Progress reports are in

So very proud of how hard he is working!  Reading is getting sooooo much better!

Teachers comments

The dyslexic brain has to work twice as hard as everyone else... 

I'm one PROUD mama!!

1st Grade Class photo

I always feels bad for not buying these... but I wouldn't hang it up.  So, yeah, I took a pic of the pic.

Last class picture with Grayson (insert tears)

and Mrs. Hill has been a lifesaver... so thankful that God chose HER to be T's teacher!

Even with the bumps and bruises... it's been a fantastic year!!!

Some days a girl just NEEDS her Mama

And thank you GOD that she arrived last night!  

I am having the hardest week with Mark getting fired, me possibly not having a job in a week, Sawyer's cancer diagnosis, John's sister's cancer back.. oh and I have bronchitis and an ear infection.  So I guess everything feels heightened - just ugly and sad, and hard.

And, to top things off, Sam is having hernia surgery (praying it isn't as hard as I think it might be) and then I have to break Tristan's heart this weekend and tell him that after 4 years, he and his best friend will be separated.  No more doing everything together.  I will promise play dates and lunches and summer fun and dinners... but he and I will both know, it won't be the same.  I will encourage and find new friends and set more play dates and make sure he has a blast in his "new world" but I don't pretend for one second it won't be hard. I won't have Tracy either, she is one of my best friends and a rock.  She is my constant support at school and she's T's "mom" when I can't be there.  My heart breaks but I know life will go on.  

So, for today, I will make the most of these moments:

and find joy in every, single thing I can.

God is bigger, God is in control.

Isaiah 40:39-41:
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young (women) men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

He got the game ball!

Bebah came out to watch the game and what a game it was!

Even though they lost, Tristan had a fantastic game!  He had two great hits and played great in the field.

He did SO WELL he got the game ball.  Way to go T!!!

Full day of fun

Well, I decided to relax this morning... have a gentle start to a crazy day..   I read my Bible, washed my hair, cleaned a little.

Soon I knew we were off to do this 

Great hit, wasn't it?

#16 had a great game!

Then we were invited to a friend's bday party. A new friend. Joshua.  He plays baseball and soccer with him but doesn't know him very well.  I was proud of Tristan for saying yes and going to a laser tag party without knowing anyone.  I got the standard "is Grayson going" and when I said no... he was disappointed BUT he chose to go anyway. SO PROUD!

Then we got home and Bumpa sent T a package.  

We decided to jump right in and build two bird feeders!!

He had a huge spike in confidence today.

There was a lot of "It's ok Mommy, I've got it. I don't need help.  I can do it Mommy"

I was really proud of him and it's hard to see your kids physically growing up so fast right in front of you BUT...

it's a blessing.  There are many that don't get the privilege of being a parent or they waste their time on things that don't matter instead of investing their TIME in their kids.  My parents were always so great in giving us time.  It's a huge blessing that I hope I continue to give to Tristan.

All done!

Very fun and very full day today!!!

Looking forward to hearing what he thought about the day during evening snuggles!!

Camp with Daddy

Daddy took T camping with the Hindudes (and the Grace friends were there too!!)

It appears they had a ton of fun.

I'm told there wasn't one game that Tristan wasn't a part of... that sounds like my child for sure

Great weekend with Daddy making great memories!

Lunch lady.... that's me!

I went to Grace Friday to have lunch with these two characters

they are off to go camping with the dads and I know they will have a blast.

This means, I get a weekend to myself.  Don't get me wrong, I am SO excited but I'll miss my booger.

Thankful that I'm smart enough to take advantage of these moments.

Real, life, everyday, one-on-one moments

Thanks for capturing the moment Grayson!!

Saturday was SUCH a fun day....

sweet Sawyer needed some bullets!

CUBS first game!

These two goofballs really are best friends...

it's impossible to get a real shot

T as pitcher in his first game with the CUBS

Braeden's up to bat!

Nails it!

G's turn!

and T knocks one in!

RUN NUGG!!

BOOM!  #16

makes my heart happy

G also gets all the way around!

BAM!  Scored!

We didn't win but it didn't matter.  The boys did great!!!

Rest in peace Sonny

We just got word that Sonny suddenly passed... we were set to go and see him tonight and bring him his Easter basket.  He was brought to the hospital over a week ago and we were told he would have to leave Windsor to be taken care of - they couldn't handle his health situation.  We didn't know what that situation was..

It's been over a week... still waiting... and now we won't see his smiling face again.

I picked up a family photo so he could remember us...

and I'm brokenhearted that I can't bring it to him.

Rest in peace Sonny - just know, the Barbers loved you!!!!

SUCH a great day!! 3rd Quarter Report Cards, meeting with the teachers and great artwork!!

Today Holt and I met with Tristan's teacher (Mrs. Hill), his reading tutor (Mrs. Matheny) and his Take Flight teacher (Mrs. Fortune).  It couldn't have gone any better!

He is completely in step with all of the other kids, he has fantastic grades, he is reading better and his behavior is fantastic!!

The ADD-ease that I put him on is helping and he's paying better attention!  I rarely give him any candy and I have removed all dyes from his foods and it has changed EVERYTHING!

They said that he is the most positive little boy, always sees the glass half full and absolutely loves everyone.  What more can a mom ask for !?!?!?!?!

3rd quarter report card!

Can you check out this awesome behavior please!?!?!?!

and hello... HE DREW THIS BUNNY!!!

seriously, I couldn't be more proud of my child. He is working SO hard and it shows!!