We are less than three weeks from the first day of school. Today was class assignment day and I saw a girl from our old church. She said, " your boys should be three and sitting on carpet squares; are they really starting school?". Dude, tell me about it.
Andy and John are in two different classes-Ms. Cagle and Ms. Thomas. I filled out paperwork and bought t-shirts today. Exciting stuff!
I'm still trying to get used to the idea of my child spending his day with someone whose references I haven't personally checked. Maybe it's the recruiter in me?
So, I've got three weeks to get my game face on!! My boys are ready.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Wedding bells are ringing
I love weddings. I can cry at a wedding even if I do not know the people exchanging vows. Just remembering that feeling of saying my own vows to Ashley and reflecting on the excitement of starting off on our life together is such a sweet memory...love it.
Two of my youngest cousins are getting married this summer, this month, two weeks apart. I am so excited to see extended family, share this exciting day with my cousins and also reminisce about my own big day (8/18/01).
The boys are invited to one of the weddings. The inclusion of those three names on the invitation has proven to be the source of added excitement (and anxiety) for me. We let them sit in big church with us for practice (I keep telling myself that the wedding ceremony will likely be shorter than the church service) and we are doing some serious role playing at night. I should probably relax.
When I started telling the boys of my excitement that they were going to go to my cousin's wedding, they asked why I love weddings. I told them that weddings are sweet and touch a person's heart and that I also like to dress up.
Me: I am so excited for us all to get dressed up and share this special day with Kathryn.
Andy: (hands up in the air) I am going as buzz lightyear!!!
WOW! That would be hilarious. I won't allow it even though I could probably use the comic relief. It'll be so crazy to see these two, who I used to babysit, get MARRIED. I remember when they were born for goodness sake.
This takes me back to what seems to be the central theme of most of my blog posts. Life goes by so fast....seems like you can't look down for five minutes or you miss something.
Two of my youngest cousins are getting married this summer, this month, two weeks apart. I am so excited to see extended family, share this exciting day with my cousins and also reminisce about my own big day (8/18/01).
The boys are invited to one of the weddings. The inclusion of those three names on the invitation has proven to be the source of added excitement (and anxiety) for me. We let them sit in big church with us for practice (I keep telling myself that the wedding ceremony will likely be shorter than the church service) and we are doing some serious role playing at night. I should probably relax.
When I started telling the boys of my excitement that they were going to go to my cousin's wedding, they asked why I love weddings. I told them that weddings are sweet and touch a person's heart and that I also like to dress up.
Me: I am so excited for us all to get dressed up and share this special day with Kathryn.
Andy: (hands up in the air) I am going as buzz lightyear!!!
WOW! That would be hilarious. I won't allow it even though I could probably use the comic relief. It'll be so crazy to see these two, who I used to babysit, get MARRIED. I remember when they were born for goodness sake.
This takes me back to what seems to be the central theme of most of my blog posts. Life goes by so fast....seems like you can't look down for five minutes or you miss something.
Monday, June 27, 2011
The More Things Change...
To say that our hall bath needed a redo would be a gross understatement. Pun fully intended. The old pedestal sink was stained. The bronze fixtures screamed 1984. The toilet- well I won't go into detail about it, but it needed replacing.
I told Ashley that I *really* could not handle that bathroom anymore and that man went to work. He went to Lowe's and picked out new stuff, painted (walls and ceiling), dealt with the subs from Lowe's who so efficiently installed the toilet and sink (yeah, right) and installed new light fixtures, TP and towel holder and a mirror himself.
This kind of reminded me of a guy I worked with 15 years ago who helped me remove wallpaper and repaint my DISGUSTING Gregg St. room in my college apartment (although "helped" implies that I pulled my weight) which required sanding with an electric sander and hours of elbow grease. It was WAY more work than most guys would do for a friend. But then again, Ash is not like most guys. Lucky for me.
I love my new bathroom! Thank you, Ash! You're the best.
June highlights
We have so much to celebrate in June...
June 3rd- Ashley's parents celebrated their anniversary.
June 16th- I turned 29 again. :)
June 17th- My dad turned 49 again. :)
June 18th- Father's Day
June 24th- My mom and Kenny celebrate their anniversary.
June 26th- Nana's birthday- 39 again?? :)
The week of June 11th, we went to the beach. This year marked a lot of firsts for us on our beach trip. This year was the first time we took our boat down to the beach (Ashley trailered it down and we put it in the ICW). Even more exciting, this was the first year that the relaxation outweighed the work on our vacation. Andrew and John can swim now (almost) in the shallow end. That takes the stress level at the pool from a 12 (on a scale of 1 to 10) to about a 5. (Wyatt still wears a puddle jumper at all times!)
This was the first year that the boys enjoyed each other on vacation. They were so cute- playing soccer on the beach, holding hands jumping in the pool, building sand castles together, etc. It was so wonderful.
This was the first year that we didn't have a wagon strapped to the top of our car. We didn't have a pac-n-play; we did not have any sippie cups or bottles and we did not have to bring high chairs. I guess I am a glutton for punishment because when we packed the car without any baby items, I actually felt a little sad. Ridiculous, I know.
Ashley and I enjoyed the week immensely! Nana and Papa were with us most of the week and we all had a ball together.
As we wrap up June, our house is cheering on Carolina in the CWS!! Two games away from another championship...go Gamecocks!
My sweet babies eating ice cream at Barefoot...celebrating Wyatt's success on the potty while on vacation! Whoop Whoop!
June 3rd- Ashley's parents celebrated their anniversary.
June 16th- I turned 29 again. :)
June 17th- My dad turned 49 again. :)
June 18th- Father's Day
June 24th- My mom and Kenny celebrate their anniversary.
