Last Day of "School"

Today was Bryson's end of the year party at "school". I can't believe it's already been a year. He's grown a lot these last 8 months and learned so much too. I can't say enough about the program he's in at our church. All of the ladies there are just amazing. I'm really going to be sad when it's time for him to start Pre-K :( But I've got a few more years before we embark on that journey.

Oh my goodness he's growing up so fast! He looks like such a BIG boy here. Clay will probably have to commit me when it's time for him to start kindergarten. Ha!

I was trying to open the door and hold all of his stuff at once because y'all know that mom's have all these extra hands to do things with and of course his fruit loops decided to take a tumble. Y'all the look on his face was priceless. I wish I could have taken a picture or even a video because as soon as he saw them on the floor he looked at me and said "Oh no mamma! Made a mess!" I just had to laugh.

This is Bryson's teacher Mrs. Ashley. Y'all I love this girl to death and so does my son. I think he's got her wrapped around his little finger. She just loves Bryson and I feel like she is a part of our family. I'm hoping that she will be able to continue being his teacher. Don't get me wrong I LOVE all the ladies, but Ashley is someone I can say will never be able to be replaced. She has such a big heart for children and she enjoys what she does.

Hope your having a wonderful Wednesday. Tomorrow is Bryson's TWO YEAR CHECK-UP. So y'all can look for that post tomorrow :)

Playdate

Our family has had a busy week this week and it's only Tuesday :) We are trying to get ready to go on vacation and y'all know how that can be. Bryson's end of the year party at school is tomorrow and I've been putting off getting his haircut until today. All I can say is...Ugh! I don't know why he has to act like such a drama king when he gets it cut. Ha! He's just been getting haircuts every 8 weeks since he was 8 months old. You would think he would be used to it by now.
I'm so picky when it comes to his hair. I wait and wait til the very last minute before I decide to finally get it cut. I just have this picture in my head of what I want it to look like and it's only ended up that way once. Don't get me wrong the new girl we tried out today was great, but the overall outcome was not what I pictured. And because it had been messed up in the past we are having to let it grow out in places so we can eventually get to where I want it. Never thought that when I had a boy that one of my biggest concerns would be his hair!

On to the more funner things of the day. Clay took Bryson to the park today to meet up with Drew and Elaina. Have I mentioned how much I love that Clay has been home during the summer. I really hate to see him go back to school in a couple of weeks, but we are almost to the finish line and are so ready for that next chapter of our lives to start.

Bryson and Elaina are becoming the best of friends. It's funny to hear Bryson talk about Elaina when she's not around and to hear Sheri say how Elaina talks about Bryson when he's not around. Today Clay said they played together a lot more than the last time.
I have to admit that these are the times that I hate working night shift. I feel like I miss out on so much of Bryson's life for an entire week. In saying that, I am so happy that he gets to spend time with Clay. I think it's so important for daddy's and son's to spend time together and bond with each other. But the momma in me does hate that I miss out on things.

They got a lesson in cleaning up. Ha! Clay told me they both found some pieces of paper lying on the ground and wanted to "clean up." So Drew took them over to the garbage can so they could throw it away. That is something Bryson is really into right now is throwing stuff in the garbage can.

And of course y'all know the guys took them to CFA for lunch. I think Elaina was a little nervous at first to climb up the stairs, but I heard Bryson was such a little encourager, telling Elaina she could do it! Oh, I just love that sweet little boy :)

Legacy

I have always loved Nichole Nordeman. She has been one of my favorite Christian artist for over 10 years. After listening to yesterday's sermon I started thinking about Nichole's song, Legacy. The words to this song go right along with what pastor Ezell spoke about yesterday. Life is short and our days are numbered here on earth. We are not guaranteed tomorrow and we need to make each day count.

