Project Life 2012 - Week 40

September 30 - October 6

I returned from Chicago on Monday afternoon. It really was a great trip! I'd never been to the Windy City before and would love to take my boys back there. We didn't really have much time to see the sites, and I know that there is so much to see!

So, I know that I said that I prefer to stay home, but just to totally test my sanity, we planned a family beach trip the weekend after I returned!! Bennett was lucky to have a long weekend, and a few months ago when we asked him what he wanted to do with his long weekend, he said that he wanted to go to the beach with Gigi, Bubba and Evie. Luckily for us their schedule was clear, so we booked a condo and planned our trip!!

Bennett got out of school at 12:40 on Friday, October 5 (just like every Friday - have I mentioned that I LOVE our new school's schedule!!) so he and I headed down ahead of everyone else. I was really looking forward to this time together. 
We planned to get lunch at Chick-fil-@ and then cruise on down.
I was envisioning chatting about our week the whole 4 hour trip... but Bennett hopped right in the back and turned on the TV :)  Oh well. Quality time comes in all forms, right? Ha!

We made great time getting down to Sandestin (we took a new way - didn't really like it), got to our condo, unpacked, and then headed to dinner and to the grocery store.
This is when we got our quality time.
(I called it a date, but Bennett thought that was inappropriate :)

 Here is my handsome date (squinting from the extra bright flash). We were making cootie catchers while waiting for our dinner. Fun times.
After dinner we got our groceries and went back to the condo to put them away. Bennett was the biggest helper the whole time, totally taking a big role in carrying heavy items, opening the doors, etc. It was fun seeing him be so grown up. He even helped me with the massive task of sanitizing the condo - big help!! :)

A memory I never want to forget: 

As we were loading the cold items into the fridge, Bennett said 'Mom, I think that going to W (his new school) has made me think about God a lot more.' 

Me: 'Really? How?'

B: 'Well, I can just think of Him with every day type things.'

Me: 'What do you mean?'

B: 'Well, like with this fridge door. See how it keeps moving away from me when I try to put things into it to fill it up?'

Me: 'Yes'

B: 'Well, that's how it is with God. If I keep moving away from Him, it will be harder for him to fill me up.'

It was one of those moments as a mom that made my heart swell with joy (and one that I wanted to hit the pause button on and just take it all in!!). 

I am so thankful for those few hours that God gave me all alone with my boy. I knew that we had lots of fun ahead of us with the rest of the family on their way, but I was thankful to be able to slow down and realize that even if the rest of the weekend was a bust, the whole trip had been worth it for me already!

But the whole rest of the trip wasn't a bust!!
On Saturday morning we headed to the beach...

and waited for Gigi, Nana, and Evie to arrive. Brad and Bubba had arrived late Friday night, so the boys all played in the sand while I just relaxed. The girls arrived before lunch, so it was perfect! Oh, and the weather was gorgeous!! We couldn't have asked for better!!

More beach photos in the next post...

Project Life 2012 - Week 39

September 23-29

On the 21st I went to South Carolina to attend a photography conference, leaving the boys to a fun-filled boys-only weekend. I'm not sure what they did, but I know that they had a great time :)

On the 23rd, while I was in the middle of a photo-editing class, I was clutching my phone anxiously awaiting minute-by-minute updates from Bennett's baseball game. You see, it was rumored that he was going to pitch his first-ever game. 

I got the first text. 

He's in! He's pitching!

 And I was hundreds of miles away. 

My eyes filled with tears and my heart broke just a little knowing that I was missing such a big moment in his life. 

The texts kept coming - all good news about how great he was doing. Strike outs. Some walks. He didn't hit any one :)

And I was so proud. (and I was trying to pay attention to the class I was in!!)

What a great moment - and I'm so thankful to Brad for taking the pictures for me! 

I got home late Sunday night from South Carolina and turned right back around and left on Friday the 28th for Chicago!! Wow! 

I was lucky to be asked to go to a Children's Ministry Conference with our church - how could I say no??

The conference started Friday night with...

BETH MOORE!!! Can you believe it?!?!  Look how close we were :) 

Every time I've been lucky enough to hear Beth speak, she has been so inspiring - and this time was no different! So wonderful!

We took a little time off one day to go into Chicago to see the sights... so fun!! 

 We even travelled in style... horse-drawn carriage tour. Can you tell it was a little windy?  The conference was great - it filled my mind with all kinds of great ideas and things to try. 

I had a great time with the girls from church, but I sure did miss my boys! By the end of this second weekend, Bennett was really ready for me to come home - and I was ready to be home too! For the first weekend, I think the boys were enjoying all the freedom that they have when mommy is out of town - I can only imagine what goes on while I'm gone! Thankfully, they (at least pretended) wanted me to come back home!

Home, sweet, home!

Project Life 2012 - Week 38

Hello! Yes, we are still here! I know it seems like I've dropped of the face of the earth, but I haven't! We've just been busy, and blogging has been moved to the back burner.

So, let's get back on track!!

September 16 - 22

On Tuesday, the 18th of September, Brad and I went to see Hillsong Live.

It was a great concert and I really enjoyed our night out together :)

On Friday, the 21st Bennett's class had Monk Day.

After spending several weeks studying Monks and their contributions to society, the class got to spend a whole day as Monks would. They did illuminated writings, service work (picking up trash around the parking lot), and hourly prayers.

I was lucky enough to be able to go and help out with the Monk Meal which consisted of bread, cheese, grapes, and juice. The Monks ate in silence (for one minute!!) which was hilarious to watch! They said that it was SO hard to do. They were so cute. 

I love Bennett's new school! We all do :) They are so creative and their learning style is so hands-on... we are ALL learning! What a blessing.

