Jax Starts School

So in August, my little man started kindergarten. i knew I was going to have a hard time with it since this would be the first time he would be away from me. He has never gone to daycare and I did preschool with him at home. Other than the nursery at church and VBS, this was all new territory for both of us. I could hardly believe that the time was finally here. Wasn't he just born yesterday? Wasn't he just tiny and brand new? People always say how fast time goes because it truly does! It flies. He is no longer a baby, but a little boy and I am trying my best to embrace every stage of their lives rather than wallow in self-pity because they are growing up so fast. Anyway, the time was here and to say that he was excited would be a huge understatement. Trey and I couldn't help, but be thrilled for/with him! I woke him up and made him his favorite breakfast (pancakes), let him watch cartoons for a bit on the Disney channel, got him dressed in his first day of school outfit, and we were on our way. Would you believe me if I told you that I didn't shed one tear until later that afternoon?!?! Well, it's true. I prayed that I wouldn't do the ugly cry and embarrass us all and the good Lord answered my prayers. =) Jax walked right in his class and joined his fellow classmates.. I was so thankful...SO THANKFUL that he wasn't afraid or scared. He has the sweetest little teacher and I just know that he is going to have a wonderful first year at school! Here are some "first day of kindergarten" pictures:

Jax with his teacher:

Here he is the next two mornings just because.=) Yes, he rides the bus against my wishes...to this day, it is one of his favorite parts of school...what's a mama to do? lol

This precious little girl says days without her big brother are such a snooze!

Summer 2011

I mean...could I get ANY more creative with the title here?!?! lol I really want to get into this whole blogging thing, but I just can't seem to find the time. Oh well, I'm nothing if not persistent so here I am again... after all this time. =)

Our main man turned 5-years-old and had a blast at his Mario-themed party with all of his family/friends. We love him!!!

My babies celebrated the 4th of July in style. We enjoyed cooking out and watching the local fireworks show with neighbors. A good time was had by all. ;-)

We said goodbye to a beloved member of our family. We love and miss you, Colonel...forever in our hearts.

Jaxon played another season of t-ball and Ellasyn started moving around A LOT.

We made wonderful memories on our annual family vacation to Hilton Head, SC. Jax is a little fish and Elle loved every minute of it, too! They were both as good as gold. They are GREAT travelers - thank goodness!!!

We finished the summer with a few lazy days at the pool, play - dates at The Bounce House, ice cream treats, trips to the park, and new school supplies to prepare Jax for kindergarten...which will be another post for another day. Yep, that about sums up summer 2011. It was the best one yet!

We have had a GREAT Sunday today in the bluegrass. Church this morning was AWESOME and just what I needed to hear. It just may have been one of the best sermons I've heard. It was about growing your faith and having faith in God = good stuff! Vague, I know, but I couldn't begin to share any of it with you because I couldn't do the message justice! After church, we came home to relax and hang out with the kiddos. I am so thankful for my little ones...sometimes I truly feel as if my heart could BURST because it is so full/happy!!!

And please excuse the crazy color in this pic. Elle's room is HOT PINK and I'm poor and don't own a fancy-schmancy camera so sometimes this happens...ugh. It was the one sweet moment I got of the two of them before they noticed me and started paying attention to the camera and I didn't want to delete it.

This is usually how pics. turn out because she wants me to pick her up...spoiled rotten much?!?! I think so!;-) Jax is like, "Uhm, Mom?!?! Can you get her, please?!?!" He is so sweet and patient with her = BEST BIG BRO. EVER! This little gal doesn't know how good she has it yet! He LOVES her!

These are from last week when Trey took Jax on a father/son outing to the Senior PGA Tour. My sweet boy LOVED the 1/1 time with his Daddy.=) I love them!

I'll leave you all (hello?!?! Mom?!?! lol) with a few pics from this past weekend of my two tiny loves...Ella Bella is army crawling like a CHAMP, but still won't crawl the real way! ha! She is something else...Jax tries to teach her, but she just does her own thing...it frustrates him! lol Oh, well...maybe this means she won't be a follower when she grows up! haha!

Missin' My Little Man...

Tonight, I'm missing this little guy right here!  He has left us to go and stay with his "Apple & Papaw" (my parents) for the week.  He was BEYOND excited and gets spoiled ROTTEN while there.  I'm sure as we speak, his Uncle Ethan is building him a huge track for all of the Thomas the Trains OR he's watching Uncle Evan & Uncle Ethan play their PS3....and he's perfectly happy doing just that! ha! I'm sure Bitty won't mind being the only child around here for the next week - this little lady LOVES her some attention. =) Good thing her Daddy and I don't mind giving it to her!

This little guy is such a sweet child and a great big brother. It's a pleasure being his Mama and I'm going to miss him something terrible this week! =)