From one star to another

Yesterday cheering on Brittanie, today cheering on Kyle!! GO FALCONS!!! Kyle had his first football game of the season today! They won BIG!!!! Yea!!! He did great, and even played a new position today. He typically plays corner back or wide receiver but, today starred as safety! You go boy!


Run Kyle!! Go #24


Kyle starring at safety

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL

Fight Mighty Tigers


Tiger Pride
(Left to right) Kyle's buddy Andrew, Kyle, Brittanie's friend Ashlee and Britt



TO TIGERS!!
Ok, so last night was our first Tiger football game. It did not go so well, sniff sniff. We were all there proudly wearing our red and white and ready to cheer them on. We actually all went because my baby girl was making her first appearance on the field in uniform playing until her little hearts content!! Go Baby Girl!!! I was so proud!!! I can't believe that it is time for my baby to be out on that field. It seems like just yesterday that it was me out on that field holding that flute high and now I am the band parent, Scary!!! Anyway, they did a phenominal job play Na Na Hey Hey, Goodbye!!!!! It sounded great! The junior highs stood on the field with the Belton High Marching 100! Yea!!! The down fall, I tried to take pictures of my baby while she was on the field but, it was a no go!! They were horrible so, we have to settle for the only one I got, sniff sniff!! Needless to say the half time performance was the most exciting part of the night. Our mighty Tigers fell to Round Rock McNeil 35 - 6! Oh well, there is always next week. Go Tigers.


Go LBMS Band!! WHEW!!


Brackston and The star of our show

Run Away Hamster

Ok, so many of you know that we (our kids) have hamsters. One for each of them! Brittanie got hers first (for her birthday)and her name is Belle. Kyle and Brackston got theirs at the same time, given to us by a friend who was having to get rid of them due to putting their house on the market. The boys hamsters names are Jesse, and Jordan (affectionately known as vicious). Well for the third time now Jesse has gotten to run loose around the house. The first time was much like this time and Brackston (who keeps a very close eye on his and Kyles) looked and looked and looked for Jesse and says "Mom, Jesse is not in her cage again!" Oh, not again!!! The first time was incredibly traumatic for Kyle and Brackston. We blamed Brackston for opening the cage and we cried and had no clue what to do. Belle is our first hamster and she has never even tried to get out. Anyway, after panicking for quite awhile, BK and Bryan finally got then bright idea to leave the cage open because they said she might come back for food. Smart thinking!!!! About five hours after discovering that she was missing Brackston was watching a movie in his room and he comes running in to me and says "Mom I got a surprise, come here!" I quickly went into the boys room and Jesse was in her cage getting some food. Poor Jesse her freedom was taken in an instant. Basically, the same thing happened again last night. When we got home Brackston was checking in on the hamsters and Jesse was M.I.A. again!!! Dang, Jesse!!!! Stay in your cage!!!! We have got to find a way to lock that thing!! Oh well, I guess that is my next mission, finding some way to secure my little Gramsters!!!! LOL

Missing You

Today I remember one of the most important men in my life, my Dad! My Dad passed away over 8 years ago. Today we would have celebrated his 53rd birthday. On days like today I wonder how my life would be different if he were still here with us. I know that I would laugh much more because of his incredible humor and wonderfully infectious laugh. I remember just sitting there and watching him laugh and laughing right along with him because his laughter was so amazingly funny. The last movie that we got to see together was American Pie and this is the last memory I have of times like that. He always knew how to lighten the mood and was definitely the life of the party. I also know that Daddy would be proud of Me and my babies. He was an incredible PaPa and now he would just love my third bundle of energy (who often reminds me of his PaPa). I loved him with every ounce of me and admired his hard work and dedication to our family. I have lots of wonderful memories of my Dad but one of the fondest is my dance with him at my wedding. As we danced around the floor he told me how much he loved me, how proud he was of me and how he and Momma would always be here for me. I remember that moment like it was yesterday. We danced to a wonderful song that always makes me think of Daddy when I hear it so, I added it to my blog today for you to enjoy in honor of my Dad. I love you and miss you Dad.

Amazing Love

The love of my life

Have any of you had those days where you just feel so incredibly blessed to be happily married? Today, I feel just amazed by the love that I feel for my wonderfully caring, supportive, and may I add adorable husband! When I met this man over 6 years ago I had no idea what God had in store for us. After just getting out of a bad marriage and seriously doubting whether I even wanted to date again, much less get married again, I just couldn't have even dreamed this kind of love. I know I am getting kind of mushy but, his eyes melt me and that smile just brightens my day. His humor is timed just perfectly and his laughter is infectious. I love the touch of his hands, his strong embrace and sweet soul. I am just amazed and often feel undeserving of the second chance at love. What an amazing God we have that gives us second chances and the desire to love completely again. This is what God planned for man and woman. A marriage full of love, support and growth together. It is not an anniversary or even valentine's day but simply a day when I just feel blessed to be loved by such an incredible man. Thank you God for creating this love for me. I love you babe'!!

