In Cade Fashion

Since my regular computer with my recent pictures is in the shop for what feels like F.O.R.E.V.E.R., my blogging catch-up will be furthered delayed.  Guess it is time to blog the high quality pictures from my phone.

This one is from this summer.  Cade suddenly became very picky about his clothes.  He wanted to wear camo and/or plaid shorts.  I would have to double check his outfit every day.  This one got the boot.   



My sweet Cade has been struggling a bit lately.  This year has been more difficult for him.  His quirks and sensory issues are really getting in the way of his learning and of his making friends.  We are starting the process to have some more evaluations done (and by starting the process I mean that the paperwork stack that I have to complete is on top of the mountain of work that I have to complete).  He also is having a hard time recovering from being sick.  He had 3 separate bugs/viruses in November and missed 8 days of school.  He is still complaining about his stomach hurting.  With Cade, it is always hard to know if he is really having a physical problem, or if he is having anxiety/sensory issues.  Prayers for my sweet, sweet boy would be appreciated. 


- Jenna

Straight From Nate - Thanksgiving Version

The things I love most in the world are you mommy, God, and Santa Claus - Nate


- Jenna

Today is Always Followed by Tomorrow

He asks me to carry him.  I hold up my hands, and he jumps into my arms.  My arms rest under his bottom, and his feet dangle below my knees.  He rests his head on my shoulder and sweetly pats my back.  I slowly make my way up the stairs while thinking about how big and heavy he has gotten.  He is probably getting too big to carry, but I carry him because today is always followed by tomorrow.  The future holds a boy who no longer wants to be held.  There was a last time that I carried my other boys, but I can't tell you when that time was.  When I carried them for the last time, I had no idea that it was the last time.  I wish I could carry them now, but tomorrow came.  I know that many more tomorrows are coming, so I am really trying to soak up all the goodness in the todays.  Today I scratch Cade's back because tomorrow is coming.  Today I call Dylan with a silly joke because tomorrow is coming.  Today I text back and forth with Chase because tomorrow is coming.  Today I wipe a bottom when called because tomorrow is coming.  Who am I kidding, I can't wait for that tomorrow!   

Class of 1990

I grew up 15 miles outside of a small (read "teeny tiny") town. There were 7 people in my graduating class.  Of the 7, 6 of us were together since kindergarten.  Most of us live in or near the metroplex, but we have never gotten together.  Then Facebook happened, and most of us reconnected (one person is a Facebook holdout).  We started to talk about getting together, and then the one person who became a traitor and moved out of state made plans to be in Dallas.  We made a plan to meet, and everyone was able to make it.  We had 100% participation at our 20-year (NO WAY) reunion.  Man I feel old.  It was really great to see everyone, and I hope we can do it again soon.

Jeff, Martha, Greg, Sarah, Brian, me, and Michael

Sarah, me, and Martha



Greg, Jeff, Brian, and Michael

Day at the Museum

Chase, Dylan, and Cade may have had the day off from school, but Nate still had Museum School in the afternoon.  After the orchard, we headed to the museum.  While Nate was at school, the boys and I spent some time in the museum.

The turtle may have been moved several times, but it is still there.

Dinosaur Dig

Cade made the clock work by making a battery out of an orange and a potato.

We Can't Keep Anything Nice Around This House (Thankful Thursday)

CRASH.....

Not an unfamiliar sound in our home. This particular crash was attached to the pretty, red candle holder (I did have 2, but the other one had already bit the dust). See my forlorn candles with no pretty holders.

Somebody who wasn't me might have said, "We can't keep anything nice in this house."

Truth can be found in that statement, depending upon how you look at it. It is true that our furniture is a little, shall we say, "worn". Our carpet might show some signs of "use". Many breakable objects have met their certain doom, and we may be on the verge of buying new dishes because our current supply has been somewhat "depleted". But even faced with all of this evidence; I am going to have to disagree with that statement. I think that we have at least 4 of the nicest things ever to exist in the world located in our very own home. We have a very cute teenager who has a caring and compassionate heart (and who might have just let out the most disgusting burp). I happen to treasure the 11-year-old who is brilliant and sweet to the core. My joyful 8-year-old is one of my prized "possessions". And that sweet and loving Nate just melts my heart. Yes, I am going to have to disagree with a certain someone. I think that we have the nicest things ever in our home. Unfortunately, he (that certain someone) will ultimately be right. My 4 treasures will eventually grow up and I won't be able to keep them around the house :-(

Apple Orchard

What?  You didn't know that there is an apple orchard just a few miles away from us?  It is true.  We went with a group of friends.  All of the boys were able to come since it was a random day off from school.

Listening "carefully" to the presentation

A caterpillar added to the bling on Nate's croc

Nate truly adores Chase, and Chase adores him right back

Washing his apple

Yummy

Chase's 13th Birthday Party

Chase wanted to go to the deer lease with some friends for his birthday this year. Since the deer lease in August is hot and miserable, we decided to wait and do it in October (and by "we" I mean "Mark"). The only problem is that Chase was not able to invite everyone he wanted to come. Some of his friends had sports that weekend, so that helped with narrowing down who to invite. Chase and his friends had a great time. There was fire, night vision, pigs, and 4-wheelers, and no one got hurt! Happy birthday, again!

First Ever "Mommy Guilt Monday"

Before I had kids, no one told me about the tremendous amount of guilt that I would feel about what I was or wasn't doing right for my children.  Sometimes the guilt really gets to me, and I know that I am not alone in this.  Lately, the weight of the guilt has really been getting to me.  In an effort to purge my soul of some of this guilt, I am introducing, "Mommy Guilt Monday".  This may not be a weekly feature (even though there is plenty of material).  Feel free to play along.

Today's topic - Chase's sport development

Chase has wanted to play football for years.  The money and time commitment were more than we felt we could afford.  We did let him play flag football last year, but never tackle football.  This year he was able to play on the school team.  He is loving it, but he is at a disadvantage since he has never played before.  The mommy guilt hits.  I feel guilty for not providing him with the opportunities to play football in the past so that he would have had the experience that he needed in order to play better this year.  Guilt, guilt, guilt.

This week, Chase will be trying out for the basketball team.  Ask me if he has played basketball before.  

Football Game #2

This has to be one of my favorite pictures ever.

Still super cute in the uniform :)

Chase's First Football Game

Chase's first tackle football game ever.  He started the year on the "A" team.  He wasn't able to play very much.  Later in the season, his coaches moved him to the "B" team so that he could get more playing time.  For this game, he was on the "A" team.

Hanging out before time to play

They noticed the family

The 2 boys on the left are 2 of Chase's best buds.  They are super good kids (in spite of the fact that one of them is a Yankee's fan)

Dylan and his buddy, Blake, watching the action

Cade watching the game

Chase is the one on the end, #84

I know that he won't appreciate this, but my boy is stinkin' cute in his uniform.

I never thought that I would enjoy 7th grade football, but I do.  Go Hawks!!