Big Fish!!

Scroll down the right side of blog and turn off the music.

I know it's crooked. I am not computer savy enough to flip it (and trust me I've been trying!), and Caleb is DYING for me to post this for Uncle Pete, Uncle Matt, Aunt Rachel, Grandma (x2), Poppa, John, Uncle Pat, and who ever else cares. ;) Caught yesterday on one of the lakes by our house with daddy on our new boat!! Thank you Uncle Pete.....

The Boy

The boy is 10. What?!?! I still am in shock that I have a 10-year old. Really? He is growing and maturing so stinkin' fast. We are so thankful for this boy. Great things come in unexpected surprises, and he was a surprise that's for sure. The plan was not to start a family 4 months into our marriage, but God had other plans, and that meant we had to recalculate things in our life. I had 9 months to prepare myself to meet him, and we were so ready. He decided to come a little early, and arrived with a bang. Knowing his personality now, it just makes sense. Why come the normal way, and wait the normal amount of time when you can come early, totally unplanned, and throw a little fetal distress in there just to make things interesting.

I truly do not think there is anything like your first child. I don't know if it's the "firsts" you go through as a couple, or just the newness of everything. Maybe it is because he is our only boy. I just have such fun memories of the three of us, navigating our way through. He is a remarkable and amazing kid. We had so much fun celebrating him today. I loved getting to spend time with him at school and his classmates. Just seeing him interact with people (i.e. girls!) is crazy. He is growing. And I'm adjusting to that. Adjusting to him not needing me as much anymore. Adjusting to him figuring things out for himself. I'm praying it's a slow adjustment on both ends. I know the day will come when he turns to others before us, but in my perfect little world, we are still very much a part of those decisions. And if not, I'll just make him sleep out back in a tent....

Winshape Camp

Caleb and Grace had the best time last week at camp. I mean the kind where memories are forever burned into their little minds.....and decisions are made that totally impact their little lives. So for that, I forgive Winshape for torturing my youngest child on a daily basis as her siblings ran off into an abyss of fun. We stumbled upon this camp after we got here. Chick-fil-a had posters up all over town, and the church we attend happened to be hosting it. So we went, and it was the best decision I have made since we moved here. Over 300 campers total! Wow. The kids made some friends who will be attending their school next year, and solidified friendships with kids who go to our church too. I have learned a lot about Winshape this week, and I love all they stand for. Awesome college kids that spend their summers traveling the U.S. to be a part of these camps, and impact kids lives.

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I think Caleb really loved it. In more of a, "I don't care if I'm outside all day and it's 110 degrees", or a "I smell SO bad and I LOVE it" kind of way. He did archery, secret ops, and wacky science, and the kid had the best time. Grace is more of an "inside" kind of girl. She did digital photography, gymnastics, and dance. On Friday all the parents came for the last day and walked around with their kids to see what they had done all week. Grace and another girl received the "golden rose" for excelling in dance, and showing leadership throughout the week. She was beyond excited, as was her momma. So the week came to a close, and as I sat in the closing ceremonies watching them both sing, and laugh, and dance (Grace!)...it made me so incredibly happy to see them having a good time, and making friends. I know with every move we do as they get older the impact is greater, and the hardest part is starting over with new friends. It stinks. So this is one step in the right direction....for them...and for us.