My inspiration...

Happy anniversary to me and Shon! 9 years of marriage and 16 years together! It's been a wonderful adventure. Shon, you are my inspiration, my very best friend. I appreciate you and all you do for me. Thank you for everything. I look forward to many, many more memories. Love ya!

Congratulations!

My parents celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary Monday. WOW! That is a really long time. I just wanted to let them know how very honored I am to have them as my parents and how much of an impact their wonderful example of marriage has made on my life. They've never pretended that it's easy and I now know that it's not always easy - there are good days and bad, but they have remained faithful to each other and to the Lord for all these years and provided both me and Ashley with far more than we ever deserved, no matter what they had to sacrifice for themselves. I thank the Lord for them and for the love they have for one another. I know he has great things in store for both of you with many more wonderful years of marriage to come. I love you both very much!!

My Little Bookworm

Alex loves to read. He got that from me. Shon is not a reader, except for his car magazines. He's such a sweet little boy. I love this age because his personality is developing so much. His new words this week were 'hot', 'pop tart' and 'up'. He's also now saying all the time 'want dis' and we play a game in the car he says 'Mama' and I say back 'Alex' about 20 times on the way to daycare. It's so much fun watching him discover all the new things he can do.

Have a great weekend! Go TIGERS!!! =)

Sweet Dreams

I love this picture! John loves school but he comes home pretty tired and bedtime is no problem, pretty much as soon as his head hits the pillow he is out. He's starting to tell us more stories about school now. Little things here and there. There is a little girl in his class that sits with him at his table. Her name is Alyssa Dear. Anytime he tells us a story about her he uses both her first and last name, it's so cute...he'll say "Alyssa Dear did this, or Alyssa Dear did that." I don't know if they have 2 Alyssa's or if he just likes using her whole name or what but it's really funny to hear him talk about her. I just can't believe how fast he's growing up!!

September 11, 2001

My calendar for today (it was printed in 1994) says this...

"Do every act of your life as if it were your last." Marcus Aurelius

I think that is fitting as we remember this day.

I love you...

In Chapel on Tuesday the message was about saying I love you but not really meaning what God intended those words to mean. When we tell someone we love them we should be willing to die to ourselves and die for them. That really hit home with me. There are only a few people that we would really be willing to die for in our lives. I mean if we are really honest but there are lots of people that we say I love you to. Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to die for us - he proved it on the cross. Something to think about...

Where did the week go?!

Man this past week flew by! I never got a chance to post. Work is busy right now with the students back. Just trying to get organized and things set up is time consuming. Here are a couple of pictures from Bristol. We had an awesome time. It was great. The first picture is during the race and the 2nd is of the pre-race tribute to the USA. It was really cool. Definitely one I will want to go back to as often as possible!
Things are going well at work so far. There is a different spirit on our campus this year. You can feel it strongly. Especially in our Chapel services so far. I pray that it continues - we need it.
The boys are doing great! John has adjusted well to kindergarten. He still comes home pretty tired! Otherwise he seems to love it. Alex new words today were 'John stop' but he says it like this "Dohn, top" while pointing his finger at John during the stop part, it's just hilarious to watch them play together now. Alex loves for John to chase him around the house. And for John to let him 'chase' him around the house.
We saw Trey today, too. He's getting so big! He's crawling all over the place. Soon to be a year old...man that is unbelievable.
Promise to post more often this week!

Bristol Motor Speedway here we come...

Big shout out goes to my husband's best friend Jason Few...he called today with 2 FREE, yes FREE tix to the Bristol night race. Now, you see Jason could not go, so that means that I get to go. (Otherwise, like last year it'd be Shon and Jason going). I've always wanted to go to this race, being the Nascar fan that I am (yes, Lisa, I really am...). So, we are going to Bristol, YIPEE. I'm so excited. I will take pictures and post them for all to see.

Updates...

