Science Camp Week 2!

Richard has had so much fun at Science camp - we are sad that today is the last day!!! DEFINITELY something that we plan to do again next summer... It has been wonderful to be able to see our Momma Beth friends every week and learn about the world of nature at the same time.
P.S. Kozy - I didn't upload your individual pic with Claire because I value our friendship and I didn't want you to kill me!!!

First Day of Science Camp...

Yesterday was our first day of science camp. Being the somewhat OCD person that I am (hmm poor Richard doesn't have a chance between his mommy and his daddy) I wanted to get there early to see how it all worked as far as admission, where the class was, and such. Class was set to start about 11 and Richard and I arrived at the Museum by 10:15. :o) He was a bit concerned that his friends had forgotten, but I assured him that they would be there soon. We scoped things out and enjoyed looking at the fish, turtles, and preserved animal exhibitions - not so much the snakes. He got a kick out of this large striped fish that would swim over to him every time he got near; maybe he liked Richard's striped shirt. Wes, Mrs. Amy, and Jett were the first to arrive. Richard was THRILLED to see Wes - it was like it had been ten years not a week of separation. Soon it was time for class to begin and Emma, Mrs. Cindy, Manze, and Mrs. Teresa arrived (Mrs. Robin had to work yesterday and Claire and Mrs. Kozy were finishing up their vacation to WDW). Class yesterday was about fresh water in comparison to salt water...think it was a bit over their heads, but still they had fun... Richard was not so sure about getting "icky" with the finger painting, but once convinced he had a GREAT time! The worst part of the day was time to say goodbye - Richard literally had a meltdown as Wes was leaving and wailed and sobbed - Mrs. Teresa said that she was thinking about taking Manze to ChicFilA so we called Mrs. Cindy and the fun continued a bit longer. They played soooo hard and had a wonderful time being together - nap time was immediately after we walked in the door - he slept so hard that he was still asleep when Ty got home from work. Thanks y'all - we look forward to seeing y'all at camp next week!

BTW - check out Emma and Manze's shirts - Robin made them....

First Time Fishing As A "Big Boy"

Friday, my mom, dad, Richard, and I headed to "the country" to visit with my aunt and uncle - they have some land where they bring their travel trailer during the summer. Uncle Bobby decided that after Richard's nap time he needed to learn about feeding the fish AND fishing - they used bits of bacon - who knew!?!?! Anyway, Richard had so much fun and Uncle Bobby loved teaching his great nephew how to fish...now when Poppa and PatPat come to their camp Richard will have to show them what he learned.

Where Has The Time Gone?

April 2006

May 2009

1st day at Momma Beth's

Last Friday....

He was SO little when he 1st went....

...and so BIG now!! The whole Gang!

It is hard to believe that yesterday was goodbye to a special chapter in Richard's life (going to Momma Beth's house every day. He went on his first day April 11, 2006 - today, May 26, 2009 was his last day there. The time has passed so quickly and he has grown so much. We saw several other friends come and go (Hayden, Lyndsay, BJ, Jim, Emma M) but the last couple of years it has pretty much been Wes, Emma B, Manze, Richard, and Claire (joined us this year). They will all be going to the same "big boy/big girl" school in the Fall. Just like any relationship (that has grown beyond and into a friendship) there have been great times AND frustrating times, but the good FAR outweighs the bad! Momma Beth provided such WONDERFUL care when he was an infant ( I wouldn't trust ANYONE else) - she worked around his picky eating habits, she was patient with his traits of OCD (lining up all the blocks by color and such - I think it's because she identifies with those qualities LOL), she worked one on one with him to help enrich and expand his curiosity about letters and numbers, she snuggled him up in the mornings when he needed just a little bit more lovin' - for all of these things I am so very grateful. We love you Momma Beth - in spite of teaching him Hotty Toddy, having him kiss Col. Reb, and other such bad habits (wink wink). You have been there through all sorts of milestones: teething, letting go of pacie (quite easily I might add), transitioning to big boy food, and potty training - you are a WONDERFUL "other mother" to him. I have looked to you for advice so many times and will continue to do so - thank you for being Richard's "Momma Beth" the past three years.

Memorial Day Weekend...

