Have I told you how much I LOVE MY SON???

School has resumed from Summer break! This is the LAST summer that he will be returning to High School. He will be furthering his education but it will be in the ADULT world. College is so different than high school and he is no longer a KID! He is Growing into a MAN before my eyes!!! You would think that I would worry LESS but I worry way MORE!!!! IS THIS NORMAL??? When they are little you take them where they need to go. Now he goes on his own. When they are little you are involved in play dates with other children and their mother. Now he won't allow that. Believe me I would like it if I could tag along on his every outing! When they are young they come and tell you all of their fears! Now he keeps things more to himself. When they are young they think mom and dad know everything. When they are older they have figured out that mom and dad make mistakes. When they are little you can tuck them in and say their prayers and snuggle. When they are older you can tell them you love them and goodnight from across the room, and trust you have taught them to not forget to thank their Heavenly Father that so richly has blessed them with another day of life! It is sooooo hard. Letting GO! How do you do it?? I have not figured that out and to be honest I am NOT ready too. He keeps telling me that he will be starting College IN JUNE after he graduates! June 3rd to be exact! That is LESS than a year a way! He plans to attend out of state and that REALLY TEARS ME UP! I love him soooo much and can not bear to think about going up those stairs to a lifeless room. Noise is not what I am talking about......I am talking about knowing that my son is upstairs and safe! Safe from the many things that ADULTS face everyday! I do not know how people who do not have God in their lives manage to let go. I have always prayed but I REALLY Pray without ceasing as I am learning to let go and let GOD have HIS Johnathan. I think about Abraham and Isaac in the Bible and how Abraham was ask to Sacrifice Isaac. Of course God stopped him and he didn't have to go through with it. But he would have if God hadn't stopped him. Can you imagine the faith it took to trust God?? I stand in awe of our great GOD and the provision that He always provides. He knows what each of His children need and I take great comfort knowing that HE WILL CONTINUE to be with Johnathan. AND~~~ YOU know what ??? He will provide the comfort and direct me as I begin the letting go process!!!!! I just have to TRUST and PRAY!!!!

SOCCER GIRL

SOOOOOO EXCITED TO BE getting to play Soccer! Deep Concentration! Look at my sweet girl waiting her turn! I was not surprised that she loved Soccer soooooo much. She has decided that she does not want to take Ballet and Tap anymore!!!! I am a little sad~~~I like the recitals and all the girlly glitz! But this is not about me, right? It is about my girl! She really wants to take KARATE. I have told her we will see AFTER soccer. I am hoping she will OPT for Gymnastics instead. We will just have to see..... Would it be to much to say pray she starts to like girl stuff A LITTLE??? Just Kidding! She is absolutely my world, less the ruffles! LOL!

Seth telling Uncle Darrell a Story!

This is such a sweet picture! Darrell's mom cooked for him for his birthday! He is turning 26!! LOL!!!! Anyhoo this is a picture I took from that day! I have one of Darrell and Braden that looks so much like this one. Can you tell that Seth already has Uncle Darrell wrapped around his finger?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIRANDA AND BRADEN!!!!

So excited over their cake. Sarah (their mommy) has always made their cake every year. This year Braden is 3 and his cake was CARS. Miranda is 5 and her cake was Ariel from The Little Mermaid. The cakes were so cute and the kids loved them.

Opening presents!!! Braden wondering what to open next?!?!?!? Baby Seth can't wait til it's his birthday!!!Josy just loves her "Bubba" Is this a cute picture or what?

SWIMMING is sooooo much FUN!!!!!

Have you ever saw a prettier "PRINCESS?" I sure haven't!! Watch out Cinderella here comes Princess Miranda!!!! Notice the look on Darrell's face. So content and happy to be watching the kids in the pool. He looks like a PROUD uncle wouldn't you think? AND YES..................... this is how they ended the party. Fun til the very end!!!!

Happy Birthday Miranda and Braden! We can not tell you how much joy you have brought to our lives. Each year that goes by seems to go tooooo fast! You both are a blessing and WE could not imagine our lives without you! We Love you so verry verry much! Uncle Darrell, Aunt Missy, Johnathan and Josy

She never stops amazing me!

So.... we were getting ready for church and left Miss Josy to herself for a few minutes to eat her breakfast. Well.....I made the mistake of leaving the tape on the table where we had wrapped Miranda and Braden's gifts! AND This is what she decided to do with it! My creative girl!!!

Are you having a juice box????

Josy is opening a juice and Sophie thinks that she might have some! This kitty thinks she is human. She uses her paws like they are human hands. She can even pick up cat food and put it in her mouth! What is even funnier is the Josy calls HER fingernails claws. When I tell her we need to trim her fingernails she says "but I don't want my claws cut."

