Trip to the Lake

In July our family took a trip to visit Paula & Jim while Aunt Lauren, Will, McKenna, and Wood were down.  We had the best time!!!

First time water tubing!! What fun!

Before we get to the water fun when the kids woke up it was like “Christmas in July for the kids” by Paula.  The kids were overwhelmed (or maybe that was me) by all the beautiful clothes for the kids. Lawson is the fashion diva and she was loving all the clothes.

Wesley gave his super dooper power hugs thanking Paula!!

The babies!! Cailyn loved all the kisses

It is hard to tell in this picture but Lawson got neon lipstick and everyone is wearing a different neon color.  Ha!!

Lake time!! The sisters are ready

First the guys tried out the tube.  Oops, not in focused.

Then it was the moms and big kid turn.  Ready. Set. Go.

Then it was time for a little swimming….

My favorite spot…by far!!

There is nothing better then taking a snooze on the boat.  Can you see a little boys eyes getting heavy?

He is out.  So peaceful!!

After the lake what else would one do but go to the pool!!!

Saturday the boys caught a whole cooler full of catfish.  Then Sunday it was time to clean it.  Wesley watched EVERYTHING. Lawson was a cautious observer….

While Paula cooked a feast for a king we went back out on the boat.  Cailyn went with us this time.  She was not a fan of the life jacket and water, but she loved being in the boat.

Here are us mommas with our girls!!! TOO PRECIOUS!

Thank you Paula and Jim for a wonderful weekend!!  It was SO MUCH FUN!! You always make us feel so welcomed and so much like family.  We love you guys! 

A lesson in praying

Have you ever gone through spells where you pray continuously and other times you need a good slap on the hand to remind you to pray? Well, I will be honest we have not been going to church much these days during the summer and I am falling behind on daily devotionals and just out of synch with praying.

Today, July 31st is Cailyn's 18th month birthday, she is sick with a double ear infection, not walking, not talking like some 18th month olds and I am feeling like the worst mom ever. I can't help but think what am I doing wrong? What is wrong with her? Etc. etc. just beating myself up.

Finally, after giving myself a severe tongue lashing ( in my head) I realized I could continue to beat myself up or I could just pray. I decided the later. Honestly, it had been a while since I really gave all my worries to God but I did. I prayed for her health and a sign that she is progressing and will be walking soon. I prayed that I could be the mom she deserves and give all my children everything they need.

Well, as crazy as this sounds God was listening! He must of been so surprised to hear from me he decided to throw me a bone, per say.

Cailyn WALKED! Not just steps but walked with intent and then fell and gave herself a black eye on a wooden puzzle piece. Seriously! (Nothing is ever pretty around here) After she stopped crying she walked again, and again. The most was at least 14 steps. She is getting it! Praise the Lord! She was so proud of herself too! I love to see her smile with pride!

My lesson. God is truly listening He hears our prayers. I know most results are not seen this fast or sometimes unanswered because he knows best. I think what really choked me up today was HE really is watching over my little girl and God loves her and knows the plan for her. It is crazy to think but God loves her more then I love her. How amazing is that?

Today also taught me I need to be more obedient in my praying! What do you need to pray about? He is listening!

Cailyn 17 months- with the many faces of Cailyn

Yes, I realize I have not done Lawson’s big 7 year old post.  Call it denial but I just haven’t gotten all my pictures in place to put that post together.  However, I was cleaning up my SD card today and remembered I need to do one on Cailyn’s 17th status. 
A couple things about Cailyn.  She loves (or I love can’t tell which) accessorizing her.  Hair bows, bracelets, fun necklaces.  She/we love it.

We are trying our hand and temper tantrums these days.  You want to get her to throw a fit in one nano-second.  Take away my cell phone!! We have also noticed if she perches up on her pink chair she either wants my cell phone or food.

We are still working on walking.  She has zero confidence on supporting herself.  She is 100% comfortable with me carrying her everywhere.  As much as I love it, she is getting kind of heavy. We are working hard and I know she will be taking off any day (I pray).
She is starting to get really sneaky.  Here she is sneaking up the stairs. Mischievous smile…

Right now at 17 months she has 12 teeth!
Look a here…I found Lawson at 11mo. wearing this same dress…in the foyer. A couple differences…Lawosn is walking and has no hair.

I did this last year with Lawson and I loved it.  Now I am doing one with Cailyn.  Here is the many faces of Cailyn at 17mo.
I have to note that this dress was Lawson’s at 10mo. it was one of my all time favorites. Lawson at 11mo in the same dress…

Where does the time go???

A cluster of summer pictures

Just a few snapshots of the kids being extra silly!!!

Say cheese…

Here are some pictures from my phone.  Just the everyday moments.

Dancing in the car!

Lawson’s 1st Day of Second Grade

Lawson woke up on July 9th and all of a sudden she was an official 2nd grader.  To celebrate I made her a very special breakfast!!

