A mommy right of passage.

That would be the field trip.

From the moment of having kids, one of the things I looked forward to the most was going on field trips. I have fond memories of my mom going with me on field trips, and I was so excited to go with Pierce on his big one this year. We went to Kentucky Down Under. This is a really neat place, you get the chance to get so close to the animals, and SCORE for us, all of the other school's had to cancel. Normally they said there would be over 300 kids on that day, and it ended up just being our school's three kindergarten classes. This gave us more personal attention and not waiting in long lines, we were blessed!! Oh, one more thing...I was also looking forward to riding the bus with Pierce, and that's not allowed anymore?? WHA?? Silly rules.

Pierce was so excited for the day, and me being "with him all day."
Let me say, I have GREAT respect for teachers. How they kept this group of 22 kindergartners in line is beyond me. First thing was watching the Border Collies do their thing.
These dogs are amazing!!!
Some of the kids also had a chance to milk a cow. Funny.
(Tracey this is mainly for you) This is Abdullah. One of Pierce's good friends, and he was NOT happy about the animals, poor little guy.

Our field trip was actually last week and it was HOT that day, around 90. It felt good to be in this cave, at 60!!! This is a really neat cave (if you're into that sorta thing)They have a lorikeet feeding area. WOW!!! Half the kids were FREAKING out, I mean it is quite intimidating at first. They just come right after you, and I was surprised at how well Pierce handled it. :)
You see this? I didn't even have any of the nectar and one decided to hang out on my head, I almost screamed, but pulled it together for the sake of the children ;)
He thought he was the Crocodile Hunter, all "one" with the animals.
SO sweet.
Speaking of sweet. Pierce's best friend, Jennifer O., and first crush. :)
Kids saw me taking pics and decided they would pile up. I couldn't back all the way up, so I didn't get them all. I like the kid throwing gang signs or something? ;)
Like I said, we got up close and personal. Here they got to pet an Emu....
And the highlight for Pierce? Petting the kangaroo :)
The highlight for me? Pierce holding my hand. :)

The whole class. Graduating class of 2024. Isn't that amazing?? Fun day for Pierce, and for mommy!! :)

Going Home.

Going home means....

Spending time with the two people who raised you....

And watching them enjoy their grand babies.....
Going home means....

Being with a sister who gets you....
Who has known you all your days, and loves you anyways.Going home means....

Catching glimpses of sweet moments with a 16 year old....
And eating your momma's good cookin'.
Going home means....

Spending time with your best friends....
The one's who know your stories....
And you share unbreakable bonds with.
Going home means....

Your children playing with kids they've always known and miss....

And celebrating the 1st birthday of a baby you love.....And all these children you miss.

Going back home does good for the soul.

Just because he makes me laugh.

One of the ways I would describe my son is an 'old soul.' Not always monkey business like his sister, tends to be a worrier, and very tender hearted, but he also can be pretty funny!! I need to do better about documenting the things the kids say, so I'll start with today.

"Mommy, I don't always feel like going to school, and I don't feel like going today"

"Why not?"

"I just don't. But don't worry, I'll keep going because I don't want to grow up and live in a box."

I guess he already knows the importance of getting an education. Silly boy!!!

Mother's Day 2011.

Let me tell you about the awesome gift I received today. It was the gift of sleep. You see that time right there?? 7:44 baby!! I must note, that my alarm clock is set 15 minutes ahead, I try to psyche myself out with the whole, you need to get up, but I always realize I will hit snooze 60 times, not that I actually ever need an alarm clock. I digress, I had the privilege to sleep in today, and awake to a cup of coffee. This is exactly what I asked for.This is my first Mother's Day in Bowling Green, away from home, but I wont ramble on about that. Instead, I will ramble about being a momma. I am blessed. I'll never forget thinking when I had Pierce "what have I done?" Just being honest. However, it wasn't very long, before I fell head over heals in love with that little helpless babe. Then the blessing of a daughter, what more could I want?

Being a mom, is a trip. A mental trip no doubt for me. I worry daily about countless things....Are they safe? Am I screwing them up forever? Are they sad? Are the being bullied? Are they bullying? Will they grow up and follow Jesus? What else am I doing wrong? Let me tell you I could keep this list going on, but I will spare you.

