Beach bums

A couple of weeks ago, we headed to Jacksonville Beach for a wedding that Jason was in. We decided to make it our beach trip for the year, and we were fortunate enough to have my parents agree to come with us to help with the kids when we had wedding activities. It was one of those good trips. The kind that you don't want to end and that continue to make you smile even after you've left. The only thing I regret about the whole thing was not getting more pictures of the kids with their grandparents. Guess we'll have to go again to correct that problem...

It was Lilah's first trip to the beach, and she loved it.

We got a lot of smiles and not as much sand in the mouth as I was expecting.

My parents enjoying some pool time.

Lilah: "I've got ahold of you, Grandma".

My dad is cooler than your dad...

CANNONBALL...

Getting sand out of our drama king's eye.

My big girl just climbed into this chair and made herself comfy. Such a beach babe.

One of my favorite memories of this trip was when I was sitting in a beach chair with no one else around. Everyone was letting me finish my book--Jason took the kids down to the water and my parents went for a walk. As most of you moms know, you're never completely alone. Even if you're sitting there by yourself, you often are thinking of your family or watching them from afar. I did finish my book, but I also witnessed a sight that warmed my heart beyond belief and made me happy that I'm never alone. As I looked up from the page I was reading, I glanced down towards the water to see my family--my handsome husband sitting in the sand with our three children. The boys were digging and building, and Lilah was trying to do the same while staying as close as she could to her daddy. They were in this little universe all their own-untouchable, amazing, perfect. Playing so sweetly and spending time with their dad. I didn't have my camera down on the beach that day, and oh, I wish I would have. It was one of the best things I have ever seen. Yes, I teared up (because that's what I do), and I'm lucky that my mind took a snapshot of the scene. I go back to that picture often and each time, my heart fills up just as it did while I sat in that beach chair finishing my book.

Secret kiss

Today I took Landon to the bus stop by myself because the little ones were still sleeping. He boarded the bus as usual, and as I started on my way back to the house, he looked out the window, bent down a bit so others couldn't see, and blew me a secret kiss. It melted my heart. I wasn't expecting it (he hasn't done it before), and it's left me all warm and fuzzy. Thanks LCS! I'm carrying that one around all day.

Three years of Noah

My baby boy turned 3 on the 13th of this month. After a yummy breakfast meal at Waffle House (we were told that we had to go there because it was his birthday), we had a wonderful family day as we headed to Stone Mountain for the Yellow Daisy Festival . At the park, we took time to hang out in the lawn and partake in the infamous Duck Ride. On the way home, the boys got McDonald's (another birthday request), and then we gave Noah his last gift...a new bike. After some bike riding, we ate the strawberry cake that he had asked me to make. It really was one of those great family days that reminds you how precious your family is.

Love you, NoNo. You still make me smile tooooo much.

Cake filled face

Check out my ride...

Covering his ears as the train passed by.

I had to include this pic b/c I just like it. Landon at Stone Mtn.
The boys rolling down the hill.Sleeping on the Duck Ride. Seriously, turning 3 is hard work!

A little video of my birthday boy:

Noah is back in school

I thank the good Lord above often for Noah's school. Here he is on his first day.

I could eat this guy up.

Landon's 6th birthday

On August 27th, my boy turned 6 years old. It's hard to believe it's been six years since that long day in the hospital waiting for his arrival. He had a low key birthday for the most part. I made cupcakes for his class, and Noah, Lilah, and I took them to him when we ate lunch with him at school. He asked to go out to eat Mexican for dinner (definitely my son as a far as that goes), and the Sunday following his birthday, we took just a few friends to play putt-putt and have ice cream. Mom needed a break from the big parties. :)

Here's a sample of the pictures over the few days that we celebrating his turning 6.

Opening presents from us on his actual bday

Looking at the Falcons jersey Grandma & Papa gave him.

Landon, Lilah, Davis, Matt, Ainsley, Clay, Obie, and Noah at the indoor putt-putt place.

Getting ready for some ice cream

Landon with his two best buddies, Davis and Clay

Just pictures...

Camping with the family

Bath time

Landon's medal for his indoor soccer season

Daddy, don't go...

Family gathered for the boys' birthdays

"Papa, that's my sleeping bag."

Check out those curls...

Lilah loves her baby doll.

Athens

A few weeks ago, we took the kiddos up to Athens to show them around campus. We walked around campus, picked up some new gear for the football season, and ate lunch in the classic city. Pictures to prove it....

Jason showing the kids Sanford Stadium (seats almost 93,000 fans!)

Sitting outside the book store and the Tate Center
Landon took this one...
Me with two of my knuckleheads...What the other one was doing during the picture--pouting.

Today I'm a proud mommy!

I know I'm way behind on posting anything. I have a camera full of pictures, but time just doesn't seem to be on my side. We've had an anniversary go by, a birthday celebrated, and a day trip taken; however, you wouldn't know that because I haven't had a chance to post anything. It's on my to do list for the weekend.

However--I got something today that I had to share. I try not to brag on my kids too much (everyone knows that every parent thinks their kids are great), but this one turned my day around. I just got off the phone with my friend, and we were discussing how the rewards of parenthood don't come as often as we'd like, and the tough times seem to stick around. Just one of those conversations reiterating that parenting is hard. Then I got this email (I tried to scan the email, but for some reason, blogger and my scanner are not friends)...

Subject: Landon
"I wanted to email you to let you know how wonderful I think your son is. We have a new student in our class who requires constant attention and support. When we went to the playground today, your sweet child took our new friend by the hand and helped him up when he fell. He then proceeded to lead him around the playground, help him safely climb the stairs and teach him how to slide over and over and over. The smile on our new friend's face was priceless!!! He spent the entire recess time working with our new friend. Your son was patient, loving, and so encouraging. It shows exactly what kind of parent he has. Thank you for sharing him with me. It made my day! --Angela "(his teacher)

I'm literally exploding with pride right now for my oldest. Exploding!