First Day of 2nd Grade!!!

Ladies and Gents... here he is.. Tristan Barber the 2nd Grader at Grace Academy!

We made these for his PE teacher, librarian, music teacher, office staff, headmaster, principal, past teachers, etc.

but his teacher and tutors (Pettus, Fortune, Matheny & Galimore) got new coffee mugs and gift cards to Starbucks!

He wasn't thrilled about the buttons or the sign

*TOO BAD*

T and Daddy in the classroom

First picture with Mrs. Pettus!

His best gal pal... Allie!

and Hartley... she is always the first person in a picture with him EVERY year!

Sweet girl!

Have a GREAT first day of 2nd grade!!!

Love you Tristan!

Here's what he came home with.. love his heart

End of summer Six Flags fun!

We finally took advantage of the free Six Flags ticket that normally goes to waste!

Mary Michael is a teacher and she gets a free pass too so I'm the only one that had to pay.

These two have always had a sweet friendship...

and I love her mama...

So very thankful for a very fun evening with fun friends!!

Can we get 4 days of awesomeness in a row?

Yesterday was silly hat and silly sock day at Cooper Clinic

Wait, did you SEE those socks?

Yup - HOT DOGS!

And... he won... AGAIN!

Way to go T and way to have FUN!!!

Then he was picked up early to have a play date with Braeden!

These two are so cute together, such good friends.

I'm thankful for Braeden and his Gram, Gramps and Daddy!

Time to share a towel since Braeden forgot his!

Then today was the last day at camp.

SPORTS FAN DAY!

Rolled up all decked out and Daddy made sure he blared the Baylor Fight Song.

Listen HERE if you want - it's a great one!!

BAY---LOR- BAYLOR BEARS FIGHT!

After 10 years...

I've relocated to a new floor!

Here is my new home:

It's been a long 90 days of not knowing...

and now, I'm thankful to have landed in my new role with John

I was packing up my desk, sorting and tossing things and I found an old prayer box.

Thought hmmmm, this will be interesting.

First one I pull out:

Then I read the rest.  How dare I ever wonder if God is moving.

they made fun of me and said they won't miss my yapping...

Thankful for a lot right now, God is good!

We won yesterday....

For NEON DAY

T won the award and he was pretty jazzed!

Today is Wacky Wednesday and he said he didn't want to participate...

he embarrasses easily and said "someone else should win"

But Holt talked him into it

People... we could have another winner here

They even took my suggestions...

crazy hair

mismatched socks

beads around the ankles and mismatched socks

backwards shirt

and Daddy threw in a paper tie and a medal - YEAH!

Glad he's having fun

little guy is branching out!

Who knows, we may win again today!

Been down this road....

I don't like this road. AT. ALL.

Last Saturday was Tristan and Grayson's last game together. Multiple people have said "Oh, you'll see them - don't worry - it'll be fine - it's not like he died"... while this is true... it's a knife in the wound.

See, this is the 3rd very close family that we've lost.  I thought initially, I'll still see my friend, their kids, etc. and sadly, we don't.  Ever.

I get it though.  Our kids are in different schools, play different sports... they get new friends, new interests, etc.  There is only so much time in the day, so many hours in the weekend.  Different friends = different play dates.

Different isn't inherently bad, it's part of life.  But, I've had to watch Tristan cry and ask over and over and over "WHY can't I got to TCA?  Now ALL of my best friends are together and I'm left behind."  And that's true.  Tristan has five boys in the 2nd grade with him. FIVE. In the entire grade. ONE plays sports. Thank you Lord that Braeden can play at least two sports with him!!

As I told Tristan, we will see Grayson once in a while but this is our new normal.  Once a month vs. once a day for 3 years is hard for him.  It's hard for me.

So, I'm letting him feel sad. I'm letting myself feel sad and then we will expectantly wait, to see what God does and even if we don't ever know WHY... we will be content. We will do our best to find new friends and we will step outside of our introverted selves and we will be ok.

We will miss the Mays at school and on the field.  They have been great friends, almost family and for that I will be forever grateful.

Thank you Pine Cove - VBS rocked!

Sooo, I 've never heard of Camp in the City BUT I'd heard of Vacation Bible School (VBS).  Many friend's send their kids there but for whatever reason it never dawned on me to send Tristan.

This year, Tracy was sending Grayson and Cullen so I (of course) had to send Tristan.  Oh. My. Gosh.  What he has missed out the last couple of years, I could kick myself!

First of all, he ADORED his counselor... Bieber....

and was so excited to also have Jake in his group!!

Here is Bieber's team!!

and here are some pics of all the cool stuff they get to do.

A lot of time in God's Word...

and a TON of time playing!

with old friends and new!!

Daily time in the Word really meant a lot to me and to Tristan

and they kept it fun

and engaging

Because when you are 7 (or 70) it helps it all sink in.

He not only told stories about all of this fun...

but about these special moments too.

and I grieve that his long time friendship with Grayson will change due to them being in different schools, I'm thankful for other school friends like Jake.  For my little introvert, it helps.

I get this more than you know Tristan, I'm the same way!!!

and here is a VIDEO showing the sweet words that they speak over your kiddos the last day of camp.

Tristan missed the Friday closing ceremonies so they did it early.  SO very thankful!

My boy... AND this mama feel very, VERY loved!!!

I LOVE you Pine Cove!!!!