Jackson and Grant being silly and singing
Serious Cooper
I just think this is a silly picture. They are each doing something completely different.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
VBS 2012
The boys went to Vacation Bible School last week and had a blast. They learned some new songs, made some fun crafts, made some friends, and just had tons of fun. They looked forward to it everyday. On the last day, the kids sang their songs for the parents. It was very cute! Of course, two of my three boys were bouncing around and being silly through most of it, but little Cooper who is typically my singer and performer stood very still not singing or even smiling. I'm not sure what came over him, but it was very out of character. Of course he's been belting out the songs ever since but for whatever reason on that day he wanted nothing to do with it.
Jackson and Grant being silly and singing
Serious Cooper
I just think this is a silly picture. They are each doing something completely different.
Jackson and Grant being silly and singing
Serious Cooper
I just think this is a silly picture. They are each doing something completely different.
Hearing God's Voice
I often struggle with hearing God's voice, or rather knowing when it's God's voice. I'm always second guessing and have realized in the last year this is something that I really need to work on...being still and listening. BUT last week, I heard God's voice, no questions, without a doubt.
The night before Jackson was to go to his first day of kindergarten I was quite emotional and I told Jeff I felt like I had to let go of Jackson, but I wasn't really ready to do that. No one prepares you for how hard it really is to let your child go off to school. And I was a teacher, I get the whole first day of school thing, but it was STILL hard! So the morning of the 23rd, knowing I needed to hear God's voice, I opened my JESUS CALLING devotional to read the devotion for that day, August 23rd. This is what it said:
"Entrust your loved ones to Me; release them into My protective care. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands. If you let a loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that one - as well as yourself. Remember the extreme measures I used with Abraham and Isaac. I took Isaac to the very point of death to free Abraham from son-worship. Both Abraham and Isaac suffered terribly because of the father's undisciplined emotions. I detest idolatry, even in the form of parental love. When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand. As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them. My Presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest. This same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me. Watch to see what I will do."
WOW!! I knew God was speaking to me and I heard him LOUD & CLEAR. I love Jackson so very much but I know that I need to let him go and trust that God's going to take better care of him than I ever could. He loves Jack more than I ever will, which is hard to imagine but true. So I released my little boy and I TRUST that God will bless him!
The night before Jackson was to go to his first day of kindergarten I was quite emotional and I told Jeff I felt like I had to let go of Jackson, but I wasn't really ready to do that. No one prepares you for how hard it really is to let your child go off to school. And I was a teacher, I get the whole first day of school thing, but it was STILL hard! So the morning of the 23rd, knowing I needed to hear God's voice, I opened my JESUS CALLING devotional to read the devotion for that day, August 23rd. This is what it said:
"Entrust your loved ones to Me; release them into My protective care. They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands. If you let a loved one become an idol in your heart, you endanger that one - as well as yourself. Remember the extreme measures I used with Abraham and Isaac. I took Isaac to the very point of death to free Abraham from son-worship. Both Abraham and Isaac suffered terribly because of the father's undisciplined emotions. I detest idolatry, even in the form of parental love. When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand. As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them. My Presence will go with them wherever they go, and I will give them rest. This same Presence stays with you, as you relax and place your trust in Me. Watch to see what I will do."
WOW!! I knew God was speaking to me and I heard him LOUD & CLEAR. I love Jackson so very much but I know that I need to let him go and trust that God's going to take better care of him than I ever could. He loves Jack more than I ever will, which is hard to imagine but true. So I released my little boy and I TRUST that God will bless him!
Monday, August 27, 2012
It's Potty Time
We are soooo excited at our house because two little boys are using the potty!! They each got to pick out a new package of underwear today, McQueen for Cooper and Spiderman for Grant.
Here are the "outtakes" from our potty photo shoot :)
We are just giddy with excitement! :)
Here are the "outtakes" from our potty photo shoot :)
We are just giddy with excitement! :)
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Kindergarten!!
Jackson started Kindergarten today! He has been waiting and waiting for this day, it couldn't come soon enough for him. Me on the other hand...I could have used a couple more years I think. :) Jackson picked out his outfit for the day, his button down shirt with khaki shorts, because Dad wears khakis to school too. He looked so grown up!
He wanted a picture of his cool new backpack!
