Me and the Boys

Monday, August 27, 2012

Back to School!

I don't like the first day of school -- I really don't. I know school is a good thing -- I really do. And I know they love it and they learn. It's just that I like my boys here with me. Selfish, I guess. :-)

But the boys went back to school today whether I like it or not. And, actually, I am kind of liking it this year. I haven't talked about this on my blog yet, but Jaden and Jaxon are going to a new school. And when I say new, I mean it! It's not just new for them or us -- it's new for the whole town of Snyder.

Snyder Christian School opened its doors today as a learning institution for the very first time. Exciting, isn't it?! We think so! There has been SO much work done and SO many prayers uttered in the last few months to get this up and going. We went to a public meeting about it in April and decided this was something we wanted to do. A few days later, Jason was asked to be on the school board and we "jumped in" with both feet! I call it our "leap of faith." Because that's exactly what it has been for everyone involved!

But don't get me wrong -- it was a hard decision for me. Not hard because I didn't want a Christian education for my boys. Hard because I love the Snyder elementary school and have made so many friends there in the last few years. Hard because I didn't want to not be involved with those people and that school. Hard because of the unknown of what this year would hold with a new school. Hard because change is...well, just that...hard!

And, I know it's not right, but I worried about what people must think. I was afraid people would ask why are you doing this and I wouldn't have an answer. So after much prayer and a lot of talking to myself trying to convince me that this was the right thing to do, I finally sat down and wrote myself an email. I haven't shared this with anyone -- it was meant for me at the time. But I'm going to share it here so that you can see my thoughts and feelings on why this was important to me (and to Jason).

God has graciously allowed us to be the parents of these two boys. And all we can do is do the best we know how.

Our mission is to be in this world but not of this world. But our ultimate goal is to spend eternal life in heaven. I want nothing more than for those two boys to go to heaven with me and Jason. We try our hardest to give them a Christian home. We give them a Christian family and teach them to go to church. IF we have the opportunity to give them an environment for Christian education, then that's what we're going to do.

Will that make their life's journey easy? No. But it will make it easier if they are surrounded by Christian atmospheres as much as possible.

So, here we are. The 2012-13 school year has started and we are in a new school. And, for those of you who have read my first day of school posts before and know that all I do is sit home that day and cry -- well, I didn't today. I don't know why. But I'm guessing because I felt in my heart that this was the right thing to do.

The school has been blessed by so many people throughout our community, and for that we are thankful. We have had so many things donated and so much help -- it really has amazed me! And I've been blessed to get to do all the design work and some PR stuff for the school. Right up my alley! Designing the first-ever Snyder Christian School logo was so fun for me!

So, now that you know what we are doing. Here are the first day of school pictures that I know you are all waiting for! :-)

They were excited to start today! I'm so glad!

Our first grader...

Our third grader...

Outside their new school...

Jaxon at his table being goofy... I think he was just really tired of me taking pictures, but you'd think he'd be used to it by now!

Jaden at his desk ready to learn!

This is a bulletin board in their lunch room. A couple of weeks ago, the boys and I were at school working on some things and Jaden's teacher asked us to put this bulletin board together. She had a bunch of puzzle pieces and wanted this saying. So, I told Jaden to see what he could do with the puzzle pieces and this is what he came up with. Amazing, I thought! Today, I added a picture of 24 students, 3 teachers, and 1 administrator.

It has been a very exciting day at our house! To see all this come together in just a few short months, has been...well, amazing! Before I left the school this morning after taking some pictures of the historic first day in the life of Snyder Christian School, I heard one class saying a prayer -- a prayer in school! Yay! Isn't that fabulous?! And Jaden told me he got to lead the prayer at lunch today. Wow! It makes me tear up just as I sit here and type to know that my boys will be in a great Christian atmosphere as they learn. We are so blessed!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Playin' Ball!

We have spent a lot of time this summer playing baseball as well as watching it.

