First Week of School

      We went back to school this week. Monday was Open House. The boys were excited to "meet" their teachers. When your mom teaches at your school, you often know at least most of your teachers. We bought Logan PE uniforms. He dresses out for PE this year. Yikes! I can't believe he is old enough for that.

    On Tuesday afternoon, we went to see Nonnie for our back to school hair cuts. The boys are getting pretty good at telling Nonnie what they want done.

      Wednesday was the first official day. The boys agreed on cinnamon rolls for their special first day of school breakfast. This is actually the first year they started on the same day. That was a little surreal.

     We snapped a couple of quick pictures before heading out the door. 

     The boys had a little bit of anxiety because they mixed up the classes this year. Logan has been with the same group of kids for three years. But that was quickly gone once they realized they still had good friends in their classes even if they didn't have all their best buddies.    

     The boys love of their teachers. Daddy was happy to come home to three happy campers each night. I feel like this will be great year for both boys. Joshua and I are so thankful for the group of people who make up Team Lo and Team Lu. I know this will be a successful year for the boys.

     Lucas and I are so excited that his music teacher was my elementary music teacher! She was always one of my favorite teachers. It's just a blessing that Lucas will get to experience her music class.

     I have two brand new classes this year. The kiddos seem super sweet and eager to learn. I'm blessed to have a few that I've taught siblings or we're friends with their families. It's always a blessing to serve my friends by teaching their children. I was modeling our all about me book, and I asked one of my little scholars who knows me what he thought one of my hobbies or interests are. I was thinking he would say Alabama football, but his response was so much better, "having me in your class!".

     We are looking forward to an awesome school year!

Happy 7th Birthday, Lucas Elisha!!!

     Lucas is 7 years old today. Where has the time gone? 

     I baked cinnamon rolls with sprinkles for his breakfast before I left for work. We also let him open his presents. He declared today the best birthday ever after opening his gifts!

     When I got home from school, Uncle Josh face timed to say happy birthday. Then we ran to Big D's for birthday cupcakes. I let him talk me into a snocone even though it was practically dinner time. He wanted chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese for his dinner. Then we sang happy birthday and ate cupcakes. 

Dear Lucas,

     Happy Birthday! You are your daddy's mini me. You have a big heart like Daddy and love fiercely like Daddy does. You are my wild child. You do not let the opinions of others rule your life. You love Jesus and going to church to learn more about Him. You are independent and bold and brave. You are also my sweet snuggle buddy when you settle down at night.  I'm so proud of the young man you are becoming! I pray you always love Jesus with your whole heart, mind, and soul! 

Love, 

     Mommy

Happy 7th Birthday, Lucas Elisha!!! We love you!!! 

 

Fading Away

      Summer is fading away. It's always bittersweet for me. The excitement of a new school year along with the sadness of leaving my boys behind. This year both boys will go with me every day, yet there is sadness in that too. Knowing they are growing up. One year closer to the independent, godly young men we are trying our best to raise them to be. 

     It's been a summer of transitions, changes, and waiting. There have been joys like my Grandpa's miraculous recovery and new friends that fit into our lives like the last piece of a puzzle sliding into place. Strengthened relationships with old friends we love dearly. We are praying and hoping for a miracle for a dear friend we love. 

     And then another miscarriage. While we know God has allowed it,  He is working is to bring good from it. It is difficult, knowing we will never know that sweet baby this side of heaven. 

     Yet I am thankful. Thankful for the sweet boys God has allowed us to keep. Thankful for our friends who love us where we are and walk the good and bad of life with us. Thankful for the sweet memories with old friends, who though we are separated by miles, are always available. Thankful for all the time spent with my sister. Thankful for baby snuggles that help my own broken heart heal. Thankful that after all these years with my quirks and crazy, Joshua still loves me. He actually loves me more each day. 

     This summer has not been at all what I anticipated. In spite of the unexpected, the sadness, and the waiting, this summer has been filled with grace, mercy, and joy far beyond what I deserve. God is good all the time. All the time He is good. 

     As summer fades away, I am thankful for His new mercies every day. 

“Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”~Lamentations 3:21-23

Forgetting What Is Behind

     Some old feelings of guilt and condemnation raised their ugly head this week. Early this morning as I frosted the boys' birthday cakes, tears filled my eyes as I re-lived my failure. 

     Then at church, our pastor pulled a brick out of a backpack with the word failure on it. And there I was again with tears in my eyes. 

     And then he said, "Jesus can use even your mistakes to write a really incredible story in your life." 

     It's true. From the ugliness of my sin and failure, He gave me a precious treasure. And I get to watch God write two incredible stories. 

     As I leave condemnation behind and strain forward to what God has next for me in my story, those guilty feelings fade away-replaced with thankfulness and joy. 

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”

~Philippians 3:13

Happy 10th Birthday, Logan Elijah!!!

     Today our Logan is ten years old. As he told me this morning, "Double digits! Hot mess!" Truth be told I've been a hot mess today except when I've been in denial. 10 years...where has the time gone? 

     We started this morning by letting him open presents before Joshua went to work. He loves his gifts and has been playing with his mini drone all day. 

     Then I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast and added sprinkles because you can't have too much sugar on your birthday. 

     We had a pretty easy day. I let Logan play video games most of the day. After lunch, we went to Big D's for snocones and cupcakes for after dinner. 

     He wanted burgers and tater tots for dinner. Then we sang, "Happy Birthday" and ate cupcakes. 

 Dear Logan,

     Ten. Years. Old. I can't believe it. You are my right hand man. You are so compassionate. You are my sweetheart and the first one to give hugs. You love your family and friends and are fiercely loyal. You love Jesus with your whole heart and do your best to follow Him daily. You are always considerate of others and their feelings. Yet you love people enough to speak truth in love in their lives. You are a precious gift from God. I'm so thankful He has allowed us to keep you the past ten years. You are a blessing. I'm so proud of the young man you are becoming. I love you so much! ~Mommy 

Happy 10th Birthday, Logan Elijah!!! We love you!!!