Five on Friday

Yay! It's a record for me. I've actually blogged 3 times this week.

I'm joining in again with a few of my favorite bloggers for Five on Friday.

ONE
We survived the first week of school!!! Only 35 more weeks til summer! Sam and Fulton jumped up excited and ready on Monday. I was totally relieved because we had really started throwing bedtime out the window over the summer! They are now in 5th and 2nd grade.

Oliver was a tad miffed that he didn't get to start with them, but no worries little guy, you start Monday. I was VERY grateful for the one-one-one time I got with Oliver this week. This time next week I could quite possibly be in the nut-house as I am really dreading sending my baby to all-day school.

 Sam 5th, Fulton 2nd, and we met some school buddies for and ice cream treat!

TWO
Oliver and I had lots of snuggle and play time this week. He had 3 play-date adventures and seemed to really enjoy his last week of summer vacay with mommy. We blew bubbles, went to meet friends for lunch, got some new tenny-pumps, and snuggled on the sofa and watched our favorite shows. I love that sweet boy!

THREE
My August Birchbox came this week! {If you don't know what that is, check it out!} The greatest shade of red lipstick was in it! And y'all know I love some red lipstick! Always have. I used to wear it just on fancy occasions, but now I wear it just because. Shan likes it too. So as soon as he got home I gave it whirl!

 

MODEL Co. Party Proof Matte Lipstick Red Velvet

Any who, once this runs out I'll definitely reorder.

FOUR
Football season is now less than a week away. It's always an exciting time of year! Next Thursday the USC Gamecocks will be taking on the UNC Tarheels. It'll be like our own personal Civil War on the field! GO COCKS!

 

VS.

 

FIVE
This weekend I'm looking forward to a leadership training that I'm participating in for Junior League. I love all the opportunities they give us to learn how to lead others as we give back to our community. {While I'm still in cheerleader mode from #4} Go JLC!

 

Have a good weekend! TGIF!!!

 



Joy comes in the morning!

On Monday my big boys started school. Fulton is now a 2nd grader and Sam is a 5th grader!

Unbelievable!!!

The night before school starts is always filled with great anticipation. We sat around the table eating our ice cream sundaes and I asked each boy what their hope was for the new school year. Their answers were the obvious... do well, make more friends, have fun, get extra recess, etc.

Sam had been feeling a little more apprehensive about the start of the new school year. The last few days he had been talking a lot about it being his last year of elementary school and asking what middle school will be like. He's in those really awkward years - stuck between wanting to feel grown up and still wanting to be a little boy. I remember like it was yesterday having the same feeling. It's so hard!

On Sunday night as I was preparing to tuck everyone in, Sam came into Oliver's room and asked if I'd snuggle with him a little longer. When I got into his room he hopped up on the bed with the picture book "Pickles to Pittsburgh" by Judi Barrett {the sequel to "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"}. He said, "mom, will you read me this book tonight?"

I was a little surprised as Sam hasn't wanted me to read ANYTHING to him in about 2 or 3 years. He's been a very independent reader for a while. I said, "sure, but wouldn't you rather read it to me?"

He tearfully answered, "No, I want you to because this is what I love about being a kid... I have so many good memories of our time together and I'm afraid to grow up!"

Needless to say, I was in a flood of tears as I reassured him that growing up is good! And just because you grow up doesn't mean you won't have good memories.

His concern is that those "memories will be so far away" as he gets older. Again, I know exactly what he means. It seems like childhood was just a blip on the radar. We settled down, I read his book - holding back more tears, said our prayers, and I tucked him in.

I am so thankful that he asked me to read that book to him, that he shared his heart with me, and that we have created good memories for him. But at the same time I got so incredibly sad that he really is growing up in the blink of an eye. I was emotionally drained by the time I finally went to sleep.

Even after all that...Sam jumped up and was ready for school in record time. Fulton was his usual skippy morning-person self. Oliver was bummed that he has to wait until next week to start school. And the whole family was up and running bright and early! We all felt excited and refreshed.

Sam - 5th grade, Fulton - 2nd grade and Superman in pajamas starts All-day 4k next week {Lawd Help!}



It was a delightful reminder of Psalm 30:5(b)- Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

'Tis true, folks. 'Tis true! Life can be an emotional roller coaster, but we are always restored by His promises. 

So for now, I'll continue hanging on to their childhood for dear life, making memories... even if it means I have to read picture books to each one of them every.single.night for the rest of their lives!

My FULL heart

I was bombarded with emotion this weekend...my hubby in the last year of his 30's, summer ending, school starting! Time is flying by and I just wish I could freeze certain moments. I'm always a tad melancholy at the start of a new school year. But my heart feels a little fuller than usual this time.

Last week we celebrated Shan's 39th birthday. This week his brother celebrates his 44th. So each year we celebrate both of their birthdays with Shan's family on the weekend in between.

Birthday boys!

 



We met for dinner on Saturday night. The wait was particularly long! I was dreading the hour wait with my hungry and bored little peeps, but they were extremely well-behaved. As we sat, the loud pop music was playing in the background and - ironically enough - the song "Troublemaker" by Olly Murs came on. It happens to be one of their favorites. Sam started singing, then Fulton. Oliver even chimed in on the chorus.

My music-lovin' boys were spot-on! Harmony and pitch-perfect!! All the people sitting around us were smiling and tapping their feet along. How could they not? Coming from a musical family, I couldn't have been more proud.

I can't explain how blessed I felt at that moment - with those 3 blond heads happy, healthy, smiling, singing and sharing a passion of mine.

There are days that I think, "what in the world was God thinking when he gave me THREE boys to raise? I CANNOT do this!!!" But I AM doing this, with His help. They are my precious gifts and they fill my heart! Thanks be to God!