Oh The Places You'll Go....

Good grief. Where did the last year go??? I've asked myself that so many times over the last month. I'm pretty sure I've blinked and it was gone. Tomorrow is the last day of another school year.  This one though is significant in a lot of different ways.  I've been fortunate to spend this year with my oldest, Matthew. I prayed hard a year ago last March when there was a chance I was going to lose my job.  I asked God to just give me one more year at Crestview, so I could have that year with Matthew.  It's not all the time that a teacher can have that year with their own child. It's a special time and if you ask any teacher that is a parent, they will tell you that very same thing. God answered my prayers and allowed me to have this special time. I'm thankful.  He's changed so much over the last year.  Watching him grow, (very quickly) has been such a joy.  It's also been hard.  I'm pretty sure it was just a few months ago that I was exhausted after 30 plus hours of labor and he'd finally decided to show up.  Now, after tomorrow he will be a 7th grader. He has such great goals for himself.  When he talks to me about them,  I realize what a great, level-headed kid I've raised. I cannot believe that in just six short years, he will be finishing high school and taking off for college. There was a time when it was just Matthew and I.  We had about 5 years after his dad and I divorced where it was just the two of us.  Even though it was difficult because I was working, going to school full time and I was also a single parent, it was a time in my life I will always cherish.  Matthew and I are very close and I know those years together just solidified our bond.  He is a wonderful big brother and to watch him with his siblings is so sweet, he's so good with them. I am SO lucky that God gave him to me. He will continue to do great things. Tomorrow will be hard watching him move on.....
My Drewy is going to be a kindergartner after tomorrow.  Again, I'm pretty sure I just gave birth to that huge head of his a few months ago. Drew has the best personality.  He has ALWAYS been a happy kid and people tell us that all the time.  Two years ago we made the decision to place him in preschool at Lincoln.  It was a hard decision to make, but it was one of the best things we could have done for him.  Drew has faced some challenges but has overcome them in huge strides these last two years.  He continues to work hard and has a wonderful support system at school.  Placing him in Lincoln's preschool was such a blessing.  The teachers and staff there are rock stars.  Lincoln catches a bad rap at times, which irritates me, but those people do some pretty amazing work over there and I'll sing their praises until pigs fly.  He loves school.  He loves his teachers and he honestly doesn't know a stranger.  Drew doesn't judge others, he will talk to anyone with a set of ears.  I love that innocent part of this age.  I would never have imagined he would be where he is, two years ago.  God has truly blessed us with the people that have been in Drew's life these last few years.
My boys are my rock.  They give me unconditional love and provide me with such joy everyday.  To say that I'm blessed is a huge understatement.
So....be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting...So get on your way!
Oh The Places You'll Go.....

Icing on the Cake

I remember my parents always talking about how fast the time goes when you have kids.  I never really understood or gave that much thought until I had children of my own.  Each time we celebrate one of our kids' birthdays, it's bittersweet.  It's a celebration of the day God blessed us with each one of them, but it's also hard for me because they are growing up so incredibly fast. I'm that mom that will cry as we sing happy birthday.  For me, the last two years have been the quickest of my life.  Two years ago tomorrow we welcomed our baby girl into the world.  I remember so clearly how I felt two years ago tonight....wondering what she would look like, how big would she really be and what we would decide to name her?  I am so thankful God gave me two boys before our baby girl...they are wonderful with their sister and will be great protectors for her.  When I put her to bed tonight, I quickly realized it would be the last time I put my ONE year old to bed...another bittersweet moment.  She has brought such joy to our lives. One of my great friends says you will love each age/milestone that your children reach.  She is so right. I'm probably more sentimental/sappy now because she is my last baby. We had a garage sale last weekend and I cried over giving up so many of their baby items. It's hard to let go of those special pieces.  As we prepare to celebrate her birthday, I realized one statement summarizes our Baby Kate.  She is THE icing on our cake of life.  What a wonderful blessing and joy she is and I thank God everyday for bringing her into our lives.  Happy Birthday Katherine Danielle Harshman!!! xoxoxoxo

Partaaaaaaaaaay.

Well we survived.  All five of us were happy participants for my sister-in--law's wedding.  We mastered the art of not only getting all five of us ready, and looking good, but we were on time, early even.  Those that know me know that is an act of God.
It was a beautiful ceremony, beautiful day and an amazing time with friends we just don't see enough.  Chad and I talked a great deal about how much we miss them and want to make a conscious effort to spend more time together with them.  My parents helped us all weekend and even kept the kids overnight so Chad and I could have a much needed evening together, alone.  My parents are amazing grandparents to our children, we are very blessed. The kids looked great, Chad looked great and I felt good about our efforts to clean up! ;) Matthew looked so grown up in his tux.....I enjoy him everyday and so wish I could put him in a bubble and keep him away from girls.  I know that can't happen, but a mom could dream right? Kate walked down the aisle with me which was sweet and something that I will always remember. She was supposed to go down with the other kids, but didn't want to leave me, so we walked together.  And our Drew did such an amazing job as ring bearer bringing his flower girl down the aisle. He was so handsome and showed us that he too is growing up too quickly.  
Without further ado....here are some snapshots from our wonderful weekend with friends and family.  Oh yeah, CONGRATS to Heather and Turk!! Thank you for letting us be part of your special day, I think we would all agree the stress is well worth it!! ;)xoxoxoxo