Last Day of School

This school year has flown by! It seems like August was just a few weeks ago. We could not have asked for a better school year for any of them. Of course I forced them outside this morning for the last day of school picture. I hadn't really though they had changed much until I put this picture beside the first day of school picture. They all look much older:/ We now have a rising senior, sophomore and 7th grader! By the way Zoe found out yesterday that she made the football cheer leading team!! She was so worried during try outs but so excited she almost cried yesterday! Next school year is going to be super busy but I hope to take in every moment. 

Wordless Wednesday- Brothers

Brothers

  To see more Wordless Wednesday's click here.

Band Banquet

  

      Tuesday we had Kain's third band banquet. I know I say it all the time but I just don't know where the time went. I can clearly remember our first band meeting and thinking 4 years will last a long time. Nope, it has gone so fast! He received certificates for getting a Superior at Solo and Ensemble, marching band and patches for making finals in all the BOA's they marched in. We are so excited for the upcoming band season! Kain is one of the section leaders for the baritones and their competition schedule is going to be awesome!  

The baritone section!

Spring Band Concert

We just wrapped up Kain's spring band concert of his junior year. It amazes me how beautiful they sound especially when I remember back to me having to plug my ears during the 6th grade concert...lol. They actually played music that was just performed at a college so it wasn't an easy piece. 

Band Car Wash

  On Saturday while I was in Fletcher with Noah at lax, Corey and Kain were working the band car wash. It seemed like they had a great time just spending time together. This is Kain's last car wash for band and that kinda makes me sad. 

Gravitopia

     
One of the days during spring break we met up with my niece and nephews at Gravitopia . Trampolines, and foam pits are everywhere and you get a great workout. I didn't jump this time. I just watched and took a few pictures. My kids favorite thing to do is play dodge ball so it is hard to drag them out of there. You would think a hour wouldn't be enough time but after going non-stop they were ready to go. 

Ring Ceremony

Junior year came very quickly and before I knew it we were at the ring ceremony. Even though Kain did not any pictures he did it for me and for that I am thankful. It was a great night preparing the future graduates and most of all their mamas for what will be happening in a blink of an eye.  Congrats Class of 2017! 

First Day!

Summer has came to an end and today was the first day of school and work for me. This was the first time that I did not take Kain to school. He actually drove:/ Noah is starting high school and Zoe is going to middle school. Now we have a Junior, Freshman and 6th grader!

Good Bye Cast!

I planned a get together at one of our favorite places as soon as I found out when Noah's cast would be coming off. He had a hard 8 weeks since he normally is very active and I thought this would be a great way to celebrate. Some of our dearest friends were about to join us at Pisgah National Forest. We always have such a great time there. The water is so cold that I didn't get in at all but there was no stopping the kid. We are so blessed to have great friends that we can make memories with!

This was after everyone had went down sliding rock.

Looking Glass Falls with some of my besties:) We were missing the other two!

We have taken a picture in this same spot for over 16 years. It has became a family tradition. 

My brother and his family were able to come!

These guys will always put a smile on your face!

Last Day of School

The car ride on the last day of school was sad for this mama. It was the last time Zoe would be dropped off at the intermediate school, the last time I would take Noah to middle school and the last time I would drive Kain to school. How do I already have 2 high school kids(one that will be a junior!) and how is our baby going to middle school?!?!

Band Banquet

It's hard to believe Kain has finished his second year of marching band. He has loved every minute of it and never complains about the long hours of practice. The show this past fall was Faces of Fire. It was a very high skill leveled show. They had some hiccups but managed to take a few championships home. He also does symphonic band and was recognized for getting a Superior for a quartet performance. Of course I had to sneak to get this pictures since he still doesn't like me doing it. We can't wait for another season of marching band! Is it September yet?

Isle of Palms

For the first time in a long time we didn't go on a vacation during spring break. Noah went to Alabama with his best friend so we took a couple of day trips. We met some friends at the Isle of Palms county park for a fun day at the beach. It takes about 3 hours to get there but worth it! We pack a cooler full of food and take our EZ up and set up for the day.

These girls are such good friends!

I even managed to get a picture of these guys which is rare!

These star fish were every where all up and down the beach!

Christmas Band Concert

 

 

  We interrupt this regularly scheduled Advent activity to bring you our real life! Yes, we will combining  day 6,and 7 into one night which will be tomorrow. Because frankly I am tired,and so is the rest of the family.

