How a Hat Choice Makes You Stop and Say Thank You!

On Tuesday, Elijah's school had hat day. When Elijah picked out his "Top Gun USAF" hat to wear, I was secretly loving it because my Dad served in the Air Force for twenty years. That is when his choice made me stop and think... Elijah, is very blessed to have his Pawpaw, Granddaddy, Great Uncle Mitchell, Uncle Blake, and cousin Mark serve this great country in the military. Because of SO many men and woman like them, is why Elijah enjoys the freedom that he has today! We, our family of three, would like to say thank you to all the men and woman of the military, past and present, for the sacrifices you have made and continue to make for us every single day! God Bless America!

The Next Iron Chef?

Disclaimer:
Elijah was supervised the entire time he was using the butter knife.

Elijah continues to enjoy being in the kitchen and helping out when he can. This particular night, he wanted to help his Daddy cut the fresh green beans that we were having for dinner.

Concentrating very hard on what he is doing

Showing us his knife skills

Love this smile!

Showing us his hard work

Remembering

Last night Elijah asked for me to read to him from his Beginner's Bible. The next story for us to read was "The Visitors" Genesis 18;21. After finishing the story and talking to him about it, I couldn't help but start to remember.

Remembering how less than 24 hours after Elijah was born, he was transported by ambulance (aka The Kangaroo Crew) to Texas Children's Hospital. During his stay there he had a wonderful nurse who's name was Sarah - just like from the story. He also had a fantastic doctor who's name was Dr. Prophet. These two amazing professionals were both there to take care of our miracle, Elijah (which means "The Lord is my God" - Hebrew)

There isn't any other way for us to remember this experience other than to know that God was in control of the situation . And He had to be... just look at the names of those making sure Elijah was going to be OK. Just like in the Bible story I shared with Elijah, we were given our miracle just like Sarah and Abraham. We even shared the older parent component as well :-)
So I felt happy to know that the story I had just shared with our son last night, helped me to stop and remember!

Sarah and Byron - Sarah went with us to see us off and make sure we were good with the car seat as well. :) She even called to check on us a couple of times once we got home. She was our saving grace during this whole experience!

Our little guy finally heading home!

Settling In

On August 25, 2011, we closed, on what we hope will be our last home for us...well, until retirement. :) Then on Thursday, September 1st, we started the moving process. We were SO lucky to have my parents here for 5 days to help us with the move. Even though we hired movers for the furniture and larger items, we could not have done it without them. They helped us out SO much! It was an exhausting five days, but worth all the work.
We have been in the house now for 17 days and are settling in nicely. An adjustment that we have had to make is getting used to owning a home that is 12 years old. Our previous home was new construction but we know in time and along with several home improvement projects that it will an amazing home for our family. One feeling that Byron and I both felt when we viewed this house that was that it seemed like a "home" and not just a house. Not to mention that it had the three things we really wanted in our next house. Nice! :) We are looking forward to watching Elijah grow up here and creating wonderful family memories now and in the years to come.

Elijah chilling at the end of a very long moving day. We were only in the house for 2 days when Elijah said to me, "Mommy, I really like our house". There were a lot of changes for him over a two week period but he handled it better than we thought he would. What a trooper!
Byron and my Dad breaking in the kitchen at the new house. So lucky to have a husband and a father who are both great cooks!


One evening after a very exhausting day of unpacking and moving, Elijah said he wanted to go fishing. So thanks to Pawpaw, Elijah was able to fish. Who would have thought a bucket, water, soda cans, and bottle tops would make Elijah so happy, but it did!


I took this picture this week. Elijah likes going into the utility room when I am doing laundry and watching the washing machine. As you can tell by this picture,he was really into it. I have to say, he is a great helper where laundry is concerned.

*We are praying that our other house sales quickly, at a good price, and that someone and/or a family will feel like it is meant to be their home as it was for us for over 12 great years.

First Day of School

Well, I have done a horrible job lately with blogging but I do have a good reason. Over the last couple of days we have moved out of our house into a new one (to us). Things have been crazy but exciting! During this last week, Elijah started back to school and we are so happy to say that he had a GREAT first week and is liking school. He ate his entire lunch which is huge for him, had no accidents, and didn't talk during nap time. This year he has chapel, PE, and music. He has experienced two of these additional activities so far, and he has nothing but good things to say about them. :) We are looking forward to another wonderful year.
His new backpack and lunchbox he picked out
Tried to get a picture of him that morning but he was not in the mood.
Wearing his new backpack - yes, it is almost bigger than him. :)
Arriving at school
Walking in like a big boy
Walked in and started having fun

Getting a high five from Mrs. Dana
He was excited about his surprise from us for doing such a great job on his first day.