My Handsome Graduate...

Wow! Connor graduated from the fifth grade today. It seems just like yesterday when he was in Pr-K. Where did the past six years go? A lot has happened in those years for Connor. He has matured so much. He became a 'big' brother twice. He got braces. He had his mom and his aunt for teachers, not every kid can say that! We have some great memories of his elementary school days. I'll never forget the day Mrs. Wright came running to my room trailer telling me Connor had broken his arm! That was a shocker.
And now he is moving on to the next 'stage' in his life..the middle school years! How exciting.
I feel very privileged to have been with him throughout his time in elementary school. He rode with me to school and home from school. I'm going to miss him next year when he is riding the middle school bus. I will still have Braeden with me though!
Connor, I want you to know that Mom and Dad are SO VERY PROUD of you! You have overcome and accomplished so many great things! You are growing up right before our eyes. You are turning into a very nice young man. Remember..always strive to do your best..and...DREAM BIG!




Mamaw couldn't make it..so Connor was talking to her on the phone!



Bouncing all around...





Getting ready to race...



Connor trying to cool off..it was HOT out there!




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This afternoon I left the fifth grade celebration and went to get Sophie. I thought Braeden would love to have her at his end of the year ice cream party.

Connor got in....

to Gifted Art that is! He got the letter saying his art work was judged and he was accepted. Now he can take gifted art as one of his electives next year at the middle school. He is excited. It looks like we have another little artist in the family...

Sophie is 16 months old today...

Yes, you baby girl! She is such a joy, so much fun!..I love her so much. She is doing so many new things. She amazes me everyday, such a smart girl. She has definitely got the walking thing down..she gets to where she wants to go. We recently bought a gate because Sophie Girl wanted to climb the stairs! Let's see..
*she just recently moved to a size 4 diaper
*3 teeth, well almost four...the two bottom ones and almost two top molars (i think her top front teeth will be coming in soon)
*Loves, loves the outside
*She will certainly let you know if you are aggravating her, she has this little 'eehh' sound she makes, we get a kick out of it
*Sophie is still loving her 'bank bank' and her 'pie pie'
*She loves her siblings!
*She is a great eater, will eat almost anything. There are a few exceptions. You know the little meat sticks? Oh, she loves 'em.
*She sticks to her routine! She knows when it's time to get up, when it's time to eat, when it's time for her nap and when it's time for bed! This morning she kept saying "go" and she went to her diaper bag, put the straps on her arm and started walking to the door. Poor baby thought she was leaving, she didn't know it was Saturday!

Peek

A Boo!

Isn't this little profile the cutest?

Happy Birthday!

Yesterday evening we got together at mom and dad's to celebrate Nana and Papas birthdays. Papa's birthday was Tuesday and Nana's was Thursday. My mom invited them down for the day. I think they were kind of surprised to see everyone show up for dinner and cake and ice cream. I love them both so much...hope they had great birthdays!
Here are a few pictures from the evening...

Catch of the day...

Connor went fishing again today! The boy loves it! Today he caught this catfish...it was a little over 8 pounds.

Gampa was trying to show him how to weigh it.

Field Day...

Connor and Braeden enjoyed a day of fun today-relay races, tug of war, water bottles and lots of energy everywhere! We were blessed with the nice weather. The rain held off until this evening. It was hot though. But everyone seemed to have a great time.
It was kind of difficult to cheer the boys on because I had to stay with my students. However, I did sneak away a few times to go check them out! Thankfully, Dean was able to come and get some pictures for me...you know I've got to document the day!
















Connor left early today and went to lunch with his dad...

Connor vs. The Chinese Buffet!

Fishing with Gampa...Take Two!

Today was Connor's turn!

I Am So Proud of Her...

Last night Madison was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society! *smile*


(The following words are from her dad. He wanted to say something about her! I think he's a little proud too!)
When she was born she was two months premature and weighed 3 lbs 12 ozs. Jen had to go into emergency surgery and within an hour Madison was taken from Franklin to CHKD NICU. Jen had to stay in Franklin for 3 days because of the emergency surgery. We decided that it would be best for me to go to Norfolk to be with the baby. We were in shock still from all the unexpected surprises that morning. A while after I arrived, a Neonatal Specialist, Dr. Bass called me into an office to explain the situation. He explained her fragile condition, and all the potential complications that could arise from her premature birth. He said preemies are susceptible to infections, heart and lung underdevelopment and potential brain and vision impairment. He also said to help her gain weight they would run a tube through her nose into her stomach to feed her, she would not be able to take a bottle because her little brain would not have developed a suckle response to feeding. I shook my head and with tears in my eyes, asked for the smallest bottle they had, I wanted to see for myself what she was not capable of doing on her own. A small bottle of formula was made up and brought to the incubator. She was so tiny I was actually scared to hold her (she could fit in one hand). The nurse showed me what to do and reminded me it did not hurt to talk to her either. So I did, I told her I loved her, she was the most beautiful little girl in the world and that I knew everything was going to be alright she just needed to teach me how to be a good daddy, I had never been one before. Then I noticed that she had drank the bottle dry. The nurse came in, called the doctor, who said "well I guess we will let her decide what her limitations will be." The next day a nurse tried to insert a tube for feeding in through her nose, and I requested she did not do that. She explained to me the importance of the tube and the feeding. I explained the importance of her not putting the tube in until the doctor was called, who then said that this little girl is a fighter who would like to do things on her own, no tubes,only bottles until mom can be here with her. The third day came and Jen got to hold her little miracle for the first time, and nurse her!(another thing she was not suppose to be capable of doing). Dean

So there you have it, Madison is a Miracle! She beat the odds! I know God has great plans for her life! I can't believe in a few months she will be entering high school! It just seems unreal! She's growing into such a wonderful young lady! She has a heart of gold and will do anything for you. I pray that she continues to work hard, strives to do her best and always puts God first in her life. And everything will fall into perfect place! We love you Mat-Mat!