Daddy's Homecoming



I'm so glad when daddy comes home, Glad as I can be;

Clap my hands and shout for joy, Then climb upon his knee,

Put my arms around his neck, Hug him tight like this,

Pat his cheeks, then give him what?  A great big kiss.

All about Savannah

Savannah has had the best year in Kindergarten!  Seriously, wouldn't it be great if every year was as fun and as exciting as kindergarten.  The girl comes home with a new recognition every week.  She got in the car with another one stuck to her shirt and I said, "wow, Savannah you got another recognition! We should just tape all of your recognitions to you and take a picture!"  When we got home, she went running to her room and came out looking like this!
Here are some of my favorites:
*for always being a helper to others! Thank you!
*great job at partner reading!
*great writing at the writing table!
*for being a great example to others!
*for always listening and following directions! Also for always being a kind friend.
*Best in the hallway line! Thanks!
*awesome behavior!

She loves filling up her reading log.  The other night she was reading and looked at me and said, "I can't believe I am actually reading!"  "I have waited my whole, entire life to read!"
When she reads to us, she crosses her legs like her teacher, Mrs. Conn.  She will read then show us the pictures.

{picture taken by Laurel}

Savannah lost her front tooth!

Poor girl went days trying to get that tooth out.  It just wasn't ready.  She begged and begged me to pull it out.

I told her," that's a job for daddy."

My little Savannah is growing up!

Oh Yeah...

it's going to be a good week!!

A friend of mine was getting rid of this battery powered four wheeler and asked if we would like it.
Well, yes ma'am we would!

He has had a blast this morning riding around and around the yard.  He stands up like his daddy does when he rides his dirtbike.  He is so excited and keeps saying, "my B-bike, Mommy?" 
He rode for two hours straight.
Now we wait.
For the battery to charge.
He's keeping a close eye on it to make sure it still sits there.

P.S. He would like for his cousin Luke to bring his 4-wheeler over so they can go for a ride!

Traditions and Motherhood

It seems like it's becoming a Sunday tradition around our house...

Daddy has started making brownies...

with lots and lots of help!
 
I got to talk to my cousin, Natalie this weekend.  We grew up together.  We had a path through the woods that led to each others house.  She was really my best friend.  We were just a school year apart in age.  She has two children.  Her daughter just left home and has started her freshman year of college.  Her son is sixteen.  She asked me how I was and could hear the exhaustion in my voice.  I told her that some days I feel like God is looking down on me giggling and saying, "you asked and you have received!"  And that is right.  All I ever wanted was a baby that knew I was his or her mommy.  I wanted a baby that  would stop crying because it knew my voice and my smell.  I wanted a baby that would grin from ear to ear and start kicking its legs because he was so excited to see me, because I am his mommy.
I have been blessed with four of these babies.

I was sharing with her some of my frustrations.
And they were mainly things like not being able to get everything done in the house.  Or looking like a fool in public because Landon will not mind.  Yelling too much at Landon because I can't get through to him.  Listening to Sawyer cry because he wants to be held, but I can't because I have to keep a very active two year old from running down the driveway and jumping in the creek!  Learning how to balance everything with four children.  Giving Laurel and Savannah the attention they need with school events and homework.

She gave me the best advice.
"Lori, your children will not remember if your house is clean.  They will remember if you played with them. Their childhood goes by in 5 minutes and you can never get it back!" 
I know that raising these sweet children is the most important work I will ever do.  And I don't want to look back and have any, or many regrets.
Here's to a new week.
Trying to find balance.
Having a new attitude.

The Dogwood Tree



Through the dark green curtains
The snowbright dogwood floats
As a cloud of butterflies
Above the damp sunlit slope.
Heather Z. Hanna

I love when the dogwoods bloom.
It reminds me of my childhood.  Our whole backyard would light up for a few weeks, once a year, with dogwoods.  Mom would fill vases with them.

So Landon and I went on a walk through the woods right in front of our house.

This is Landon's most favorite place to be.

And we walked and ate our apples.  That would be what is in his mouth. 

And I cut these and made this. 
It made me think of Mom.
And I smiled every time I passed them.

Pedicures

I can't believe I forgot to mention this under the family reunion post.  My sister-in-law Jennifer had the most brilliant idea around 7:30 Saturday night.  She suggested that we all go get pedicures.  She called the place she goes to and they said that if we could be there by 8:00 they would stay open for us.
I am so sad to say that I have never gone to get a pedicure with a group of girls before.
This was so much fun.
I highly recommend you grab some girlfriends and go do it.
Toes belong to Me, Jennifer, Jamie, and Lorria!

Abraham Lincoln

{unrelated picture}
Savannah with "Miss Annie"
She is Savannah's most favorite person!

In the month of March we celebrated President's Day!  We got to vote in the Alabama caucus.  Savannah has this writing journal that she brings home every Friday.  She has written something in the journal, usually pertaining to what they have talked about that week, and then we write back to her on the next page.

Usually I am the one writing to her.  Laurel has written a couple of times.  Well, this particular time she asked her dad if he would write to her.  She had written about Abraham Lincoln and his tall black hat.  Seth had forgotten to write and Savannah reminded him Monday morning as they were walking out the door.  He came back to the table and I thought he would write just a couple of sentences, since they really needed to be leaving right then.  But this is what I love about Seth, he took the time to write this:

"Dear Savannah,
I see that you shared a story about Abraham Lincoln as we celebrate President's Day.  This year we will elect a new President for our country.  When you reach the age of 18 you will be able to vote.  I encourage you to read and study what each candidate stands for as you reach voting age.  I encourage you to read and study the constitution and vote for that candidate who lives by it and who will do the greatest good for the country.
Love, daddy"