1st Day of Pre-K for Hunter

Hunter is now at Rummel Creek Elementary. Officially a big boy! He started Pre-K a couple days ago, and he couldn't be more excited. He has Ms.Hansen and Ms. Barnes. Ms. Hansen and I have been friends for years, so I know he is in wonderful hands!

I used to go to Rummel Creek. My mom used to be assistant principal at Rummel Creek years ago. She was actually principal while I was there! Some of the office staff is still the same as when I went to Rummel Creek. My sister in law, who also lives down the street, is also a teacher at Rummel Creek. Hunter's cousin/best friend (Ally) goes to Rummel Creek, 9 kids on our small street all go there too! To say the least, we feel very comfortable there. Our roots are deeply established in that school, and I feel that this all gave Hunter an extreme amount of confidence on his first day.

He didn't have an ounce of fear...all excitement! He was beaming! His joy was radiating from him! We had a good breakfast at home, lots of pictures and I loaded the car with his teachers gifts. We headed to school...for the first time! Scott stayed home with Trent and Faith Ann because we knew the school would be crazy. So, Hunter and I embraced the moment together!

He walked straight to his class, hung up his backpack, sat in his chair...all while having a giddy smile on his face. He knew this was BIG, a big step! He was proud. I was proud of my sweet boy. He is beyond ready for this chapter.

He rode the bus home from school. His cousin Ally, along with our street friends, all ride the bus. Hunter was sooo excited to ride the bus! I sat at the bus stop, couldn't wait to hear all about his day. The bus pulled up, and there Hunter was, on the top of the stairs with a HUGE smile. I could feel his excitement oozing from the bus! Ally was behind him, holding his backpack, with a big smile...so proud of her cousin! This was a proud moment for me. To see Hunter's confidence and Ally's love was priceless! He couldn't contain his joy, he jumped off the bus! Huge jump from the top stair. Then, he ran to me with a big hug! One of my best motherhood moments so far!

He had an amazing first day of school. He looked adorable! He said he wanted to be a principal or Sam Sann when grows up. Sam Sann is the American Ninja Warrior gym owner where we take our classes. He is an unbelievable ninja, and Hunter looks up to him so much! Or a principal?! Where did that come from? He may be following in his grandmothers footsteps. My mom would be so proud! Scott took Hunter to school on the 2nd and 3rd day because he just couldn't get enough of how excited Hunter was! Hunter is riding the bus to school tomorrow, and he is over the moon about this! Kate (my sister in law) said that she has seen Hunter in school, and he looks so confident! She said that he is truly blooming where he is planted! Amen!!!

This is the beginning of a long part of Hunter's life. I pray that he makes good choices, is always kind, is respectful, tries his hardest, and always has a love of learning! He is so overjoyed to learn, and I pray that his thirst for knowledge stays around for many years! I love this boy! I love this school! I love our community! Sweet Hunter, I am proud of you!

Life Lesson in Action

Summer is winding down, and we are starting to put all of our focus on back to school next week! Hunter starts at Rummel Creek Elementary next week, and Trent starts after Labor Day at our church school (MDUMC.) Hunter will go 5 days a week, full school days! He is so ready!! We had his 'meet the teacher' the other day. He has Ms. Hansen (Ms. Barnes is her aid). Ms. Hansen is one of my friends, so I am excited too! Trent will go 2.5 days, and he is also ready to start this chapter of his life. His teacher (Ms. Melissa) is coming over to our house next week to meet Trent! But, before we fully focus on school...we have had an action packed ending to our summer!

We have had the usual birthday parties, playdates, and outdoor neighborhood fun with friends! We went to Rockport last weekend with some friends. We had a great, low key weekend! EXCEPT for the drive there!! Yall, it was devastating! I'll spare the details, but Scott and I were first on the scene on a head on collision on 59, close to Rockport.

The kids were with us. The sight was traumatic, unreal! We instantly jumped into action. Ran out of the car while I called 911 because the man was hanging out of his totally mangled car with the seat belt about to decapitate him. Again, I will spare the details! Scott ran to the car and the seat belt had to be cut with a knife to release the man. We thought he was dead. Unconscious, non responsive! Another man ran to help carry him away from the car that was leaking tons of fluids! The other car had a family (mom, dad and about 10 year old daughter.) They were all conscious just lots of shock and injuries.

I ran to get diapers to put on the daughters head because there was so much blood, and those diapers were life savers! They absorbed WAY more than a towel. The paramedics said they may have to start carrying diapers! I was on the phone with 911 as they talk me through CPR. They opened his shirt to see he was barely breathing, so no CPR needed. Just talking to him, hand holding, praying until paramedics got there. Life changing experience!

The kids were in the car getting a front row seat to this drama! I ran back to the truck to talk to them. They were crying, thinking we were hurt, thinking the man was dead, thinking I was going to get hit by a car, etc! My adrenaline was pumping, but I calmed down to talk to them and explain that we are helping. I sat in the car with them for a few minutes and just explained the situation and answered their questions. I gave them a snack then went back out to direct traffic...which I am terrible at! I was waving the cars back and away! This man was like "wave them to the right rather than telling them to just go away!" So, I lost my traffic duty to a much more capable man and I sat with the little girl that was devastated. Her mom was in too much shock to comfort her, so I tried my best!

The other man was starting to slightly respond by the time paramedics got there, which made us feel so much better! We answered questions and left because the professionals needed their space. And just like that...we went on our way as these peoples lives are forever changed! Our lives changed too in an entirely different way. We saw how fast things happen! We saw how every second matters when you are behind the wheel! Life lesson that I will never forget!

