Boys, School, and Sports!

Been awhile since I have been able to take time to write a blog. The boys have been keeping us busy. Zachary is playing soccer, Chase is playing baseball, and Garett is being dragged to all the practices and games. Life could not be better. I just wish it would slow down a little bit.

The school year started off with a bang. Zachary is in 6th grade at the middle school. It was really hard on me to not have him on the same campus, but he loves TMS. He is getting to play golf and soccer at school. He is in all pre-ap classes. On his first report card he had straight A's! I could not be prouder. His homework in math is making me have to reteach myself a few things but he is doing really well.

Chase is apart of the student council this year. He likes getting to work the candy store and take down the flag. It was really good for him to get to be apart of that. He is doing well in school. He hates studying but he is being more responsible for keeping up with things. Which is good since next year he will join his older brother at the middle school.

Garett is loving kindergarten. I cried when I walked him to class for the first time. It was really hard to watch him grow up right before my eyes. I walked him to class for the first few weeks, but now he goes all by himself. He loves school. I hope that continues.

I have a sweet group of 2o first graders. Don't have any complaints this year at all. No major problems and they are smart. I am having to learn a few new things this year since my school district is following cscope. So we are having to try and change the way we teach or at least the order in which we teach things. Part of being a teacher is learning. It's been a stressful year so far but I have a wonderful group of ladies I work with. So that makes things a little easier.

Chuck had state visit this past week. Once again he had a GREAT state survey. He is getting ready to head out again next week to New Braunfels, TX for his TASA leadership classes. I dislike him being gone but it's only for a few days. Last month he went to Amarillo. I wish I could go with him but I have to hold down the fort while he is gone.

Well that's all for now. Duty calls! Ready for sports to be finished for a little while so we can just be home and relax. The boys on the other hand never want to stop playing. Thank goodness I love sports!

Pictures From Camping

Camping At Dierks Lake!

The boys and I had a blast camping at Dierks Lake. I was really not sure how it would work out since it has been so hot. I guess being out on by the water really kept it very comfortable. There was a nice breeze and of course air condition in the camper. The lake was clean and not busy at all.

The boys had a blast. Garett was very brave and had fun playing with Rylee. They built sand castles and floated on their noodles out in the water. Zachary and Chase made friends with a group of boys and girls. They played in the water and hiked around at night with flash lights.

I enjoyed reading the book "The Shack". I had started it last year but never finished it. It caught my eye packing so I decided to take it and give it another try. I really enjoyed being out in the swing at the lake or in the water watching the boys and reading. It was VERY relaxing. The book was so different then the 1st time I remember reading it. It makes you look at God in a different way. There was something about waking up at 7:00 and see the beautiful scenery that God created. The splashing of the the waves, birds chirping, and ducks quacking. It really was relaxing. There is nothing like see God's creations with out the hussell of life getting in the way.

Each morning Lori and I got up and made the kids breakfast outside on the griddle. Pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Then headed out to the playground or lake. Both were just a few feet from our camper. We would spend a few hours soaking up sunshine and the kids laughter. Then head back for lunch, resting, and a movie in the camper. Then back out to the beach for more fun in the sun before dinner. It was WONDERFUL. The boys did not fight, Garett did not whine, and I really enjoyed the peace and relaxation.

The only part that was not fun were the bees. They were everywhere. Chase, Rylee, and Lori each were stung. I have never seen so many. The juice and coke kept them around. There was honey bees, wasp, and yellow jackets that were bothering everyone that was camping. They would swarm then disappear. Glad no one was really hurt though Lori was stung twice and that wasn't fun for her.

I defiantly want to go camping again. Next time maybe Chuck and go. It was nice to spend time with my friend and I was pretty proud of 2 mommas taking the kids camping. Of course her husband did come and set the camper up for us and take it down. I am glad the boys had a good time. They didn't miss the computer, TV, or video games. They wanted to be outside as much as possible and were up early each morning to head out exploring. Defiantly adding a camper of my own to the wish list. I would recommend Dierks Lake to anyone that likes to camp.

So now its back to reality with laundry, dishes, and setting my classroom up. Glad I had these few days just to enjoy time with the boys.

Summer is coming to an end!

I have to say this has been the best summer I have had with the boys. Even though we have not gone anywhere exciting or spent a lot of money. We have just spent time together. It has been GREAT! I am sad that the summer is coming to an end. The boys have not fought. They have not whined. They have helped around the house and yard. This is the first summer in a few years that I have not been in college working on my masters. I think since I was not stressed out things went smoother.

We started the summer with a broken foot and All star baseball. The cast did not slow Garett down. He still loved to bowl and play. But we were so glad to get it off so he could swim. Baseball ended for Chase. I am very proud of my 3rd baseman and the other Texarkana South All star team. They made to the final 4 of the state playoffs and played hard.

We spent time at the bowling alley, in the pool, riding the dirt bike at my dad's, playing cards, and watching movies. I am sad to see it ending. I really enjoyed focusing more on time together and not on going places. The boys and I are heading out tomorrow to the lake in Dierks. We are camping for a few nights and going to enjoy the lake with friends. I hope the heat isn't to bad. I am bring cards and computer for movies just in case. Its just 2 moms and the kids so this should be interesting. But I am up to the challenge.

I am putting off thinking about school for at least another week. I want to make new memories with the boys in the little time we have left before the rush of the school year starts. Enjoy a few pictures and I will update on how the camping trip goes. Wish us luck!