Well, so far so good with kindergarten. John told me Sunday as we were getting his clothes ready for the week "I really like this kindergarten thing." He had to wear a certain color every day this week. He loved that of course. Today was blue day. I'm wearing blue, too. I don't think he noticed though. The only thing he doesn't like is homework...boy does he have a lot of fun times ahead. He's only had to practice writing his name a few times and collect a few things to take in. Otherwise he's doing great.

Alex is good. I don't remember if I posted that we got 2 new kittens or not. Lil Munchkin and Ranger. Alex absolutely loves to watch them play together. That is his favorite thing to do. He'll stand at the door and just watch them. He constantly has to go to the door to check on the kitties. I'll try to post pictures soon.

The students are back at SWU. So far so good. I enjoy seeing the freshman come to school. Although, this year I've realized they just don't look old enough to be here. I think that means I'm getting old.

I have a prayer request, a former student I spent a lot of time with last semester Roscoe is facing surgery in a couple of weeks he needs your prayers. Thanks....

And so it begins...

Well, today was John's first day of kindergarten. It was a good morning. He was a little more quiet than usual but he seemed very excited and such a big boy. I still can't believe he is 5, it seems like only yesterday when they handed me that little blue eyed, blond headed bundle of joy. I didn't cry this morning - because I had already cried a few times yesterday and the day before. He gave me and his Daddy a big hug when we left him. The school did a big thing for parents this morning so we got to visit his classroom for awhile, meet with the principal and then there was a big pep rally before we left. It was nice. I know this is the beginning of many first steps in our journey together...
My good friend Debbie sent me a card in the mail with a poem inside yesterday. I thought I would share it with all of you. It of course made me cry but it's so perfect.

WHOSE CHILD IS THIS?
Author Unknown

"Whose child is this?" I asked one day
Seeing a little one at play
"Mine", said the parent with a tender smile
"Mine to keep a little while
To bathe his hands and comb his hair
To tell him what he is to wear
To prepare him that he may always be good
And each day do the things he should"

"Whose child is this?" I asked again
As the door opened and someone came in
"Mine", said the teacher with the same tender smile
"Mine, to keep just for a little while
To teach him how to be gentle and kind
To train and direct his dear little mind
To help him live by every rule
And get the best he can from school"

"Whose child is this?" I ask once more
Just as the little one entered the door
"Ours" said the parent and the teacher as they smiled
And each took the hand of the little child
"Ours to love and train together
Ours this blessed task forever."

Best Buddies

This is John and his best buddy Little John. We had Little John over to spend the night a couple of weekends ago for a last get together before school started. The 2 of them have stayed at the same daycare since they were about 6 months old. Because my John is about 3 months older they are Big John and Little John. It is has been such a joy to watch them grow up together. They won't be going to the same school but I hope they can stay friends.

Tomorrow is the big day!! John is excited. I'll admit I'm a little sad. I'll share my thoughts tomorrow.

Daddy's Helper

Alex loves to help his Daddy. Here he is helping him in the Herron Performance shop. The funny thing is we have a picture of John at the same age in the same outfit helping Shon work on his car, too. I guess that is the nature of little boys and their Daddy's!!

I registered John for kindergarten today. I really like his teacher Mrs. Miller. I think it will be a great year. He really didn't think today was all that much fun...standing in line, paying fees, etc wasn't all that exciting to him. Hopefully, Wed the first day will be more fun.

Alex and his Daddy

Alex is his Daddy's boy, especially on the beach. He would get pretty tired and on this day he was just plain worn out so him and Daddy decided to just give it up and kick back and relax. Aren't they just the cutest pair ever?! Alex is starting to put a few sentences together, of course these are 2 word sentences and his favorite one is "Hey Daddy" when Shon gets home. I can see why he loves him so much! =)

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Congratulations to my best friend Jennifer and her husband Jim who are expecting a baby in February!! I can't wait to be an 'Aunt' again!! John is hoping for a girl. Alex will probably be jealous....

Congratulations also to Candice...she has a boyfriend. We're not telling John though..it would break his heart. No one deserves this more than you girl!

