School Year....

Tomorrow my boys will begin a new school year. Summer has been fabulous, although never long enough. We played, we laughed, we went swimming, went on a fabulous vacation and now the school year beckons. Will is starting a brand new journey, he is headed to the 6th grade, to middle school. I have worked through most of my emotions, I think, and as of 3:12p the day before the 6th grade, I am good. You see, he has been in the best elementary school, with the best teachers I could have ever asked for. He has been preparing for this day since he walked into Indian Hills Elementary School in kindergarten. He's been walked to class, loved on by the best teachers around, and taught everything he needs to know to be a success from this point on. I am watching him. He's got his head on straight, he's excited. Mike attended this campus when he was in school, so that makes it really cool. I also know that Will is taking his cues from us. If we seem settled, so will he. I am not looking through rose colored glasses, I know it will be different. I know it will be challenging and there will be lots to learn and new people to meet. Not all the people he meets will be good ones, I get that too, but I also know, that's part of life. I can't keep him here forever, sheltered by me, and honestly, I don't want to. The world is a great big scary, wonderful place. I want him to learn it, see it, and do it. I really believe that starts tomorrow, when he leaves here. I am proud of Will, and I have every intention of staying as involved as I have ever been. We will be his biggest support, he loudest cheerleaders, and his biggest defenders. I will also push him the hardest, make sure he is working to his fullest potential and make sure he is doing all the things he knows are right. I am not scared about tomorrow. I have always said, I never send them in alone. God promised me He would take care of them, and I trust that He always keeps His word. Plus, He's already there. And I find incredible peace in that. Alex goes to 3rd grade tomorrow. Mrs. Ralston is about to meet the sweetest, funniest, smartest 3rd grader ever (I am only a little partial). He is ready, a little anxious because Will won't be there with him. He is finding his place, and I know he will do great. I know he is excited about learning new things and exploring all the 3rd grade has to offer. Just like with Will, I am not nervous, God promised He would take care of my Alex too, and He always keeps His word. I know that He is already there, so I have no reason to fear. I am a sophomore in college. I am not anxious, I am ready. 16 hours this semester, along with baseball, soccer and laundry, but I know we will make it. I have incredible friends and awesome family, we can't fail. We are set up for success and I know we will accomplish big things. Here we go.... Lakewood Middle School, Indian Hills, and Pulaski Tech- The Stafford's are coming for you- be ready!!

In the Little Things....

My life is anything but "normal" at the moment. Mike had back surgery a week ago yesterday. I started back to school 2 weeks ago, this is a CRAZY semester already, should have enjoyed the last one a little more. Today a rock a rock hit my wind shield, Will is sick, for the second day. I had school until 1:30, picked up Will went to the doctor, he threw up in the exam room. Went to the pharmacy, came home, went to Kroger.... see how all this goes. I have made it a point in the middle of all of this to find a silver lining of some kind. What happened today that I can give glory in? Can I tell you something? It was hard today. I really felt like sitting down in the middle of the floor and putting my hands in the air with a loud, "I QUIT!" I can't do it Lord, it's too much. My house needs to be cleaned, now disinfected. I need to do a pile or 2 of laundry and put it away. I have homework, I still have to cook and make sure the people that live here know I love them. And it goes on and on. So, have been waiting for the silver lining? I won't disappoint. At 5:17p, I got a text that said, it's not fancy, but can we bring you chik-fil-a? Silver lining #1. Will doesn't have the flu, just a virus, that I can treat the symptoms of. Silver lining #2. The laundry, well, that will be there tomorrow. ha! I called my Grammy. I said, we need prayer. I can't do it. I want to curl up in the fetal position and quit. She said, you can do it sis, God is carrying you. Silver Lining #3, I am being carried. Mike is doing well today. He is up and getting around better all the time. Silver lining #4. His sweet Aunt Susan asked if she could bring us dinner next week. So Monday, I can go to class and handle all the day to day and not have to worry about dinner, WHAT A BLESSING! I know to some it will sound like I am whining, it's just a sick kid or you chose to go to school. Yep, you are right. And I am not whining about the choice or that my really healthy kid is having a bought of sore throat and fever. But in a house where things are for the most part calm and the our flow is pretty good, it's a shake in our system. I really think that sometimes the Lord does small things to remind us that we are not in charge. And if you know me, I am always in charge! So I need the reminder that He's got it and I have to let Him carry me. It's in the small things folks. So when you start to feel overwhelmed, and it happens, stop and look for Him. He's got people in all the right places, like my Grammy said, "God has people stationed in very strategic places. His arms are forever extended."

