Welcome to Fall

Even when our schedule doesn't seem busy, looking through pictures on my phone and my calendar, we definitely move from one thing to another. I guess that is what life is all about. I constantly want to do a better job of savoring those little moments of our life. Some of the best memories and conversations happen in the day to day stuff like sitting by a fire in the backyard.  I am extremely blessed to have such a talented husband that can build anything and do just about anything we could ever want. One fall morning he decided he needed a fire pit and it now looks amazing. 

Picture is before the finished product, I will need to get pictures of the whole thing completed with gravel and chairs. 

Now in these cool fall evenings, our family has enjoyed sitting by the fire roasting marshmallows. I'm so glad God has given us a warm fire by our wonderful home to share with our children. I hope that one day it's memories like these that they remember the most. 

A heart of Gold...

Our sweet Parker is funny, sensitive, enjoys sports, and is cute as a button, but what I am most proud of is his Christian heart. At middle school he serves as chaplain for y-club and as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes officer. He loves being involved and is not afraid to stand up in front of his peers and share his faith. 

I'm so blessed to be his mom. Parker, your grandmother is definitely smiling down from Heaven as she watches you living out your life. I can't wait to see what the future holds for you. I know beyond a shadow of doubt, you will choose a profession that makes a difference in people's lives.

It's beginning to look like Halloween...

So, I love decorating for the holidays. I love it when our home feels all festive. Just a glimpse of our orange and black, pumpkins and mums. Trick or treat is just around the corner.

CHS Homecoming

This years homecoming was a little different. First of all Kanon decided to skip pictures with all his friends to stay home and watch the big GA/LSU game. I couldn't believe I wasn't going to get all those great pictures of him with his friends. That's a boy for you. He said the pictures are just for the Moms anyway. I guess I should just be thankful that he would even go to the dance after the game. He went and I think secretly had a great time. He looked so handsome in the one picture he allowed me to take.

I did get lucky and another mom sent me this sweet picture after he arrived at the dance. We love this girl and her sweet family.

Another homecoming dance in the books. 

End of Summer

Even though its the end of summer, fun doesn't have to stop.

 Don and Kanon got to have a private meet and greet and lunch with Atlanta Braves player Craig Kimbrel 

Parker and Grayson enjoy their last swim of the season.

Parker attends a party with friends.

And.... Grayson attends her first Cotillion.

No matter what the season, we are always super busy enjoying our lives. 

Losing it...maybe not forever...

As you can see from my last post, I posted twice about Grayson's birthday so maybe I really am losing my mind. My boys are always saying the girl is my favorite so I can promise you It didn't help my defense of they are all my favorites with posting about her birthday twice. I really do not have a favorite I love all my monkeys equally. Of course, I can say I love them all different because they are individuals gifted with unique personalities. I am so blessed to have each of them and I'm not quite sure I am deserving of the great blessing of being their mom. 

I always have catching up to do on the blog, but in this instance life moved faster than I could even download my pictures and get my thoughts together. Tyler left for FROG week and the University of North Georgia with a lifelong military career in mind. It was his plan all along and his only plan, but God changed that plan right slap in the middle of his first three weeks of college. My sweet boy was like I had never seen him before. His emotions were overwhelming to him and raw. He was successful during FROG week like we knew he would be and he started those college classes, but his heart was not in it. He was homesick and  very quickly decided that the corp was not where he wanted or needed to be. So... Long story short he is back home and planning to go to KSU in the spring. Friends are happy, our family is happy and most of all he is happy to be home. I do want to share pictures from his experience because they are awesome and part of his story.

Now, it's time to start a new chapter with a greater understanding of how difficult change and growing up can be. We love you Tyler and can't wait to see what the future holds for you.

Grayson Turns 11!

This year Grayson had a blast celebrating her 11th birthday with three of her closest friends. They had a great sleepover and lots of fun swimming, jumping on the trampoline, cupcake icing fights, makeovers and eating enough sweets to cause diabetic comas.  What a blessing for my daughter to be surrounded by such sweet friends. We love you Grayson and hope this next year is as wonderful as the past one.