Ch-Ch-Changes

I haven't written on the blog for so long because I really don't know where to start.

Do I write about my feelings of Ryan starting Kindergarten? That is more of a book, not just a blog post. (Oh, and he can't get out of the car fast enough in the morning.)

About how I feel so strange about turning 36? (And no, I didn't just have to use a calculator to figure out how old I am. Maybe.)

About how I really don't like change. I remember being so upset when my Mother wanted to go from colored lights to all white lights on our Christmas tree. So, both of my babies being in school everyday is a big deal.

About my Dad calling last night to tell me about how he is updating their will and that I needed to know some of the details. I put my fingers in my ears and said "lalala....I'm not listening." Because if I don't listen and don't know then I don't have to think about it and it's not real.

The blog post that I could write if I chose to think about everything is so cliched that I almost can't bear my own thoughts. I'm not the only person that has had their baby start Kindergarten. I'm not the only person to experience these weird growing pains. Now that everyone in my house can go to the bathroom and brush their teeth BY THEMSELVES, what is my purpose? I know, parenting never ends. But it sure is easier when your worries are sleeping, eating, and changing diapers.

And now to finish this cliche of a blog post, I will leave you with the words of Stevie Nicks. She wrote Landslide at age 27. She is now 62 and still rocking.

Well I've been afraid of changing cause I've built my life around you.
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
I'm getting older too

Cookies

I have wanted to organize pictures of my cookies for quite a while. These are some of the pictures I could find pretty quickly. I know there have been more. I thought I would share them with you all. I know my sweet friend, Linda, will especially appreciate them. I know you are still a loyal reader, Linda!

Baby shower cookies

Pumpkins and ghosts for Halloween party

Baseball party cookies

Penguin cookies for "P" day in Ryan's class. These were the most difficult cookies I have ever made b/c the black icing bled into the white.

Snowmen for Will's class Christmas party

Giraffe cookies for "G" day in Ryan's class. One of my all-time favorite cookies.

Angel cookies for a Christmas Cookie Party. These are probably my favorite cookies. They are so easy, yet I love how they turn out so beautiful.

Easter eggs

Personalized Easter eggs for cousins

Mickey Mouse cookies for a sweet 2 yr old birthday party.

Boys went to a soccer clinic everyday this past week. Their cousins went too and they all had a great time despite the brutal heat. Will enjoyed it and did surprisingly well even though this was the first time he had ever played soccer. He still insists that he does not want to be on a team this Fall.  Sometimes I can't figure him out for the life of me.



Afterwards they would go down and play in a creek that runs by the soccer fields. They thought this was the greatest thing they had ever done. It makes me feel like there are still some simple joys of summer left in our world. They would get sticks and rocks and dig around for stuff that only boys can find.

I am surviving the heat, however it does make me grouchy. I haven't been able to run much this summer which is adding to my sluggish/grouchy feeling. Boys go to swim lessons next week and then we will have 2 weeks left  before school starts. I am sad for myself, yet excited for them.

Will turns 8!!

My sweet angel boy

I ordered this banner for his Star Wars Lego Party. I think it turned out great!!

Picture of the food table and backyard. Amazingly, the weather turned out great for the party. There was a chance of thunderstorms but by 4:00, it was sunny and even a slight breeze coming up through our back patio.

Cousins

Will and his cake

Homemade Marshmallows!

The boys and I have gone with some friends to a new local Farmers Market here in town. It is held every Tuesday afternoon and we have gone 3 times now. We love it. It is near a big playground and pavilion with picnic tables. We have enjoyed visiting the different vendors and trying the free samples. Our favorite food truck, the Grilled Cheeserie, is always there so we have enjoyed an early dinner too.
The marshmallow truck from the Bang Candy company has been there too, so of course we had to try the ridiculously over-priced marshmallows. And we just did not think it was worth $5 for 4 tiny marshmallows.
So, we made our own following this recipe.

They were wonderful! So soft and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Much better than store-bought and better than the ones from the over-priced gourmet marshmallow truck. We dipped some in dark chocolate, but I didn't get a good picture of those. They were very easy to make too. The hardest part was cutting them into sqaures.

I also bought some kale and made some kale chips. Not quite as successful (or popular) as the marshmallows, however.

Beach Pictures

 Brothers going to boogie board

 My beautiful boy always stops to pose for the camera

 Daily football game on the beach

 Cousins

 JW and his Dad

 I got this shot of the beach one night. I like the light and shadows.

 Ryan being silly on the beach

Will and David

I have been doing a lot of "cleaning out" this week. I have done lots of laundry and packing for our beach trip next week, but also just cleaning out and throwing away too.

I found an old notebook under a seat in my car that contained notes I took from a sermon I heard months ago. Some of you may be familiar with Randy Harris.  This is the sermon he gave when he was a guest speaker at our church. It was a powerful message.

10 Ways to Live the Kingdom of God:

1. Memorize Scripture. Especially the Sermon on the Mount.
 I fall so short here. I do not teach my boys to memorize enough scripture either. I think this is why he makes this point #1.

2. Quit Whining. We are raising a generation of entitled people. Think about our grandparents generation of Christians.
Wow. Good point. I cannot remember hearing my West TN Grandmother or Grandfather ever utter a complaint.

3. Make a covenant with God and with each other. And keep your covenants.

4. Take a risk. Get involved in something outside your comfort zone. Live Romans 8 about "daring to trust God."

5. Walk- start to move, stroll, hang out, and see where God leads you.
I really like this one. For me this also includes running. I learned so much training for the half marathon. About myself and others. Sometimes you just have to get moving and see where you go.

6. Relocate yourself. Get outside of your "church."

7. Be Calm. Be Prayerful. Stay Sane. Sanity is contagious and so is anxiety.

8. Simplify. Travel Light. Find out what happens when you say "No."
Awesome! Love this one. The world will not end if I throw away junk or say no to someone.

9.Commit. We live in a world where we want everything instantly. Some things require a long-term commitment.

10. Be Present. Be present where you are in this very moment. Listen for God.