Last Day...

The first day of kindergarden was hard. Austin and I cried for a few days because we missed Drew so much.
Today I cried because my baby has FINISHED kindergarden. I can't believe how hard this letting go part of motherhood is. I don't know how I'll make it throught 8th grade and high school.... and I don't want to even think of any older than that! These kids grow up so fast, and even though I see them and am with them every day it still seems too fast.
It's amazing how much he has learned this year. At the bginning of the year, he didn't even know all his lower case letters, and now he can write SENTENCES. In september he still had trouble sounting to 20, now he can count to 100, AND do addition and subtraction!
It's truely amazing.
Drew, as long as you keep amazing me, I guess I'll let you grow up....just don't go too fast.


They had a cowboy themed concert for their graduation...


Here Drew is getting his certificate from the principal


They posed on the first day...here they are on the last day (it was field day, so no uniforms)



These are pictures of Drew from the school year that his teacher gave me...


In their cowboy gear again, with his teacher, Mrs Odum, and pricipal, Mr Kiley
Me and Drew on my last day of helping in his class (the same day as his concert)

First time meeting...

This weekend we got to meet Gracelynn Marie, who is the new (well, 4 months old) daughter of Randy's cousin Heather. They live in North Carolina, so this was our first time to meet her...





















Here are all the littlest cousins together...




















Andrew and Austin were thrilled to have a baby to love on...






















Here's Peyton, who will be a big brother in November!

another graduate

I didn't forget about you, Lauren! Here's the other graduate in the family.... I think this is her kindergarden picture?





How cute is she???














...and here in her cap and gown....
I can't remember the exact wording of her major, but it's something like Theatrical Lighting. She is working this summer in New London, New Hampshire. Here's a link to where she's working http://www.nlbarn.com/index.html




Here's a rare picture of the four of us together at the same time....

(Note, siblings, the tallest of the girls is ME!!!)

Graduation

This is my favorite picture of my little brother...isn't he cute?

On thursday he graduated high school.... I can't believe he's that old already...
He'll be going to Fontbone University in St Louis next year (Avila's sister college for all you alumni), his major to be determined....

That's me and Lauren, Matt and Austin. Lauren looks just like Sarah without her glasses.


Anyway, Congratulations Matt!

This and that...

Wednesday was the last Spirit Day of the year (That's what they call the second wednesday of the month, when they can wear jeans, and their yellow shirts). This is Drew's class on wednesday...
This is Drew's class on their first Spirit Day of the year.... I can't believe it's gone so fast.... but I'll cry about that another day....
I just found out my friend Tracy is expecting her first baby! This is Tracy and her husband Matt when they first started dating....
Sorry Tracy, it's the first picture I found!

Happy Mother's Day

I am so lucky to be a mom...

I pray, please do not let them grow up overnight,
don't let me miss a moment because I am too busy,
let me enjoy picking up "stuffed animal world" and all the imaginary adventures the boys play,
let me cherish every weed that is picked as a loving bouquet,
let me not be in such a hurry when little hands want to help me cook,
let me listen attentively to all the stories and questions and encourage their curiousity,
let me not take one hug or kiss or "I love you to the end of space and back" for granted....
for I am truly blessed to be their mom.

"A Mother holds her children's hands for a little while, their hearts forever"

The Weekend

The boys got their haircut this weekend....this may not be the best picture of it (sorry)
Drew had a chilly soccer game saturday, he's the one laughing in every picture...

Crazy Hair!!!

Today at school was Crazy Hair Day- good thing Drew needs a hair cut- we got some height!!!

Austin had his own crazy hair going from bed....