First Complete Week.....

Yea, so my first week of school is done. Thursday to Thursday, done today. Can I tell you something? You know how I used to think I was busy. Running here and there, kids everywhere, blah blah blah. I have NEVER been busy in my whole life. Never. Now, I am BUSY! I start my day at 6am (which Mike says is a normal starting time for the majority of the population. Who knew?!), clothes to iron, breakfast for all, lunches to be made, you get it. Crazy morning, I am also told that lots of people do this too. Night before, back packs (now 3 of them) to get ready. Pre-pack any food that can be. Decide if I really care if my t-shirt is wrinkled, do 18 year olds notice that kind of crap? I doubt it, so I skip the ironing part, just once, I can't stand it otherwise. Kids take showers and by 8:45 after I put them to bed at 8:30, I am ready to fall into bed myself. I have always been a stay up late kind of gal. Watch some tv, read a book or magazine, you know the drill. Sometime between 11-midnight I doze off. Wake up to take the kids to school, but grab a nap if I needed one, whatever, nothing ever extreme waiting on me most days. I was not then nor have I ever been lazy, just no pressing issues, no "job" outside of here. And I thought I was busy. Boy, what I would give for one of those "busy" days. Ha! Please don't misunderstand me. I am NOT complaining. In fact, the very opposite. All this in the past week as brought some things to my attention. One, the weekend is a WONDERFUL thing and no where near long enough. Who's in charge of that anyway? We need to discuss. My husband, all these years, just wanted to come home at the end of the day and sit in his chair with a glass of sweet tea. He didn't want to go out to dinner, he didn't want to run to Wal-Mart or the mall. He wanted to SIT in a chair and relax and rest. Big "A HA" moment for me.... I get it! I understand the need, the pull, the force that draws you to a seat on the couch. So we have this closeness now, this new found respect has been born for my husband. A man needs a chair and nothing to do. The other thing, all my errands use to span the time frame of 830a-230p. That seemed like a good amount of time. Some days it seemed rushed, but now, my time span? 12:00p-2:30p, that's it. I am learning the fine art of prioritizing and afternoon doctor's appointments. It's a learning curve. All of it. Sitting in class, answering questions out loud. Hoping you'll say the right one. But the feeling of knowing that really, no one cares if you get it right. Secretly you envy the brave person who decided to speak out loud and give it a shot. That feeling when you sit down, surrounded by strangers and know that you are all there with a common goal. You are all choosing this path. To make yourselves better. There is a comfort in that. It's an experience. Homework, teachers, the thought of mid-terms and finals. All of it, it can be overwhelming. I am afraid I am missing something. The kids are going to need me and I won't be able to do it. Mike will want me to help with something and I won't be able to. I will miss an awards assembly or a field trip. I have never missed those things. But isn't it worth it? Yes, I can say with absolute unwavering certainty, that yes it is. I want my boys to know how important this is. And I want them to know it's ok to just sit in a chair sometimes with NO plans.

1 Week Down....

School started last week. We survived! The boys did really well and both said they had great weeks. We LOVE our teachers this year and that makes a huge difference already. I know I said it before, but I am so excited to see what the school year holds for them. I made it through my first 2 days of classes. Alex was a sweetheart and came running to me on Thursday afternoon to ask me how my day was. He did it again on Friday. He says that is his favorite part of the day! This will be my first full week and I am anxious to see how we handle it. HA! I am using Sundays to get everything in order, from extra laundry to left over dishes and a once over of everything else. It feels so much better when you go into the week prepared to face it. We have added fall baseball and soccer to our mix of activities. The boys are practicing now, and games start after Labor Day. I always say I love to stay busy. I guess that's a good thing right now. I do have somethings I want to blog about. More serious matters, of the heart, I guess you could say. So maybe later this evening or tomorrow, I will sit to tell you about that. Thanks for reading.....

Last Weekend until School.....

