Precious

She is precious. She loves flowers...and looking at birds in trees. She loves to pose for the camera...and she is growing up WAY too fast. Can someone please figure out how to keep her from growing up anymore?!?!?

So proud

*This event actually took place a few weeks ago...but it is such a cute story...that I had to make sure it was posted.*
Ty man has a "Field Day" at the end of each school year. It is a day full of fun and activities for the kids and it ends with a race. Depending on what grade you are in...you run a 1/2 mile or full mile. Ty reminded me of the "BIG race" a few weeks before his field day. He asked me if he HAD to run it. I asked him why he wouldn't want to run and he explained to me that he knew that he was not a good runner...and that the other kids in his class were a lot faster than he was. He said that his gym teacher told the class that they didn't have to run it if they didn't want to. I thought a few seconds before I responded to him...knowing that his momma is also not a good runner...even though I am working on it. I told him that he could do whatever he wanted...but I would practice with him if he chose to run it. I also told him that sometimes just finishing a race is a great accomplishment...even if you don't win (which sounded like a great "mom" thing to say) He still wasn't sure...so I told him that we would just practice a few times and he could see what he wanted to do. So...we ran...a little here and there...every few days. When he came home from school a week later he let me know that he had signed up for the race. He was still nervous...but he wanted to try. I told him that was all he needed to do and that I was very proud of him. I also promised him that I would be there to watch him run and cheer him on...the only thing that I didn't realize was that because of a make-up day (due to too many snow days) Field Day was NOT going to be on Friday (my day off from work) It was going to be on Tuesday (my full day of work). Uh-oh!! I asked my boss if I could leave early and he said that I should be able to...we just had to get a few things done for a project I was working on. I called to check in at the school office a few times that day to see if the races were still on schedule...hoping that they might be a little behind...but they were right on time. I rushed through my work and left a little later that I had wanted to. I raced to the school...and quickly walked to the back field. I could see his class getting ready at the starting line. I started to run to get over to him so that I could let him know I was there. I am sure I was a sight to see as I was trying to run...in heels...in a dress..while waving to him...and yelling his name. I was almost to him when the gym teacher blew the whistle and they were off. He hadn't seen me. I was determined to let him know that I was there...so I kept running straight through the field...hoping to catch up with him after he rounded the corner and started to the back field. As I was running I saw that he was second to last in his group and he looked like he was fading fast...very early in the race. (Yes...I know that this all sounds like a dramatic scene from a movie...but I promise that it actually happened this way...I have witnesses who saw me running through the field to catch him...and one of the other moms actually ran out there with me) I made it to the other side just as he was approaching. I yelled out, "Hey Boo...I made it...I'm here...you can do it...keep going!!" The look on his face was priceless. He had the biggest smile. As he passed me he said, "Don't worry mom...I got this." I saw him run down the hill picking up speed as he went. I watched him until he was out of sight...then I headed for the finish line. The first few kids came in and all the parents, teachers, and other students clapped. I waited. A few more kiddos came through...and I realized that my heart was beating fast...I was nervous wreck as I waited to see his little face come up the hill. I knew he was second to last...so I wasn't expecting to see him quite yet. But...then I saw a his bright red shirt...and he wasn't second to last...he was in the first half of his class. I yelled, "Keep going Ty...you can do it!" I was so thankful that I was wearing my big sunglasses at this point...because I totally teared up. (Yes...I am that mom who can cry so easily when it comes to my babes) He kept running up the hill and he crossed the finish line. I breathed a sigh of relief as I made my way to him and gave him the biggest hug. I told him that I was SO proud of him and I asked him how he had passed so many kids. He was a little out of breath (and I am sure he was exaggerating being out of breath just a little for affect :)!!) He said, "After I saw you and I knew you were here...I just kept telling myself...Don't stop...do this for mom...she will be so proud!" I started to tear up a little again as I picked him up and said, "I am proud. SO proud Boo...more proud than you could ever know. You did it...you finished...and not only that...you finished in the first half of your race!" I set him down and looked at his big blue eyes and his sweaty blond hair...my little man had done a great job and I was a proud momma.
I asked his teacher if I could sign him out early...she said that was fine (a lot of the other parents were grabbing their kiddos too) We walked hand-in-hand to the car and he told me all about passing some of the kids and jumping to touch the leaves on the tree he ran around...and I listened as though I hadn't just heard him tell me all about it only a few minutes ago. We got in the car and headed to McDonald's for a victory ice cream cone. As I looked in the rear-view mirror at him I realized that this would be the first of many accomplishments for my Ty man. I started thinking about all he was going to do in the years to come...but then I stopped myself. I wanted to remember this moment...with my 7 year old guy...licking an ice cream cone...a little dirty and sweaty from the days events...with his big blue eyes looking back at me in the mirror...and a big smile on his face. This moment was perfect.

