Spring School Pictures

Thankful to have these wonderful shots of the kids from their little school here in Nolensville.  Just another added bonus to why I love this program.  It's hard to find the time to take them to get their pictures made, and most of my friends, are so good about doing every six months or even every season.

I, on the other hand, just find it hard to find the time.  So, that's why these pictures make me so happy.  They turned out so good of the kids and help me to mark a time to remember them being little.

March 2013-

Owen- 4 years old

 

Emery- 21 months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Jenkin's MDO Spring Program

Nothing quite explains how it makes me feel to see my kids sing songs and be a part of a cute program like the one at their MDO.  I couldn't help but glow with pride.  Let's be honest.  It wouldn't matter if they stood up there and picked their nose, this old hen would still think they were fabulous in every way.

Emery started in March, so she got to squeeze in and be a part of the whole deal, even if it meant her just sitting while the others sang.  Whether they participate or not, it is still so amazing to just see them up there with their little friends and teachers.  Just another reminder how fast the do grow! 

We were also excited that Memaw and Pepaw came down.  It is always a treat and the kids love them more than I can even begin to explain.  So much in fact, that I have to keep it a secret when they are coming until they physically pull in the driveway to keep my sanity, because the kids won't accept "it won't be long" as an answer.  This too is just another part of my life that makes me appreciate the little things.  They make no differentiation and always make a point to take time to be involved in their lives, even the small things.

Best grandparents, hands down!  And, I'm taking notes every day on how to do what they do when it's my turn. 

Another year passed and another Spring program gone.  The next one I attend, my Owen will be graduating Pre-K and headed off to kindergarten.  I've got a year to soak him up, love him up, and hug him in public while I still can before it's time to set him free. No one will miss him more than me that's for sure.

But I've got a whole year.  And, I'm determined to make it count. 

Here are the shots of my little chickens doing what they do best . . . Making this Ol' Momma Hen proud!

 



29 and Holding

My birthday came and went in a flash and I woke the next day as a grown-up 29 year old.  The days ticked away this last year and to be honest, who even knows what I did everyday.  I know that I invested the majority of it into Wade and the kids, and I am proud of that. I have an amazingly lucky life, no doubt.

Here I stand, 29 years later, and it's hard to believe it's been that long.  To some, I'm just getting started, and to me, I know I have a lot left to learn.   I haven't outgrown my conscience and still wrestle with simple common everyday choices. I try to find life in the little things and I'm learning to expect nothing and appreciate everything.

I sleep better than ever, because honestly, I'm dog tired.  It's probably beginning to show, and that's okay.  It's one of the hazards of the job.  I sometimes wonder what in the world I would rather be doing, and my imagination couldn't possibly even entertain the idea.  This is where I'm planted and my only hope is that I'm growing.

The mornings used to be the time when I was cheery and up for all of life's challenges, but now, I honestly start each day with caution because I  can hardly make it through breakfast without counting to myself and many many prayers.  But these things are good for me, this I know.

And as my children grow, so do I.

There are a few things that come with 29 that I never thought possible...

I am more concerned with the outcome of their souls rather than the outcome of their life.
I realize that as fast as 29 years have come and gone, the rest will follow just as quickly, so hold on tight.
My definition of "fun" has changed....spending Friday night at home with all of us is my idea of a rockin' good time.
Love really isn't in the falling, it's in the staying there.
The majority of my conversation when out with friends is my kids, and before I was a mother, I didn't really understand this from others.
My idea of a successful day is whether I was able to take a shower, unload the dishwasher, and read a book to my kids.
Just Wade being here is often more important than what he does.  I honestly don't know how people do it alone.
There was no way that I ever really had a life before 2008 when Owen was born. What in the world did I do with all that time?

My life at 29 is great, even though nothing ever goes as planned.  It is very hard, but not for the same reasons as I would normally define "hard." It's the planting and not knowing and planting again if that makes sense.  It's understanding that God is in control and that I am merely a small part of the grand plan, and it's the peace that comes from knowing it.

