A First Grader!

Today was Josiah's last day of Kindergarten!

He went to school this morning very excited to see his friends one more time!

Josiah had no idea, but I was the goody lady today.  I brought popcorn, drinks & a movie for Josiah's class to watch while Miss Price cleaned up the room for the break.  He was pleasantly surprised.

At the end of the day, Josiah said goodbye to Miss Price & hello to McDonald's...his choice for lunch.  But he had to go to a McDonald's that had a PlayPlace.  All four of us took Josiah to McDonald's to enjoy his special lunch.

After lunch, Josiah chose to go to Baskin Robbins for dessert.  Dustin took Josiah while I took Ethan home for his nap.  They had some Father/Son time before Dad's trip.

There's part of me that is excited & proud.  There's part of me that wants to shed a tear.  My little boy left this morning a Kindergartner & came home a First Grader.

Firsts!

There have been a lot of firsts going on around here lately!

The other day Ethan sat in his new high chair for the 1st time during dinner.  He really enjoyed playing with the ball in front of him.  The rest of the time he was chewing on his fingers & slobbering.  So, I think we're about to get a 1st tooth soon, too.

Ethan has also recently found his feet.  It doesn't seem to matter where we are or what we are doing...he is trying to hold his feet.  Most days when I'm driving I hear grunting in the back seat.  When I stop, I turn to look  & he's even trying to hold his feet while he's riding in his carseat.  Too funny!

A BIG first happened this morning & then again this afternoon.  This morning, Dustin & I walked into Ethan's room & Dustin said, "Hi!"  Ethan then said, "Hi" back.  This is exactly what Josiah did.  His first word was also hi & it happened first thing in the morning.  Too funny!  Then, later this afternoon, Ethan said, "Mama!"

I am really enjoying all of these firsts!

The Fox Family!

My sweet dear friend, Amanda Fox & her wonderful family made a stop on their family summer vacation to see us.

Grady is the earliest friend Josiah remembers.  He was his 1st friend in Seattle.  Gabe, Grady & Josiah have always gotten along well & picked up right where they left off.

We went to Wasabi for lunch & it was delicious!  We enjoyed the fire & the volcano!

After lunch, we went to Zuma Fun Center for a little while.  Dustin joined us for a go-kart ride before he headed to a graduation ceremony of some of our students.

The kids then rode bumper boats.  Josiah was super pumped for this one because he's never been tall enough to drive himself.  He had so much fun squirting his buddies.

After bumper boats they played putt-putt, bumper boats again & then came inside for arcade games.  The fun came to an abrupt end when Josiah started crying saying his ear was hurting.  Poor guy had an ear infection & we didn't even know it.  He spent the rest of the afternoon asleep in bed, but felt better at night to come out & play more with his buddies before they left for Myrtle Beach, SC.

We feel so honored that you guys would make us a stop on your family vacation.

We love the Fox Family!

A Great Day at Church!

Today was a great day at Park West Church!

The 11am service began with Dustin baptizing two of our High School young men.  It was such a pleasure to watch these two in particular, because they are two that Dustin has personally mentored.  To see where they were a year ago & then to hear them ask to be baptized as a symbol of their commitment to Christ is a beautiful thing.

Later in the service, we honored our High School graduates.  Dustin was able to recognize them & bless them with a small gift.

The rest of the service was quite interesting.  The guys who got baptized were able to share their pre-recorded testimony video during service.  These testimonies were quite transparent & life changing for others to hear.  I was so proud of them for sharing their hearts with such a large group of people.  It genuinely seemed like people were so moved by their testimonies that we have heard stories of people in the altar praying & repenting for their sinful ways.  What a beautiful picture of true ministry...when the young come forward & testify of what the Lord has done in their lives & others follow in their footsteps.  Beautiful!  It was a great day at church!

Soccer Week 5! SCORE! SCORE!

Today was Josiah's 5th week of soccer!

The day began by taking group pictures.  I thought it was weird that they practiced before having their picture taken.  It was already 80 degrees & they practiced BEFORE pictures!  Yes...you guessed it...my kid was sweaty...still cute, though.

Josiah & his teammates played their hearts out today.  The team they played was another hard one.  During one of their breaks, Josiah came over & sat down in his chair, very discouraged.  I asked him what was wrong & he said, "Mom...(very sarcastically) we haven't scored AT ALL & they have a point already."  So, I just looked at him & asked him what he was going to do about that.  I then told him to get out there & score a goal.  He immediately stood up with this determination in his eyes & went back on the field before they even called for them...& guess what he did almost immediately.  He scored a goal for his team.  He went from the other end of the field & beat most of the other team to the goal & missed the 1st time, then tried again & made it.  SCORE!  He was so proud of himself...as you can tell in the above picture!

Not 2 minutes after that goal, he scored...wait for it...AGAIN!!!  2 goals in 1 day!  That's never happened before for Josiah.  Today was his 3rd & 4th goal ever in a game.  In the last 5 seconds of the game, the other team got the ball & kicked a goal, which ended up tying the game 2-2.  Josiah didn't mind, though, because he scored the only 2 goals his team made today.  So, he was the star.  SCORE!  SCORE!

Ethan is Four Months Old!

Today Ethan is Four Months Old!

Neighborhood Fun!

Today, Josiah & his friends were outside playing after school & it was hot.  So, Dustin invited them all to come jump in the pool & cool off.  What great neighborhood fun!

Ethan is Seventeen Weeks Old!

Today Ethan is Seventeen Weeks Old!

Captain Bumbo Head!

One of the main reasons I love being a Mom is because you never know what unexpected things are going to happen that will just make you laugh!

Today, Josiah & I were playing with Ethan.  Ethan was sitting in his Bumbo chair.  He began to get tired & I could tell it was nap time.  So, I took Ethan to his room & laid him on his changing table.  When I turned around, this is what I saw.  I burst into laughter & was so glad I had my camera close by to get a picture of Josiah with Ethan's bumbo chair on his head with his weapon of choice!

He then said, "I am Captain Bumbo Head!"  Ha!  I laughed so hard I almost cried!

Guys Night!

Tonight was a very special night for Josiah!  He got to have a Guy's Night with Dad!

Dustin came home from work & surprised him with the news.  He was so excited!  Dustin let him pick where he wanted to have dinner.  Shocker:  McDonald's!  He even got a chocolate milkshake to take with him after dinner.

They then went to Madison's softball game.  Madison is one of Josiah's very favorite teenagers from our church.  This was one of her last games & he was excited to go.

I think they both had a great time at Guy's Night!