1st Day of School!

Friday was our 1st day of school and other than a long and crazy afternoon of transportation issues, we all had a great one! 

My 3rd grader, Kindergartner, and almost Preschooler. (Layton's official 1st day is today!) And for the record.... they all picked out the same shirt. =) #myloveofmatchingiscontagious

I am so excited for all 3 of them and this brand new school year!

Last year's 1st day of school. =) They've grown so much! (And this year I didn't even think about individual pictures. We were on a mission to be on time and feeling a little rushed. Ha.)

My 1st day of PreK was awesome. Super busy, tiring, fun, and a little wild. I love my students already and have amazing parents! I am experiencing God's grace again and oh so thankful.

This was my first time ever to not get to take my biggest to his first day of school. But thankfully I was at peace about it and Terrell was able to take him and everything went smoothly. It's breaking my heart a little that I can't take Layton this morning for his 1st day of preschool but I know he'll be fine with Terrell and that he won't be scarred, or probably even remember! Haha. 

I did get to take my middle baby for his 1st day since we're in the same building and he had a great day with his new teachers. We love Mrs. Molina already!!

He was all smiles after school and other than being pretty exhausted he had the best day. =)

Garrison also had a great day! YAY!!! Going to a new school and experiencing some changes had us all a little nervous about the 1st day (and the whole year), but his first impression of the elementary school was awesome. His word. =) He is super excited about the year and loves both of his teachers. 

After school was pure craziness thanks to some new changes in schedules and transportation with our school system so we couldn't stick to our normal 1st day of school special snack at home because we weren't home until almost 5. So instead we took the boys out for American Pie and they got to have ice cream for dessert. 

We had a fun Friday night celebrating our successful first days! 

This morning we set out for our first full week of school. Mama is a little nervous about how it's going to go but covering it all in prayer. This is a BIG adjustment for all of us and I'm praying it's a smooth one! I'm not sure when I'll be back with an update as I want to give myself some time to settle into my new role and *try* to rest and relax during the times we're home as much as possible. But, my goal is to keep this family scrapbook going so my "break" isn't long term. =) Have a great Monday and a wonderful week!

Summer In Review

Summer officially wraps up today and we are set to embark on a brand new, BIG adventure tomorrow.... 3rd grade, Kindergarten, Preschool, and I will be in PreK! Big changes are happening for all of us! I hope Terrell Selph is ready!! Ha! #alltheemotionshappeninghere #it'sbeenalongandcrazyweek #prayforus

The summer season has grown on me by leaps and bounds since Garrison's Kindergarten year when we experienced our first baby being in big school. Before, it was just a miserably hot season off of school with the only real highlight being vacation. It was okay, but definitely not my favorite. But now, it's a time of relaxation, slowing down, no commitments, no sports, no real schedule, and soooo needed by all of us. 

While the start to this summer was really different and a little challenging, we have wrapped things up on a high note. Other than some unexpected sickies this week, we had the best 2nd half!! And the 1st half wasn't too shabby either. =) 

Here's a recap of our summer start to finish...

Our very first day of summer, Garrison Cade had a tonsillectomy. Everything went really smoothly with the surgery and other than day 3 being pretty tough on our patient, we were so pleased with his recovery. And thankful! We consumed tons of popsicles, were stuck inside almost non-stop for a week or so, spent some of Garrison's DQ gift cards, played in the rain, and Terrell and I celebrated our 12th anniversary with a family date night. =) It was challenging for sure with one boy recovering and 2 boys still going strong, but we did it and looking back it wasn't so bad.

Once we felt good and confident about Garrison's recovery, Terrell and I were able to plan a very last minute anniversary trip! It almost didn't happen, but we finally found a place to stay and went back to PCB for the 2nd year in a row. We loved last year's trip so we went for it again. It was soo fun and such a special weekend for us. We have come to reeeally treasure our anniversary get-aways!! And the boys had a blast with Granna and Papa. =)

Once we returned from our trip, things were crazy. The boys were fighting a ton, I was tutoring (with a new student!), I was interviewing and awaiting word on the PreK job opportunity, we were planning to go out of town again, the house was a mess, the boys were a mess (haha), and the fighting was out of control! Did I mention the fighting? Gracious. It was crazy around here. 

