Summer Summary and Fall Kick OFF

September is insanely busy for our family. Ask any teacher and they will tell you that September is like tax season for tax preparers – crazy hours and crazy stress. This year seemed extra ridiculous. Our calendar was booked every second of the day. I had a change in my job which required new creativity to make it work. Friday before the students came to school, I was asked to change classrooms after I had worked the entire week getting my old room complete. Our church has fall life group kick off which we host and lead…more work to add to the plate. Throw in out of town guests, and watching my nephew and things can quickly get out of control. Oh not to mention but David is now putting extra time in on a side job and had to work extra hours at his regular job. So you get the point…everyone’s lives are crazy busy these days.
Getting to my main point…I started feeling a lot of stress, which is very unusual for me. I can usually juggle multiple plates and wear various hats and enjoy doing it. However, Anden was the main reason I felt added stress. Not because he had poor behavior or any unusual issues…. I just love him so darn much!!!! Oh the guilt of a working mom (although, I also experience the guilt of a stay-at-home mom in the summer).
And the BIG event this September was the start of Anden’s education career. He is going to a half day preschool, which my sister takes him and picks him up. Why was this event so traumatic for me? I couldn’t attend his open house because it was my first day of school. I don’t get to pick him up and ask how his day was. I don’t get to drop him off and kiss him goodbye. I don’t get to attend his holiday parties or field trips. I am missing out! Are we making the right decisions for him? Is he too young for preschool? Do I have enough patience and energy at the end of the day for him? Is there something David and I should drop? Is he adjusting to his new schedule? What are my priorities?

The summer is easy to prioritize because it’s all about Anden. I have all the time in the world, no work, no life groups, basically not a stress in the world. This summer was comfort and refreshment! Anden and I got in our own little routine…
•walks to the park in the morning
•workouts at the YMCA and then a dip in the pool
•weekly music classes and gym classes
•riding bikes or scooters around and around the cul-de-sac
•popsicles on the front porch
•creating cool creatures out of play dough or painting a mater pieces with finger paints
•weekly trips to the mall to run around in the playroom (ok this one might be about me)
•touring museums and discovering local festivals and outdoor concerts
•Barnes and Nobles and the library for story time
•Building sandcastles at the beach and splashing around the pool (his favorite)


And a highlight of our summer routine was that we were always home for his two hour nap time!! What a dream come true for me! Time to do the house work, make the phone calls, and best of all time for ME! Another feat that Anden and I conquered was potty training which wasn’t as horrible as I had braced myself for. Anden did great! And why wouldn’t he because he is the most amazing two year old ever! I loved every minute of the sweet summer days with my little buddy.

So now that summer days have vanished and fall has barged in with its entire giant agenda, I am adjusting and still feeling disappointed with the separation of my little guy. But I am finding comfort in knowing that Anden really does enjoy going to school and is so resilient with change. Since things have started to settle down, I have once again found my priorities – number one has to be God, number two has to be family, and number three is whatever can fit in without disrupting number one and two priorities.

Cousin Conflict

As you can see from the pictures above Anden and Tylan are not as sweet as pie to each other anymore. It is interesting that this summer their relationship has turned somewhat into a tumultuous relationship. Long are the days when Anden and Ty used to lovingly share toys and hugs with each other. Perhaps it is just being two and three years of age or they are just tired of always being with each other. But whatever it is, a referee is needed when the two of them are together. Anden has learned tactful ways of retaliating such as running to mom, quickly snatching a toy when Ty isn’t looking, or just plain slapping or punching him. I do not condone any of these strategies (especially the last one considering Ty is probably going to take Anden 9 out of 10 times since he has a few more pounds on him). I would prefer Anden learn to work out disagreements and share his toys but a two year old just doesn’t think about positive conflict resolution! But these little spats between Anden and Ty have gotten my wheels turning and I just started realizing how praying for family relationships should start now when they are young. My sister Amber and I fought probably 90% of the time we were together. Now, we are the best of friends but back and the day my poor parents had to constantly intervene between are hair pulling fights over who was going to wear the jean skirt that we both claimed was ours. Despite Anden and Ty’s conflict, Anden always thanks God for Tylan before he goes to bed every night! And I am praying the verse over Anden and Ty’s relationship that “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Prov. 27:17.

