Hallelujah

The backpack has arrived!! We got home Wednesday and Jasmine ran to the door, came back to me and said 'Mom, there is a box on the porch. Come see, it's amazing!'. As soon as we were in the house Jas and Cash were tearing into the box ~which unfortunately had about a million of those foam peanuts~ when they finally got to the backpack she was sooo excited and wore it around for awhile. And yes, I am still finding those foam peanuts in random places around the house.

And yesterday when getting home there was a rainbow. We haven't seen one in a very long time and the kids were very excited about it. Although I couldn't quite capture it w/ my camera, you could see it from one end to another - went all the way across the sky.

Hope everyone has an AWESOME holiday weekend!!

Well MercyMe

Can't believe the week is almost gone and I haven't posted the super awesome fun things we did last weekend. First of all, my absolute favorite store was having a 50% off sale - Goodwill! Jasmine and I went shopping and found some GREAT deals. For Joe - four pair of shorts & two shirts. Cash - two shirts and swim shoes for next year. Jasmine - skirt and swim shoes for next year. Me - a sundress, a skirt & a pair of shorts. And each kid picked out a toy, all for the whopping total of $25! Our time was limited or, believe me, I would have done a lot more damage than that. I love getting a bargain.

After Goodwill we dropped the kid's off at Gramma's and headed to the Texas Ranger's stadium to see the band MercyMe. Joe and I went to this same concert last year and made sure to get there a little earlier this year so get better seating. The concert was Awesome!

MercyMe

**we had pretty a good spot, there were LOTS of people behind us, to each side and even viewing from the stadium looking out towards the concert**

Nessa enjoying the concert

I Can Only Imagine
**see all the arms raised in worship-truly amazing**

We didn't stay for the whole game, but I did get me a helmet ice cream sundae before we left!

Sunday evening was Awana orientation and I signed up to be a co-teacher in Jasmine's class, so this year will be interesting. I will try to make it a point to take lots of pictures of our weekly conquests. Should be fun!!

I Pray You'll Treat Her Well

** Looking at these pictures ~ wow ~ what a difference a year makes **

Yesterday was Jasmine's first day of Kindergarten (tear). It was a bit funny, my alarm went off and I laid there a moment thinking fifteen more minutes will be fine, then I jumped out of bed IT'S JASMINE'S FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN. My stomach was even a little fluttery like it used to be on my first day's back to school.

She got dressed and we did the usual first day of school pictures, then my digital camera went crazy again (have got to do something about that!). Luckily I bought a disposable one - just in case that happened so I don't have as many pictures to post as I would have liked. I walked her into class ~and took some more pictures~ she found her chair and sat down and started writing and finally looked at me, 'Mom, you can go now.' Now Jasmine has ALWAYS been Miss Independent, but it still took me by surprise. So I gave her a final 'have a good day', snapped a few more pictures and was on my way.

When I picked her up she was very happy and said her day was 'Awesome'. Didn't give too many details, but she did catch up with some friend's she went to Pre-K with.

Another fun story completely off subject - after I picked her up from school we ran to the local dollar store for cleaning supplies and such and upon checking out here is the conversation Jasmine held with the cashier:
JAS: Are you a Daddy?
CASHIER: yes
JAS: What's your daughters name?
CASHIER: I have three son's
JAS: What are their names?
CASHIER: 3 boy's names
JAS: Oh, those are nice names. Do you have a dog?
CASHIER: NO
JAS: Do you have a wife?
CASHIER: Yes
JAS: I have a brother, his name is Cash
CASHIER: That's nice
We are now leaving. As we get to the door Jasmine yells 'OH, my name is Jasmine. Bye'

She truly cracks me up.

Below are some pictures and a little something I read online the other day which I printed out and put in her SCHOOL MEMORIES book I have for her. The first day of K is so bittersweet!

BTW - she is very proud of this dress she picked out with birthday money from Grandma Kotter...

Dear World:I bequeath to you today one little girl...in a crispy dress...with two brown eyes...and a happy laugh that ripples all day long.. and a flash of brown hair that bounces in the sun when she runs. I pray you'll treat her well.