Officially a Big Boy

Brackston sitting at his chair on the first day of kindergarten

My baby woke up this morning just rambling! LOL :-) The first thing out of his mouth was "I sleeped good all night Mom and now I am a Big Boy!" "I am going to Big Boy school today." "I am going to wear new clothes and I get to eat breakfast and tell my brother and sister how my day went!" As you can tell my baby's primary language is random. He was so excited today that he just couldn't stand it. I was pretty excited too. The morning went well, he got ready for school in a super fast record and was ready to walk out the door! He didn't want to wait for even the sun to rise. It was hysterical! I loved seeing his excitement. We walked to school today and he walked right up to his class but then, hid behind the wall to make his teacher look for him (always the little entertainer). When she peeked her head around looking for him, she said "Good Morning Brackston" and his face just lit up. He ran right to his seat and sat down ready to start the day. I stood there and took probably 20 pictures and kept saying "Ok, baby Mommy is going to leave now" (I know I said it at least 10 times). He looked so happy to be there, I just couldn't help but stay longer. Anyway, when I finally did leave I was about 15 steps from his classroom when the announcements came on and I wanted to see his reaction to his wonderfully animated principal's voice so, (yep you guessed it) I walked all the way back to his classroom to sneak a peek. They were reciting the pledge so, I stuck my camera around the corner and took another picture.


Brackston and his class reciting the pledge. (He is way in the back right!)

I know, I am a nut case!! I did finally leave and didn't cry not one bit. I was so proud!!! Go Mom!!!! The chaos came at the end of the day! I have signed him up for after school daycare (that picks him up from school) so on the days I work he will have somewhere to go. This is also the Pre-K that he went to so, he is familiar with them and they are familiar with him (too many changes are not good for him or for me.) I really wanted to pick him up for school on his first day but, I thought it was more important for him to get used to his routine so, I chose to go ahead and let him go to after school daycare. At 2:45 (when he got out of school) I looked at the clock and thought, oh my baby finished his first day..(sniff, sniff)! I hope everything goes smoothly with him getting on the daycare bus for the first time. Well at about 3:15, I get a phone call from my emergency contact (one of my best friends) that says "Oh, did the school get in touch with you?" I said "....Uh....no...why?" She said "Brackston didn't get on the bus today and he is still at school!" "AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH...ARE YOU SERIOUS?" I freaked. I got off the phone with her and immediately called the school. After no one answered I called the daycare and they said "No, I think he got on the bus, the school did call us and confirmed that he was suppose to be on the bus. His bus has not gotten here yet but I believe he is on there." When I got off the phone with the daycare I finally got the message from the school on my phone (you gotta love technology...can't live with it, can't live without it) that said "Mrs. Washburn this is ..... at Miller Heights Elementary...we are calling in regards to Brackston's transportation after school. We were told that he was suppose to be on the bus for Belton Education Station but we do not have anything from you in writing (UHHH...WRONG!!). That bus has already been here and left so, we need someone to come get Brackston. Are you kidding me?? My 5 year old missed the bus and now has been sitting at the school since 2:45 (it is now 3:25!) and has no idea where his Mommy is on the first day of kindergarten!!!! I could scream!!! I tried the school again and still no answer. So, I prayed and paced and waited about 10 minutes and called the daycare again to see if his bus had gotten there and if he was on it. I about wet my pants with excitement when they picked up the phone and confirmed that my poor baby was there safe and sound. I can't believe it....I was crazy with knots in my stomach but, super glad that he was ok! After working in the school system and knowing what the end of the first day of school looks like for the poor staff at these schools, I felt for them. Can you imagine being responsible that all those little bodies get in the right lines, the right bus and the right cars. It amazing that they all get through it. Anyway, after picking him up and him describing his day to me, it sounded like it went well and he is ready for another day tomorrow. Hopefully with a little less excitement. When praying tonight, he prayed for his family as always naming us off one by one and then says "And dear Lord...I want to thank you for letting me go to Miller Heights today....and that's all I have to say..In Jesus name, amen." Is that the sweetest thing or what? How adorable, and what a blessing. He does a Momma proud!!!


Brackston age 5 First Day of Kindergarten at Miller Heights Elementary

Cutest Kindergartener Ever

Brackston with his Kindergarten teacher Ms. Rackley

Look at that adorable face. Tonight was meet the teacher night and my little man was super excited!! He played shy (which we all know is like crazy) for a slight second but, then he warmed up! He was a bit overwhelmed by all the girls in his class. When we were there all the other students that were there were all girls. He was so funny!! His reaction was super cute. He told his teacher "What are all these girls doing in here, I don't know any girls." It was hysterical!! His teacher laughed and I found that to be the best time to inform her that he might possibly be the entertainer of the group. She laughed and said I think that is great, every class needs one. So, maybe she will be a good teacher and will appreciate his humor and quirkiness!!! Let's pray that she is incredibly patient and is good with loving my baby boy!! I will keep you updated and will report back. We start school officially on Monday so, I will send more photos then.