Oma's Birthday Soiree

Last night we hosted a Birthday Celebration in honor of my Mom's Birthday. It was so exciting to use the new outdoor room for the 1st time (even though our furniture is STILL not in!)

My Momma & I

Such a sweet sight to see two precious cousins play together...
The Birthday Girl catching one of her babies off the slide...

My little sister Kerri and her main man...Kreston.
How cute is it that they look alike!
As Paula Deen says, "Let's eat ya'll!"

My sis-in-law Courtney and her adorable Austin

Grandma & O

Break to spray for bugs...Ella is always their #1 target!

The peeps who didn't eat in the heat.

All smiles :)

*Happy B'day to Oma!*

B'day Presents

Oooh Ahhhh

Oma loves her girls!

The little dudes watch from afar...

Hi 5!

Oma goes in for a kiss...

Mmmwaaaa!

Found out late in the game that this lil' guy had been eating trail mix (w/ M & M's) out of the bowl with a spoon all night!

At long last, it's *UZZI time!!!WOO HOO!!

Ella does a *Birthday Dance* for Oma!

Just soaking up the moment...a night we've waiting a very long time for.

Worth the wait.

Owen is Growin' (up before my eyes...)

This is my oldest son Will during the first month of 4 yr old pre-school, back in 2003

(That's Abby next to him, age 2)

This is moi during that same month - prego with Miss Ella Bella (who is now in 1st grade!)
This was today, August 24th, 2010
My baby headed off to 4 yr old pre-school...just like his big bro did 7 yrs ago. I cannot begin to tell you how absolutely different I feel toward him as I did Will. The first, seemed SO BIG and so grown up...the last, well...I'm in denial that he's close to turning four. It's like he grows, but his "baby position" stays just the same. I will forever feel like he's not really his age.

Thanks to some God Tears, he was a little damp on his way in...he thought his shoes were "splash shoes"! :)

a little giddiness as he gets closer to his class

Gosh, I LOVE that face!

And he's off...running down the "Big Kid" hall to his 4A class!

Wait! I need another pic...

His cubby

His precious teacher greeting him on his way in

Putting his name (yes, it's upside down) in the schoolhouse

Owen ~ I love you so so much! As much as it pains me that you are growing up so quickly, I am so excited to watch you become the boy that God designed you to be. You do something to my heart...and I can't imagine life without you in it.

Perfect Pairings ~ Deuteronomy 29:9-10

Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do. All of you are standing today in the presence of the LORD your God—your leaders and CHIEF men.

Deuteronomy 29:9-10

(Pic is of the hubs playing part of "Chief Wiki Wiki" at a Murder Mystery Luau this past Friday!)

{ "Perfect Pairings" is a fun and easy way to blog. Just find a picture you like and then pair it with a scripture...or, vice versa, think of a scripture and try to find a picture to fit its theme. Then, post your link in the comment section below. What a great way to share a picture, and at the same time, honor God with His Word! }

Happiest 14th Anniversary

There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.

George Sand

Perfect Pairings ~ Genesis 1:20

And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures,

and let birds fly above the earth

across the expanse of the sky."

Genesis 1:20

First day of 6th, 4th & 1st Grade!

My Will's first day of 6th Grade...he is now the "Big Man on Campus" at Jenks East Intermediate! He meticulously planned his alarm, his outfit and his school supplies. Like Father, like Son, he headed off with the perfect amount of confidence...ready to be a light at his school!

(I always like to snap a shot of the backpack they choose for the year. His? He snagged the one we received as a gift on our Banff trip!)
My precious girls
Abby could hardly get to sleep last night due to all her anticipation & excitement!
Ella opted for curls & tulle while Abby went with the "school girl" look. Ella forgot to attach her hot pink glitter lunch box to her pack, so she's trying to hold it up for the camera to capture, LOL! :)

B.F.S.F - Best Friend Sisters Forever

Our lovely drive to school...patience was a virtue

We finally found a parking spot & headed to Abby's 4th grade class

(we were incredibly blessed to be assigned Will's 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Majors - she is the WORLD'S BEST TEACHER! She loves the Lord, she knows how to stretch & grow children's minds, & she loves her kids with all her heart...did I mention she has a Ph.D? She is so humble that she doesn't ever tell anyone...)

I don't think I've ever seen Abby truly nervous until today...

My baby girl entering her 1st grade class

She gets her very own desk this year!

(Received this beautiful poem from my friend Jonni...a perfect ending)

A Mom's Prayer On the First Day of School
Here we are again, Lord. Their backpacks are loaded and their faces are scrubbed and their lunch accounts are full.
And I know you'll walk with them, Lord. You always do. But a mom still has to ask.
Will You walk with them? Will You whisper to them what they need to hear, when I'm not there to whisper it?
Will You please, oh please, cover their school with the protection only You can give, and will You keep harm far away?
Will You make their minds strong and ready to learn? Will You help them understand that hard work honors the One who created them?
Will You guide their teachers, giving them patience and wisdom and creativity and more patience? Will You bless them for their efforts?
Will You love all those children there, the ones whose lunch accounts aren't full, the ones who feel alone? Will You teach my children to be kind and unselfish and to love those who are different from them?
Will You point them back toward home just as soon as you can?
Lord, I give them to You today and everyday, trusting them to Your care. Amen.