Sydney Turns 6!

Daughter

DAUGHTER such a common word that we throw around but what does it really mean? Does it mean that because you give birth to her she is then your daughter? But what if that's all you do? Is she still yours if you don't take care of her? What if you adopt a daughter? Is she not the the daughter of your heart? Does it really matter if she didn't come from your body? What if you remarry and a daughter comes with the package, is she automatically yours? Or do you have to work extra hard to make her feel that way? Will she ever feel like yours?
I know this may seem weird but it is a subject that has been on my heart lately. Maybe it's because I have two wonderful daughters both of which are growing up way too fast. They both have very different personalities and yet I love them both just the same. I don't just take care of their basic needs, I nuture them and love them and catch them when they fall and cry with them when I can't fix it. I love them for who they are, for who I hope they come to be, unconditionally for eternity. I want them to have what I don't and can't have. I pray that God watches over them always and may He give me strength to raise Godly Girls!!

Sick

I am still sick and tired of it. Going on week three now-every time I start to feel better one of the kids brings something home from school. Sydney is also sick, missed two days last week and two days this week. She keeps recontaminating me! I think I will take her to the dr. just to make sure she doesn't have any infection, no fever though so that's good.
The boys have started basketball, today was Noah's second practice. I love to watch him enjoy himself. This is Nathan's first year to play, he hasn't practiced yet but he is so excited! Can't wait to see him play!
Shelby is handling middle school pretty well. Lots of adjustments. She is changing so fast, in some ways more than others. Of course, she is not sick-I'm glad.
Sydney is pretty pitiful, hopefully after I pump her with vitamin c she will be all better.
Looking forward to everyone being well again!!

TGIF-First Week Of School Survived

Shelby- She adjusted very well to middle school. Went in like she had been doing it forever. She has handled her first week of assignments very well(though they didn't have many). She is very orderly and organized about her time, locker, and class/homework. But of course I wouldn't expect anything less from her. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by how calm she was about middle school. She also had her first fast pitch softball practice on Thursday. I used to play when I was in middle school too so it is kind of neat that she is interested. She is also very much into choir, this year she gets to wear dark green prom like dress and nice shoes(not sure if I'm ready to see her that dressed up). She also will have the opportunity to travel with the choir this year. They will go to the Coca-Cola factory and Six flags to compete. I am excited for her...lots of new things on the horizon for my Shelby...get ready here we go!

Noah- I have to say he surprised me this week, he stepped to the plate pretty well. Only a few minor speed bumps so far. I am trying to let him have a little more responsibility for his assignments this year. Tricky tight rope walk with him. Only minor fight over spelling packet. He gets to play indoor tackle football at school this year. He is very nervous about it and afraid that it will hurt! But he felt better once he found out he would be playing against 9 and 10 year olds only. I don't know who he thought he would be playing(middle schoolers) maybe? It will be interesting to see how it goes. Lots of new things in store for Noah!

Nathan- He was very nervous his first day of school. He worries alot about making the teacher happy, is scared that he might do something wrong. Nathan is not that thrilled about homework(imagine that), if he thinks he heard something a certain way from his teacher he will argue with me until I am crazy!!! Nathan loves school! He got to be the leader the other day and you would have thought he won the lottery. I am excited to see what this year holds for him!

Sydney- She was excited that she got to be in Mrs.Kirkland's class! Last year she thought that's who she would get, but she didn't. Mrs.Kirkland moved up this year from K-4 to a kindergarten teacher! Yeah! Sydney is so happy! However, she doesn't like having less play time and more work time, big surprise huh? Her first day went well and she gave it her all. I am excited to see what the year holds for her!

Friday August 14, 2009

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
I have mixed emotions about this day. First of all it is a half day, which is weird, we've never started on a Friday either. But after thinking about it, it did make sense.
THINGS I CAN'T BELIEVE
Today I walked my Shelby into the middle school. She went straight to her locker(which we had set up the day before)got what she needed and went to homeroom. No problem. Where did my little girl go? How is it that the day she came out of my body is as clear in my brain as if it were yesterday, and yet she is now a tween? This is not easy and it will get harder, but I know God has a plan for Shelby, just as surely as know that HE loves her way more than I am capable of and capable of understanding. I must learn to let her go a little bit at a time, one little finger hold at a time. Kind of like when she took her first step and I held her fingers and then the day came when I had to let go of that finger and let her go and she took her first step and she was fine, until she fell and I couldn't stop it. But she got back up and she will do the same now. God please help me to let those same(much bigger) fingers go now, help me to step back and be able to let her fall when she needs to, to pick her up when she needs it, and the wisdom to know the difference between the two.
Today Jeremy walked Nathan into first grade. He was so nervous. He got the same teacher Noah had. She is awesome and he will be fine, but as those of you know who have kids older, this is the first step to big kid land. They are no longer preschoolers or even kindergardeners, they are now officially elementary school students. And for some reason, once they hit elementary the time just flies, wonder if the school's clocks are the culprits? lol
Today Jeremy walked Noah into fifth grade homeroom. This is his last year in elementary, he is now top dog. Don't tell him that! He swaps classes this year, gets a locker, has more responsibilities(LOrd help me now!), and I have to let him go a little bit more. Why does life sometimes seem like a series of letting goes? But then I guess that's what life is from the day we are born, we are let go a little at a time on this journey we call life, and hopefully each time we get a little closer to God, until we finally go home. Noah will be fine, Noah will be fine, Maybe if I say it enough and pray it enough it will be true. No, I know it will be true.FROG!
Today we both walked Sydney into kindergarten. Her first step on the way to big girldom(yes it is now offically a word)! She is not sure about this thing called kindergarten, poor thing it hasn't hit her yet. School is not just all fun anymore, she will now do seatwork, homework,etc. Thankfully, she still get out at 12(i think i am thankful) ask me again around November!
Today I realized alot of things: Time is flying before my very eyes, life is short don't be stupid, time is a precious commodity that I can't afford to waste anymore of, God still loves me inspite of myself, He loves my children more than I could possibly imagine, this is going to be a wild ride( this thing called middle school), and I will survive-no better than survive I am going to LIVE OUT LOUD!!!

