Grayson is "9"

Our baby girl turned the big "9" on August 10th.  Unfortunately, the day was a regular school day for her.  We did however find some time to squeeze in a few special things in all along the day to let her know how much we love her.  We started off her morning with the traditional birthday pancakes with candles to blow out and she even managed a smile at 6:00am in the morning.  After that, I was excited to go and eat lunch with her and her friends.  It's fun for them to get to eat with someone at the round tables and invite their special friends.  I have to add a sweet story here....I stopped by the bakery and picked out 4 large decorated cookies (one for each of us, I thought she could only choose two special friends to sit at the table with her) well....Grayson chose four little girls to sit at her table with her so I was panicked because I knew I was one cookie short.  I leaned over to Grayson quietly and said "we are one cookie short cause I didn't know four girls could sit with us"  She very politely replied "that's ok mom, I will just wait until after school..my friends can have the cookies"  my heart melted.  I told her how sweet that was and I would get her one after school.  So, she handed out the cookies and after about a minute, one of the little girls broke her cookie in half and handed back to Grayson and said "Here Grayson...lets share cause I can't eat all of mine..it's too big"  I realized at that moment what sweet, sweet friends Grayson has and how blessed we are to be surrounded by wonderful families for our children to grow up with.

Ok back to birth Day activities...after school, we had dinner and Grayson opened presents from family.  We are still planning to have a birthday party for her friends, but haven't set a date just yet.  We are so thankful for our wonderful, talented, smart and beautiful little girl.  She is definitely a gift from above.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAYSON!!! and sorry for the delayed post.

I'm not really even sure where to start.  I have so many pictures I want to add and so many things I want to say, but at this very moment we are all going 90 to nothing and I am sad to say...the blog has been put on the back burner.  In fact, our family is going to stay busy for awhile in a good kinda way (I hope).  In my last post I mentioned going back to work, well....I have jumped in with both feet! I have taken a leap of faith and opened Quality Office Solutions, Inc.  I wanted something to make spending money, but also be in charge of my own schedule cause I have family as well as volunteer commitments I want to uphold. The business is also so much more, I hope I am creating a family business where Tyler and Kanon have built in summer jobs and I am contributing to our family as well as our local community.  Enough about me and my plans.  The kids are back at school and doing great.  We have settled into our morning routine and evenings full of cross country practice, youth at church, dinner and homework.  My mom is able to be left alone during the day and I am getting back into my old work routine.  I must add...I am LOVING it!  I have prayed and prayed and will continue to pray that this IS what I am supposed to be doing with my life or as Don puts it "this is what I want to do when I grow up".    I think the sweetest moment by far is the other day when the oldest says to me, "Mom..I am proud of you".  My heart melted.  For my 16 year old to take notice, at the work that I am putting into the opening of our new family business, is HUGE!  As a mom, we are always proud of our children and we don't really think about them being proud of us.  Ok...Ok...I already said enough about me!

Since school has started our everyday routine of going to the pool has ended.  Next summer will be here before we know it and we will be enjoying the lazy summer days of no schedule once again (except me though..I will be working. Oops, maybe I should have given that detail a little more thought).  :)

Here is one last glimpse of summer fun.........

Back to School 2011

I can't believe school has already started back, in fact it's been in session 3 whole days.  I'm just a little late posting the fabulous traditional first day of school picture (which the kids cannot stand to take).  Taking a picture on the first day of school is the one thing I have always done.  I love looking back and seeing how they have grown and changed from one year to the next.

Tyler is a junior this year, Kanon is a freshman, Parker is a fifth grader and Grayson is in fourth.  Wow!  two in high school and Tyler driving.  I can't believe I have only one school to drop off and pick up at most days now.  I guess with all this new found time on my hands, I'm back to work.

I hope you guys have a great year.  I am very excited about your teachers and I pray that God watches over you and protects you throughout each day.  With Tyler driving this year, I have had to release some Momma control and that has been so scary. I must add it has been a little funny though to hear Tyler screaming at his brother to hurry up before they were late (welcome to my world, Tyler). :)

We love you!!!!