But, the joy's of being a mom are immeasurable. Really they are, and today for me feels more about celebrating my family, than celebrating me.
Thank you Lord for allowing me to raise your children.
And no Mother's Day is complete without paying homage to the two women Paul and I call mom. Check out my momma with her three babes in the glorious era known at the seventies. Really, could any time be more ugly? Thank you mom for all you've done for me, I love you.
Pam thank you for raising a fine son. We miss, and love you!!!

"A year ago did you ever think?"

Have I ever told you about Sharky? Sharky is Paul's man down here in Bowling Green. He is his right hand man at work, his fire buddy, his x-box play mate, all and all, Sharky is Paul's BFF in Bowling Green.

The reason for telling you about Sharky, is we spent the weekend with he and his wife, Megan. Friday night we were at the firehouse, and Saturday was at a wedding for another firefighter. Sharky is a pretty funny guy, and Saturday night while sitting in the middle of a field, surrounded by firefighters, at a wedding of someone I don't know at all, he looks at us and says, "A year ago today, did you ever think you'd be sitting in the middle of a field in Kentucky, driven on horses..." I abruptly stopped him and said "never in a million years."

That's the thing about God, you just never know His plans, and I've decided to stop trying to figure them out. Cause sure is the world is round, He might stick me in a field somewhere else ;)

Really could anything be more fun for kids though?? They get to romp around on fire trucks!!

And go to weddings with a firetruck!! I can honestly say, in my 36 years I've never been to a wedding like this one.
This is how we were taken to the ceremony.
The wedding was on a farm in the middle of nowheres-ville. It was actually beautiful, and the kids had a blast.
Nope, never in a million years...
The kids (well, Hope) loved the whole ceremony thing. She's already quite fascinated with brides. Pierce was fretting the whole time about the kiss, poor kid was worried he might have to witness a public display of affection.
While I walked back in my red high heels thinking, I made a bad fashion choice for a firefighters wedding, the kids were in heaven.
So, when I do have the "never in a million years" thoughts swimming through my brain, I always have my little family to make it feel all okay. :-)

Everyday should be a princess day!!!

Some days are just better than other days, and today has been one of those very good days :) First of all it was princess/superhero day at Hope's school!! Come on, how awesome is that?!?

Hope was SUPER excited to get a chance to go to school dressed like a princess. Who wouldn't be??

I was also surprised with a sweet Mother's Day gift she made for me. Hope's teachers asked each individual child what they loved about their mommy's, and wrote down what they said, along with a craft. I must share what my sweet girl said.

"I love my mommy because she plays games with me. She plays outside and helps me learn jump rope."
"She helps me learn some letters I don't know how to make."
"She lays in my bed because I love her." Love, Hope. So sweet!!!! I love being a mommy :-)
Also, Pierce got a special package in the mail today from his Neena and Papaw.

A sweet note, and a beautiful cross. Thank you Neena and Papaw ;)Like I said, a very good day. :-)

I'm gonna blame this one on moving further south.

Sometimes I get into certain things. Be it fashion, or things for my home. You know I decide something is just too cute, and it becomes my "thing." Like the time, I decorated my kitchen in lemons and pears. Just writing that, I am shaking my head, but at the time it was too fab!! ;)

Since moving "south" per say, I guess I've felt the need to be southern. You know cook grits, make sweet tea, and drop ya'll anytime I get a hankering.

In all seriousness, I glanced around one day, and realized I may be taking my latest too far. I will show you just some of the evidence..

Cute B pillow, for cute polka dot chair.

Oh, cute B plate.
In case two aren't enough, a third B.
A G for my key chain.
Must have an H for Hope's door.
And this is just ONE of Hope's monogrammed items...
So, this is it. My latest is to wear our our initials. Even though, I haven't made Pierce or Paul wear anything with a P on it, (of which Paul would NEVER allow) I also can't help but think I'm not done monogramming everything, I mean what about cute towels for the kitchen? Or an adorable rug for the door? Cute glasses with a B? Seriously, I could go on and on.... I just can't help but wonder, will I look back on this one day and shake my head like I do about the pears and lemons fiasco?? ;)