Andrew graduates!!!!

Yesterday was a BIG day for our family! Andrew graduated from high school with a scholar's diploma (4 years of advanced science, 4 years of advanced math and 3 years of a foreign language while maintaing a 3.6 GPA) from BCS!!! He is thrilled to be finished and is looking forward to the future with great expectation. We all attended the afternoon graduation and than had a huge celebration afterwards at Macaroni Grill. There was 30 of us who joined together to celebrate Andrew and Shelby's accomplishment. It was a precious time of coming together with dear ones and celebrating 2 people who we love. I have a lot more pictures but just posted a few highlights from the day and hope you enjoy a glimpse of the day. It was a perfect day in many ways. The love, celebration and blessing was overflowing and this mama's heart was too. God is good and so very faithful.

Sentimental Sunday....

This was taken sometime last summer or early fall. It is one of Traes favorite picture of Sam. He is thoughtful and introspective and that is a sweet trait in a toddler! When he isn't, he is moving for sure and keeping us busy!!!!

Trae and our little guy.....

Aren't they precious?!

Our moving guy....

Jacob is a lover of keeping busy! He loves sports, being on the go, what can we go do, doing something together and pretty much any kind of sports! I wonder how many times I have said you can throw the ball but not in the house! His favorite thing is to throw a ball up in our very large sky light. Ummmm.......not safe and a very expensive repair!

Sweet grandma love....

Sam loves his grandma! He calls her and talks to her on the phone and loves seeing her when she visits. They have a very sweet bond and special things they do together and talk about. She has a lot of love to give and does so beautifully to all 9 of her grandchildren! We are so blessed and grateful for her and the love she so freely gives.

Easter egg fun....

We had the perfect weather day for a little egg hunt on Easter! It was after nap time so Sam had already changed out of his Easter duds but he is still adorable in his play clothes! Jacob found some enjoyment in it too. They both love being outdoors.

One of my favorite pictures....

This is one of my favorite pictures. Andrew was 3 years old and singing in a school program. As a mommy I thought he had the best sign and I had the cutest kid ever! Andrew made me a mom and 19 years into being his mom I am grateful most of all for the gift of his life and relationship. He is grown and entering a new season in his life. I am so proud of him and excited for his future. I will always be cheering him on from my heart and desire to have relationship with him as he has grown from my little boy to a man.

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day to all our moms and grandma's! You are loved, treasured and greatly needed! We need your love, your influence, your support, your wisdom and relationship. Words cannot express our gratitude to you. We hope your day is blessed and you are reminded of how valued you are.

How different my kids are.....

Most people say their children are all so different. That is pretty common. I have to say that I feel that way often! I have a adult, teen and toddler. There is a special reward for that....right??? I don't have another friend with a 17 year age gap with their children. :) We are finished having kids unless the Lord ever calls us to adopt and we are very content and busy with the 3 we have.

Andrew buys and sells used Apple products (mostly phones) and does well with it. He knows the value of a dollar and is a saver. He does spend money on things he values but he is savvy and resells most things for what he paid or close to it.

Jacob loves a yard sale! If he has a dollar in his pocket he will gladly spend it or bless someone with it. He would spend an entire day going to yard sales with me if we could. Matter of fact we are going tomorrow morning because it is our neighborhood yard sale. We have had some good times going together. He called today once he saw the neighborhood signs to ask if we could go and what time did they close today! I don't do clutter well and am much more of a tosser than a keeper but I do still like to save money on toys, kids clothes and household items if I find them.

Sam and I arrived home today after doing an errand and even though it was close to nap time I thought we would loop around the block to see if there were any sales still going. When we passed our home he said, home....home. I said yes that is our home....do you want to go home and he responded, yes! I kept going and when we pulled up at the first yard sale he looked at it and said, MESS! I couldn't contain my laughter.

My children are all unique blessings and I am grateful for each one of them. Fun times and never a lack of excitement in our lives! They are my reward!

2 of Sams favorite things....

Friends and Chick Fil A are two of his favorite things! Our sweet friend was kind enough to share with Sam and welcome him. We had a Chick Fil A open just 2 minutes from our home which was perfect because it has been a family favorite for many years! Sam is rather picky but he does like their nuggets and an occasional fry.

Sentimental Sunday....

It was one year ago that we were headed on our dream vacation! It was a dream and than some! We are reminiscent of our gift from God and we still think about it often and yes, sometimes dream we were back. We may not ever return there (unless it is a business reward!) but there will be other vacations and places to dream about. We are thinking about a ocean trip when Sam is just a little bit older.