Graduation, Birthdays & Recitals

This week has been full of so much happiness and emotions! 

Thursday, my first born son graduated Kindergarten!!  How can this be, he just started kindergarten....didn't he? 

Friday was my Momma's 7th birthday in heaven.  What a celebration she is having with our Heavenly Father!!  

My mom, brother & I at his MBA graduation.  

This was taken the day my momma left me at Henderson State University.

My wedding day....taken only 2.5 months before she made her journey to her forever home! 

Happy Birthday Grandma Kaye!! We love you and miss you!!!

Today was Presley's day!  This afternoon was the 2014 Kalidescope Dance Recital day!  Presley and her friends danced from their hearts today and had an amazing performance!!!  We love KDA and Mrs. Laine! 

Kayden was very proud of his sister!  

Our big girl dancers lined up watching the sweet little dancers rehearse. 

Mrs. Laine and her "Cruisen for a Bruisen" dancers

This evening, we met my sweet friend Tasha and her two kiddos at Crystal Bridges and walked the trails and then had a snack picnic at the Bucky Ball. 

We had a blast and took so many pictures!  

We saw this young buck while walking one of the beautiful trails in our awesome town!  The kids were so excited!!

Our precious kiddos! (Presley, Angelina, Kayden & Adrian) 

Tasha took more pictures.  My storage is full on my phone....so I have to clear out some of mine before I can take any more pics.  Once Tasha sends me the ones she took, I will post more.  

This week has been one of the best weeks in a long time!!  Full of love and memories! 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 NIV)

 

My Graduate

I am committing my blog post to my new Kindergarten graduate!  

In true #TBT fashion, I want to go back in time, looking back at what an adventure the past 6yrs has been! 

Kayden just 10 days new!!  Oh, how I miss these days! 

Kayden was 6mo old when we took him to his first trip to the Magic Springs water park in Hot Springs.

Multiple images of my sweet baby....my how time flies!!!

Kayden and his first BFF Daisy!  

My little 1st year Awana Cubby

Kayden was 3 in this picture...he has grown up so much!

My preschool graduate 

Kayden's first day of Kindergarten

A picture of Kayden with Mrs. Marts on his first day of school & tonight after their kindergarten celebration!!!  I have cried off and on all day!!  I'm so happy, but yet miss my mom and wish she was here to see her lil man graduate in person.  

Kayden, 

Happy Graduation Day!!!!  I thank God daily for picking me to be your mommy!  I'm so thankful that he blessed me with such a loving lil boy.  You have brightened my days so much, since the early morning lyou were born, actually from the time I knew you were in my belly!  

I pray that you will continue to work hard and achieve whatever goals that may come your way.  I pray you will continue to love Jesus with all your heart and continue to serve him and walk in his word daily!! 

Always remember that mommy loves you so much (to heaven and back)& that I'm here for you....always & forever!  Congratulations on everything you have accomplished your first year of school, I have no doubt, that God has big plans for you....Oh, the places you will go!

Love you more, 

Mommy

Playing catch up

Wow, didn't realize that my last blog post was so long ago. Actually, who am I joking...I thought about posting several times, but decided who cares! 

In the past few months, we have made some life changing decisions, accomplished important steps that I didn't think would be possible so early and we have endured some heart break and failures.

Im pretty much a closed book, unless you want to know about my children and their accomplishments or you want to talk about my mom.  I don't like to discuss my families personal struggles, although I've learned recently that talking is better than holding it in.  This is why my husband suggested that I start blogging a while ago, to help me express myself, bc it's hard for me to do so otherwise.  

This week is full of emotions!  I saw my little brother for the first time in over 3 yrs! Mind you, my baby brother is over 6ft tall, technically he isn't that "little" :-). We also got to visit with my other brothers and their families.  I miss having a big family get together, so Monday night was full of great memories (forgot to take pictures).  Would love for us to get together more often.  My baby boy graduates kindergarten tonight, my moms 62nd birthday is on Friday and my baby girl has her dance recital the following Saturday.  

On Monday, during dance practice, the mothers were allowed to watch our sweet girls do their dance....I was so overwhelmed by my daughters smile that I started crying and had to leave the studio.  I felt like I let PK down by leaving for a short time, but knew I needed to regain my composure.  I was able to watch the 2nd round, she and I were full of smiles!  My mom & I had talked a long time ago (before I even had kids or was married) about how one day, I would have a daughter and be able to watch her dance, like my momma would (and NOT record over her dance recital tape with daytime tv shows....inside joke).  This was made possible, late in the dance season.  Oh how I love watching PK dance!   Thank you Mrs. Laine & KDA for making this possible & for teaching & loving our girls!!!  

