Life Lately

So, here’s what’s been happening the last couple of weeks.

Besides our usual activities of school, work, and church, basketball has been a central part of our schedule. Corbin filled out an NCAA bracket and is ranked 2nd in the Williams’ Family Tournament. So, out of seven adults he’s not doing bad.  He’s definitely doing better than me!

Diligently putting thought into his picks.

Watching the games and praying his team will win.  Who says basketball can’t bring you closer to God

Daddy and Corbin made a special breakfast trip to “Old McDonalds” (That’s what Corbin calls it and we just don’t correct it because it’s so cute when he says it.  It’s probably time we start working on the correct name.)

But, this will be his last breakfast treat of pancakes, biscuits, and sausage.  We had Corbin tested for Celiac Disease for several different reasons and the tests came back very, very positive for the disease.

So we are now adjusting to life with Corbin and I both being gluten free. It has been a bit more challenging with an almost 5 year old being gluten free, but we are getting there and soon it will be normal for him. He’s been a trooper through it all!

We spent some time in Oklahoma with the cousins celebrating Collin’s birthday.

We arrived in style…

and jumped until exhaustion.

But there’s always enough energy to play basketball with Grandma!

They even had some gluten free cupcakes so that Corbin and I could eat with everyone. So thoughtful! And they were super yummy! Corbin had two.

This was a Star Wars themed party. April, my sister-in-law, made all the kids little outfits and light sabers. They played light saber tag and were adorable!

But most of all we enjoyed seeing these two cuties! 

Birthdays, Easter, and soccer area all coming up soon.  So we are gearing up for lots more fun to come!

Spring Break

We have been enjoying our time off from the normal routines of school life. 

Here’s our list of activities thus far:

riding bikes

playing soccer

play dates with friends

coffee dates for mom

date nights with Chris

sleepover with Grandma and Grandpa for Corbin

reading books

ice cream runs at Sonic

and of course the boys favorite….basketball, basketball, and more basketball!  The love for the NCAA has been passed down from Chris to Corbin. 

We have a few more days before we head back and I’m hoping to add grilling, movies, and shopping to the above activity list!  When you’re on spring break that’s my kind of to do list.

Going up the Mountain

My 34th birthday is tomorrow.  Now, that’s not old by any means, but it is getting older.  And I have really discovered, since I hit my 30s, that age does bring on some things.

I once did not understand some of the things “older” people talked about.  But, now I am gaining more clarity.  Age really does make a difference.

You know you are getting older when…

*music playing too loud or at all in the car annoys you.

*you actually are ok with talk radio.  There’s a soothing and calmly quality to those voices that can sand off the annoyances of the day.

*a coffee date is now an opportunity to have a few minutes to talk with your spouse about your financial spreadsheets, projected financial forecast, and go over the 401K.

*you can not twirl more than twice without getting extremely dizzy and disoriented.  Corbin spins around a ton and I do one turn and call it quits.

*children and teens around you have no clue to the references you make because they were either too young or not even alive! 

*people you babysat now have kids of their own.

*you don’t feel as old as you are.  College was just a few years ago you think, when in reality you graduated over 10 years ago. 

*staying up until 11:00 pm is hard and even harder in the morning.  It takes a few days in fact to recover.

*when you get AARP cards in the mail. 

*when your group of friends has passed the engagement stage, wedding stage, and now the baby shower stages. 

I’ve also found that getting older is more settling, a more focused and deliberate time for personal growth, time with friends is sweeter (b/c there is way less time for that), and your family is so very precious. 

I am looking forward to getting older and experience life at each age and stage!

It Came

The days are long and the years are fast. 

These words often flowed through my head when Corbin was in the newborn, baby, and toddler stage. I knew that it was true, but I hadn’t felt the truth of those words yet.  Until now.

I feel the years flying by.  Corbin is almost 5.  And “IT” came.  Another sign that the years are slipping by faster than I realize.  “IT” came and I thought I would be super excited…and I am to a degree…but “IT” also brought a quick dose of reality.

“IT” came – kindergarten enrollment paperwork and dates for observations and parent meetings before the new year starts.  We go in two weeks to a parent meeting. 

In two weeks I’ll be sitting at his future school meeting his future teachers…what!?!?! 

Seriously, I can’t believe that my little guy will be headed to kindergarten.  That he will begin his journey into primary education. 

I am of course excited for all that he will learn, but I am also terrified of all he will learn.  I still have him home with me more days than he is away.  I still feel like I control the influences that around him.  Soon that won’t be the case. 

My prayers have increased.  A sense of urgency to build strong his character and values have increased even more.  This is the beginning of the end.

I have 13 more years with my little guy at home.  I have 13 more years to be a daily influence on him.  I already had 5 years to build and mold him.  Now, I start the process of slowly letting him go and slowly letting him figure out who is.  I pray that he follows God, finds loyal and true friends, and that he always is mindful to show love to those around him.

“IT” came – the kindergarten enrollment packet.  And with it came a reminder of my job as parent.  Teach him to know God and to become an adult capable of carrying out His will. 

Yup, I got all that from a kindergarten enrollment packet; who knew that could teach me so much

Relaxing

Our weekend can be summed up in that one word – relaxing.

We did not leave our house all day Saturday.  It was the perfect day to be cozied up inside while the snow fell outside. 

By late afternoon the snow stopped so we went out to shovel the driveway and play.

Corbin loves the snow…

he is as happy as a cat in a patch of sunlight.

He really thought this snow tasted exceptionally good.  It was apparently a culinary delight for his senses.

Corbin fully immersed himself.  He dug out a snow cave, but there was a flaw in his approach.  When you tunnel in you have to be sure you can get out…oops! 

This kid is ready for more snow!

Aside from the snow, I also spent my time wisely by napping, reading, and organizing my Pinterest boards.  Part of my job is to keep information and books organized so frankly it was a little embarrassing to go into my boards and see the vast disarray.   So I went in and did some major categorizing and creating of new boards to make sure information is more easily accessible.  I can’t tell you how much better I feel…it’s the small things in life!

Loved having a relaxing weekend at home with my boys!