Yes, I do take my camera EVERYWHERE!

This picture is very dark but....remember this blog is in lieu of scrapbooks so I want to remember the little things! This is one of them. Josy acts soooo shy when she gets in front of the church to perform. I do not understand why...because we know that she is anything but shy!!!Anyhow, this is the first Sunday she is actually singing and doing the hand motions to Zaccheus. So sweet!!!

See her little hands! I am so proud she is singing and getting over her "church shyness hangup!"

After School Fun with Cousins!!!

Isn't he absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!

Baby Seth has so much to look forward to in the future.... Take a peak into what lies ahead for him!!!!

See I told you..... These kids know how to have FUN no matter where they are!!! Me and My Sister-In-Law took the kids for lunch after school at the mall. We had so much fun! We ate at "CHICK-A-LAY" and then let the kids play in the play area. They always have so much fun!!!

First Official Day of Kindergarten

Trying to get a picture before we leave for her "OFFICIAL FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN!!!" Of course she is laughing at Sophie! Silly girl!

Can you tell she is not amused that we made her look at the camera??

Mommy and her beautiful daughter!!! I remember when Johnathan started kindergarten we made a picture just like this....I'll have to find it and post it....MEMORIES~~~~ Daddy and "HIS girl" I just LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!!! Putting her things away!! Such a BIG GIRL!!! SOB~~ Look she is sitting in her seat and ready to learn! SOB~~SOB~~This is a picture of Dad volunteering at the school with the other parents!! We were allowed to stay the first day and tear out pages that the children will use throughout the year!!! This is a picture of our niece! She is having her first snack on her first day of Kindergarten!!! SOB~~SOB~~SOB~~ AND...Here comes Josy for her snack time!!! The girls were soooo glad to see each other! It is such a special blessing that they LOVE each other SO MUCH!!!!! What a big girl she is......

Josy is standing here saying "this is a picture of Jaimie...she is so nice...tell her I love her!"

This day has come toooo fast!!! I look at her and I feel sooooo blessed that God chose me to be her mommy!!! I love her more than words could ever say!!! She is such a smart girl. I know God has a special plan for her life and I am just glad He is letting me be a part of it!!!!

Getting ready for Kindergarten!

I laid out Josy's clothes and put her name on all of her things! Josy went to church with Mamaw and Papaw and was so excited to see her things ready for in the morning! She is sharpening her pencils that mamaw got her with her name on them! It seems like yesterday that I was doing the same thing for Johnathan! My My how time flies! Now she is starting Kindergarten and he will be a Senior! I am getting OLD!!!!

Going to meet the teacher!!!

We left Josy with Nana and went to meet the teacher on Monday. So today will be Josy's turn to meet her kindergarten teacher, Mrs McClellan. Did I mention she got Mrs. McClellan!?! She is soooo excited and I am nervous! We are suppose to just stop by the classroom sometime between 9-12.

SO HERE WE GO.....................ANOTHER CHAPTER IN THE JOSY CHRONICLES!!!

On the way to the school to meet Mrs. McClellan.

Last night I took out Josy's scrapbook and showed her the pictures from her baby shower. There was a picture of Mrs. Pietzyk (her preschool teacher)and Mrs. McClellan talking. I told Josy that they were friends and they had prayed for her when she was a baby and still lived in China. Now 4 years later they are her teachers!!!! God is so good!!!!

Josy and Mrs. McClellan

Mrs. McClellan showing the girls where their lunch boxes will go!

And.......this is where their backpacks will go!!!

Just a Little Humor:

On the way home we stopped to pay our insurance and the lady was talking to Josy and Josy said "I started TEACHING kindergarten today!!!" You should have seen the surprise on the ladies face. You never know what my JOSY GIRL is going to say!!!! She keeps me on my toes!!!

Summer Fun with Papaw and Nana!!!!!

Did you say that my papaw is on his way to pick me up to go to the River???? Does this mean a picnic too!!!

PAPAW IS HERE!!!! Yahoo!!!!

Papaw, I have bubbles in my bag!!! Do you like BUBBLES?

We are on our way!!!

Come on Nana!!!

Get in the water it is soooo much fun!!! Wait I SEE SOMETHING.....What is it????

Nana, Did you see what I caught?

My FIRST FISH!!!! Really it is a minnow!!! AND....With my hands!!! Of course I have to show off "my catch" to papaw!!! THIS IS "WEALLY WEALLY" FUN!!! Nana dragging Josy out of the water after 3 hours!!!

Then again.....maybe NOT!!!!

This is just a silly rock! After catching "a fish" this is not very interesting!!!

AWWWW SO SWEET!!! Thank you papaw and nana for this special day and these special memories that I will treasure always!!! On to our NEXT adventure..........