Double Digits!

Maggie is turning 10 years old today. 

 

I can easily remember what I was doing 10 years ago....laid up in the hospital with pancreatitis praying something would take it away and that I wouldn't die!!  

And later that day my firstborn baby came into the world and I never thought again about how sick I had been....(once I woke up from passing out that is, lol)  

Although 10 years have gone by fast...I don't have to wonder..."where have the years gone"

I know exactly where they have gone and I remember almost each and every moment of this girls life.  I have cherished and enjoyed her fully....every bit of her.  

She came into this world as quite possibly the most desired baby ever born. :)

I had dreamed, desired, prayed, wished, to be a mommy since I could walk.....and the day Maggie was born the desire of my heart came true. 

She has been the same delight her entire 10 years as she was that day she was born. 

I call her my little Mary Poppins...."practically perfect in every way."  And although I know she isn't perfect.....she is about as close as they come. 

Maggie is an amazing big sister to her siblings, and they all adore her.

She is always willing to offer a hand and help out

Maggie is so very practical and down to earth....drama exhausts her. :) 

She loves to read and is an excellent student. 

Maggie asks one million questions and wants a full detailed answer

She loves Jesus....and has a deep desire to know Him and understand Him so much more (which is where so many of her questions come in)

She has a short list on her menu of food items she will eat.  But I am pretty sure she will be my "green smoothie" kid as she gets older.  After I purchased some sprout bread a few weeks ago (which I thought was nasty) I had been making the kids sandwiches on it for lunch.  After a week or so she asked if I was using a new bread and I said that yes I was.  She said, "I love it, is tastes so much better."  And if she knows a food is healthy...she finds that reason enough to eat it. 

She complains very little and always tries to find the good point of  a situation.

She as no desire to wear anything from Justice and has no clue why anyone would want to wear clothes with sparkles, bling, or peace signs on it. :)  Which makes me one happy mom.

She always gives 110 %. 

But if her 110 % isn't perfect she is ready to move on. 

Maggie is funny and goofy....and has alot of her dad's sense of humor.  

And is a total joy to our whole family. 

We love Maggie so very much and want her to always know how much she is loved and treasured and I pray we show her and tell her often!

Happy 10th birthday Maggie Mae!

while taking pics of Maggie she wanted to take a few without her glasses....we liked them with her glasses so much more...Just looks more like Maggie. :)

First Day of School

Lunches packed, supplies bought, backpacks stuffed, clothes ironed and laid out....

So this day has come, much sooner than I had hoped.  We had such a fun summer, but it wasn't nearly long enough.  I am so glad that I took every possible chance to enjoy my kids the past few months while they have been out of school for summer.  

Ready for their first day...

This little cutie could hardly contain herself this morning she was so excited.  I cannot believe she is headed to Kindergarten.  I will miss spending my days with her....she is always great company. :) 

He has a smile...but he is as sad that summer is over as I am.  Owen is alot like me in lots of ways...but mostly in his feelings towards school thus far. (I loved it the older I got....cried everyday the first 3 years) . He doesn't cry....but thinks staying home with me would be a much better option. 

I am praying he loves his new teacher and enjoys his school year. 

I am telling you....she was giddy with excitement! 

I don't think they come much cuter than Josie. :)

2nd grader!

And my Maggie all ready for her first day of 4th grade.  She was the opposite of Owen and couldn't wait to get to school, see her friends, and get her desk all organized. ;)  

One of Maggie's favorite things is picking out her backpack each year.  This year we ordered one online from a girl I went to college with .....and I don't think it could be any cuter.  

Maggie Loved it!

So grown up and beautiful!

Let the day begin. :)  (Good luck to her sweet teacher. :)  

One last smile!

So I love cute crafty things...especially when they relate to my kids and a theme...any type of theme. :)  

So of course I sent them off on the first day with some cute treats for their teachers and them. 

Water bottles for them and their teachers....with their grade on the bottle. 

candy bars for their teachers...hoping for a sweet year. 

A bag of mints..

some gum..

some highlighters...

And put it all together in a cute tote for the teacher...

ahhh yes, I am "that mom."  But only because I enjoy it!!

And I have come to find out some teachers love it and others it seems to annoy. ;)  

Emmie Jayne has talked about school for months.  So when she didn't get to go this morning this is the face I got.  I don't think she can wait another month for preschool to start!

So when I went to pick the kids up this afternoon I was waiting in car pool line and look up to see this.  

My sweet Owen had gone to pick Josie up and held her hand as they walked to the car.  Talk about making my heart smile.  I adore my children. 

Enjoying every second!

Summer has flown by this year...and in my book summer is still going on until September.  But unfortunately the school calender doesn't agree with me.  We have one week left until school begins for Maggie, Owen, AND JOSIE!  (I can't even start talking about that right now..:(

I must say we have made the most of this summer, we have had lots of fun, gone lots of places, went to visit WV two times and had lots of pool time.  

This past week has been way too cold for the pool and not sunny at all. So we have had a lazy week at home. The kids have enjoyed just playing and Owen went to a basketball camp in the mornings.  But by yesterday evening we were all needing to get out of the house.  So I was so thankful when it was sunny when we woke up this morning.  

We took Owen to basketball camp and than Maggie went and got her hair cut and "glossed" (deep conditioned).  When we picked Owen up I told them we were going to go do something fun and we headed to the splash park that is near us. The kids all like it and we haven't been there much this summer.  Usually we go with friends, but I have found that without other kids my children play great together in settings like this.  So I wanted us to just have some "US" time.  

We ate lunch and played in the park area for awhile. All the kids got on the tire swing and I pushed them, although Owen said it didn't go nearly high enough with all of them on there.  

After playing in the playground for awhile they were all pretty hot and headed over to the splash area.  

At first Emmie didn't know what to think of all the water that would come and go...

but as you can see she figured out really quick how fun it was !

I bet she ran through this 50 times, and everytime with her eyes closed.  She kept running into people as she rain through!

Owen saw a boy doing flips and back handsprings and was inspired to practice some of his skills he learned in gymnastics.  He spent forever climbing up this pole and swinging himself back and forth before jumping off.  

Big bro with his little sis

Owen getting cooled off

We stayed and played several hours before heading home for naptime/read time. It was great weather and the kids had so much fun.  I am hoping to soak in every second next week as well, and just enjoy them and what they like to do!