Best 10 days!

Why was June 13-June 22 one of the best 10 days? First we took a family vacation to Blowing Rock, NC with my parents, sister, Ty, & one of my best friends Suzanne and her family. The boys loved the Thomas the Train ride. We all had a blast at Tweetsie Railroad. It was amazing having Suzanne there and laughing like the good old times. Watching your child experience pure joy is the best.

Not only did I get to see one of my best childhood friends, I also got hang out with Sherra..my other very close compadre! Sherra and I go way back to second grade. It was wonderful spending time with her family. Max and Hugh kept Anden on his toes. There is something really unique and special with friendships that last through decades. Sherra and Suzanne both know me so well and spending time with them is always a blessing.

Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day. Anden is one lucky guy. He has a first-class dad and grandpa (Pop Pop). What makes them first-class is their devotion to their family. Because my dad was so involved and spent so much time pouring into my life, that allowed me to have a high standard for the man of my life. David exceeded my expectations and is truly an outstanding dad. My dad and David have the right goals in life to make fatherhood top priority.

Last but not least, David and I spent our 7th wedding anniversary on Monday. I have been beyond amazed at how much David has transformed my life. For those who are close to him, know that he is the most selfless, loving, and down right cool guy! Simplistically put...seven blissful years!!!

Joy & Carl's Baby Shower

Joy is one of my dearest friends. I am so blessed to see her almost everyday. (We work at the same school and go to the same church and life group.) It has been so much fun hearing all of her pregnancy stories and seeing her belly grow. I was so excited to throw Carl and Joy a jungle baby shower and it was a blast. They are going to make extraordinary parents.

These invitations turned are so cute and were so fun to make.

Joy is such a loyal friend - such a blessing.

It was so wonderful that Joy's parents (and cousin) was able to celebrate with us.

Anden is holding little Philip! He is so adorable!

The games were great -cute play dough babies!

I love the pineapple palm tree!

Cheesecake lion cupcakes - perfectly delightful!

Decorating with wall clings was a cinch and it turned out so cute!

David helped me make yummy chocolate covered oreos! Delicious!

Congratulations Joy and Carl! We can't wait to meet Christopher.

Pictures

Our wonderful friends blessed us with a photo session! The photographer was great and the weather was perfect. Here are a few samples of the shoot. My guys are so handsome!

Anden's First Haircut at SuperCuts

David has been cutting Anden's hair since he was 3 mo. but since he has gotten older, the haircuts have gotten more challenging. We decided to get Anden's hair cut with someone who actually has a license to hold scissors. We crossed our fingers not knowing what Anden would do, to our amazement a promise of a sucker goes a long way with a two year old. He did great!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Don't you love the homemade card David made - He's so talented!

At the end of the day it was just my sweet little boy and I swinging on the front porch! I am so grateful that I have an absolutely wonderful mom who means the world to me and I hope to be just as great to Anden. I have said this before that I have done more personal growth since I have became a mom than in any time in my life. It is an exhausting and exhilarating role - MOM!

Here are a few pictures of the cool pendant and art projects my little man spoiled me (with the help of Super Daddy).

They have the so much fun together! Two peas in a pod!

Jon is on the attack!

The day continued with shopping trip by myself! I love shopping all alone - just me, myself, and I. After shopping off to mom and dad's place for dinner. Grandma Mi Mi and Pop Pop always have special treats for the boys. Today it was a blow-up pool with pool toys. The boys loved splashing around in it.

We started the morning at the Norfolk Zoo. It was a perfect day - 70's, sun shining, and a gentle breeze. Since it wasn't too hot all the animals were cooperating, so we got to examine all of them. Anden's favorite animals were the elephants. When the elephants were feeding, they would crash the chains holding the hay into the pole, creating a loud bell sound. Anden thought the elephants talked in bell ringing language.

Happy Mother's Day! I hope all you moms enjoyed your day - you deserve it!