The End of the School Year

The kids had a blast at their End of Year Parties.  The parties for each grade level are organized by the Room Reps (Room Moms/Dads).  They were so fun.   Preston's party was a carnival and he got to play lots of games.

He also got a tattoo that he just loves.

Kaitlyn received the "Starburst Award" for always being a good helper.

They also had some treats.  Kaitlyn had an ice cream sundae and Preston had cookies and juice.

Kaitlyn got to decorate her own shirt with puffy paint.  The whole class had a lot of fun coming up with their own designs.

I'll admit, I saw this sign hanging in Kaitlyn's class and it hit me that she was going to be a 3rd GRADER!!!  Yes, my eyes started to get teary.  It got worse when her teacher played a slideshow of pictures through out the year and she put some sappy songs on it.

Preston was blessed to have an amazing teacher for his Kindergarten year.  We had some extra conferences with her during the year and we knew Preston was being taught very well and with a lot of patience.  He received all 'M's' (Mastery) on his final report card.

Kaitlyn had the best teacher ever in 2nd grade. I was privileged to be the Room Rep for this class and LOVED every second of it.  I got to know all the kids, I read with them every Wednesday, I helped plan all the parties, corresponded with parents, and really got to know the teacher.  She's young, positive, energetic, and a Christian.  Kaitlyn received all 'A's' on her report card.

It was a very special year for our family:  a brand new school, great new teachers,  and Preston's very first year.  The Lord has blessed our family so I'm able to only work part-time and I can be at all of their school functions.  We are also so thankful that every teacher our children have had were so encouraging and touched their lives in some way.  We will end this school year with nothing but great memories.

Preston's Kindergarten Graduation

Ahhh...Kindergarten Graduation.  It's always such a bittersweet time for parents.  I had been crying about it for over a month.  Ever since Preston brought home his graduation pictures order form, it hit me that he was growing up.  And it's been very emotional.  

All 5 Kindergarten classes sang several songs together and it was so cute!  I actually didn't do too bad with the tears.  Then, as the kids were lining up to receive their diplomas, they decided to play "Let Them Be Little" by Lonestar.  Really?!  I think the goal was to make all the moms cry.  I think they succeeded.

Only one of the grandparents was able to come to the ceremony, but Preston still loved it.

I love that smile!!!

It's official!

Daddy is so proud!

We brought Kaitlyn and Preston lunch in honor of graduation and the end of the school year.

We celebrated some more that night with Preston's favorite dinner, Cranberry Chicken (or as he calls it "my favorite brown chicken").  For dessert we had fudge brownies with vanilla ice cream.  His graduation gift was a Texas Rangers hat that he had been wanting for awhile.  It was a great and emotional day!

Field Day 2012

The kids had their first Field Day at the new school and loved it!!!  It was all Olympic-themed and very well organized by the P.E. Dept.  Thankfully, the kids had their activities at separate times so I could spend time with both of them.

They did a 50 yard dash, tug of war, archery, frisbee throw, relay races, and so much more.  They especially loved getting their faces painted and eating Pop-Ice and Frozen Custard.

There was a Field Day Casualty in the Kelley Family.  Kaitlyn was sitting in her line while another classmate was pulling someone on a flat coaster.  Well, when they came running up to the line, nobody tried to stop the coaster and rammed right into Kaitlyn's wrist.  She immediately started to cry and went to the nurse.  The nurse said she had a busy day with other injuries.

Besides that, everyone had fun.  Just FYI, don't forget to put sunscreen on the back of your knees.  LOTS of sunscreen!!!!  Because when you get a sunburn there, it hurts to wear jeans.  Just sayin'...

Here's a video of Kaitlyn doing her best to throw a frisbee despite all the wind.

A T-Ball Story

Once upon a time, there was a little 5 yr old boy who wanted to play sports.  Even though this boy was very shy, he wanted to get out there and try flag football.  His parents agreed to let him try it and signed him up.  

At the very first practice, this little boy was thrown right into the mix of some tougher,  rowdier boys that have already played football.  There was no introduction or thorough instructions on what to do.  So, as this shy little boy saw the other boys practice their blocking and other maneuvers, the tears started to come.  And they continued to come over and over, tear after tear.  This little boy was not used to anything like this before.  

Many changes had recently happened in his life.  He started full day Kindergarten, which was a rough transition from him.  His mom was no longer his music teacher just as she had been since he was 2 yrs old.  He also recently started going to a different class during Wednesday night church services.  This sweet, sensitive little boy just couldn't handle all these changes happening at once.

He went to another flag football practice and again, he just cried and cried.  His parents just couldn't bear to see him so miserable during practice.  When it was talked about at home, the tears made another appearance.  He just was not ready for something like this.  So, he quit.  The anxiety was just too much.

But then, came the Spring.  This shy boy was starting to outgrow his shyness.  He adapted very well to school and other new classes.  He wanted to try sports again, but this time he wanted to try T-ball.  

T-ball has completely changed his life.  He completely excelled in this sport and looked forward to every practice and game that he had.  His dad even bought him a T-ball stand to practice with at home.  His coach told his parents at the end of the season that he was one of the best catchers and throwers on the team.  He was also the most improved.  

His parents saw his confidence soar.  They saw those huge grins every time he had an excellent hit or catch.  They saw his great sportsmanship and were relieved that their son had found his passion.

