Shower Recap!

This past Sunday some of the girls in our family, plus some special friends, got together to shower AnAn and Harlie with gifts and necessities before Baby Girl's arrival. It was so much fun and everything was beautiful. 

Harlie's wreath on the front door welcomed us and now it's on the door to her room at home. 

The food was DE-LISH! I think I ate 3 plates. 😊 And the table and décor were beautiful. 

The cake was amazing as well!!

Our aunt made Harlie this quilt and it is precious. Piper has one too in her nursery/bedroom colors. 

Our super talented friend/cousin's wife painted these for the nursery. She isn't pictured but she did a fabulous job! We all oohed and ahhed over them. I can't wait to see them hanging in Harlie's room. 

Anna opening her gorgeous bedding....

Mama and Baby Girl!!

Harlie Franklynn could make her appearance any time now! We are all anxiously awaiting her arrival and can't wait to meet the newest member of the fam!! Prayers are appreciated as the big day approaches!

Happy Friday, Happy Long Weekend!!! 😊

Austin's 7th Birthday Party

On Saturday we celebrated our middle man's upcoming 7th birthday!! How can it be so?!?! We had the best time with lots of friends and family, his favorite soccer team, and tons of swimming. 😊

Austin decided to go with an Atlanta United party because 1) They're his favorite, and 2) He's had two baseball/Braves parties already. Hahaha. Everything turned out perfect and the birthday boy had a blast. It was a huge success for our first time pool party-birthday party!

My bestie Megan designed the invites for us like always and did the BEST job. She seriously needs her own Etsy shop. Her work is perfect every single time!!

This year we decided to do an afternoon party and just have cake and ice cream with the pool being the main attraction and entertainment. And at first it was sort of hard for me to be okay with simplifying and not having grilled hot dogs (which has been the tradition for Austin's parties for the past several years) and toning things down. But that only lasted for 5 seconds. Ha! Mama was spent with the start of the school year and the craziness of life, so simplifying sounded AWESOME. And we pulled it off and everyone had fun and Austin loved his party! So it all worked out fine. YAY.

Even though the party was mainly outside, I still had to decorate the cake table. It's just the centerpiece of all our parties. 😊

The cake turned out perfect and just like Austin wanted!

Right after seeing his cake! Layton was super impressed too. 😊

We added one of the boys' Atlanta United soccer balls to the table and 7 candles to the cake to finalize everything!

The weather was beautiful. Almost every year on the day of Austin's party the morning is cool but then it warms up fast and everyone is nice and hot and ready to get wet. 

Party time!!

Everyone had so much fun. We even had some entertaining jumping and flipping off the diving board. 😊 

We also served popsicles poolside during the party. 

Then after lots of swim time, we came in and watched Austin open his presents. And we think he may win the award for best present opener ever. He was THRILLED with every gift.... super animated, excited, grateful, and pretty much over the moon. Haha! His reaction was fun to watch. Plus, he read every card word for word. He's just a great gift receiver. 😊 (The hamper full of soccer balls in the corner were our party favor. They seemed to be a big hit!)

Austin and his best bud. 

Next up, we sang and had cake and ice cream. I love Austin's face. And Garrison's too! 

And Layton's too. 😊 Austin's brothers were super excited for him.

The cake was soooo good (Austin went with strawberry which I think is my personal favorite) and afterwards everyone went back out to swim or jump. 

And to top things off Austin got to have his best friend spend the night. A big time highlight to an already really fun day. 

We had so much fun celebrating our almost 7 year old. Our Saturday morning was pretty much pure craziness and drama-filled trying to get ready for the party, but once we got to the actual party, things were pretty perfect. #praisehands 

I can't believe my baby is almost 7. The celebrating continues this weekend and we are all super excited. 😊

Notes from August

Thanks to a surprise mid-week day off (due to an unwelcome stomach bug), I've had some time to gather my thoughts and come up with a list of notes from August. We've just had SO much happening and going on that blogging has been one of the last things on my mind. I've had very little time to think with the craziness of going back to school taking over everything. It's just been go, go, go, and then crash. Haha! But today I have a chance to write a little, so I'm taking it!