Jackson and Mommy
We live directly behind the school playground. We can literally open our back gate and walk out onto the playground. So right before it was time for us to walk over, Jackson looks at me and says, "Mom, I think I can walk over all by myself." Can you hear my heart breaking??? I told him maybe in first grade he can walk by himself, but while he is in kindergarten I would be walking with him, especially on the first day of school. He seemed ok with that. :)
Here he is trying out the brand new playground equipment that was just installed during the summer. They literally finished days before school opened.
Lining up with his class. Does he look excited?!
Jackson's Kindergarten class, 2012-2013 (He's in the front row, second from the right)
As they started to walk into the building Jackson waved, said goodbye and I love you. I held it together until he turned to go inside and then I just couldn't anymore. I never thought sending your child to kindergarten would be so difficult!
He made it through the day and had a big smile on his face when I came to pick him up.
Jackson with two of our neighbors that also started kindergarten today.
It was a great first day and we are looking forward to many more exciting days!
He wanted a picture of his cool new backpack!
Jackson and Mommy
We live directly behind the school playground. We can literally open our back gate and walk out onto the playground. So right before it was time for us to walk over, Jackson looks at me and says, "Mom, I think I can walk over all by myself." Can you hear my heart breaking??? I told him maybe in first grade he can walk by himself, but while he is in kindergarten I would be walking with him, especially on the first day of school. He seemed ok with that. :)
Here he is trying out the brand new playground equipment that was just installed during the summer. They literally finished days before school opened.
Lining up with his class. Does he look excited?!
Jackson's Kindergarten class, 2012-2013 (He's in the front row, second from the right)
As they started to walk into the building Jackson waved, said goodbye and I love you. I held it together until he turned to go inside and then I just couldn't anymore. I never thought sending your child to kindergarten would be so difficult!
He made it through the day and had a big smile on his face when I came to pick him up.
Jackson with two of our neighbors that also started kindergarten today.
It was a great first day and we are looking forward to many more exciting days!
Saturday, August 18, 2012
First Day of Preschool
Grant and Cooper had their first day of preschool this past week! I took them on Monday for an hour to meet their teachers and play in their room. Then on Tuesday they went for their first official day. They were excited to go and there were no tears. I can't believe how big my babies are! I'm excited for them and know they will have a great year in preschool.
Stopped to see Daddy at the pool on our way to Deer Park
Walking down the hall. Those backpacks are bigger than they are!
Deer Park 2012-2013
On Thursday Grant had to go to school without his buddy Cooper who was a little under the weather. I had no idea how they would do not having each other. I thought for sure there would be complaints or tears from one or the other as we dropped Grant off at school. Well, they surprised me! Grant walked right in to his classroom without any problems, and Cooper happily announced to everyone that he couldn't stay because he had diarrhea, awesome! Miss Amanda said Grant had a great day and acted unphased by the fact that his brother wasn't with him. I guess they are more independent than I thought!
Stopped to see Daddy at the pool on our way to Deer Park
Walking down the hall. Those backpacks are bigger than they are!
Deer Park 2012-2013
On Thursday Grant had to go to school without his buddy Cooper who was a little under the weather. I had no idea how they would do not having each other. I thought for sure there would be complaints or tears from one or the other as we dropped Grant off at school. Well, they surprised me! Grant walked right in to his classroom without any problems, and Cooper happily announced to everyone that he couldn't stay because he had diarrhea, awesome! Miss Amanda said Grant had a great day and acted unphased by the fact that his brother wasn't with him. I guess they are more independent than I thought!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Vacation Part 4
Day 6 & 7
Day 6 we woke up to a surprise guest hanging on the OUTSIDE, thank goodness, of one of the windows.
I have never seen a bat in person and I don't think I ever want to see one that close up again. GROSS!! Jackson helped Papa come up with a way to capture him. Jackson watched from inside as Grandpa was so brave and caught the bat in a plastic container. Thank you Grandpa!
We went down to Clear Lake again on Saturday to have lunch with my aunt, uncle, and cousin. It was so fun to see them, even though it was quick!
On the Dock
That night my grandparents came out to the lake for dinner and smores once again. It was a beautiful night and the boys were having a blast playing ball and chasing each other.
