Thursday, November 30, 2017

The Best of Me


These little people, they truly are the best of me. They teach me and challenge me to be better every single day. Each of them so uniquely knit together and gifted to us. I’m so very glad God chose us to be their parents. I have watched each of them grow into their own and discover their world, all with different perspectives and points of view. Each special, challenging, and amazing in their own way. 

My boys! Together they are something! They have taught me the ins and outs of being a boy Mom. They teach me about all things gross and silly. Super hero and inventive! They are growing into the most incredible young men I’ve ever known. I pray they will learn the value of hard work, loyalty, and selflessness. And whatever they do with their life, I pray it pleases The Lord. I know they will make amazing husbands and fathers someday. They are two fine young men! 

Our girls, oh my sweets! We are blessed to parent girls as well. I’m overwhelmed by the opportunity to raise future mothers and wives, future women of God. I pray they are down to earth and simple, modest and caring. I pray that whatever they choose to do with their life, they do it with their whole heart and love Jesus while they work! They are such a sweet pair and I hope that life lends itself to a lasting, strong, unbreakable bond between them. I know, in my dreams, they have a lot to offer one another and the world, and I hope they always see that! 

Grayson is the boy who made me a mom. He’s my teacher. He leads me to each season of motherhood. All of the good, the challenging, and the beautiful seasons of motherhood and so many more lay ahead. He’s the asker of all questions. He’s inquisitive and always rushing to grow up. He is outgoing and he loves to invent, read, play football and engage in conversation. He has a deep appreciation for kindness and spirituality. He is one awesome boy! 


Ada Grayce. My sweet Ada. She’s witty, creative and a pure heart of gold. There’s definitely some sass in there, but if met with a hug and some one on one, it quickly dissolves. She’s a dreamer, fairy, and nature lover. She believes in magic and goodness. She loves Jesus and it shows. She’s particular and must do things completely right. She’s amazing. She added pink and sparkles and all things girl to our world almost 8 years ago and it’s never been the same! 


Grady. My baby boy. He’s gentle, timid, and kind. He’s now beginning to come into his own and show off that personality. He’s too cool for public affection, but will be the first to grab a hug or love or climb into your bed when no one else sees. He’s full of common sense and logic. He adds humor and laid back coolness to the family. He’s not as publicly outgoing as the oldest two, he’s more of a “gotta get to know him” guy. He has a tendency to get overlooked or go unheard in this crowd but everyone’s learning to take time to listen to him and let him in...that’s all a work in progress. I understand him in this way, because I was a quiet third child too! He loves a good puzzle, superheroes, and digging in the dirt. He’s definitely a fun, sweet, loving boy, and he blesses us every day! 


And Analeigh, our tiny baby. She’s ending her first year, and what a sweet one it’s been! Our second girl, our sweet little love. Goodness everyone loves her so big. I look forward to watching her personality blossom and her particular interests grow. I can only imagine the beauty she will continue to add to our little family. 


And that man, the one beside me...I’m so grateful for this marriage that intends to stand the test of time, endure the hard stuff, celebrate the beautiful, and give us a taste of Gods love. My rock, my person. The one who’s proven to me there’s good in the world. He knows me better than anyone else in this whole wide world and still loves me. To say I am grateful would be an understatement. I have no adequate words. Just love. So much love. For him, for them, for our life. My dreams. They are this man, those kids, and this life. God has given me the opportunity to do life with them! And I am blessed! They are truly the best of me. But the truth is, I’m not the reason they are so wonderful, God is. I am thankful to have had the great opportunity to assist God by growing and birthing these little miracles and now raising them to serve Him. He’s been kind enough to share them with me and I’m so undeserving and so grateful!


Monday, November 20, 2017

November is Here

This Fall has been a busy one! We had football, soccer, dance, junior marathon, apple picking, mountain trip, birthdays, school and just living. This season is so different for us. The kids are getting older and have their own interest and desires. We do our best to make some of those happen without getting over committed, however with 4 kids, it doesn't take much to feel over committed! ha. We have enjoyed a season of watching them excell and work hard at different activities and sports and are now settling into a quieter season. Still busy with everyday life but excited for some evenings to enjoy family and life together!
Analeigh was a trooper, and was busy busy growing a ton this fall. She's just weeks away from her first birthday and I can hardly believe it! She's not yet walking, but is beginning to communicate with a few words and some sign language. She blows the sweetest kisses and waves with her precious little hand. She has some fantastic dance moves and loves to play piano and peep eye! What a big big love these kids have for her. She is truly the love of their life. All of them adore her and it just pours right out of their eyes and heart when they see her. She is such a gift to our family and what a fun year this next one will be with her, a year of rapid change and growth just like this one past and I can only imagine the relationships that will continue to build between she and her sweet siblings.

Grady has been busy busy learning and loving 4K. occasionally he has a hard time getting up and going but overall he's a huge fan! We are still doing some things at home that we started previous to him going to 4K, and it's so much fun to see how his little mind is really beginning to pick up on things. He's starting to add numbers up to 5, learning his letter sounds and writing so good. It's such a fun thing to watch. He's so much fun to be around! He played an awesome season of soccer this fall. His defense was amazing and he could hold his own in offense too! Scored 7 goals this season and had a blast doing it!

Ada is so thrilled to be giving ballet and piano a go this fall. She's enjoying dance very much and is particularly fond of tap as well. We get to see a mini performance soon and we are so looking forward to it. She's continuing to enjoy girl scouts and is very involved with lots of things they do and is learning so much! She bridged from a daisy to a brownie this year and is really enjoying the “big girl” stuff. She is such a beauty inside and out and such an absolutely wonderful sister! Everything about having a sister makes her excited, while at the same time shes equally excited to hang out with the boys. She is such a treasure.
Grayson has had an excellent and busy fall as well. He played football, by request, again this year. And he really made the commitment and worked so hard at it. It's a time consuming sport and he knew that going in. His determination and drive was really in it this year. He played center and just took on his role and really did so so good at it. He's still playing piano with hopes of getting into the trumpet this summer!
They all tackled this kids marathon here in Aiken and really enjoyed it! They ran 25 miles over 2 months and then ran the last 1.2 together to make a full marathon distance. I was so proud of their commitment to this as well. They didn't always WANT to run and get their mile in, but they did and the certainly enjoyed the rewards of feeling a job well done at the end of the race and were already talking about the next one before we left. It’s been a fun few months and we are all eagerly anticipating the coming holiday season and all the memories and family traditions that has in store! Such an exciting time to share with the ones we love most!