He is never late. There are so many times that I would have liked for Him to arrive more quickly. But in hindsight, I know that I would not have learned the things God wanted me to learn if things had happened in my timing.

It's so amazing how even in the darkest storms, God reveals His beauty to us every day.

From the simplest weeds



To the more delicate blossoms



To the prickly thorns



God is always good. God is always on time.
Sometimes, we just have to be still and KNOW that He is God.

A Post That Has Nothing To Do With The Kids

Keith Urban and Sugarland were in town last night. Sugarland and Keith Urban IN THE SAME PLACE AT THE SAME TIME!!! Can I get a Woot! Woot! (Cassie, that was just for you--love ya!)

These images have quite a bit of noise, but hey, it was dark in there and I was using the point and shoot.

It was seriously HOT in the arena last night. I think Cassie said it was a zillion degrees in there.

Just me being goofy!

And Cassie just sent me this one of the two of us with Keith.

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend in Pictures

I haven't been taking many pictures lately, but here are some of my favorites from the last several days.

This is Andrew with Ian. Ian is my cousin's husband, and he's an amazing Christian man and a wonderful influence for my kids~especially the boys. He has even taken time away from his family to take my boys to the Raptor Center and then back to his house to dismantle a clock (or something like that) AND he let the boys bring the pieces home. I think they're still in Andrew's closet somewhere. Remember this?

I love Andrew's farmer's tan in this picture.

Andrew on the patio while we were making ice cream. More often than not he has this "up to something" look on his face.



This is Adam on the patio while we were making ice cream. I still think he has the most amazing blue eyes.



In the last several weeks, the boys have formed some sort of alliance. More and more they are enjoying spending time together. Don't get me wrong, they still have their fair share of squabbles, but it's been much improved~as you can see here.



The kids also spent some time jumping rope. I love the expression on Andrew's face here. He takes all things sports-related pretty seriously.



Andrew and my dad played some one-on-one this weekend, and Andrew talked some serious trash to my dad~evidenced by the look on his face in these pictures.





This is Kristi and Ian's son, Caleb. He slept through Abby's birthday party and had cake when he woke up. I believe he enjoyed it!



And a coneflower from my yard.



Abby is continuing her aversion to the camera. Everytime it points in her direction, I get something like this.



So there you have it, some of my favorite pictures from the weekend.

6 Years and 365 Days

On Saturday we used this



and this



to make ice cream to go with this



and Abby had fun doing this





and she and Kylie had fun licking icing



but most of the weekend was spent making this go around and around



and this weekend was HOT, which explains the hair stuck to Abby's forehead in the above pictures.

oh, and there was also plenty of lovin' from Grandma



Happy Birthday Abigail! We Love You!

19

She said she would do it when she was 19.



Instead, she did it when she was 6 years and 364 days.

A Little Wobbly At First

Yep, today she agreed to take the training wheels off her bike. We were all so proud of her, and more importantly she was proud of herself. She started out on her brother's bike ~ the brother who took his training wheels off when he was four.



The boys really encouraged Abby, and Andrew was very patient while she practiced on his bike and decided whether or not she wanted the training wheels taken off of her bike. It didn't take her long to get the hang of it and she rode her bike on and off all day today.

Just Because I Like Her Curly Pony Tail

After conquering the bike, she said all she needs is a two wheel scooter (she currently has a three wheel scooter).

Stay tuned for an update on her birthday celebration.