Bring on the Fall!!!!!

Thank you all for your prayers and notes of support yesterday.  Both Jarod and Anne did wonderfully on their first day back to school.   And I survived as well!

So I spent an entire blog on Jarod yesterday and all the worries of him entering 7th grade (more on that in a minute) and I didn't even mention our Anne Girl.

That's because she's got this whole thing down!  I was concerned that she might be upset because she is now the only one in our family at OPE.  But, nope.  She's good.

She said, "Mom, I really never saw Jarod anyway."

No problem there.  She has been my little miss confident since she was born.  So thankful for that.  Praying God continues to mold and shape her confidence.  I love that spunk about her - as long as it's channeled in the right direction.  She can definitely hold her own.

Russ said when he dropped her off at school yesterday, she was immediately searching faces in the crowd and waving to everyone.  Miss Social Bug.  She rarely meets a stranger.

She is in 2nd grade this year and has a wonderful teacher, Mrs. Allen.  She is so excited about school and I think she is really excited about the 2 hours that she has alone with me in the afternoon before Jarod returns home.

Jarod did great yesterday!  By the time 4:00 rolled around, I had hot cookies baking in the oven and I couldn't stay away from the window!  I kept watching for him to come up the street.

He came in just a talking!  And eating the cookies.  I don't think he stopped talking until his head hit the pillow last night and fortunately he slept ALL night this time.  The jitters were over.

Jr. High has already been a big eye opener for him but he is adjusting and is proving to be so grown up. I am excited to hear him be so open and honest about his feelings about everything and I do look forward to watching what God is going to do in his life this year.  I'm very proud.

Last year, Jarod was on the News Media Team at OPE.  We took him early each morning and they did a live newscast with all the morning announcements and such via the TV system in the school.  He LOVED this!

The Jr. High also has a Broadcast Media class.  It's a year long elective and it's very difficult to get in to.  Only 11 students from the entire school are chosen and only a few of them are the new 7th graders.  Jarod received a wonderful recommendation from Mrs. Callahan at OPE and he was selected at Lake Asbury.  He is thrilled!   He is proving to be great in front of and behind the camera.

I just love the confidence that my kids have in themselves.  I don't know where it came from except the Lord.  Russ was shy growing up and me, well - I would have rather dug a hole and buried myself FOREVER than have to speak in public.  I was in my 20's before the Lord began breaking me of my fear.  It just seems to come natural to them.  So thankful.

Well, school is back in full swing.

Russ and I have our Friday Date Days back (he's off on Fridays - kids in school - YAY!!!!)

I have two dates in the next two weeks where I'm selling Apparent Project.  Working on a few more!  Call me if you are interested!

I'm going with Jarod's youth group to Rock the Universe at Universal Studios in Orlando over Jarod's Birthday weekend!  How fun is that?

Sasha is supposed  to come visit for a few days.  YAY!!!!!


We have our 15th Anniversary trip scheduled for next month - whoo hoo!!!! (Jekyll Island, GA - that's where Russ proposed!)

I'm going to the Women of Faith Conference in Orlando with the Women's Ministry at our church in October.

AND........

I just booked my flight for my annual fall trip to New Hampshire to see Emily!  Eeeeeeeeeeek!

Bring on the Fall!  It's going to be AWESOME!!!!!!!

Until next time.....

Letting Go.....

Today is the first day of school.  It seems like yesterday that school was ending.  We were sitting in Jarod's promotion ceremony as he was finishing his elementary career.  We were excited to enter summer - a full 10 week break from the routine. 

Today is the first day of school.  I thought we had more time. 

I thought I could adjust to the changes coming in those 10 weeks.  I thought 10 weeks would be enough time to wrap my mind around all that was going to happen.

I was wrong.

I was so wrong.

Oh - I've hidden it well.  Even to myself.  I have done all the back to school shopping, bought all the school supplies, gone to the orientations, met the teachers.  In the last few days, I have even been secretly excited for the kids to go back to school and get into a routine.

Then, last night, reality hit. 

It wasn't pretty.

If you ask my husband, he would say it was predictable.  I blame him.  We crawled into bed last night and I was fine.  I was tired.  I was ready to go to sleep. 