Graduation

So...my littlest babe graduated from Kindergarten. The whole ceremony was just precious and filled with songs...verses...solo "lines" and tons of cuteness! We had a lot of friends and family come and they all made Maddie feel so special. I cannot believe that she is going into 1st grade!! I feel the tears coming just thinking about it...so instead of writing anymore...I will just post some pics of the night.
This is Maddie with her teacher, Mrs Patterson. We LOVE Mrs. Patterson!! She was also Tyler's Kindergarten teacher and she will always have a special place in our hearts. The other little girl is Ashley. She is one of Madison's best friends and we just love her!
This is "Granny" Glenna and "Grampy" Greg. They are the most amazing couple! Glenna works with Dustin at the church and they have just adopted our family...and we have adopted them!! Glenna has a little drawer in her office full of gifts for the kiddos and she always goes and visits them in class. My babes love getting hugs from them and seeing them so much during the week. Greg and Glenna are a true blessing to our family!!

I just love my babes!! Dustin was tickling Ty...but I think this was the only family picture we got :)

These 3 little girls are just precious! I love to watch them all play together. They are definitely cute cuties!!

I have a lot more pics to post...but for some reason...they are not loading. I will try to add them later. We were so thankful to have Mamaw and Pop (Dustin's Grandparents), Papaw and Nana (Dustin's parents), Heather, Ryan and Candice, Suzy, Kate, Chad and Shanta all there to celebrate with us. It was a wonderful night full of smiles, laughter and a few tears from this sentimental momma. They definitely grow up too fast!!

