Another school year is ending.....

Another school year has come to a close. After school ends on Monday I will have a 3rd grader, a 1st grader and Jonathan will be doing 5 days a week at pre-school next year (just for 2 hours a day)

Here is a walkthrough of my boys from pre-school through current grade.... crazy how fast they grow!



Top line: Joseph Pre-school, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade
Bottom line: Samuel 4 yr preschool, 5 yr pre-school and the last 2 are kindergarten



Jonathan: 2 yr preschool, last day of 2 yr and then the last one is the last day of preschool this year :-)
 

Yesterday was Samuel's Kindergarten Celebration. It's such a cute program.. They all sang songs and then the teacher (same teacher as joseph) had a DVD set to really emotional songs showing pictures of our kids throughout the year. It was a great day. Samuel even received an award for working so hard and always having his work so neat. Here is a collage from that day.

 

And because I didn't find all of these cool collage ideas until this year I went ahead and did a collage of Joseph's Kindergarten Graduation. She did things a bit different that year but still just as cute. :-) Makes me so sappy to look at pictures from 2 years ago... how small my little jojo was!

My babies are growing up.... Sad but exciting at the same time. Looking forward to next school year to see once again how much they have changed and grown!

Have a great Summer!!!!!

A reminder not just for today but every day......

I came across this the other day on facebook and it's exactly what I needed to read. Wanted to share it with everyone today... because today as our children show us how much they love us... let us just soak it in.... and remember that what matters is us investing in our kids lives... and loving them unconditionally.... forever... not how clean we kept the house or how clean they kept their room :-)... what their grade point average is.....how many awards they have received.... what kind of meals we make... I could go on and on..... what matters is they grow up knowing that we love them more than anything and that even more importantly... so does God...... and we need to remember that God loves us moms too.. and as long as we are seeking him.... and trying our best.... we are on the right course!

Repeat after me:

I shall not judge my house, my kid’s summer activities or my crafting skills by Pinterest’s standards.
I shall not measure what I’ve accomplished today by the loads of unfolded laundry but by the assurance of deep love I’ve tickled into my kids
I shall say “yes” to blanket forts and see past the chaos to the memories we’re building.
I shall surprise my kids with trips to get ice cream when they’re already in their pajamas.
I shall not compare myself to other mothers, but find my identity in the God who trusted me with these kids in the first place.
I shall remember that a messy house at peace is better than an immaculate house tied up in knots.
I shall play music loudly and teach my kids the joy of wildly uncoordinated dance.
I shall remind myself that perfect is simply a street sign at the intersection of impossible and frustration in Never Never land.
I shall embrace the fact that in becoming a mom I traded perfect for a house full of real.
I shall promise to love this body that bore these three children  – out loud, especially in front of my daughter.
I shall give my other mother friends the gift of guilt-free friendship.
I shall do my best to admit to my people my “unfine” moments.
I shall say “sorry” when sorry is necessary.
I pray God I shall never be too proud, angry or stubborn to ask for my children’s forgiveness.
I shall make space in my grown up world for goofball moments with my kids.
I shall love their father and make sure they know I love him.
I shall model kind words – to kids and grown-ups alike.
I shall not be intimidated by the inside of my minivan – this season of chip bags, goldfish crackers and discarded socks too shall pass.
I shall always make time to encourage new moms.
I shall not resent that last call for kisses and cups of water but remember instead that when I blink they’ll all be in college.

~ with love from one tired mother to another.
(free printable of this Tired Mama's Creed in the 1st comment)

 

I also think about my mother... as I learn what it means to raise children.... I think back to all things my mom did for me and the sacrifices she made for me. When I was a sophomore my mom had been saving up money for a computer....the opportunity came for me to go to Egypt with my high school and she used the computer money to allow me to go. As a teenager when I was struggling she drove 45 minutes 3 times a week for me to a part of an incredible youth group at a church... and without that youth group I don't know where'd I be today. She has always been someone I could talk to that I know will be supportive and help me whenever needed. I love you mom and Thank you!!!

 

I'm so thankful for the children God has blessed me with and my mother. Here is a picture of me and my mom and a picture of me with each of my beautiful children! I hope all the mothers out there had a blessed day!

 

 

Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible mothers out there!!