End of the School Year

The end of the school year came fast and furious.  I'm not sure why all the projects and reports, field trips and programs all get saved for the last two weeks of school, but for this Momma of four, my last weeks of Mothers Day Out were spent in my kids classrooms or out with their classes somewhere.  Next year I will try to be a little more on top of things by reminding myself that I need to have teacher gifts purchased and all doctors appointments, etc by the end of April, so I'm not scrounging around mid May with no time to do anything.

The Kindergarten classes went on a field trip to Pinnacle Mountain State park.  The kids enjoyed playing on the playground and walking the King Fisher Trail.  Just being out in the fresh air and sunshine was good for all of us.

Time with this sweet boy is always a good thing.

Lawson, worked for a week and half on his Science Fair project where he was trying to determine if acidic fruits and vegetables were able to produce enough electricity to power an LED light bulb.  He in fact was able to power the light bulb by connecting four lemons.  Here's my cutie, sharing his project.

Kindergarten Celebration was just about the sweetest thing ever.  The kids recited verses they'd learned throughout the year, worship songs they had sung in chapel and each child read a short story they'd written about what they wanted to be when they grow up, Emerson said he wanted to be a police man.  He has learned so much this year, his reading has really taken off, his writing and memory have all improved as well, Adam and I are so proud of him!

Ava Jane's class had a popsicle and bubbles party her last day of school.  These teachers have been a blessing all year long.  I'm so thankful that Ava Jane had Ms. Hutson and Mrs. Smith, they were such wonderfully, loving teachers who taught her so much.

At Little Rock Christian, completion of the fourth grade means moving out of the Elementary building and into Middle School.  How can I possibly have a child old enough for Middle School? The fourth grade graduation ceremony just about did this Momma in.  Between the baby pictures and the more recent ones while "Let Them Be Little" played in the background, lets just say I was an emotional mess who didn't have one tissue in my purse, just a lone black mitten that was stuffed down in a purse pocket. As I watched this group of young boys and girls sharing what they'd learned this year and then telling us what some of their favorite memories were as well as what they will miss about being in the "House of Love" (the Elementary Building) tears just spilled from my eyes.  Adam and I are so proud of Peyton and the young man he's becoming.  He's sensitive and kind to others, and truly seeks to follow after Jesus every day, we see many of the fruits of the Spirit growing in him and for that we are so grateful to see.

After the fourth grade graduation, we got to go and see the social studies project that Peyton and his partners did on the state of Oklahoma. He was so proud of his tri-fold board and all that he had put on it. They did a great job gathering information and putting the board together along with their powerpoint presentation.

The last day of school was fun for the kids, it was field day filled with relay games, bounce houses, Kona ice and more.  The kids loved it even though the rain fell and the sun never came out.   It was a great way to end the year.  They started the morning with the fourth grade's leading for the last time  in the Elementary building. At the assembly they shared some of their favorite memories and led the school in quoting several verses and singing a few worship songs.  It was precious to observe.

After the assembly it was time for the fun to begin and more memories to be made.

The last day of school was fun, the kids had a big time and the Momma's were all thrilled to start the summer break!  I'm thankful for what the next several weeks will hold and look forward to making more memories with my people.

Family Night-Travelers Game

With the boys having played baseball this Spring, and with the beautiful weather we've been having, we decided to enjoy a family night out and go see the Arkansas Travelers do their thing.  The boys had a good time, dancing to the music, seeing the players and of course eating the tasty ballpark food.  It was a lovely night for baseball and a great time with the kids!

Adam was able to get us great seats, on the front row, right behind the dugout. We didn't miss a thing that night, the kids saw all the action, and loved it!

We had fun, though it did cool off midway through the night so Adam graciously went and bought me a long sleeved Travs t-shirt so Ava Jane and I cuddled the last half of the game.

These cuties wanted a picture with another fun mascot.

Gotta love the guy in the background!  It was a fun evening out with my family.  Summer is just around the corner and I'm looking forward to more of these kind of evenings.