She's slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning...and skipping off down the street to her first day of school. And never again will she be completely mine.Prim and proud she'll wave her young and independent hand this morning and say "Goodbye" and walk with little lady steps to the schoolhouse.

Now she'll learn to stand in lines...and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called. She'll learn to tune her ears for the sounds of school-bells...and deadlines...and she'll learn to giggle...and gossip...and look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy 'cross the aisle sticks out his tongue at her. And now she'll learn to be jealous. And now she'll learn how it is to feel hurt inside. And now she'll learn how not to cry.

No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch on a summer day and watch an ant scurry across the crack in the sidewalk. Nor will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn and kiss lilac blooms in the morning dew. No, now she'll worry about those important things...like grades and which dress to wear and whose best friends is whose. And the magic of books and learning will replace the magic of her blocks and dolls. And now she'll find new heroes.

For five full years now I've been her sage and Santa Claus and pal and playmate and mother and friend. Now she'll learn to share her worship with her teachers ...which is only right. But no longer will I be the smartest woman in the whole world. Today when that school bell rings for the first time...she'll learn what it means to be a member of the group...with all its privileges and its disadvantages too.

She'll learn in time that proper young ladies do not laugh out loud...or kiss dogs...or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms...or even watch ants scurry across cracks in sidewalks in the summer.Today she'll learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. And I'll stand on the front porch and watch her start out on the long, lonely journey to becoming a woman.

So, world, I bequeath to you today one little girl...in a crispy dress...with two brown eyes...and a flash of brown hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs.

**as I finished cooking dinner, went to find Jasmine and had to run back for my camera**

Are You Ready?

School starts Monday and Jasmine just can't stand it. All summer I've been using her birthday as a point of reference as to when she would start Kindergarten. So Thursday when she got up, she was ready. When I told her no school until next week she said, 'But I'm 5 now!'. We have meet the teacher night tonight, that should tide her over until Monday!

This week we went to the dentist. It was Cash's first time, but now Jasmine is a pro. Our dentist office is so great, everything in there is geared to entertain the child. TVs mounted above each kid size chair playing a movie, this week was ICE AGE, one of the kid's favorites. You can tell in each picture their eyes are not quite on the camera.

* *Notice Cash's haircut, isn't he handsome? I cut it Tuesday night * *

Jasmine got a Strawberry Shortcake puzzle for her birthday and every night since Saturday she has insisted we put it together. But for reason, more times than not, I find myself sitting at the table putting the puzzle together - all by myself!!

We also went to see UNDERDOG on Wednesday for Jas's bday. It was a cute movie, but Jasmine's favorite part is after the movie during the outtakes when the dog says, 'Don't worry, Underwear!'. She laughs hysterically every time she thinks about it.

Jasmine's 5th Birthday Party

In Jasmine's words.....It was the bestest birthday party ever!

We had an awesome day Saturday. The only snag was me spilling half the crock pot of cheese for nachos in my van while loading up. After cleaning up that mess we were on the road. It was super cloudy and we were praying the rain held off until afternoon....and so it did. As we were loading up the van in the afternoon, it started to rain. Praise the Lord!!

Without further ado, here are the pics....(and some brief commentary)



Making cupcakes Friday night

(Ms. Bailey spent the weekend with us and was a big help - her sister is the one who had heart surgery and btw should be out of the hospital tomorrow or Thursday, thanks for all of your prayers - they are appreciated!)

On our way to the party destination

(can you stand the excitement)

Can't you tell they LOVE each other

Lazy river

My 89 yr old grandmother made it to the party and even swam a bit.

Grandpa & Cash

CHEESE

(literally, can you tell we had nachos?)

1,2,3-jump

Cash ready to slide - but not alone...

...he insisted mommy and daddy go w/ him...

...at the end he'd quickly jump up and say 'let's do dat again'!

It was a little too windy to actually light the candles, so we just sang!

Yum, strawberry and chocolate cupcakes.

(wish I had one right now!)

Looks like they were a hit...