Then Russ asked the ridiculous question.

"So, are you going to sleep okay tonight or is this going to be a cry fest?"

Seriously?  I'm tired.  I'm fine.  I'm going to sleep.

And then my brain went here -

And here -

And many other places.  My mind started playing images over and over in my head like an old family video. You know, the kind they play on TV and movies that is set to music and plays all the wonderful memories of your life. Ya - I'm sappy like that.

I pictured his first day of Pre-K, his first day of Kindergarten.  And so many other memories between then and now.

Then I thought about how God had shown us so clearly to put him in Orange Park Elementary.  For the last 7 years, he's been in a small school, with the same group of kids, with a group a teachers and administration who all knew who he was.  

Then I completely lost it.

Today, he starts 7th grade at Lake Asbury Jr. High.  1200+ teenagers.  Because we live kind of far out from OPE, maybe only 5 other students will go with him.  He. Knows. No One.  We might as well of moved to a new city.  He will be alone.


More ugly crying.

Really - it wasn't pretty.

And it did NOT help that Russ said things to me like:

"You know he's not really alone, God is with him."

"He'll be okay."

"You know the real issue is not whether or not Jarod can handle this - it's about you trusting.  Trusting God, trusting Jarod, trusting the teachers."

Ouch.

Even more ugly crying.

See - I told you it was his fault.  I was perfectly happy to just go to bed and go to sleep.  Now I'm drowning in snot, I can't breathe and my mind is racing.

Okay Buddy, if I snore tonight - just remember that you caused the cry fest.

Don't you hate it when they are right?  Russ knows me so well.  I'm so thankful he loves me anyway.

Jarod got up about this time.  He was having a hard time sleeping as well. I went into his room and chatted for a few minutes.  He was worried about his teachers and making new friends. I fought back the tears.

I really wanted to just crawl in his bed and hold him and sob.  Instead I told him how awesome his day was going to be and how good he is at making friends and that he shouldn't have a problem in that area.  I told him that he would be great and that I trusted him with his choices.  He knows the difference between right and wrong and he can handle it.  And I assured him that we were always here to help, encourage and cheer him on.  It was a great moment.

I came back to bed and fought the urge to get up and blog.  By this time it was 1:30 and I was already puffy eyed.  We had to get up at 6:30 with Anne and I needed some sleep.  So, I decided to pray instead.  Always a good idea.

In that time, God gave me a peace about today.  He reminded me of how He spoke clearly to my heart all those years ago when Jarod was going into Pre-K and I had this same melt down. (I have issues) He said, "Cami, trust Me with him.  The things that happen to him - good or bad - are things I need to happen in order to make him the man I need him to be later." 

Oh what comfort this brings me.  Yes, Jarod has been given to us to love, protect, nurture.  But we fall short so very often.  When I think of how much I love him - how huge my responsibility is - it's overwhelming.  But then I remember that God loves Him infinitely more.  That just blows my mind. He has created Jarod for a purpose.  He has a plan.  He knows what it is going to take to get him to that place where he can be used in a mighty way.

I want to stick him in a closet until he's 35.  Of course, in my mind, he'll come out as a wonderful human being completely mature and ready to fulfill his purpose.  But, that is not how it works.  He is fulfilling his purpose even now.  God is working in his life - even in the tough days of Jr. High.

He woke up this morning early and was so ready to go.  He asked to ride the bus on the first day.  Seriously?  We have driven him to school everyday his entire life.

Ugh.

Russ and I prayed with him this morning and he walked out the front door and into the new chapter of growth and maturity.  He texted me when he got off the bus at school and turned off his phone.


I am good.  I have a peace.  I will enjoy my day while I anxiously await his arrival around 4ish. 

I think cookies will be in the plan this afternoon.....

A Great Day

Yesterday was eventful!  My day started at 5:45 and ended after midnight - but I cannot complain about one thing that happened.  God is so good!

The morning was filled with Jarod's 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony.  Seriously.  His Elementary days are over.  Part of me rejoices that he has done so well, and has grown so much and the other part of me wants to stick him in a closet and never let him out!  Of course they played a DVD yesterday of all the students with a baby photo and then a recent one.  Then they did a series of photos from the time they were all in Kindergarten until now.  Talk about a cry fest.  And this is only 6th grade.  I don't even want to think about High School.  I found out yesterday that Jarod will be the Class of 2018.  That's just weird.  I had never taken the time to figure that out.  2018 - that is still sinking in.

