Eight and Great

SmAsh Mouth is 8!  I was reading to him and saying his prayers with him last night, and it hit me.  Sure, I knew his birthday was coming, I have all his presents ready, cake made, etc; but it just really hit me that he is waking up as an 8 year old come morning.

My 8 year old!

FLASHBACK- Ashton and me when he was 9 months. 

There is so much to say about Ashton.
He is so athletic.  Sports, both playing and understanding, come second nature to him.
He is so smart.  I always thought sports was going to be his thing within our family until he got to 1st grade and I realized that he is really smart.
He is so competitive.  I know I have said this before, but unless you know Ashton; you can fully appreciate his competitive streak.
He is a total pest.  He is has the innate ability to find that one thing that will drive you bonkers and then dig in over and over and over again.  I have personally seem irritate someone as young as 9 months old to someone as old 70 something.  It truly is a gift.
He is so cute.  I mean, come on... that blonde hair, blue-gray eyes, and infectious laugh.
He is a magnet.  Hunter's friends love Ashton, Shepherd's friends love Ashton, and then of course, his age group loves him.  He manages to attract people even when standing apart and daring to do the right thing.
He loves Jesus.  Even in moments where he messes up, you can see the Holy Spirit working it out in Him.  As a parent, that is one of the biggest blessings... seeing God work in his life.

Ashton,
You are so emotional and dramatic in all facets of your life, sometimes I feel ill-equipped in knowing how to harness all that passion and drive you have.  Know this, you are great!  You are going to be great!  I truly see the "finger prints of God" all over you.
I beg of you to stay humble.  We all have areas that can easily be our downfall and though I dont know for sure what yours is and do know that pride is at the center of most (if not all) of those downfalls so be alert.  God has gifted you tremendously but He will expect much of you as well.

Opening his presents

Opening his card/ money from Aunt Joan.

Probably his favorite present.  Madden for the wii

His presents- Madden Wii game, croquet set, soccer bungee, Alabama shirt (wearing),  reading lamp for top bunk, soccer ball (from Queenie and Mantis, along with cash  and a Wii game), money from GrandmaDean and Aunt Joan, and a gift on the way from the PapaHub and Grandma.  

Some of his faves
Team- Alabama, Clemson, U of Florida
Food- Chicken n dumplings, chips n cheese (nachos), spaghetti
Sport- football watching, soccer playing
Color- blue
TV show- doesnt really watch tv (probably a football game holds his attention the longest)
Game- Madden on the xbox or wii

Weight- 48 lbs
Height-50"
Shoe size- 2.5 or 3
Clothes size- Shirt 7/8 (M).  Pants 7 slim

Singing Happy Birthday

Blowing out the candles on his brownies (we had birthday cupcakes after his soccer game on Saturday)

Below is the chorus to a song that I want to be an anthem for you (and your brothers).  Fix your eyes on Him and everything else will fall into place.   Link to song 
Chorus to Fix My Eyes on You (by for King and Country)
Love like I'm not scared
Give when it's not fair
Live life for another
Take time for a brother
Fight for the weak ones
Speak out for freedom
Find faith in the battle
Stand tall but above it all
Fix my eyes on You

Happy Birthday Ashton!  I love you so much!  Fix your eyes upward!

PS- Ashton also lost his first top tooth late on the 24th.  So, the tooth fairy didnt come until his birthday.  Here was his letter and his sweet toothless smile.

School, Potty, and Awesome Kids

I am floored that it has been almost a month since my last past!  Where has it gone?  Geez.

As predicted on my last post, Bennett is basically pee potty trained... like hasn't had a pee accident all week.  Don't get me started on the pooping part of potty training though.  He can now stand up or sit down to pee and will adamantly let me know which way he is going to do it.  So, though he gave me a small run for my money, he has almost conquered this pottying thing thanks to a lot of icee pops.   

Pee Potty Master

*** Warning- this may come across as a slightly braggy post... if you know me well at all, you know that I SLAM my kids all the time, but thought some bragging was in order.  haha

*** Also, notice each child's personality in the pictures.  I literally, yanked my camera out and took a picture of the first thing they did... classic of each one of them.

School conferences were today for the older 3.  Do you ever look at your kids and think "wow"?  As we left the school today, I was thinking "wow."   When you are with your kids all the time and constantly hear their whining and bickering and selfishness (the list could go on), it is easy to not see how really great they are. 

Academically, let me just say that they are all doing incredibly well. 
Hunter has all A's and one B (which was a 92).  Though we try not to put a lot of stock in assessments, it is nice when they do well.  His MAP scores were great, 79% in Reading and 86% in Math. 
Ashton continues to impress.  He had all A's.  His MAP scores 87% in Reading and 95% in Math.  His IEP for speech is in a couple weeks, but his speech teacher said he is doing great.
Shepherd has met all his goals for the END of kindergarten.  He is writing at a level 6 where most K5s are writing at a 3.  He is reading at Level D/E (she said he can read higher than that but comprehension wise, he is about at a D/E level.)

This is Shepherd's free write example.  "I am so excited because I am a ninja.  I like my dogs."

Though I am so pleased with their grades, I am even happier about their behavior.
Hunter's teacher said he is so obedient, quick to listen, picks up behind people.

He can makes some of the most disturbing faces.  He will be sitting beside me in church and then all of sudden, turn and flash a face like this at me. 

Ashton's teacher said he is ultra competitive, kind, helper, hard working.