June 26th- Nana's birthday- 39 again?? :)
The week of June 11th, we went to the beach. This year marked a lot of firsts for us on our beach trip. This year was the first time we took our boat down to the beach (Ashley trailered it down and we put it in the ICW). Even more exciting, this was the first year that the relaxation outweighed the work on our vacation. Andrew and John can swim now (almost) in the shallow end. That takes the stress level at the pool from a 12 (on a scale of 1 to 10) to about a 5. (Wyatt still wears a puddle jumper at all times!)
This was the first year that the boys enjoyed each other on vacation. They were so cute- playing soccer on the beach, holding hands jumping in the pool, building sand castles together, etc. It was so wonderful.
This was the first year that we didn't have a wagon strapped to the top of our car. We didn't have a pac-n-play; we did not have any sippie cups or bottles and we did not have to bring high chairs. I guess I am a glutton for punishment because when we packed the car without any baby items, I actually felt a little sad. Ridiculous, I know.
Ashley and I enjoyed the week immensely! Nana and Papa were with us most of the week and we all had a ball together.
As we wrap up June, our house is cheering on Carolina in the CWS!! Two games away from another championship...go Gamecocks!
My sweet babies eating ice cream at Barefoot...celebrating Wyatt's success on the potty while on vacation! Whoop Whoop!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Little Graduates
May 27th marked a special day for Andy and John. They graduated from Anne Pitts CDC and officially became rising kindergartners. The production that their class put on for graduation was wonderful! Their class has had a circus theme all year so of course, the graduation ceremony was circus themed as well. After the parents watched a slide show of Mrs. Ashley's three ring circus, all the kids came into the gym dressed in their gowns and clown collars (sans caps since all good clowns have crazy hair) with painted noses. They paraded around a bit before taking their places in their seats at the front of the gym.
Then, in front of an audience of 75, one by one they each took the microphone to perform their speaking part of the program. Each child got a chance to show off a little something that he/she learned over the year.
My precious Andy started the presentation by asking the audience to join in the pledge. Then, of course, he let everyone know when it was time to be seated!
Halfway through the presentation John took center stage and recited numbers; he counted by 2's, 5's, 10's and backwards! It was so impressive.
Later Andrew took the mic again and gave us all a lesson in the alphabet (and in stacking cards in a very organized manner). He did amazingly well!
My cheeks hurt by the end of the presentation from smiling so hard. I had shed so many tears during the week that led up to graduation day, but during the ceremony I held them beneath the surface. Ashley and I watched our boys in awe of all that they have learned and in disbelief that the time has come for them to begin elementary school.
August will bring many more tears (from me) but for now we will just enjoy the summer, revel in our little graduates' success in pre-school and reminisce about the morning of May 27th...when we saw The Best Show on Earth!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Take me out to the ball game
This was Andy and John's first season playing tee ball and it has truly been a blast. They have grown so much over the course of the season. Their skill has improved dramatically since we started and their confidence has grown as well. It's been a wonderful experience- we have a great team with very patient coaches and I am a little sad that the season is almost over.
May 3rd, Andrew won the game ball! Here he is with John and Ashley (asst coach!)...I love these boys!
May 11th, John won the game ball! Wyatt got in the picture with the MVP that week!
With all the the excitement in the house related to baseball, we decided it would be a good time to take the boys to their first Carolina Baseball game! It was a wonderful night (Gamecocks won) and the big boys thoroughly enjoyed watching the plays. Wyatt mostly enjoyed seeing Cocky and hitting the concession stands...but a good time was had by all.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day
What a wonderful day!! Ashley and I took the boys to Nana and Papa's house for a day of fun by the lake. Sandra and Granny made an amazing meal and we spent most of the day outside; the weather could not have been more beautiful! Ashley and the boys made me feel so special. I am so blessed to be a mother. Andrew, John and Wyatt are truly awesome boys.
There was one thing that was was missing this year: my own mom was not here. This is the first year that we have been apart on Mother's Day since my birth (as far as we can remember). My heart was a little heavy, but I am looking forward to her visit at the end of the month. Even though we were separated by miles, we were together in spirit.
Your Mother Is Always With You
~Author Unknown
She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.
She's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks.
She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well.
Your mother lives inside your laughter.
She's crystallized in every tear drop.
She's the place you came from, your first home.
She's the map you follow with every step that you take.
She's your first love and your first heart break.
Nothing on earth can separate you.
Not time, not space, not even death...will ever separate you from your mother...
You carry her inside you heart!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you, Mom, for all you have done for me throughout the years. I know it has not always been easy and I appreciate all the sacrifices you have made for me so that I could have every opportunity. Thank you, Sandra, for raising a man that puts faith and his family above everything else. I am so blessed to have you as my mother-in-law!
There was one thing that was was missing this year: my own mom was not here. This is the first year that we have been apart on Mother's Day since my birth (as far as we can remember). My heart was a little heavy, but I am looking forward to her visit at the end of the month. Even though we were separated by miles, we were together in spirit.
Your Mother Is Always With You
~Author Unknown
She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.
She's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks.
She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well.
Your mother lives inside your laughter.
She's crystallized in every tear drop.
She's the place you came from, your first home.
She's the map you follow with every step that you take.
She's your first love and your first heart break.
Nothing on earth can separate you.
Not time, not space, not even death...will ever separate you from your mother...
You carry her inside you heart!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you, Mom, for all you have done for me throughout the years. I know it has not always been easy and I appreciate all the sacrifices you have made for me so that I could have every opportunity. Thank you, Sandra, for raising a man that puts faith and his family above everything else. I am so blessed to have you as my mother-in-law!
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