Not just a Nickel...

Friday was a GrEaT day at school, mainly because it was the last day for a couple of weeks. We were busy doing lots of fun Christmas activities that morning. Several of the children had brought gifts but we hadn't discussed them or anything yet. I was busy straightening the classroom and a little boy came up and said Mrs. Grant I have something for you. He handed me a nickel and said I don't have anything else to give you but I want you to have this. I told him how sweet he was and that I didn't need anything for Christmas because I had him and that was present enough. But, he insisted I have this nickel and that child's gift has meant more to me than anything I have gotten or will get this entire season. He probably thought I had lost my mind as tears streamed down my face but he doesn't realize the gift he gave me when he gave me that nickel. Bless his little sweet heart, he didn't have much but what he did have, he gave away. We could all learn a lesson from that. I have shed several tears over this sweet boy and his nickel. I know God called me to do this job and it is things like this that remind me of that calling. I have been praying lately for God to give me the boldness to witness and not be ashamed or worry about what others think. I know I teach in a public school and we aren't supposed to do this sort of thing but God is giving me little opportunities to let my students know about Him. When I sit and think about what many of my students face on a daily basis it makes me feel so guilty for the life I live. I certainly am not wealthy but I am so blessed to have a stable, warm, clean (well, by my standards :), home for my children and we have plenty of clothes and food. I thank God for all of those blessings and I pray God's blessings on my student and his giving heart!

A Prayer for Our Children

I know I have neglected this blog once again and I have a million things I want to post about and I will, soon! But, I could not let tonight pass without sharing an idea that I just ran across on another blog. This blog, Bring the Rain, is one I found recently. What an awesome witness this lady is for God! You should read through it when you have some extra time. Anyway, her latest blog is about praying for our children. This is something that I have been so burdened with lately. I am very concerned about what kind of world my children will face growing up. I want them to know God and seek Him everyday. But, it seems when I go to pray I get distracted or my mind is blank. What she writes is such a good idea about specific times and ways to pray for our children. I linked the blog above so you can read about praying for your children 7 times a day. I am committed to this and I know that no matter how bad the things of the world may be, God is still God and He is in control. What better can I do for my children than pray for them? I hope you will join me...

Hide-and-WHAT Seek

I really can't believe I am sharing this. But, I thought it might make an interesting blog. Or at least entertaining. Tonight, I was reading a survey someone had done and it had a question about hide-and-go-seek. My first reaction was, oh they spelled that wrong. Then, I thought for a minute, what? Well, hide-and-go-seek does make sense. So...I had to ask the all knowing man of the house exactly what was the name of this game we have all played so many times. After him telling me and me asking him to s-l-o-w-l-y enunciate the words, I realized, for the first time in 28 years the real name of this game. My EnTiRe life I have thought the name of the game was Hide-and-Ghost-Seek. I know, it is idiotic...it doesn't even make sense. But, in my own little world, it did for so many years. And now, the game, as I know it will never be the same. The sad thing is I never even questioned the name b/c I never had a reason to. That was just in my mind, what I thought it was whether it made sense or not. So, tonight, I have been enlightened and have realized what an idiot I am...sometimes I wonder how I made it this far! Now, do you want me to teach your kid?

I want to be just like you...

I wish I had pictures of Peyton and Wilson tonight at Momma's house. Peyton is all into writing since school started and he writes all the time. Well...Wilson wants to be just like Peyton. He watches and copies everything he does which isn't always very flattering to Peyton :) Tonight,when Peyton got his pencil and paper out to write, Wilson dug around until he found him one as well. Then, he watched to see how to hold his pencil so he could be just like his big brother. It was absolutely precious!
It is amazing that already, at 18 months, he wants to be just like his "bubba!" The song, "I want to be just like you..." keeps playing in my mind when I think about tonight and how much Wilson looks up to Peyton. Just as much as they don't won't to admit it, children look up to their parents a lot too! That is why I have to remind myself every day of that song, so when they try to be just like us, we are making sure we are trying to be just like Him. After all, I can't think of a better role model!

It took a while...

