Time for School

Well...I thought it might be nice to catch up here. Just had a friend tell me that he wishes I would blog more often (thanks Ryan! :) ) So here goes...

Well...I guess one of the biggest things that has happened in our house has been the start of school for the boys. This year I sent both Benjamin and Samuel off to "big school." I was quite proud of myself the first day. I held it together until they were out of my sight. What a strange feeling to surrender your protection and control of your child to someone you barely know. I have really had to dig deep and with a lot of prayer and tears I have made it through the last few weeks. Even Brian commented that I "did better than he thought I would."

As far as the boys go, they are doing well. Benjamin is repeating Kindergarten and for the most part mainstreamed. He goes to a Resource Teacher for Language Arts (Reading) and Math. Of course...everyone loves him. It's so funny to walk into that school and have teachers and other children I don't know say "Hi Ben!" and most adults comment about how "sweet" he is. It makes a mom feel to good to see the teachers lovin' on my kid! What's not to love, right???

And Samuel has made me so proud! My shy, sensitive, and thoughtful child was so nervous about the first day. I had to promise him the first day that he was going to have so much fun he wouldn't miss me. (He said he didn't...but any mom would hope that he did miss me just a little!)
He's already made two little buddies. He says he ALWAYS plays with them on the playground and ALWAYS eats lunch with them. His teacher tells us he is doing awesome and just how smart he is. I already knew that and basically I just needed Samuel to figure it out for himself. Oh...and he started to take Karate lessons. His "Master" just gave him two stripes on his belt for being the best listener. He commented how well he listens and follows directions for his age. I think the class boosts his self confidence. He does beam when he talks about Karate the way dad beams about UT football (GO VOLS!)


And...little Gracie is doing just fine hanging with mom. We have had lots of fun. Fortunately, she loves to shop! It's been a blessing to have the time with just her. Her little personality has started to come out so much. It's been fun to be able to do things that a two year old little girl would like to do. Although she desperately wants to go to "her school," I think she would rather be my sidekick and mommy really likes that too!

Then one day Lord willing she will be ready to leave the nest too...

Zip Line

Recently we have had a lot of fun around here. We finally installed a zip line in the backyard. The boys have been loving it and here are a couple of videos.