Emma Turns Four!

My baby girl turned four this past week. We have had such fun celebrating her, Ian and Scott over the past weeks. It's a month long party at our house this time each year! And for the next few months, my babies will be 6, 5 and 4 years old; it helps justify the craziness that is my family when I think of their ages being so close. :-)

We started the celebration off last Friday with a combined birthday party for Ian and Emma at Chuck E. Cheese's. Most likely this will be the last year I can do that - I'm sure Ian will want an "all boy" party next year. They invited a few of their closest friends from church and The Cube, and had lots of fun! Emma wanted a princess cake, and Ian wanted a Lightning McQueen cake, and Tom Thumb did a fabulous job making it happen.

On Sunday, Mimi (my mom) and I took Emma to the American Girl Botique and Bistro for a celebration. Emma had been looking forward to this outing more than any other part of her birthday. The boys (including daddy) were SO tired of hearing Emma talk about going to the "dolly store!" The AG Bistro does such a fabulous job of putting together a girly lunch. The sandwiches and fruits are cut in fun shapes, the birthday cake was amazing, and even Bitty Baby gets her own menu. Emma felt loved and adored!

Finally, on Emma' s actual birth day (Tuesday) we had a celebration here at home. The traditional birthday muffin, along with gifts galore. The boys got her ponies (what is it with girls and their ponies?), and we got her a "rock star" outfit with microphone. This is what she really wanted! She immediately dressed up and gave us a concert - so precious!



That night as I put her to bed, I asked Emma, "So how does it feel to be four years old?" She replied in her ever dramatic way, "Mom, it's like, just SO AWESOME! I mean, I feel like a rock star!" Sweet girl, dream away! What a blessing she is to our family!

Sam's First Day of 1st Grade!

My baby boy started 1st grade on Monday. I am still in shock! The night before, he laid out his carefully chosen clothes, brushed his teeth, and allowed this mommy some snuggle time before sleep. I have some of my best conversations with Sam just before he sleeps - he's quite open and reveals much of his heart. That night, he reminded me that he would miss me all day, and that he wanted me to pray for him. He said he REALLY didn't want to go to public school. He wanted me to pack his lunch, but "no notes this year mom, they are embarrassing!"

The next morning, he requested eggs, bacon and sausage for breakfast, of which he only ate 2 pieces of bacon. :-) He told Ian and Emma that he would be gone all day, and that mom was going to pray for him. I'm glad that sunk in.

So we packed up, and headed to school. As we walked into the school, hand in hand, he whispered to me,

"Mooommmm, I really don't want to do this."

"I know baby."

"Mom, remember, we talked about this last night?"

"I know baby. You can do this. I'll be thinking of you all day."

We walked into his classroom, and he put his backpack in his little locker. Then we looked for his assigned seat, and noticed that the little girl next to his desk looked familiar. I told Sam I thought that was Hayley from preschool. He says, "Mom, I know...she's an old, old friend!" It was a little hug from God that morning, providing an "old, old friend" in a class where he thought he knew no one, and making him completely at ease.

So it was a good start to the school year - no hiding under a table in the corner of the classroom like last year, and more tangible evidence of God's provision and presence in Sam's life.

After we dropped Sam off, Scott and I took Ian and Emma to IHOP for our 2nd annual celebratory breakfast. We did this last year when Sam started Kindergarten. The babies had such fun having special time with us (after so much focus on Sam). It won't be much longer til they start kindergarten - whatever will I do then? :-)

Time Well Spent

Yesterday, I was able to spend several hours with my birthdaughter and friend, Addison. She's getting ready to start her JUNIOR YEAR (how in the world did that happen?) of college, and her birthday is around the corner. So we shopped...clothes, school supplies, dinner. I stepped in mud, she ran into a rack of clothes, and we laughed...a lot. Oh, and we found the ever elusive light blue folder with pockets and brads!!! Can I get a witness? :-)

This was hands down my most favorite visit with Addi. She's coming into herself, discovering who God made her to be, and embracing it joyfully. We had wonderful, meaningful conversations about God, church, friendships, life choices...you name it, we talked about it (right Addi, heh heh). I left that night with such a fullness in my heart, and a better sense of what this amazing young woman is all about.

Addi, I do not take our relationship lightly; I know it is a great rarity among birthmoms/daughters. I am grateful for every moment we spend together, perfect or not. And I'm absolutely taken by who you are - a beautiful, precious child of God. I love you! WORD. :-)

A Change of Heart and a New Direction

Over the past several weeks, Scott and I have both felt a sense that God was leading us in a new direction regarding educating our children, yet neither one of us said anything. Scott knew how badly I wanted to homeschool, and I didn't want Scott to think I couldn't handle it. So we just kept heading toward a year of homeschooling. Finally, we had a heart to heart, and have decided to put Sam in public school this year.