The big 3-0 is on it's way and ready or not, this is a reality I must accept.  It's not that I think thirty is old, it's realizing how quickly it got here . My best years are behind me, but I know my greatest are ahead.  I am far blessed beyond my wildest dreams and I am humbled by all the things that make life hard. My plan is to keep it simple and make the most of the relationships I have.  I want to be faithful, loyal, and loving and really really listen.

My birthday was simply perfect.  Wade and the kids took me out.  This was the first time we celebrated outside of the house and I was nervous and unsure if it would be worth it with two kids under five.  But we were there and back by 7, so the kids did great. We went to Shoguns and Owen and Emery were fired up with the experience if you know what I mean.

We also had a date night out that Saturday to see Duck Dynasty and dinner after with friends, followed by a cake made by Owen, Emery, Memaw, Aunt Sis, and Pepaw.  Overall, it was a great birthday and I'm thankful to be able to celebrate another year. But mostly, I'm thankful to have people in my life who love me enough to even care and take the time to make me feel the way they do.

Here's to my last golden year in my twenties! 

Deep breaths,
Codye

My baby cake Wade brought home after work, one word, cute!

 

 

Owen giving the chopsticks a try . . .

 

 

Dinner with our great friends, The Watsons @ J. Alexander's with the most delicious yummy dessert I've ever tasted! 

Great recommendation Katie! 

Let the Games Begin

We have a new adventure in our life and we call it T-ball.  Owen started playing this Spring and it has been absolutely awesome.  We tried to get him started last fall, but he couldn't play until he turned four.  It's hard to believe that he is big enough to do something like this, but who am I kidding?  He will be turning five this fall and then next August, off to kindergarten he goes.

Time is moving and although I've been here everyday, I'm not quite sure where it's gone.  It's like I looked up and  before me stands this little boy with a dirty face telling "knock-knock" jokes.  It's crazy!

I wasn't sure what we were getting into when we signed him up for T-ball.  And, if I'm being totally honest, he rejected the idea from the beginning.  I have an amazing kid, but he tends to shy away from things out of his comfort zone and always leads off with a no before a yes.  So, there was only one thing to do.

I signed him up first thing.

And, the rest is really history.  He has embraced it with a great attitude and has grown to really love it.  I have to brag on the coaches too because they have been instrumental in making it fun for all the kids.

Does he get the concept of baseball yet?  Ummm, that would be a no.  But, he understands that there are four bases and they are fun to jump on, if you catch the ball, you throw to first base, it's important to run faster than a slow hippopotamus (which isn't very fast), the field is an endless world of dirt to play in,  and at the end of every game, there is a yummy snack waiting for him.

For his first game, we were all hyped up as you can imagine.  So, the day before I had went and bought some Gatorades for our little athlete and gave him one with his afternoon snack.  Long story short, he drank every drop, but apparently sucked his top lip into the bottle for what must have been a long time, because after his snack, I noticed this huge bright blue-purple bruise on his top lip.  At first, I thought it was a stain from the Gatorade, but no, it was a bruise.

And the best part was that not only was it his first game, but it was picture day too. 

Let the memories begin!

Watching Owen play T-ball has been so awesome.  He has blown us away and made us so proud.  He has had such a great attitude and made us laugh A LOT.  We have met some awesome families, made new friends, and are loving this season of our life.

We love our #5!  Go Tigers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mother's Day-May 2012

Being a mom is much different than I thought it would be.  I've said it a hundred times before.  I've been surprised more than once about the challenges that come with parenting and the broken hearts given over saying no, even if it was for the best.  But above all other things, nothing prepared me for how far I would go to love and protect another person.  I would go to ends of the earth if it meant keeping them safe.  

Before I was a mother, I didn't really understand what the big deal was.  Of course, you love your kids and you're proud of them, but it is much more than that when it comes to having your own.  It's seeing yourself inside of them.  I mean really seeing yourself. 

It's trying to teach them what you already know even though they won't listen.  It's understanding that they are not you and have their own mistakes to make.  It's loving them even when they aren't loveable.  It's forgiving them even when they are wrong.  

It's much harder than I imagined it would be, but worth every second.  No matter where they go, I will be here and no matter how time changes us, nothing will ever keep me from loving them.