Pres is Double Digits!

Preston had a big birthday this month...his tenth!!  He only had his sights on two things for his birthday....a new iPad (so he can play more games) and candy.  We really didn't want to give him either, so we decided to surprise him with something else.  On the Friday morning before his birthday, he opened up one present.  Inside were two "tickets."  One to see the movie "The Meg," and the other to the Bama-Ole Miss game.  Both would take place in Oxford, MS, and he needed to be ready to go as soon as school got out that afternoon.  He was THRILLED!!

That day at lunch, I surprised him with chick-fil-A.  He was excited to see me, as were his buddies in his class.  I was the lucky one, sitting at a table of 4th grade boys.  Later that day, I received a text from his Principal with a birthday selfie.  This has become his thing with the kids, which they love!

Preston and Dr. Lowry

While Preston was at school, I packed his bag.  As soon as he got home, Steve and Pres left.  They arrived just in time for a quick dinner, and then they were off to see "The Meg."  It is a movie about the megalodon, a gigantic shark that is believed to be extinct.  Preston loved it (Steve said it wasn't too hot).  The following morning, the guys awoke early and then headed to campus to watch SEC Nation.  Before each commercial the camera would pan the audience, and Preston was lucky enough to have his cute face caught!

After an hour or so, Steve and Pres continued their journey.  They walked around the grove, and they made friends everywhere they went. They tailgated with other Bama fans they met at the hotel, hung out with starting Alabama quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa's family, had lunch, watched the team get off the bus (where Preston got a high five from Damien Harris), and ultimately went into the stadium.

Tua's little brother who has already committed to Bama

Bama's Athletic Dir, Greg Byrne

But the fun didn't end there!  They met Alabama's Athletic Director, snacked on stadium food, and watched Bama roll all over Ole Miss.  Preston finally is all about watching the games, so he loves staying for the entire game!  It was a late night, but they BOTH had a blast!  It was a wonderful surprise for Pres, and the father-son bonding was particularly special for Steve.  Though I couldn't be apart of the fun, I was so happy getting all of the updates, and hearing about how much fun they were having.  This special weekend will stay with Preston forever, and I love creating memories like that.

Sunday morning (Preston's actual birthday), they drove home and we went to lunch at Taco Mama, and then Pres went to baseball practice.  That night we celebrated with ice cream cake (his choice), and he received his other presents (2 football jerseys, an Xbox game and some new wireless earbuds).  Preston got cash from everyone else, enough to buy himself a new iPad and a ton of candy from Goo and Shell.  I don't think Preston could have dreamt up a better birthday weekend.

However, the celebrating didn't stop there.  He really wanted a birthday party, but we put our foot down (we are over them), but caved and let him have some friends over for a sleepover.  They played football outside for hours, ate dinner, played on the xbox, and fell asleep at 10pm....not too shabby for kids or parents.

Luke Serotsky, Collier Hicks, Pres and Boone Aycock

Happy 10th to our energizer bunny!  The boy who loves all sports, is super competitive, smart, funny, loves his mom, dad and dog (and sometimes his siblings), and is overall just a good kid.  He is slowly becoming more mature, growing his relationship with God and learning to be more humble.  We are so proud of him, and know he will be successful in life.  We love you buddy!

4th Grade Boys Bible Club

Eating breakfast and learning...over 25 boys!

Around the end of 3rd grade, a couple of us were discussing how we would like to start a Bible Club for our boys.  Since I was just wrapping up the Bible Club I helped with for Bennett in 4th and 5th grade, I had the time.  After three phone calls, we had two teachers, a house within walking distance to the school, a curriculum and an organizer!  It was definitely meant to be! Praise be to God!

After a few weeks of school, we decided to get started.  We sent an invitation home with every 4th grade boy, and on our first week we had 27 boys!  Since then our roster has grown to 30, and we have maintained an average of 25-30 boys every

Walking to school after Bible Club

week!  We start at 7am, with parents bringing in breakfast each week, and then Shannon Hicks or Cecily Lowe lead the lesson for the boys.  About 7:45, we wrap up with prayer and walk the boys to school.  I then send out a weekly summary to all of the parents.  It has all gone so smoothly, and the boys seem to really be enjoying it and learning a lot....thanks to the curriculum.  I love that Preston has memorized a couple of Bible verses and seems to recall lots of what we have learned since the beginning.

Walking to school after Bible Club

Only 3 weeks in....so much more to learn!

Look at all of those boys learning about Jesus!

Double Birthday Celebration!

HBD Christian and Preston

2018 has been dedicated to spending more time with my brother's family.  Being in two different school districts, having Henley in competitive cheer and with Brian and Steve traveling for work makes it tough.  However, we have tried REALLY hard to see each other monthly, and have been pretty successful.

Since the kids can't always celebrate birthdays together due to conflicting sports or other plans, we decided to celebrate Christian and Preston's birthday at our September gathering.  The kids have loved getting to hang out more often, because many of the times they lead to sleepovers.  There are lots of laughs, and usually only a little fighting.

In addition, it has really helped all of us become closer.  I feel like I am getting to really know my nieces and nephew.

Parents Beach Getaway!

Though our family has had some great trips away this year, with one additional one still ahead....they are all family trips.  We love our kids, but this mama needs a break.  Unlike Steve who at least gets away with various work trips, I get to be with the kids every day.  So when Shanon Jarmon asked if we wanted to accompany them to the beach for Labor Day weekend sans kids, I was all over it!

We struggled to find a sitter for the long holiday weekend, but we finally found someone that teaches at Walker's preschool.  Friday morning, after we got all of the children to their respective schools, we hit the road!  Though we hit traffic, we finally made it for a late lunch at Great Southern Café!  We enjoyed some fresh seafood and pina coladas, and kicked our weekend off right!  We hit Publix, the liquor store and Buddy's seafood for a few essentials, and finally made it to the beach for the sunset. 

The next morning we went for a walk, before eating some food and drinking mimosas.  We made it the beach for the afternoon, and came back in early so we could grab Dusty's for an early dinner before watching the Bama game that night.

Sunday it was more of the same....lunch and drinks at Red Bar while listening to Dread Clampit, and then the beach for the afternoon.  Without children, we didn't have to adhere to strict dining times.  We snacked a lot, and had one or two meals a days.  

Sadly we left on Monday morning to head back to reality.  It was a great break, and the four of us had so much fun together.  We don't have a ton of pictures to document our fun, but take my word for it....it was FUN!!