Love Them

Silly Girl!

As promised, I attempted cute pictures of Juel after church Sunday. She looked precious in her "matchy" outfit! I love dressing her more than I could imagine...
She wanted nothing to do with pictures of her cute outfit and this was the only one I could get:

However once she doned her brother's new Spiderman shirt (Gabriel will be relieve to know we have been working on his collection!) then she wanted to take pictures!!!! She is so silly!!

Bye Bye Mommy

 

This is the scene when I leave home on school days. Tyson wants me to dress him then he waits for his friend to pick him up peeking out of the office window. (He is sitting on this old fashioned desk that my great-grandfather made for my twin aunts. I have both of them at my house and LOVE them so much. I will have to post a picture.)

 

Ever since Tyson was a little baby he has loved to wave bye bye to me in the mornings. Aunt Lu Lu would hold him up to the window and teach him to blow kisses as I backed out of the drive way. It has always made my heart so happy and I am so thankful that she trained him to make it a hapy time.  Thank goodness he is usually smiling, not crying! It's hard to back away anytime...much less when seeing tears! Anyway, he sits here and waves to me as I leave the house and I smile just thinking of his day ahead!

 

And y'all I promise Juel is still our little Princess Pea and will have some blog time soon! It's just been an exciting two weeks for my little guy!

Choose Joy!

 

I have no self control any more when it comes to how much I love this boy...and taking school morning pictures of him. He loves going to school and it makes me so happy. I know pride is a sin, but I admit that my heart just swells with it! He is remembering so much and telling me about his teacher and friends. He sings songs and declares "the rules." He told me today that when the sword on the clock points to ten o,clock, that's when you go. (not sure where, but you go!) He is also quite concerned with the tape on the floor and with not getting sand from the playground inside "my school." He is adjusting very well to our new schedule and was very kind to everyone today. I had to work today, so a friend from church, Missy,  drove him to preschool while Mrs. Caffie kept Juel here. Tyson (and I) were anxious about it and it took him a while to fall asleep last, but he did awesome! We talked and prayed about his day ahead. After he finally fell asleep I prayed over him-for small daily  things and for whole life things and even that he would have peaceful dreams.  He woke up  early to get dressed and eat muffins with Mommy. He did not cry at all when I left. Missy called tonight to tell me that he was very nice and well behaved with her and Mrs. Caffie said he was excellent and very polite this afternoon. Whew! Thank you God...you and I talked so much about it all day! (grin)

 

In the past year there has been a great deal of stress in my life. Certainy-without a doubt-I did not face challenges nearly as severe as many people have or are currently facing. However, there were some low moments of anxiety, saddness, fear etc... At some point just as the school year began, I decided that I just wanted to "choose joy." I want to count my blessings and focus on the gifts of each day. I want to complain less, and praise more. I want my colleagues and friends to remember me as 'the girl who always smiles' and to hear my words of encouragement instead of negative remarks and to 'catch' a contagious positive attitude. (Disclaimer-some of you may have to hold me accountable for these statements later.)  Right now, at this moment, everything is OK. I do not know what tomorrow holds. But right now I am happy. I am going to "choose joy."And it is my hope that by doing this daily, it will become my habit. I have some bad habits (just take a look at my fingers), but, just as surely as bad habits form, I want to form a positive one. It is my true desire that if "choosing joy" becomes my daily practice, then when I face a trial (when, not if, because we are certain to face difficult times on this side of heaven) I will be able to do so with a joyful spirit. I want to have a "choose joy" habit!

 

Well...I was just going to comment about the pictures..."choose joy"!

He's Home!

My boy is home and he LOVED going to school!

Here he is coming home....

 

 

Wasn't this just yesterday??...

"Going to School" Prize

His own Unifix Cubes...oh the fun!

Doing "homework" already!

"T" for Tyson!

 

(And a funny Tyson moment...he was very excited about the big eraser to go with his big pencils. When he tried it out he said "look mama, it makes grass"...somehow it always comes back to grass!)

At School

Right now my sweet baby boy is at Preschool and I am not! There are lots of unexpected emotions in my heart today...and I'm not the only one. Juel cried all the way home saying "Bubba" over and over, just like she couldn't believe I was leaving without him. Although it is hard for me to believe he is old enough to go, I am truly happy for him. He has been so excited about going to "my school" and I know he is going to have a great time. I am also looking forward to special one-on-one time with my Juel. I know I will treasure these moments with her as Tyson is having a blast learning!

(Looking for Tyson!)

*Now we are off to play baby dolls!!

First Day

Sweet hugs goodbye!

"Meet the Teacher" as a Mama

I never knew the mama could be so nervous for an open house at school...We went to Tyson's Preschool Orientation at Wakefield Central Baptist Preschool. He was so excited to go and meet new friends and play. He did not want to leave!! I was happy to see many people that I know who reassured me that it is a wonderful place. We were also happy that the preacher from Wakefield Central opened the meeting with a beautiful prayer for all of the children, teachers, and families. I know God has awesome plans for my little boy and am so thankful that he will have this opportunity to learn and grow under HIS wonderful care.

Excited and a little nervous to be walking in!

Sissy was so proud...I actually think she thought she would be going to preschool too.

Sweet Boy!!

 

Tyson immediately found a train and a friend (Lacey Mitchell). He drove the train (a bit loudly at times) during the teacher's talk. Whew!

Owl Theme

Why did this make my heart just skip a beat...my baby's name on a school wall! He was just born!

Checking out the classroom...

Juel thought she was as big as all of the kids there.

Not a lovely picture, but Tyson was proud to take his teacher a "back to school" gift. He was a bit shy and refused a picture with her, but his teacher is Mrs. Dene Harris. She is a very sweet lady that has been teaching there for 23 years. In fact, she was Shannon's (who is now a teacher) teacher too!

Nervous face with daddy!

I love him so much!

After we put him to bed, I got everything ready for the next morning...then I started to cry!