It's the last weekend of summer. We haven't done anything extra special I don't suppose. We did have a great dinner out last night with some wonderful friends.The boys got to hang out with friends at a new babysitters house. That made for a pretty fun Friday night. We don't have any plans today to speak of. Maybe we will venture out later to Wal-mart or maybe we will enjoy the rainy day and hang out at home. I just know the summer has gone far too quickly. We had open house on Thursday night. We met the boys teachers, checked out new classrooms, and saw old friends we hadn't seen since last school year. We are thrilled with the boys teachers and they are excited to start back. Open house always gets them pumped about the new year. Will has Mr. Bunting. We have wanted him since we started Kindergarten! He's been teaching for quite a while and we know his no nonsense, organized classroom approach will be a great tool for Will. I am excited to see what the 5th grade will hold for him. Alex got Ms. Buss. Her first teaching year was the year Will started 2nd grade. She is one of Alex's friends mom and he is so excited! She was so happy to see him and he enjoyed getting to see his new classroom. She is a relaxed, fun, very down to earth lady. I think her personality and teaching style will match Alex well. He has some friends from baseball and last year in his class, so it promises to be a fun 2nd grade year. Monday will be here before we know it. Lunches to be packed, clothes to be ironed, and friends to see. They have both said I could just drop them off through the car line. I thought my heart would break! Oh well, we are still negotiating the finer points of Monday morning. HA! So here we go, into a new year. Looking forward to the promises it brings.

Summer time is almost over....

It is amazing to me that in a week summer will be over. How can that be? In a matter of days I will send my 5th grader to his last year of elementary school. I have a 10 year old, who is a 5th grader..... How did that happen? In a matter of days I will send my baby boy, my youngest child, to 2nd grade. He's a 2nd grader.... How did THAT happen? In a matter of days I will get in my car and I will drive myself to college. I will be a college freshman. I am nervous, I am excited, I am going to college. How did that happen? It's amazing to me how quickly in some ways this summer has gone and in some ways it seems like it just started. We didn't go on a vacation or do anything extremely exciting, but we had one of the best ones I remember having. We spent time with friends, we joined the pool and went weekly, sometimes multiple times in a week. The boys had friends over and went to others houses to stay. Will turned 10, Mike turned 35 and my mom turned 50. It's been great summer. Now, we head into what we pray will be a great school year. We are facing new things this school year. The boys are bigger, the work gets harder and I decided to join them. 3 of us doing homework, studying, and looking forward to Thanksgiving break. That's the first one, right? It's an exciting time for the Stafford's. It's a new adventure. We approach with caution, but we are going all in. I hope I can keep up with the blog in this process we are embarking on. I would like to be able to see how we make it in the end. I know the boys will make me proud, they always do. I just hope I can make them proud in the process. So here we go. School year 2012-2013, the Stafford's are coming for ya!

MIA.....

Yep, that's me. Since getting smart phones, I can say we just don't do much computer stuff. I can check email, Facebook, read blogs, etc all from my phone, and sadly that's just what I do. But it occurred to me that the 2 people that read my blog might wonder how we are and what the happenings are. So for you, a quick update.

School is about half way over for the boys, in fact 2nd 9 week report cards come home today. I know that the boys both made straight A's once again and I could not be more proud. I know how hard they worked to get those grades and it makes me happy to see the work pay off. We are about to start basketball with Will. He has been practicing for a few months and the first game is this weekend. He is playing with school friends and our amazing assistant principal is the coach. I simply could not ask for better when it comes to him. Will is enjoying the process and learning a lot. He got drums for Christmas and as crazy as they make me some days, he is loving them. I hear the improvement everyday. I am glad that he is doing something musical. He has made great friends and we had a couple of them over to watch the Cotton Bowl last weekend, it was so much fun to hear them call the Hogs and for us to get the BIG WIN! I had a some happy boys at my house!

Alex is, well, Alex! He is so full of energy it makes me tired trying to keep up! HA! He is really enjoying school. He has made some great new friends this year. One of them got to stay over during the football game too. They didn't watch much football,but we had plenty of superheroes flying around here. I just love all the noise that boys bring! He is gearing up for soccer in a couple of months. He wants to give it a try again, so we will see. I think he is looking forward to something that no one else does, something he can call his own. Just a week ago he turned 7! I can't believe time has gone so quickly. He is growing up so fast. He had his party at the church with a bounce house and some of his buddies. It was the first year he didn't include Will's bigger friends, he just wanted "his" friends. I am glad that he has his own set of buddies, I think that is so important for him.

