All Day

All day kindergarten started today.

Might have been harder than the first day.
For both of us.

7 hours without this face.

 I miss my time with him already.

I remember looking forward to these days.
And I know I will like them some day.
Hopefully soon.
But today I miss him like crazy.

Moms with young kids at home:
Love them tons.
Try not to get too frustrated.
Read a book with them.
Play a game.
Do a puzzle.
Hold their little hand.

Before your ready,
they're out the door.
Off to school.
Experiencing new things.
Without you.

About the time Ezzie snapped this picture
on the way to school Thursday,
Jobie was saying:
I just miss you so much.

The feeling is mutual, baby.

8th

Today was Brookie's turn.
First day of school for my girl.

Her outfit came in the mail yesterday afternoon.
Whew.

Like my boys,
she, too, insists on growing.

After we took the little boys to school yesterday,
she asked what we would be doing.
Ryan and I told her we were planning to do a little painting.

Her reply:
This is the worst last day of summer ever!

After we picked Jobie up and took them out to eat,
we ran a little errand.
We took Brookie to get her first phone.

Later on facebook she wrote:
Best last day of summer ever!
Finally got my first phone!

Funny how her tune changed.

She's so excited.
Even though her phone has no data plan.
But she does have unlimited texting.
Only because it comes with our plan.
That and the fact that I couldn't live without it.
Ha!

This morning before school.
I thought to myself.
I'm going to be ok today.

(Oh, Jobie.
Must you always?)

I gave Jobie a hug at his classroom door.
And watched from the hall for a bit.
He kept looking back at me.
So finally I waved.
He waved back.
I was still doing great.

Then...
He put his head down on his desk.
And cried.

Was not expecting that.

The teachers were busy with other students.
So, against my better judgement, I went to him.
He immediately hugged me and said:
Mommy, I want to stay with you!

I told him (thru my own tears):
Baby, you can't.
You have to stay at school.
And mommy has to leave.

At this point his teacher came over.
I sat him back in his seat.
Gave him one last hug and kiss.
Patted his teacher on the shoulder.
Walked out of the classroom.
And cried the whole way home.
And maybe for an hour or so after.

Not fun.
But tomorrow will be better.
We have our plan down.
Wish I would have had a plan for today.

Tomorrow we will be all smiles.

K, 2nd & 7th

My boys.
All growing up so quickly.

First day of school for 2012.
First day of school for my baby.

It was an emotional day for me.
A shocking admission, I'm sure...ha!

(I'm telling Ezra to please stop swatting my bottom.
Sometimes he just gets so excited.
He can't control himself.)

We had walked almost half way to school
When I finally said:
Jobie, aren't you going to hold my hand?

Then, just before we got to the doors he said:
Mommy, can we quit holding hands now?

 But at least he let us get another pic or two.

We dropped Ezzie off in his room first.

Then walking through the halls to Jobie's room,

he grabbed my hand once again.

Before I was ready, we were at his classroom door.

He found his seat.

And sat down.

Ready to start his day.

And I managed to keep my brave face on.
Until I walked out of his classroom.

Ryan took the day off.
To comfort me.
Some comfort he is.
He says things to make me cry more.
Like: well, how does it feel to have your very last baby in school?
And: didn't he look so cute?
Then he tries to hug me.
Which will only makes me cry more.

Meany.

Brookie doesn't start until tomorrow.
So I had 2 people home with me today.

Tomorrow.
I'll be walking home by myself.
Tomorrow.
Might be harder than today.

I'm so proud of Jobie.
(Just a few short months ago,
he was insisting he did not want to go to school.)
And I really am looking forward to the ability to
1) visit the restroom uninterrupted
2) make phone calls uninterrupted
3) grab my bag and run out of the house
    without searching for little people socks and shoes

But, man, is the house going to seem quiet.

Until...
I find an amazing station on Pandora.
Crank up the music.
And sing as loudly as I want.
Uninterrupted.

A Grizzly Birthday

Our boy made his daddy proud.
He chose to have a "Butler" party.
Naturally, he didn't want the Butler "B" on the cake.
He wanted the Grizzly.

I stress myself out every year.
Over the birthday cake.
I may have mentioned that before.
I can't remember.
It's ridiculous really.
But I just want the birthday kid to be excited about their cake.
And I am not an artist.
At all.
But I don't want to pay the money for someone else to do the cake.
So I stress myself out.
And do it myself.

So here's my version of the Butler Grizzly.

We, of course, have no lack of Butler items at our house.

He was excited when Daddy came home with a big foam #1 hand.
He's showing 5.
4 fingers on one hand.
Plus one big foam finger on the other.

Waiting for Daddy to take his picture.

The required picture.
In the chair.
In front of the presents.

Searching for one final present.
In Grandpa's pick-up.

Then he spots it.

Gotta get to it as quickly as possible.

Pretty happy.

I'm having a hard time putting into words my feelings tonight.
So excited for my little man.
And the new experiences he will have as a 5 year old.
At the same time.
So sad to see my baby growing up.

Quitting now.
Or I will wake up my hubby.
Who is snoring next to me on the couch.
With the sobbing that will take place.
If I dwell on all of this any longer.

Happy birthday, Jobie Bear.
Your momma loves you so very much.

Two Brothers and a Water Gun

It's not often that the baby in the family has the advantage.

He sure enjoyed it.

Then it was time to switch.

