Kindergarten adventures

     My baby boy Tanner started Kindergarten 2 weeks ago. He LOVES it. He is going to Madison Street Academy and loves his new class and teacher.  He is a very clever boy. He is taking dance on Mondays and still doing Ocala Civic Theater too. I am so proud of him. The first few days of school he did really well and we were able to walk him to class and then last week they would not allow us to go down the halls. It was the first time Tanner got upset. I did too! SWEET BOY! It is a big school. I got choked up. I just want to protect and be with my children. That's the thing about being a mommy, at  each stage I am learning to let go more and more. I make a lot of mistakes and all I know to do is cry out to the Lord and keep going. I LOVE MY BOYS! There isn't anything I would not do for them. I am still learning how to grow up and seek God in everything. I am involved in MOPS and Thursday we start our new year. It is basically a support group for Mothers of Preschoolers. Raising little humans is not easy and boy have I made a lot of mistakes. I love this years theme Fiercely Flourishing. I need God to direct me. It's so easy to believe the enemy's lies and get caught up in negative comments and comparing with other mamas. I work hard at not doing that. Billy and I took the boys to Disney this weekend. It was nice to get out of the house and play. We swam and rode rides. I loved eating in Mexico at Epcot. The boys did too. They both love rice and tacos. Tanner is such a good eater at 5 years old. He loves fruit, veggies, and is really trying lots of new things. He is really BRAVE lately and motivated. Holden is such an independent little boy always wanting to do everything for himself. He is full of life and constantly moving. He is sensitive and sweet too. Boy has God taught me so much through parenting. Holden is 2 and half going on 3 and started preschool. He LOVES people. He is my child that will always want to do everything. He only goes a couple days a week and the days he doesn't go I have been intentional of my time with him. We go on bike rides, play at the splash pad, read stories in his room, and have fun being together. I bought the boys books about Kindergarten and pre-school making the whole thing fun and a wonderful new adventure for them. I put a count down on Tanner's door, bought them cupcakes from Betty Cakes, and took them swimming the day before school. I pray I can be a fun mommy and also one that teaches her children about being themselves and doing it BRAVELY.

Sanibel Island Fun

  We love going to the beach. Here is just a few things that are great about beach trips. Especially this one!! There are new and fun places to eat. We had fish at Mucky Duck and Cheeseburgers at Cheeburger Cheeburger. There are desserts and ice cream to be consumed. We loved getting ice cream at a place called Pinocchio's. There are little boys to snuggle with.  There is sleeping all in one room. Lots of time together. Later nights and later mornings. Swimming in the ocean. Collecting lots of shells. Building sandcastles is always fun. But the best part was sharing a sunset all together and seeing dolphins in the water. I feel so blessed we got to go. Holden has this elephant that Billy and I got him and he has slept with it since birth. We couldn't find it for awhile and thought it was gone forever. I prayed about that thing. I know sounds silly! But as his mommy I want him to keep it. He loves that thing. I looked everywhere. I was worried. Finally I went downstairs and asked the women who work setting up the breakfast and Yes they had found it. I literally had tears and was so thankful. It represents this era of time with them. That elephant (which he calls "baby" and talks to) is special. More than anything I will always remember him snuggling it, carrying it around, and even talking to his "baby". We have been fortunate to have gone to the beach several times. I love the beach. There were a few Sundays while Billy was studying that I went over just the boys and I for a few hours. We would play and run around and swim. On our way back we stop for ice cream. Good times I'll always remember. We soaked up lots of time with Billy this trip. He sure is a fun daddy. Tanner is the sweetest kid and maturing a lot these days. He is so funny when he helps me with Holden. I can not believe that my baby starts Kindergarten next week. I remember being pregnant with Tanner and our first year together being home. Just me and him. I call him my sidekick. He will always be my sidekick. Billy works hard these days and on days he gets home late my little Tanner Man always looks out for me. I am excited for my boys and all the adventures ahead for them.  Some pictures from our trip this weekend. Feeling Thankful!!