In a nutshell

We didn't really do much this summer. Just worked and went swimming everyday. We also prepared for our little man to start kindergarten, sniff. Peyson also started school, she's big preschooler. They both love it. There is about 2 hours 2 days a week where Deagan doesn't know what to do with himself. In August Drayton turned 6 and in September Peyson turned 4. I have no more babies. I hardly have an toddlers either. Kinda sad, but that's basically all that's really happened since I last pasted, months agao. I will try to be better with specifics, cuz this is what my kids will have to look back on, I'm bad at keeping a journal too.......really pathetic, I know.

No baby, come back!

I love my kids. I love watching them grow and accomplish. (yes they are only 5, 3 and 15 months) But even at their ages they are so smart and talented and beautiful. I love hearing them express there love for Jesus and sharing the things they learn at church. And there sweet little prayers mean so much to me because they are proof that they are really learning about what's important.

Dray starts kindergarten next August and he is so excited, also he starts football this month (it's just flag, I'm not brave enough yet for tackle.)And he loves to draw, he calls himself an artist and is even picky about his art subjects. There are some days I'm not sure I would get through if he wasn't here helping me, proving to me what a caring, loving spirit he has. Peyson loves to sing and dance and has such a strong personality, I will never have to worry about her being pushed around. But she is also my sweet princess who is always so concerned with mommy. Always making sure mommy is ok. Then there is Deagan. He is the funniest person he knows. I can't believe at 15 months someone can be so determined and independent. He is a charmer and can solve the worlds problem with that dreamy little smile of his.

My little sponges are soaking up so much and becoming such individual little sponges. Deagan has started walking a bit, and I do mean a bit(why walk when mommy can carry you, it's faster) and everytime he gets that determined look on his face and takes a step, a look of pride sweeps over his face ............and I have to fight the urge to just push him down. There I said it. I don't want my sweet babies growing up and not needing me. I never knew I could feel so proud and panicked at the same time. I want them to be strong and independent, but I also want them to stay babies that always need me. But I guess that's what motherhood is all about. Teaching them and loving them and being there for whatever they need (unfortunately that need rapidly decreases), and letting them grow up to be amazing people.

Luckily they are still only 5, 3 and 1, so I still have plenty of time for them to need me, just in new, different forms of need.

Life and my missing camera

So we've been really busy lately. I'm working part time and Dustin and Drayton are playing football, so our weeks and weekends having been filling up super fast. And yet I have no pictures to show for it. I lost my camera. I am so sad. I think it got mad at me for neglecting it. It was begging me, "Please please use me to take pictures of all your adorable children!" But did I listen, no. And now it's gone. My dear camera, if you are reading this, I'm sorry, I miss you and please come home so I can make it up to you! (the above picture was taken with my phone.)

Watch Your Mouth!

I know I haven't updated in forever, but better late than never, right? Anyway, I have been getting mad at Peyson for saying the word freaking all the time lately. At the zoo, "Those monkeys are so freaking cute!" at the park "It's freaking hot out here." Walking up the stairs, "My freaking feet hurt." Really, why in the world is my sweet little 3 yr old constantly saying that freaking word? Then it dawned on me. I use that word at least twenty times a day. I use it on the phone, to the kids I even type it on facebook and my blog. SO now that I realize I am the problem, I am going to work very hard at not saying that word. It's just so freaking hard.

I AM

"I AM THANKFUL. This has not always been an easy walk for me.
I AM DISAPPOINTED. We have missed family gatherings, weddings, dinner engagements, birthday parties and holidays because of shift schedules and overtime.
I AM PATIENT. There have been dinners at the firehouse waiting for daddy to return from a call while the kids get cranky and the food gets cold.
I AM NERVOUS. I awake at 3am hearing creaks in the house and don't have the comfort of my husband beside me.
I AM TIRED. The house is full of sick kids and there is no relief in site because daddy is on a 72 hour shift.
I AM JEALOUS. Jealous of the wives whose husbands gget home at 5pm and hold them at the end of the day.
I AM WORRIED. Worried that he might not come home one day. This I try to tuck away.
I AM INCOMPETENT. THere was a time when I cosidered myself moderately intelligent. I now struggle to remember where I left my car keys, the diaper bay, and occasionally the baby.
I AM DOUBTING. I am doubting I am the kind of wife and mother he needs me to be.
I AM TRUSTING. Trusting that my husband will come home again.
I AM CONFIDENT, I AM EMBARRASSED, I AM LONELY, I AM SURPRISED, I AM OVERWORKED, I AM UNDERPAID
I AM.......The Fireman's Wife. "

This is an excerpt from a book called The Fireman's Wife by Susan Ferran. I haven't read it but I think it might be something I can relate to. Heck most moms/ wives, in general, probably can. I do however have an I Am to add:

I AM PROUD. Proud to know that my husband could be the difference between life and death for someone. Everytime he calls to tell me that he was able to save a child from drowning or a puppy from under the bed in a burning house (puppies are a part of the family too) or to tell me that he was inches away from being crushed by an a.c. unit (he probably shouldn't tell me things like that) I am able to appreciate and understand the risks that he takes everyday and I am so proud that I get to go to bed with my own personal HERO.

CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dustin has been playing minor league football this season. They've been practicing since September and have had games since January. The past two weeks have been playoff games and since they won both of those they are in the championship game this weekend. Dustin is excited for a chance at a ring. Go Mustangs!!!!!!!

P.S. Incase you couldn't tell he's the big guy in white at the far left.

Alphabet Reform

At Dray's school they have been working on the alphabet. He's actually known it, for the most part, for a long time, but who doesn't need a little brushing up on it. Anyway he just can't seem to figure out c and k, k and q, and g and j. Now if you ask me he's right in his confusion. What's with all these repetitive letters? Why can't you spell cat with a k. It still says the same thing. And kwik and quick, I don't really see a difference, except for the fact that the second one uses some unnecessary letters. And as for as j and g are concerned, I feel that if you can use g for both sounds anyway, why in the world do we bother with j? If you agree, join me in removing extra letters for our written world. Together we kan save all the bad spellers of the world. And make Drayton's day gust alittle easier when he tells me that kookie starts with k.