Legacy
I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me



Happy Monday :)

Busy Bees

We have been busy little bees this weekend! I can't remember when we've done this much on a weekend in a long time. But I've enjoyed getting to hang out with my boys and spend some much needed time with them.
Friday I woke up early for an eye appointment. It didn't turn out quite like I planned. My intention was to go and have my yearly exam and order contacts. Well my right eye changed 5 steps in just a year so I had to get new lenses for my glasses on top of the contacts. Ugh!!! I despise having terrible vision.
I was at the doctor longer than I planned so we didn't get to take Bryson to the splash pad. I just found out about our town having one and we haven't been able to take him all summer. Makes me feel like a bad mother. How in the world could I NOT KNOW that we had a splash pad? But I am thankful that our parents have pools for Bryson to play in :) We ended up taking him to our favorite fast food place...Chick-fil-A!

Bryson was SO excited to get to play! I get nervous when there are other kids that are a lot older than him playing too. But he just gets right in there with them and thinks he's a "BIG BOY!" It's so hard watching him grow up so fast. Where is the time going???

I thought this picture was funny! Such a precious angel!!

This next picture you might be able to see very well...
On Saturday we took Bryson to the movies. Clay has been wanting to take him to the movies all summer. It was one of the things on his list to do this summer since he was out of school. Cars was still showing at the theater so we thought that one would be a good one to take him too.

Is this picture not hilarious? He loved the popcorn :)

He made it through a little over an hour of the movie which I thought was good for a little boy his age. I am so thankful that we get to make these special memories. Even though we had a small meltdown towards the end, I will not forget the look on his face when me noticed Mater and the other cars!

Church was wonderful this morning. From the music to the guest pastor Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board. His sermon was great! He spoke on the legacy we would leave and asked us what would people say about us when we were gone? Very convicting and has had me thinking a lot today. Everything I own, every opportunity I have is a gift from God. During this season of my life I want to be in the place that God wants me to be in. I long to be in His will. We are not guaranteed tomorrow. I want my life to count for something and that when I see my Lord's face one day He will tell me "well done my daughter."

Our SS class has a supper club every two months where groups of us get together at different houses. We've been doing this since the beginning of the year and it has been a lot of fun! Today was our get turn with The Hosmer's. I just love this family.

This picture was from Bryson's party

These two little cutie pies played so well together. Bryson would follow Paxton everywhere he went and do the same things he did. It was so sweet! Brooke and I hope these two will be lifelong friends.

I hate having to go back to work after having a weekend like this.

Blessings

I'm sure most of ya'll are pretty familiar with Laura Story's song "Blessings." The first time I heard it on the radio I was in tears by the end of it. When I read the lyrics I was in awe! Going through infertility I would never have thought during that time God was blessing me through our pain. I struggled so much with asking God "why" instead of looking for the blessings he was showing me. My favorite line in the whole song is "that this is not our home!!" Praise Jesus!!!

Blessings - Lyrics

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering


All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

And all the while You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?

And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can’t satisfy?

And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?


Happy Wednesday!!

Random Post - Bullet Point Style

I've been extremely busy this week and it's only Tuesday. We are getting ready to go on vacation in the next few weeks and I'm working a couple of extra shifts on my week off to make up for the days I'll be missing. So today I thought I would just do a bullet list post of some of the things that have been going on.

• First off I got home from work this afternoon and Bryson started singing Jesus loves me. Not just a couple of words here and there, I'm talking about the whole song with just a few words missing. This momma was so excited! I've been singing that to him since we brought him home from the hospital before he goes to bed and I was hoping sooner or later he would learn it and start singing it himself. I hope I can get it on video!

I'm sure most of y'all are familiar with this little icon. I have recently discovered Pinterest. Oh my, this website is genius! Basically it allows you to organize things you find on the internet. You can use it to organize birthday party ideas, recipes, things for your home, weddings, and etc. Trust me when I tell you, you can loose all since of time when your on this site.
• I'm in desperate need of a blog makeover. I've been wanting to get one for some time now, but haven't had the extra $$$. To celebrate their TWO year anniversary Munchkin Land Designs is giving away some awesome prizes! Click on the link above to find out more information. I would love to win a makeover :)
• I'm so excited about tomorrow night. Some of us girls from our SS class are having a girls night out. We haven't been able to get together much this summer due to vacations and such. And since the guys have been going out on what I like to call "man dates" (HA!!) over the last several weeks we thought we needed a night out too!
• I mentioned last week about Blue-Eyed Bride's post on a "Home Organization Notebook." Several of the mom's I follow on twitter have also been inspired and it seems to be taking off. So today I ordered a Life Planner from...
  
