Two Hands- Ashton is 10

Kid #2 is 10!  I look at him and marvel.  He is going to rock the world! 


Ten things that make him stand out... He is strong-willed, opinionated, athletic, smart, leader, mouthy, animal-lover, conscientious, intense, and talkative!


He came into this world fiery and with a voice, so it is no surprise that he has still got it.  But, I love him for it.  I also tell him that these things that drive me crazy are going to be the very things that once he gets them under control are going to be his selling points. 

Ashton, I love you.  You stand up for those who need help.  You are not afraid to back down.  I am so proud of all the positive feedback I get from people in your life. 

Continue to fight the good fight... notice it is says the good fight and it actually ends with ... of faith.  Dont' just fight the fight- that will only lead to you being tired, jaded, and sad.  Utilize your shield of faith and according to I Timothy, "fight the good fight of faith."  Remember to listen to that still, small (but sometimes loud and obvious) voice of the Holy Spirit.  Take time to breath and listen and reflect and unwind.  Love people just because- dont love people because they did something for you but love as Jesus loves.

I know, you would probably be rolling your eyes by this point with all my mom tips. 

So, I will finish with saying, I love you and I am proud of you!

This is the first kid birthday that has happened since I went back to work and wow, I am tired!  haha.  I love my kid's birthdays but I just barely squeaked by getting Ashton's presents.  We go to a book study at a friend's house on Wednesday night.  So, we did a mini party over at Jodi' house with some of our friends. 

Singing Happy Birthday

This crew.... Love...  Jackson, Karson, Connor, Hunter, Bennett, Ashton, Shepherd, and Will

I really wanted to take Ashton to Carowinds for his birthday but time and energy (but mostly time) just made that too hard. (We did buy season passes for next year though!)
I got Ashton out of school and we went to lunch.  He picked Coyote Coffee which made this coffee addict quite happy (plus they have yummy food too.)  I then let him play hookie that last 1.5 of school while I ran back to work. 

Happy Birthday at home... he did dessert before dinner since the chicken pot pie was not ready and we had to head to soccer practice!

I made him chicken pot pie, his favorite dinner, tonight.  He requested a cheesecake for his dessert, but I honestly just ran out of time.  So, tonight I made iced brownies and I told him this weekend I would make him a cheesecake.

Blowing out the Big 10!

 (Just a side note, I have some serious issues- I should just go buy something, but in my head, to be a "good mom" I need to do a home made something- I am sure I will learn in time.)

His birthday loot from us- a new soccer goal, a yoga ball (it is much smaller than I imagined), football cards (his favorite gift), pick up sticks (totally forgot about this game), and a new Nikes.
He also racked up $250 from my parent, Chad's parents, Jodi's family, Leah's family, and Aunt Joan. 
Thank you all for loving on our awesome Ash.

Happy 10th! Birthday SmAsh!

Baptism Times 3

Last Sunday my three oldest were all baptized.  I am so proud of them but more importantly, so thankful that Jesus chose to save them.  Though they have all been saved for awhile, I waited for them to initiate the conversation of baptism... just as I waited for them to initiate the conversation of salvation.

Hunter prayed over 6 years ago.  At the time, he wasnt quite ready to be baptized.  Then, we moved and started going to an ARP church where they sprinkled during baby baptism.  We continued to put  it off even after he asked about it on occasion.

Ashton prayed about 5 years ago.  At the very young age of 4 1/2.  I remember being a bit apprehensive about his youth but realized I am not Jesus and it is not my decision.  Of the 3, Ashton was the most proactive in lining up the baptism.  He didnt ask when he going to be baptized... he said, "mom, I'm going to be baptized."  To which I said, "ok, we will talk to the pastor."

Shepherd prayed a couple years ago and I am confident he is the SHEPHERDS.  But, he actually never asked about being baptized.  Once Hunter and Ashton decided it was time, I asked him if he was ready or if he wanted to wait.  He said he was ready but wanted to wear goggles (spoiler alert- he thankfully forgot them the day of the baptism.)

We had so many family members come to support them.  All four grandparents, Aunt Sandee, Uncle Tom Tom, and their girls, and Aunt Joan and Uncle John all bore witness to the dunking.

*** These pics were given to me by the person who takes pictures for baptisms... I took some as well- I am ashamed to admit (no I'm not) that I am too lazy to log out of this google account and log into the other google account to get them... haha.  After working on a computer a good portion of my day, the last thing I want to do when I get home is work on the computer even more!  So, these pics give you the general idea.  All 3 got to stand together as Pastor Nick baptized each. 

The Queen

First, it has been so long since I have been on my blog that it did not even save the URL address in my history--- that is sad.  This working thing is no joke.

This post is not to talk about my life or job but to record mom's birthday.  My whole family loves Clemson football, Clemson soccer, Clemson anything.  Zach, Anna, and their kids came down and joined the boys and me and did the Clemson thing with mom and dad on Friday night.  The floats for the Homecoming parade were amazing!  We then watched half of the Clemson soccer game- they lost :(

Queenie with her 8 Solid Orange!

My boys - excuse Ashton, we was mad.

Watching the game the cheap way- from behind the goal.  

Our view of the game = the free way

Mantis and Eva- Hunter is to the left and was making her crack up with a version of peek a boo.

The boy cousins minus Bennett

I then took Owen, Caelum, Esme', and my boys back to our house where we had a big cousin spend the night!  The boys (and girl) were so good.  They had a blast.  They worked out, played football, ran outside, watched a bit of Netflix, and played some Madden on Ashton's phone.  We live right at an hour away from them now so more spend the nights are in order.

It's 11:30 and the club is jumpin jumpin (it was actually only 10:30)

Saturday morning everyone, including Nolan, GrandmaDean, and Aunt Christy (surprise!) came over to my house and we had a good BBQ lunch and watched Clemson beat Wake Forest. 

Singing Happy Birthday

Bennett finally eating lunch once he realizes his girl cousins are getting snacks.

That is a lot of boys on a couch (plus one girl).  9 people and 1 dog.

Shepherd picture- Great pose Nolan (he loves it when I post pics of him like this!)

Thankfully Shepherd came through by snapping a picture of Anna- she somehow managed to avoid all the camera this time.

Oh Esme'... she is so funny.  This was taken right after she said she was going to "milk Moses."  Such a funny child!

We forced some to take some pictures.

You cant say these two are not sisters... they showed up in the same shirt (one solid, one patterned but same brand and style) haha

These 3 are so funny together! 

Every couple of years, I like to get an "originals" picture.

It was such a fun day!

Mom, you are seriously the best!  You work hard but always thing about us and how you can help.  I love you so much.  We really need to take a day off work and just go shopping! 

________________________________________________________________

 And because I want to post these but know they will not get a post of their own.  Zach and Anna have 11*14's of each of their kids between 20-22 months.  They asked if I would snap a couple of Eva since she is now 22 months! 

I have edited these at all... Anna, I will get them edited and send to you but look how beautiful this little girl is. 

Love this one-- need to fix the lighting but she is a doll

She is such a petite thing but you would never know it by how much she eats.  Guys, for dinner on Friday night she ate chicken, rice and peas, 2 pieces of pizza, a doughnut, and a breadstick.... and this is typical!

Melt!

So, though it has been 6 weeks since I blogged, we are still here... truckin' away.  

Thank you family for coming down to celebrate the Queen!  Love you Mom!