My littlest scholar...

Man, it has been a busy week for Jaden... party all weekend, turning 5 on Monday, starting pre-school on Tuesday, fall baseball Tuesday night and Wednesday night, preschool again today... WHEW! That's a lot of activity for a little guy.

He went to preschool last year, so it wasn't a big traumatic thing. I had to laugh at some of the other mom's, standing there with tissues, reluctant to leave, hovering over their little ones. Hmmm... do I really act that way and look that ridiculous in front of everyone? Reality check... Nope... I wait till I get to the car.

Here are some pics of the big day.

Ready to go...


Waiting in the van...


Looking very grown up...


See ya later mom...

Happy Birthday Jaden!

Kent and his family were down for the weekend. Haley has started college in Utah, Max had to work, and Evan starts back to IU today so none of them were able to be there. That was kind of a bummer.

We all went to to Dad and Julie's church to surprise my grandma. She is 91 and the sweetest thing. Still cruises Jasper, and spends more time at Walmart than I do! She was thrilled to see us all there. After church we celebrated Jaden's birthday at dad's with a cookout, cake, swimming and a couple of "cornhole" tournaments. (which I had never heard of, but was so fun!) It was a beautiful day, and we had a ball.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Sugar and spice...

Ava doesn't walk through the house... she doesn't run through the house... she bounces through the house. I love it!

She is always in a hurry to get where she's going. Her little feet patter on the hardwood at a fast pace...strawberry curls bouncing up and down...it is so cute.

It makes me smile when I catch a glimpse of her headed down the hall or through the kitchen. It always looks like she is on a mission. Her "missions" seem to be very important and require her full attention.

Took the above pic this morning at her request as she bounced through the room. She stopped and very matter of factly said..."mom, take my picture." So I did... and off on her mission she went. My tiny, bouncy, brown-eyed girl

Thinking Thursday...

I think this whole Obama thing is pretty scary...

I think it is wise for me not to go into my political views on my blog...:)

I think I better get my rear in gear and plan something for Jaden's birthday...

I think I am very excited to get to see mom and Greg and Kent and Patti and Abby this weekend and maybe even some cousins I haven't seen in awhile...

I think decisions regarding the upbringing of teenage boys can be extremely difficult...

I think when in doubt on such decisions, you should trust your first instincts...

I think you should pray for your kids all day every day...

I think you should make it a point to pray for the future spouses of your kids, wherever and whoever they may be...

I think the power of a praying parent is a mighty force...

I think I am really glad I don't live anywhere I could be affected by hurricanes!...

I think I hear a tiny blond boy coming up the stairs... :)

Tuesday Then and Now...

Jaden... aka Baby J (by his Uncle Kent) aka JP (by his Papaw Burns) aka Shayden (by Jaden himself- "J" sounds are tough for a little guy) aka Shade or Shady (by the rest of the us)... will be turning 5 on Labor day. How is that possible?!

We decided to go for number 3 and hope for a girl. I got pregnant in September of 2002. At first things were great, but soon every time I went to the dr., that babies heartbeat would be a little slower. I was working on OB at Jasper at the time, so one Saturday morning, I asked Dr. Beckman to check things out cause I just didn't feel right. As soon as he turned on the machine... there was no more flicker. The baby was still. It was devastating. Especially finding out at work, surrounded by laboring mothers and brand new babies.

God is good though. In December I was pregnant again. This time with my precious little Jaden. It was one of those bittersweet things. God knows best.

I was in acutal labor with him on Labor Day five years ago. He was probably the shortest labor of the four. The ease of delivery probably ranks at #2. He is such a joy... such a smart little boy... so very sweet and cute and funny. A true blessing and I am so thankful for him!

Hospital photo


First day home


TV addict age 1


Mad at Mom age 2


Quite the Jokester... age 3


Birthday #4 with BFF Levi


Today...Great Big Brother

Not much inspiration...

Haven't blogged in a few days... I feel the heat...ie: christy... annette... tami... andi:) Truth is I have had a touch of blog block. HEY! Did I just create a new term?!

I have sat down to blog a couple of times in the last few days and have felt less than inspired. Somedays I sit down and it just flows out. Like the no worries blog on Friday....easy stuff. Other days I sit and stare at a blank screen.

Tonight, I am actually inspired to write about my group. We met tonight and it was pretty powerful. Obviously God orchestrated. At one point we all had chills... (or God Bumps to you Christy) We had a new girl join us who was obviously meant to be there. If I wasn't so tired I would go into more detail, but lets just say that I never cease to be amazed at His power, grace and mercy.

So I hope this small entry satisfies the blog patrol :) I will try to do better tomorrow....

Be a God Follower

No Worries...

It's been a very busy week. We have fifteen jobs going and the phone continues to ring. I guess that is a good thing... but man... my mind is mush.

We started our business when I realized I was going to have to quit my nursing job to be with Ava 24/7. This was about a year and eight months ago. I worried what we would do without my income, but leaving Ava with sitters just was not an option since her food allergies are so severe. I worried how I would handle being home with the kids day after day with no life outside the house. I worried that the business would be a failure... I worried my relationship with Aaron would be stressed with all the stress...I worried A LOT! But...I ended up being reminded of what I have known for a long time... There is no need to worry... God is in contol.

The income issue... my income now is much more than I made as a part-time nurse. The being couped up in the house issue... God brought amazing friends into my life that keep me going on a daily basis... The failing business issue... we had unbelievable sales the first year and looks like this year sales will double. The marraige issue...it is unbelievable how much closer Aaron and I have become through it all (even when we are making shirts at midnight)... Lesson learned.

So here it is in a nutshell...

Seven reasons not to worry: All from the book of Matthew chapter 6

6:24...the same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life!!! (DUH...Wake up and read that one again!)

6:26...Worrying about the future hampers your effors today

6:27...Worrying is more harmful than helpful

6:28-30...God does not ignore those who depend on Him

6:31,32...Worrying shows a lack of faith in and understanding of God

6:33...Worrying keeps us from real challenges God wants us to pursue

6:34...Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry

THAT...my friend...is the Word of God. From His mouth to your ears. Get your bible out and read these verses for yourself... SO worth your time.

Be a God Follower.