Anniversary Date with Colton

It has been about 9 weeks since my last post. Although I am extremely behind (and I do plan to catch up) I had to write this post before I forgot all the wonderful details!! This could quite possibly be my favorite post ever!! I was so excited to finally be getting to go on an anniversary date with my hubby!! I had only eaten a sandwich all day in preparation of enjoying every savory bite at Houston's!! Our anniversary was on the 9th of this month but with 2 kids' camps, 2 football camps, and a little 3 year old birthday boy there hasn't been any time to go. We had planned on going tonight but I ended up having to take Jackson to the doctor and then one of our water pipes burst. As sad as I was, we decided not to go on our date. We both wanted to really enjoy our night and each other. We didn't want to rush it especially since we don't get to go out as much now!! I believe I had mentioned to both big boys that I was a little sad because I had really wanted to go out with Daddy that night. I went back to Walgreens to pick up Jackson's prescriptions and when I returned I had this little stud meet me at the door and tell me that he was taking me on a date!!

(He even picked me flowers!!)

(Mommy and her handsome date!!)

He was so cute!! He had dressed himself- jeans, button up white collar shirt, tie, sports jacket and his new shoes! He had put on his deodorant, sprayed his body splash, brushed his teeth and gargled mouthwash, put Chapstick on and had gelled his hair!! (He is going to be such a little heartbreaker!! Not only does he have such a fun personality but he is so clean and very hygienic!) We were not planning on going out anywhere but how could I tell this sweet boy who wanted to treat his Mommy, no?! Well I couldn't!! He proceeded to take me into my closet where he wanted to pick out my "uniform"!! Lol! He picked a pretty black dress with gold on it. I told him that it had long sleeves and Mommy may get too hot. He said, "Mommy I really want you to wear that one. You will look so beautiful!!" All that was left was deciding on where to go. Colton really wanted to go to "Chuck-e-cheese its" (lol)!! I told him that really wouldn't be an option since it was almost 8 by the time we were getting to go. He said, "but Mom I have waited 2 years for this date!" (I totally love this kid- he keeps me smiling and on my toes)!! We compromised and said that maybe next time we could go there. Before we left John gave Colton a $20 bill and tells him to take Mommy out and to pay for her meal!! Colton puts the money in his inside jacket pocket so it wouldn't fall out! We get in our van and he thinks a little while and then tells me that he wants to go to Waffle House!! I smiled because when I was pregnant with Brooklyn, I craved Waffle House!! I had to have it once a week!! I told Colton that sounded perfect, but I wasn't sure if it was still open. We got closer and Colton said, "YES! The lights are still on!" We walked in and picked a back booth so we could sit and talk and enjoy having the one on one time!! Our waitress fell in love with my little man!! She gave him a hat and gave us extra food!! While waiting on our meal Colton asked me if I was cold. I told him I was fine. But then asked him what would he have done if I had said yes. He pointed to his jacket and said "I would give you my jacket! But not to wear because you would break it! Just to put it on your shoulders!" We talk about starting Kindergarten and soccer coming up. He holds my hand and then gives it a little kiss. "Momma that's what you are suppose to do on a date. And if you get married then you can kiss on the lips!" Such a little gentleman!! We have a wonderful meal and then I tell Colton to ask for the ticket. Once he gets the ticket, he hands the lady his money. We get back ones so we can leave her a tip, but Colton said he would rather keep all the ones. I tell him that we need to tip our waitress because she served us and did such a good job!! He agreed and counted out the tip! Then we proceeded to drive home but not till after we "cheered" with our to go cups!! 

(Paying for the meal)

(Counting out the tip)

When we got home, Colton decided that we should dance before calling it a night. So he went and turned on the back porch light and got the iPad for music. He wore his Waffle House hat and got his garden gloves (because he said you were suppose to wear white gloves when you dance! He didn't have any so he said he would just use his garden gloves)! He showed me where to put my hands: one holding his and the other on his shoulder!! Too precious for words!! I can not tell you how much joy I felt through out  this whole night!! Not only that my son thought about me and made me feel so special, but that he also handled him self in such a sweet and mature way!! I was so proud to call him my son!! After dancing concluded we walked to the door and I stole a kiss goodnight!! It was such a wonderful first date!! I hope that Colton will have as wonderful of a memory of this date as I do!! What was once a stressful and kind of disappointing day turned into such a wonderful night!! Thank you God for this sweet precious little boy that keeps me guessing but that also brings so much laughter and fun into our lives!! Colton, I hope that you will always treat your future dates with as much love and respect as you have shown your Momma!! God has such big wonderful plans for your life!! I am so glad I get to be your Mommy!! Love you to heaven and back!!