BUT, I got the job!!!! And then we enjoyed a super fun trip to Gatlinburg! Then, immediately following our trip we celebrated Father's Day with the best dads! It was a really fun and exciting few days.

After Father's Day it was time to count down for the beach!! We went back to St George Island again this year and introduced the O'Mary fam to our favorite family vacay spot! (Part 1, Part 2, Part3) We had a wonderful week and LOVED having the whole family there this time!

After our fun and amazing time at the beach we returned home and finally, truly settled into summer. Things just seemed to finally click. It was the best! The boys started playing so well together and getting along better than they had all summer. We almost completely eliminated iPad time and cut back on TV time and just enjoyed summer perks... and each other! We had a fun 4th of July and enjoyed a few firsts of summer like going to see Cars 3, swimming in Mrs. Debbie's pool, and the boys had sooooo much fun at Nana Camp. =) It was a great start to July!




While the boys were having a blast with their cousins and grandparents I enjoyed a super rare girls day out and Terrell and I got in a sweet date night. =)


Next up, we were reunited with our babies, hosted our biggest play date ever, and tackled some early school supply shopping. It was a pretty great week.






We enjoyed our big summer weekend a little earlier this year with me going back to work and we had such a great time!! I love this tradition!


After our last big outing of summer, we got ready for my last week of summer. We spent some time working in my classroom, had a play date with Piper, made more freezer meals, went swimming, got haircuts, and I was able to meet the newest member of the Swatts fam. It was a really good one!

This week has been a crazy (and stressful!) whirlwind but ready or not our 1st day is tomorrow!! The highlight of the boys' last week of summer would probably have to be riding bikes, playing in the sprinkler, going out to breakfast, and their annual summer trip to Dauset Trails that Granna and Papa made happen. =) Even though it's been an exhausting week I'm so thankful for my kiddos' amazing grandparents helping us out and making the boys' last days of summer so fun!

This summer was a special one filled with all sorts of fun and adventures. Some big, some not, all priceless. Even though we have some really big changes coming, I am so blessed to spend my school breaks with my guys. It wasn't always pretty or perfect around here but we made some really great memories and some of my favorites were of just listening to my boys play together and have fun while they used their imaginations. Of course the trips, outings, and bigger plans were awesome too. =)


I am so thankful for our summer and praying for a smooth adjustment for this brand new school year full of change. We are all excited and nervous but putting our trust in Jesus! He is faithful and I know we're going to be just fine.

Happy Thursday! Have a fun Friday and a great weekend!!

Weekend Recap

Our weekend was a super productive one! Plus pretty fun with some extra rest too. The best mixture for a weekend. =)

Friday afternoon while I was cleaning bathrooms and laminating more stuff for school, Layton was supposed to be napping. Instead he was skipping his nap and reading....... and reading and reading.

Then, an hour later...... still reading. Just browsing his bookcase for another good book. Haha! He "read" for his entire nap time! At least he chose a quiet activity. Ha! I wasn't a fan of him skipping his nap, but I did love the all the reading he did. =)

Terrell brought take-out home for us on Friday night and afterwards we all got comfy and ready for soccer night. =) Instead of movie night we decided to watch Atlanta United and have a soccer night complete with popcorn and snacks. The boys don't love watching soccer as much as other sports but Terrell and I are WAY into it and love it! So the boys played a little, watched a little, and enjoyed their popcorn/snack bowls a lot. =) 

Then this happened..... #Bailey'sfavoriteboy

She loves popcorn and Layton didn't mind sharing. Haha.

On Saturday morning I woke up early and set out with one last list for my classroom in hand. In case you didn't know, or you forgot like I sort of did, teachers spend a small fortune on their classrooms! #wowzers But it's an exciting and worthwhile investment! I *think* I have everything I need now! It's not all laminated and ready to go just yet... but most of it is! YAY! I didn't take one single picture on Saturday morning because I was on a mission. Ha. The boys were home with Terrell and I was shopping at record speed. It was a fun morning for me. =)

Saturday evening we went out to eat for AnAn's birthday! We had a delicious meal together at one of our fave restaurants before heading back to my parents' house for cake, ice cream, and presents. 3 tens and 2 ones worth of candles for the birthday girl! =)

We had a fun night and great time celebrating with AnAn!

