First Day...

On Monday morning, my big boys headed back to school. I really can't believe it's that time of year again, and as silly as this may sound... I've found myself fighting back tears all week long. 

We ALL nervously anticipated the beginning of this school year, and thought it may present itself  more challenging than in years past.

 You see, Shane and I had to make a REALLY TOUGH decision at the end of May that we knew would significantly impact our sweet Corban. 

We decided to have Cor repeat the third grade. 

 Due to some struggles he was having, and because he has a late birthday (and is always one of the youngest kids in his class) we decided it was best for him to stay back.
Oh y'all...this was one of the hardest decisions we've had to make, but we just knew in our hearts it was right for Cor.

Needless to say, Corban was a little anxious about starting school this year.

What would his friends say and think? Would he stand out? Would he make friends in his new class easily?
We spent a lot of time this summer talking and praying through each of these fears and anxieties. 
 Well y'all..I know it's only the first week of school, but I can honestly say that the Lord is so GOOD! He has taught us many things through this situation and proven Himself faithful the entire way. I'm not going to lie, the very first day was TOUGH, but Corban was able to see and recognize the Lord's hand in it! He has learned to depend on Christ for his strength and has seen blessings amidst this difficulty. 

The Lord has blessed him with new sweet friends, a wonderful teacher, and several opportunities to share God's love with others. He has learned what it's like to feel "different" and can now be more empathetic to others who seem "different" too! 

I really believe this is gonna be a GREAT year!

So Monday morning dawned bright and early for us as we got up and got ready to head out the door.

Riley was the first one up! In a matter of minutes, he was dressed and ready for the day.  I wish I could say that this trend continued past day one, but unfortunately it didn't;)

Pancakes were unanimously requested as our "back to school' breakfast of choice. 
And I've discovered that you can make just about ANYTHING with a little food coloring and some pancake batter-HA!;)

As we walked out the door, we joined the parade of families already walking down our street. It was a sea of kids sporting new hair cuts and carrying new backpacks;) Shane went into work a little later than usual so he was able to walk the boys to school on the first day too.

 

Once we got to school, the boys were super excited to show Shane their classrooms and introduce him to their teachers.

Both boys seemed to settle nicely into their new rooms, and the only tears shed as we hugged goodbye were...MINE;)

It's only the first week, but we are trusting and believing that this is going to be an AWESOME year for our precious boys! We know that the Lord has big things planned for them and we are excited to watch those plans unfold. 

Our verse for the year is  

Psalms 119:66 

"Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Your commandments." 

Our Last Hurrah!

Whew...what a CRAZY and wild week this has been. I've literally been trying to finish up this post for days now, but just haven't had a minute to sit down at the computer (sigh). Life seems to to spinning and I'm doing my best to just hang on;) I know so many of you can relate to that feeling, especially THIS time of year;) School begins,  fall activities crank up,  and calendars are fuller than EVER!
I know that we'll get into our new groove soon, but right now... our world is... just SPINNING;)


  Our last week of summer was FULL and FUN though, and I wanted to be sure to post about it...if only for my own memories;)

So...what were up too this last week of summer?!?!
On Sunday:

On Sunday evening, my family all got together at my parents house for an impromptu "goodbye to summer party". We ordered pizza's, played games, and had fun just being together.
It was a simple and sweet way to say "adios" to a wonderful summer.

On MONDAY:
We headed to Pl@za Fiesta for a morning of climbing, sliding, swinging, and bouncing FUN!

Hands down, this is probably my kids favorite place to go!

 

They love to run and play and have a GREAT TIME!

I love that they run and play and have a great... REST time;)

On Monday afternoon, we headed to my sister, Al's volley ball game!
The kids had fun watching the game and cheering Al on from the sidelines.
Al's team won too!! GO AL!!!
On Wednesday:
Our local Christian radio station hosted a "Back to School" concert in the park.

 We enjoyed a picnic dinner and a little fun on the playground before the concert began. Unfortunately though, as soon as the music started...so did the rain:(

 We stuck it out for a bit, but it wasn't long before we were all soaking wet.

Oh, well;)
It was still FUN, even if we did get drenched from head to toe.