Yes, it was awful. Yes, it was scary for our kids to witness. But, they also got to see their parents sacrifice to help others, they got to see a small community of people gather and work as a team, they also witnessed the power of prayer! They got to experience how fragile life is. But, I am glad that our kids now truly understand the importance of car/carseat safety, and the importance of always relying on prayer! We held hands and prayed until the ambulance got there. When life is scary, when life is uncertain, when you are powerless....just pray. And this was a moment in our life that we did just that. I don't know the outcome from wreck. But, I do know that this will forever be embedded in my mind! God Bless those families!

The rest of the weekend was perfection! Lots of swimming, beach walking, and playing. We love the family we went with so much. Our kids are all best buds! So, we enjoyed every moment of the weekend get away! I didn't take any pictures, but strangely enjoyed the off time and didn't have my phone near me! The rest of the summer days have been filled with Hunter growing too fast, Trent talking way more than he ever has, and Faith Ann being a total Diva! She is hilarious! Her 'diva-ness' deserves an entirely separate post! She is cracking us up!

Trent 3yr and Faith Ann 15mo Stats

I combined Trent and Faith Ann's well visits today. Trent had his 3 yr check up, and Faith Ann had her 15 mo check up. Hunter tagged along and sat in the chair like a big boy! I didn't have any questions for the doctor, not one! So, she examined them and we were on our way. So very grateful for good doctor appointments! Then, Faith Ann had to get 3 vaccines. She was a trooper. Here's the scoop on their stats.

Trent 3yr

Weight: 31 lb (41 %)

Height: 39 in (88 %)

Faith Ann 15mo

Weight: 22.5 (64 %)

Height: 31.5 (81%)

Dr. Brack said Faith Ann is such a doll. She looks taller than her actual height which means she may be like me. Seriously, my legs are only 1.5 inches shorter than Scott....and Scott is over 1 foot taller than me! My mom used to joke that God must have gotten in a hurry when He got to my torso. He had plans to make me tall, but He ran out of time! Don't even get me started on my long arms!! I am only 5'4, but clearly God's plans were originally for me to be like 5'9! Oh well. Faith Ann is growing right on track. Her weight has totally leveled off, but she is still holding onto those adorable bull dog chubby cheeks. No more thigh rolls, which I miss! And she is still holding onto that big tooshie (in honor of my mom!!) My mom had a big booty, and she is totally smiling that Faith Ann has a her toosh!

Dr. Brack said her birthmark is fading nicely. It is on her right upper/inner arm. There are parts that are almost gone and other parts that still have the red vessels. Her prediction is the same as the dermatologist. They think it will be gone by 3.5 years old. I don't even notice it anymore. It is just part of her, and I honestly will miss that birthmark...a reminder of the days that she was my little baby!

Trent is strong and healthy. He is such a solid boy. He feels like a concrete block, so I was surprised that he was only the 41st percentile! She even weighed him again because she was like "woa, he feels way bigger than that!" Everyone's body is so different and unique, and I am so blessed to have these 3 babies with wonderfully made bodies! Trent is tall. He is a couple inches shorter than Hunter, so it will be interesting to see if younger brother passes up big brother!

We talked about how Trent stutters sometimes. She said it is totally normal, especially with such an outgoing brother. It is hard for him to get a word in with Hunter talking 'for him' all the time! But, we are working on Hunter giving Trent a turn to speak! Trent is the most chill, relaxed, and cool dude. But when he does talk, he is so funny! He has a dry sense of humor, and he cracks me up! Awesome doctor appointment. Nothing eventful, and just the way I like our doctor appointments to go! Amen to a great report!

Happy 32nd Birthday to ME

Yesterday, August 4th, was my 32nd birthday. It also would have been my parents 48th wedding anniversary. I was born on my parents 16th wedding anniversary, and Trent was born on our 7th wedding anniversary. I love sharing my anniversary with Trent, and I know mom enjoyed sharing their anniversary with me...makes for a very special day!! So this day is, yet another, day that I think of my mom! I had a wonderful birthday!

Scott planned a Buffalo Bayou picnic dinner float. It was amazing. We loaded up his truck with a double kayak and paddlepoard. We parked Scott's truck Downtown, so that it would be there when we were done with our float. Then, our friend took us to our launching spot near Memorial Park.

The float took us about 2 hours. We stopped at a 'beach/sand area' to have a picnic. Scott got my favorite...Southwells BLT! The most delicious BLT in town!! He packed a cooler with ice cold Corona Light, my other favorite! We sat and ate our picnic on the Buffalo Bayou with amazing views, all alone, right in the heart of the hustle and bustle of Houston! It's amazing to feel so secluded in the big city!

We passed lots of random bridges, gorgeous houses, high end restaurants, and lots of wooded areas. Such a great experience.  Then, we ended in Downtown with Scott's truck right by the bayou! Downtown was the most beautiful part! I loved paddleboarding into the skyline of Downtown Houston. Scott timed the float so that we get to Downtown as the buildings and bridges turned all their lights on. It was beautiful!

Just before Downtown, we had to go under a bat bridge...huge bat population! Scott swears there were a million bats as we passed. I was a tad nervous as I paddled super fast, but we made it and it was fun! They have a "bat observance deck" above that bridge. So people were all laughing as we paddled through it. Just another adventure!

Uncle Greg babysat the kids. They LOVE Uncle Greg, and he is so wonderful with our kids. It was a wonderful night, great memories and an awesome start to another year!