I said I was going to do better about blogging and in my mind I had good intentions to. However, once again, I am playing catch up... So, I am just going to cover one MAJOR event tonight and I will catch up some more tomorrow.
So on with this big event...Peyton started school the Thursday before Labor Day. I didn't really anticipate how hard this would be for me. I know it sounds so stupid. I teach at his school and I am literally right around the corner from him. But, it is not that. It is just the realization that my baby boy is growing up. It has literally taken me this long to even be able to write or talk about taking him to school that day. He woke up early and was really excited about starting school. His best friend, who he affectionately calls Grace, is in his class so we had planned to meet up with her for our big entrance. Daniel took the day off work because obviously he knew just how crazy I am and how much I needed his support. I guess the tearing up every time we mentioned school might have given him the clue that this was necessary. Anyway, I was doing pretty well and had gotten dressed and put my best game face on before any of the boys got up. Then, Aunt Rita called to wish Peyton well. Well, that was so sweet and super thoughtful but the tears started and I tried hard not to let her know it. I went back to my make up bag and fixed my face, got Peyton up, and once again, put my game face on. I did really well and he did too. I was SO proud of our big boy!
Daniel and I took him into his class (see below) and he didn't cry or anything. I, on the other hand, needed a nerve pill. I had to remove myself from the room before I caused him to fall apart. How embarrassing was it that the teacher was the only parent who couldn't keep it together and I am the one who is there all day. I felt so bad. But, I just can't believe he is already big enough to start school.
He didn't get to go the second day because he was burning up with the fever. He actually cried because I wouldn't let him go to school...if only that lasted.
I am so proud of my big boy and just how excited he is about school. He has 2 wonderful teachers and just as he should, he thinks they hung the moon. He sings about 5 little Pandas eating bamboo all the time and somehow in 3 days, he has his ABC song down pat even though no matter how many times I corrected his J, K, L, M, N line, he wouldn't change it for me. The things kids do for teachers...
I have included the pictures of the first day below. But, I can't finish this post without sharing what Peyton said as we were reading our Bible story tonight. I had finished and he was "reading" the story back to me. He was going through the Bible and talking about God being strong when he saw a shield and so forth. Then, the he started talking about God making the whole planet and how he "provides" everything we need. Now, I was super impressed with this choice of words because that wasn't in our story tonight. As I was glowing from that, he begins listing things he provides and I have to tell you that number one on his list was, "he provides chicken nuggets." Well, thank God for that!
Take a look below at Peyton's first day...

Peyton with Momma, Daddy, and Nonnie on his first day!

Peyton putting his stuff in his new cubby. How exciting!


Peyton and his teachers

It's been a while

I have been terrible about blogging lately but I am really on a writing roll tonight. I just finished up all of my discussions for my graduate class and I am so thankful that it is almost over. I will have a break until October and my classes will start up again and I will be finished next August! I hope I make it...

The boys and I have been having so much fun lately. I promise to post lots of summer pictures next time. Peyton and I had a "big kids" trip with Kristen, Vickie, and Lori and the big kids to Wild Water and Wheels last week or the week before, I can't exactly remember. It was Peyton's first time to the big water park and he was in hog heaven. It was a lot more crowded than the small one we usually go to so my radar had to bump up a few notches. I decided I think we should stick to the small one as long as we can. The "big kids trip" was lots of fun until the storm came...

Last Friday Momma, Daniel, and I took the boys down the river behind Momma's house to the narrows. The boys had so much fun playing in the water and it was low enough that Peyton could walk across in some places. We stayed for about and hour and a half and decided it was nap time and we would head home. Well...we had no idea how long that trip would be. It normally takes about 8-10 minutes to get to the narrows from my parents house. Well, about 1 minute into our return trip, the boat flat out died. So, here we are in the sweltering heat and had to paddle upstream for about an hour and 45 minutes. Sounds like those stories you hear about people walking 2 miles uphill in the snow to school doesn't it? Well, this is no joke. The boys were sleepy and I was afraid that if I didn't have a death grip on Wilson he would go overboard, so I took care of them while Momma and Daniel did most of the paddling. I don't know which was worse but I know it was awful. I know you are wondering why we didn't call someone. That was the other thing. I was the only one who took my cell phone and wouldn't you know it, it went dead. Needless to say, we sang hallelujah when we saw my parent's house. Thank goodness we had 2 paddles in the boat. Otherwise, we may still be in the river.

Tuesday, Vickie, Kristen, and I took the kids to Pawleys. Wilson did better on the beach then he has all year. He usually takes a while to warm up to the sand but he got right down and played all day. I have to mention that Peyton got to take his best friend, Olivia Grace and Tanya will never know how much it meant that she trusted me enough to take her. There is so much beach at Pawleys this year. The renourishment was great. It was the perfect beach day until the storm...notice a pattern here. Welcome to SC in the summertime!