Am I disappointed? Oh yeah. Am I at all nervous about this new direction? Yep. But I totally and completely trust the Lord, His leading in our hearts, and His best interests for my family. His heart is toward us. I know that in following the Lord in obedience, and remaining under His authority, His blessings and all that come with it will prevail.

So today, we enrolled Sam in 1st grade at his new school. We bought school supplies (except for the ever elusive light blue pocket folder with brads...lol), picked out a new lunchbox and backpack, and some new socks and tshirts. Oh yeah, and new sneakers. Meet the teacher night is on Wednesday, and a date night for Mommy and Sam on Thursday. And school...that starts on Monday.

Sam goes back and forth between nervousness and excitement. This morning when he woke, Sam told me he'd dreamed that he attended school. He was happy about it. Then later this afternoon, he threw away his new lunchbox because, "I'm not going to school Mommy." And the big heart breaker...."But Mommy, Ian and Emma will get to spend ALL day with you, and I won't."

So this is our plan for this year...this month, this semester. :-) We'll see how it goes. God is good and faithful and He loves us. Oh - and I chose to share this news on my blog to spare me having to make 100 phone calls. Gotta love technology!

5 things I love about Ian...

In honor of my sweet boy turning 5 years old, I'm posting 5 things I love about Ian Weslee...

1. His tender heart. Ian has always been my sweet, tender hearted boy who is sensitive to others. If someone is sick, sad, or hurting, he is always right there to give hugs and kisses. He seeks out the brokenhearted.

2. His creativity. Ian is my creative one, and most often is found coloring, drawing, painting, or writing stories (in his own special script). He does NOT like to perform in front of others, but does enjoy showing off his creations.

3. His sensitivity to the things of God. When Ian first joined Upward Soccer, he carried his little Bible around everywhere, trying to read it. He said he wanted to know more and more about God. When he prays, he's either awfully silly or incredibly tender.

4. His desire to help. Ian always comes running when I (or anyone else) needs help doing something. He loves to have a clean room, loves helping tidy the house, and always wants to help cook or fold clothes. What a husband he will make one day!

5. His love for his siblings. Ian LOVES his big brother and little sister. Yes, they fight like wild animals, but oh how he loves them. I so enjoy hearing him playing "house" with Emma, and he calls her "dear" just like Scott calls me. They say they love each other and he takes such good care of her. I pray his relationship with them only grows and sweetens.

Ian, you are an amazing blessing to your family. I could list a million things that I love about you! We are so proud of you for being a courageous boy, for working hard at your speech, and for learning to obey mommy & daddy. We are so glad God chose you to be in our family!!! We know that God has great things in store for your giant heart - we will cheer you on each step of the way. We love you sweet one!

Ian...through the years

Just a few weeks old in 2003

On vacation in Hunt, TX 2004

After having some yummy ice cream - 2005

Sadly, the curls are gone! 2006

My thoughtful one...Kosse, TX 2007

My big boy on the beach (Okaloosa Island, FL) - 2008

Happy Birthday Ian!

My sweet Ian turned 5 last Sunday! How did that happen? I was just looking through his ABC scrapbook recently and was amazed how quickly the time has passed. I miss his precious curls and cute dimples...but I'm grateful for the boy he's becoming.

We started the day off with a traditional birthday muffin. I'll never forget on Ian's 2nd birthday, he reached out to touch the candle before I could stop him and burned himself. His pictures from that year are not so endearing. :-)

Ian decided he wanted hot dogs, hamburgers, cupcakes and ice cream for his family birthday party. So dad delivered! Scott started the grill in the awful heat, and made yummy burgers and dogs for us. Ian also requested sprinkles on his chocolate cupcakes with vanilla/blue icing, thank you very much! Mimi (my mom) and Uncle Carl (Scott's brother) made it for the party. He was surrounded by family and lots of love!

Decorating his cupcake

He gets so embarassed when we sing to him. I love how he looks to me for support. Sweet!

He loved opening his presents - he was so happy! He kept running around telling everyone, "thank you so much" for the gifts. It fills my heart to see my children so happy! A glimpse of how God must feel as he watches us experience His blessings. Happy Birthday Ian Weslee, you are loved!!!

One of Ian's favorite gifts...a Lightning McQueen tent. He's slept in it every night since.