It get's easier!

It is the first day of school today.  And it went shockingly smooth.  I actually was pretty awake at 6:30 this morning despite the late summer nights.  Gracie and Micah (my early birds) were up an at em' first.  I had to do a little dragging of Elijah.  But we had lots of time to get ready....and actually got to start the day off with some proverbs.  Micah has been asking for days when he gets to go to kindergarten.  He did so well.....and you could clearly tell he is ready to be a big boy!  Grace and Elijah were happy to see their friends again.  It was a great start to a great year.  Although, I'm not looking forward to leaving here...it's gonna be hard!

Mud Bogging Mania

Yeah I had never heard of it either.  Apparently it's a "country" thing.  We were delighted to be able to go hang out with a friend who lives right by where her community was putting on a mud bog to raise money for the local fire department.  Imagine a 100 foot stretch of towed land sprayed down by the fire engines to create essentially a huge muddy drag strip for big old 4X4's to drive down and get the fastest time.  Along with a kids bouncy house.  And our kids favorite. A huge man made slip in slide down a hill into a pool of mud.  It was a once in a life experience.  I've never seen my kids that dirty in my life.  Elijah would do it everyday if he could. Fortunately I don't think Gracie is going to make a habit of mud wrestling.

Gotta blog about gotta dance!

So I know I have been M.I.A. but I am not kidding you when I tell you I literally have not had any time to blog.  You know it's really bad when it's taken me this long to get Gracie's 2010 Dance recital pics up.  But I have good reasons......mostly including photo shoots and editing.  At any rate it was Gracie's last year dancing at Acclaim because the owner decided to close up shop.  It's sad because Grace has taken from her Ballet teacher for 3 years now and has improved so much.  Yet, this is not the end of her career.  Grace did a great job with both her Ballet and Jazz.  She really loves it so much and their is now way that she will give it up any time soon.  So looks like plenty more recitals and costumes to come.  Video to come Grandparents so you can enjoy it too!  And the amazing seamless white pics are from my good friends who own eikonproductions.com!

Girls Weekend Woohoo!!!

It's not often that I get the opportunity to get away with a bunch of amazing girlfriends!  So this weekend was a cherished time for me.  I got out of town with 3 other friends for my very first Women of Faith Conference.  The whole weekend was so refreshing.  The conference was great....we kind of came and went as we pleased....so no pressure.  I think the best part of the conference was hearing Natalie Grant and Nicole C. Mullins.  I had heard their stuff on the radio before....but I now would consider myself a fan.  They were outrageously talented but even cooler was their heart for the Lord!  I think even more important was the hang out time I had with these girls.....each one very different but so wonderful in their own ways.  We got to be girls and shop, dye hair, get coffee, eat out at restaurants I crave, take lots and lots of model shots in the middle of nowhere, and stay up till 4AM talking.  How come it's so much more fun to stay up late when it's not tending to a sick kid?   I am so thankful for the blessing of these girlfriends....don't even want to think about the possibility of having to leave in 13 months.

The big 5 year old!!!!

Little middle Micah is 5 year's old today and proud!  I know I say every year with every child that I can't believe they are that age.  5 seems like such a big milestone though.  I know their will be lots of big changes from here on out too.  He will start kindergarten....I am sure sports will be a huge part of his life too.  He's all geared up to start t-ball next week.  And in a lot of ways Micah is still my baby.  He's my little Linus who loves his "B" and his thumb....unfortunately.  It will be so fun to see him grow up this year....I am looking forward to it.  He doesn't know it yet but we got him the skateboard he's been asking for.....along with all the protective gear of course.  Along with some other of his favorite things.....pics to come!

A blessed Easter!

It's hard not having your family around but it sure does help that we have amazing brothers and sisters to celebrate with!  This past weekend was truly blessed.  Saturday was a busy day with a community egg hunt, then a birthday party, dying eggs and dinner with friends.  Sunday was equally enjoyable.  Gracie's best friend's family joined us at Church for an awesome service.  Then we headed to another friend's house who is notorious for inviting the world over for holidays for brunch and another egg hunt.  We always have such a great time with our friends.  I am so thankful for the people God has put into my life to love and be loved! Here the little darlings all dressed up for the proverbial Easter pic......I know I am super cheesy...just can't help it.

Coach Daddy

Sunday the weather was pretty nice and David decided to take the kids to the ball field to practice the boys t-ball skills.  The boys are highly anticipating their very first season of t-ball.  But I think daddy is looking forward to it the most.  Daddy got a chance to work with the boys on their hitting....and Gracie enjoyed fielding the balls.  Even Nathan had a job......placing the ball on the tee of course.  Mommies job was of course capturing the moment.  I think we are going to have some heavy hitters.  Their uncle's will be proud.