Ansley's First Fieldtrip!

Back in October I got the priviledge to go with Ansley on her first ever Field trip to Gentry's Farm with her preschool class. She loved it! She loves all things outdoors so this was right up her alley. We had a lot of fun together. It was sweet one on one time for me. That doesn't happen too often around here! Here are some pics of her big day!

Honeysuckle Hill Farm!

In early October we went to Honeysuckle Hill Farm with our dear friends the Akins. This was their first year to get to take a little one to the farm. Hudson and Wyatt were so cute and pretty patient for the long day! Ty and Ansley had an absolute blast. There are so many fun things to do there. The pumpkin cannon was definitely a favorite for them. The hayride and cornmaze were a big hit. They also loved the slides as you can see. We spent several hours there, and you can see that they were worn out! The kicker was that we went straight to Ty's football game! Here are lots of pics from our fun day!

Ty Lost His First Tooth on 9/13/11!!!

Noah and Micah's Birthday Party!

Ansley and Wyatt's First Days of Preschool 2011

We started preschool off with a bang this year! Wyatt came down with hand, foot, and mouth and Ty with Strep the weekend before school started so Wyatt and I missed the first week of school. Ansley stayed healthy and was able to start on-time. She is in the Pre-K 4's this year, which is so hard to believe. I can't even imagine that this is her last year of preschool! She loves, loves, loves her class this year, and her teachers are fantastic! Wyatt started preschool for the first time in the toddlers class. He is doing really great, and loves his wonderful teachers! And, yes, this all happened in early September! Here's to catching up!

What if everyday was September 11th?

Today I cannot stop thinking.....Ten years ago today our country was attacked. It was horrible. It was wrong. It was devastating. We lost thousands of people to senseless violence. I think most of us have that day forever etched in our minds. I was a college student in Cookeville getting ready for my classes that day in the house I shared with several friends when I saw the news. I will never forget the feelings of that day and those that followed...fear, sorrow, anger, dread, confusion, loss of (perceived) control over life. Psychologically it was terrorizing for all of us. If you lived through it you know. I can remember being flat on my face before the Lord and crying out to Him. And as we look back we certainly need to remember those who suffered losses that day. I have been praying for each of them. We need to be sad and mourn what we lost both physically and psychologically. We need to look to God and know that He is our ever-present help in trouble if we belong to Him. What happened that day was no doubt horrible and will always be horrible.

But, here's what I cannot stop thinking about today.....Why is it that when we think of September 11th we are saddened, moved, angered, all kinds of emotions come up because of the injustice that occured on that day and the over 3,000 innocent lives that were lost. However, when we hear about a famine in Africa in which over 29,000 children under 5 have already lost their lives we just go about our business. I don't get it. I mean, yeah, something that happened here obviously hits closer to home. It relates to us on a closer level. But, these people are people. They are just as much God's children as we are. And, I cannot help but think that what is going on over their grieves God's heart as much if not more than what happened here on that horrific day 10 years ago. These people are experiencing the emotions we experienced on 9/11 everyday to some degree. They are watching as the most innocent of innocent die-thier children. As I am typing this you should know that it is my own apathy about world hunger and strife that moves me to write it. I want my heart to be broken by the things that break God's heart and not only by the things that involve my own little world. So, today I can't stop thinking......What if we got as angry about famine as we do about 9/11/01. What if we all did something in order to help? What if we rallied and fought hunger with the fierceness that we fight terrorists? What then? In that kind of world where we love our neighbor no matter how far, where injustice just isn't tolerated, where we are a human race instead of only individual nations, maybe terrorism would cease to be such an issue. Maybe......What if???

First Day of Kindergarten!

Well, we made it! Ty went to his first day of Kindergarten on Thursday. It was a half-day so we are easing in, but all in all it went pretty well. He had fun, but is still not sure about all the new people and surroundings. I am hoping he will have a great week next week and really be excited. Momma is really struggling if I am being honest. I really didn't realize how hard this was going to be. Having been with him all the time for 5 years (and so thankful to have been able to), this is a BIG change. Your prayers for both of us as we transition would be greatly appreciated! I know he is going to a great school, and his teacher seems super sweet. "It will great, it will be great, it will be great......"."He will be fine, he will be fine, he will be fine.....".

Kindergarten

How can this day really be here?

Somehow it just doesn't seem fair.

Just yesterday I was holding you tight

In that hospital room rocking chair.

I knew right away things were different.

My swelling heart would not be the same.

I promised to love and protect you.

Your dad and I gave you a name.

You are growing so fast and so wonderfully.

God has blessed you with so many gifts.

And now as you move on to school days

I can hardly imagine the shift.

I am so proud of you my sweet child.

You are one in a million indeed.

And I pray that these five years together

Have in your heart planted the seed.

I pray that you will be a light to the world.

To your peers that you'll always be kind.

I pray that you'll learn and develop, and grow

In your heart and your spirit, and mind.

And if you have hard days and feel all alone

Just know that I'll always be here.

I will welcome you home with a smile and a hug

And a loving and listening ear.

So go to school knowing you're loved, Child

By your Mama and so many more.

And look forth with joy and excitement.

For so many blessings the Lord has in store.

This one's too cute not to mention, and the summer posts come to an end...

We spent time with family and friends.....