Mother's Day (better late than never)

Not sure how I missed posting about Mother's Day and this wonderful lady . . .

It was the first time in 10 years that I got to actually spend Mother's Day with my mom.  How grateful I am to have her in my life.  I love her, I respect her, I admire her.

Now if only these kiddos will grow up to feel the same about me as I do about my mom -- how awesome would that be?

Happy Mother's Day (a few months late).  So eternally thankful to be a mom and equally grateful to my mom, my mother-in-law and all the other awesome mother's that surround me.

School Year in a Nutshell

I suppose it's time to write about the end of the school year -- I think I'm still just coming to terms that another year is over.
The kids joined their new classes in late November and each of them, thanks to their teachers and friends, had a smooth transition.
Beckam went from Miss Faerber's class in NC to Mrs. D'Haenens class. He loved school, learned a lot and didn't even mind going from all day kindergarten to 1/2 day. At his graduation, Beck even got a little teary-eyed and told me that he was going to miss school.

Jillian went from Mrs. Andrew's class to Mommy and Me Preschool.  Bless her heart, she never complained about being stuck with me as a teacher and when people would ask her about preschool she would happily exclaim, "There's only one student in my whole class and it's ME!"

Mac went from having Mrs. Parks in NC to Mrs. Nicholls in UT.  Mac seemed to have the smoothest transition into school and friends.  Right from the start he found a great group of friends who made being the "new guy" not so bad.  It also helped that he had his cousin, Camdyn, in class too.

This was the first year that Mac got to compete in the Hershey Track and Field day.  He ran hard and did well, but mostly enjoyed hanging with his buddies.

Jaxton had Mrs. Baker before the move and then got Miss Hicks here.  Jaxton always came home with the best, most dramatic stories from school and if he could tell that he had a captive audience, then he'd tell you story after story all about his day.  Jaxton was also lucky to have Colton in his class to help him ease into a new class.

For the last day of school, the big boys wanted to do something funny, so we buzzed all their hair off except for a strip in the back.  Jaxton loved it but Mac was a nervous wreck about it and couldn't wait to get rid of it.

On the last day of school, I helped put together a surprise water fight for the kids and some of their friends.  The mom's and little kids were ready to attack the big kids when they arrived at Benny's house.  It was a great way to start off the summer.  I also had a treat/surprise bag for each of the kids to celebrate the beginning of summer.

So far we've had an awesome summer and we're looking forward to the rest of it! We're hoping school doesn't come too quick!

Boys Growing into Men

I'm scared that before I know it my children are going to be grown and moving out of the house. I have know idea how the last seven years went by so quickly and how my sweet Beckam could be turning SEVEN years old.
Thankfully on his birthday I got to wake up to this little face next to me.  Beck is my only kid with dark eyelashes and lots of freckles -- I never tire of looking at that face.

Nate and I were asked to speak at church on Beck's birthday and considering that we have 9:00am church and that we rolled in from out of town late the night before, it was quite the busy morning.

Funny face vs. cute face

After church we had cupcakes and ice cream with Nate's side of the family. At one point Beckam walked into the house and everyone started chanting "Be-ckam, Be-ckam!" as loud as they could.  Apparently Beckam was so surprised at all the attention that he got really excited and even had happy tears in his eyes -- sweetest thing ever!

The next Sunday we were in Logan to celebrate Father's Day.  How grateful I am to have a husband who loves his kids and does his best to raise them and provide for them.

The kids and I wrapped each of Nate's gifts and then wrote what they loved about him on the front of each one.

I'm equally grateful to have my dad in my life.  What a rock he is.  I couldn't ask for a better guy to call "dad."  In my mind, he is a product of all things wonderful.

It won't be long before this boy will be off on a mission, get married and have a family of his own.  My hope is that this little boy will grow into . . .

a man like these two. How awesome that would be!

Happy birthday, Beckam Lee -- we love you forever and ever!  And happy Father's Day to Nate, my dad and all the other wonderful fathers in my life.  How grateful I am for each of you.