Sr.K

My oldest boy has started kindergarten… Well he’s my only boy but I liked the way that sounded! Anyhow I walked him into class on his first day and he turns around and says “Bye mom”! Did you hear my heart break? I mean, he may have well had just thrown up the deuce sign and kept walkin! Last year when he was in junior kindergarten, better known to some as preschool, I glanced into the SrK class and just immediately burst into tears! Seeing those tiny bodies behind individual desks and having their own space was overwhelming for me to think that my baby  will one day have his own desk and space.  Well I just ran smack dab into that day. Dini has started SrK or kindergarten and he’s perfectly fine with it! Me not so much. I can’t believe time has flown by so quickly! Here are a few pics of his first day in SrK.

My Big Kindergartener

Landon at his desk

THIS is how I see my boy! He just can’t be growing up… 😦

Lockers

Back to school is in the air! Seriously I can’t believe it’s already August! I mean next week it will be mid-August. Unbelievable! So as is our routine each new school year, we headed to the uniform store in search of the red and blue polo shirts with Landon’s school emblem embroidered on it. Amazingly this dreaded task was not as labor-some as last year. As I walked in to the store, I was greeted and my name and number was written down so that I could be taken care of as soon as possible! Wow! Liking this already! About 5 minutes later I was having my order taken and Landon’s uniform shirts were purchased. Yes! A great feeling of accomplishment came over me  and then I saw the locker display.

Now I remember when I got to junior high school and we were given lockers. The whole hustle and bustle of having to leave one class as the bell rung and then get to your locker, put up your books from your previous class, grab the next set of  books and folders, check your hair, talk to your friends, and rush off to your next class all before the bell rang again! Whew! Pressure! If you were like me, though, you didn’t have just a plain old locker with books in it. O no! I had shelves! Remember the old “locker mate”? And of course a mirror was on the door of the locker for those hair-do checks that must occur every time the locker door swung open. I had pictures posted all along the door as well. A magnetic pencil/pen holder also had a home on the door so that I wouldn’t have to search for one. I mean I thought my locker was pretty cool! My “locker mate” was teal green for goodness sakes!  Well I just couldn’t help but to reminisce on my locker when I was abruptly stopped on my way out of the uniform store by this display of locker fabulosity!

Really? Carpet? Really? Is this what the “new locker” is all about? Speechless.

Gabs

Not sure if you’ve been watching the Olympics or not… If not you are really weird! Anyways… I’ve always been fascinated with the  women’s gymnastics competition. I mean these girls are awesome! Each group through the years is just amazing. This year I have been just as excited to watch and I tell you that little Gabby Douglas stole the show! I am just so proud of her. She’s always smiling brightly and not shying away from any interview. Her cool, calm, and collective demeanor on that gym floor was so palpable- she was completely ready. This was her time to shine and she did! Gold medal for her! I was moved to tears! I was just full of pride! She and her little body broke through so many barriers in that one competition. She is the first African American to win the women’s gymnastics all-around individual gold meal! What an inspiration! My pride in her was further confirmed when in her first interview after winning she said that she “couldn’t have done it with out God and that really it was a win-win situation; all praises go up to Him and He pours His  blessings down!” So proud of her. Layla had long been asleep as I watched this historic moment but I know one day when they replay Gabby’s Olympic victory, she will be inspired.

Hiatus

Howdy! I know that there must be virtual tumble weeds blowing across my blog page! I apologize. Life has gotten busy for us. I have, however, been able to jot a few thoughts down on my phone! So all is not lost! So the next few posts are “my on the go thoughts” from my phone. Ciao.

p.s. Due to the sporatic posting my life allows for, it may behoove those of you who are die hard fans of the blog (I have so many) to subscribe or become a follower to the blog so that you can be alerted when a post miraculously appears! -Thanks Management

Looking Back

So my little man is again with my parents.  This will make four weeks out of this summer that he will have spent away from us.  At first thought, this was an ingenious idea! We get a little time to spoil the baby and focus on stealing all her sweet little kisses and he gets to have his grandparents to himself. A win win.  Well, I miss the little guy a bit more than usual this go ’round.  Not sure why but I do.  He’s having a blast though.   My parents and Landon went to a church campground last weekend in Oklahoma.  Last time he visited my parents, in June, he went to a church camp-meeting in Texas that I used to go to each year as well growing up.  I feel like things are coming full circle with him and that gives me warm fuzzies.  If’s such an awesome thing to have the opportunity to see. Well, I’m not actually getting the chance to “see it,” my parents are!  Honestly, I guess that has to be even more of a nostalgic feeling for them to have the same experiences that they had with their child, with their child’s child.  My nephew was with them this weekend as well and my parents must have had such a great time as their children’s children were under their roof, spending time with each other and with them.  Sweet.