Anyway, today we had a visit to Dr. Mike, Peyton's dentist. I have got to figure out how to get the pictures off of my cell phone so everyone can see their new office. It is out of this world! I would like to clone their playroom. I love those dentists-they are the best!! Peyton thinks they are the best too because the don't give shots like Dr. Dabis (Davis but we haven't mastered v's yet :) We love him too even if he does give shots!!

I might as well go ahead and address yesterday in this post since I am jumping all around. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the worst, yesterday came in about a 9.5. At about 5:00 yesterday, my principal let me in on a little secret...I would be changing grade levels. Now, keep in mind we go back to work Wednesday. Our funding has been down and our numbers went up so I needed to go back into the classroom. I know this probably doesn't seem like a monumental event if you've never moved a classroom but trust me teachers like stuff and we have lots of it. Ends up, I will be in 3rd grade teaching math and science. I am really excited but nervous because I have A LOT and I mean A LOT to do in 3 days. So much for the rest of the summer vacation. I have learned that from being moved in the past that God truly works things out even if we don't understand it at the time. I trust that this is where God would have me and this is going to be a great year!

That is about all of the rambling I will do for now...I am off to stare at my sleeping boys (well boy because Daniel is out fishing and he took Peyton to Nonnies with him). I am amazed by every breath they take, every wrinkle in their skin, all of their fingers and toes, and I could go on and one. To put it simply, I love everything about them...they are my world!

Finding Your Passion

Tonight Vickie and I hosted our YWMs (Young Women's Ministries) at Vickie's house. I have had on my mind for a few months to ask Paula Ackerman to speak. Paula is such a sweet, humble, wonderful Christian lady who I really think a lot of (btw you can visit her blog-see link to Cupcake Betty on the side). I could tell as soon as she started that what she had to say was meant for our group of young women. She spoke about finding what it is you are passionate about and using it to glorify God. She pointed out and it is so true that so many times we get caught up in the hustle of life, that we don't take time to pursue those things that make us truly happy and fulfilled. She spoke about David and what a passion he had for life. God did not create us to be burdened down, but rather to be full of joy and happiness. I know I get caught up in work, my boys, and many other things and I often don't take time to even think about the things I am passionate about. But, Paula pointed out to us how easy it is to pursue those passions and use them for the Lord. For example, she loves photography (which is how we met) and she always offers to come to the home of new mothers in her church and do a session for free. She spends this time ministering to the family as well. What a great idea! I never thought about using simple things like that as a ministry. I try to make things too complicated and then I give up usually. So, this week, I am going to make it my mission to prayerfully seek the things I am passionate about and work to fulfill them in my life and in my work for the Lord. I know this is an unusual post but I was so inspired by Paula tonight. We have so much to be thankful for and we can never thank God enough. So, I encourage you to find your passion and let's see where it takes us...

Project Porch

This week Daniel and I had a mission...to rescreen our back porch. Most of you know we are trying to sell our house and the boys have wreaked havoc on the screen porch. We had heard a lot about screen tight and how wonderful it was so we thought there wouldn't be much to redoing the porch. Well, when Daniel got all of the screen off, it was obvious (at least to me) that we had to paint. So, we removed thousands of staples, cleaned the porch, and started painting. This simple project turned into a week long event at our house. Daniel rescreened the porch and it looks great...and yes the screen tight system is awesome. Although it was hard work and the painting still isn't finished...we had a great time working together. We often get so caught up in other things that we don't spend enough time together and working on the porch gave us lots of quality time together. I am including some pictures of the porch in progress and I will update with the finished project when it is done. Now, hopefully some buyer will come along and fall in love with the house and I am sure it will be all because of the porch :)

Daniel working hard...

While we worked on the porch Peyton played in the sprinkler...with the umbrella cause heaven forbid he get wet!

And Wilson manned the phones for us...such a helper!!

