Of all the things we enjoyed during our trip to DisneyWorld I think you two enjoyed this the most. Shelby became ShINK for the remainder of the trip and Reese, well he became Vampragon!
My most favorite thing was watching the two of you enjoy everything and each other every moment.
Love you two more than you'll ever know.
If you've ever spent more than $100 on a camera you've probably been advised not to take said camera to the beach...
If you've ever bought a camera that was the most expensive treat you've EVER allowed yourself...
If you didn't listen to the leave your good camera at home advice (especially when it came for a highly trusted professional photographer/camera expert)...
then you know how rotten it feels to see the last shot your good camera will ever take.
This is that picture for me... pout...
Now I try to decide what to purchase next and use the stand in camera and deal with poor quality shots until I decide on the next big investment. Fortunately technology has driven the price down and an upgraded model is about 1/2 of the original purchase price. I guess that should make the decision easier, but instead I'm thinking of all the options the other 1/2 will buy and am rationalizing that I spent twice as much last time.
Wish me luck and do listen and leave your good camera at home. I just don't understand how all of the beach photographers don't wreck their equipment.
We've been anticipating this moment as a family for months, we're so excited that Jack is here and that you are a dad now. This picture doesn't do justice to the love you already have in your heart for this sweet little man. You are already bragging on his good behavior and even better looks. He sure is lucky and so are you. Never forget what a gift he is.
Loved that you were Christy's rock through a long labor ending in a c-section she did not want. Love even more that you are standing strong for your little family and letting everyone know that you need time to get adjusted to each other before all of the "help" comes.
Remember today and hold it dear, you only become a parent for the first time once.
Time to go back to school.
When asked if you are ready to go back to school your standard reply is no, but really you are ready. You are ready to get back to your friends and learning. We stopped by your campus for an unofficial meet the teacher (second graders are apparently too old for this tradition) and we ran into your Sunday School teacher Mrs. Camille. Mrs. Camille asked if you were ready for school and you said you were ready to get back to reading. She shared that this melted her heart and I have to admit it had the same effect on me. I've always loved reading and am so happy that you have developed an interest as well. I know you are going to learn so much this year and I'm looking forward to seeing what cool things you share. Just please slow down on the growing up you've changed so much in the last three years and I can't get over how fast your childhood is passing.
One of my favorite projects from art camp this summer, a self-portrait. Coloring is not your favorite form of art, but I can feel YOU in this picture. There is something about the eyes that seem almost haunting to me.
So cool to see you enjoying farm life. We're not exactly city slickers, but compared to Uncle David and Aunt Barbara we are pretty close. On this day you and Daddy went to visit so you could spend some time outside. You really enjoyed feeding Aunt Barbara's baby deer. They really enjoyed it too! You and Dad fished and were treated to a tour of the farm on Uncle David's mule. I'm not sure what you enjoyed the most, but you are already asking to go back again soon. Love that you love animals and enjoy spending time with family.
This girl is my best friend. Who else could convince me to go to a college sporting event and call it fun!
We were once described as kindred spirits and we truly are that close. She brings out a better side of me. She teaches me to be a little kinder, a little more grateful, a little more spontaneous, and a whole lot more adventurous all by example. She loves my family and I hers. I think she was meant to be my sister only God knew I would need her now more than in my youth. I can cry on her shoulder, ask for her advice, gripe, complain and whine when I need to, but I can also laugh 'til I cry (or wet myself), stay up entirely too late, and talk about nothing for hours on end. How lucky and blessed I am to know and love this incredible person.
Thanks friend!
When we moved to Henderson one of the things that was really important to Randy & I was that we found a church home with an active children's department. We are raising Reese to love the Lord and we know that having a great church home is an important part of our Christian walk. When we found Calvary we knew it was everything we had prayed for in a church. Nothing demonstrates the commitment Calvary makes to children any more than VBS. We have a fun filled week of activities each summer. This year we invited Graham and Jolie to go with us for Wild West Witness. Each night we hosted around 425 children and had the best fun. We roped cattle, had a petting zoo, played games, ate snacks, sang songs and learned a lot about witnessing for Christ!
I was the official photographer for VBS so I loved my job. I got to see all of the great things happening in our church all week. We had children accept Christ and families join our church and had a lot of fun in the process! Calvary and VBS are the best!
I'm sure you don't remember how afraid of the water you were at 2, 3, or even 4 years old, but buddy you were terrified!!! I'm talking clutching on to anyone you were brave enough to enter the water with. I remember one trip to the lake with you wearing a life jacket while on a float and holding a water noodle. We all thought you were the cutest. The summer you were 4 we started lessons with your preschool class. Those lessons turned out to be a waste! You were even more afraid of the water by the end of the week.
Lucky for us a family friend, Christie Moon, had just put in a pool and decided to offer private lessons. So a little reluctantly we signed on again just a few weeks after our first unsuccessful attempt. How blessed we were. Between her gentle teaching and the private setting you managed to put your face in the water...such a big step for you. I share this so someday you'll understand why we drive 30 miles each way to take lessons.
3 years of lessons later you are a swimmer and we've never enjoyed summer as much.
Mrs. Christie is the only teacher I trust. She is my friend, but she is your water buddy.
Go! Reese! Go!
This picture marks the beginning of the end. I've seen it coming for awhile now, but haven't known how to steer your attitude or my obsession. You think I am the Mamarazzi and if I'm truthful, you're right. I know it's no excuse, but I love you and want to hold on to every precious moment. I know one day you'll be grown and these pictures will help me remember all of the good days we shared. I always have my camera ready, but I'm realizing with your help that this sometimes this gets in the way of enjoying the moment WITH you. We were on the Riverwalk having a nice dinner out when you announced you had had enough...NO MORE PICTURES. Before it was all over you were in tears. Shame on me!!! Not what I wanted at all. Later that night you told me that I should tell Mrs. Sheri that we couldn't be best friends anymore since I wouldn't have any pictures to scrap...I assured you I still had plenty and that I do take a few pictures that don't involve you. I think this caught you off guard, because a little while later you said a few pictures (maybe 3) wouldn't be so bad. JUST not SOOO many Mom, O.k.?
O.k. Son, I'll try to take fewer pictures and enjoy the moments with you more. Because I really LOVE you and want you to enjoy my company.
