on the DL

This time last week the kids and I were planning a week of swimming, playdates, games, cousin visits, and more while Will was on mission trip with his youth group. On Monday, after a fun swim with our friends, we were playing in their backyard, and Jack slipped and took a hard fall, breaking his left arm. He doesn't complain much about pain, so when he just wanted to lay down, I knew it wasn't good. After two nights at Children's Dallas, ortho surgery, three doses of his iv factor medication, tons of doctors and nurses, a cast, hospital visitors, and lots of prayers, we came home where my amazing Mom was taking care of the other three kids. Wow.
We have had some people (aka idiots) ask Jack, "well, what are you going to do all summer with a broken arm?" We choose to focus on the positive, and all the things he CAN do. See, if you know Jack, you know he loves baseball. And swimming. And running. And jumping. And catching, throwing, sliding and climbing. He can't do many of things he loves for a few months. But he can go to Rangers games, do Math problems (he is now doing multiplication, division, and word problems) go see movies, and read books! He can help me with chores. He can help me cook and entertain his brother and sisters. He has already named his right arm/hand the "magic hand" because he has learned to dress, go to the restroom and wash his hands with it! It's almost impossible for me to be sad and discouraged as I look at my brave, optimistic son. Thank you Lord for this boy!
To bring his awesome attitude to light, I have to share this story. He was watching the Rangers play the other night on tv, and they were talking about a player who just came off the DL. (disabled list) Jack excitedly said, "hey, I'm on the DL!"
Thanks for your prayers for our precious boy. He is already looking forward to what he can do once he is off the DL. For now, though, we thank God for his provision and care during this small trial in Jack's life.

Dear Will,

"We thank our God through Jesus Christ for you." Romans 1:8
Happy birthday to the hero and leader of the LHIGP. We are forever grateful to God for your birth and life.

Your family

too cute Tuesday

the climber

I have friends who have told me stories of their kids that climb. I didn't get it until my #4. He is a climber. It's his goal to get to the top of every chair, table, highchair tray, stool, set of stairs, and now the playset. His skills are impressive, and his speed unmatched. I turn my head outside and he has climbed up the slide to the top of the playset! Love my little climber.

summer week one

1. Everyone is happy to have Jack home, and I think he's the happiest! He left this note for his sisters.

2. Jack had closing ceremonies for his t-ball season. We definitely got more than we bargained for this season....we started practicing in February, practiced every week, had at least 2-3 games each week for almost 3 months, and even qualified and played in the area World Series tournament! As you can imagine, all this ball only fed Jack's love for the game. A first place finish for the Pirates, and a great season of growth for #10.



3. Josie and Jack are taking two weeks of swimming lessons, and loving it as usual. We were especially surprised and happy when we arrived this year to see one of Jack's baseball buddies in his group. Jack is swimming to the bottom of the pool to fetch rings, working on his freestyle and backstroke, and figuring out the breathing thing. Josie is gaining confidence jumping off the side, swimming across the pool to her teacher and putting her face in and swimming more horizontally! They are doing great. I think they will both be independent, safe swimmers by the end of the summer.

4. We had VBS this week at church every morning. Our friends the Starrs and Antillons joined us as well. With Daddy teaching the games, each kid in a class, and Mommy teaching Kate's class....it was a family affair! Fun times with friends learning about God's word.

Week one was fabulous and we are looking forward to about 9 more! Pictures coming soon.

metamorphosis

Josie has a new friend. She found caterpillars at the farm and brought them home in this cool bee box of my Dad's. She was so excited to see her first butterfly early this morning. We have a few more to watch finish the cycle, and I am hoping we see one come out of it's chrysalis....
Don't you love how little sister got in the picture too! She was just as excited to welcome the new friend!

goodbye and hello

Goodbye to a beloved teacher.
Goodbye to a familiar school.
Goodbye to the uniform - red shirt, khaki shorts/pants.
Goodbye to 13 friends.
Goodbye to kindergarten!

doing the last Friday dance of the school year!

Hello to Rangers games.
Hello to swimming pools.
Hello to family vacations.
Hello to VBS and fun camps.
Hello to summer!

celebrating the last day of school at Kincaid's before the Rangers game

This time last year I began praying for Jack's kindergarten teacher....praying she would be a Mom, praying she would be nurturing, but also a firm disciplinarian. I prayed for her heart, her family, her strength and energy. As a teacher, I know so many things go into what you are able to give every day to children. The Lord answered my prayers with Mrs. Mathis. Jack will never forget his "best teacher ever!" When we said goodbye today, she and I both cried! I will miss seeing her every day and volunteering in her class on Monday afternoons.

I also prayed for one special friend for our Jack....a friend he could play with, talk to, and look forward to seeing each day. He is like me in that, he doesn't need a lot of friends. He needed one good friend. After the first week, he began talking about Jerrod. Jerrod loved baseball. Jerrod was shy, quiet and well-behaved. Jerrod was a good student. The Lord provided a true friend in Jerrod. When Jerrod's parents told him that Jack would not be coming back to this school, Jerrod said immediately, "well, we will always have baseball!" Yes they will! We plan to always play ball with Jerrod!

Goodbye kindergarten, hello first grade!

Awards Assembly - Principal's Honor Roll, Reading Award, Math Award, Music Award


our graduate


Jack's fans


best friends


receiving his kindergarten diploma