Warming up before the game

Waiting in the dugout

Practice swings

Baseball ready

#12

Team pictures-#12 is back row center

Daddy was always helping during games and practice

Pictures taken by Hardy Burnett

Pictures taken by Hardy Burnett

Pictures taken by Hardy Burnett

Pictures taken by Hardy Burnett

Congratulating the other team after the game

Excited about taking the team snacks

 End of Season party at a local pizza place.  Yummy breadsticks!

 The pizza was even better.

Giving the coach a homemade picture at the End of Season party 

So proud of his trophy!

Here is a video of #12 getting another player out.

Preston's New Smile

There have been changes in the Kelley household, especially in Preston's smile.  He finally lost his 1st tooth!  He has had 2 loose bottom teeth and 2 loose top teeth for awhile.  One tooth on the bottom has been extremely loose, but he would never let us (well, Craig) pull it out.  

Craig was brushing Preston's teeth before school and accidentally bumped that tooth.  It was just barely hanging there, so Craig popped it right out.  Preston was so excited which is very different than how his sister reacted when her 1st tooth fell out.

Both of the kids have Tooth Fairy Pillows that our friend makes.  Both of the kids also decided it's creepy for the Tooth Fairy to come into their rooms during the night.  The Tooth Fairy pillow must remain in the hallway, on the bookshelf, and that's as far as she is allowed to come.  The Tooth Fairy thinks it's easier to visit that way too.

How did Preston feel finding a dollar bill in place of his tooth?  I think that smile says it all!

I Never Wanted To Be A Mom

I never wanted to be a mom.  I was not the type of little girl that talked about getting married, having the white picket fence, and lots of kids.  I never said I wanted someone to dress up in frilly dresses or button down shirts and khakis.  

In fact, I said I NEVER wanted kids.  I thought kids were annoying and I didn't want that kind of responsibility.  I wanted to perform in musical theater and travel with my husband.  I didn't want to stress over finances.

I had many medical problems with my female anatomy.  After a surgery to re-position my uterus that nearly took my life in September 2002, I didn't know if I'd even be able to have kids.  But that was okay because I still didn't want them.

I remember the day so clearly.  I could hear the voice so audibly.  It was New Year's Day, 2003.  A Baby Story marathon was on T.V.  Why was I so obsessed with watching that show ALL DAY LONG?  Then I heard Him.  I heard God's voice.  For me, hearing from God is not like hearing from just anybody.  It was an overwhelming feeling.  It was like a light bulb being turned on in my head.  It was such a clear answer that I could not possibly deny not knowing the question that I never asked.  

It was time to start a family.  

Craig always wanted two children and knew how I felt about it.  He married me anyways.

When I told Craig how God spoke to me, shock could not even explain the look on his face.  After meeting with my doctor, who told me I should have no problem getting pregnant despite my medical history, we knew it wouldn't be long until we conceived.

Three months later, I was pregnant.  God works fast.

December 2003, only 11 months after hearing God's voice, a beautiful 7 lb. girl came into our lives.  She was born 9 days after her father's birthday and 10 days before our anniversary/Christmas.  She was the best gift we could ask for.

And I fell in love.  

I was so happy with my only princess that I didn't even want to think about having another child.  It was a miracle that I had her and my uterus was still doing well after my previous surgery.

But I heard the voice again.  It was August 2005.  We started to try for a second child, thinking it would be nice if our kids were about 2 or 2 1/2 years apart in age.

Two months later, I was pregnant again.  My handsome blue-eyed, 9 lb. boy was born June 2006, on Father's Day, almost 2 1/2 years exactly after our daughter was born.  

Then, my uterus fell back to its previous position, which had caused me many problems before.  I knew God kept me healthy just long enough to have the 2 kids that I was always destined to have.  I had a hysterectomy in August 2009, at the age of 28.  But I was at peace with the decision after lots of prayer.  We knew our family was complete with just the four of us. It was time for me to start living fully and not always being weighed down with constant medical problems.

Motherhood has changed me and molded me in ways I could never imagine.  I am much more emotional, I like things extremely organized and planned, I'm very protective of my kids, and I don't do anything without thinking of how it will affect my family.  

I still perform in musical theater.  Our family is taking two trips this year.  We have no debt except one car payment and our mortgage.  And I love being responsible for these two little lives.

Thank you, God, for trusting me to raise these children.  Thank you for keeping them healthy, well fed, and protected.  Thank you for these two beautiful creations that have changed me for the better.  Thank you, God, for making me a mother.

Linking up here:

FunD Run

The kids recently had an exciting event at school called the FunD Run.  Every student had to run for 20 minutes.  They would earn money from whoever sponsored them for every lap that they ran.  We didn't solicit for sponsors.  I don't always liked to be asked to buy things from other kids so I don't ask other people.  Preston and Kaitlyn just ran for fun.  

It was a very nice morning, just perfect for running.  Here's Kaitlyn getting ready to start.

And they're off!  Thankfully, Preston and Kaitlyn ran at separate times so I was able to watch both of them.  Kaitlyn had a much bigger area for her laps.

She really had a great time and loves to run.

She's still going!

And still going.  She did a great job and I was super proud of her.  She only stopped to walk a little bit.  I watched the 2nd graders as they were finishing their running and they were exhausted.  Some of them were heaving and felt a little faint, but they all recovered quickly.

Then, Preston came outside for his turn.  The Kindergartners had a much smaller area to run around.

He really got into his running.

Still determined!

He just kept running and running...

The Kindergartners ran for most of the 20 minutes and hardly stopped to walk.  Afterwards, they seemed perfectly fine and probably could've kept going.  Great job Kaitlyn and Preston!