The first day of 2nd grade

Here is my sweet Jake on Monday morning all ready for his first day of second grade. He wasn't TOO nervous about going to a new school and meeting new friends because his school is brand new so everyone there is pretty much new all over again. He was so excited about the day because I have decided to let him ride the bus this year (yikes)! I know, I know, I'm ridiculous, but I just remember some not so good memories I had of riding the bus as a child and I was scared for Jake to have to go through the same thing. LUCKILY, Jake isn't half the nerd or dork that I was so he made friends with everyone on the bus, he's so friendly!

He said the day was SO easy and that his teacher is SO nice. They were supposed to bring 2 books to school to read and he chose one of his to be his big book about guns that Austin's friend Ed gave to him. He said that about 10 kids wanted to be his reading partner because his book was SO COOL!! He said he was so popular on the first day! What a silly. The bus ride went well too, I took him in the morning, but he rode the bus home and he said he liked it, so I guess we'll keep doing that until he objects!

A BiG surprise for DAD!!

Last night Austin called to tell me he wasn't going to be home until late because he was going to run the route with his dad so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to gather my punks together and plan a surprise for him when he wakes up tomorrow. We sat in a circle and had a meeting about what would make dad happy and each kid had such great but different ideas, that I decided to do them all!

Jake originally wanted to make dad a badge that he could wear to the BAR, but once we got the poster board and he saw how big it was, he wanted to use it all. He ended up making a big sign as you can see in the pictures, I think it's perfect! He also got some of Austin's favorite gum (bubbilicious) to put in his green bag that he picked out

Kora thought that dad needed a movie, but not just ANY movie. She said she wanted to pick a movie that would send him a message and make him feel like he has "strank" (strength). When we got to the store I picked out about 5 different "strank" movies and out of those, she chose the Rocky set of 5 movies for him. It really was the best choice!

Miah just shouted out that he wanted to get dad a shirt so I helped him pick one out that Austin MIGHT wear (he's really picky ya know).

When we got home from our treasure hunt of gifts for dad, all the kids got busy drawing, coloring, stuffing tissue paper and setting up for the big surprise. We hid all the finished products in the closet so he wouldn't see them when he got home and then at 3:30 am, while everyone was asleep, I got up to set it out for him. It really was a BIG surprise, I don't think he expected it at all. He said everything was so perfect and I wrote him a card that had a really good confidence boosting message in it. I also included a quote from the newest Rocky Balboa movie: NEVER GIVE UP AND NEVER STOP BELIEVING. I thought it went perfectly with the situation!

Here are the pics of our surprise all set up. I took a close up of the picture Kora drew for Austin because it's so precious. She wanted to draw a picture of dad taking the bar and so she drew a monkey and Austin hanging on A BAR, literally. It's so funny that she thinks that's what the BAR is!

D-Day

Well, it's the night before the BAR. I'm sitting here with a bunch of mixed emotions but overall, I'm feeling good about everything. Both Austin and I have been super stressed the past six weeks and when I say super...I mean SUPER STRESSED. We have had more trials the past 6 weeks that have tried to break us down, but I feel like we've come out on top.

A few days ago we asked a few family members to join us in a family fast on Sunday to help and pray for Austin on this test. I want to thank all of you who participated in our fast because since the fast ended our stress levels have gone WAY down. Austin and I both talked about how we feel so much more at ease, still nervous, but just in a more calm way. I know this is an answer to many many prayers.

I know that Austin has put his blood sweat and tears into studying for this exam and I KNOW that Heavenly Father will help him recall the information he learned and know when to apply it. The exam is three days long beginning tomorrow for 3 hours, on to Wednesday for 6 hours and ending on Thursday for another 6 hours.

For those of you who would like to, feel free to continue to keep Austin in your prayers throughout this week, we could sure use the added support. I know that all of you are probably sick and tired of listening to me fret about this exam, but after this week I PROMISE I won't whine about being stressed about the exam anymore (i'll only whine about the time we have to WAIT for the scores!!!).

Anyway, we love you all and we are so thankful for all you do for our family whether it be helping out with our kids or just including us in your thoughts and prayers. I'll be sure to keep you posted on everything!!! (you know I will!)

After THREE LONG YEARS he's finally done!

Yes, I know....it feels like we have been in school (well not "we" we...but you know what I mean) forever and it's true, it has been forever. On Friday we were finally able to lay to rest Austin's schooling career and watch as he graduated from Texas Wesleyan School of Law. WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO IT'S OVER!!!!! Doesn't my graduate look so incredibly handsome. He looks like an attorney...OH WAIT, he IS!!

I've posted a picture of our family enjoying the long awaited day. It really was a joyous day even though ALL of our faces tell a different story.

Also, a picture of Austin and his mother and THEN a picture of Austin with his friend Edward. Pay no attention to all the colorful cords Edward has around his neck...he's just showing off. Austin had WAY too many to even wear! *wink*