Noah

Today is Noah's birthday. I can't believe he is already ten! We had his party tonight at Hollywood Connection, cake in the diner, then skating for an hour and half. Mostly boys. They had a blast! We ended up having Denver spend the night, which is good. It is funny to watch boys interact with each other. In some ways they are so much easier than girls, no drama , just flat out tell you how it is. I was impressed with both Nathan and Sydney to night. They both skated(or tried too) on their own tonight. I am so proud of them. They were so brave. we all had fun! Ah another year gone by in the life of Noah, they go so fast now!

Shelby

Today Shelby and I went shopping for school clothes. My little girl is quickly becoming a young lady mentally as well as physically. Today we had to shop for unmentionables, and lets just say that she had more than I thought. And I don't like it one bit. My Shelby is going through many changes, the least of which is her well upper body size. She is however, for now atleast, still the sweet Shelby Delby that we all know and love. I just don't know if this momma's heart can take it. It is bitter sweet because though I am glad that I am able to be here for her during these very important transitional middle school years, It brings to the surface memories of not having a mom to help and talk me through these changes. At the end of the day, I thank God for the blessing of allowing me to be here for my daughter, my first born, my heart. I love my Shelby. We will forever have a special bond.

Wed. August 5 2009

Today I went to Barnes and Noble to get Shelby and Noah's required reading books. Noah has to read two, Shelby has to read one. Shelby had some authors on her list that I read! This is just too weird, the whole middle school thing. Next Monday Shelby is going to Middle School softball practice! I don't know if I'm ready for all of this, but I don't have a choice. She is growing up way too fast!

Tuesday, June 23

Blessed
I am so blessed, we got to go to Disney World on vacation for seven days! We had a blast. It occured to me that I could've been blogging all through my vacation, but who has time then. We were having way too much fun! So over the next few days I will try to break it down into my most favorite memories and/or how much I can remember. Today I am very tired, we had a blast like I said but we are worn out. It is well worth it though..

Youth

On Wed. Shelby went upstairs to the youth department for the first time. It was hard to think of her being up there instead of in children's dept. I went up for a few minutes with her. Sang one song, she wasn't participating so I left. They said she did after I left. She really enjoyed herself. They split up into groups boys/girls and did skits. Don't know what they were about she didn't say. She really liked the way they pray. They all lay down on their backs in a circle and look up while praying. She mentioned this several times so I think it is her favorite part so far. She will still go to children's dept. for sunday school. She goes to regular service with us, has been since begining of school year. Look out world, here comes another tween! I just can't believe that it's my Shelby!

Family

I love my family and I would do anything for any of them if it's in my power. Including those like Aunt Judy who is aunt to my whole household. Why? She's been Aunt Judy since the day Shelby was born and she cares. She is their's they are hers she is mine, it just is. There's nothing like having an Aunt Judy, that someone who loves your kids just because, they don't have to, they aren't technically related, they just are. So when I get a phone call saying she is in the hospital, that she has congestive heart failure, my heart drops and I get scared and I go. Why? Because I love her as if she is my own and so I go. Doesn't matter if I need to or not I just do, because that's what family is. Why did I take her and Noelle dinner then follow Noelle home and then take her back to the hospital in the rain on a Thurday night? Because Noelle is my sister, their no longer is an in-law in our relationship, hasn't been for awhile. And so I go gladly, willingly, because she needs me. It is nice to be needed, wanted, loved. In the end isn't that what we all want? And isn't that all that matters? You see I believe that when you die the one thing you take with you is love, so why is it that sometimes it ends up last on our lists? Just a thought. To all those who are family(related or not) I love you. Always have, always will.

Shelby's Fifth Grade Retreat

Shelby's class left for their fifth grade retreat yesterday. Yes, I did say Shelby and fifth grade retreat in the same sentence, she has about one week left in elementary school. This is not right.
They weren't sure if they were going to get to go because of the weather yesterday morning. They were scheduled to leave at 10, ended up leaving at 11:45 when it was safe to go. They are at Pine Eden, coming back today at 2:30. I went to visit around 5 yesterday, watched her having fun with hula hoop. She doesn't get those skills from me. Ate dinner with her and went to chappel. When I say chappel I mean church, this kids amaze me...HMMM maybe they should come to our church and show some adults how to worship freely!
While I was there she informed me that middle school volley ball try outs are Monday. Did you hear me people! Middle School Tryouts! For those who have young children, and that includes me because I have a range from 11 to 5, time flies. I still remember her first day and call me crazy but it was yesterday! On the 22 is awards day and then we have to stay to hear from middle school principal, I expect to be a blubbering idiot. Get used to it because it's gonna be around for awhile!

Jeremy's birthday was on Thursday but, because our schedule was so hectic and I was not feeling well. So we decided to have his dinner on Saturday. Shelby wanted to help me. We had a great time! We will definitely do this more often!

Jers Bday Dinner

Spring Break

Nathan