August 19, 2010 will always be remembered in our family, the first day of school for Jadon. This day began a new chapter in his young life and I am excited to watch it unfold.

Just in case you are wondering I did not cry, I did not even get teary eyed. I have been excited about this day for him. I did have that heart swelling proud feeling though.

Jadon has been wanting and ready to go to school for a while. He loves to learn and he honestly just could not wait to go to school so he could learn more.

I have been spending 5 years praying with and for him and every night the one constant in all those prayers is that he would grow to love God more and more with each passing day. For me today was about him going out on his own to put into action what he has been taught and to show God's love to his peers around him.

Todd and I tease with the kids all the time about not letting them have any more birthdays once they hit 5. There is no reason for them to grow anymore, of course we tease and have fun with it. Honestly, though, I am excited to see them grow. I want to see what God will do in their lives and how He will use them.

Here are a few pictures of Jadon's first day and one of him and his teacher Mrs. Daugherty.

And the night before his big, first day of school Jadon lost his other front tooth. He has now lost a total of 4 teeth.

Jadon, I am so proud of you and can not wait to see how you grow and change this next year.

The Fair

We had a wonderful visit from the Bischoff family a couple weeks ago. It seemed as though their time here was way too short. While here though we got to do some fun things with them, the fair being one of those fun events.
The fair had it all this year, for the kids, the magic of the rides and lights and fun foods and most important cousins. Donna went early this year and bought all in one bands, the entrance fee and a band to ride all the rides you want. It was great for the kids and the time of day we went was perfect for not having to stand in line. The night we also experienced a nice break in the triple digit degrees that we had experienced the first part of the week.

I took pictures when we first arrived with the animals and later didn't get a single picture of the kids riding rides. I'm not really sure what happened.

He is thrilled that I am taking his picture.

Ruth Ann loves her Jude and he returns the love to her.

Jadon and Haven walked around with each other holding hands most of the night.

The most important part of the Fair, your corn dog and jug of root beer.

Jude is still asking all most daily if we can go to the fair. He has now added at the end of his question, "next year?"

Clean Rooms

I have a thing about having a picked up house. I don't always get around to dusting or mopping the floors or washing the patio doors that constantly have little finger print marks all over it, but before naps and beds the rule has been to pick up toys and shoes and clothes.

I think I enjoyed about 2 months of the kids liking to pick up their toys. About the time they hit about 18 months to 2 years and they feel so big when they get to help mommy and daddy.

I guess I never realized that time period was so short. I thought we would definitely be in the teen years before they became physically ill when asked to clean. It never fails, the stomachs start hurting, they become so exhausted they can't move or they just feel so bad.

My responses usually go something like this:

• If you're stomach hurts so bad then it really isn't a good idea to eat dessert. 
• If you're so tired then I can pick your toys up, but you can go straight to bed so you can feel rested for tomorrow.
• If you feel so bad lets not have a snack and you can go ahead and go to bed because mommy doesn't want you to get really sick.

All of these responses are followed by sometimes crying and emphatic reassurances that they are just fine. Funny how that works.

The other night I told Haven it was time to pick up toys and get ready for bed. She once again was taking an extremely long time to do it. So, I finally pulled her out of her room and gave her a time limit for when all toys needed to be picked up or she was going to have taken away anything that was not put up.

She finished well before time was up so when I go in to inspect the room this is what I found.

Everything was thrown either in her closet or on her bed. If this is how we do it now what do I have to look forward to when she becomes a teenager? I will give her credit, the floor of her bedroom was spotless.