The Graduation...

Graham has graduated from preschool! I have L.O.V.E.D his entire experience at his school. I have seen him grow academically, socially and most importantly spiratually over the past 3 years at his school.

Graham and the rest of the class have been working on The 3 Piggy Opera to perform before graduation. It was adorable. Graham was the Straw Peddler and enjoyed performing. I videotaped the performance since Brian was in China during the festivities. I wish I had still shots of his costume to share!

This is his class picture at the end of the graduation ceremony. He truly loves his teacher, Ms. Sue, and his entire class. When he made his birthday list in March he included everyone in his class without me having to coax him. I hope when Graham enters Kindergarten he feels that same sense on security with his teacher and fellow classmates.


The girls also finished up their first year of preschool with Ms. Liz. Graham also had Ms. Liz as well so I knew that she would be perfect for the girls. The girls only went 1 day a week but they sure did learn alot in that time. Next year they will go 2 days a week. What will I do with myself???? 2 5 hour days to myself :)

The Party...

Bryce and Layne celebrated their 3rd birhtday with family and friends. They absolutely LOVED it even though we had to revamp everything due to the weather. The rain would not go away no matter how many times we sang the song. We crammed 20 kids and thier parents into our house and had a great time. Unfortunately, I was terrible about taking pictures during the party. It was just too chaotic!

Layne on the left and Bryce on the right during their NICU days. Look how much they have grown in 3 years!

Happy Birthday to my precious girls!

Bryce and Layne are 3. I can hardly believe it...

I will blog more later just wanted to post their pictures first thing this morning.

Buzz 1995-2009

Our beloved family pet, Buzz, of almost 15 years left us on Friday to find peace in doggie heaven.

Thursday morning he seemed like himself but as the day wore on I noticed that his walking kept getting worse and worse and by 1:00 pm he was falling and slipping quite a bit. Of course being the stoic dog that he is he never complained and continued to want to be in the same room with everyone despite his pain. As the evening approached, I tried to give him his medicine to ease the pain with little success. He would not even take it with people food. I finally forced it into him after many attempts. But after about 30 minutes he vomitted it all up. So the kids and I spent the rest of the evening taking care of sweet Buzz and giving him lots of love and attention. Layne kept saying that Buzz had a crazy walk. I tried to set the ground work for what was to come...how Buzz was very old and very sick now and how he had trouble eating and walking.

Our vet told us last summer that as Buzz ages it would probably not be drawn out but rather quick when his time comes. I just never thought it would be this fast...I was not ready for this! I thought I would be but I wasn't.

Friday we took Buzz in to see his vet and he told us what we dreaded to hear... that it was probably time to let Buzz go. My brain knew that was going to be the outcome but my heart could not accept it. We had the kids say their goodbyes, hugs and kisses and Brian left with them and I stayed with Buzz till the end. He left very peacefully as I stroked his fur and told him what a good dog he was and how very much he was loved.

Graham understands what has happened and has had 1000 questions about it like how does he get to heaven, where is his body, can he fly in heaven, why can't the dr just give him medicine to get better, will I (Graham) see him when I get to heaven, etc...The sweetest thing Graham did on the way home was offer to pray for Buzz and he asked Jesus to make sure Buzz is happy and safe in heaven and not in any pain.

The girls just ask when is Buzz coming home and Layne still wakes up in the morning looking for him. I even find myself having to catch myself from saying close the door so, Buzz does not get out or if there is snack crumbs on the floor, I look for Buzz to come lick it up. I know time heals most wounds but I never knew how deep it would really hurt.

One of the ways we distracted the children from being sad was telling happy stories about Buzz. Each person shared a memory and we all ended up laughing and smiling at all the joy Buzz brought our family.

Buzz loved car rides, water, boats, chasing rabbits, following kids around waiting for food to fall, having his fur brushed, treats, his ears rubbed and he mostly just loved being around his family. He was always is the same room with us right up until the end!

We will always love our Buzzy bear!

More Beautiful...

Graham made me a beautiful heart pendant at school for Mother's Day. He was so proud of his present for me!

So yesterday, I was going to a function and was getting myself ready and he told me I looked beautiful.

I guess getting out of "mom" clothes and putting on make up constitutes beautiful... I will take it.

We are all getting ready to leave and are all buckled into the car when Graham shouts, " Mom, I know what would make you even more beautiful. My heart that I made you!"

So he scurried back into the house and found his heart and pinned it on my shirt and said I was definitely more beautiful.

I felt like the most beautiful mom in the world! I love that kid!

Peanut butter and Pony tails!

Graham insisted on making his own lunch. I let him do it all by himself! He is a pro at making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Check out that concentration on his face!

So delicious!

The girls have graduated to wearing pony tails. They love to look like mommy.

Look at all those precious curls!

Look at that proud smile.

Can you believe they will be 3 this month!!!!

This last picture is just because it is too cute to pass up! They all love when baby Bennett comes for a visit.

Sleeping Beauties

The girls will be 3 this month and with that comes change. A change that I am not that happy about...the absence of nap time. Layne rarely naps anymore and Bryce is trying so hard to give it up but still naps most days. However, this is what happens by late afternoon. They just crash wherever they lay!