Baby Shower for Lizzie - God's Story

Over the past months our small group from church has been praying for a family in our group who was in the waiting process of adoption. We have had the privilege of praying specifically and watching God write the story for this precious family.  Getting to see how God has gone before them has been faith growing and just plain fun to watch.  There have been so many answers to prayer from the health of the baby to protection for the birth mom; for favor with the hospital staff to bringing that precious baby girl home.  Getting a front row seat to a God size story of redemption is awesome to watch and to have been a small part of.  To read Christy's blog on becoming a family of six you an click here and to read Carol's perspective on this big modern family (since their children are siblings) your can click here

We asked Christy what she would like Lizzie's baby shower to look like and she requested a Girls Night Out, so that's what we did.  It was fun to all be together, to eat yummy food, get to sit and visit and then hear her share some of the "God moments" where they really felt like God went before them in this adoption process was so fun to hear her recount.  Christy, we are thrilled for your family and for all that God has done in the past years as He has been writing this story.  What a mighty God we serve.  He knew (and knows) the desires of our hearts and to see Him provide in this way has truly been remarkable!  We stand in awe of what He's done and look forward to watching Lizzie become all that God intends for her to be.

I was in my happy place holding sweet baby Lizzie, she is such a little cuddle bug!

Piano Recital 2017

This year was Emerson's first year to take piano lessons.  He didn't always enjoy practicing, but over all, Adam and I were so very proud of him for how he memorized his recital piece (Men from Mars). He was quite nervous to go up and play in front of such a large crowd but he walked right up there, played his song, bowed then finished with a smile (and I'm sure a sigh of relief.) We couldn't have been more proud of how well he did!

This was Peyton's fifth year to take from Molly and he truly excelled this year.  He would regularly practice without me having to remind him continuously which was so nice.  He even got an award for how hard he practiced and for how well he had done each week; he was totally shocked when they called his name.

Lawson did a great job playing The Juggler.  He never enjoys practicing but he does love being able to play songs that he enjoys, like the Star Wars theme song, which I now know by heart.

We were proud of these boys, they did terrific!

All of these kiddos did great at the Fine Arts Recital at Little Rock Christian!

Aren't these Kindergarten, piano playing, cuties-- adorable?

Thanks Molly for doing such a great job of being patient yet firm with the boys.  I truly feel like they excelled this year, having learned quite a bit while also growing in their ability and confidence to "tickle the ivories"!  We look forward to another great year this fall.

Isn't She Lovely

This past year has been a first for Ava Jane, she was finally old enough to start dance lessons.  I took dance until I started cheering in High School and it was one of my all time favorite things to do.  So when Ava Jane began dancing with little girls whose mother's I had danced with, at Joel's House of Dance so many years ago, I truly feel like things have come full circle.

She hasn't loved going to class every single week, but for the most part she has enjoyed going to see Mrs. Allison and Mrs. Janna at Shuffles.  I was most impressed with their weekly dress code (a black leotard with pink tights) and how modesty does seem to be a priority.  The music chosen has been classic and the teachers and assistants are truly so kind and patient with the girls.  I have been thoroughly impressed with our year there and loved getting to watch the recital this past weekend.

Ava Jane was excited to get up on the stage and was thrilled to put lip stick and blush on!  Here's my sweet girl waiting backstage, where there were lots of cute girls in costumes and Mom's fluffing, curling, make-uping and texting loved ones to see where their seats were saved in the theatre.

The girls danced to "Isn't She Lovely" and it was so cute to watch!  There were many "shuffle big steps", "heel steps" and of course some sparkly hands!  I was so proud of Ava Jane, she got right up there and did her little number and loved every minute!  (Ava Jane is on the back row third from the left.)

This little girl enjoyed posing and taking pictures with the photographer (I'm waiting on my digital copies, so i-phone pics will have to do for now). Isn't she a doll?!!

Way to go sweet girl!  We are so proud of you!