Wonder why everyone is just standing there....

....waiting for the big bucket to dump!!!

Here is the slide where Jasmine spent a lot of her time. She has definitely come a long way since last year when she'd barely go down the kiddie slide alone.

(Not so) Patiently waiting her turn...

...there she goes...

...awww

My daredevil 3 yr old nephew also enjoyed the BIG slide

Gramma got Jasmine her first real Bible, and she LOVES it!

Shoes are always good too.

'Oh, they are beautiful'

In case you were wondering diving is a spectator sport.

Yeah, more than once she landed on her back. OUCH!!!

And here is a shot of the ride home....passed out!

We had a super duper awesome time and can't wait until we can go back to the water park.

And just in case you were wondering, the backpack has not arrived yet and her birthday is TOMORROW!! ARGH!

Calm Before the Storm

I just thought we had been busy this summer.
Next week is Jasmine's birthday and the following week it all begins...

1). Jasmine starts Kindergarten
2). Soccer practice begins
3). Awana starts back up

She is very excited about all three, but most especially going back to school. We have to drive by her school everyday and all summer long she has said 'After my birthday, I'll be going to school there!'.

~I ordered her a cool backpack w/ her name embroidered on it that she picked out of a catalog. Now I am just hoping it gets here before her party Saturday. It was ordered on 7/24 and I called Monday to get status. They said it was shipped last Saturday.....so I'm keeping my fingers crossed~

* * * Prayer Request Update * * *

I've had some inquiries regarding my previous post for a friend's daughter having heart surgery. She did have the surgery and went home within a week. This Monday she went back for a check-up and there was fluid around the heart. They removed 1.5 liters of fluid and have kept her for monitoring the last few days.

So please continue to lift this family up in your prayers.

Thank you!

Pooped...

After church we tried to go to a public pool, which ended up being closed on Sunday's.

Lucky for us, the park just up the hill has a cool water area w/ that is completely FREE

(now, that's what I'm talkin' about)!

The kid's had a great time running through the shooting water contraptions for about an hour while Joe and I chilled under a tree ~ unfortunately my camera is still hit and miss on when it wants to work and while at the park it decided not to. So, no pics of the fun, just the ride home.

AWESOME VIDEO

This video is truly awesome.

http://www.ksbj.org/eblogs/afternoonShow/?p=86

Birthday Fun!!

Friday was my niece's birthday and Jasmine's birthday is on the 22nd. Soo....mom got them both Libby Lu make-overs for their gift this year. Friday I took the day off of work so we could have a good 'ol girl's day. First was breakfast, **mom is currently in a hotel due to a small fire at her house** which means we were able to partake in a FREE continental breakfast...yum, yum, yum. They had a little bit of everything.

Even do-it-yourself waffles, look how cute...

After breakfast we had the first appointment scheduled at Libby Lu's. This was a complete surprise for the girl's. We got there a little early and they were standing at the gate thinking open,open,open...

Jasmine picked the princess dress and Vanessa wanted to be a Rock Star...


Now it's time for hair, make-up & nails...

* * And here is a cute one of Jas after getting her nails done * *

After Libby Lu we went to Party City to pick up decorations for Nessa's party the next day and then to Bueno for lunch ~mmm, mexidips & chips~ . Then for our final stop....

So, that was our girl's day and we enjoyed every minute of it...but it didn't end there.

While heading into the movie I get a call to see if Jasmine can spend the night w/ cousin Karoline. Since we were already suppose to pick up a friend on the way home, we invited Karoline to our house. So Jasmine had TWO friend's over Friday night. We made pizza and had ice cream, a fun end to a fun day.

Saturday was Vanessa's birthday party at a very cool water park--which afterwards Jasmine informed me that is where she is having her party!! Both kids had a great time. Cash is still a bit leery of the water and wants me right next to him the entire time. Jasmine, on the other hand, was little miss independent *big surprise* and even took it upon herself to go down the BIG slide. After the water park adventure Jasmine spend the night w/ Karoline and Joe, Cash & I rented some movies for a quiet evening at home. All in all a GREAT weekend!!