Jaden "substitutes" on a travel team sometimes called the Bombers. He did that for them a weekend in July in Abilene. He played short stop and did a great job at fielding and batting. They even made it to the championship game on Sunday where they got 2nd place. Pretty good!

Then, both boys are now on a travel team called the Jacks. So, we've spent a few nights of practice and a few weekends of playing with this team. Jaxon is really a little too young for this U10 team, but he is still a team member and does get to play some.

Here he is in the outfield and batting...

He got on base and it's kind of fun to watch because these big boys must think he doesn't know how to run bases and they try to throw him out. But he does, and they never did get him picked off.

Here is Jaden batting and fielding. He is such a good team member -- he plays wherever the coaches ask him to and does a great job at all of them. If he could physically do it, he'd love to play all the positions at once. :-)

There are a few more tournaments scheduled throughout the fall. It will be kind of fun to play baseball during the latter part of the year. Maybe if we're in your area, you can come watch! :-)

Jaden's Birthday

We got back from California just in time for Jaden's 9th birthday. I know I say this every time the boys have a birthday, but I can't believe he's nine. He is such a joy in my life! When I think back to all we've done the last nine years with him in our lives, it makes my heart smile!

We planned to go to the Rangers game for his birthday this year. That's what he wanted instead of a party. Easy for us, although I must admit, I do miss the idea of coming up with fun, cute parties. Oh, well. :-)

Jaxon gave Jaden his birthday present in the hotel room before the game. I love the look on Jaxon's face in this picture. He's so excited to give Jaden something he wanted!

And Jaden is equally excited to get it!

When we got to the game, we could kind of tell Jason had something up his sleeve. He had to ask a couple of times about our tickets, and that's not like him. He usually knows where he's going. So, when we started walking up the stairs, Jaden turned around and looked at me with a very large smile on his face and said "A SUITE?!" I said, "I don't know!"

Well, it was. And this is right before we walked in.

But that wasn't the only surprise! When Jaden walked in there were people inside singing "Happy Birthday" to him. Do you see this look of shock on his face?

And me, too...look at the smile on Jason's face saying "Woo-hoo, I did it!"

And it wasn't just anyone inside singing -- it was all our family members! It was so cool!

Here we are with my family...

Jason's family...

And our other family -- Rick and Kellye Starnes... So, glad they could join us for the fun! Love them all so much!

My sister, Tami, made Jaden's birthday cake and brought goodie containers for everyone! How sweet was that!

He made another sign hoping to get on TV, but I don't think the sign worked this time either.

And Memaw (Jason's mom) lovingly made this sign for the party...

My grandmother even came and we were so excited! Her very first Rangers game in her young 85 years!

Keaton was ready for the ball!

Here we are eating and lounging and watching the game.

Granny was having fun dancing to the music and holding Jaden's sign...

Lots of fun was had by all!

Thanks, Dad!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

San Diego -- Day 6

We spent our last full day in San Diego doing several things we hadn't done yet. They actually took me down to Old Towne to do a little shopping. Unfortunately, we couldn't fit these into our suitcases.

We were serenaded at Cafe Coyote where the food was yummy!

Then we went back to the hotel and the boys did a little swimming...

...while Jason took sailing lessons.

Then he sailed us around the bay.

It was really cool, and I dare say, this was probably his favorite thing from the trip.

Jaden was talking to people on the phone telling them his Dad was actually sailing a sailboat.

After sailing, we decided to go for a walk. This is the entrance to our hotel. There was so much pretty vegetation everywhere!

We walked to Belmont Park on the beach. It has a carnival-like atmosphere and Jaden had been wanting all week to ride this roller coaster.

Jaxon chose the Sky Ropes obstacles course.

After playing in the park, we walked back to the hotel to rest and pack all our bags back up. :-( I love going on vacation, especially to places we've never been before, but it's not so fun for it to end!

San Diego -- Day 5

LEGOLAND! Oh, yeah!

One of the rides...

One of the coolest things was that at some of the rides with waits, they had places for kids (or parents :-) to build legos while the parents (or kids) stood in line. Great idea!