Waiting for smores
Jackson, Grant, and Cooper with their Great Grandparents
Eating smores
Playing ball
Sleepy boys and their sleepy mommy
Day 7 we made the long, long drive back home. We stopped in Cedar Falls and had a picnic by the campanile on the UNI campus. We walked around a little bit and showed the boys some of the different buildings: the library, West Gym where Jeff spent many hours swimming, and the Union. It felt very strange walking on campus with our three little boys. Two totally different worlds colliding!
The UNI Campanile, you can see Jeff and Cooper at the bottom
My sweet boys!
The boys were racing around the campanile, chasing each other
The boys in front of the math building (Poor Grant had an accident so he is pant-less)
What an amazing week, full of lots of memories! Now we're all ready to start school! :)
Day 6 we woke up to a surprise guest hanging on the OUTSIDE, thank goodness, of one of the windows.
I have never seen a bat in person and I don't think I ever want to see one that close up again. GROSS!! Jackson helped Papa come up with a way to capture him. Jackson watched from inside as Grandpa was so brave and caught the bat in a plastic container. Thank you Grandpa!We went down to Clear Lake again on Saturday to have lunch with my aunt, uncle, and cousin. It was so fun to see them, even though it was quick!
On the Dock
That night my grandparents came out to the lake for dinner and smores once again. It was a beautiful night and the boys were having a blast playing ball and chasing each other.Waiting for smores
Jackson, Grant, and Cooper with their Great Grandparents
Eating smores
Playing ball
Sleepy boys and their sleepy mommy
Day 7 we made the long, long drive back home. We stopped in Cedar Falls and had a picnic by the campanile on the UNI campus. We walked around a little bit and showed the boys some of the different buildings: the library, West Gym where Jeff spent many hours swimming, and the Union. It felt very strange walking on campus with our three little boys. Two totally different worlds colliding!The UNI Campanile, you can see Jeff and Cooper at the bottom
My sweet boys!
The boys were racing around the campanile, chasing each other
The boys in front of the math building (Poor Grant had an accident so he is pant-less)
What an amazing week, full of lots of memories! Now we're all ready to start school! :)
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Vacation Part 3
Days 4 & 5
Day 4 we took the boys up to the Mall of America to do some school shopping for Jeff and of course ride some rides at the amusement park. I have no pictures because I didn't take my camera. :( BUT Jackson went on his first official "big kid" roller coaster while we were there. He was tall enough to go on one with me and he LOVED it!! I was nervous that once we got on it he would be scared but he proved me wrong. He was smiling from ear to ear through the entire thing.
That night Jeff camped in the tent with the boys. Jackson didn't make it all night and ended up inside with me, but G & C slept outside all night long. Cooper sweetly came in the house crowing like a rooster at 7 AM!
On Day 5 we took the boys down to Clear Lake to play at the beach and swim in the lake. They loved swimming in the lake! Jackson and Cooper especially loved it when Jeff would throw them high in the air and they would splash in the water. It was never high enough for Cooper...he kept asking Jeff to throw him higher and higher.
I love Cooper's face in this picture.
Jackson had a little trouble keeping his trunks up!
Grant digging in the sand
Getting cleaned off
The water shooting out of the fountain was FREEZING! Grant is just barely cleaning off his hands.
We had a picnic in the park after our playtime at the beach
Day 4 we took the boys up to the Mall of America to do some school shopping for Jeff and of course ride some rides at the amusement park. I have no pictures because I didn't take my camera. :( BUT Jackson went on his first official "big kid" roller coaster while we were there. He was tall enough to go on one with me and he LOVED it!! I was nervous that once we got on it he would be scared but he proved me wrong. He was smiling from ear to ear through the entire thing.
That night Jeff camped in the tent with the boys. Jackson didn't make it all night and ended up inside with me, but G & C slept outside all night long. Cooper sweetly came in the house crowing like a rooster at 7 AM!
On Day 5 we took the boys down to Clear Lake to play at the beach and swim in the lake. They loved swimming in the lake! Jackson and Cooper especially loved it when Jeff would throw them high in the air and they would splash in the water. It was never high enough for Cooper...he kept asking Jeff to throw him higher and higher.
I love Cooper's face in this picture.
Jackson had a little trouble keeping his trunks up!
Grant digging in the sand
Getting cleaned off
The water shooting out of the fountain was FREEZING! Grant is just barely cleaning off his hands.
We had a picnic in the park after our playtime at the beach
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