Be Still My Heart....

Oh. My. Word. I am SO in love with this handsome little man! This post is a "just because" post. Just because he is so stinkin' cute and adorable. Parker is 17 months old now, and the time has flown by. Yet, at the same time, I can barely remember him being a baby!

Parker is so fun! He is non-stop, always on the go. He loves to run, climb, jump, slide across the floor, and kick/throw anything and everything! He is all boy and then some. He is tough and has the stalky build of a football player in the making.

This kid makes us laugh. He's always up for adventure, and if it includes his big brother and/or sister, count him in!

Although the pictures don't really show it, his big blue eyes and blonde curls in the back are a killer! It's what everyone notices first about him. Parker keeps life fun. He plays the role of the "baby" in the house quite well and is learning to irritate his brother and sister by taking their things and running! Luckily for him, they are so in love with him that he is quickly forgiven.

Nothing is safe in this house anymore....not even the umbrellas! He's always into something, exploring, playing, getting into mischief! He's tiring, yes, but so stinkin' adorable....my heart is captivated forever!

My Big Kindergarten Boy!

Have you ever seen anything so handsome?? I love this kid! These are Preston's Kindergarten pictures. He is loving school! Because we decided to put Pres in a private Christian school, we had the choice of full day or half day class. We opted for the half day program so he goes to school from 11:45-2:45 each day. There are only ten kids in his class, one of which is his cousin/best friend Max.

We are so thankful for this kid. I have seen him grow and mature so much these past few months since school started. He is very independent, yet still loves to cuddle in my lap anytime I sit down. He's a leader, and a helper, and I adore that about him. He's always happy (at school anyways) and has fun in any situation. He's my calm, social, easy-going, emotional, sensitive, try anything at least once kind of kid. And I couldn't be more proud of him!

A Rainy Night

Darron is gone caribou hunting, and we are tired of the rain! So, instead of sitting indoors (again), we ventured out to enjoy a night of splashing in the puddles!

And although it doesn't look like everyone was having fun, we actually were! Parker got a little irritated at having to wear big brothers rain coat, but once we filled his tray with rocks to throw, he was a happy camper....rain and all!

And those puddles didn't stand a chance to these giggly children in their rain boots!

Armed and Dangerous!

Oh yeah! I'm officially armed and dangerous!

Last weekend, two of my girlfriends and I took a women's only Defensive Handgun class. We spent four hours Friday night in a lecture and about 9 hours on Saturday at the gun range learning to shoot.

I had the opportunity to shoot my father-in-law's .45 1911 Kimber. I was so excited about this class, but super nervous and I had NEVER shot a gun before! Like....NEVER.

However, Darron has enough guns and ammo to supply a small army and I have always thought about how stupid I would feel if I couldn't protect my own family when we have such a large supply! :) So....off to class I went.

And....I LOVED it! I walked away from this class feeling empowered and capable of protecting myself and my family. I learned the correct, tactical way of handling a gun, aiming, shooting, correcting jams, etc. And I learned practical tips on staying safe.

And to top it off, I was with two great friends that I had a blast learning and laughing with!

AND.....I even impressed one of the instructors with my shooting abilities! :)

So, will I be "packing heat" from now on with my own .380 handgun that Darron bought me for Christmas? Let's just say, you don't want to mess with me! :)

Welcome to Kindergarten!

I can't believe my "baby" boy is starting school! You don't really realize how little they still are until you send them away to be on their own in a big school for the first time! Luckily, Preston is going to Grace Christian School and they had the option for half-day kindergarten, so that's what we chose. So, he goes to school from 11:45-2:45 every day. He wishes he went all day, but I figured starting next year he would go to school all day for the next twelve years....so I might as well hold him close for as long as I can!

The pictures are out of order, but this is how we celebrated a successful first day....an icee and popcorn at Target! :)

Preston and his best bed/cousin Max are in the same class. They also went to Preschool together. These boys are unseperable. Thankfully, they are good boys, even together, so the teacher enjoys having them! And they tend to be helpers too! I love these boys!
Preston was so excited before I took him to school. He had his back pack on and ready to go, giving Parker boy a little loving and assuring him he would be back after school.

And here is my big boy, all smiles, ready to embrace the first day!
He wasn't nervous at all! I'm so proud of him!

Payton was excited to get to walk Preston into his class. She wanted to be in his pictures. They are so silly together....when they're not fighting!

I am so thankful God led us in the direction of Grace Christian School. I NEVER intended to put my kids in a private school, after all, I'm a public school teacher! But God speaks to those who listen, and sometimes he SHOUTS to make sure He is heard! :) And I'm so thankful I finally heard Him!

Preston is loving school. He gets to see several of our good friends who teach at the school, as well as his cousin Brookelynn throughout the day. He comes home smiling and excited every day. Parker naps while Pres is in school, and that leaves Payton and I to have a few hours of alone time together. It's the perfect situaion for all of us!

Cheers to a great start to a great school year!