Receiving his award for maintaining A/B Honor Roll all year.  Awesome job! 

 He's already a better student than I was!

Jarod's favorite teacher this year - Mr. Reynolds.  I had another post recently where Jarod had nominated him for Teacher of the Week on our local News channel - You can see that post here.

Proud Dad!

Proud me

Proud Nana!!!!

There was a nice reception afterward and Jarod got to eat his face.  That's always cool ya know.

My sweet boy at 6 months eating a duck - yes - a live duck.

He chose this photo to go on the video - crazy kid.

This is my new FAVORITE of him - taken just a few weeks ago.

So after a wonderful promotion ceremony filled with joyful tears for mom - we headed to the church to set up for another Apparent Project Open House.  Our church was hosting a Teacher Appreciation Luncheon for Charles E. Bennett Elementary School.  They have been collecting cereal boxes so I decided to set up and let them shop after their lunch!  It was awesome!

 

After the ladies shopped we had a little down time in between customers so we decided to pack cereal boxes. 

I just shipped 9 boxes this past Monday and had all of this to go through again - 

 But some help arrived!!!

Our friend Diane drove from Jax Beach to do a little shopping and decided to stay and help us pack!  Thanks so much Diane!!!

We were also surprised by a visit by some great friends of ours.  We've known each other for over 7 years and they had moved to Brunswick.  They stopped in town for a few days to work on their house as the are now moving to Miami.  So thankful to have been able to spend a little time with them.  And it's always amazing to me when God gives you such great friends that you can just pick up where you left off.

They have had one major change since we were with them last - this is Owen.  How cute is he???

Anne and Maddie picked right up as well. Anne was soooooo excited to see her!

Like old times - plus one!

Me and Shanon - love this lady!

Maddie came home with us for a sleep over.  Great fun!

Our day ended on a great note - Jarod is now officially in Jr. High and Anne is in 2nd Grade. Great visits from great friends. Everyone crawled into bed and I calculated another $1100 in jewelry sales for the artisans.  Amazing!

I slept really well last night.......

Teacher of the Week

Jarod was on the news this morning!  He nominated his teacher, Mr. Reynolds, for Teacher of Week.  Way to to Jarod AND Mr. Reynolds!!!!!






We LOVE Orange Park Elementary and all of the wonderful teachers that help make learning fun!

Christmas Programs

I should totally be working on some Calligraphy projects right now but decided to go ahead and post these photos before my day got away from me.

This is the last week of school before Christmas Break and as always, it is full of parties, open houses, etc.  It's been a busy week!

Tuesday was the Open House at Destiny Dance Center.  This is basically a time where we get to sit in on a typical dance class and see all that they have learned so far this year.  And they had a special Christmas performance for us as well. 

 Getting ready for class

 Love this "Ballet Sit"

Practicing on the bar

 Class Pose - after their dance routine to "Over the River and Through the Woods"

 Time for Tap - Love the smile!!!

That's our Anne Girl!!!!  So pretty.....

Today was her Class Christmas Breakfast.  She got to wear her PJ's to school and take her pillow, blanket and a stuffed animal for story time.

Russ and I went for breakfast and each student has a part of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" Poem.

They did great!

 Waiting her turn

"The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow

Gave the luster of midday to objects below."

 "He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself."

How cute is that?

The kids have a half day tomorrow and then are off for almost 3 weeks!

As Summer Comes to a Close

Whew!  Up early this morning - MUCH earlier than I like.  Fixed the kids a good breakfast, packed them up and sent them out the door with Daddy for their first day of school.  Jarod is in the 6th grade this year and my Anne Girl is in 1st.  Goodness, where does time go?

Just so you know - Jarod was not real excited this morning and Anne was a bit nervous.  Praying they have an AWESOME first day.

So with the kids off to school and Russ to the office - the house is so quiet!  I had almost forgot what that sounds like.  I should be doing important things around the house but I have decided to blog first.  Besides - I have lots of fun photos to share with you from our vacation.

