Kindergarten

We have a Graduate!  Avery finished her year of Kindergarten and we couldn't have been more pleased with her growth and maturity and the education she received this year.  The year almost seemed "too easy".  She adjusted well to a new routine; there were no behavioral issues; she enjoyed school and excelled.  She made lots of new friends (I did, too) and her class became a little family.  We loved Mrs. Tami and Mrs. Lisa.  It was a precious year, especially considering this was our "first". 

Here's her graduation.  Isn't she pretty!

Silly faces!

Avery & Caleb :-)

Avery & Charlotte

Our principal, Ms. Susan.  We love Bartlett Baptist and are thankful for the program.

Ok 1st grade, here comes Avery Leigh!  We expect great things!

Parker

Our little Parker-man is growing up so fast!  He had a great year of preschool and he learned and matured in leaps and bounds.  Here's one of his best little buddies, Cameron.  They go to school together and they are in the same classes at church as well.  Parker is usually surrounded by a bunch of girls, so it's been nice to watch this friendship blossom.  This is our school trip to the zoo.

And he started soccer this spring, and loved it!  It's been fun starting this new era of sports in our family.  I remember his first game our coach had them in the middle of the field about to start and he said, "ok guys, which way is our goal?", and they all pointed in different directions :-)  So cute and fun!  Parker's got a mean left foot and we look forward to many more entertaining games.

Coach Brad

So last year Parker's MDO had an "end of the year" program and he wouldn't have anything to do with it.  What a big turn-around this year!  He loved music class and his teacher, Ms. Terri, and gave us quite a preview of the songs they would be singing in their program.  He put on a good show.  We are so proud of him!

It's my birthday!

If I could plan a perfect day for my birthday, here are some ideas on how it would go:

I would wake up well rested.
I would get up before everyone else and go for a run, with spring like weather.
I would have an uninterrupted time with the Lord.
I would eat a big, yummy breakfast (my favorite meal).
Shane would be home to take care of the kids all day.
I would have lunch with friends.
I would go to the spa and have a pedicure and 2 hour massage :-)
I would go to Target and look and shop until my heart was content.
I would go somewhere other than Target to shop for clothes.
Starbucks and ice cream would fit in there somewhere...maybe more than once.
I would take a big fat nap.
There would be no cooking, no cleaning, no laundry on my part.
And the best part of the day would be going out on a date with Shane...and then we'd take the kids with us to eat some more ice cream!

Now the reality of my day today:

I was awakened at 4:30 (after having gone to bed close to midnight) by my 4 month old who needed an early morning snack :-)

I'm pretty sure Shane kissed me goodbye and told me "happy birthday", but after getting up to feed Daniel, I was back to some good, hard snoozing.

Avery & Parker were quick to give me their bday cards this morning, very cute.

There was nowhere to be, so we've stayed home today; the kids have played well and Daniel has napped nicely (which he hasn't been doing well lately, happy bday to me from Daniel :-)

Carter has had one his "I'm into everything" kind of days and he made quite a mess on the floor with cereal and milk while I was taking a shower....oh, and there was dish soap all over the dishwasher (which I knew had to be cleaned up otherwise the next time I started my dishwasher soap suds would be everywhere!)

I've had sweet birthday calls and texts and FB messages from friends and family.

Avery & Parker told me I was the best mom ever and that I look very pretty on my birthday - I giggled a little and Avery said, "really, mom, I'm telling the truth".  I believed her but I think those comments were prompted by my allowing them to watch Scooby Doo.

Carter had one of those "terrible 2's" fits and we had to battle it out - I won.  I guess he got my bday spankings today :-(  And one to grow on.

As usual....laundry!!!

We met Shane for dinner at one of our family favorites - Pei Wei :-)  And then off to Sheridans for an expresso concrete, yum!  Afterwards I took Avery to her friend, Keegan's, for a sleepover, so tonight back home it is just Mommy and "da boyz".  Bedtime routines as usual and while I'm waiting for baby D to wind down I'm watching House Hunters and writing this entry.  Oh yeah - Shane let me pick my bday present.  He told me I could either get a new camera or a shopping spree!!!  I told him since I hope I'm not this fat this time next year, I don't want to spend a lot of $$$ on clothes, so it was easy to opt out for the camera.  Yay, I'm excited!  I've been wanting a new camera for a while!

So comparing my "made up" day to my actual day...apart from the ice cream, not much is the same.  But truth be told, I'm very much thankful for the way my day turned out.  Don't get me wrong, I love to celebrate & party down and if I were to wake up next year on my birthday and Shane hands me an itinerary with "my perfect day" activities listed, I wouldn't turn it down.  But I've learned that it's the everyday ordinary that makes my life so special.  And on days like my birthday when I take the time to sit and reflect on how very much I have to be thankful for, I find myself drawn to the simple things...and how better to celebrate than with these simple things.  Like simple birthday cards, colored by my childrens' sweet, healthy hands.  And because of all those simple "happy birthday Macy" messages, I'm reminded of how God has blessed me with so many wonderful friendships.  And a simple "happy birthday, honey" goodbye kiss Shane planted on my cheek as he left for work this morning filled my cup full...and I've been celebrating the rest of the day :-) 

Happy Mother's Day to me!

Could I be more thankful on this Mother's Day!!!

Thank you, precious Father, for these 4 wonderful blessings.

I love being their mother!

Happy Anniversary!

Shane and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary in April!!!!  Wow, 8 years!  Apart from the sweet cards we exchanged, that's pretty much all the celebrating we did.  Sad, I know, but that's just the position we're in these days.  I'm hoping for a date night really soon (we need one!)
I love you Shane Jason Cross.  You still make my heart melt and flutter all at the same time.  I feel safe and sheltered in your love.  You are a steadfast provider for our family.  You are smart and funny (hilarious actually), you can fix anything or figure anything out.  You are kind and thoughtful.  You love the Lord and you are growing in Him...and you are leading our family to walk in His ways.  You are using your spiritual gift in more ways than one - teaching - it's "your thing" and you're so patient in your teaching.  You are the best wrestler, chaser, bathgiver, bandaid placer, book reader, listener, bathroom taker our kids could ever dream of having.  And you are THE source of comic relief in our home.  You love me in so many ways and I've never ever doubted that love.  Even though this season of 4 small kids is crazy & hectic and we don't get a lot of time together, there's nobody else I'd rather be sharing this with!!!  I'm so thankful God chose us to partner together and entrusted these beautiful children to us to raise and nurture....what a gift!  Our late night talks after we finally get all we can get done in a day, before our heads hit the pillow - I treasure that sweet time.  I'm so thankful for the one and only ticket aboard the "Shane train", ha :-)  and he's all mine! 

Just because...

Just because I'm so adorable (and almost 3 months old)!

Happy Easter!

I love Spring and I love to celebrate Easter.  I can hardly wait to get to church to gather and sing praises of thanksgiving and honor to our Risen Savior!!!  Paw Paw and Jo Jo visited with us this weekend, and we sure enjoyed having them here. They got to see Avery & Parker play soccer; and we went downtown Saturday night and rode the trolley and enjoyed eating out somewhere different.  Good times :-)

Since we don't have an evening service on Easter (which sometimes leaves me feeling a little lonely, b/c we don't have family here and it seems everyone else is having "family time"), Shane & I decided to have some friends over (also those without family in town) and have a "family" get together of our own.  We welcomed the Helman's and the Stone's and we grilled out & dyed Easter eggs & played & just had fun!  I see a new tradition in our future.