  It will be delivered while we are on vacation, so I figured from now until then I could gather all the things I want in my notebook and when I get home from our va-ca I will be ready! I also saw on twitter that you can get a discount off the website when you visit plumdistrict.com. You have to click on the Houston: Katy/Sugar Land area to find the coupon. It's sooo worth it!

Clay and I are getting ready to watch Dual Survival. It comes on the Discovery Channel. We just started watching it last month and are hooked! I hope y'all are having a great Tuesday.

Fun Friday

When I got home this morning from work Clay informed me that he and Bryson were going to the park to meet up with Drew and Elaina. They were going to let the kids play for a while and then take them to Chick-fil-A for lunch.

Ladies I have to tell y'all that I'm really getting into Clay being off during the summer. This is the first summer he's been off since he started back to school in 2007. He graduates next May and then we hope he'll have a job waiting for him starting in August (he's getting a degree teaching Physical Education). It's been such a joy having him at home. Especially on the weeks that I work. And I know Bryson LOVES spending time with him too.

Thought I would share a few pics of Bryson and Elaina. Y'all know I made sure to tell Clay to take lots of pictures so I could blog about it later. Ha!

Elaina was all about the swing.

And Bryson was all about the slide.

I just had to post this picture. Clay said he didn't think they were holding hands, but I will confess that it wouldn't bother me if he did. Ha! These two sweet babies have always played so well together and I hope they grow up to be life long friends.

Enjoying lunch at CFA. I think this is the best fast food place to take your kids. And from the looks on these faces they would agree!

This evening we met up with The Allison's and had dinner at The Armstrong's house. I love that our friends are so close by and that we can get together at the last minute. We let the kids play and have a such a good time! It's so nice to get together with other adults and have adult conversation :)

Kristie made a wonderful dinner. I will definitely be using her pork loin and homemade macaroni and cheese recipe. They were delicious!!

Sheri, Elaina, Jack, and Kristie

Bryson was in awe of Jack's toys. I think there was one point tonight where Bryson tried to get in Jack's walker. Ugh...my child can be such a ham sometimes!

Of course the boys stayed outside doing "boy things." Throwing the football and talking about who knows what. I'm so glad Clay has such wonderful Christian friends he can hang out with and talk too. I honestly believe guys need their time just as much as we girls need our time.

Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend. I'm working on a Home Organization Notebook that I saw over at Blue-Eyed Bride. I've really stuggled in this area of my life and she has inspired me to "get organized."

Two Years

Dear Bryson~

I can't believe you are TWO years old today! It feels just like yesterday that you were born and I was holding you for the first time, all 7 pounds 1 ounce. I can't begin to tell you how long your daddy and I waited for you. I wonder how much I would have missed out in if the Lord hadn't given you to me. I thank Him everyday for giving me the chance to be your mother.

You are such a strong-willed little boy. You have a temper that tests my patience everyday, but bless your heart you get it honestly. I struggle a lot and questions myself most days as to whether I am doing a good job raising you. I think it's just because we are so much alike and I'm having to tell you "NO" a thousand times a day. Ha!

You are the light of my life. The last two years have been nothing short of a gift from the Lord. Your smile and laugh are contagious. I have always said you will grow up to be just like your daddy. Always making people laugh and being the "life of the party!"

I pray for you everyday. I want you to love Jesus more than anything in this world. I want you to follow His will for your life and let His light shine through you in all that you do.

What did your daddy and I do before you came along? You have given us so much joy and so much to look forward to in the future. There hasn't been one single day that has gone by that we haven't laughed about something you have done.

I can't believe how fast these last two years have gone by. I have learned to cherish every moment I have with you because I know one day you will leave us and start a family of your own. I am so thankful that you are my son. I am truly a better person because of you.

Happy Birthday my sweet baby boy! Momma loves you so very much!!