SENIORS!!!

I was given the privilege of spending the morning with this sweet family and their youngest son, who has just graduated from highschool.  His dad serves as one of the pastors at my church, so I've known of their family for several years.  This was the first opportunity I'd had to spend some quality time with them, and it was truly a pleasure.  I love to see parents of boys (young men) who have managed to "do it right."  It's always great to have more examples to follow!

Last but not least, I stole a quick moment with the proud parents.  :)  Sweet, sweet family!

Hair!

This is my beautiful sister, a couple of weeks ago.  I've ALWAYS envied this HAIR!  It's funny... she is a licensed stylist, and one of the FEW I know who keeps her hair simple and healthy.  Occasionally, I've known her to throw a couple of random highlights into those blonde locks, but otherwise... it is what it is... just the way God gave it to her.  :)

She went to get it "trimmed" the other day, and her friend got a little scissors-happy.  No worries.  Her hair grows at the speed of lightning... BUT, for my entertainment... I HAD to snap a couple of pictures, because it's the first time EVER that our hair has been similar in length...  Mine is often shorter.  Hers is typically longer.  So, this was a Kodak moment, indeed (Actually, it's a Canon moment, but that's not how the commercial went...)  :)

SO many things to blog about!...

It's the end of the school year.

There are always all sorts of happenings and comings and goings before the summer break arrives.  I'm not complaining.  I'd rather be busy than bored!

I thought I'd do just a little catching up for anyone who is interested.  Today, I'll add some pics from my sister in law's baby shower that we had a couple of weeks ago.  We had a spectacular time.  :)  If you're my "friend" on FB, then I'm sure you've seen them... but if you're NOT... ENJOY!  :)

Testing!

Does it work?  :)

Sweet Smiles.

My little boy has lost three teeth in the last couple of weeks... two of those came out just today.  He was so brave and SO excited!  Of course, we all went on and on about it.  After the excitement had died down, we all went about our Sunday afternoon business.  Moments later, I came into the living room to find him snuggled up with my husband on the couch, in complete dismay... face buried in his daddy's cheset, tears just rolling down his sweet, pink, freckled cheeks. 

I was surprised, to say the least!  Just minutes before, he was elated!  I sat next to them both on the couch, and asked, "WHY are you so sad?"

My husband whispered an answer, "He looked in the mirror, and says he doesn't like his smile."

Needless to say, this mommy's heart broke into about a million pieces, right on the spot.  Oh, how I long for my children to realize how wonderful and special and beautiful they are.  If I could only show them who I see when I look at them.

Now, you and I both know that the toothless smile of a mischievous, little boy is not only priceless, but ridiculously adorable!  My hope was to convince HIM of that.  :)  I proceeded to have a conversation with my son (all the while, he remained cozily snuggled on his daddy's lap).

We talked about growing up and changing and how it's all part of God's design.  We talked about all the ways he was getting older, and how cool that was.  I explained how he should be so proud of that smile, because he so bravely earned it!  I also told him how horrible it would be for everyone if he quit smiling!  This little guy has a personality that lights up a room as soon as he walks into it.  For those of you who know him, you know that's no understatement. 

Then, I brought out the humor... (because this appeals best to him).  I pointed out how silly we'd all look if our faces continued to grow, and we still had little, tiny baby teeth! 

Last, but not least, personal relation... I told him the story about how his uncle lost a baby tooth when he was only a toddler (after a minor household injury... poor guy), and it only added more character to his already beautiful smile.  My little boy lifted his face toward mine, and I could see his eyes were starting to brighten.  Then, I told him that his Mammaw had to have all of her baby teeth pulled before she was even in KG, and she didn't have ANY at all!  That story even brought out a giggle  ...and after the promise of a treat from the candy drawer, his wonderful smile had fully returned.  He graciously shared a chocolate bar with his brothers, and life was back to normal.

Wouldn't it be nice if all parenting dilemmas were so easily resolved?

The whole situation brought this song to my mind.  It has become a favorite in our home.  We took the boys recently to see Mercy Me in concert, and they were absolutely awesome!  Take a listen to the lyrics.  It has a very sweet message... one I hope my boys will learn early in their precious lives.

More Mother's Day Fun.

Little gifts from little hands.  They warm a mommy's heart, indeed!  This was a favorite of mine.... and it's not even mine!  :)  This was the Mother's Day necklace my nephew made at preschool, for my sister.  I've seen a LOT of crafty gift ideas in my years of mommyhood, and this has to be one of my favorites!  so sweet!  She wore it proudly all day long.  :)

After eating our weight in spaghetti, salad, and treats like THIS for dessert (another Aunt Holly creation)...

we all went outside to play off some calories.  :)

This is what my backyard looks like when my family comes over.  :)

This was some entertainment for the afternoon... my brother, tormenting my dog with his RC truck.

She just RAN, and RAN, and RAN!  :)

Then, we got a couple of the boys in on the chasing action. 

We always have so much fun.  :)

My Mom.

We had a great day yesterday.  The sun was shining.  All the siblings came over, as well as my mom.  The kids played.  We laughed.  We ate... a lot.  It was a typical Freeman family get-together.  :)

My brother and his wife (along with baby) gave Mom a new birthstone charm to represent their little guy, for her family necklace.  She got pictures (always one of her top requests... to receive, NOT to have taken of herself... EVER!) and a DVD she wanted.  I think she had a good day.  She has certainly earned it.

My mom is a constant.  Not a single one of us can say we remember a time when she was NOT around.  She stayed home with all five of us, and cared for every need.  She washed the clothes, she paid the bills, she gave the baths, she helped with homework, she made the dinners, she read stories.  There are fourteen years between me (the oldest) and my baby brother.  That's a LONG time to continue adding a newborn to the mix!  And she kept on truckin'.  :)  ...enduring all five of us through our teenage years!  I can't even imagine.... having a teenager who is first driving, and a child going through his terrible twos... AT THE SAME TIME!  I can appreciate that sentiment in a completely new way, now that I am a mom as well!

She has often said that she doesn't really know that she has any exceptional talents or gifts... which makes me laugh.  I guess she doesn't consider the never-ending patience of Job, a talent?  Or her way of easily forgiving, and loving unconditionally, a gift?  I would say that bringing up five children who are still thankful to call her "mom" is quite an accomplishment in itself!

My mom and her boys... How is it that a son can ALWAYS add a little extra excitement to the mix???  :)  Just look at all of these expressions!