Luke's 1st day of 1st Grade

Awe...I can't help but be so proud, excited and sentimental when I see this picture of Luke going to first grade. He was READY!!! It's been a long summer for him and he's struggled with the boredom that every kid does. Even though he's been to three VBS's and 2 music camps, the days grow repetitive and the weeks drag by.

We went to meet the teacher. Luke was excited to meet Mrs. Brown - a teacher that two of his friends had last year. The night before school you would have thought it was Christmas. He was so excited to pick out his clothes, get his lunch money ready and decide what he wanted for his first day back breakfast.

The first morning was organized and went smoothly. I had to make him stop for his picture before he left. It's amazing to see how much he's grown and changed. It's such a privilege to be his mommy!!

Fall Coach Pitch Baseball 2011

Luke's fall baseball season has started. This year he's moved up from t-ball to coach pitch ball, with Leo as the team's assistant coach and pitcher.

Even though he is young enough to still be playing tball, we felt he was ready to move up. And, boy did he prove us right! Luke hit the ball off of Leo both times he was up to bat!! Only three other kids hit the ball out of twelve, so we were really proud of him. He also caught the ball and got a runner out when he played first base.

It's the end of a long hot summer here, with temps over 100 for 59 days now, but it's the start of Fall ball and that brings with it the hopes of cooler weather and a great season!!

GO BRAVES!!

Another Dontation to the Christian Care Center

I'm so proud of Luke for gathering our second collection of food & toiletry items for the Christan Care Center this summer.

We started with one big box, but after some help from a couple of friends and digging a little deeper into our pantry as well, we were able to come up with 2 overflowing boxes and one big bag.

Luke was so proud to carry everything in and put it in the shopping cart that gets wheeled to the back.

I pray these are the lessons and memories that stay instilled in my boys as their grow up!

A Summertime Surprise from Granny & Gramps

It is SO hot here in Texas this week. Our temps are predicted to be between 105-110 this week! The boys have cabin fever so badly...it's just as bad as when it snows and ices in the winter. We just can't go outside.

Granny & Gramps to the rescue!! We received the biggest art supply kit I've ever seen in my life today! Hundreds of crayons, oil pastels, big & little markers, paints and more!!

We immediately had to sit down and make pictures! How fun and just the perfect activity for a hot summer day!!!

Thanks Granny & Gramps!!

Luke's Kindergarten Graduation

One more post going back to the beginning of summer...Luke's kindergarten graduation. What a fun day and program to watch!!

Luke was very proud to stand up on the risers on stage and sing. His class sang to the tune of "New York, New York." "I want to be a part of it...first grade, first grade!" It was THE CUTEST song ever!!!

When he got home with his diploma he was feeling very accomplished, as you can tell by the expression in his picture! What a big accomplishment!

Look out first grade...here Luke comes!!!

The Boys Hanging Out

I'm going back a bit with these pictures, but they are too cute not to put in our family's blog. I just love seeing all the boys together. It's an overwhelming feeling of blessing when they are.

Even though it's only been 6-8 weeks since these pictures were taken, I can't believe how much Cruz has grown. He looks so different now and it really makes me realize how fast babies change.

Oh I just love these boys so much I feel like my heart is going to explode sometimes. I pray that God grants me the wisdom and strength to always be the kind of mother each one of them needs to live up to the potential he created them to be!!

Luke Collects Food for Wylie's Christian Care Center

Earlier this summer Luke took up a collection of non-perishable food for Wylie's Christian Care Center at one of our neighborhood BBQ's. During the summer months, many of the children who would normally get a hot lunch at school, go hungry. This just breaks my heart, so we decided to do something to help!

Luke collected two big boxes of raviolis, peanut butter & jelly and other non-perishable food items. I would so proud of him when we dropped it off that Saturday.

This was such a great lesson for the boys that it's something our family is going to do on a regular basis. We're already discussing when we'll take up our next collection...probably in late summer/early fall.

It really is true that you feel better when you give than when you receive. I am hoping to make many more of these teachable moments with the boys over the years.

One More Birthday Blog for Noah

Even though we have already had the boys birthday party at ASI Gymnastics with their friends, we had a great time at our family birthday party on his actual birthday.

We started the festivities with some karaoke. Justin Beiber was playing while Noah sang and showed off his break-dancing moves.

For dinner we had grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with chocolate and vanilla cup cakes & ice cream for dessert.

The boys could hardly wait for Noah to open his presents. He got a yellow fishing pole from Papaw & Memaw so that when it cools off he can go fishing with Luke who got a red pole for his birthday. From mommy & daddy Noah got Cars roller skates and pads so that he can skate with Luke who also got skates. Noah also got a tball set to play with in the backyard.

It was a great day full of laughter and love. I'm so grateful for my sweet angel sunshine! He truly is a ray of light in our lives!!