It sure is hot here in the South, supposed to be 99 today. Thank the Lord for air condition!!

Kindergarten teacher

Friday John got a letter from his kindergarten teacher. When I asked him if he was excited about having her, Mrs. Miller he said "no, but she sure is excited about having me in her class - she sent me a letter." Only 2 more weeks and the excitement begins!

Beach Trip 06

I know, I know. It has taken me awhile to get this post up and I will have more pictures up soon (I hope). It has been a crazy week at work and I'm afraid it's just the beginning!! I just want to share a few things John said at the beach with you today. He told my mom on one of our first nights after we got there while they were out on the balcony..."wouldn't it be cool if we were in China now, b/c it's sunny there now and we wouldn't have to go to bed we could just play all day." This comes from Shon always telling him since he was probably 2 when the sun goes down here that it's rising in China. Then while we were at the Pavillion riding the Log Flume when it was all over and we finished coming down the second big hill he said "I was a little afraid of that ride but now that I know what it's all about I love it!" This was of course after he said at the top of the very same hill "I wish we had never gotten on this ride." I'll have more stories and pictures for you later.

Posed pictures with Alex are difficult right now he's just too busy exploring the world. He loved the ocean, even in his face - he'd just wipe it off and keep going. Funniest thing though he couldn't stand for the sand to get on his hands!

Have a great weekend!

Unwanted critters...

Well, we had an unwanted guest today. I was on my way out to Prayer Partners tonight. I was taking my stuff to the van and then going to get the kids in to take to my parents (Shon had to work late) and I noticed something unusual in the driveway. At first I wasn't sure what it was, then as I looked again I was pretty sure it was a Copperhead. So, I quickly came back in the house and called Shon who suggested I just run over it. Due to where it was on the driveway that just wasn't possible. So, I called my parents and they came over. My Dad - my hero - killed the snake...quite the ordeal though...he ran over it first with the old truck and then hit it with a hoe...thank goodness. It was pretty big, at least 2 feet and definitely a Copperhead. Now, my least favorite thing in the world is a snake and to think we have the poisonous variety - yikes. I think we'll be investing in a Cat...they say that Cats keep snakes away...if that's a wives tale... please don't tell me. Thanks Daddy!!! And Moma, too. Don't know what I'd do without you.

I'll have beach stories and pictures later in the week. It's been a long day...

Myrtle Beach here we come...

Tomorrow we leave for vacation. John can't wait. He has all the things he wants to do planned out. Ride go carts (the big ones) with Daddy, play in the sand, play putt-putt, ride the rides and all of this in the first couple of days. He's already got his bags packed and sitting by the back door. We haven't been since he was 3 so I'm anxious to see how excited he is when we get there. He's going to ride with Ashley and Michael since they have the awesome van with the DVD player. This will be Alex's first time at the beach so I'm interested to see how he reacts to the ocean. I'm sure he will love the sand! He'll probably do exactly what big brother does - that's usually how it goes. I'll post pictures when we get back. I won't be missing work that is for sure!

John and Alex

I made pancakes tonight, one of John and Alex's favorites. John proceeded to tell me why you have to flip them, to fry them on both sides. I told him he was a really smart kid and he said, "yeah, I'm so smart, I should be in middle school. What is middle school, anyway?"

Alex new word for today is cookie, his pronunciation was more like dookie. I'm not surprised at all that he's adding to his food word list. That's his most favorite thing!

Beach count down...4 days...

Alex and the TV remotes..

Today I have a story about Alex. He's a smart kid, well, as far as Shon is concerned. He has won over his Dad for life. The other night we were watching TV and the show was over. The remotes were on the love seat and Shon was at the computer well Alex got both remotes and proceded to take them both over to Shon. Shon gave him a high five and a big hug. Alex of course was thrilled - he's in to being highly praised for helping. And of course he loves his Daddy right now very much. So I'd have to say I think they will be buddies now forever...it was just too cute. I guess Alex likes watching the Speed Channel verses the Food Network!