An Amazing Experience

Today I had the privilege to witness one of God's most amazing miracles-the miracle of birth. Tanya, Craig, and Olivia Grace welcomed Carter into the world today and invited me to be a part of it. Tanya and I have been into photography for a while and have taken some classes together. We joke and say we are going to be photographers when we grow up:) We have spent hours oohing and aaghing over lots of pictures, but particularly birth photography. So, when Tanya found out she was expecting, she asked me if I would come into the delivery room and be the "birth photographer." I didn't really think she was serious and kind of brushed it off. But, as the day got closer, she mentioned it again. I think she and I both were a little nervous but I was very honored and willingly agreed to do it. I will have to say it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life (aside from the birth of my own children of course :) I believe I was more nervous today than when I gave birth. I knew this was a one shot deal and I didn't want to disappoint Tanya. When it was "time," Becky, Craig, and I assumed our posts in the room and Carter arrived rather quickly, much to Tanya's delight. We got some great pictures of those first moments of life. Carter is beautiful and I am dying to show him off, but I will let his Moma be the first to share his picture with the world. I am so thankful that my family has Tanya, Craig, Olivia Grace, and now Carter in our lives. They are so special to us. Thank you Tanya and Craig for letting me share in this special time in your life.

What a day!

Daniel and I had big plans for getting lots accomplished around the house today. He had a dentist appointment to get a tooth removed around lunchtime and we debated whether or not I would go with him. So, the boys and I decided we would go and do some errands while he was at the dentist. Well...good thing! I was in Wal-Mart and Daniel called apparently to tell me to come and get him. He had been heavily sedated and if his number hadn't appeared on my cell phone I would have had no idea it was him. As I was trying to check out, he calls again and sounded very much like a drunk. I rushed to go get him and I was shocked to see him still very out of it when I got there. He began to tell me that they fussed about me the whole time I was gone. Apparently, someone was supposed to stay with him but we didn't even know all this was going to take place so it is a good thing I was even in the same town. I was trying my best to just get out of there before he said something really embarrassing. We had dropped Daddy's trailer at Tanya's house and were going to get it and pick up a couch for Momma. After seeing Daniel's current state, I began to panic that we, now being me, weren't going to be able to hook to the trailer. See, the urgent thing is Tanya is due any day so I could just imagine her needing to go to the hospital and our trailer blocking the way. So, we go to her house and I am going to attempt to get the trailer hooked back to the car. I told Daniel to sit in the car and not play with the gas or anything (remember this is the husband-not the boys). Well, he stumbles out of the car and before I know it he has manhandled the trailer and moved it with his hands (it is very big) onto the car. I told him come tomorrow he will realize he has hurt something. After much stumbling and slurring I guided him back to the car. All the while, Tanya is watching us out of the window about to go into labor laughing at the scene taking place in her driveway. Daniel told me many things that he doesn't remember and I just hope he didn't traumatize the poor boys too badly! He kept ranting about how his tooth was going to cost him half a million dollars amongst other things. I know it is not nearly as comical reading it but Tanya can vouch for what a time I had on my hands. This day made me really thankful for the fact that Daniel isn't a drunk because I know I couldn't handle him! There was a very sweet ending to our day. We moved Peyton's bedroom last night and he was laying in the bed and called Daniel in there. He asked Daniel if he wanted him to pray for his mouth to feel better. By this point, thank goodness Daniel's anesthesia had worn off and he was in his right mind :) Peyton said, "Dear Jesus, Please help Daddy's mouth feel better. I know it is a lot to ask. Thank you Jesus." Precious. Maybe our prayers are moving a little past now I lay me...At least our crazy day had a wonderful ending!

My How Things Change...

Yesterday, Lisa, Vickie, Kristen, and I took the the children to Splash Island in Mt. Pleasant. I will have to say it was absolutely the best day ever at the water park. The day started off really cloudy so I guess not many people decided to go. There was a day camp there for part of the day and about 3 other families, other than that it was just us. I ALWAYS have my camera. But...you would know the one day that I could actually take pictures without my children getting lost in the sea of other children, would be the day my battery is dead and I can't seem to find the charger. Anyway, I remember when we first started going to the water park there when Peyton was little and the slides seemed so big. Now that he has gotten bigger, they seem much smaller. He goes all around the park by himself like a big boy. Wilson even got brave and would climb the little slide by himself. The children played so well together and everyone had a good time. We decided Monday is definitely the day to go to the water park. When we were laying in the bed last night I asked Peyton what his favorite part of the day was and he said "being with those children, you know my friends." Now if you can imagine a very heavy southern accent when he said it, you will know just how precious it was. He is right, thank goodness for good friends and good summertime fun!