                                                        Yaya and her grandbabies

 

 

In the wake of what happened this past weekend and the people’s lives who were cut short from some senseless boy’s monstrous act, I’m just thankful for life and my family.  Thankful that I’m blessed with the opportunity to watch my little boy enjoy himself with his grandparents and see them be just as excited about their time with him.  My prayers are extended to those parents and family’s of those who were lost in the tragedy in Colorado.  I can’t even imagine what they are feeling.  The parents of the young man responsible must be devastated as they try to sort out their feelings and their lives.  Sorry to end on such a somber note today, but it’s Monday so it’s appropriate! Hug your babies extra tight tonight!

“Yesterday” (take 3)

 

This is the third attempt to make this post… Now that the date has officially changed, as it is now 12:20am and this post is about Sunday and entitiled, “Yesterday”, it almost won’t make sense anymore… but now that I feel like some awful spirited thing is keeping me from posting the blog I will now be writing for the third time, I’m determined to have it post successfully.

Remember that song “Yesterday” by Boys II Men?  I’ve been singing that this evening… and my husband, he’s not excited about it… AT ALL! -_-

Yesterday (Sunday) we spent a fabulous afternoon with our dear friends as they celebrated their little man’s birthday.  It was a gorgeous day actually. The weather was nice.  The sun was shining but wasn’t too hot or bright.  The kids were having a blast.  Smiles and laughter had by all.  There were racing events, water balloon challenges, and a very special pinata!  Our friend’s backyard, which is beautiful by the way, is large and has groupings of trees here and there.  Around the trees she made this race course or “speedway” for the kids to race around (Jimmy Johnson would be proud). Genius! It was a hit! The kids raced and I must say that I believe I have a sprinter on my hands! Dini (one of Landon’s many nicknames) seems to be ready for the 40 yard dash!

Waiting on the Mark, Get Set, Go!!

rounding the third curve of the course

Seeing him run reminded me of my little brother when he was young. When he played T-ball he’d hit the ball and run  as fast as his little legs would carry him around the bases, and the announcer in the ball park would yell, “and there goes BLAZIN BJ JAMES” as he rounded the diamond!  I think my mom even had T- shirts made with that on it! My brother is probably just thrilled that I’ve shared that with you. Anyways, it was a lovely day. While I had just finished watching my son win his race, and as I stood watching him excited as he watched the bigger kids race, my eyes began to tear up! Even now, I have no answer for why I almost spontaneously burst into tears! Perhaps I was just overwhelmed at this beautiful day and our family being together enjoying the day with our friends.  Maybe I was just excited for my sweet friend who had planned a great birthday party for her son in the midst of a big move, having a new born, and  just coming off of vacation.  I was proud of her.  Or maybe I’m slightly insane. Who knows.  As I fought back the swelling tear ducts I just had to inhale this moment and try to etch it into my memory. It was a lovely day.

……and then it was Monday…..

Yep. As usual, Monday followed Sunday.  I have to say that I was quite proud of myself this weekend because I had attempted to head off any crazy Monday Madness by  doing the errand running Sunday morning.  My office is usually closed for the week after every Thursday evening.  That means that any thing that can go wrong over the weekend is just waiting on us to fix it or fit it into our schedule as soon as we step into the office on Monday and start answering phone calls.  And this Monday was no different.  I almost feel like my prep for Monday was in vain.  But I won’t think that way.  I have to believe that surely one of the things that I did to prep for the day helped our day run smoother.  I’m at a loss right now as to what that one thing would be, especially since this blog didn’t cooperate with me earlier! Thus I am left reminiscing about “yesterday” and eagerly awaiting Sabbath’s rest!

stomach aches

The other day my little guy got sick and wasn’t feeling well… And if you know me, I’m wanting my son to tough it out and I’m all nonchalant about it , “O he’ll be alright! Just need some rest”. Well on the third day of not feeling well, high temperatures, and lots of children’s ibuprofen ….. We went to the doctor. On the way there I’m debating on whether or not to even mention the fact that two weeks ago he swallowed a dime. Yes! The boy swallowed a dime and I have no idea why. Quite frankly he has no idea why! It happened…he was fine and we are pretty sure that the coin has made its long journey out of his body. Problem is, no on SAW the coin’s exit! So since the boy is complaining of stomach pain, we mention it to the doctor.  Being the thorough doctor that she is, she promptly sent us to the hospital for chest and abdomen X-rays just to be sure the coin isn’t lodged somewhere crazy causing his stomach woes.  

