September 30th, 2001

September 30th has come and gone for the 9th time now. These past 9 years have been the best I have ever had. There has been so many changes (good & bad) in these past 9 years but the birth of my son in the early morning on September 30th, 2001 was one of the greatest moments in my life. I can't honestly believe he's 9. That makes me older too and I really don't feel any older or more mature but the changes I've watched in him are things I can't describe or have words give justice too. He is slowly changing into a young man, one that can do things on his own, knows his likes & dislikes & one that doesn't always need his mom anymore. As heartbreaking as it is for me to not be needed. I know I am succeeding as a mother because of the type of person he has become. They say children make your life fly by, I completely agree. I can not account for where these past 9 year flew too. They say don't blink because if you do, you're child will be grown, I believe it. So here are some things on Kaleb, the 9 year old!


He's in the 3rd grade
Loves football & baseball
No girlfriend (thank goodness)
Loves playing play station or being outside (great balance)
Got all As & 1 B on his last report card
He has completely adjusted to the 3rd grade
His teacher thinks he is an absolute gem (her words, not mine!)
Tested out reading at an almost 5th grade reading level
Excels in Math
Loves reading the Harry Potter books
Hates "melted tomatos" & stringy cheese

When he grows up he wants to play for the NFL or MLB but if those don't work out he wants to be a Marine.

Kaleb's Open House

Kaleb is starting a new school this year. He was very excited before school started. After the first week, his excitment kinda went dim, he felt like all the kids already had their friends and he said he missed his friends and his old school but I told him to keep his head up. He is very likable and such fun to be around that if he gave it some time I was sure the other kids in his class would love him too. This week we haven't had any 'moments' so I'm thankful. But Kaleb is finding the transition into the 3rd grade to be a tough one. This year they have 3 text books, homework everynight so far, and a lot more responsibility. He is responsible for writing down his homework in his planner, he is responsible for knowing what to do and ask questions before the end of he day. He has a homework planner he is required to write all assignments in, book reports that require him to read and write a full page report in 3 weeks, and he is really starting to see that school isn't the "cake walk" he has had up to this point. Needless to say our home has been a battle ground this week with trying to "preach" responsibility. Kaleb is a super smart kid. Tested really high on the accelerated reading book test and comprehension, can do math like I can eat pie, however, Kaleb is NOT Mr. Responsible.... haha (neither was I at this age, paybacks anyone?). Hopefully after the trials of this week he will proceed to be better at keeping his assignment book updated and correct....... I love being a mother, I think it's something I was meant to do in my life, but I tell you what, just keeping track of what my kids need on a day to day basis could be a full time job!



We had Kaleb's school open house last night. The school is smaller but everyone seems friendly and on track with what the kids need to do to be successful. I have had several interactions with his teacher via email and she is quick to respond which is wonderful. His teacher seems like she is a no non-sense kinda lady and that's what Kaleb needs, especially being in a class of 16, Yes SIXTEEN boys and 5 girls..... she has been teaching awhile and seems to have a great grasp of what is needed to keep the attention of kids at this age. I look forward to this school year with Kaleb & watching him adjust and grow and take a step towards becoming a responsible young man. He makes everyday an adventure and I love him sooo much!

Kaleb's Go-Kart & other fun!

Kaleb decided he wanted to do things he had never done before while on vacation, this included riding GO-Karts for the first time and jumping on this machine that let you fly up in the air using huge rubber bands, all while jumping on a trampoline. I have to admit it was not good for my heart at first but he had so much fun you couldn't help but smile when you heard him laughing as he flipped in the air.

Peyton's First trip to Build A Bear

While we were in Myrtle Beach I decided Peyton needed a "Myrtle" Bear to commemorate her first vacation. Thankfully she had her big brother's help but she was very interested in everything that was going on!

(she was shaking her head in the picture above, looks a little blurry!)

Family Vacation

At the beginning of August we went on our first family vacation as a family of four... I can't tell you how much more I had to pack than I initially thought! Whew! We went to Myrtle Beach and stayed in a great hotel called The Reef. It was Soooo family friendly and had a water park, 2 pools, a lazy river, hot tubs, and several baby pools/water areas where Peyton could play and I could still see Kaleb in the big pool! We had a blast!


We went to Ripley's Believe it or not Aquarium.

Boardwalk on the Beach - where there was a Hard Rock Cafe and Joe's Crab Shack!

Peyton had her first ride on a carousel and LOVED it!

We spent TONS of time in the pool and on the beach. Both of my kids are water babies! Kaleb & Peyton have both loved the water since birth and continue to love it as they get older. Kaleb loved riding the waves in the ocean and had a blast! He says we def need to go back every year for summer and we hope we can too!

4 Wheeling

I just have to laugh at how lucky I am. How grateful I should be for my life. My son and daughter are both wonderful, healthy, smart kids. Kaleb has us laughing so hard at dinner last night that thought my face would crack and Peyton is always entertaining us with the new things she learns in just a days time.

For her birthday my parents bought her a 4 Wheeler power wheels. It's only for younger children so it's not a huge one, but regardless, we didn't think she'd master the pushing of the red go button for awhile, boy were we wrong... She has now figured it out! Here are some short videos. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have!

1 yr Pictures & appt

Just a quick note: Peyton had her one year doctor appointment Monday. Everything is great! And we had her one year pictures done! I loved them!


At 12 months she is:
20.1 lbs
70% in her height
right on track with solids foods and transitioning from breastmilk into regular milk



things we need to work on are....
getting her "late night meal" to cut completely out. I feel bad because she is cutting some serious teeth right now and I know she's in pain, she wakes up crying and soothes back to sleep by eating. I keep telling myself once this tooth is through we are done with the nighttime feedings... so we shall see!


All in all we have a healthy, happy little baby girl. She did get 3 shots and had been a bit cranky from those with a slight fever but that should go away in a couple days!


I still can't believe she's one! Here are just a couple of her one year pictures!!! She wasn't feeling her best but the pictures turned out great!

Peyton Elaine's 1st Birthday

Time has FLOWN by. I can't believe that she is already a year old. Where did the year go? Really? So much has happened in the past year. So many changes. I'm hoping I can get better at my blogging. I've been very lazy with it. So on we go...

Peyton's party was a princess theme. Yes I know, me and pink, but I'm getting adjusted. I was very happy with all the decoration and balloons! The cake was delicious and beautiful! Thank you Lanny!

For whatever reason she would not get messy with the cake! Complete opposite of Kaleb on his 1st!


We were so blessed to have many friends and family come and share this day with us... I'm thankful for them all. Even though it rained we were still able to have a pretty great party! I still can't believe she is actually one. Today is her birthday, July 13th, 10:19am. What great gifts God has given us with her and her brother! I am very blessed.

She got so many great presents, clothes, toys, she is a very loved little girl by many!