Pay backs are tough.

Sun and Moon

We were listening to the radio in the car the other day.
K-LOVE.
They've been doing their fund-drive.

DJ:
You never know what God can do.

Jobie (very matter-of-factly):
Well, I know one thing God can do.
He makes the sun come every day.
And then He makes the moon come.Such a simple, powerful truth.
From a 4 year old.
Acknowledging God's sovereignty.

Psalm 74:16
The day is Yours,
and Yours also the night;
You established the sun and moon.

Each week Beki at therustedchain hosts Fingerprint Friday and uses a song by Steven Curtis Chapman as a springboard. Join in. It's a great way to be reminded of God's presence.

Jobe and Kindergarten

It appears my baby is ready for kindergarten afterall.
Jobe had been insisting he didn't want to go.
Doesn't want to turn 5.
Doesn't want to grow up.

Last night was pre-enrollment.
We walked to the school.
He held my hand the whole way.
So I knew he was nervous.One of the teachers asked him what his name was.
He spoke right up.
A couple of months ago
he would have hid behind my legs.

He said: Jobe
I was surprised he didn't say: Jobie.

He even spelled his name for her.
I didn't know he could do that.
He writes his name.
I just didn't know he could spell it out loud.

Yah, me.
For teaching my kid things without knowing I did.

My other kids knew the alphabet.
Could write it.
Even read a little.
Before kindergarten.
Not so much Jobie.

I've still got a few months...

He is a great counter though.
I was a math teacher at one point.
His daddy is the writer.
He really should be the one to teach him letters.
Right?I'm fairly certain I will have streams of tears.
The first day of school.
But I didn't even get teary last night.
Proud of myself for that.
Ha!

I just asked him:
Jobie, did you have fun last night?
Jobie with a big nod: uh-huh!
Me: So are you ready for kindergarten now?
Jobie with another big nod: uh-huh!

Ok, now I think I'll go cry.

The Cart

Let me tell you right now.
It's true.
No matter how much you say you won't.
The baby gets spoiled.
You just can't help it.

My kids have always begged.
And begged.
And begged.
To ride in those car carts at the grocery store.
And I have refused.
And refused.
And refused.

So you know where this is going, right?

Yesterday Jobe and I went to the grocery store.
And, of course,
like he does nearly every time we are there,
he asks if we can use the car shopping cart.
And I said...
Yes.

No idea how that came out of my mouth.
I have never answered that question with a yes before.

He was thrilled.
I'm pretty sure that at first he didn't believe me.
But I put him in the cart.
And off we went.

It was horrible.
For me.
Wonderful.
For him.

Those things are huge.
You run into things.
Like displays.
You take up the entire aisle.
People either look at you funny.
Or chuckle at you.
As if to say:
You are a sucker.

It is no fun at all.
I will never do it again.

Look how pleased Jobe is though.
Thinking he's pretty cool.But I will not do this again.
Really.
I won't.

He may be the spoiled baby.
But he will not talk me into it again.
Nope.
He won't.

The King of Joy

Anyone want a 4 year old today?
Naughty little boy so far.Wednesday he spent half the day.
Singing a little song he made up.
Only one line.
Over and over.
"I am the king of joy."

He is most certainly not.
The King of Joy.
Not right now anyway.
Not ever really.
(Even though it's really cute.
And we are all much happier
when he thinks he's the king of joy.)

But, he is not really the king of joy.
Because:
Joy can only come from the Lord.
From His Word.
From a relationship with Him.

My Father is heaven is the King of Joy.

Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with joy in Your presence,
with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.I Thessalonians 2:20
Indeed, You are our glory and joy.

Each week Beki at therustedchain hosts Fingerprint Friday and uses a song by Steven Curtis Chapman as a springboard. Join in. It's a great way to be reminded of God's presence.

Make a Joyful Noise

Jobie sang this at every family Christmas we had.
It was his song for our church Christmas program.

My boy,
who doesn't want to leave me
to go to kindergarten next year,
got right up on that stage with the rest of his class
and sang his heart out.

He told me before the program:
Mommy, we have to sing weawy woud.
And he did.
I hope he always has such enthusiasm for the Lord.

This is the only time we got a video of him singing.
Before we opened presents at home.

I'm having difficulties loading it to blogger.
I've been trying for a week.
Really wish I was more tech savvy.
So, anyway, enough about my ineptitude.
Here's a link for it:
http://vimeo.com/34992754
Psalm 100:1-2
Shout for joy to the LORD,
all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before Him with joyful songs.

Each week Beki at therustedchain hosts Fingerprint Friday and uses a song by Steven Curtis Chapman as a springboard. Join in. It's a great way to be reminded of God's presence.

Let the Unwrapping Begin

Our Christmases begin tonight.
And every night is full until New Year's Eve.
We're popular people.
Except on New Year's Eve apparently.
No one wants to party with us.
Boo.

The little boys are bouncing off the walls this morning.
Christmas is just too exciting.
But they sure are cute.

Ezzie has been busy making gifts.
And wrapping them.
He uses about twice as much paper as he needs.
Which is just fine.
We have 30,000 rolls of Christmas wrapping paper.
I seem to have turned into my grandma.

And now some pics.
That have absolutely nothing to do with this post.
And are nearly a month old.Before we know it, we will be taking the tree down.
And packing up all the decorations.
I'm going to try to soak up every moment.