Fall 2012 Photo Shoot...

Good Morning,

I have woefully neglected this blog for far too long and haven't been keeping a good online journal of what's been happening in our lives...which is why I started this blog in the first place.

A few weeks ago I did a quick photo shoot with the boys at one of our local parks and the results are below.  I apologize in advance to my Facebook readers because you've probably seen these pics more than you care to...but...what's a Mom blogger to do?  You gotta post pics of your kids, right?  (grin).  It's been a while since I've posted pics of them here on the blog.  They are now 11 (almost 12) and 6.  Amazingly, when I started blogging they were 7 and 1.

Have a great Friday!

#Photofun - New Puppy Fun!

 

Day 4 - Fun!

To see more #photofun pics check out Piet's Pics on Facebook!

...and they grow up...

Kobe and I in 2008...close to a year after I started this blog...

Kobe in 2012...

When I had my first baby, Kobe, almost 12 years ago I never really thought about him getting older.  Not really.  When I was pregnant I thought about decorating the nursery, buying cute baby clothes and picking out strollers and cribs.  I never even thought much beyond all the cuteness and what I was feeling as I was carrying this baby.  As you can imagine,  I wasn't well prepared for what having a real...live...baby was like...even though I had read every dang book on the subject for the WHOLE nine months.  Geesh!  Kobe and I had a rough start...mainly since I had Post-Partum depression... but we came through it all okay.  What is amazing to me is that all those baby days really do seem like they were just last year...certainly not 11 years ago. 

I've learned that having kids is all about developmental stages and gracefully adjusting.  I've tried to enjoy every single of one them...even on those pesky 1/2 years. Anyone else experience the mood swings/temper tantrums, etc. when their kids are at the 1/2 year point between birthdays?  Okay...well...maybe it's just us!

With Kobe...I've gotten to experience the all the development stages for the first time.  With my second son, Kyler, we can kind of sit back and enjoy his experiences...because...we've Been There AND Done That.  Except... for the broken leg a few days before he was to start kindergarten.  Nope...hadn't experienced that one before.  And, you know, they are two completely different kids (of course) but these guys are opposites.  Kobe is reserved (very reserved) and Kyler will talk to anyone.  The differences are so much fun for me.

When I started this blog, Kobe was 7 years old and in the first grade.  Now, Middle School is starting soon....Puberty is close...Lots of questions coming at me.  Questions about things I didn't think about when I was carrying this boy for those 9 months.  Questions like..."How does that baby get in there anyway?"

I'm Gracefully Adjusting.

Yes.

Gracefully Adjusting...


--jackie

Baseball...As In Life...

Find your team...ask questions...seek guidance...

Be ready for what comes your way...

Just know there will be setbacks...failures...disappointments...

Seek out personal coaching...counseling...wisdom...when you need it...

Throw a little help...assistance...advice...to others when they need it...

Most of all...do your best... and try to hit it out of the park!

 

Hey Batta Batta..SuuWiinngg!

Jackie

*reposted from 2009

No...Things Aren't Okay...

One of my favorite pics of Blake and Kobe

My goal for this blog has always been to record my blessings in hopes that someone else will also be blessed by what I've experienced or what I write about.

Sometimes...things just aren't okay though.

One of Kobe's best friends passed away last Thursday morning.  Blake was 10 years old.  He had survived the Cancer that invaded his body when he was a baby.  But...last week his body developed an infection that he couldn't fight off. He was at school on Wednesday until he went home sick in the afternoon.  And...Thursday morning...He was gone. 

We are overwhelmed with emotions.  Sadness, Shock, Disbelief.  And...my new emotion today...Anger!

Helping my son work through his grief and supporting Blake's family are my main focus right now.  Working through my own emotions is exhausting.

The following lyrics keep playing in my head when I allow myself to sit still and think about it all.  I've shared the video below.  

Blake's family and everyone close to them could use your prayers!

"Praise You In This Storm"

by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Barn Charm...and... Photoshoot On The Farm...

Barns have always interested me.  I guess it's my rural upbringing and barns have always been part of that.  Today, I'm linking up with Bluff Area Daily and joining Barn Charm.  The barn I'm bringing you today is on my Aunt's farm in Northeast Missouri.  I have always loved this old barn.  We lived in a house directly across from it when I was in high school.  I have a lot of great memories on their farm and I still feel so at home anytime I'm there.  When we were there a couple of weeks ago I also did a little informal photo shoot of all the boy cousins in the tree line behind their house.  We all have some cute boys so it turned out pretty nice. 

The Black And White That I'm Framing For My Gallery Wall At Home...

Posing On A Fallen Tree...

Boys...Always Have To Have A "Shoot Em Up" Photo...

Thanks For Stopping By...

Jackie

State Capitol With The 4th Graders...

Hello Friends,

I have lost my blogging mojo for the last few months.  I'm trying to get it back.  In March I had the opportunity to go on a field trip with Kobe's class to the Jefferson City, MO and tour the State Capitol and the Governor's Mansion.  We had a great day and I learned a lot.  Even though I have been in the capitol several times for work related events, I had never had an actual tour.  It was a lot of fun...especially hearing the kids comments and seeing what they were most interested in. 

The most interesting part of the tour, for me, was sitting in on a legislative session and hearing the legislators debate and vote on bills.  It was really great for the kids to see how the voting process works instead of reading about it in their textbooks.

It was a fun day and we'll be going back soon to take photos of the flowers around the capitol grounds.

Kobe and I on the Capitol Steps...

Governor's Mansion...