Here is my girl on the first day of second grade. Can you tell how much has changed during her whole 10 days between grades?

We switched schools AGAIN and lucky for me Lawson loves school so it wasn’t too big of a deal that we were changing AGAIN.  The most shocking thing for us is we have a 2nd grader now.  How did that happen?

As tradition goes we got pictures of Lawson with all her siblings…

And with the aging mommy…(wow, I should photo shop those wrinkles…)

One last picture of my baby girl before we hit the road and we are off too school. 

Lawson wouldn’t let me bring in my big camera (something about embarrassing her????) so the phone camera was going to have to do…she also wouldn’t let me give her a kiss bye.  We had words about that after she got home. 

Lawson’s desk area.  It was so funny, Lawson said to me “our morning work is coloring?  Doesn’t she know we are not kindergarteners?”

Here is Lawson’s teacher.  From everything we are hearing from Lawson we can tell we are going to love her.  Ms Reed is organized, sweet, and really cares for the kids. 

If you want to follow along what is going on in Lawson’s classroom her teacher has a blog…

www.mrsreed2ndgrade.blogspot.com

There is also a blog for the art class

www.banksart.blogspot.com

The thing I can tell you about 2nd grade so far…

1. Lots of homework

2. Lawson is learning tons

3. Lawson’s favorite subject is still art

Last Day of 1st Grade

Lawson is officially done with 1st grade and now a second grader!! So, before she is in high school I thought I better write and show pictures of her last day of 1st grade. 

Not many people are as unfortunate as Lawson and MISS their last day of school.  After she got home from her swim meet on Thursday night she threw up many many times.  The stomach bug strikes again. (Anyone know how to get red stain off of a white carpet?)

She did not have a fever (ever) but I knew I couldn’t send her to school so for the first half of the morning she was like this…

I knew school was out of the question and I was sad to tell Wesley that out trip to the beach was probably out too…

Then around 11AM she said “I am feeling better” plus she ate something and it stuck so I told the kids pack your stuff we are going to the beach.  I first went to Lawson’s school so she could say bye to her friends.  She is no longer going to Timber Drive and I wanted to give her the chance to say bye.  It was the sweetest display of friendship I have ever seen that I started crying. 

Mommy reflection: I pretty much  ripping my daughter out of a school I love in hopes that she will go to the “right” middle school and high school. Plus, ideally I would like my kids to go to the same elementary school when they go.  Is that too much to ask?   Ugh…I am getting side tracked, but seriously 3 schools in three years…I try to remember I went to lots of elementary schools and I am not too messed up…(don’t comment on that part, please!)

I did get some pictures of Lawson on her last day of school (well, before we left for the beach anyway!)

 

Here is Lawson on her first day of 1st Grade and her last day…

She ended 1st grade with all three’s and fours for “grades” She is a smart, smart girl and loves school.  Her teacher told us she was an absolute joy to teach and if she had a classroom full of Lawsons she would never retire.  haha!!

I am going to leave you with a little flash back from Kindergarten.

Oh my, I thought I was doing okay on the whole not crying thing on her first day of 2nd grade but this is not helping…I will have to get back to her 1st day of 2nd grade at a later date. 

My baby girl is growing up and this little girl could not make me any prouder!!! I love my Lawson!!

Lauren’s visit to NC with 2 kids (back in May)

I have a lot of catching up to do…

Lauren had a wedding to attend here in NC, so she decided to pack her bag and bring down 2 kids in tow.  She had a great trip down and we got to enjoy her wonderful company for 4 days.  Of course, while she was here she just had to go with the flow and join us for a few of the kids scheduled events.

She got to attend Lawson’s Dance Fest.  Look at sweet, Haywood!

McKenna got to go as well with Bonnie in tow!

Then on Saturday Collins and I took 4 kids when went to Wesley’s soccer game with !! Lauren was leaving for the wedding.

McKenna was so sweet cheering on her cousin Wesley!

The rest of the weekend summed up…

We had picnics.

We painted toes…

We went strawberry picking.

We even had a dance party!!

Oh yes, we had a great time!!! The kids always have so much fun together. 

Lawson did come to one realization…mommy, we can not have any more babies, this is hard work!! A to the men!

Thank you Lauren, McKenna, and Wood for coming to NC and visiting.  We will see you VERY soon.

Moments that melt my heart

It is the unscripted, non-rehearsed, tender-hearted moments while raising 3 kids that touch my heart the most.

Are you my mom?

This is for my memory bank because I am sure in a few years this will be funny!

Wesley has gotten into this bad habit of asking me when we out in public very loudly "are you my mom?" when I answer yes, he follows by saying "are you sure you are my mom?" You should see the looks I get from people! Ugh!

He thinks it is hilarious and he smiles from ear to ear, I don't quite feel the same way! I swear I think he knows what he is doing too!

Crazy boy!