Here's a list of 10 random notes from August....

1. Along with not blogging, I haven't been taking many pictures either. Boo! I think I've been so tired that I haven't had the energy. Or it hasn't even occurred to me to take pictures.... or when it has I haven't felt like it. So I need to get back in the habit. It's important. It's memories. It's my job as a mama. 😊

2. We haven't been swimming much since school started back. Which makes me sad. I think we've swam 2 or 3 times this month and that's it. Not enough at all. One of the times we swam I did 30 laps in a row. So that was a big deal! And we're going to be swimming for Austin's birthday party this weekend... and hopefully plenty over Labor Day weekend.... so we still have some swimming to take advantage of. It's just a doozy going back to school and starting soccer and homework and busyness again!

3. My side of the fam got together two Saturday nights in a row to celebrate Frankie's birthday and Terrell's birthday. We had so much fun and laughed so hard both nights. We ate good, celebrated hard, and had the best time together. I don't have any pictures from either night (see #1), but both nights were awesome and fun-filled.

4. One thing I have not neglected since school started back is my favorite podcasts! I do have to sort of pick and choose which episodes I want to listen to, but I find a way to squeeze in the ones that I feel led to or am really interested in hearing. I usually start and finish the episodes before and after my showers at night. It's just a good time when I'm by myself to listen. Every once in a while I listen while getting ready in the morning or while cooking supper.... but those are fewer and farther between. 

5. Speaking of cooking.... it's been almost non-existent this month. #soashamed #mypoorfamily The thing is, we aren't all together in the evenings at the same time..... hardly ever. And while I cringe and stress over that very fact, it's just a season and I know we prioritize our family time on the weekends, our nights off, and our seasons off. So I'm mostly at peace with our schedule. But the only 2 school nights that make sense to cook are Tuesdays and Wednesdays so far. (With Garrison eating later than us on Tuesdays.... so Wednesdays being the only day the 5 of us can eat together at the same time.) Some Mondays will be possible I hope, but it just hasn't happened yet. And Thursdays are our toughest night for sure. We're all at different soccer fields with all 3 kids the whole night. Ugh. So I'm probably going to start cooking on Friday nights (a night off!) and maybe one other time over the weekend depending on our plans. And hopefully Mondays will be a night we can eat together too from time to time. So cooking will get back on track one day. It has to.... we're pretty tired of take-out!

6. My kiddos have already experienced the back to school germs and sickies. Layton started with a runny nose first, then Austin, then Garrison. They never turned into anything major and seem to be past it now, but it's not fun having little colds the 2nd week of school! Then on yesterday Layton woke up sick with some sort of stomach bug. Thankfully it wasn't major, but it still has us holding our breath a little. The boys all sleep in the same room most nights and germs are easily shared around here. So we're praying nobody else gets it!

7. On Monday night for Terrell's birthday we got in a date night and went to the movies to see Mission Impossible 6! We've seen all of the Mission Impossible movies and several at the theater.... so we really wanted to keep the tradition. It almost didn't happen but Terrell found a way because it's what he wanted for his bday. And it did not disappoint! We love those movies. 😊 It was a fun date night to kick off our week. 

8. We are all on some serious baby watch around here! Baby Girl could make her appearance any day now!! The C-section has been scheduled, however, we are suspicious her birthday could be sooner. 😊 I know her mama is ready to meet her! I think everybody at school is on baby watch too. Haha! Anna has us all on pins and needles. Everyone is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Harlie Franklynn!!

9. I'm pretty sure we are all still adjusting to heading back to school. August is just tough! Layton is doing much better about going in his classroom every morning but he still sheds some tears from time to time and still tries to come up with excuses not to go to school. We're still super tired, still figuring out our new routine with soccer, and still trying to find our homework and study groove. Basically we're still limping along.... at least I am as a parent. As a teacher? Things are going great! I love my class and we are off to a great start. I'm still in awe of how God changed my heart towards working full time and teaching and the way He provided the perfect position for me. It's not an easy job, but it's one I love and am so thankful for!

