Birthday Eve... Josiah's 7!!!

My middle boy... Josiah

Josiah is the light in a room, he can make anyone smile and almost always laugh.  His smile is contagious.  His affection is perfection.  He loves and cares for people and animals harder than anyone i know.  7 years ago on this night i knew in the morning that i would be headed to the hospital to have my second son.  I was scared because this time was different than the last.  I was excited but nervous at the same time.  I couldn't have imagined the joy Josiah (who wasn't named until the day we left the hospital) would bring into my life.

Josiah is just about to finish 1st grade and has made incredible growth.  His teacher has described him as the kiddo everyone wants to be friends with.  After going on a field trip last week with his class i could see this was true.  When the kids were asked to get a partner everyone in our group wanted to be partners with my JoJo.  Being the middle kiddo can sometimes be hard but Jo does it beautifully.  He keeps up with his big brother but also plays nicely with his little brother.  He's the first to offer to help me or anyone when requested.

I couldn't be prouder of my big boy!  Mommy Loves you to the moon and back JoJo, XOXO

Recent Photos

The boys and i recently had our photos taken.  This is something we do every year and i'm so thankful that i capture these sweet memories.  This picture pretty much sums up my life... constant laughter...

Superheroes

This month Noah has been learning about Superheroes at school.  Today at pick up his teacher told us that each of the children had to choose someone to be their superhero.  When i realized that Noah had chosen me as his super hero my heart felt so much job.  It got me thinking... Who's my super hero???

Well, I have a lot of superheroes in my life.  

For starters my boys...

Micah for example... Last night as i went to walk out of the house for parent night i said to him.  Be a good boy and a great helper.  He said, "Don't worry mom i've got your back"  And he did.  I was later told when i returned that he tucked his little brother in and even sang him the train song i sing every night and said a prayer with Noah.  He has is moments when he challenges me but he is incredible and truly does have my back.  For this he is my Superhero.

Josiah for example... He has one of the most incredible hearts.  He constantly reminds me how much he loves me and that i'm the best mommy he could ever ask for.  He's always ready for a hug and isn't afraid to so affection.  This is why Josiah is my Superhero.

Then you have Noah... His contagious SMILE makes everyone around him happy.  His joy for the simple small things in life makes him my Superhero.

My Friends...

I could list them all but i'll save that for another day.

My Family...

My sisters have truly been incredible to me and i don't know what the boys and i would do without them.

Twas the Night Before School Started

Twas the Night Before school started and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.  All the cookies are baked and the lunches are made.  Three (only 2 go) little boys just await. The Jitter Glitter has been spread and their backpacks are ready for 3rd grade and 1st grade oh am i ready?  I'll walk them this day and send them on their way, holding back tears i don't want them to fear.  Its a New School year!

Tomorrow is Micah and Josiah's first day of school for the 2016/2017 school year.  Summer went way to fast, i hope the boys have as many great memories as i do.  It feels like just yesterday i dropped Micah off for his first day of PDO.  Now, hes starting 3rd grade.  Where did the time go?  And then you have JoJo... His biggest fear is he wont read good enough, i reassure him that hes read lots of Dear Dragon books this summer and he'll do just fine.  I remember the fear i felt on my first day of school each year and hope my boys feel excitement not fear.  They are truly amazing little men and will do just great.  Every time they share a concern i remind them what nice, well mannered little boys they are and that they'll do just fine.

I'm excited for them but at the same time i'm going to miss them.  I've enjoyed our long summer days at the pool and the adventures that we find.  

Micah has Mrs. Kulaga which i've only heard great things about.  Josiah has Mr. Rakas (Mrs. Nemcek will return 1/2 way during the year because she just had a baby) Micah actually had Mrs. Nemcek for 1st grade and i really liked her.  Noah will go later this week for his sneak peak at pre school where his teacher will be Ms. Tammy.

My boys are growing SO fast that i can hardly keep up.  This night i pray specifically for this upcoming school year.  For the things that they will learn and the friends that they will make.

Mommy Loves you sweet boys, you'll be just fine!

Fitz and the Tantrums - HandClap

My Boys go crazy every time they hear this song come on.  You probably saw the video I posted earlier of my boys dancing in the car.  They truly are incredible and have ALL the moves.

One Proud Mama

This year i decided that i wanted the boys to be a part of our clubs swim team.  They had private swim lessons last summer but were still a little unsure about swimming.  After talking to some other moms that had done swim team in the past i decided to sign the boys up.  Micah was a little reluctant but Jo was super excited because he heard he would get a trophy.  When Micah heard Jo was on board he couldn't have his brother show him up so he too was on board.  

The boys went every morning to swim practice for 45 mins and even attended private lessons with one of the coaches after.  The progress they made was unbelievable.  The never gave up and kept going.

Josiah never actually swam in any meets but will surly be ready next year.  Micah did swim the freestyle and backstroke.  The skills they learned this summer will stick with them for life.  Some mornings they would ask me if they could skip practice but i encouraged them to keep going.  Today we went to a local water park.  All that practice payed off!  The two older boys saw all the slides and when we read the rules it said... You must know how to swim to ride.  The boys were so excited because this is now something they can do with confidence.  They were a little nervous at first but once they went down they didn't want to stop.  

Noah who has been attending private lessons now for the last few weeks is also making a lot of progress but not ready for the slides just yet.  While he watched his brothers slide he was sure to let me know that he too wants to be on the swim team next year so he can slide too.

I really couldn't be any prouder of my boys!  They truly are incredible...

Tonight the boys had their end of the year dinner/party for swim team.  They surprised the kids with trophy's and even passed out a few special awards.  Jo proudly accepted his participation trophy!  Micah not only received a participation trophy but also received the most improved swimmer plaque.  He was super surprised and even a little shy as he went to accept it.  

I'm one lucky mama to have 3 amazing boys!

Danny Gokey - Tell Your Heart to Beat Again

Danny Gokey, tell your heart to beat again is one of my favorite songs (i usually end up crying when i hear it but happy and sad tears)  An incredibly wise person sent this song to me a few months ago and it was exactly what i needed and still need.  

I'm sharing this song because today at church Phil Vischer was our guest speaker.  You may better know him as the veggie tales guy.  He shared his journey about a dream he had.  He spoke about God giving us dreams and sometimes he takes them away from us.  Why would he do this if he is an all loving father.  He rounded the story out by saying sometimes our focus needs to be brought back to him and not our dream.... Sometimes our dream can come back us or not.  

When i was driving home this song came on the radio and it brought the dream i have for the boys and i to the surface.  I Love my boys and can't wait to see what dream, God has for us... It's going to be beautiful because its going to be his.