Mike and I are keeping up with them the best we can! Parenting is not for the faint of heart, that's for sure. It sure is a rewarding job and I am so glad I get the privilege to do it. I really am going to try to update at least weekly. We are still here, busy and happy. May your 2012 bring you blessings abundantly and may His grace cover you!
The Stafford's

9-11-11

Today we remember....My dad was in a parade honoring those lost on that day in 2001 and to honor those who served and still serve to protect our freedom and to keep us safe here at home. We are so proud to be called Americans.

........

School is in full swing, baseball is starting for fall, laundry, groceries, family time, date night.... you get the picture. The amazing thing to me is, we remain sane, everything gets done and I feel pretty well adjusted.
Aside from the happenings in my own house, my family as a whole is facing new challenges. Things are happening that no one "planned", but I have learned in my life, that sometimes, the best things aren't "planned". We go with the flow, we make adjustments and in the end, the purpose shows itself. We have to be open to possiblities and remember not to judge too harshly. Because in the end, it all works itself out, and we go with it. What other choice do we have? So in the mean time, we decide how we handle it. With grace and dignity? Like a spoiled child?
We also have to remember and realize, that not everything is about us. My family's situation, it doesn't directly affect me, indirectly, yes. But the decisions that are made, the end result, those aren't mine. I have a really important job though. I get to be supportive and loving. I get to listen and love. In the end, I get to care, not judge. And while it's happening, I offer all the love I have, in whatever form that needs to take. Cause you see, it's not about me, I am just honored to be apart of it.

Back to School....

We went on vacation last week, but I will post about that later. Yesterday was the first day of school for both boys. Will started 4th grade, he has the privelage of having the same teacher he had last year. She moved from 3rd grade to 4th, and he was placed back in her room. We could not be more excited! She is a wonderful lady and Will loved the 3rd grade. We are looking forward to a great 4th grade year.

Alex started 1st grade. He has the same teacher Will had in first grade. We love Mrs. Grice. Alex was very excited to be in her class. He has some friends from last year in his class as well, so he was excited about that too. He is really looking forward to 1st grade. He like to read and he LOVES math, so he wants to do lots of those.

It is really hard for me to believe that I have a 1st grader and a 4th grader. I blinked and they weren't babies anymore. They are both doing so well and after today, I am sure we will start the drop off line again. I know I should be thrilled that they are independent and don't "need" me, but the mommy's heart in me is sad. There are days I would love babies forever, but not really. Ha! So here's to my big boys. We are looking forward to a great year!

Long time....

It has been a really long time since I have updated. I read a ton of blogs but never take a minute to post on this one.
We are all doing well. The boys start back to school a week from today, summer has flown by! We are enjoying this last week of freedom doing some much needed relaxing and family time. Mike is on vacation this week, so we are spending time together.
My hope is to keep up with this better this year. With a 4th grader and a 1st grader, it's bound to get exciting at the Stafford's! I hope the 3 of you that are still reading, will continue, promise to do better!!

10 Years...

I can not believe that I have been married for 10 years! Wow, 2 kids, a house, cars, bills, and more love than I could have ever imagined. We met on a blind date- yes, they work- and I never looked back. I remember that night so vividly in my mind, he picked me up, dinner and the movies. What stands out to me are 2 things, he held my hand as we left the movies theater, it took my breath away. When we got to my house he walked me to the door and said goodnight. I spent the next day wondering if he would call, if I would get to see him again. He called and everyday after that, with the exception of about 4, we saw each other.

8 months later he asked me to be his wife and with more certantity than ever before I said yes. We got married surrounded by friends and our amazing familes, and here we are, because of our love and their support, 10 years later.

Our road has not always been a smooth one. We have had bumps and as Mike's card said this morning, even some wrecks, but we have recovered and kept moving forward. It's important to us, it's worth it. I am looking forward to many wonderful years ahead. Happy Annivesary to you my darling... I love you~ Always....

Happy Halloween 2010

From Will and Alex to you! Hope you enjoyed your night as much as we enjoyed ours!!

Stafford Family Update....

