Happy 7th Birthday Jacob!

Today is my little guy's 7th birthday!  Time sure does fly when you're having fun and we have tons of fun with Jacob!  He is so much fun and brings so much joy into our lives.  He loves all things sports and being outside- he's what they call " All Boy"!  He still whines some and has times when he worries a lot but all in all, he's a pretty laid back kid!  He's into The Avengers superheroes right now, video games, wrestlers and playing sports/outside.  Give him a ball and a pretty day and you won't see him! He tends to be unfaithful to sports teams, cheering for the winning team.  As of now, He's a Packers, IU, Angels and Heat fan- it will change tomorrow I'm sure!!  He gives everything 100% and is his toughest critic!  He tries with everything in him to be the best but takes defeat pretty well.  He loves school and loves to read.  He has played center for football, played soccer, basketball and is playing short stop in baseball right now.  He made the 7U travel team for baseball and will get to play in a few tourneys later this summer.  Jacob loves going to church and I'll catch him playing in his room or walking around signing praise and worship songs- it makes my heart happy.  He loves devotion time and hanging out with his friends from church and school.  His spirit is one of discipline and perseverance- there's no doubt in my mind he will do something big for God one day!  He is loving and still wants to snuggle and give kisses and hugs all the time.  He's been called a "Momma's Boy" and I'll take it!!!  Happy Birthday Jacob, mom and dad are so proud of you and the little man you are becoming!  Keep Jesus in the center of your life and all things will fall into place.  Jesus is the only one you have to please and as long as He's happy with you, no one else matters!  I love you my sweet boy with my whole heart!

Cupcakes at the Ball Field

 

Jacob's birthday is tomorrow so we celebrated with his baseball team after his game last night!  We had baseball cupcakes to celebrate his 7th birthday!  The boys won their game, which made the celebration even better!

Memorial Day Weekend Recap

We had a great Memorial Day weekend.  We relaxed, had fun and enjoyed the start of summer!  Friday evening, Brad taught Jordan had to mow!  He's in middle school now, so it's time to learn how to do some things around the house to help dad.  While Brad and Jordan were outside, Jake and I were inside making goodies.  We made jello pudding pops and frozen strawberry lemonade.  Jake is such a good helper in the kitchen, both boys are- I just don't take the time with them like I should! After Jordan was finished outside, he came in and the boys made a summer activities list using popsicle sticks.  I found the idea on Pinterest (imagine that) and the kids loved it.  They colored the sticks with markers and we wrote an activity on each stick that we wanted to do this summer.  Some were free, cheap and some were pricey-like the movies.  We enjoyed spending time together planning our summer! On Saturday, Jacob had baseball practice at 3:00 and Jordan left for his cousins house around 5:00.  After practice, Brad and I took Jake out to eat to his favorite place- China Village.  After wards, we cruised around town with the windows down listening to the oldies station- it was such a beautiful night.  We took Jake to rent a video game and we rented a couple movies for the evening.  We then surprised Jake with a trip to TF, our favorite ice cream spot!  We ate the ice cream there and then headed home where Jake and Brad played the rented video game until Jake's bed time.  Brad and I relaxed and watched movies into the early morning.  Sunday, we headed to church and after church, Jake had his first travel baseball practice.  It was hot (both days to be exact) but he did awesome!  After practice, we headed to get Jordan and meet friends at the Drive-In in Reo.  We watched The Avengers and John Carter (stupid movie!!).  The kids didn't last during the second movie-they fell asleep around 11:00!  It was a late night, we finally got home around 2:00a.m.! Monday morning was low key.  We headed out to some friends house around 2:00 to swim and cook out.  We grilled pork steaks, hot dogs, hamburgers and sausages and had tons of sides.  We had Derr's strawberry and rootbeer floats for dessert.  It was a perfect day/weekend!  I am so glad summer is finally here!

Raising Them Right

I love our local Christian book store!  I love it so much that I stay away because I want everything!  Several months ago, Brad and I went out for a date and as always, The Vineyard is on our list of places to go!  I stumbled across two fun devotionals for the entire family.  With the craziness of life and living with my parents, our nightly devotions as a family got off course.  It is sad and I don't like it but it's going to happen.  We have gotten back on track- Praise God.  Every night the boys have been piling into bed with us and we read and discuss the devotions.  It is stirring their spirits, their questions are amazing.  I love this time so much!  Last night after Jacob's ball game, a trip to TF for ice cream and baths, the kids piled into bed with us.  It was after 10:30 before they made it to bed but we cannot get this time back.  "Just 5 more minutes", Jacob says.  5 more minutes it is x 10 but I wouldn't have it any other way.  Jordan is 11 now, still likes to cuddle and hang out with us.  I know this will change soon enough, so this time is even more precious because he's older.  I'm glad we are back on track and I know we'll fall off again but it doesn't matter- what matters is that we get back on track again!  Life isn't perfect, never claimed it was but we have each other and we love each other and that is what matters!

Last Day of School 2012/Graduation Dinner

 My boys last day of school.  I am officially the mom of a middle school student and a 2nd grader!

Tuesday evening after all the festivities, we took the boys out for dinner. Since Jordan graduated from 5th grade into middle school, we let him decide on our supper destination.  He picked pizza from Archie and Clyde's.  It was a beautiful day, so we sat outside and enjoyed each other and dinner.  We gave the boys cards letting them know how much we loved them and how proud we were of their hard work this past year.  It was a nice evening!

5th Grade Field Day ~ Part 1

What an awesome day we had Tuesday!!!  Jordan's 5th grade class graduated from Loge Elementary and their send off was so much fun.  We have been planning this day for the last 2 months and the day was wonderful through and through.  The weather was AMAZING and the kids were so well behaved.  The day started off with an awards ceremony.  Jordan received the Honor Roll and AR Award.  He did so good this year (he had to be pushed a lot), his course grades for all 3 semesters ended up being all A's and 1 B+ in ART of all subjects!!!  After the ceremony and tons of pictures, we headed outside for Field Day.  The kids had so much fun playing water balloon volleyball, tug-of-war, sack races, corn hole and on the inflatable.  The men grilled burgers and hot dogs and the kids had lunch around 11:00.  Brad took a 1/2 day and got to the school around 11:30.  We gathered the kids together to go inside around 1:30 and presented them with their Memory Books.  They passed their books around for one another to sign for about 30 mins.  At 2:00 we watched a slide show of pictures from their Kindergarten year until now.  It was sad, they have all grown up so much.  I did fine until at the end of the show, their teachers wrote them a message and said Just Remember.....Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat-that got me!  They gathered together for one last Go Wildcat cheer and then I had a 6th grader.  Oh Lord, please help me....I know I am going to have to rely on you even more.  I am excited for Jordan and the experiences he will have in middle school.  I pray daily that God uses him, protects him, makes him into who HE wants Jordan to be and that he is full of love, peace, joy, faithfulness, respect, character, integrity and discipline.  I am very proud of him and although it hasn't always been easy-it's well worth it!!!!

5th Grade Field Day ~ Part 2

Once A Wildcat, Always A Wildcat!