After registering at the hospital, Landon received his handy dandy wrist band which made his trip to the hospital official. Once we were back in the radiology room, I began to get a bit nervous. I’m not sure why, but it’s something about having your little guy not feel well and having to take him to the hospital that makes your momma bear heart flutter. I, in all honesty, believe that this X-ray is just part of us going through the motions. I mean the boy swallowed the dime two weeks ago. It can’t still be in his system, right?

I was able to stand in the room and watch Landon as his X-rays were taken. They had him stand facing forward, and then to the side for a few shots. Then he had to lay on a table and take a few that way. I could tell Landon was nervous but he did as the X-ray techs told him to do. I think I was a bit nervous at the same time. I wanted to assure him that all would be fine and we were just taking a picture. However, in the back of my mind somewhere the thought lingered that this coin could indeed be there and what in the world would we have to do if it was!! When he finished taking X-rays, he was able to pic out stickers and a toy for being so brave. I got to sneak a peek at the computer screen and see my little mans X-rays! Sure enough all his little bones looked perfect! And alas, there was no coin anywhere that I could see! Whew! Now the only thought I  have is that I can’t wait to see the hospital bill for this! Honestly I’m just glad my baby passed the test! 

Later that night I was just thinking and wondered if we don’t sometimes make God a bit nervous? I mean of course He knows the beginning and the end, He knows it all, but I just wonder if while we are making choices and decisions in our lives, if He thinks to himself, “O my!! I sure hope she knows what she’s getting herself into! There she goes “swallowing a coin”! I know that it passed, but she doesn’t… She’s got to see her way through this test to make sure she’s learned her lesson and that this won’t hurt her again. ” While we are in the thick of our “test or trial and we are nervous and unsure of the situation we are in, because He’s our Dad, I think He may just get butterflies in His stomach for us.

Layla’s detour for better or for worse?

As I mentioned before, we are just traveling home from our family reunion, where we had an excellent time with family. Family reunions have this bad reputation and I don’t know about your family, but ours are a hoot! This months occasion is with Js family! Our cousins hooked it up! 60 foot water slide, soft serve ice cream machine, tents and BBQ all in the the backyard! Yep! Fun times were had by all! It rained a little today and by “rained” I mean it “poured the rain” as my buddy Hannahan would say ! We let the water die down,said our goodbyes, and started on our way home . First We had a quick detour by the Smallest Church in the World and then down the river road!

Well that rain from earlier caused the streets to overflow and flood in our area! This was problematic because we still have a 6 hour drive ahead of us. We sat at the side of the road to wait and we saw other cars and SUVs drive through the water…. We then rationalized that if small Hondas or Corvettes could get through it, we could too!

So through the flooded water we went. And we made it through just peachy! Once we came through the water, all was well….Except for my little one in the backseat! Layla began to fuss just as we crossed into Baton Rouge. If she was a normally fussy child , we would have kept moving but our little girl ( who recently made it to 8 months old) demanded our attention. So we pulled over to the nearest gas station and took her out, loved in her, changed her, and we were about to put her back in her carseat when we notice…… The car won’t start! So an hour later and after Mr AAA came to change out the car battery we headed home.
I was almost completely annoyed as I recounted the situation to our Aunt as we updated her in our status until I remembered that God has perfect timing. Layla’s little fussy bout could have occurred while we were in the middle of no-mans-land as we traveled from one state to the next but instead God saw fit for her to have us pull over in a highly populated city where Mr AAA only took a few minutes to come to our rescue. We may have missed being in a car accident or something had we kept going unaware that the car battery was failing. So for God’s incredible timing and my little one’s fussy exclamations, I’m thankful. I say this as we safely pull up into the garage and my kiddos are sound asleep. Someone remind me of this If my car fails to start in the morning!

Microphone check

…..is this thing on??
Sooooo here goes nothin! Hello all! I recently read aloud to my family the latest blog of a dear friend whom I admire greatly and said for the umpteenth time that I’d love to blog. I’ve mentioned my lust for blogging to several of my friends and they’ve all encouraged me and my response has been the same “and when do I have time to blog?”. Well as I read my friend’s blog my ever so encouraging hubby said “you should do it!” my fear is that I run out of words or that the words I do say wont be colorful enough that anyone would want to read. I keep telling myself that I may run out of interesting things to write ( if you know my son, you know that shouldn’t be a problem!) or when will I ever make time to write…. But sitting here in the car on our journey home from a lovely family reunion, it occurred to me that right now I do have time! So….. Here goes nothin’!