My amazing 6th grader!

Shelby has officially promoted to middle school. I didn't cry at the ceremony - I am glad to have the summer in front of us - but I did tear up when I came home...had my first silent moments in a long time and read the girls report cards. I really am proud of their hard work...they take pride in what they do and they don't require me to hoover over them...they all had A's and are top of their classes...It isn't their grades as much as it is their determination to do well...to pay attention...and to be happy. I am a lucky mommy!

A haircut...finally!

I wish I had taken a picture of his mounds of hair that I had shaved off into the sink...this was long overdue and despite the cries of torture...he loved his cut and said to his daddy "pet me daddy, I feel like a cow"! okie dokie Jake!

Teachers - A big THANK YOU!

How can we really thank those who spend so much time helping to shape our little ones into the man/woman they will be one day. I have been so blessed to have Ms. Malinda teach Jake and Sadie in preschool. Sadie still remembers so many details from 5 years ago it amazes me. You know the saying..."they may not remember what you say but they will remember how you made them feel"? It is so true and this is a big shout out to Ms. Malinda for making my children feel like a million dollars each day they came to your class. My thank-you to all these wonderful teachers will be how dilligent I am in raising children who are happy, kind, love their Savior and are good to all!

to all my lady fans...preschool graduation ROCKS!

Jake was really getting his groove on at his preschool graduation and I was so glad that I was there to capture it! He is usually such a turkey when he knows that the camera is rolling. He definately gets his moves from his mommy's side....cause my boy was getting down!

One sad Mommy

my kids...no one is taking responsibility for this...changed my blog...to "take care" of pictures that were on my blog...destroying many pictures in the process....and so be patient...tomorrow after preschool graduation I will attempt to repair my precious blog....my attempt to reach out to the world...my spreading of sunshine blog....thanks kids...but I won't be defeated!

She let me take pictures!

Miracles do happen...and when they do you seize the moment. I was having an itch to have black and white photos of the kids so I put them in a chair and went crazy with the camera. Kailee was a good sport...and the camera loved her! Tomorrow she may not be so willing so away the camera clicked!

Jake has a girlfriend

Maya...and she gives him a funny feeling in his tummy. He has been known to hold her hand on the playground and he tells me it is just her and I that are the "girls" in his life...who knows how many more women Jake has out there....wait...he is 5....a ladies man made straight from the fact he has 3 older sisters and all their friends surrounding him daily. Heaven help his mom and dad!

Living in Nascar Country

We went to yet another race...but always have a good time...We were there on "business" and yet as a mother of 4 even a nascar race is relaxing and there are just times in life when the roar of 40 + cars going by is more calming then kids asking you every question under the sun...I also feel fortunate that I have a husband who would rather be at a race with his wife then with a friend (he begs me to go!)

Too many pictures of Jake

I need to take more pictures of the girls...they are adorable too (that is if my teenager will allow me!) But I obviously can't resist capturing all of my ONLY boys' moments on film! Thanks to Paul for teaching Jake how to pee on golf courses...and other green things!

To Move or Not To Move? That Is The Question.

I am using my right of free speech to protest moving. No offense to the family but some of my most formative years have been spent here in good old northcarolina. I mean this is where we got carolina and momo! Jake was even born here! I personally don't think that he would handle moving quite well ( he can barely handle the first level of Mario Paper for peter's sake!) or the cats either. I am fine as long as we stay around the east coast cause that is where all my friends are and everything. Plus California is going to break off anyways, global warming is going to make everyone way overheated, and goverment officials are going to start going to war for petroleum so why not just move to antartica????


- - Kailee G.

Simple things

"Squirty Fish" is his name

Sometimes the wonder and joy of a little fish can bring such happiness and excitement. I love watching my children grow and experience life. They grow up so fast...today they are jumping in puddles....tomorrow you blink and they are teenagers (one is enough - trust me!). I will never regret allowing them to play in dirt, build leaf piles, or care for pets! Simple things bring the most joy.

Burger King

Today Jake really wanted to eat breakfast at Burger King...where you actually go in and sit down and eat before preschool. I pulled him away from his wii and we were off. He was so adorable sitting there and eating his french toast sticks and water (he actually put dr. pepper in the cup - yuck!). We were having a great conversation and I said "Jake have you hugged me today?" and he quickly replied "mommy - you don't give out hugs in Burger King!"

Oh to be 5 again...and oh do I love my little guys hugs....wherever he may find them appropriate to give!

golfing late on a friday

Things I have learned this past week - 1. don't take 2 tired kids golfing on a friday evening (see attached photos!) and 2. let your husband golf with your son or else everytime you go to swing you will hear "mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, on and on" even when DADDY is standing right there also! It was a perfect weather day and Paul and I just had to learn these lessons!

I really am scrapbooking

You can click on an image to see it bigger!

this is a very plain page but I am blogging it so our dear Nanny and Nana in Hawaii can see it!

the kids school pictures

it's hard to believe that the kids are almost done with another school year...and next year I'll be an empty nester....which by Paul's definition means that I am "employable"! Maybe the laundry will be done AND put away in the same day and there will be groceries to make 5 meals a week (a mom needs a break from cooking once in awhile!) Enjoy!