Sunday morning the boys and I set off to church for the first hour before heading home to get a start on our to-do list that was about a mile long. That's why Terrell missed church. Sigh. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. 

Sunday afternoon I finished cleaning the house top to bottom. Maybe it will stay that way for a while now! Then it was time to head out to the annual Prayer Walk for our schools. Love our hometown, our church, and our school system! Such a blessing to be able to do this each year. And, God gave us a rainbow right in the middle of it. We enjoyed praying over both our primary and elementary schools as a family and don't take it for granted that we're allowed and encouraged to do so!

Last night we let the boys sleep together again and they did great. This may become a more regular thing in the future. It's definitely being requested a ton by Layton Thomas. =)

And after getting the boys to bed and all of my school items organized, we loaded up my car to be ready for today. My first day of preplanning! #hopeI'mready #eeeeeeeeeek!

I'm both excited and nervous about today... and this week.... and this year. Ha! But I'm trusting in God's plan and know that this is where He has me and where I'm supposed to be. 

I hope to be back later this week with our summer in review. =) Have a great Monday!

Friday Favorites: My Last Week of Summer Edition

My last week of summer has been a busy one! We filled it up with some last minute errands, fun, and a head start on my classroom. We've enjoyed this summer lots. And even though I start work on Monday, I'm glad my kiddos have a few more summer days to enjoy. =)

Here are my favorites from my last week of summer...

*On Monday my mother-in-law kept the boys all day long for me so that I could spend the entire day working in my classroom. And with the help of my mom and sister, I got a ton done!! YAY!!!! Even Terrell stopped by to help and take me to lunch. =)

*Anna has been an AMAZING help to me preparing for PreK and getting my room set up. I would be lost without her help and expertise from her own PreK days. I'm not sure what I would've done without her! And my mom came in this week and cleaned my whole room and helped sort and organize and set-up. Plus Frankie cleaned my big classroom rugs for me and Terrell's mom watched the boys for the whole day on Monday. It has been a total team effort from the best family ever. I am so thankful for everyone's support and so excited about my new adventure. I still have a lot to do but it's coming together quickly now! 

*On Tuesday Piper came over for a play date so her mama could actually go and work in her own classroom instead of her Aunt Meg's. =) The boys had the best time with Baby Girl. 

*They all fit in the tent together. Haha.

*It was a fun lunch having another girl with me. =)

*Tuesday afternoon I made another freezer meal for us to enjoy once school starts back and last night we froze leftovers of our poppyseed chicken. That brings us to 8! So hopefully my family won't go hungry once I go back to work. #ImaynotcookinAugust Ha!

*Tuesday is also the day this sweet baby boy was born!! And I got to go visit him and hold him Tuesday evening! Squeal!! His mom is one of my very best friends and this little guy has 2 older brothers and 1 big sister to show him the ropes as he grows. The Swatts Party of 6 is an always favorite!

*Wednesday we made one last trip to swim at Mrs. Debbie's pool. We are so thankful she offered it to us again this summer! We've enjoyed our weekly visits this month! We can't wait to have our very own next summer! #soooooexcited!!

*These handsome boys got their back to school haircuts this week. =) 

*They also enjoyed a sleepover together that turned out super fun and peaceful. They drive me crazy and melt my heart every single day. =)

*Last night the boys got in another game of indoor baseball with daddy. This has been a huge favorite this summer. Terrell lets the big boys pitch to Layton (who last night decided to wear his little oven mitt as a glove. Hahaha.) and Terrell pitches to the big boys. They LOVE playing and have so much fun trying to beat Terrell. It's also a great incentive to clean up the playroom every time they want to play. =) A win-win!

This morning we're going to tackle just a couple more errands before we come home and spend the rest of the day playing. Well, the boys will play and I will probably try to clean. I know I'll feel better heading into Monday knowing my house is clean! This weekend we're looking forward to celebrating AnAn's birthday and enjoying lots of family time before the beginning of a brand new normal begins on Monday. So thankful for summer and so thankful for my new job! Happy Friday!!