School is in full swing and the boys are really loving it. Alex is loving kindergarten. He has Mrs Beeson, she was Will's teacher when he was in K. He has made new friends and really likes to go to school. He was ready to be dropped off in the car line the first day and was made when I wouldn't do it! He is going that way now and he LOVES it.

Will is in 3rd grade and has Ms Merrell. We are really pleased with his placement as well. She seems to fit his personality really well. He has several friends from years past in his class and that makes it all the better! They also have a snake and a lizard in their classroom. Sounds yucky to me, but hey, what do I know!? LOL

Miks is enjoying his job. It is a lot better for his back then jobs have been before. He has more freedom to sit and stand at will, without doing too much of either.

I still have my sweet Caroline two days and week and in a few months we will add her new brother! Her mommy is due in December, so we will have a full house a couple of times a week and we love it! I started the gym this last week and am really looking forward to getting back in shape. It gives me something to fill in a little bit of empty space, as little of that as I have, and makes me feel great.

We are doing well, we are blessed and

I Blinked......

8th Birthday

8 years ago today, the Lord blessed our lives with a sweet, 7lb 10oz, bouncing baby boy. He was the greatest blessing our lives had ever known. I feel so blessed to be his mom. One of his teachers described him something like this: Will LOVES to play with kids. He walks onto a playground and he doesn't see color, gender, good or bad. He doesn't care if you are rich or poor, or somewhere in between, he simply sees kids. A bunch of different playmates. His Mimi says he is an angel, with no wings, who has been given to us to love. I believe both. He is my angel, my first born. He is full of life, a smile when you need it and a shy "I love you", with a little hug to go with it. Not overpowering, just Will.
Happy Birthday to my Doodle Bug, always my Will.

Summer is here....

Well, baseball is over, summer is here along with REALLY hot weather! We completed t-ball and baseball last week, along with getting to got to church camp for the first time. Will had a blast. We are getting back into our routine around here and getting into that summer groove....

We celebrated Father's Day yesterday with our dads and Mike. We are so blessed to be surrounded by wonderful men. Mike is an amazing dad and the boys are so in love with daddy! I feel so overwhelmingly grateful that God saw fit to bless me and our boys with Mike. I hope we made his day special.

We are in gear getting ready for Will's birthday. He is going to be 8 in July! Anyone who knows my family, knows that 8th birthday parties are BIG deals around here! He is getting excited and I love to plan a party! Be Blessed this week and try to stay cool!

The Stafford's

World Vision

I want to take a minute to share with the 5 of you who read my thoughts(ha) about something that happend this week. Thanks for reading!

About 3 years ago at a Women of Faith Confrence, I decided to partner with World Vision and sponser a child. I got to choose the one I wanted, I picked a little boy named Notice. He was born around the same time as Will and I thought that would be a great way for Will to understand our helping those in need. For only $35 a month, we got to help this wonderful little boy. We sent letters, he sent letters. We got updates and were able to do special things for him at the holiday times of the year. It is a precious gift, not only for him, but for us. I recieved a call this week from World Vision. There was a flood in Notice's village. He was asleep in his home, when the rains collapsed his roof. He was taken to the hospital and they did surgery. He was released, but a few days later he had to return due to complications. He did not make it when he went in the 2nd time. Notice went home to be with Jesus. I know he is in a much better place, free from suffering, but our hearts here on earth are saddened.

I am not a spokes person for Worold Vision, just someone who believes in their cause and what they do. We are looking for another child to sponser, we want to help in anyway we can. If you would like to help, you can go to their website and pick your own child to help. It is such a great organization. I do hope you will consider it.
Be Blessed....

www.worldvision.org

Wordless Wednesday...

Grass won't grow there....

So I mowed the yard today, front and back. We have never had a lot of grass, but it has gotten better in the last few years. But now, well, the front is turning into dirt again. Why? Well, we put up a basketball goal. Yea, in the front yard. So, now, little feet and big feet, small basketballs and big ones, tromp thru the grass. So now, it's dirt. So today when the wind was blowing the dirt up and around me, and I couldn't get to the very edge of the drive way, since the goal is there and all, it occured to me. Grass won't grow there. Not anytime soon anyway, the feet and the balls, they keep it from coming up. But the next thought made me a little teary eyed...what happens when it will grow there?