The Most Wonderful Birthday

I had the most wonderful birthday weekend.  It began with Robert taking off half the day Friday.  We went to P.F. Chang's for lunch.  As soon as the kids were picked up from school, I knew that we were to be prepared for an athletic outing.  The kids already knew what was planned; rock climbing at Tumblebees!  It was amazing. Both of the kids are super adventurous and climbed to the top many times.  Robert and I learned to tie the knots and belay each other and the kids.          


We headed directly to Green Valley for a delicious dinner shared with friends.  It is sort of like a covered dish; we took homemade peach ice cream.  Immediately after dinner I saw Robert and the kids scurrying off.  They came out with a delicious chocolate cake reading Happy Birthday Mom.  So sweet.  I felt so loved on.
Saturday was breakfast with Grandma and Uncle Eddie.  We then headed to Haight Orchard for some apple picking - a tradition now.  The rest of the day was enjoyed lounging around the pool and playing tennis with Uncle Eddie.



Sunday we continued to get accustomed to a new schedule in 1st Grade.  We enjoyed much needed family time reading, napping and playing games.  That evening we enjoyed a date to Bravo!, dessert from Fresh Market (Delicious was closed) and the movie The Butler.
We enjoyed a beautiful Labor Day around the pool and tennis courts.  It was a great long weekend!
Today, the actual birthday, the kids remembered immediately that it was my birthday!  We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Mythos (my favorite) and family game of Sequence.  I received many phone calls, emails, FaceBook messages and cards.  The card my family gave me is priceless.
I am the luckiest woman alive!

First Day of School!

While the exclamation point is for the kids' excitement, not my excitement to not be with them, I am thankful that they both woke up excited about today.  I LOVED school and we want them to love it too.
They both have wonderful teachers who love the Lord and whom we have prayed over for year; especially this summer.  What a blessing to have these women loving on my kids during the hours I am not with them.  They are amazing!
The first thing Landry said as I woke her this morning was "It's the first day of school!" with a huge smile on her face.  I was so happy for her.  As I went to wake up Brooks, his door opened and there he stood dressed, his bed made and wth a huge smile on his face.  That is a great way to start the year.
As Brooks lead Landry in to school, Principal Hower stopped Landry for a chat.  She had that look like, "Can you stop talking so I can start my day but, well...since you are the new principal, I'll give you a few moments."
Thank you Lord for the plans you have for their lives.  Thank you that you care about every aspect of their days and that you have all these details worked out.  Thank you for the privilege to be there every day and that Daddy is their biggest fan.  You are so good to us and we thank you for going ahead of us every day.  We love you Lord.  Please help the kids be bold in your name that they may prepare for the work ahead.  You have Big Plans!  Amen.
"There is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below.  You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion."  1 Kings 8:23

Myrtle Beach

We had a wonderful time away just the 4 of us.  Lots of bocce, Trek ball (record of 49 between Daddy and Brooks), minnow catching, lazy river and boogie boarding.  Two visits to Sea Captains House rounded out by lots of ice cream delivered a great time away.

Finally Did It...

So we have wanted to have a form of online journal to share with our kids as they grow up.  I have kept hand-written journals for both children individually since we first expected our oldest child.  However, I don't know if I can keep up the entries as the days become more full of fun things to share as well as recognizing how accessible an online format will be over the years.
Having shared those thoughts, the primary purpose of this venue will not be to keep anyone that finds us up to date, rather to document our lives as we raise our kids.  Maybe it is a way of freeze framing our daily lives so that our children can one day look back and reads word of prayer, affirmation, love and see all the fun we have had along the way.
At times I intend to write personal entries to our children and will probably find my sentimental self pouring our words from a parent's heart that aches to hold on to each of these days.  I hope you'll overlook some of my sappiness at these moments.