Before dance practice, PK & I went and ate lunch with Kayden.  This was a surprise to him.  I have not been able to do this till now, bc I've always had to work.  While waiting for him, I started tearing up thinking of all he has accomplished this year, dispite his struggles.  He truly is my hero!! 

I love this sweet boy so much!!! 

This sweet little diva has my heart also...she loves to dress up, paint her nails & fix her hair! 

We recently moved our oldest daughter (from Eric's previous marriage) in with us.  We are so blessed to have Brook living with us.  It's been a change for all of us, but one we gladly accept!  She & I butt heads sometimes, but I will always love her & vow to be there for her and teach her Gods way, not the "worlds way" of handling life's obstacles.  

This was taken after a mother/daughter bible study.  We decided to make a pit stop at the Bucky Ball at our local museum, Crystal Bridges.  This was so pretty and relaxing....wish we could've stayed longer. 

We also have an older son (Brooks older brother), Blake.  I wish I had a recent picture of him, but sadly, the last one was over a yr ago.  Love and miss him to pieces!  

At this moment, I'm sitting here typing....my sweet PK just woke up & climbed up beside me on the couch and fell back to sleep.  She looks so sweet and peaceful!  I believe I'm going to sign off and have extra cuddles with my baby girl.  One day, she won't even want to sit beside me....I pray that never happens.  

Sweet dreams! 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight". (Proverbs 3:5, 6 NIV)

Haircut Monday!

Today is the day I got my hair cut!  I haven't had short hair in a few years.  I decided that since this year was going to be a positive year for our family, I need a change...I've started exercising and I've decided I needed a haircut, so here it is.......

Just joking!!! That's Kayden doing something crazy, but he also got a much needed hair cut!! :-D

Here I am, I'm not good at taking selfies....no make up AND I got my grey/white infested eyebrows waxed!!! 

I love it!!!  

Have a great day!!! 

 

Joys of Motherhood

I am so blessed to have been chosen to be Kayden and Presley Kaye's mom.  You see....God chose me specifically to be their mommy and carry them in my belly for 9 LONG months, but it was all worth it!!! 

Even moms that have adopted a child....God chose YOU specifically to be that child's mother!  It's a long battle with home studies and paper work, but it was all worth it!!!

Wouldn't you agree Moms? 

This weekend, I was just thinking....this is scary.....what if all of is moms put together a book of some of our funniest, saddest, silliest stories from our kids.  

How could we just pick a few right? 

My crazy kiddos!  Excuse the crazy hair off to the right! ;-) 

So the joys of motherhood for me this weekend week 

1. Spending time with Presley Kaye while Kayden was Margaret & Scott's 

2. Watching Frozen 10 million times!  I love it, but I am getting tired of it.....

3. Trying to regulate PK's bowels....she has tummy issues.  I know some other moms that have this problem.  She has been having tummy issues lately and it has been making her cry....no fun at all, NO don't worry, there is no picture for this one! ;-) 

4. Picking up my lil man from his 5 day adventure with his beloved Nannie and Pops!! 

He was telling me to leave and go home!! 

5. Never ending kisses and hugs from my sweet guy when he gets home!! 

6. My kids love each other, but man do they fight and argue!!!  I've gotten to the point that if you are not dieing, bleeding or stuck in some hole (that you shouldn't have been playing in the first place), then DO NOT TATTLE!  You need to work it out on your own!  Which usually means SHARE!!! 

         You mean I have to share? >(

7.  PK has the opportunity to start back at dance again!!!  She and I am so excited!!!  Another dance mom will also help me out by picking her up every other Friday till recital.  We are so thankful for KDA and for Mrs. Laine!! 

8. Kayden has the privilege to be a part of a tournament team that is being coached by his Tball coach for the past 2yrs.  We are called the LUGNUTS and we will be playing in our first tournament next weekend in Farmington.  We had practice this after noon and it was sooo nice!! 

Please pray for us as we all begin this new journey with our boys!  GO LUGNUTS!!! 

Photo courtesy of Kluane Billings, a baseball mom. I copied from our team fb  page. :-) Thanks girl!!! 

9. Presley Kaye is just wild and crazy all the time!  She is a hoot!!  She will get her picture taken with Mr. Kool-Aid, but will slide under the table at Chick-Fil-A 30min prior because she is scared of the CFA cow (with a bday hat)!!!  I don't get it!!!  Crazy girl, but you just gotta love her!!! :-) 

10. Most importantly, as I said before, I'm thankful that God chose me to be Kayden Christian and Presley Kaye Gunn's mommy!  I will do whatever it takes to raise them in the correct way and manner to be warriors for Christ. 

I know I'm missing some more stories, but my mind is starting to wind down and want to head for bed!  

Have a great week everyone!!  

Our GOOD weekend!

Besides the "7yr Anniversary", we have had a really good weekend with Presley!  FYI....not having my phone with me, means I didn't get very many pictures with Eric's.