We headed to the Sullivans for Memorial Day weekend. Richard had so much fun with his Poppa and PatPat. We played at the house Saturday, church on Sunday AND the race of course, and then we stayed for most of Monday as well before heading back home. Poppa and Ty were really sweet and got up and cooked breakfast on Monday! I slept in till 8:30 and Richard even crawled up in bed with PatPat and slept a bit longer. Richard got a new puzzle (60 piece of the USA) and a race track (#88 of course) while we were there. He also loved watching the new kittens tumble around and play outside.

Time with MeMe and DD

LB, Momma Beth's daughter graduated from high school last week so Momma Beth took off the day of graduation and the day after.....that meant special playtime with MeMe (and DD came out on the second day). MeMe even spent the night - thank you for playing with Richard MeMe. We love you.

P.S. LB we are really proud of you (notice her honors cords)!!!!!!

Mothers' Day Part Two...

I was blessed to have the opportunity to be with both of my "moms" this mothers' day. After church, lunch, feeding the ducks, nap time and part of the afternoon at mom and dad's, I headed to meet the Sullivans at Ichiban (LOVE me some Ichiban). We had some delicious sushi and then headed to our house for dessert and time to visit. The weather however had other ideas for our evening and PatPat, Poppa, and Shane had to get on the road to get back to their homes and we spent some "quality time" in the CLOSET as the sirens went off....what a day!!!

P.S. Thank you for my new swing honey; I can't wait to spend time on it this summer!!!

Mother's Day 2009

We headed to Clinton for church with mom. Afterwards was a yummy lunch of pork tenderloin. Then time to go and feed the ducks...and then time to pass out for an afternoon nap.... I love you mom! It is amazing how you have such a different appreciation and different relationship WITH your mom once you BECOME a mom....I'm so thankful for my mom...Joyce Christine Milner Spires.

Miscellaneous....

This year has been so different than I had envisioned. . . isn't that often how it is though? We have things all planned out and then God leads us down a totally different path than what we could have even imagined - sometimes quite bumpy, but if we continue to focus on Him and depend on HIS strength we make it through and can see the beauty of the rainbow after the storms.

My coworker (partner who teaches the other two grades of gifted) did NOT plan to get sick and miss half of the school year (and not even be back yet). Another friend experienced the joy of finding out she was pregnant for the first time only to be brokenhearted a matter of weeks later when she miscarried. Another friend who suffered two miscarriages is now holding her precious daughter in her arms. Another friend is pregnant with her first baby (a little boy) and is now past the exhaustion and is enjoying this time of wonder with her husband and family. Another friend continues to look at the calendar and wonder when "God's timing" is going to be as they wait month after month to see the "two lines" giving them joy. And yet ANOTHER friend experienced a miscarriage yesterday - I so badly want to take away the hurt, but I can't - it is hers' to experience and grow from so that she can minister to others' that will come behind and travel this path. Daddy's kidney disease had gotten progressively worse and in September he had transplant surgery; after a few follow up surgeries he is now doing GREAT! My father-n-law was diagnosed with cancer towards the end of the year and has since faced radiation TWICE. I have no relationship (not by my choice) with my only sibling. Another change we face, is that my sweet little boy is growing up all too fast and only has a few more week at "Momma Beth's" house: she is ALL he has EVER known...when I went back to work when he was 11 1/2 weeks old he began going to her house - he prays for Momma Beth, Daddy Marc, and LB nightly, but next year he will be going to "big boy" school everyday - I'm sure it will hit me when I see him in his uniform! UGH All of these paths are not necessarily what each person would have picked out for themselves to travel, but God is so faithful...His love and mercy so unfailing...a pastor once told me that in all of life's trials we can choose to become bitter or better..it is up to us.

God THANK YOU for my blessings...YOU, my incredible husband, my sweet little boy, my two sets of parents, my friends that are true, a job that I love (at least most days).

'Didn't mean to get "preachy" and this isn't really addressed to anyone specifically, I just have a lot on my heart today and am lifting up each of you in prayer... 1 Chronicles 29:11-13

11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;you are exalted as head over all.12 Wealth and honor come from you;you are the ruler of all things.In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,and praise your glorious name.