10. At the moment we're planning and looking forward to Austin's 7th birthday party, Labor Day weekend, Austin turning 7, and welcoming Fall next month!! August is a shock to the system, but things will settle down soon and September is a favorite. We can do it!! #repeatingtoselfoverandover

It's Friday Eve!! #praisehands Have a great Thursday!

1 Week In

We have one full week (plus a day) of school behind us and I think it's safe to say this has been our toughest, most exhausting start yet. Phew! We have just had some serious adjusting to do which has made the switch from "summering" to "schooling" a challenge! 

Thankfully I know we'll get there eventually and we'll find a groove and settle in; but in the meantime, I sort of feel like we're limping along trying to figure it all out.... waking up super early, working and being "on" all day long, getting to soccer practice, feeding everyone despite different schedules (and exhaustion!), not being lazy, etc, etc, etc. It's been a doozy. Haha. But I thought I'd share a few details of our first week. What I can remember in the midst of the blur, that is. 😊

But first...….The week of pre-planning went great. So that was awesome! I was tired but not exhausted, my kiddos were happy and enjoyed their time with their grandparents, we hadn't started soccer yet, and I was still cooking. Hahaha. So things were pretty smooth as I transitioned back to work.

But then on last Monday came school starting. And all the emotions from all the Selph five (minus Terrell) were on overload. We were tired, we were sad, we were excited, we were nervous, we were happy, we were anxious, we were grumpy, we were exhausted, we were scared, we were hopeful, WE WERE EMOTIONAL. #sucharollercoaster

Open House went great, meeting my students went amazingly, meeting my kids' teachers went well, and while we were sad to return to school (Austin and Layton), we were all in good spirits and shared mostly good attitudes about the upcoming school year. (Especially me!! Summer is hard to say goodbye to but I really love my job and was truly excited about welcoming my new students and starting this new year.)

We had a sleepy and rushed morning the first day of school but everyone made it to school on time and there were no tears from anyone except one or two of my students and a few of the mamas in my class. 😊

But Monday afternoon the craziness and emotions and exhaustion set in and showed up. #everybodycried And unfortunately the mornings seemed to get worse. Our baby decided he wasn't a fan of school and sobbed every single morning after Austin dropped him off. (I walk him down but Austin stays with him for a minute and then drops him off.... he's been the biggest help!) Sometimes off and on throughout the day. Talk about breaking my heart. And making me feel torn between my students who were struggling to adjust and my baby. It was rough. All week long. 

We also had a death in the family and things were just emotionally draining. Plus we were all SO wiped out and not sleeping very good so going back to school was a shock to the system. In addition to our extra curricular activities starting. (For the record, I do NOT like practices, "camps", and other such extra beginning the first week of school. Come on people. This ain't workin for nobody. Sigh.) PLUS, I was planning for a baby shower to host at my house for one of Terrell's co-workers. Definite overload for the first week of school!

Thankfully things with my class went really well! We had some tears each morning and even one exciting moment with a "runner" who tried chasing after mama, but my sweet students really adjusted well and started getting the hang of things quickly! Such a blessing!! (And Austin lost his first tooth on top! A big time highlight of our first week of school! 😊)

Layton eventually started coming around to school. It's been a slow process but he's making progress! Baby steps are a big deal!! And yesterday we had NO tears!! #allthepraisehands

Last week was a blur between school and soccer, baby shower prep, and early mornings and late nights. Plus we were all feeling ALL the emotions. It was just crazy at our house! Thankfully this week is already feeling better. We are still in big time adjustment mode, but things aren't quite so dramatic, emotional, and exhausting. Well, maybe exhausting, but not as dramatic and emotional. So we'll take it! August is always a challenge but His grace is sufficient. This mama is claiming it! 😊

Not sure how often I'll blog coming up but I'm hoping to get back into the swing of it eventually. Once things settle down and we finally adjust. Haha. Here's hoping and praying for a Terrific Tuesday and more progress in the "adjusting" department!!