Kayden is with his Nannie and Pops in Little Rock.  Here is a little picture and video highlight of the fun he is having down there: 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r8ns4ubn1a4757s/IMG_0499.mov

I couldn't figure out how to post the actual video, so this will have to do.  Hopefully you can open it and see it.  PK laughed non stop and watched it 5 times!! 

Yesterday, we went out and had brunch at Denny's after dropping of important baseball stuff for Kayden.  

After that we went to Meme and Papaw's house for a visit and a small nap for daddy!  We haven't seen Meme in awhile, so we were glad to catch up with her!  

Eric enjoyed checking out their new furniture (remote recliners).  Presley made a lot of pretty pictures that I believe turned into...humm books?!? 

Eric and I decided to take Presley to Crystal Bridges.  This would be all of our first time to go.  They have a lot of things going on for kids during spring break! 

Before we could go, we had to stop at...where else, but Walmart!!!  I got to see my wonderful SIL while we were there and my cousin's wife Amy and her mother were there!!!  I'm sure there were a few more people that I think my husband saw and spoke too!!!

Anyway, Crystal Bridges was good....I think it would've been better honestly if PK wouldn't have been there.  We didn't get to look much and just walked fast to the craft/education area for kids.  Presley did like the statues.  She kept laughing at them & one time she whispered "momma, they don't have any clothes on!!"  I had to explain why they didn't and why she needs to keep hers on....isn't that right Ms. Kourtney!?! ;-) 

It's very beautiful and I plan on going back soon!  Here are a couple of pictures we took while at Crystal Bridges.

Presley working on a scratch art.  We finally finished this today!!! 

My rock and I 

Presley in front of one of the art pieces out side, showing off her scratch art! 

Eric took us out to eat that night to Olive Garden.  I finally tried something new!!!  I usually eat the Ravioli de Portabello, but last night had the Light lasagna with zucchini and some other vegetables I think.  Topped with grilled chicken.  It was awesome!!!  

Here is a picture of my crazy husband at the OG

Eric just isn't right!!! Lol!!! He makes me laugh so much!!

Today, Eric woke up sick with allergies and I had a headache and took my medicine late last night, so we slept in this morning. 

So what do we do on a Sunday morning?  Watch Frozen....AGAIN!!! 

I am so thankful that our church has services recorded, so we can watch them if we are not able to attend in person!!  

Hope everyone has a great week!!  

7 YEARS....

Today marked 7 years that my mom was taken from my family. 

I have deleted this post once already, because I realized, I was doing exactly what I said I WASNT going to do....and that is to focus on the past and the negative.   

Today, started out okay, then a little melt down happened and I realized I just had to fall on my knees because I knew today was not going to go as I expected.  

Luckily, my husband decided Presley and I needed to get out for the day and so we did.  Kayden is at his Nannie and Pop's house for 5 days while he has spring break.  (Nannie and Pop's are Margaret and Scott Campbell.  Margaret is momma's BFF and we are so blessed to have them both in our lives!)

In order to focus on my family, I decided to turn my phone off for the day!!!  So thankful I did, but also thankful for my friends that text me or sent FB messages to me letting me know they were thinking of me.  I read them after PK went to bed....I have awesome friends/family!!!  

I got my mom's bible out tonight and found my favorite verse that I lean on so much:

Look at this 👆!!  Is this not awesome!!  I love that she has notes all in her bible and especially for me and my brother.  

You see, when she wrote this, I wasn't trusting in my Lord like I should've been.  My momma knew what I needed and I know she prayed for me every day that I would have a relationship with Jesus, settle down, get married and give her beautiful grandbabies.  

My momma knew that my life at the time she wrote this did not reflect a true witness for God.  I am so thankful for a Godly praying momma who never gave up in me!!!

This is an explanation of Isaiah 43:2, that fits what I had originally posted about, but deleted.  I almost drowned, but thankfully I was saved!  When I moved to NWA, I found an awesome church and really felt the desire or need to be there.  Since moving, I have truly found my relationship with Jesus.  I am on a path now that I can truly say, that even though my Momma's death was tragic, something good did come out of it.  I learned to lean on God and give everything to him.  To have a relationship with him and focus on his word and teachings, as I raise my children and be the best wife God intended on me to be.  

I picture my self as the person in the FootPrints in the Sand poem.  He carried me for many many steps, but thankfully he is always by my side!!  That poem was my Momma's favorite and now it is mine, as it has a personal meaning for me.  

Today, I wanted to be a reflection of what GOOD has happened in the past 7 yrs.  

7yrs ago, my mom was murdered, but TODAY I know I am a sinner that was saved by God's grace and love!!!   

Till we see each other again Momma...Love you to heaven and back!!!