Class of 2030, my dearest kindergartener

To my baby, my kindergartener, my daughter and friend. Because I see your excitement for staring this new chapter it is impossible not to be excited for you in this coming week. I am so proud of your sweet and kind heart, the way you love others who go unnoticed and your desire to keep everyone laughing. 

Oh baby, what will I do without you? You are my last baby leaving the nest to go to school. Will my days look the same? Who will I read 30 plus Bernstein Bear books too, who will I talk about the days adventures with, dress up and pretend to go to balls with, watch princess movies with, and my sweet girl who will help me with the chores of maintaining a house? Not sure I've prepared myself adequately for this step. 

I know you will thrive and love school and that is why I am wiping my tears, placing a smile on my face and giving you the biggest hug and the most kisses before sending you off. Although my day will look nothing like it has for the past 5 years with you, I trust you will make new friends, fall in love with learning and meet some amazing teachers. 

Emerson, I do not expect you to be the smartest, best student, or highest achiever. What I do expect you to be is the sweetest, kindest, most gentle friend, who goes out of her way to make everyone feel loved and appreciated. Reach out to those who are sad, lonely and unfriended. Grow in your heart to be a friend to ALL and you will go far. 

My prayer for you this school year is that you will gain wisdom, friends and grow your heart in kindness for others. May you see the good and bad in this world but choose the good. May you forgive others when they wrong or mistreat you and choose to love the unlovable. May your teacher and classmates point you closer to Christ. May you always know you are a daughter of the one true king, who will never leave you or stop loving you. May God richly bless you my sweet baby kindergartener. 

Photos from Emerson's back to school swim party...

Class of 2027, My dearest 3rd grader...

To my sweet third grader. Despite your excitement, your momma is a little scared about you being at the big middle school with such big kids. You are still my baby and still so little to me. I pray you always feel safe and loved at school. 

Your daddy and I have prayed over you, your classmates and teachers as you prepare to entire this new phase in your life. We are confident you have the BEST teachers for you. We trust they will grow you and bloom you into the best 3rd grader and that you will meet lots of new and amazing people. Our prayer goes a bit further than that, it is that the kids and adults you meet will point you closer to HIM. We pray God give you the courage to live for him ALWAYS, whatever the COST. 

As we have a couple more days before the start of school please don't be alarmed when I hug you a little longer, stare at you a little more and read you a couple more pages when we are getting ready for bed. I love you my sweet boy and you are growing into a fine young man right in front of my eyes. I pray I never take you, one of my biggest blessings, for granted. God is making you a man and making you tough and tender so you can handle this world. 

Photos are from back to school swim party...

Glennlee Rae

We FINALLY found out that Glennlee Rae would be making her grand appearance in December. To say that this child has been prayed for is almost an understatement. This child is already so loved. I mean it took a church building to hold all of us waiting to hear the gender and name. 

 Pretty sure this momma deserves an award for most patient, loving, and understanding aunt/friend/etc. She has wanted to be a momma for so long and now the time is here and she could not be more glowing. She's put up with a lot of doctors appointments, sickness and other not so fun things to get this baby here so I know she is ready to meet this sweet baby girl. And of course, I am ready to be an aunt, AGAIN! Lala loves to be an aunt and does an amazing job at it and I cannot wait to do the same for miss G.

The happy couple and grandparents.

The happy couple with their parents pillow! 

Emmy cannot wait to have a girl to share life with in our family! She is so very excited. Since Emmy acts so much like her Lala what are the changes baby G will act like me? I cannot wait to see! 

That is one large plate of CORN!!! 

This boy and I were wrong on our guess so he was attempting to show a sad face, but don't let his pitiful attempt scare you. He is beyond excited for this sweet baby girl! 

 The exciting reveal..our favorite parts are Emmy shouting pink, pink, pink, Me hollering at her to come back and my crazy loud holler/laugh when pink balloons pop out!

We are so excited to meet you baby girl. WE plan on spoiling you big, laughing and giggling with you lots and seeing how you fit in our crazy family! 

SUMMER nights

We were excited to spend two nights in a row at the Jackson Generals game. We ate some yummy ball food, watched some good ball and got really really HOT! 

SUMMER DAYS

Whew. These last 6 weeks or so have absolutely flown by. Our days have been filled to the brim, with fun, sun, and friends. We are blessed with the best friends and family and we have been so fortunate to make such amazing memories this summer. 

This particular day we spent the afternoon swimming with two little mermaids..

Park days are always a hit too! 

 Eating is a major hit as well. Pops entertained miss Emmy while we waited!

And although it was much too hot to camp, we sure had fun while it lasted! We had just enough time to make some memories, ride a fast hay ride and make bird feeders. 

Cousins are the best friends. You get to be yourself. Completely! 

These two started a business..brothers bracelets. I love their zeal and willingness to sweat to make a dollar. 

More swimming needed in this heat. The last couple of weeks have been hot so we cooled off together, in the pool!