Back to School

Cooper looking excited about his first day of middle school!

Sam looking not so thrilled about starting high school!

The Passing of Childhood

Oh, the silence. My boys are out enjoying this lovely weather on their last day of summer vacation. Their last day of freedom. My last day of freedom too, and although I have a hundred other things I should be doing, I thought I'd take advantage of the quiet and write a post.

We were naughty today and skipped church and went out to breakfast instead. I'm sorry God! The boys wanted to go to dinner tonight to celebrate the end of summer, but I figured breakfast is cheaper. Plus, I really wanted some french toast. We were planning to go to church as usual....really we were. But when that alarm went off, I just wanted one more morning of sleeping in a little. Tomorrow I'll be rising at 6 AM. (I don't know if I'll be shining!)

Sam will be starting high school tomorrow and Coop will be going off to middle school. Wasn't it just yesterday that I was sitting on my front porch while they drew with sidewalk chalk and rode their bikes up and down in front of the house?

I realized the other day that I'm no longer at that stage of life. A new family has moved in across the street from us. They have two preschoolers and a newborn. One day recently the preschoolers were out front from morning until night drawing on the sidewalk and riding their bikes and scooters. I could hear their squeals of delight all day long. That's when it hit me that the next generation of little ones is here and my kids aren't among them.

The neighbors that my boys used to play with are just about grown. One just got married, one has a baby, another one is a senior in high school and her younger sister is starting high school just like Sam. That gang of kids from 10 years ago is no longer the lively bunch on the street. They hardly see each other anymore.

Yes, this all does make me sad. Especially since I should have had a newborn myself this spring. However, I realize that God has provided us with different seasons of life, and I'm determined to enjoy each of them. Even though I miss my babies, my kids are fun to be with. We have lots of laughs together. And everyone is potty trained!! I love to see my kids learn a new skill and become more independent. I'm happy for them, and it shows that my hubby and I are doing our job.

I pray that each of you can enjoy and appreciate your family no matter what season you are in. It all passes much too quickly!

Don't Allow the Government to Make Us Forget Who We Are!

Yes, I am getting political here. Stand up Americans and take back our country!

Thankful Thursday

The time has finally come. My last Thankful Thursday for the summer. I will be heading back to work on Monday. I pray that I can continue to keep up on my blogging.

1. I am so very thankful for the long summer break that I've had. Since Labor Day is so late this year, I've had a full 3 months off. It has been relaxing and a time of trying new things. It has been quite a blessing!
2. I'm thankful that we got to celebrate Cooper's birthday yesterday! We have a fire pit in our backyard, so per Coop's request, we cooked our dinner outside over the fire. (Otto loves it when we do this!)
3. I'm thankful that I get to meet my newest great-niece today! (Please say a prayer for our safe travel.)
4. I am grateful that our heat wave has broken!!!
5. Eric was supposed to go to New York City yesterday. He ended up getting a flat tire. Thankfully, he hadn't even gotten out of town before it happened. God was watching out for him!

What are you thankful for today? Please stop by Truth 4 the Journey and share your blessings!

Happy Birthday Cooper!

Today my youngest son turns 12! I can officially say that he is 12 because it is now after 4:05 pm. Coop likes to be exact! He was our 9 pound, 11 ounce, 21 inches long bundle of joy! (His brother was even bigger!)

Here are some pictures from his impromptu birthday party at our house on Sunday. He wanted a big chocolate chip cookie instead of a cake. Worked for me because it was easy!













I found a poem that I wrote about Cooper when he was a baby and thought I'd share it here.

CLAMORING COOPER

Clamoring Cooper is a very loud boy.
He yells and he yells and he yells at his toys!

He squawks and he shrieks at Sam his big brother,
All the while smiling at his almost deaf mother.

He shouts at his father so that he too might hear,
Even though Daddy is sitting quite near.

He screams while he eats, he roars while he plays.
Clamoring Cooper bellows all day!

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Happy Birthday my little love bug!