The One and Only Nana

The girls and I thoroughly enjoyed a visit with my Nana yesterday. She is almost 91 and one of my favorite people in the world. She is an avid reader, follower of politics and world events (only from the Wall Street Journal and Rush Limbaugh) and she loves The Lord. She is always growing and has not settled into an "old person" mentality. And she is definitely one of my biggest cheerleaders! I tell her that she gives me Nana courage, and I know who to call when I am feeling down.

The girls were thoroughly entertained by Tasha, her dachshund and a bowl filled with Nana's old glasses and sunglasses. Nana got a big kick out of that! You can see that from the pictures below. Love her!

Sibling Love

Moving from 2 to 3 children is certainly one of the most challenging things I have encountered (ok, it might be the hardest thing!). Someone else under the age of 15 is always trying to play the parental role. I am constantly saying, "who is the Momma?" Each one is trying to figure out their new place and role in the family.  "Figuring out" can mean a lot of bickering, tattletaling and normal sibling stuff. You can now call me referee instead of Momma. But there are those glorious moments in between when they go on adventures together, figure out how three of them can ride on the little John Deere tractor by using the rope and a wagon, dress up and put on shows and just get plain creative. Here are some recent pictures of their sibling shenanigans.

These are finger covers they made with the kid sewing machine. They protect their hands when doing the monkey bars. Mind you, they are felt and slippery so I'm not sure about their effectiveness.

Beach Trip

My wonderful husband surprised us with a trip to one of my favorite places on earth – Hatteras Island. The week before school we enjoyed some precious family time with just us five, and Leila experienced and loved her first trip to the beach and ocean. The three kids really bonded, and that alone filled our hearts. The first few pictures are the kids experiencing the ocean as soon as we arrived. I love the pure joy on their faces!

My Baby Goes to Preschool

He was so excited to finally be the one to get out of the car after 2 years of seeing sissy go to The Cherub School. No tears and lots of excited jumping! Oh boy! He sang me a song they learned when I picked him up and said his favorite part was playing outside. No surprise there! I love this little boy.

10 Glorious Years

We were so young, and we had only touched the tip of the iceberg in knowing what real love was, but we sure thought we knew! Ten years later, I love you so much more and appreciate who you are way more than I did at a barely 22 years of age. We've grown up A LOT, and our faith has deepened, which has only made our relationship richer. Being married to my best friend that I still find incredibly handsome is such a gift. It's been work - a lot of work, but when you're both in it, committed and want to show your kids how a marriage can be, it is completely worth it. I love you, I respect you, and I honor you. 

Now, let's go on a real date to celebrate 10 years. Taking the 3 kids with us to Longhorn to celebrate 10 years does not count...though if that's the product of our 10 years of marriage, I think we should be pretty proud. I love you, babe.

Dancing to Stevie Wonder's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life." And you still call me Sunshine!

You may kiss the bride!

You being the gentleman you are thought it would be a good idea to shove the cake up my nose, but I, being a classic lady, decided you could have it right back. All's fair in love and war after all. 

First Day of 3rd Grade and Kindergarten

It was an exciting and terrifying moment sending my baby girls off to school for 35 hours a week - that's a lot of time for them to learn a lot of good things and some not so good things. I pray we have prepared them enough and that God will take care of what we haven't. Mary-Michael has already talked about the new friends she has made. Leila says she hasn't talk to anyone. That makes my heart hurt. She seems happy and excited to return to school, so at least that is good. I wonder what her mind is thinking. She must be overwhelmed. She's in a collaborative class with a regular teacher and a special education teacher. She has said she has worked with the teacher quite a bit. And then she also says, "I don't know what teacher say". After a few weeks of working with her and assessing her, we will be meeting with her teachers, ESL and the special services coordinator to plan. I am eager for that!

We are definitely getting into a new routine. Trying to figure out time for chores, homework and family time after a long day is going to take some adjusting. And next week baby boy starts preschool! Get ready Cherub School!

Thank you, Nonnie, for the matching first day outfits. I am not a crazy mama. Leila and Mary-Michael are in different schools (K-2 and 3-5) so no one else knew they were matching. :) Otherwise, I recognize I would be setting them up for teasing!