Happy Birthday Ty

Eight years ago...at this very time...I was 36 weeks pregnant with my little man. And eight years ago...at this very time...I started to feel "funny". Dustin and I were getting ready for bed after a busy day and I remember thinking to myself that I just felt funny...not bad...just not normal. I went to sleep and I woke up about 3:00 in the morning with cramps. I figured it was normal...so I stayed in bed and tried to go to sleep....but the cramps were not going away. They were different than any other cramps I had ever had. They started in my back and went around to my stomach...then my stomach felt really tight...then they went away. I remember thinking to myself that these might be contractions...they were uncomfortable...but not unbearable. Since I couldn't sleep with them I figured that I would go downstairs and watch some TV. Sitting seemed to be pretty uncomfortable as well and I noticed that my cramps were coming and going at a pretty regular pace. I started timing them...and they were anywhere from 10 - 6 minutes apart. I still wasn't all that concerned because I was only 36 weeks and I remembered the words of my birthing coach who stressed to all of the ladies in every class..."Don't come into the hospital until you cannot walk or talk through your contractions!!" I was definitely uncomfortable...but I could still walk and talk. Then...all of the sudden...I had a huge urge to clean ...and I mean deep clean!! So for the next 3 hours I cleaned...A LOT. I dusted...mopped...swept...windexed...I cleaned the bathroom...I cleaned the kitchen...I cleaned...and cleaned...and cleaned. Dustin came down the stairs as I was on my hands and knees buffing my hardwood floor with Pledge. He asked me what I was doing...and I told him that I had been having what I thought was contractions. I explained to him that I just really wanted to clean and since I couldn't sleep...I figured that I should just get the cleaning done. He asked if I should call the Dr and I told him that I thought I was fine...but I was going to call into work and tell them that I would not be in (It was a Saturday morning and I worked at a bank...so I knew it was only a half day anyway). He asked me if I was going to be able to go to the wedding...yes...our friends were getting married that day...Dustin was in the wedding and he had his tux all ready and I was set to be seated as an honored guest of the bride (pregnancy bridesmaid dresses were not too popular then :)!!) I told him that I thought I would be fine. About 30 minutes later...I realized that my contractions were coming more regularly and they were much closer together. I figured maybe I should call my Dr. She said that I should come in to get checked...although she did not sound very urgent. I really didn't feel very urgent either...I mean...I could still walk and talk. So I got in the shower...I was really not in any hurry. A little over an hour later we headed for the hospital. Dustin seemed a little nervous...but I told him to bring his tux with him because I was pretty sure that we would still be going to the wedding. We checked in and waited for the nurse to come in to look at me. She came in a few minutes later and after she checked me she said , "Well..we are looking good." I thought that meant everything was normal and that I was not in labor. I looked at Dustin and said, "Looks like you need to get into your tux." To which my nurse responded, "Not if he wants to be here when your baby arrives." My mouth dropped open and I remember Dustin saying something like...so he is coming...now? Like soon? Like today? The nurse smiled at both of us and said, "You will be both be parents by the end of the day." All of the sudden it hit me...I was going to be a mom...soon!!! Thoughts started to swirl in my head...O my goodness...I have to get this baby out of me...and when he comes out I am going to be his mom!! Can I do this? I don't know how to do this. Wow...I hope I don't mess this up!! As I am thinking all of this...I remember Dustin calling his mom and telling her that I was actually in labor. She was on her way and so was the rest of his family and our friends. The next 4 hours went by fairly smoothly...then it was time to push. The Dr. said that he was posterior...so after pushing for a little while they had to use a little suction to get him. I had Dustin on my right...his mom on my left...and they each said..."just a few more pushes". I took a few deep breaths...and a few more pushes...and I heard the Dr say, "He's here!" Dustin had tears in his eyes...and so did my mother in law...it was an amazing moment. The nurse and Dr. finished working on me and then we had a ton of people fill the room to meet our new little man. Everyone was smiling and talking about how wonderful he was...and I kept thinking to myself that I never had that overwhelming...uncontrolable...moment where I thought I would instantly fall madly in love with my new baby. What was wrong with me? Was it the drugs? Was I going to be a terrible mother? Was I just exhausted from lack of sleep the night before and then giving birth? I didn't say a word to anyone...I just watched as everyone held him and talked to him. A little while later the nurse came in to take Ty to the nursery. Dustin went with him and I waited for another nurse to come and get me and take me to my new room. I somehow felt like I needed to have a "moment"...and I never had it. The nurse wheeled me to my room and made sure that I was comfortable. Friends came and brought Dustin and I food. We ate and talked...and I convinced myself that I must just be tired and out of it...and that everything would be better in the morning. But...after Dustin fell asleep...I sat up in my bed and called for the nurse. I asked her if she could get Ty for me. She sweetly agreed and came back just a few minutes later. She laid him in my arms. He was sleeping...all wrapped up in his blanket...freshly cleaned...with his little hat on. He was beautiful. I stared at his sweet little face for a few minutes...then he opened his eyes...his big blue eyes. Tears started to stream down my face and I said out loud, "Oh..there it is...there's that feeling your momma has been waiting for. You are my little man...and I am your momma. I know we are both kind of new at this...but we will learn together. I want you to know that I will always love you and I will always be here for you...nothing will ever change that. I knew from that moment on that my little man was going to change my life.
Eight years later...I can definitely say that my little man has changed my life. He has taught me more about forgiveness...love...and tenderheartedness than any one person ever could. He knows when I need a hug and he knows how to make his momma smile. He is an amazing helper and he is always ready to do anything I need him to. He is funny and silly. He loves his daddy and he wants to be just like him. He still lets me kiss him in public. He is super creative. He loves to figure things out. He is my joy. I am truly blessed that God chose me to be Tyler's mommy. Happy Birthday to my little Ty man. I love you more than you will ever know and I am so proud of you. Having you makes my world a better and brighter place.

Back in the swing of things

So...I am hoping to be a better blogger this summer! These last few weeks/months have been SO crazy...so I figured that I would just write a little list of some of the things we have been doing...in no particular order
- Ty and I had a wonderful date night...we ate out at a Chinese restaurant, went shopping (per his request :)!!), and had Rita's. It was amazing!! I will try to post pics soon...but I am not promising anything.
- I found a new family dentist...that I love (which is saying A LOT for me because dentists are definitely not my favorite) and everyone has one new filling
- Maddie graduated from Kindergarten (I have tons of pics and will post those soon) It was wonderful and sad all at once. I cannot believe she will be a first grader next school year!!
- Ty ran in his "marathon" at school. It is a wonderful story and I will definitely blog about it soon
- Dustin went to Charlotte to visit my brother and get some more work done. They had a wonderful time and I am SO thankful that the two of them are close!!
- One of my most amazing friends Kate...moved back to Boston :(. I definitely hated saying goodbye to her...but I am really happy for her to be back with her sweet family! And I can't wait to visit her!
- I started weight watchers...and my mom did too...now we get to do it together even though we are many miles apart. I love that!!
- Dustin and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary (May 26) I cannot believe how much I love him...and I cannot believe that it has already been 9 years!! He is amazing!!
- The kiddos are finally done with school...I LOVE being a "summer" mom!!
- We have had tons of cook-outs...game nights...bike rides...walks...trips to the park...and pool time with our family and friends
- I am sure there is more...but I totally need to get back to work.

I promise to update soon with some pics...maybe even on my lunch break :)