One Of The Many Murals Inside The Capitol.  This Is Kobe's Favorite - Jesse James!

Missouri State Capitol...

Neat View Of The Capitol From The Parking Garage...

Mr. Cool On The Capitol Steps!

Lewis & Clark Memorial...

Thanks For Stopping By...

Jackie

It's a Long and Lazy Summer...

Well.... Hello!

We haven't done a darn thing this summer. Really. Pretty much nothing and I kind of like it! We have barely been out of town. We are literally having a long Staycation except Pat and I are working through most of it. We were feeling slightly guilty about not doing much this summer and asked Kobe what he would like to do that he hasn't gotten to do yet. We're thinking, theme parks, water parks or even fishing and he said the only thing he hasn't gotten to do is visit his cousins. Well, that will be arranged.

Kobe has spent most of his summer on his bike and playing with friends. He has had a great summer so far. This is what I see most of the time as he's riding by the house to meet up with the neighborhood gang. Have you seen the movie The Sandlot? If so, you've got a good idea of what's going on here. A lot of boys and a LOT of drama.

He's doing a lot of work perfecting his trick riding skills as well...

Kyler has been working hard this summer and has graduated to the 18 inch bike...with training wheels. He'll be two-wheeling it soon though!

Oh, and Kyler went to soccer camp. As you can see below he was thrilled. I don't think I'll be buying one of those Soccer Mom magnets for my car anytime soon.

We've been pretty crafty too. This is one of our best creations this summer. Really!

We are starting to pick a few of these and we're loving the fresh produce from the nearby farm stands and farmers market...I won't even tell you how many watermelons we've eaten so far this summer.

All in all it's turning out to be a pretty good summer. No plans. No projects. Just a lot of relaxing. Nice.

Hope you're having a good summer too.

Until Next Time,

Jackie

A Little Charmer and 3rd Grade Love Woes...

Today hasn't been the best day since I've caught a virus and have been dealing with body aches, fever and all the fun that goes along with that. However, there were two bright spots in my day and I wanted to get them down before they escape my foggy brain.

If you know Kobe, you can't tell him I told you this....okay? This is a sensitive subject for a certain 9 year old boy...

When I took Kobe to school today and as we were driving up into the parking lot I noticed a Mom and her kids crossing the street going towards the school. I recognized them as a homeschooling family who lives on our street. This particular family has an 8 year old daughter who has expressed her LOVE for Kobe by leaving nicely decorated love notes for him in our mailbox a few times. Kobe hasn't appreciated the love notes and we've had to have a few conversations about kindness in this situation. Mostly, he's just really embarrassed by it all.

So, I say to Kobe, "look who is crossing the street...they must have decided to start sending their kids to public school". There is a moment of silence from the backseat and then I hear him quietly say ..."Oh, Great"...and a few moments later I hear him whispering..."please let them get into the school before me...please let them get into the school before me...please let them get into the school before me". Well, they did go into the school before Kobe did and I just had to chuckle after he jumped out of the car because I remember those 3rd grade crushes. He was pleased to announce after school that she is in 2nd grade NOT 3rd grade like he had feared...All is Well! So Far!

The rest of the day I spent mostly on the couch. When it was time to pick up Kobe from school I was having a hard time getting Kyler in gear to get his coat and shoes on so we could leave. Every time I thought he was putting his gear on I'd walk in and he was jumping on the couch or some other 3 year old mayhem. So, I say..."You have GOT to get your shoes and coat on so we can Go get your brother!" (imagine voice raising with each word) I turn around to grab my purse and I start to hear kissing sounds. I then turn around to look at Kyler and he says, "Does somebody need some kisses?". Well of course I do! This boy has already figured out how to melt my heart.

Even though it's 5:00pm and I'm not feeling any better than I did this morning...I had a couple of smiles that made my day. See...there is more of that beauty I'm searching for...

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series Book Review by Guest Author Kobe (age 8-almost 9)

I have five Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. The names are:

Book 1 is Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Book 2 is Diary of a Wimpy Kid Rodrick Rules

Book 3 is Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Last Straw

Book 4 is Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do It Yourself

Book 5 is Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days

The colors of the books are: Red is book 1 and book 4, Blue is book 2, Green is book 3 and yellow is book 5. The characters are: Greg, Rowley, Mom, Dad, Dog, Creighton, Manny and Rodrick.

The newest one is Dog Days and it came out on October 12, 2009 and we got it on October 12, 2009. We put it on hold at Barnes and Noble so we were one of the first ones to get it.

These are my favorite books! I like them because the comics are humongously funny. I like them so much I bring all 5 books to school everyday. My favorite one is Book 1.

My favorite comic is:

"Doctor could I have a new butt?" "My old one has a crack in it".

"Creighton, I told you a million times everyone's butt has a crack in it".

"Oh yeah I forgot".

You should read the books because the comics are just funny. I would have to say that this book series is for second grade and up.

Thanks for reading my book review.

-By the newest author Kobe.

Here are some pictures:

Joy comes in the form of...

Fall Decorating...

A Huge Zucchini Plant...

Back To School Routines...

Yummy Coffee Beans from Keen Bean Coffee Roasters...
A Brand New Journal - Ready For My Dreams, Thoughts and Prayers...

An 8 year old deciding he really wants to learn to ride his bike without the training wheels and taking off on the first try...

A 3 year old trying hard to keep up...sometimes more wheels don't help you go faster...

More Fall Decorating...

Even More...

And still more...

¹⁶Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);

1 Thessalonians 5:16 (Amplified Bible)