Happy 10th Birthday Hunter

May 25, 2010 marks the tenth trip that Hunter has taken around the Sun. It marks a decade since my journey as a mother began. I am overwhelmed by emotion tonight as I think back on the last ten years of his life--of our life together. When he was a baby I hung a poem on my fridge that said:

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow

For babies grow up as we've learned to our sorrow

So quiet down cobwebs

Dust go to sleep

I'm rockin' my babies and babies don't keep.

I'm so thankful that even though, he's too big to cradle in my arms, he is still more than willing to snuggle up next to me for a meaningful chat, and always asks for a hug and kiss goodnight. I can clearly remember the flood of emotion the day he was born. How did I get so lucky? I would think about all of the women in the world, and how blessed I was that God had chosen me to be his mom. As I held that sweet baby boy in my arms, I never could have imagined how quickly these last ten years would sail by.

When he was little I started a nightly bed time routine that included a quiz. I would say to him, "Do you know what my favorite part of today was?" And he would ask, "What?" And I would tell him, "Getting to be your mom." Then I would ask him, "Out of all the little boys in the world, how do you think I got the best one?" He would giggle and say, "I don't know." There are a million little moments wrapped up in these last ten years that I cherish and yet that little quiz fully sums up the emotions of my heart when I think about him.

When he was five, I made a photo montage to celebrate the milestones that he reached that year. At the time, I couldn't believe how big he was, but when I watch it now, I see a little guy who had only begun the journey of getting big.

There are so many things that I love about Hunter. He is a kind and loyal friend. He is honest. His gentle side is balanced out by his competitive nature. He sticks up for the underdogs. He is his sister's protector. He is witty. He is empathetic to the point that at times his own heart is full of aches for those that he loves. He is bright, and always strives to give 100% in all that he does. And while I wish I could take credit for all that is good in him, the truth is, along the way he has taught me so much about love and about life. These last ten years have truly been the time of my life, and so much of that is because of him.

So happy birthday Moose. And remember that no matter how big you become in the decade ahead of us, you will always be my little man.

I LOVE Free Stuff!!!

And I bet you do too. Those who know me, know I love a good deal. I may have even gone by the name Coupon Cami at one point. ;o) So Christine, who is a member of an online forum I'm a member of, is giving away a $40 gift card. All you have to do to enter is go to her blog and leave her a comment. What's the catch you say? That's the best part! There is no catch!!! Hurry over there for your chance at $40! Oh and while you're there check out Christine's amazing creations!

http://www.jazcreations.com/2010/04/choose-what-you-like-super-giveaway.html

WTW: Poor Steve

My friend Laura shared this video with me today. It is imperative that you turn on your speakers for this video, as the audio is the best part.

Hillbilly On Riding Mower Tasered - Watch more Funny Videos

Autumn is Here!

So, a lot has been going on, and clearly I haven't had time to blog. So, I'm going to try and get everyone caught up, with as little dialogue as possible, and as many pics as I can handle with this not so high speed internet.

Football season is almost over. The Madison Red Cubs have won 6 games and lost 1 game. They will play their last regular season game this Thursday at the high school at 7:15. Moose is soo excited to get to play at the stadium under the lights. Not only have they won 6 games, but they've had several shut outs, which means Coach Wes has had to pay up on his promise for several pizza party's. :o)

In September, I had the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. to photograph my dear friend Lauren's wedding. I hadn't been to D.C. since I was 16, and I was so excited to get back and do a little sight seeing. More than that, I was excited to get to share this special day with my life long friend.

Speaking of D.C., Hunter has become our very own little politician. Here are some pics of him watching President Obama's address to the children of America. He was in awe when President Obama talked about J.K. Rowling's story of Harry Potter being rejected by the first 12 publishers, she sent it to. That part of the speech was very inspiring for him. Not only did he enjoy the president's speech, but he wrote and delivered a speech of his own to the 4th graders at his school during his campaign for student council. We are so proud that he was brave enough to run for student government at a new school. Not only did he run, but he was one of the four students in the 4th grade that was elected!!! GO MOOSE!!

Gracie is doing so good in kindergarten. She loves her teacher Mrs. Burnett, and has not had to move her apple from the apple tree behavior chart once this year. She is also learning to read and write. I haven't had a chance to scan any of her writings but will try to do that soon. I absolutely LOVE kindergarten. It's such a fun year of growth and learning! Below are their adorable school pictures, as well as Hunter's football pics.

And now, we have entered a season that I have never experienced in real life. It's called Autumn, and it is simply stunning. Last week the kids were on Fall Break. Yep! We get a Fall Break out here. I took the kids and two of their friends to Clifty Falls State Park for a picnic, a hike, and some photos. It was a lot of fun. Another day, we met up with some friends to see the movie Where the Wild Things Are. It was soooo good, and has sparked some really creative imaginative play in our home. I'm actually almost done with a Max costume for Hunter to wear to school on Friday for "Favorite Book Character Day". I will definitely be sharing pics of that later, as this is my first adventure in crafting a costume for one of my kids.

Thanks for looking. Hopefully, I'll be back to post more soon.

Camera Bag Give Away

Yes...I am really behind. I promise to give updates later this week about football, my trip to Washington D.C., and everything else that has been going on in our crazy lives. In the meantime, go check out this blog and enter for a chance to win one of her awesome camera bags...or just buy a camera bag from her, and skip entering the contest so that my chances of winning are better. ;o) http://blog.wickedstitchdesigns.com/2009/09/25/september-giveaway--all-new-camera-bag.aspx

Oh...and to hold you all over, here's a pic of Moose at football practice. I just love that big old over sized jersey hanging on him....

School days, school days, Dear ol' golden rule days..

On August 19th, both of my kiddos headed off to school. Grace was sooo excited to finally get to start big kid school. Hunter was excited, but also nervous about being the new kid. Grace wore a special outfit that my friend Susie made for her. The shirt says, "Kindergarten Rocks!". Grace also told me to pose for my photo with her.

Open House was held the second week of school, and we had a chance to visit with their teachers and look around their classrooms.

The kiddos with their principal. They both just love him. He is a father of 4 girls, and clearly loves children. He comes out to recess on some days and will play kick ball with the boys. He has also given Grace the nickname "Fashion Princess".
Grace & Mrs. B

Hunter and Mrs. D

The first 8 days of school, Grace only went for a 1/2 day. This past Monday was her first full day, and their first day to ride the bus home. The bus pulls right up to our driveway and they arrive home about 15 minutes after school lets out. Grace had never been on a bus before, and thought it was the coolest thing ever. We'll see how long it takes for the novelty of it to wear off.

WTW- Lazy Links...

Busy week..or few weeks. The kids started school last week. I started school this week. Football practice.. Gymnastics.. You get the idea.

So, eventhough, I've got two stops on my "to do list" of WTW photos to take, I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Instead, please enjoy the photos and captions on these two sites. Props to my friends Geneva and Susan #2 for passing these links along to me.

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

Oh, and Beth shared this link with me the other day. It's not WTW material, but you may pee your pants reading it. If you do pee your pants reading this, please send me a photo to post on next week's WTW.

http://twitter.com/shitmydadsays