Cadie: She lights up my life

A few sweet bits from Cadie's first week in Kindergarten.

Our family! I love how she drew Colton crawling.

Looks like a need to schedule a get-together and find out more about Ella.

A few awesome recent Cadie quotes:

1. "Mom, I have Dad's long legs and Colton has your short, stumpy legs."
2. "I can't go to bed yet! I haven't done any art today. I am an artist and I will die if I don't make art every day!"
3. JR crying... so I ask, "Ranger, what happened?" JR, "Cadie slammed the door on me!" I respond, "I am so sorry that Cadie accidentally slammed the door on you." Cadie yells from the other room, "Mom, it wasn't an accident! It was on purpose!"

And a few pics of my full of life baby girl.

Chip off the Ol' Block

These two love hanging out and are on their way right now to boys night in Waco at the new BU stadium! Sic 'em bears!

Jack Ranger: First Day of Scofield

Sweet JR did awesome on his first day of school! I prepped everything the night before and then Grant got him up and off to school. He was excited to go to "Cadie's school" although he was frustrated that I wouldn't let him take new dog in his backpack. New dog is so important to JR that I was afraid of new dog not coming home and the trauma that would cause. He has Cadie's teacher, Miss Thurman, and he said he liked all his teachers. His report of the day included the fact that they got to play outside two times, that they had to stay on the 3K playground (not the 4K playground) and that he blinked at some of the other kids during rest time.

I love you Jack Ranger and am proud of your charm, your enjoyment of school and you sensitive spirit. I pray for you to have a fun year full of friends, innocence, learning and growing.

Welcome postcard from his teacher, "Dear Ranger, We are so excited God brought you to our class. WE will have so much fun learning together! Love, Mrs. Thurman"

Cadie: First day of Kindergarten at UP

Cadie did great this morning. I, on the other hand, bawled like a baby. For her first day outfit, she picked out her moose shirt which has three mooses on it that she says represent her, Jack Ranger and Colton. She, of course, is the pink moose, Jack Ranger is the yellow one and Colton is the little green moose. I fixed her scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast, helped her tuck little brown blanket into a pocket of her backpack, walked her to school, we got her locker setup with her things, held hands and said a prayer by her locker and then she bounded into her classroom! On the walk to school we held hands and she said she felt a little nervous and a little excited. Me too, baby girl.

Pastor Jay Lee preached a sermon just for me yesterday on Psalm 23:5, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."
The shepherd had to anoint the sheep with oil so that the bugs would not bother the sheep. Otherwise horrible insects, like the nose fly, would lay eggs in the sheep's nose and the sheep would be bothered so much that they would bang their heads on rocks. I am praying that verse over Cadie! For God to anoint her and protect her. For God to go before her, behind her and beside her. For God to prepare a place for her and to guide her as only He can. I am praying for her to remember that even though there are times that she may feel alone, she is not alone and that God is the only one that can make her cup runneth over. Cadie-bird, I love you more than you can ever know. My little one, be brave and true to the amazing person God made you to be.

Cadie (and Jack Ranger) checking out her locker at Meet the Teacher Night.

Cadie's teacher, Miss Smith, is lovely!

First day of school and ready to go! 

Selfie with mom! This is just before my tears started to flow.

Colton is ONE

I went to JC Penny to get Colton's 1-year pictures, and Cadie said she needed to come with me to make him smile. I think she did a great job! He is one the move and it was difficult to get him to stay still enough to take the photos. He was climbing on everything! I just can't get enough of his sweet face!!!

Colton Turns 1

Colton sleeps through the night, likes his taggy lovey, had 6 teeth (4 on top and 2 on bottom), eats just about anything, walks about 10 steps in a row and then goes back to speed crawling, quickly crawls up and down the stairs, likes to chase his brother and sister, loves his car at DD and Big Johns and fusses until they push him around and around and around and is busy all day long. He is an amazing baby that is happy almost all the time, easy-going and friendly.

Stats:
Weight: 26 lbs. 13.4 oz (98+%)
Length: 30.75 inches (80%)

Dinner at a local sandwich shop on the actual evening of his birthday.

Book birthday presents from DD and Big John.

His FAVORITE thing in the whole world is to ride in the car at DD and Big John's house. 

Grapes on head compliments of Cadie.

Sky Ranch Launch Camp

Cadie went to Sky Ranch launch camp at Highland Park Presbyterian Church (our church) this week and in her words, "I didn't like it, I LOVED it!" Her main counselor was named Rae and she was in the "Honey Bees" with a few other girls from our church including Anna Lee and Avery Weigler. I went to her closing ceremony today and when we got home she was so wiped out that she slept for almost 3 hours. Having so much fun is hard work!

Shared UP Pool Birthday Party

We met tonight at the UP pool to celebrate DD's birthday (today!), Courtney's birthday (today!) and Colton's birthday (Aug. 18). Courtney brought an awesome cake and DD and Big John supplied lots of sandwiches, chips, fruit and drinks. We all had a great time beating the heat under the shade awnings. We were able to sit and eat and talk for awhile while the kids swam, and then after dinner and cake we all took a dip.

Fun moments:
- Colton kicking the cake and then eating the icing off his foot
- Cadie asking DD, "Did you really want a Doc McStuffins Operation game for your birthday?!" DD told me she wanted things to play with the kiddos.
- Selfie with my soon-to-be sister-in-law Amanda who is due with my nephew in Feb. 2015!!
- Colton and I rushing home at the end of the evening due to massive swim-diaper poo poo situation
- Happiness at being with my awesome family!!