Project Life 2012 - Week 37

Sept 9 - 15

Hooray for Fall Baseball!! 

Our first game was on Sunday, the 9th, and Bennett was an All Star player!

He was up to bat first...

 He made the first run of the season!! Yea!!
Look at the smile :)

Remember when he said that he wanted to catch? 
Well, he got to! And he did great!

Aaaaannnnddd... he made the last run of the game too! Way to go!

Our coach doesn't give game balls, but I'm sure that if he did, Bennett would have gotten it :)  What a fun game! (oh, and we won!)

On Saturday, the 15th, Bennett had his 2nd football game.

 He ran around a bunch.

Evie came to cheer. 
And she checked out a ladybug (Gigi thought it was gross :).

Bennett got to quarterback a couple of times.

AND THEN... he threw a touch down pass at the very end of the game to his best buddy!

Cheers all around!
We didn't win, but there certainly was a bunch of celebrating going on!!

We are really enjoying our Fall. School is going great and Bennett is really enjoying his activities. And I'm enjoying keeping up with him!! 
Fun times!

Project Life 2012 - Week 36

September 2 - 8

Wow! September is here! How can that be???!?!?!? 

Summer is over and Fall is on the way... and oddly enough, the weather is even turning a little cooler. I swear, it never turns cool here until at least October, right? Bonus!

This week we started off with a Labor Day celebration (lunch, swimming, and general hanging out) at Gigi and Bubba's house.

The water was waaaay to cold for the girls...

but Bennett was determined to get in (just a bit slower than he usually does :)

Brad was a good sport and hopped in too.

They actually ended up catching a few football/diving board combos.

Do you think this will help with Saturday's football game??

On Wednesday, the 5th, we took our consignment stuff to G&G. I've said it for the past few sales, but I really think this is our last sale.

We consigned most of Bennett's winter clothes since he'll be wearing a uniform to school this year and he did a good job cleaning out his toys and costumes. Of course, he is motivated to clean out because I let him have the money that we earn for his toys :)

As we were working together tagging and pricing Bennett said 'You know, this kinda makes me feel grown up. Getting rid of these toys I don't play with any more.' 

I paused and said 'Yup, you are growing up. I kinda wish you'd stop it' or something equally mommy-like. It was one of those stop-me-in-my-tracks-and-pay-attention-moments. Do you ever have those? 

~~~~~

Oh, if he only knew how grown up he is... 

As his mom, I'm keenly aware of every moment of his growing up. 

Every. Single. Moment.

It is flying by right before my eyes. 

Saturday, the 8th

10 AM

1st football game

in the rain!!!!

As we pulled into the parking lot, a few drops began to fall. 'Oh', I thought, 'I wonder if they'll call the game.' Little did I know - flag football pauses for NOTHING! Not even pouring rain!!! 

This picture was taken before the game... we all (Brad and I, and all the grandparents) watched the first half of the game from under a little shelter while the rain poured down.

What a blessed little boy! How many kids have 6 adults that would be willing to stand in a deluge to watch a football game? Surely not very many!

We are blessed indeed!

Project Life 2012 - Week 35

August 26 - Sept 1

Monday, the 27th

Bennett had baseball practice tonight. This is a totally new team - he only knows one other kid on the team, and that is really only an acquaintance. Bennett doesn't care though - I think I was more traumatized about not knowing the moms on the team than he was about not knowing the kids! Ha!
Anyway, the coach was asking who wanted to play what position, and Bennett raised his hand for just about every position! Even catcher! I was shocked! I thought for sure he was going to hold out for pitcher, but nope. His hand shot up for catcher. So, here he was behind home plate.
I have to say... he did a great job! 
When we headed home I said 'Catcher, huh? That really surprised me.' 'Really?' he said.
And that was that :)

Tuesday, the 28th

Bennett is really loving his new coach for his baseball lessons. Today he worked exclusively on hitting. They really worked it out.  I am always amazed at how Bennett can focus and really dig in when he gets that one-on-one instruction.
I think that my sitting under an umbrella on the side of the cage embarrassed him a little bit, but it was hot, and I was sweating :)

Friday, the 31st

So, once Bennett and I got done with our grammar lessons this summer, I had a white board laying around. Have I mentioned how fun I think it is to write on the white board? Yeah, it is fun! 
So, I hung it up in the pantry and we take turns writing secret notes to each other. It is such a nice little surprise to walk into the pantry (probably to get a snack that I shouldn't be getting!!) and see a sweet note. This one from Brad was somewhat poetic!!

And just like that September is here! Wow. Fall is almost here! Yea!!

Project Life 2012 - Week 34

August 19 - 25

Well, school is going great! I mean, really great. 

Bennett has merged right into school as if he has always gone there. It has really been remarkable! He is such a neat little guy :)

Here's a get-to-know-you paper that came home from school this week. I love it! 

Did you see where he said that he was good at memorizing useless facts? Ha!

But there's also that part where he says that he hopes that he makes new friends and then adds (I already have!) Love it!

Talk about answered prayers!

On Tuesday, the 21st, we met with a new coach for baseball. We call him Coach D.

I was very specific about what we were looking for in a coach for Bennett and I think he will fill that (somewhat tall) order perfectly!

 Here they are practicing pop flies and throwing. Bennett had a BLAST! And in just one lesson his skill level AND his confidence level was soaring :)  How can you put a price on that??

On Saturday, the 25th, Bennett had another football practice. Brad and I hung out under the shady awning on the bleachers.

It was so hot. I told Bennett that I was hot and that I wasn't even doing anything. He said 'well, guess how I feel!' That was kinda my point, but he wasn't buying it. So, we went to get Roo cups and we all cooled off. 

We're looking forward to a great fall season - sports are starting up! Yippee!!