Praying for Cohen's Family! I have been touched by their story and blog! Sending much love and thoughts your way!

Cast on foot + All stars =No summer fun YET!

FINALLY, summer is here! This was like the never ending school year! June 10th was my last day of school. The boys and I had many fun adventures planned. I was so excited for my 1st summer with out college.
Then the phone call came that Chase made All Stars in baseball. He is really excited and happy. He LOVES baseball and would play 24/7 if he could. So I am sucking it up and I am excited for him. Last year we played ball from March until August coming home with a second place trophy in state. So another summer of ball was not what I planned, but plans change!
Even with baseball we could have adventures during the day just not far from home. Then our second unexpected surprise was in store. Sunday night Garett hurt is foot. He never really cried and kept on playing. Daddy was on duty, I was at the hospital with my friend. I knew nothing of a hurt foot. He was playing when I got home. Monday morning rolls around and he woke up crying and his little ankle was swollen. I call Chuck he was in shock and couldn't think of what happened. Finally the pieces are put together that his foot was hit by the bedroom door. Needless to say a call to Dr Porter was in order. She confirmed it was broke and we spent from 1:30 until 5:30 waiting on a cast.
The cast means NO swimming, NO walking a lot, NO summer fun yet for Garbear!
Each of the boys have now broken a bone. Now we wait for the cast to come off and for baseball to end. Then our adventures can start. Until then my adventures will be getting all the clutter out of my house. Its amazing how much junk we have. Its time to purge. Not the adventure I was looking for but for now it will do!
Oh the life of a mother with 3 precious, loving, sweet, and handsome boys is never dull. I would not have it any other way then to be kept on my toes by the men in life!

My Baby is 5!

I can't believe today is here! My sweet Garett is 5 today. I thought today would be really hard but only a little misty eyed as I type this. My baby turned 5 and will be starting kindergarten. Where has the time gone?? He is the sweetest little boy that loves to snuggle with momma. He is now a big boy no longer needing me to do those little things any more. He can brush his own teeth, pick out his own clothes, and dress himself. I have really been struggling with letting him go and letting him try things on his own. Sometimes I want to push him out of the nest and let him fly on his own. Other times my heart strings want to pull him back and hold on for dear life.
I guess that is part of being a mom knowing when to hold on tight and when to set them free to explore on his own but knowing that a safety net is there to catch him if he falls.
Thank you Lord for blessing me with this sweet little boy. My life is so complete with him in it. I loved watching Zachary and Chase help today with Garett's birthday. Lighting candles, pick out presents, and helping set up his new toys. Garett has two wonderful big brothers!! So I made it through another milestone with one of my boys and I survived. Maybe I will make it through the next milestones that come our way.
Until then I will not rush the days away and hold on tight to the moments I have. I know my time with my little birds are coming to an end right before my eyes! Before I know it my 5 year old will be 18 and off to college. Tonight I will hold on a little tighter and prayer for their safe travel over the next several years!

12 Years ago I said, "I Do"! and Now my 4 Year old wants to date!

Today Chuck and I are celebrating 12 years of marriage. It seems like yesterday he was asking me out on a date. I got my friend Dawn to go with us out to eat and he got her approval. I loved cruising around in his jeep with the top down. The single rose he bought me each Friday when he came into town was so sweet. Each Friday it was a different color. I will never forget the night he proposed. He opened my door on the jeep and the song "You light up my live" by Leann Rimes was playing as we gave me a single white rose. We had dinner and came home to a house full of people. My roommate had friends over. That messed his plans up a little but he just took me to the back of the house took at the ring and asked me to marry him. I was in shock, scared, and excited all at the same time. Ahhh the memories. Now 12 years later and 3 sons I can say I am so glad I met him! It is amazing to think of what could have been if I had taken a different path. I know I got the best end of the deal! I look forward to many more years together.
On the note of dating I have a funny story to share about Garett. He never ceases to amaze me with what he comes up with. Friday I picked him up for school and the first thing he said to me when he got in the van was, "Momma when can I take Ella on a date?" What?? A date?? My 4 year old is asking me if he can date?? I laughed and said, "Well Garett I guess when you get bigger." He informed me, "Ella said I have to take her on a date before I can kiss her!" What KISS??? My 4 year old wants to kiss a girl after a date??? Breathe, Breathe!! LOL! I don't even have these conversations with my 9 or 11 year old! He then told me, "Momma Ella is my girlfriend duh!" I knew she was his girlfriend he tells me EVERYDAY that she is his girlfriend and he is her boyfriend. Ella also tells her mother the same thing. He even saves her a spot by him at breakfast and when she gets to school he tells her to come sit by him! Later on that night I had him tell his dad about the date. I asked Garett if he would take me on a date and he informed me that I was to big and he can't drive. Oh and get this he told me, "Mommmmm daddy is your boyfriend duhh! He can take you on a date!" I asked him if he can't drive how will he take Ella on a date and he said on his 4-wheeler! I laughed. You see his 4-Wheeler is one of those battery operated power wheels. I guess since he can't drive that will have to do. I don't think they will make to far. I talked to Ella's mom on the phone and Ella was telling her the same thing. That they need to go on a date so they can kiss. At least she won't kiss him until he takes her on a date!! Oh the life of a 4 year old! Things are so easy and fun! I am dreading the day the real dates start. With a 11 year old I am sure I only have a few more years before the dating starts. Until then I will just keep wishing my boys don't grow up to fast!