Fun on the Fourth

We had a great time celebrating the Fourth of July with our friends and family Friday. Daniel had to work so the boys and I spent the day at Mr. Roger and Mrs. Debbie's place on the river with all of our family and lots of friends. The children had so much fun playing on the water slide and in the river.

Peyton had forgotten what that "big pond" was like since last year.

We enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, wings, and all kinds of other good stuff. Wilson liked the rocks in the flower bed.

He says forget the water I'm crawling under here to see what I can find to eat :) He apparently forgot about the ant bite he got when he did that last time!

Peyton loved the jet ski...but Wilson didn't feel the same.

Cousins share everything...even their pickles.

To end the day, Vickie and Randy took Peyton with them in the boat to see some fireworks. He enjoyed the fireworks but he really enjoys telling us over and over about Caleb falling in the water that was "10 deep." I think that outshined the whole firewords show! Everything has a number to Peyton and 10 seems to be the flavor of the day.

It is so awesome to stop and think about how blessed we are to be Americans and we were so fortunate to have great family and friends to spend the day with!

To my baby boy...

I thought since I am trying to use this page to preserve some memories for the boys, I would write them notes on their birthday. Yeah, I know I am a few days late with Peytons but here it goes anyway...

To My Dearest Peyton,
I know if you were reading the title, the first thing you would say is, "Moma, I am not a baby." And I would tell you like I always do that you will ALWAYS be my baby. I cannot hardly believe you just turned four. It seems like yesterday that we brought you home from the hospital. Since the first time I laid eyes on you, I have been head over heels in love. Those big blue eyes just melt mine and your Daddy's heart. I never knew how just looking at someone and watching the little things they do could make me so happy.
You have such a tender heart and you try very hard not to hurt people's feelings. I hope you always have that way about you. You have really grown up in the last few months. And, you are very proud to tell everyone who will listen that you are 4 now. Actually, you prefer to show them with your fingers. You also think that because you are four, you have to have four of everything, eat four of everything, etc. You are so funny!
I am so proud of the way you have handled having a baby brother. I know it is not easy going from being the center of our universe to sharing it with someone else but you have handled it so well. Most of the time you love Wilson as much as we do. It makes my heart melt when you show me with your fingers who is "like this" and you include Wilson along with me, you, and Daddy without us even asking you too. Your unconditional love for him makes me love you even more.
I could go on and on about all of the things that make me proud you are my son. But just remember Peyton, that as much as me and Daddy love you, Jesus loves you so much more and I am so glad he gave me you!
I love you!
Moma

Ahoy Matey!

Today was a big day at our house. We celebrated Peyton's 4th Birthday, although his birthday really isn't until tomorrow. Since we just got back from a Disney Cruise, we decided we'd have a Pirate Mickey party. I seem to forget every year just how much work a birthday party is. But...in the end it is all worth it because the kids have so much fun and we get to spend time with the people who mean the most to us. It is really hard for me to believe Peyton is 4. I think I'll blog more about that tomorrow. Back to the party...it was pretty uneventful at first. I had been a little worried about the weather but that all worked out. Peyton is old enough now to run around and play and pretty much do his own thing. The kids were sliding, playing in the pool, and enjoying the hot dogs and cake. Well...I was beginning to enjoy the delicious cake (made by Mrs. Paula :) and then Logan pointed out to me that Wilson was covered in ants. Apparently he had picked up a cheeto off the ground and it had already been claimed by ants. Well, my first instinct was to grab him and dunk him in the pool. Those ants were everywhere...even up his nose. Leave it to us to have to have some calamity at the party. We survived and Wilson only has about 30 bites. I don't even think Peyton realized it happened. After that Peyton had a ball opening presents. It is amazing how grown up he is now. He played and played all evening with his presents and I think Daniel had as much fun with them as he did. I have put a slideshow from the party on here. It was a great day!

The reason I blog

Well...let's see. I have a friend from college (hey Dana) who informed me that blogging was the grown up Myspace. So, here I am...trying to be grown up. No really, I do think this will be a great way to keep up with old friends and maybe make some new ones. And...at the same time, it can be a journal of sorts for my boys. I am not the greatest at keeping up with their baby books. Okay, Wilson only has his feet print in his...that's another blog altogether. So, enough about the reason I am beginning this blog...'til next time.