Second Grade

Well, this is the second full week of school and it is the first time this school year that I have gotten to see Ashley before she heads to school each morning.  With my travels her first couple of days of school and her being with her dad the first full week of school, I am looking forward to having a week at home with my girl.  This morning she was all dressed and ready for chapel in her new Grace Cougars shirt with this year’s student prayer and verse, 2 Peter 3:18.

“To grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

I think after a Parent Meeting last night and having a couple of other interactions with her teacher and other parents, it is going to be a great year at GCS.

Happy Birthday Cody!

My big boy turns 22 today.  It is so hard to believe that is even possible.  I am so proud of all he has accomplished and so blessed to have been chosen to be his Mom.  He continues to allow God to use him and he continues to impress me as I watch him grow and mature year after year.  He may not be my little boy any more, and he now has a beautiful wife to care for him (God bless her!), but I will always be his “Mama”.

So many good memories over the past year and I look forward to seeing what the next year brings.  I love you very much – Mama

Introducing Aiden

Jason and I will have a blended family come December and that will bring all kinds of challenges, opportunities, and hopefully joy as well.  Thankfully one of our children, Cody, is grown and married to our wonderful daughter-in-law, Courtney, but that leaves us with four young children to care for and help raise.  Yes, four.  Jason has two boys that I blog about often – Cole and Connor and I have Ashley that you have been hearing about for years, but we also have another child as well.  Aiden James is Jason’s youngest son from a prior relationship and he is 17 months old (born March 23, 2011).  We have enjoyed having Aiden over several times over the past year, but I think it is time that everyone officially meets him.  He is very good boy, he hardly ever cries, he has big brown eyes, he likes balls and dogs, he looks handsome in blue (like his Dad), he loves Trix (I always make sure to have those in stock when he comes over), and he enjoys our other kiddos and they are super good with him.  Here are some recent visits and pictures.

Mid-March - the kids took batting practice and Aiden helped his Dad with pitching…he wasn’t walking yet (just pulling up) and wasn’t quite old enough to get in on all of the action…

Papa and Bebe came for a visit over Easter weekend and he was trying to walk, but not quite there yet…

Laughing at Cole’s silly faces…

We wore him out…he usually doesn’t fall asleep until we put him back in the car to go home…

Early June - finally walking…now we are in trouble…

Hanging out with Dad…

When Papa and Bebe came back in mid-June, he was quite the ham for everyone…

We are looking forward to seeing more of Aiden in a couple of months when we get to start picking him up from his school/daycare every Monday afternoon.  That will be great since our visits recently have been a little sporadic with the craziness of summer – basketball leagues and camps, moves, vacations, weddings, company, travel, and All-Star baseball.  I will make sure to have plenty of Trix in stock for when he comes to visit!

Baseball Begins Again

It is that time again…baseball season!  This time, it is select baseball for Cole and the Eagles and Connor and the Diamond Jaxx.  Thankfully we are not doing both fall baseball and select baseball, but Connor will also be doing soccer so we hope to finally be able to catch some soccer games this fall.

We had our first tournament this weekend and we were thrilled that it was in Tyler.  Jason and I were not ready to get back in a car for another road trip after the last three weekends of travel and I know the kids would have hated it too.  We got to stay home this weekend and actually enjoyed the morning at the lake on Saturday since both of the boys were scheduled for late afternoon games. 

I didn’t get any pictures of Connor this weekend but here are a couple of Cole pitching and batting and some of Ashley being a monkey in the tree behind the stands with some new friends.  She also enjoyed playing chase, zombies, and playing the iPad with Chase.

Both boys’ teams got knocked out of the tournament early on Sunday so we took advantage of having an afternoon without baseball.  Ashley and I headed to the pool and Jason headed to the golf course to get in 9 holes.  As luck would have it, there were some little girls just about Ashley’s age so she had some fun play time.  And, we ran into Cole and Connor and got to visit with them for awhile too.  We are glad to be home now enjoying a nice quiet Sunday evening at the house, getting ready for another week of work and school.

Jonathan and Bethany–Wedding Day

There was a professional photographer at the wedding, so I kept my camera in my purse most of the day on Saturday.  We did take a few pictures before we left Big Canoe for the last time.

The wedding festivities begin..

The reception begins…

Jimmy and Jennifer (one of Jason’s cousins)..

Pennie (Jason’s aunt) said Jennifer and I are kindred spirits….I think she might be right.  I love hanging out with this girl!  We already have a trip planned for next fall!

More reception…

Cousin pictures…Jimmy & Jennifer, Jonathan & Bethany, Shannon (Jason’s other cousin) & Matt, and me and Jason…

The happy couple…

Pennie & Raymond (Kit’s brother) with Betty & Kit…

Jonathan and Bethany with Ralph and Mama GG…

Kit and Betty cutting a rug…

What a beautiful bride, handsome groom, sweet ceremony and reception and wonderful time getting to know Jason’s family better.  We enjoyed our time and everyone is so excited to welcome Bethany into the family.  What a fabulous sister-in-law she will be!