Girls on the Run is SO MUCH FUN!

Girls on the Run is an incredible program that Brynn has been able to participate in this year. The goal of the program is to inspire girls to be healthy and confident while incorporating running. She has had SUCH a great experience and I am so grateful for the program and her coaches! Recently Brynn completed her second 5K and she did awesome! The girls were being SO encouraging to one another and it was really inspiring. I made sure to talk to Brynn about the importance of being around girls that support you, encourage you, build you up, and inspire you to be your best. That isn't always easy when you're a young girl! Stand tall, sweet Brynnie Boo! We LOVE you!

Summer time- here we come!

I have been on summer vacation for a week and we have already had a BALL! I am determined to squeeze in as much fun as we can over the next three months. I LOVE my job but it does take a lot of time and energy away from my family. I feel like I have to double-up on the 'mom fun' to make up for all my not-so-stellar mom moments during the school year! ;)

We kicked off summer vacation with- what else- ice cream! Connor got to choose because we were celebrating his 4.0 so Braum's it was! Doesn't take much to make these kids happy! :)

 We have also had a great time spending time with our neighbors and just hanging out around the house...

 These kids are CRAZY about eachother!

Miles for Miller

Saturday was Miles for Miller, a race to benefit the The Miller McNeil Woodruff Foundation. The Woodruff family is doing incredible things to raise awareness about SMA and honor their sweet Miller. I am truly proud to call them friends!
The race was loads of fun! The kids and I did the mile walk and then got to cheer on Gregg, my dad, and lots of our friends! It was a great day!

Happy Birthday, Connor Man!

Where did the time go?! Happy 12th birthday to you, Connor-man! Couldn't be prouder of the responsible, kind, smart young man you are becoming. I am so blessed to be your mom!

 

 



 











 

 

If I Could Keep You Little

I got a couple of new books recently that I can't wait to delve into! Summer is really the only time I get to read so I've got a collection on my nightstand just waiting for me! :)
One was a very special gift from my friend, Meredith (and LK!) called Choose Joy by Kay Warren and I'm loving it!

I'm a total sucker for picture books! My newest favorite is called If I Could Keep You Little by Marianne Richmond. I saw it in the lounge at school and was crying like a baby the first time I read it! It talks about all the things that we as parents get to to do when our babies are little... but all of the things we'd miss if they didn't grow up...

If I could keep you little, I'd keep you close to me...

 But then I'd miss you growing into who you're meant to be!

I miss those baby smells, those sweet little baby voices, the coos and the giggles. I miss rocking them to sleep.

But every day I feel more and more blessed to be their mom. I get to watch them grow, blossom, learn, and become little people. I get to watch Cowen's love of learning grow with every book, puzzle, and number game. I get to see Brynn develop her own sense of self, see her creativity bloom. I get to watch Connor become a sensitive young man with a love of books, building, and his little brother.
I am beyond grateful to be on this journey with them...

An unconventional journey...

Today my heart is full of gratitude. Gratitude to my own mom, who has been a model of love and dedication and who always, no matter what, has been my biggest cheerleader and supporter. When my journey of motherhood started at 18, she was next to me the ENTIRE time... never waivering. Helping with Connor so I could go to school, supporting my new little family in anyway she could, and letting me go when I knew it was time to begin new chapter. Thank you Momma...
I am so thankful my for 'other moms' who have stepped in when I needed them and have been amazing grandparents to my children...
I am grateful to my sisters and friends who have set incredible examples of what amazing mothers are... I learn from them everyday.

But most of all, I am thankful to my own four children who have taught me more about life, love, faith, and joy than I could have ever imagined. My journey as a mother has been unconventional to say the least. It began at 18, my first sememster at college. Gregg and I, along with my family, worked, scheduled, swapped cars, studied... and somehow made it through. Connor showed me a love that I neve knew existed. I will never forget looking at him for the first time and realizing that HE was why I was put on this planet. Nothing else mattered except for him and I was going to do everything possible to make the best life possible for him. He taught me that things will NOT always be easy.... But they will ALWAYS be worth it...

Three years later, our family welcomed our beautiful, beloved Brynnie. Her love of life, kind heart, and passion excite and challenge me. I envy her creativity and free spirit. I will forever be inspired by the light in her eyes and the joy in her heart.

I could never have imagined what the next chapter of my motherhood journey would hold...

Cowen and Lilly Kate have brought a joy to our family that is hard to put into words. Watching Cowen grow and learn has brings our family a joy that we never felt before. Cowen's faith inspires me... we never prayed as a family until he was here. I look at him and see a light.. a glow. He helped heal a grief that no one else could. When I was hurting like no mother should hurt, he was there. He was my silver lining on my cloudy days. He taught me that it's all going to be alright...

Lilly Kate has given me a gift that I will carry with me each day of my life. She gave me joy. I have never felt such pain and sadness... but, because of her, I know true joy. I have a faith that is deeper than ever. I live each day knowing that ultimately, everything is going to be alright. I know that life will work together for our good and His glory. I know that God chose ME to be her mother. I know that life, however short, is meanigful and it matters. Our joy is greater, our love is deeper, and our life is fuller... because of her.