Westminster Happenings

First grade for Tanner has slowly come to an end. If I had not seen such wonderful growth in Tanner, I'd be a little sad that we are getting close to second grade(the 1st time he'll ever go full days to school:( 

Westminster has been such a wonderful fit for Tanner and really for our family. I could write 100 blog posts on WHY Westminster but the most beautiful part is the way they work to cultivate "fruits of character". All year long they have been taught "fruits of character" and what the Bible says about having those fruits. The discipline incorporates these characteristics, they pray about it and read God's word. It's really a beautiful thing to watch your 7 year old understand diligence, forgiveness, honesty, obedience, humility and so much more...and to hear him use the words each day.

Tanner got forgiveness. He is such a pleaser...so quick to accept an apology...so quick to give grace...very proud mom.

Crazy 1st graders at MBG field trip. Sam comes on field trips...lets just say this one was a little long. I underestimated the volume of snacks need!

Literary Character Day

The students in grades K-12 had to come dressed as a character from a book they'd read. Tanner chose Percy Jackson from the Lightening Thief.

This is Froggy.

He spent a weekend with us.

Tanner wanted to show him Memphis and teach him to play his favorite games. Tanner seems so grown up so I love these little moments...pretending Froggy was playing Headbanz with us.

Sam Turns 4

Sam turns 4!

My sweet...wild...hilarious...mess of a boy wanted a Peter Pan birthday.

He very specifically asked for swords, a hunt for "pirates booty", to eat pirates booty, a crocodile piñata and shadows!

This is Sam's "school girlfriend"! She's hilarious too. Listening to them make each other laugh cracks me up.

WALK THE PLANK...watch out for the croc!

TIGER LILY'S TEE-PEE...to decorate with fabric markers

a SHIP for PAN...a gift from Tinkerbell

SWORDS...to decorate and TREASURE BOXES...to paint and hold the "booty"

PIRATE TREATS

CROCODILE PINATA

and

BURIED TREASURE...in the sandbox

We had such a wonderful time celebrating Sam's 4th birthday with our sweet friends and family! We are so grateful so many amazing people are a part of this sweet boys life!

FYI...parties at my house bring out my best delegating skills. Thanks to my sisters and Chris for not smacking my in the hours prior to a party:)

March Moments

March is Memphis has being REALLY COLD so we've spent lots of time inside.

When you have 2 boys this translate to "lots of planned activities by Mom or wrestle-mania". To avoid "wrestle-mania" we did lots of science, some crafts, pulled out a paper airplane making book, lots of reading, started soccer, and as many out of the house events we could!

Warning...lots of Photos!

Invisible writing, volcanos and making waves

Making airplanes

a semi-warm picnic at the park

reading The Lighting Thief

Literacy Mid-South...event at Davis-Kidd

donut dates with Sam

Perk...Daddy working at the zoo!

Memorizing scripture to help with our actions and choices.

He has to write out the scriptures.

We keep a little book of what we have memorized.

monopoly game

starting soccer

T/Th...killing the hour between dropping off Tanner at 8

Sam's school doesn't start until 9

DeeDee perk...we get to check out books from her library

cosmic bowling with friends

Literacy Mid-South donated books to Special Kids...Sam had to read them all before we took them to the new preschool class!

Pre-registration for BunnyRun

BunnyRun 5k

BunnyRun 5k

Silly Goose

Who is that big boy playing soccer? First game of the season...he loves soccer! Gets it from his mama!

operation BIG boy

Sam will be 4 in just a few months and I've realized there's a BIG list of things I still do for him.

He needs to:

dress himself...can but won't

wipe his behind...can but won't

thumb sucking...ok speech therapist and dentist

puppy pants(a pillow pet)...the source of many a tantrum

buckle his seatbelt...can but won't

put on his shoes...does but stresses about how they feel

This parenting thing is tough! I know no one said it was easy but the 3's with Sam have be exhausting...don't get me wrong there are lots of joyful months too. Tanner was so hard at 2 but a breeze by 3 so I just thought I had the perfect child since Sam was an easy 2...NOPE!

So over the next few weeks OPERATION BIG BOY will be in mode. Next time you see same he will be dressing, wiping and buckling himself!!

{thankful for}

43. a Saturday with no plans

44. Sunday lunch at my parents

45. the boys teachers

46. a run on my lunch break

47. grace

48. worship time after dinner

49. a date night at Local...yummo

50. modern medicine

locks of LOVE

Someone is missing a ponytail!!!

I can't always give to every organization I believe in financially so I love that I can give like this. Hoping this makes some little girl very happy...here's to quick mornings with the blow dryer!

{thankful for}

34. forgiveness

35. needed tears

36. 6 am spin class

37. positive test results

38. a house full of books

39. lunch date with Tanner and Chris

40. a morning spent playing batman with Sam

41. hours spent reading to the boys

42. the craft closet 

happy heart day

Valentine's is one of my favorite holidays...not for me but for the boys! My mom and dad always had a scavenger hunt for us and Chris and I have kept the tradition going. PLUS...I love glitter and we always bring out the glitter when we make our Valentine's.

I let Tanner browse my Pinterest boards to fine some Valentine's card ideas...he found the candy cards. He had to make one for Chris since "Daddy loves to eat candy". I was really impresses with some of Tanner's creative phrases will we were choosing which candy to buy at Walgreens.

Did your Valentine's Day "pack a PUNCH?"

Marshmallows with chocolate and sprinkles...someone is speaking his "love language".

Clue #1 for Sam...he still gets pictures with his clues!

Look at that mail truck...cutest Valentine's box at the party. We pulled this idea out from DeeDee's 2nd grade school stuff she passed down to us!

{thankful for}

22. a husband who leads our family

23. Sam's speech therapist

24. lunch date with Chris

25. Friday night date

26. sleeping in 

27. a best friend who listens to me daily

28. mornings playing with Sam

29. my group of pray warrior friends

30. God's provision for our needs

31. Third Day on Pandora

32. family movie night with a BIG pallet

33. forgiveness

how to BALANCE it all

I'm really overwhelmed.

Do you ever feel that way or is it just me?

I know that my tendency to make all things perfect is an added stress.

Sam is having epic meltdowns at the gym nursery so I'm off my routine.

We just signed T's contract for 2013 and I'm heartbroken he'll be at school all day.

I've taken a new job at work...the hours are the same but the mental workload is tripled.

Chris is training for a 50 miler and my knee still won't let me run more than 3-4 miles.

Two cars exploded and we had to get a new one.

And I've gained a few pounds even though my diet consist of coffee, almonds and cuties!

And 

as I'm typing this Sam is screaming at me from timeout!

I tend to be one of those people who feels such an extreme guilt for feeling overwhelmed like I should be capable of handling all life gives me with no anxiety. I AM LEARNING this is not how God created us...he created us to need Him...to seek Him...to find our comfort in Him. 

Romans 5:3-5, Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

On the way home from the Y this morning(it was 8:25 the class started at 8:15), I just started crying no really balling. I'm not a crier but I think here soon I may not be able to say that anymore. My first instinct was to let my anxiety overwhelm me but as we were driving down Quince we passed the preacher who waves every morning in front of his church. He waved and smiled and I just started praying...at some point this song came on and I realized I needed to "praise God in this storm". In God's perfect timing, during my "storm" he joined a sweet waving preacher with a song as a reminder that He never leaves our side.

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

[Chorus x2]

Casting Crowns-I Will Praise You in the Storm

ok...so im not sure I know how to put a tube video on the blog????