On Thursday:

The kids and I headed to the Schiele Museum of Natural History.

They had an awesome "Cowboy" exhibit that I knew my big boys would LOVE!
We all enjoyed learning a little something about cowboys, cattle, and what life was like in the wild, wild west.

And here's a little tip for my N.C. friends...check out http://www.wildwnc.org/

We purchased a family pass through them at the beginning of the summer.

This pass allows us to get into many museums (including this one), zoos and aquariums for FREE...or at a highly discounted rate.

There's a list posted on the site which tells you all the places your pass is accepted.
(Discovery Place is one of the free ones listed!!)

It's a GREAT deal (especially for a family) and in the short time we've had it, we have already gotten our money's worth;)

On Friday: 
Our last official day of summer...

We headed over to Superior Pl@y Place and took advantage of their open play.

This is one of my favorite places to go to burn off some of that boundless energy my kids seem to possess.
And it's free too.
Gotta love that!

The kids had a BLAST and I enjoyed watching them swing, jump, slide, climb, and play together.

After a full morning of fun and excitement, we had ONE MORE stop to make...

We certainly couldn't say "good bye" to our summer with out a trip to the good ole' TCBY!

"Good bye" Summer 2012...you have definitely been one we will NEVER forget;)

Singing in the Rain

A sudden pop up shower can either spoil plans, or provide an opportunity for some impromptu summer play!

We were getting ready to head to the pool the other afternoon when a storm rolled in and spoiled the plans we had made.  

The kids were a little bummed, and to be honest, I was too. 

Oh, well...when life gives you lemons...you make LEMONADE, right!

So that's just what we did;)

We kicked off our flip flops, grabbed our umbrellas (I grabbed my camera, of course) and we all had a puddle jumpin', rain dancin', shower splashin' good time!

I'm singin' in the rain
Just singin' in the rain

What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again.

 I'm laughing at clouds.
So dark up above

 The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love.

Our Triathletes

On Saturday afternoon, my big boys participated in a kids triathlon, hosted by the Lake Norman YMCA! Corban has done several tri's before, but this was our Riley's "rookie race".

Both boys were SUPER excited and couldn't wait to start!
Corban's age group was up first.

In his division, the kids were required to swim 100 meters, bike two miles, and then run 3/4 of a mile.

Corban's confidence has grown through each race he has competed in.
Shane and I appreciate the determination we see him put into each one of these events.

He did an amazing job and we were so proud of his efforts during this race!

Soon it was RiRi's turn to go.
As Riley took his place by the pools edge, Shane and I could tell by the look in his eye that he was sooo READY TO DO THIS THING!!!

His requirements for his age bracket were a little less intense.
Riley had to complete a 25 meter swim, a one mile bike ride, and then a 1/4 mile run!

He ROCKED his first race and did an AWESOME job!

The boys really enjoyed having their good buddy Jack, compete with them in the race too. 

Good friends always make things more FUN!

After the race was over,  these "sweet three" couldn't wait to try on their brother's hard earned medals.

 They can't wait for the day when they get to participate in a tri too;)

Everyone then enjoyed a yummy hotdog dinner.

The weather was beautiful, the lake was peaceful,  and it turned out to be a PERFECT night for a picnic.

And to celebrate our two little triathletes, we stopped by the Krispy Kreme on the way home and picked up a dozen (or maybe two) doughnuts. 

Hey...what can I say...
when the sign says HOT and ready NOW, 
who in the world can resist?!?!?!

Hangin' on to summer...

the grass so green,

the sun so bright,

life seems a dream,
no worries in sight

tans and tank tops,
laughter and bliss,

each moment passes,
without a miss

friends and cookouts,
memories and laughs,

sweet times to remember,
how I wish it would last

the grass soon fades,
the leaves begin to fall,
school replaces sleepovers,
Oh, how I'm going to miss it ALL!!!!

Summer poem found here: 

http://www.familyfriendpoems.com

It was a...

 Bike Ridin'

Math and Reading Camp Goin'

Monkey Bar Swingin'

Ladder Climbin'

Ship Steerin'

Eye Spyin'

Camera Cheesin'

Popsicle Eatin'

Dog Washin'

Tail Waggin' 

kind-of DAY!!!