thumbs up...

Well we have been parents for almost 11 years and never had a broken bone.....until now. :(

I guess it was inevitable with 3 boys, but I still feel so bad for lil' Grady. We had a mishap on the trampoline. We have had plenty of well meaning folks tell us of all the hazards trampolines pose. I kindly say "oh we are careful" while in my head thinking "I grew up with one and never broke anything people!" But here we are...a broken thumb later and I guess I must surrender to the idea...trampolines are a little more dangerous than I previously thought.

The timing is bad since we are beach bound in just 1 week, but I am reflecting on our life and just how minor this really is compared to what others are going through.

Please join me in praying he will still be able to swim on vacation and play in the sand! That is all he has talked about the last several months. We see the orthopedic this coming week!

In the meantime we keep teasing Grady that everything is getting a thumbs up from him these days. He truly is a lil' trooper and I am so thankful he only broke his thumb!

today I am grateful for...

After hearing of the tornadoes, and not too long ago all the floods, it can't help but make me appreciate my blessings even more.

The other day I was standing at the kitchen sink with the window open as it rained. I love to have the window open on a rainy day. It was in this moment that I realized I don't really stop and appreciate those little blessings God has given me. I get so caught up in my to do list or my screaming kids or my messy house to really...just... stop and soak in just how fantastic it is to have this life.

So today I choose to be grateful for clothes to iron, dishes to wash, lists to go over, and the opportunity to serve my family. It amazes me how God chooses to breathe life into us and then give us a promise of an eternity spent with him. I feel so humbled by his power and love. I am but a vapor who doesn't know the tomorrow. Today I choose to bask in his forgiveness and blessings.

James 4:14

date night

Well mark your calendars people...Ben and I actually went on date tonight!!! It seems like it has been forever since we enjoyed a night to ourselves. We are so lucky to have family help with our kids, but in the last few months it seems it has been for doctors appointments, hospital visits to see family, or business type stuff, that has called for us to have a sitter. So we decided it was time to get one for some relaxing time.

We enjoyed a quiet dinner, a stroll through Lifeway book store, and a movie. Ben even opened the door for me. ha! ha!" Ben is such a great guy!

He ALWAYS cherishing me with his heart and eyes

He is such a great spiritual leader for our family

He continues to encourage me everyday. Whether it is about my parenting, cleaning/cooking or just the way I am feeling about myself

(Okay, okay....sometimes he is actually funny too)

How does your garden grow? well it isn't

Almost all of the 11 years Ben and I have been married I have had a garden. We didn't have one last year...I blamed it on living in the apartment and building the house. Now it is almost the end of May and I still don't have one. Now I would like to blame it on Ben for not building that raised bed I have been asking for. But alas, the truth must come out, I might be just plain ole' lazy. I am going to try my luck and at least put out a few tomato plants. I really do love bringing in fresh veggies in the summer. It's the weeding, watering, debugging stuff that gets me. :)

graduation...

I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born.I will be your God throughout your lifetime-until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.

Isaiah 46:3-4

Well Benji's preschool days are officially over. He had his graduation today. I thought to myself before going, "I have already been through this with one kid...this isn't too big of a deal" Wrong! It was a big deal. It was just one more reminder that this time with my children is so precious. It goes by way too quickly! I am very proud of Benji and all the characteristics he obtains. He is loving, funny, sweet, and if I might say so myself..a little cutie pie.

He also got an extra treat today by his Auntie Stephanie making a surprise 2 hour trip to come and see him.

Ben and I are so very blessed to each have amazing sisters. Even though they live 2 plus hours away they always make an effort to support and love on our boys! I am working on trying to be the kind of Aunties they are! I love them both so much!

So now we are down to 1 still in preschool. I can't imagine what life is going to be like when they are all 3 gone during the day. I think I will spend my day in counseling sessions trying to recover from them growing up! hahaha

my 3 sons

I feel so blessed to be these kids mom. We are in such a fun stage right now. It seems like I just blinked and I have 3 pretty independent kids running around. Benji just started riding his bike without training wheels a couple of weeks ago. He is starting kindergarten in the fall. Tyler has a cam pout with scouts this weekend. Grady is finally playing outside with the boys and not coming in every 5 minutes crying or tattle tailing.

We have arrived!

These are the small things I have been counting down for since they were babies. But now, sadly I don't know if I should have wished it by so quickly. I heard someone say, "you raise them so they can go, but you don't really want them to." I know we aren't too far into this raising kids thing, but we do have 1 who is over half grown already. I am so excited to see what God has in store for him, but I also am so broken hearted to know I one day won't be able to peek in at night and watch him in peaceful slumber.

I am trying to remind myself to savor every moment. If they are going to grow up, I intend for them to do it surrounded with love, attention, and a mother that smothers them. :)

and thats a wrap...

Soccer is over for the season. Benji's coach took them out to Braum's to celebrate a job well done.

They asked me to take a silly face picture.

Goldrush...and not the one you are thinking of

Tyler joined the running club at school a couple of months ago. He has been running on Monday and Wednesdays after school. His race was this past Friday night. It was the Goldrush 5k. He asked me after school if I would join him. I was reluctant, but decided it would be fun to do.

There were so many runners!

He wanted to be at the front of the group! hahaha

I was trying to hide out in the back :)

So proud of this lil' guy. I am happy he asked me to join him, and happy that my sister convinced me to do it! By the way he ran it in 28 minutes!!! I was 37 minutes 40something seconds :) And yes..I am sore.

Art Auction

The boys school put on the cutest lil' Art Auction ever. They had yummy food and of course the best entertainment! I can't believe Benji is going to be starting kindergarten in August. And lil' Grady only has 1 year of preschool left. I am trying to enjoy ever lil' moment of them being this age. They are so sweet (most of the time.) :)