Movin' Up to Kindergarten

Jake's kindergarten orientation was today. He woke up super early because he was so excited.  I didn't really think I would be emotional today but, I was. We pulled up to school for the kindergarten tea. It was going to be about an hour and a half long. Jake thought it was his first day of school apparently? He jumped out of the car right away began walking across the parking lot (as If he knows where he is going) and says, "bye mom!" I of course had to explain that I would be with him for most of today and that his first day was not for another week. He was bummed because he wanted to stay longer. After I brought him to his class table and he met his teacher, who was fab, I went at sat with the parents. We knew a few families which was nice so he has some friends in his class already! As I listened to the adorable vice principal talk about kindergarten and the emotional adjustment, I well up with tears... Jake meanwhile is chatting with a friend already and being shushed by his teacher (greattttttt). I had a harder time than he did. He is ready. He is excited. I am so proud of the outgoing, spontaneous and funny little boy he is. We will definitely miss him around the house, but I know in my heart he is ready! Mama needs some prayer and tissues, but I'll get there too. I was anxious about sending him into the world and thought a lot about where to send him. Jon and I both prayed for a year or so about it. We feel completely excited about the school we chose for him. Then as I'm leaving a teacher handed me an adorable little pouch with this poem and my heart swelled once again. Love this school already!

Cousin Camp 2013

Growing up, my family lived thousands of miles from me in Ireland. I did not have aunts or uncles or even cousins whom I knew well. I had a blessed childhood don't get me wrong, but I knew that when I grew up, I wanted a big family and extended family connections were important to me. My children are beyond blessed by the family they have who love them. My boys now have eight cousins all under six years old! Tons of playmates and friends who call them family. 

Cousin camp is an idea I have wanted to do for a few years now. I saw it on a women's blog and knew we had to start this tradition, but they would need to be older. So, finally the opportunity came and the kids loved it! We played toys together, made tie dye t-shirts, attempted to make our own bouncy balls (flop), tried learning rainbow loom together, created stunt airplanes (boys adored), prayed and had lunch and we were at nap time! It went by so fast and the kids were sad it was over. I told them to look forward to next year!  Eventually, I want it to be an overnight afire with tents and s'mores!! Love cuzzy camp!

What a week!!!

This week has been crazy! On Saturday, the kids and I were heading down to visit with Pop Pop and Gigi at Lewes Beach. Jon stayed home for his fantasy football draft with his high school guys. On the way, Jon called to say that his dad (Popple) got into a serious motorcycle accident while vacationing in Massachusetts. All he knew was that it was serious and he had been helicoptered to a Boston hospital. So, I continued driving feeling incredibly helpless and scared for Popple and upset for the whole family. Jon, Jill and Mommel traveled up to Boston that morning to see him. He has several serious injuries and a long road ahead of him, but is stable and on the road to recovery. 

The following day, while they were traveling to Boston... Abby went into labor!! Later that day she delivered my third niece, Edith June. Edith is named after Mammy and couldn't be cuter. 

So it was a weekend of mixed emotions that's for sure. The boys and I were spenidng much neded time with Pop Pop and Gigi. Being spoiled with beach fun, ride after ride at Funland and Jake even got new school shoes at the outlets! Here we are in Lewes having fun while Popple suffers and Abby is in labor now?? Ahh... The feeling of not being able to be there for Popple and now, not being there with Abby was tough. 

Then, come Monday... To make our week, even more eventful... Nikki delivered my newest nephew, Derin Jon, Monday morning in Istnbul, Turkey!!! The babies are twelve hours apart. Just wild. Yet once again, I can't be there for her. It is not easy to be far from the ones you love while they are going throgh good or bad times. I am thrilled for Thomas and Abby as well as Eko, Nikki and Sean! What blessings. I am thrilled for my boys for gaining two more cousins to love. And I am in prayer and constant thought for Popple in Boston. I pray for him to come home soon and for Sally who is caring for him. The bosy and I got to FaceTime with Jon, Popple and Sallly in Boston today.. It was hard to see him clearly in pain, but we are lucky to still have him here with us! Thank you Lord for the events of this past weekend and for once again protecting our precious family. 

Edith June

Derin Jon 

Silly Fun