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First Grader!!

Today was Nathaniel's first day of First Grade!

He was so excited to be going back to school and starting a new year.

My lil Flowertown Elementary "Busy Bee!"

His very own desk this year... in the second row of Mrs. Horner's class.

Praying for an amazing and successful year!

Motherhood Moments

Someone asked me recently what my favorite moment of Motherhood is. What a tough question to answer! There are so many thngs that I love about being a Mommy... and I do my best to cherish each and every moment I am given with my precious children.

I have thought about this question alot and though there are so many answers Icould give, I have decided my favorite moment of Motherhood, (other than the moment of first holding and looking into the faces of my beautiful babies!!) is bedtime.
Yes, Bedtime.
This may sound odd since bedtime is when our children are sleeping and we are not with them. But many of the moments I enjoy the best with my children are putting them to bed. The calm, peaceful moments of cuddling, sharing moments of the day, praying over them, kissing their little heads, and tucking them in.

As I sat rocking my baby girl tonight (after 30+ minutes of screaming and not going to sleep on her own!) I could only smile. I was reminded once again how much I treasure and love those moments. I can't help but think to myself how blessed I am. To think that this may be the last chance I get to hold, rock, and pray over my baby girl. Wow...
How can I complain?
I don't want to miss a moment of it.

When the day is busy, and kids are hectic.
When they are whinny and fussy, cranky and loud
When they want nothing to do with me...

There's always Bedtime.
There's always hugs.
There's always a kiss and a prayer.

As I lay Nathaniel down, go through our nightly routine, and kiss his forhead. He leans to me, draws me close... and says, "I love you Mommy!" How much, I reply? "Up to the moon and down again, and all around the world... and up to the moon and down again, and all around the world again... and THAT's NOT ALL!!" ..and Jesus loves you more! (Just as my mommy did with me!)
My heart melts.
My arms love the embrace and warmth of holding my precious ones close.

Lord, May I always treasure each and every moment you allow me to share with my children. They are gifts from you and I am blessed and thankful for the time you have bestowed on me to love them, raise them, and care for them.

My Confident Aquatic Problem Solvers!

We did it!! Elliana and Nathaniel have finished their session for Infant Swimming Resource Self-Rescue swimming lessons. I am so proud of them both and how great they have done. The last week was very different and difficult as we tested out their skills while wearing clothing. The week started with them wearing light weight summer clothes, then long pants and long sleeves, then to thicker heavier clothing, and lastly in full winter outfits and shoes.

Elliana's "Starfish!"

Thanie's "Starfish!"

Rotating from his back to his stomach for a swim-float-swim rotation. This way he gets as far as he can, but knows to roll over to float, rest and take a breath whenever needed!

Through this program Nathaniel and Elliana both learned breath control, and swimming face down (which promotes vertical swimming. When your face is not in the water your more likely to sink) Where your head goes, your feet are sure to follow!

Ellie floating independently with heavy fleece winter clothes on!!

The rolling over and going for the wall as she finds her way out.

For more information on Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) visit http://www.infantswim.com/.

These lessons are very different then your traditional swim lessons. The skills they learned are for self-rescue purposes in the unfortunate chance that they find themselves in a situation with water. SUPERVISION is always the best protection! Survival skills are just one more layer of protection we as parents can offer our children.

SOOOO Proud of them both and how hard they worked over the last month and a half. I truly believe that they are now confident aquatic problem solvers. So incredibly thankful for Becky, our awesome ISR instructor. Blessed that God brought her, and this amazing program into our lives, and blown away by the healing it brought, the passion it birthed and the new journey it has started us on! I would have never even dreamt it 2 months ago!

"Star" Baseball Player

Nathaniel: Mommy, when I grow up, can I be a Star Baseball player, would you like that?"

Spring time is here and it's t-ball again. Nathaniel has come such a long way this season. He has impressed us, his team mates, and coaches. He is so much more focused, able to throw better and often catches the ball. We are so proud of his hard work playing this year.

Here are some of the highlights from my #5, Royal Blue, left handed boy!

Up to Bat!

Home!

Baseball Ready!



Check out that form!

Always a... "Good Game!"

Team Party and Trophie night.

Spring 2010 Summerville Little League 'Sportsman Shop' Royal Blues

" YES, My dear... You can be ANYTHING you want to be when you grow up... and I would love to see you play baseball. Just remember... You are already a STAR to me!

I love you Thanie!!"

18 Months

Elliana is now 18 months old!

It's so hard to believe she is growing up so fast. She is such a joy and delight to us. It's amazing how much she has changed and progressed in the last 6 months. We are so proud of all that she is doing. She is really trying to imitate sounds and words and has learned quite a few. She loves music and is often found dancing. You'll never miss when Ellie walks in the room as she beams her million dollar smile and gives her"Miss America" wave high in the air. She blows kisses and gives hugs all the time and absolutely loves babies. Elliana will never be left out of play time with Daddy... she loves to be tickled and wrestled with and jumps right in with big brother. She already has such a sweet tender and caring heart and it shows with her interactions with others as well as in her play. Elliana adores her big "bubby", Nathaniel.


Ellie knows many of her body parts and has taken off with signing!I love to see her making requests with signs and I do believe it is reinforcing the verbal language as well. Here is a short video of her in all her cuteness.

Elliana also has such a little personality blooming. I must confess that we do have quite a Diva Princess on our hands.

Elliana loves shoes (of any kind, any size!) loves jewlery, lipgloss and nail polish. She is often found with a purse or bag on her arm and a bracelet and necklace on.

We have learned the word, "No" which we are not too happy about but we are working through it. When she wants something, Ellie is not shy to let us know and when we don't get our way, there is quite a little attitude that shows its face. We've also learned to love the camera... and "CHEESE!" ...when we're in the mood!

We love her so much, and know that we have been soo blessed with the gift of a daughter. I thank God every day for our precious little girl, our Elliana, our answered prayer.

Out of the Mouths of Babes Moms!

This is a new blog carnival found over at MckMama's Blog. I always chuckle when I read about the silly things that come out of MckMama's Mouth. It's nice to know I'm not the only one that say's such goofy things. As Mom's you never know what we may need to say to our children on a daily basis! It's part of the joys of Motherhood.

So today, I decided to join in on the fun! Here are some things that have come out of the mouth of this Mom...

"NO, Hunny... Please don't put your hands IN the Poop!"
"If you would just lie still, this would be over with very quickly!"

"Please do not squeeze or pull the snake! We will let him free himself."

"Do not let her touch or grab your penis! We keep our private parts to ourself!"

"Yes, that is poop all over her sheets, No you can not see it and smell it, I will clean it up". "Yes you make Lots of messes like this when you were little."

"Wipe off marker should not be used on your sister... please only use it on your wipeoff board, thank you."

"No, when you grow up you will not have breast, and you will not need to wear a bra. Only Mommy's and ladies where a bra."

"I'm sorry sweetie, but you may Not eat scissors! They are not a snack or a toy."

How about you?? What silly things have you said lately?!