  Tonight we had to be in 2 places at once. Noah had wrestling practice that he couldn’t miss. Kain had his Winter Band Concert at BSMS. We called in Pop to take Noah,and the rest of us headed to the concert. They sounded soooo good! On Saturday he will play in the Boiling Springs parade.  Of course I did not embarrass him by taking pictures at school. But I did get a few before we left,and he actually let me:) I think he is figuring out that if he just gives in, I will not make a big deal out of it.

 

 

Turkey Bowl 2011

 

  Our youth group, yes it is still hard for me to believe my baby is old enough, has a yearly tradition of having a Turkey Bowl.It’s a great way to get the youth group together for some good ole football! Everyone comes the day after Thanksgiving ready to play,and afterwards they get their grub on with left overs. This is Kain’s first year,and he BEGGED us to take him. I would have liked to stay home,but we caved. I am glad we went after all. It was a great way to see how they all interact. I pray that this group becomes Kain’s second family,and that he grows closer to God through them. Kain was the shortest out there. He was matched up against a giant with a beard or at least that is what Noah said ;)

  These pictures are from a distance because how embarrassing it is for 1. your mom to be the ONLY mom at the game, and 2. she brought a camera!

 

Kain is on the far right.

 

 

 

Kain is #11 ,but I am pretty sure you can pick him out:)

 

 

The Teen Years

Lately my soon to be teenager is just grumpy,and most of the time unpleasant to be around. I know this is a phase that will last a couple of years..lol. I know there is a sweet boy somewhere down inside there.It’s just hard to see right now:) Every once in a while I get a glimpse of the young man he is becoming.

Once they are in middle school it is hard to really keep up with what they are doing unless they tell you. Well Kain doesn’t really volunteer a lot of information about anything that goes on. I usually find out through a messaging system his school has or another parent tells me. Well this morning on the way to school he mentioned something about reading to a kid. Kain is not the best reader,and until this year he hasn’t enjoyed reading at all. Thankfully his awesome ELA teacher, Mrs. Brackett, has gotten him into reading,and he actually likes it! Well when he mentioned reading to a kid I thought it was kind of odd. I asked him who he read too,and he said he volunteered to go read in the special ed room every Monday. His “buddy” loves reading about Nascar so that is what Kain reads to him. He said that his friend would be upset if he found out Kain really didn’t like Nascar so he just pretends to like it. He would NEVER be that nice to his brother or sister,but that’s OK. I love that he looks forward to going every Monday to visit his friend,and I am sure his “buddy” loves to see him too.

My heart was so full this morning I almost cried ,but that would have been the end of him telling anything! Just when I think he isn’t getting anything from us, or at church he surprises his mama. I love that boy!

Sweet Letter

 

Dear Charlotte,

My name is Kain,and I am 12 years old. I love to watch football,and Clemson is my favorite team. They are very good. My favorite color is blue. I love to go to church. I was in the choir,but decided to go to bible study to grow stronger in my faith. When you grow up you should do that too. You should try to get in the African choir since you love to sing. It would be fun because you get to travel,and you could see me. I am very short for my age,but I am in the 7th grade. I am so proud that we are sponsoring you.

Love your brother,

Kain

P.S. Our family loves you!! Bye!

Baseball

Both boys played ball this year,but this is the only picture I took of either of them. So I guess Kain got lucky.Noah had a great coach, Mr. Jamie, too bad Kain’s wasn’t too good. Both boys had fun so that is all that matters.

 

 

Celebrating Kain

For Kain’s birthday he chose to eat at Bronco’s, a local Mexican restaurant . Yes, the same one that Zoe chose. I guess you can tell our family loves some Mexican food. He actually let me take some pictures of him without too much of a fuss. And I took a lot while I could

You can tell he was NOT enjoying us singing to him!

The grandparents got him this card that made noises, and REALLY embarrassed him! It’s funny how at this age little things are SO embarrassing to him.

He and Noah will be getting their birthday presents from us in 2 weeks when we travel to Atlanta for the Monster Jam truck show!

My Oldest….

is 12 today!!!! I can’t believe my little 7lb. 3 oz bundle of joy is now a moody pre-teen ,but I wouldn’t trade him for anything!

Happy Birthday, Kain!

We are so proud of the young man you are becoming! We love seeing how God is working in your life!

Fall Festival at AMRBC

One of the largest outreaches at our church is the annual Fall Festival. The rides,and games are always free. I think they said that about 2,000 came out that day. Out of those 200 did not have a church home,and was interested in learning more about our church! It’s a great way to get people in the door to hear the Word! We were there all day and had a blast! Zoe’s dance class performed also,and she was so cute!

My sister,and my nieces