Besides our summer in Oregon, I think this may have been the busiest summer yet.  Before it began, I had every intention of taking the kids to the beach - A LOT!  We didn't go once!  Not one time!  And I can see the ocean from our church parking lot.  Between Scout Camp, Youth Camp, Dance Camp, VBS, my best friend moving away and my busier than usual Calligraphy for the summer - we barely had time to think.  The four of us went in different directions all summer so Russ finally said, "ENOUGH - plan something for the family.  We have to get away."

Usually, we love to go to the mountains in the summer.  But, having waited too long to book anything, we went south.  To our other home - Orlando.  We quickly remembered why we don't go that direction in the summer.  Very busy!!!  But - we didn't go to any of our beloved theme parks - we just hung around the condo and relaxed.  Did a few things we have always wanted to try but have been to busy doing the parks.

All in all it was a great week.  We shut off our brains, stayed up late, slept even later, watched really crazy shows on T.V. - Russ is totally addicted to Billy the Exterminator!  And I think Storage Wars is pretty neat.  Wow - did I just admit that publicly!?  You can tell we do not have cable television in our home.  Anyway - we spent lots of time by the pool, when it wasn't raining and sat on our balcony and watched the Epcot Fireworks.

Here is our week in photos:

 We started our week off with a trip to Ikea.  I had never been and was dying to check it out.  Russ settled right into relaxation!

 Arriving at our Condo

Our view from the balcony

They each had their own bed, but I walked in to this one morning.  Just chillin out, watching TV - waiting for the rain to stop.

 We went to the Pirate Dinner Adventure one night!  Sooooo much fun!!!!

ARRRGH!!!!

Very cool show!

We took the kids to Disney Quest

5 stories of virtual, gaming fun!

Our first Virtual Game Experience - Riding the Comix!  We went inside the comic books to help fight.....ummmm.....the bad guys.  Ya - that sounds right!

 Russell and Jarod became human pin balls - that was crazy to watch!

 This was the BEST!  We all had to work together to fight the pirates!  I drove the ship and Russ and the kids shot the cannons.  All while standing on a moving boat, wearing 3-D glasses with water, pirate ships and islands all around us.  Totally fun!

Anne getting set up for another virtual game - this time we were on Aladdin's Magic Carpets.

Now let me take a moment and tell you that we are NOT gamers!  This whole thing was a totally new experience for us.  We bought our first Wii console a year and a half ago and it's not a major distraction in our house.  While this was a great learning experience - Disney Quest will not be added to our Seasonal Passes.  Once was enough.  This was a great thing to do on a rainy day in Orlando - but we prefer the REAL rides at Disney.

We finished our fun day off with Ice Cream!  Can't beat that!

Carrying his sister back to room after a long day of video games.

I'm seeing a theme for the week - something about our family and Pirates.  Hmmmmm........

 Waiting to go on the slide!

Even Daddy had a turn!  I did too - but whacked my elbow coming through.  Nice bruise on my funny bone - once was enough for me!

 This was more my speed for the week!

 

And this was Russell's

Of course, we had to stop by our favorite pizza place!  Giordanos!  Because if you are going to have pizza - have PIZZA!!!!  Yummmmmm!

We finished every night, sitting on our balcony - watching this!  How cool!

We were very thankful for the opportunity to go and let our brains be mush for a week.  You just have to do that occasionally.  We came back relaxed and ready to face the world again - well..... maybe.  It's easy to say that sitting in an empty house while everyone else is at work and school!

I did come home to this!

 

Marc laid tile in my kitchen!  I'm so excited!  I was so tired of the linoleum - just could not keep it clean.  The tiles were given to us and because we did not have enough of each - Marc did a great pattern in the middle of the floor.  I'm so happy with it.

Each time a turn a corner and get a glimpse of the new floor, I smile!  First time I've had tile in my kitchen ever!  I feel so grown up!  Ha!!!!  It really does add a nice touch to our home.  

Thanks Marc for doing such a great job!!!!  

(He's for hire - if anyone is interested. Let me know and I'll give you his info)

Now, I'm off to finish putting my kitchen back together......

Until next time........