Oh Summer... Back to School

To date... this has been the fastest summer.  I swear, it feels like they just got out of school.


Yesterday, Hunter and Ashton headed off to school (4th and 2nd).   They both had great days.  Ashton said it felt like 2 seconds.  Hunter placed into GT again.  Everyone says 4th grade really steps it up.  His teacher said to expect about an hour of homework a night.  ; /  oh joy.  

4th and 2nd graders!

Our district stagger starts K5 with half going the first day, 1/2 going the second, and then all going the 3rd.  So Shepherd was in group 2 and started today instead of yesterday.
Shepherd started Kindergarten, say what?, today.  I asked him if he wanted me to walk him into school (you know, like ALL kindergarten parents do).  He told me "no."  He then asked if Hunter and Ashton walked in with me.  I replied "yes."  I thought then he would change his mind to be like his brothers.... nope.  He said,"well they must have been scared.  But, I am not scared, I am excited."  So, there you have it.  My Mr. Independent did it all on his own.  I picked his clothes out for him this morning- plaid shorts with a nice t-shirt.  Again, nope, he wanted to pick out his own clothes and chose the Clemson tshirt Queenie got him.

My Shep- off to K5

Man, I love these boys.   

And just because we cant take pictures without ending it with a silly one...

Thanks to Hunter (and Ashton) who dropped Shepherd off and who snapped a picture of him with his teacher, Mrs Brewer

My house is ridiculously quiet.  It is eerie.

I have done a horrible job of blogging this summer- probably because we have been so busy.

The boys stayed busy doing basketball, football, soccer, and baseball camps.  We went to the beach and to the lake.  We have gone to Carowinds more times than I can count.  We have met up with friends and visited family.  It was a great summer.  And though I am sad to see it end, the predictable routine is always a welcome sight.

Here is to an equally as busy fall!

Out of the Blue

Sometimes good things happen out of the blue and, unfortunately, sometimes bad.  This post reminds me of life.  Ups and downs.  Tears and laughter.

#1

If I could just ask for prayer for some dear family friends of mine.  My family has know the Gentry family for 25+ years.  The father was our family doctor.  Their kids went to the same, small Christian school that we did when we lived in SC.  Last week, their 2nd son (they have five kids) was shot and killed in Columbia on his way back home.  Tim was only 32.  My heart breaks for this family.  Nolan and I were able to drive down to Seneca yesterday to attend the funeral and though there were tears shed, it was comforting to know the imprint the Tim left.  He loved Jesus and he loved people.  He served in other countries with his time and money.
Here is a great piece about Tim.  If you have a moment, say a prayer for this family and for the man who shot Tim- that he would seek forgiveness and be brought to justice.
Article 

#2

My dad... AKA, the Mantis...  and one of his dogs, Isla,came up to my house a couple weeks ago to help me do some handy man things around the house and to give me some adult conversation as Chad was away at football camp/ clinic.  It was so good to have him here.  He hung a swing outside on one of the trees.  It gets plenty of use as I read on it everyday.

But, my out of the blue moment actually is about walking in the door Wednesday night after eating dinner at GrandmaDeans house.   We decided to leave "the puppies" (Isla and Moses) inside because it was about to rain and it was lightning and thundering.  We were not going to be gone long... 2 hours.

When we walk in the door, I hear Hunter say, "oh no."

View one

View two.

At first sight, I thought it was a couch cushion, thankfully, it was Isla's dog bed and Horton the elephant.  The boys then proceeded to have a "snow ball" fight with the stuffing.

Moses redeemed himself later that night when he caught a mouse... yes, a mouse, in our fireplace.

He kept the mouse trapped with his paw until Mantis got to it.  He was so proud of himself.  And I was so glad Moses and Mantis were there to handle the little creature.  

#3

Just tonight we were playing around outside after dinner.  I love when impromptu fun happens.  Chad was watering our 2 pieces of sod (let me add, he did this without being told... Initiative I tell you, it was great) when the a huge water fight broke out with the boys.  Shirts were shed and water was flying and laughter was abundant.

Have I ever mentioned how much Moses LOVES the water?  

Actually got Molly in one of the shots... we exhaust her.  haha

Out of the blue- a heart can break, a bad situation can turn good, a little action can bring much joy, a tear can fall, a hearty laugh can break through.  God uses little moments, both happy and sad, to build us- to focus us on Him.  I have had to remind myself that God takes the messes of life and uses them for His glory.  All is Grace.