be warned:  this video is incredibly loud and might make you sea sick.  but, look at our little guy...

::my heart::

today, as i dropped lily off for her first day of kindergarten, a piece of my heart went with her. 

i can hardly believe my baby is in elementary school.  but, i was so proud of her as she walked and skipped the whole way to school.  

last night, it took her almost 2 hours to fall asleep and i wished i could have taken all of her first day jitters away.  but, this morning, she had such a cheerful heart and was very ready for the big adventure.  i almost couldn't bear it this morning when finn kept saying, "please don't go lily.  i will miss you so much!" and she kept reassuring him that she would be home soon and would teach him everything she learned today.  

as i packed her lunch last night, i felt so nostalgic for my mom.  i wrote lily a little note to put in her lunchbox and it immediately took me back to the notes my mom put on our napkins every day of school...yes, even through high school!  and i remember even though sometimes i was a little embarrassed that i had a handwritten note from my mom in my lunchbox, it always filled me with such peace knowing that my family would be waiting for me with loving arms at the end of each school day.  i am praying that lily's day is filled with such joy and wonder and excitement about learning and that she knows without a doubt we are waiting here for her with eager excitement.  

and again i thought of my mom last night as we picked out lily's school clothes and laid them out before she went to bed.  picking out our outfit was a ritual i loved with my mom when i was younger.  while we got her clothes all ready, she said, "mama, i have to be sure to wear the cross necklace daddy got for me.  i told him i would wear it and know how much he loves me all day long."  my sweet sweet girl.  

i know there will be much adjusting over the next few weeks, but i am so excited to see her grow this year.  

happy first day of kindergarten, sweet lu!  

special breakfast chosen by the kindergartner

after school update:

when i picked lily up, she had the biggest smile on her face.

when we got home, finn said, "lily, do you remember how much you missed me."

she patted him on the shoulder and said, "oh yes, finn!"

and they ran outside to play "school."

my heart is full.

::

this photo says it all about the weekend :)

i am beyond thankful that both of my bros have taken residence in texas during our initial months here.

it was SO wonderful to spend this weekend with sam and we had a blast just relaxing together.  we spent lots of time enjoying the houston humidity, eating some delicious texas grub and just catching up.  having sam here this weekend helped to take my mind off of ry's absence and the fact that lily starts kindergarten tomorrow!...eek!  

the best part is, we get to see sammy again next weekend!  hooray!  

thanks so very much for making the trip, sam!!

::big::

tonight, lily and i had a very precious date as we attended her "back to school rumble" to meet her teacher and get ready for her first day of kindergarten.

it was such a sweet time to give her my full attention and take in as much as we could before her first day begins.  the school had free snow cones for everyone, the marching band was performing lots of celebratory songs, and everyone was ready to answer all of our pressing questions.  lily is so excited about her teacher and as we were driving home from our dinner and ice cream date, she said, "i wish i could go back to school right now."  my heart could not have been happier.

i am praying for a year that instills the love of learning, a sense of confidence and a feeling of joy and excitement about school.  how can my baby be this big??  i know she is going to have a great first day!  hopefully finn and crosby and i will be able to manage without her! :)

getting ready to be a "twain tiger" with mr. twain.

 

::little rockers::

duke got my kids some sweet texas guitars when he was in town.  

they LOVE rocking out to t.swift with them at any opportunity.  

of course, they are always a bit more bashful the moment i pull out the camera.  but, they are pretty hilarious even still...

::a week with mimi::

our kids have been reveling in the joy and love of these past days with mimi.  

we are so thankful for her generosity in traveling all the way here and have been cherishing the quality time together.

i was remiss about taking pictures while she was here, but we made lots of great memories this past week!  thank you so much for traveling to texas!!  we love you!!

the thrill of being up close to a train!

::yum::

i recently made peanut butter.  and let me tell you, it is a.maz.ing.

i know, i know.  peanut butter is so easy to buy from the store.  and not expensive, either.

well, i eat peanut butter like it is going out of style and i wanted to try to jazz it up a bit.  and the healthy, specialty peanut butters are really expensive.

anyway, i got the recipe from oh she glows and changed it up a bit to suit my palate.  i made it as she described it and it was a lot of fun to see the chopped peanuts turn into a lovely peanut butter.  in the last minute of processing, i added about 1/2 t of cinnamon and 1 t of cocoa powder.  and then i drizzled in about 1 T of honey.

let me just say this, ash and whit, this has your name written all over it.  come over quick for a big breakfast spoonful!  yum!

::besties::

::these are the days::

our little snaggle toothed boy.  his top tooth is SO big.  and lonely up there.  it looks like he has a single adult tooth up top.  but, it's counterpart is getting ready to show up and these sweet days of his funny smile are about to be in the past.  

and lily and finn are seeming so big and helpful recently.  i am cherishing these precious days before she starts kindergarten...

::trouble::

::to the one that i adore::

i adore you more and more each passing day.

happy 9th anniversary, my love...

::playground::

who would have ever thought that three bibers would find themselves living in texas this year?  

we are so thankful (and blessed) that duke has been working at a camp in texas this summer and has had this week to spend with us as he finished out his job.

i have loved his company as ryan has been working lots and my kids have been loving "playground duke."  he was worn out from working so hard at camp...but i am not sure that his week here has been restful!

duke, thank you so much for spending this time here with us.  we have loved every minute of it and are so sad for you to head back east!

and we can't wait for sammy to be in texas on saturday!

brothers are so great!  (how lucky is lily??) :)