Cayden-Our Big 1st Grader

Yesterday was Cayden's first day of the 1st grade!! I am so very proud of him yet, I am sad to see it all go so fast. It seems like yesterday I was in the hospital delivering that sweet bundle of joy and that is exactly what he has been to us for the last 6 years, is a pure bundle of joy!! Cayden is our first born and my life's calling was fulfilled when he came into this world. To be a mother.....that is all I have ever wanted to be in life is a mother and a wife!! God has truly blessed on both accounts!! JD and I have 2 amazing little boys who literally carry our hearts where ever they go!!!

He got in the car both yesterday and today so excited and happy to be in the 1st grade!! So far, he is loving it!! He loves to learn so this should be lots of fun for him!! Did you know they give spelling test in the 1st grade now?!?!?!? So much has changed since I went through and I AM NOT THAT OLD!!!! Let's just hope he takes after me in spelling and his daddy in math.....he will be in good shape if he does! :))

Here are some pix of my baby boy through the years until now!!

The day we came home from the hospital

1st birthday

2 years
2nd birthday

3 years
Cole, Carson, and Cayden playing in Mighty Mites
3rd birthday

4 years old
4 year old preschool graduation
4th birthday
5 and 6 years old
First day of Kindergarten
5th birthday
His first lost tooth
6th birthday

I know this is a lot of pix, but I went down memory lane and got carried away! :/

And now we have made it to THE BIG 1ST GRADE
On the way to school...

Olivia and Cayden

Sitting at his big boy desk....

No matter how big our baby gets, he will always be just that....our baby!! JD and I as parent's main goal is to instill Jesus into his sweet heart!! Our little guy is off to a good start!!

We are so proud of you Cayden! We can't wait to see how much you learn this year!

Rest and Relaxation

We just finished our 2 weeks of R&R. We had the best 2 weeks ever, but it was terribly sad to see him go......AGAIN. I AM SO OVER THIS!!!! Ok....sorry, I just had to get that out.

Anyway, like I said, we had such a fun time. He flew in on July 20th. Our 10 year anniversary was July 21st, so I would say, he got here just in time! I left the kids with my mom and dad that night so we could celebrate our anniversary before going to get them. It is so hard to believe that we have been married for 10 years, but I can honestly say that even with all the ups and downs we have gone through.....this has been the best 10 years of my life!! Here are some pix of us through the years.... Last, but not least, our Wedding Day....

I know that I look 3 years old here, that is only cuz I was!!
:))

I know that it is such a cliche' for me to say, but our love only gets stronger and stronger with every year that we go through. I am more in love with you today than I was the day we married bay!!!


The next morning, we woke up and went to get the babies....they were so happy to see their daddy after 8 LONG months. I have a really sweet video from that day, but can't figure out how to download it. :/ Here are some pix from right after they saw him.
We waited to have Grayson's 2nd bday party until daddy could be here to celebrate since it was so close to him coming home. It was a great time for everyone to see JD as well so we had a lot of friends and family show up for the big day!! Thank you to everyone who came!!



We were so blessed that our R&R fell in the summer time so we could take our annual family vacation to the beach! For some reason, this year had so much more meaning....wonder why?!?!?! We had an amazing time. It was so nice to get away and be selfish with our family time for a few days. This was definitely one of my most favorite beach trips so far.

"Woooo look at that water"

The rest of our time together was a lot of relaxing. We were able to take our boat out a couple of times while he was here. Here are some pix from one of those times.

The Captain of the boat

Cayden knee boarding

Eddy and Leah

Mindy and me tubing

Me and Leah

Me knee boarding

Dad and Mom

Well, that about wraps up our 2 weeks together. Ofcourse, we had an amazing time and hated to see it end, but we are so glad to be able to say we are on the last leg of this deployment. We have less than 100 days left!! WOO HOO!!!

God is so good! He has taught us a lot through this process and I just hope he can say that we have been pleasing to him!! We give him all the Praise and Glory!!

JD, thank you for such a wonderful time!! We were and still are so sad to see you go, but we know we are so close to being done. The boys and I pray for you every second of everyday!! I love you with my whole heart and then some!! :))