Happy Birthday Parker!!!!

Birthday Pancakes

We love you soooo much.  Parkers birthday was June 3rd and of course he had a baseball game on the same day so his party will have to wait. But, we couldn't let the day go by unnoticed.  I loved taking a big cookie cake for Parker to share with his teammates after his game and we gave him our presents and loved on him all day.  Even though the party will come later it was still a very special day.

Where Have We Been......?

Wow, I can't believe the whole month of May has past without a single post from me.  I guess it was just that time of year when you take one day at a time with our busy schedules.  I know with all the class parties, ball games, awards days, field days, finals for older kids, etc. I was definitely living in crisis mode.  But, we made it through and I wouldn't trade a thing, except for maybe having enough money to hire someone to do ALL the cooking and cleaning.  My 4 little blessings have officially all moved on to the next grade and are not so little anymore.  It's summer and time to catch up on all those things we miss doing throughout the busy school year.  No homework and a more relaxed routine.....now that's what I really enjoy.

Lots of fun things always happening.  Above.... Kanon at baseball and his first spring football game. Parker and Grayson walking into Kanon's game after finishing Parkers game. Grayson at field day, gymnastics and in her classroom with her book she wrote. Every year in second grade at CPS, each of my children have published their very own book.  I know we are going to enjoy looking back at these when the children are all grown up.

Tylers finished Honors Biology Project. He made a 98 and I am so proud. Yeah!!!

Better Late than Never

I'm a little late providing updates and so many fun and wonderful things have happened I'm not sure where to even start.  So, I will include some pictures from this past Sunday with some quick captions.  Springtime is by far the busiest time of year for us.  Parker is playing little league baseball, Tyler is running high school track, Kanon is playing junior league baseball and Grayson is in gymnastics and that doesn't even include mine and Don's responsibilities.  Don, as athletic director for his school, is usually busy with spring sporting events while I have just been invited to join Cartersville Service League. CSL is proving to be lots of fun, but also adds to my schedule.  My consulting business is really busy now, which is a GOOD thing.  I just don't seem to have enough hours in the day to accomplish everything that I want to get done.  But, I must say we are blessed.  I just pray that both Don I can manage all the day to day tasks and responsibilities without losing our focus and without taking for granted the things that matter most..... God and our Family. I long to just be able to slow down and truly take everything in around me because I know it will all be over so fast. I can't believe Tyler is almost finished with his Freshman year of high school.  It seems like he just started and now he only has 3 more years before college. I want to really enjoy every moment. I don't want to wake up and say to myself, where did all the time go?  Even though... I hear I will probably do that anyway. I just want to make a conscious effort to enjoy my beautiful children.  I also really want to be a positive role model for them and truly be there for them when they need something.  My heart's been a little heavy lately as I have had to face some realizations from my own past.  I want to be there for my children while their young and I want to be there for them when they are grown and are building their own families. So even though life is moving at breakneck speeds, I plan to hang on and do my best to savor every moment. Below are some pictures from our neices Madison and Lauren's birthday party.  It was a cute Zebra and Minnie Mouse theme.

Parker enjoyed jumping in the bounce house and even Kanon (in blue) jumped with the little ones.

Grayson loved having her picture made with Minnie Mouse, the boys not so much.....

Spring has Sprung!

I love it when Springtime arrives.  I love Easter and I love it when the children can run and play outside.  I love it when we break out the shorts and my husband gets to cook on the grill outside.  He is an amazing cook and loves to grill.  I hate to cook so warm weather makes us both very happy in this department. It seems as if time just slows down a little when we get to enjoy time outside as a family and with 4 kids my sanity needs the outside sometimes.Ha!  Easter Service at Church was wonderful and the entire day was beautiful.  We are blessed beyond our imaginations. This week is spring break and I hope to get caught up on a few things and I hope to relax and have fun with my family.

                                            Before Church

She loves her big brother....It's so sweet.

Parker and Grayson Coloring Easter Eggs

Grayson looks at her chocolate bunny from her basket

Kanon is always on the move and the older they get, they hate to get their picture made

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy birthday to the most wonderful husband and father.  Don's birthday was last Saturday and even though he never wants a big party, I couldn't let the day go by unnoticed.  Grayson and I had a great time decorating the table for a birthday breakfast for him and then later that evening we enjoyed a great dinner out with friends at a local mexican restaurant.  I think he enjoyed a little fuss being made over him.  We are so blessed to have amazing friends that can always make you laugh.  This post is for you Don to let you know how much we love you.  You are an amazing person and we think you ROCK!

I usually like to include a picture with each of my posts, but there isn"t one today.  Today's writing is purely for me.  Hopefully just saying a few things will relieve some of the stress that I am feeling.  As I write this, my mom is at the hospital being prepped for a biopsy.  I know I should be there with her....I'm going, I just needed a few minutes to myself first.  My day started this morning about 5:30am getting up and taking her to the hospital so she could be there on time for her procedure, then coming back home and getting children ready for school and to school on time. Grayson has a field trip today and is really upset with me that I can't be there and I am feeling sooooo guilty about it, but just can't be everywhere I need to be sometimes.  Parker has a baseball scrimmage game today, Tyler is at school but still not feeling well and Kanon has Football Conditioning today.  Oh and did I mention....I need to be working for one of my contracts with my consulting business. You see, I am the only family my mom has close by to care for her and ever since her stroke a few years ago, she needs me to drive her places, give her insulin shots to her, grocery shop for her, etc... and sometimes (like today) it becomes a little overwhelming.  I am praying that the results from her biopsy will be ok and nothing serious.  I'm feeling a little out of control with everything right now, but I know it will pass. I just need to BREATHE.  I know God has a plan and this is just all part of it so I am going to trust him and just do the best I can.  I may need to take an extra dose of my blood pressure medicine though.

Savor the Sweet Moments in the Midst of Chaos.....

Ok, I'm finally getting around to providing an update.  Last week was crazy busy! Some weeks it seems like its a test to see just how many things/activities we can cram in a week.  Thanks to the rain last week canceling a few baseball practices and track meet, we actually made it through. Ever since I got my new sewing machine and decided to enhance my sewing skills, I never have any free time it seems.  The weeks just keep getting busier. I really want to have just  few hours to devote to my sewing. I have however finished the curtains in my keeping room and breakfast area and made Grayson a cute little outfit (don't be too critical, it's my first).

Sewing is definitely fun and relaxing, I really want to get better at it. Enough about me....I have a cute story that I can't leave here without mentioning.  Last week in the midst of our craziness there were a few moments with the kids where I couldn't help but stop and laugh.  Grayson is in second grade at the same school that all 3 of her brothers attended for second grade as well.  She has been hearing about this field trip that they all took in second grade to Turner Field where the Braves play, so as you can imagine they have told her about it and she wanted to go too.  Well, I'm not sure the school was even considering that as one of their field trips this year, but Grayson in her sweet little mind thought they would go.  She thought she would get to go just as her brothers did.  Well...Grayson came home from school the other day and proudly announced to me that they had canceled all field trips until... as she put it "get this little budget thingy worked out".  She then very proudly said, "I guess I won't get to go to TURNIP FIELD after all".  As you can imagine it was so cute and funny.  She and Kanon have a way with words sometimes that is just too cute.  I love the innocence she maintains. These are the moments that I can't get enough of.  They seem to be passing by so fast. The children are growing so fast and sometimes I find myself wanting them to be babies once again, especially the teenagers. But I know growing up is part of the process and there will be other moments to capture my heart just as these do. Blessings until next time................