This morning was the 6th grade graduation at Morgan's school. I really didn't think I would be sad, but I did get a little teary-eyed as the 6th graders did the "Walk of Honor" around the school. I was fine until they turned on some sappy song and then I couldn't hold it in any longer. Chris made fun of me for crying, but I just couldn't help it! I tried to take some pictures and video footage of Morgan's last day as a 6th grader. He's leaving the elementary years behind and moving on to a new phase in life. I'm excited, but yet a little sad, that my baby is getting so big. He especially means so much to me because of all that we've been through together. He's such a great kid and I love him to pieces. I'm excited though for the upcoming years and I'm really praying that God will grab hold of his heart and never let go. My greatest wish for him is that God would mean more to him than anything or anyone else and that he can hold on to that relationship as he struggles in the adolescent years to come.

Morgan with his favorite teacher, Mr. Cowart, and his best buddy, Andrew.

Morgan gets ready for the awards ceremony.

My handsome guy poses for one last picture as a 6th grader.

Morgan's 6th Grade Graduation

This past Saturday Ivey had her dance recital. I think she wants to try gymnastics or something different in the Fall, so this could be our last dance recital. Here are a few pictures before and after the big performance. We did videotape her dance, but Chris is working on getting it saved from the video recorder to the computer so I don't have that yet.

The last two weeks have flown by. Last weekend, Chris and I had the whole weekend to ourselves while the kids were visiting with grandparents. We were celebrating my birthday and our 8th anniversary. We had a good time being together without the stress of kids (although I must admit that I did miss them a little bit), but I was a bit disappointed that we didn't get to do what we had planned. We had hoped to go mountain bike riding or to go hiking up Kennesaw Mountain. However, both activities were canceled because of the threat of rain. So, on Friday, we did a little shopping, ate dinner at a sandwich shop and then went to the movie theatre and then we had a relaxing day at home and then went out to dinner at a fancy restaurant on Saturday.

This is the first week that the little kids didn't have school, so after a couple hours at home I'm ready to head out to do something. The first few days we have run errands, gone to the gym or played at the park, but, yesterday I was feeling brave so we took advantage of the Mommy and Me special at the Georgia Aquarium. I met two friends from MOPS there and we explored the aquarium with our little ones. The kids and I actually had a great time and we enjoyed being able to bring along our friend Jacob while his mommy ran errands and got a haircut (that's what friends are for, right!?) It was my first trip to the Georgia aquarium and I really enjoyed it - probably the best one I've ever been to. So, anyway, here's a few pictures from our last two weeks...

Ivey recieves her first Awana Cubbies award for finishing her first book.

Ivey (top row) sings with her class on the last day of preschool. Gavin's class didn't do a "show" since he's in the 2-yr old class.

Gavin's teacher made each child this beautiful quilt with a class picture, the child's name and a list of all the children in the class. In fact she made each quilt unique for each child with what he or she likes most. Gavin's was made of tractors and "diggers." It was precious and Gavin sleeps with his every night.

Here we are the aquarium. Ivey, Gavin and Jacob.

Here they are watching the jelly fish

They stop for a quick pose between whales and sharks.

The beluga whales

And this was the biggest crab I've ever seen. It was spider crab and probably measured about 2 feet tall and four feet wide. All I could think of was "that would be awesome with some drawn butter!"

Here are the little ones one last time. They were great and we'll definitely go back soon!

My heart is heavy for the family at my church's preschool who lost their youngest child of four Monday evening. Even though I don't know this family personally, I knew that the mother was very involved at the preschool and had heard of her on numerous occasions. I think what makes it so difficult for those of us with young children is that this hits very close to home. The fact is that it could have happened to any of us. The mom and kids were outside playing (like we do almost every day) and the youngest ran up beside the car of the dad as he was pulling into the garage. Unknowingly, the father's car hit the 18-month old child and the baby was pronounced dead at the hospital. I can't imagine what this family is going through right now. I just sit, wanting to pray for them, but not even knowing what words to use. The fact is, and sometimes we must use our brain in remembering the facts and promises of God instead of our hearts that are hurting and asking "Why?", that God knew this was going to happen. Before the child ever entered this world, God knew. All of his days were accounted for before he was so carefully knit in his mother's womb. I have faith that God will give this family the strength and grace they need to walk this journey. I pray that he will give them the peace that passeths all understanding as they bring their requests to Him. Lord, please have mercy on this family and many others who are hurting due to the death of a child. Although they will be forever changed, only you can bring healing, with time, to these families. My we always remember the words that we sing, "Blessed Be Your Name."

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord

He gives and takes away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be Your Name

I'm so mean

Well, a few weeks ago Morgan lost his glasses. He has two pair because the first pair got scratched within the first two weeks of owning them... no surprise there. So, we went back and got the second pair for $100 (with scratch-free lenses) and ended up with two pair. So, like I said, a few weeks ago Morgan lost his glasses (the 2nd pair.) I kept telling him to look for them but he continued to procrastinate and never would. Finally, one day last week I helped him look for the glasses. We looked everywhere and still couldn't find them. Morgan said that he looked at school and couldn't find them, so I figured they were behind or under or stuck in something at home and that they would eventually turn up. In the meantime, I explained to Morgan that he owed me $100 for the glasses. I printed out a calendar and wrote chores for him to do every day. For each chore, I would pay him a certain amount of money and after he saved $100 he had to repay me. Here comes the good part... when we were at church Sunday morning, Chris found Morgan's glasses in the room where he does puppets on Wednesdsay night. However, I didn't tell Morgan that we found them. I brought them home and hid them in a very safe spot. I decided that he still needed to earn the $100 to understand the value of what was given to him. So, it'll probably take him the rest of the summer to earn the money since I only pay him about $1-$3 per job... I know... child labor. :-) When he finally saves the $100 I'm going to give him back the glasses, but I have't decided if I'll let him keep the money!

Weeeellllll...

I think we may need to go back to "How to Put on Your Clothes 101".

Her poor husband...