Hawaii Day

Jalen had Hawaii day at school the other week. It was a lot of fun and made me realize how much he loves his school. They all went into the auditorium, snapped on seat belts, and flew to Hawaii. They had popcorn, sno-cones, a bounce house, pools, crafts, and more! What a fun day he had and I was glad I was able to be there!

Did you call for...

a pizza delivery?

Isn't he the cutest?!

Thankful Tuesday

* I am thankful that my Dad had a safe trip. He was able to attend the funeral for my cousin's husband. I am thankful the service went well and was very moving. Rest in peace, David. Then, he was able to go visit his sisters. All in all, we're thankful he was safe traveling.
* I am thankful that we got rain. It was soo nice to not have to go water Jalen's garden, which is growing so tall. It was about a foot and a half tall the other day and the rain has helped it along.
* I am thankful for my beautiful family. I am very blessed to be able to wake up every morning to my boys. Sometimes I wish I could walk and look in Jalen's room to see him sleeping, but hey, one day I'm going to miss him in my bed, so I'm appreciating it and loving hugging him in the middle of the night. He does some pretty funny things while he's sleeping!
* I am thankful for this upcoming weekend. This upcoming weekend we'll be heading to Charlotte. Since we won't be able to go to the beach, just the 3 of us, for awhile, we spent our money at Great Wolf Lodge in Concord. It's a huge water park hotel. Hopefully it'll be a blast and a great 'get-away' for us. We'll leave Friday and spend the night at Nick's sisters, then the hotel Saturday, then again at his sisters on Sunday. :) Yay for being off next Monday!

I am thankful for the life God gave me. I am so blessed!

Hello, Summertime!

We were able to go visit Grandma the other weekend and had a blast. Thankfully the weather was beautiful so we spent our days at the beach. On Saturday we went to Fort Macon and then on the boat. The water was way too rough at Fort Macon, as you can see from the huge tankers coming in. On Sunday we headed to Atlantic Beach and had a blast. Jalen loved playing and I let him get in the water. Absolutely no fear! We'll be back before we head to Myrtle at the end of June to bring Izzy to Grandma! :) We love summertime and we are definitely glad it is here.

Happy Birthday, Jessica!

Happy Birthday, Jessica! Have a great day and we love you very much. Thank you for being a wonderful big sister and a wonderful aunt to Jalen. You're a blessing and we are lucky to have you in our lives..

Love,
Lyss, Jalen, and Nicholas

Thankful Tuesday :)

A loss always makes you count your blessings and really lets you see how blessed you are. This past week, my cousin's husband passed, along with my Dad's friend's son. Both were of young age and were not expected. It is a tragedy and our prayers go out to them. It always hits close to home and makes you hold your loved ones a little bit tighter when you realize someone doesn't get to hold their loved one again.

- I am thankful for God and how He's blessed me. I love all of you more than you'll ever know. We all get caught in the hustle of our lives and many times forget to say 'I love you' or really tell each other how we feel. Know that I am always there for you and love you very much. My family is my world and I'd do anything for you!
- I am thankful for a beautiful weekend at the beach. We got to visit with my Mom and had an excellent time at the beach and on the boat. Jalen loved it and already wants to go back. I am, also, thankful we made it back and forth safely, as coming back, it was raining and nasty.
- I am thankful for the rain. We don't have to water our growden, as Jalen calls it. Yay!

I am truly blessed.. :) Happy Tuesday!

Thankful Tuesday (oops, Wednesday)!

I am very blessed and I was able to see that shine on Mother's Day!
* I am thankful I have a wonderful family. On Mother's Dad, Nicholas took us to Ihop and I had some delicious french toast. He also suprised me with flowers and a few gift cards to get some things I had been wanting. :) Not even all the tangible things add up to the smiles I love to see every day and the joys of spending time with them. Love all of you!
* I am thankful I am DONE with school.. No, not done forever. But, I don't have to go to school Monday and Wednesday nights! :) This is my first night not having to plan something for Jalen. I love it.
* I am thankful to be hearing the laughs and giggles while I type this. Jalen and Ryan two special little boys who mean so much to me. I can't wait to add Brooklyn to the mix. She's going to be the ring leader in getting them in trouble!
* I am thankful for being able to go the beach this weekend and I'm praying for safe travels..

Have a great week!

Thank you, Jalen!

Jalen,

Every day that passes, I thank you and God for the opportunity to be your Mom. You will never know how much you mean to me and how quickly I'd give you the world, if I had the chance. Every day I look at you and I wonder where I went right to get such a smart, loving, and joyful little boy. It's hard to watch you grow up because I want you to stay my baby forever, but always know that however tall you get to be and whatever you end up doing in life, you will forever be my baby.

When I first found out at the young age of 17 that I was going to be a Mommy, I was scared and had no idea what journey I was about to take. Looking back, I am so thankful that I was able to take this journey and there isn't a single thing that could be offered to me to change my mind. You are my pride and joy. You've taught me more in life than anyone could ever have taught me. You've taught me what love really is. The first time I look at you, I fell in love and I've continued to fall deeper in love every time I look at you or think of you. You've taught me to trust God. When I first found out you were going to be born, I didn't know what to do, but I trusted God and now I am amazed at where I am. I now get to wake up to an amazing little boy beside me and watch you spend time with Daddy and all of our family. Thank you for every bit and piece of life you brought to me.

Every day and usually many times a day, I make you say that you are 'the best lil boy ever.' Always know that Mommy loves you more than life and though today is Mother's Day, I am thankful to you and God for allowing me to be your Mommy.. without you, I don't know where I'd be..

I love you, Jalen Nicholas!

Love, Mommy


Happy Mother's Day!

Being a Mom...

Becoming a Mom is...

exciting, enjoyable, hard
best feeling ever, blessed
learning to give more, take less
take every moment and enjoy it
knowing that one day you'll miss this
disciplined, doing the unexpected
being a doctor, taxi-driver
excellent, prideful, nerve racking
loving, being taught
loving someone more than you ever knew you could
is something no one can ever take away from you!

Thankful Tuesday

* I am thankful for a beautiful weekend. Jalen and I were able to put out mulch! Grandpa and Jalen planted their garden and it looks great! Can't wait for him to be able to pick all his fresh veggies!
* I am thankful that Jalen is my son. He is the best little boy ever and I thank God every day for sending me him because he teaches me more about life than anyone. He teaches me how to love, care, be happy, and have fun all in one day. He's a miracle and I am so blessed to have him as my son.
* I am thankful that it is getting warm out and pretty soon we'll be able to go to the beach, swim, and just have fun. We're looking forward to our numerous trips and exciting times!!

Have a great week and remember to be thankful for what you have and be hopeful! :D

Not Me! Monday!

* I did not let Jalen eat ice cream for dinner the other night, nope not me! I always fix him a meat, 2 veggies, 1 fruit, and a glass of water! :D
* I did not get up today and decide I was tired of getting up and letting the dog out and complain about it, so I could lay in bed for an extra hour, while Nicholas took over. Nope, not me! I always get up eagerly to let the dog out.
* I did not wake up the other morning extra early to go triple couponing! Nope, not me. I am saving all my coupons for stuff that do not need to be refrigerated to take to my Mom's where they always triple. Nope, not me, I always pay full price.
* Jalen did not tell me that he had to go pee outside. He did not open up the door and go outside while I am telling him not to do that. Nope, not my boy!
* I did not have to sit in the Michaels parking lot for 20 minutes waiting for Jalen to get done with his temper tantrum. Nope, not me!

What'd you not do this past week? :) and the sad thing is, when things are happening I need to start writing them down b/c when I sit down to do this, I never remember them all.