Mother's Day 2014

This Mother's Day turned into a Mother's Day weekend!! Friday flowers were delivered to my house from all my kids (aka Nana!)!! What a sweet surprise!! We had been having a rough week since our van was still our of commission. So the flowers were such a nice little pick-me-up!! 

Then later that night since the boys baseball games got rained out we went to the drive-in movies!! It was the perfect weather for it!! Not hot and a cool breeze.  We took our lawn chairs and some snacks and had a ball!! Uncle Bryce, KooKoo and Jordan came with us- what fun fellowship!! We saw The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and the 2nd Captain America movie (Winter Soldier)! It was a perfect start to Mother's Day weekend!!

The next morning we slept in since we didn't get back from the movies till 2:00 that morning!! We woke up and got ready to have a picnic lunch over at Nana's house!! We just ate, played, sat and talked!! It was perfect!! 

Later that Saturday night Kinsey asked me to come over and she asked me to baptize her while she goes Public at her church, Highpoint!! Sunday was actually Mother's Day and I woke up to find a note and not one but two boxes of Dinstuhl's Chocolate Covered Strawberries!! They are delicious and a tradition!! After church we went to Aunt Robin and Uncle Tim's house for lunch!! It is always fun being with my family!! I feel so incredibly blessed with this group of people!! What legacy that has been built by 2 such Godly women: Grams and Aunt JoJo!! 

Then Kinsey, Bryce and I went out to eat and to the movies together!! It was such a fun and relaxing weekend spent with my favorite people!!! 

Jackson's Projects

Jackson is in First Grade this year at Bon Lin Elementary School. He has Mrs. Jessica Jordan as a teacher and we absolutely love her!! He has done so well and has learned so much over the course of this year!! This is his first real year to have actual projects to turn in for a grade. We have had quite a bit of fun working on these together!! The first project was to create a leprechaun trap. We were told to be creative and use our imagination. We tried to do both and I think it turned out extra cute!! Jackson was so excited when he came home from school telling me that everyone thought his was the best!! We used a Kool-Aid can and covered it with green paper. Then we created a belt like a leprechaun and put in on the middle of the can. We covered the top with paper and cut slits in it so when the leprechaun came up there he would fall in the can! We covered it with a slinky used for a rainbow, necklaces, light up rings, and coins (all leprechaun favorite things)!! Then we added a ladder!! Everything turned out so cute and it was fun spending the one on one time with Jackson!!

His next project was to create a character using an egg. Then he was to use his character as the main character in his math problems: one addition and one subtraction!! Jackson turned his egg into The Joker!! He did such a great job and was so creative in his word problems!! This Momma is so proud of all his hard work this year!!

(His egg- The Joker)

(His Subtraction Story)

(His Addition Story)

Jackson, Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you and what you have accomplished this year in First Grade!! You have made honor roll every nine weeks, make all E's, and love to draw and read!! But most of all Momma is so proud that you have told your friends about Jesus!! You are super special and you will always be our firstborn child!! We love you!!!!

Our First Easter as a Family of 6

We had a very eventful Easter! But I guess what else would you expect with 4 precious kiddos!! The Sunday before Easter we had an Easter egg hunt at The Grove after church! The Easter Bunny even showed up, and he looked awfully familiar!! That's because Daddy was the Bunny!! Brantley loved the bunny! He wanted to see him more than to hunt for eggs! When John took off the bunny head, Brantley looked at him and said, "DADDY?!" It was so funny!!

We also decided to do something new the Saturday before Easter. We ended up going to The Resurrection Journey that Bellevue hosted. We absolutely loved it!! It was geared for children 3rd grade and under and went through different scenes of the last week of Jesus's life up to His Resurrection! At each stop there was a scene acted out and then each one was given an object to put in their bag to help them to retell the story. For example, they were given a coin to represent Judas's betrayal of Jesus in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. We were also given a devotional to go along with it! It was a lot of fun and was a perfect reminder of why we truly celebrate Easter!!

(Jesus came into Jerusalem riding a donkey on Palm Sunday)

(The boys eating The Last Supper with Jesus)

(Peter telling them about how he denied Jesus 3 times)

(The soldiers describing what they did to Jesus)

(The Cross)

(Brantley examine his coin)

(Brantley's Resurrection Rock)

(They had a petting station afterwards)

The next morning was Easter!! The Easter Bunny did stop by the house and left the kids something in their baskets! Although we know this is NOT why we celebrate Easter it is still fun!! Here are a few pictures of their baskets and of our precious babies!!

(Brooklyn's First Easter)