Thinks he is hot $hit.

Shepherd's teacher said that even though is so far ahead the other kids, he never acts like he is above doing the easier assignments, he helps other kids when they don't understand.  She said the only time that she has to get onto him is, not for talking, but the volume to which he talks.... hahaha, he has always been the loud mouth. 

I mean, I dont know....

Since, I am bragging... lets just get it all out there.  SOCCER.

Shep's team- U6 Quakes

Shep's last game is Saturday and he is the leading scorer of his team.  This the 3rd season that I have coached/ co coached the Quakes and it has really been fun/ funny.  Proud of Shep.  As of now, he says he wants to give baseball a try in the spring- we will see.

H and A's team.  U10 Spartans

Ashton and Hunter are on the same team this year.... again, I am coaching (thus the reason for pictures).  They have both played really well.  Hunter has scored a few goals and has good vision on the field.  Ashton, the kid can play.  Though he is the youngest in the league., he is the leading scorer or the co leading scorer on our team and can play any position.  We have had to work through a little brother rivalry (Hunter dealing with feeling like Ashton is better than him...  my great motherly/ coaching advice was "he is a bit better than you but that doesn't mean that you cant have fun playing, play your hardest, and continue to work together as a team."  Nothing like honesty, right?  Ashton has also had to run a bit for me for fussing at his team because he is "ultra competitive."

I wonder how we are going to fit everything in as the boys get older.  Already, Hunter has chorus practice on Wednesdays after school and guitar on Tuesdays after school.  Throw in all 3 playing sports and me coaching both teams, AWANA on Wednesday nights and Friday night football and it feels like we are constantly moving from 2:00 on.  I totally treasure my slower mornings with just Bennett as I know they will be gone in a flash.  I have read some great books recently.... maybe a book post soon. 

Anyway, October has flown by.  Ashton's bday is coming up, soccer in winding down.  We will have just a small break before basketball kicks up (at least I am not coaching that :)  )

Check back in a few days for Ashton's birthday post. 

And just because Moses thinks he needs to be apart of everything....

Just a Thuck You- A Bennett Tale

Bennett is finally starting to talk a good bit.  My favorite thing he says right now is "thank you" except it sounds like this...

It cracks Chad and me up as he is always so sweet sounding when he tells us "thuck you" or better yet "no thuck you."  Plus, good or bad, right or wrong, that happens to be my cuss word of choice.  Which reminds of me a shirt that a friend of mine posted on facebook.  This pretty much sums it up.

Anyway, Bennett and I are in a battle of potty training right now.  He is a stubborn little thing, but I am pretty head strong as well.  It turns out he has quite a strong bladder.  I hope to have a happy potty training post in a week or two, but right now.... no happiness so no post.

Sitting on the potty after a crying fit... obviously he is not happy about this whole pee on the potty thing.

I am loving his fiery little personality right now.  He is still quite a momma's boy and is very much my buddy during the day.  As I do yardwork, he rides his power wheels beside me. Anytime we go do running around and he pass a McDonalds or CFA, he proceeds to tell me how hungry he is (even if is only 9:30).  And since I am a sucker for CFA, we normally share some nuggets.

He loves his mommy.  This pic is from February but I love it.

Just a little update on my Beezer.  He is such a doll--- oh and speaking of... he insists that he is a girl.  He is a hoot!

Though he is pretty enough to be a girl, he is ALL boy.

The Annual School Picture Post

You know, school pictures are normally so bad that I love them.  I dont know what it is about school pictures that can bring out the absolute worst "smiles" in a kid.

It goes without saying that with 3 in school, there is a really good chance that at least one picture is going to suck.  And true to form, Hunter, who is my consistent good picture taker, won the bad pic award this year.  He is distraught over this picture.  I just laugh in sympathy as I have had some disastrous school pictures myself.

Hunter

From left to right, K5, 2nd, and 3rd

haha- he looks like a psycho

 Ashton

K5 and 1st

Winner Winner! Awesome pic of the Smash!  I can tell that the photographer caught him right before he started to laugh.  Makes me smile!

Shepherd

This is an old pic of Shep- we was almost 3.

3 years old- Shep in K5.  His hair, as usual, is looking funky and his smile is so so but he has proven that he can do wwwaaayyyy worse than this so I will take it.  

And just as a little bonus... here is our annaul football picture.  I treasure these pics as well as it is amazing what a year does.  This was the first year we added the dogs, poor photographer...

I love looking at the pictures from year to year and seeing how they are changing, the similarities and differences between them, and even the blooper years.

Labor Weekend

The last summer weekend...

We went down to my parents house for  Labor Day weekend.  Chad's team had an away game and we knew this was the last free Saturday for 2 months because of soccer.

We had a blast.  Clemson's football opener was on Saturday and the men's soccer team played USC Friday night.  Add in the parade and cousins and you have a fun Clemsonesque weekend.

Here is our weekend in pictures.

The Parade

The boy cousins and my boys watching the parade

Anna and Esme.  You would never know she is pregnant from the back... should have taken a belly shot. :)

The Soccer Game

Posing by the inflatable tiger after the soccer game

The Football Game

Love this view- Go Tigers!

The boys playiing a little football during the big game

This is how Mantis does a football game

Last Summer Swim

It was a great weekend.  We are now in super busy mode.  Soccer, after school activities, AWANA, football, school, homework, the list goes on....

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.