Summer in Review

This summer was sweet, fun, relaxing, and WET. Yay for our first summer with our pool!!! Swimming was the theme of our summer and we are SO thankful for the good times and relief from heat it brought us day after day all summer long. 😊 It was also super relaxing thanks to no interviews, no classroom to move into, no teacher-stress! Yay!! 

BUT, disclaimer: This summer was also challenging. Every second of every day wasn't wonderful and amazing. The boys seemed to fight a LOT. Especially at the beginning of our summer. They also seemed to be more rough. And louder. And older. And bigger. So the combination of all of the above left me feeling incapable and exasperated many days this summer. We had some really sweet and fun moments mixed in, but I found myself telling Terrell I thought them being in diapers and needy and super dependent on me felt easier than the craziness I felt I was living in now. Haha. We had some CRAZY days for sure. But thankfully I know I'll look back and remember the good most of all. Raising 3 boys will always bring memories of adventure, craziness, and fun. 😊

So here's a review of our summer highlights. We sure did enjoy our break!!

Summer 2018 kicked off with Memorial Day weekend and us hosting our first ever pool party! We had so much fun and loved our start to summertime!!

The boys enjoyed the days following Memorial Day with their grandparents while I wrapped up post-planning at school. Then our summer officially, officially began. 😊 Our All-Star played in his first tournament of the summer, we signed up for the Summer Reading Program at our library, and enjoyed lots more pool days. 

Next up, Terrell and I enjoyed our annual Anniversary Weekend! We went to Chattanooga, TN this year and had a great time. This weekend every year is always one of our very favorites.

The following week was all about swim lessons! Layton and Piper took lessons together and they did awesome!! It wasn't their favorite part of each day but they learned a ton and did great!

Following swim lessons we spent as much time poolside as we could. 😊

Father's Day weekend was all about All-Stars and watching our middle man play his heart out.

The beginning of our summer involved a LOT of practices for Austin (and daddy!), but I'm pretty confident he would say it was worth it. He loved playing and did awesome as our little All-Star. 😊

We also found a little time for Terrell during the weekend too. Haha. 

Next up, our biggest boy got to celebrate a very special and BIG accomplishment as a top 10 achiever for 3rd grade milestones! We were sooo proud of Garrison Cade and thrilled about his hard work paying off. 

The last week in June was vacation time!! (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)

We had so much fun spending a week away on our favorite island. We had beautiful weather and enjoyed the beach, sand, and sun to the fullest. 😊

After our vacay we had the best 4th of July!! Pool parties are our favorite!

The following weekend we hosted another pool party and celebrated Kara's 40th birthday! We had so much fun with our Over the Hill "theme". 😊

Next up was lots of pool days, Dude Perfect episodes, baseball watching, and "Nana Camp"... something the boys look forward to every summer. 

Immediately following the boys' time with their grandparents and cousins, we took them to see Atlanta United play!

Then Garrison participated in soccer camp, we cheered on our Braves during the All-Star game, we enjoyed more time poolside, and collected tons more baseball cards. #theyaretakingover #baseballcardseverywhere

We wrapped up summer by celebrating AnAn's birthday, spending more time in the pool, shopping for school supplies, working some in my classroom, and of course the grand finale of our big summer weekend.

This summer was pretty epic. Hahaha. Mama threw in the towel many days. The fighting, craziness, and loudness about did me in. But, the memories highlighted here? They were THE BEST. I am so grateful for all the adventures and fun we shared. The pool, the ballgames, the beach, the celebrations, the extra sleep, the laziness, and the break were just amazing. I will always treasure our summers. No matter how crazy. Ha. Being together constantly made us a little crazy at times but it was also something we loved and savored many days too. Saying goodbye to the season is tough but we're focusing on a brand new school year, new adventures, and new fun to come.  

Starting Monday, things get real. 😊 We are covering it all in prayer. Lots of prayer. 

Happy, happy Friday!! And happy countdown to Fall!