He's hheerrrreee........

Baby Owen Ziad has arrived!! He was born today, June 28th, weighing in at 7 lbs. 5 ozs and 20 inches long. Jess did great and looked wonderful this afternoon when we dropped in to see them. The girls got to hold their new cousin and love on him for a few minutes. Owen will definately be getting lots of "love"! Congrats Jim and Jess!

Boys Jumping off the Bed

Boys will be Boys

The girls are out on playdates and the boys are here playing. I heard them laughing upstairs hysterically and went up to check it out. Here is what was happening:

Parents vs. u-10s

Tonight, instead of a full practice for Kay and her team, they played against their parents! It was so fun to watch. I think the highlight of Kay's night was striking out her dad! It was legitimate too.....I saw it!! I will post some pictures of the game. Enjoy! Playing 3rd base
Dad vs. Daughter
I love this picture! Good form!

Nate outside doing "Stunts"

Should we be worried??

This is Nate tonite....playing outside. A size 2T winter hat, winter fleece veggietales vest, sister's softball sliding pad and red flip flops. He definately needs some fasion advice from his older sister! ( I will let you all guess which sister!) If I can figure it out, I will post the video as well of him doing his "stunts" in the street.

The beginning of our summer....

As of noon today, we are on summer break!! Nate finished up preschool this morning. I was much more sad than he was. I kept telling him yesterday that today would be his last day with Miss Ann and Miss Linda, thinking that he would get the gist that he wouldn't be back next year. He knows that he will be going to school with his sisters in the fall, but I don't think he is comprehending it all..... Nevertheless, Kay, Joce, Zach and I attended his "concert" this morning. It was all of 6 minutes long, but oh so adorable. The little guys are so funny to watch.... they are really just interested in watching all of the "big people" watching them! Too cute.
We came home and took a quick dip in the neighbor's pool and Nate figured out that he could touch the bottom with his tipee-toes! What a difference this makes for him! No more treading water non-stop when he is in. He can relax every now and then and take a break. He just kept saying "Mom!! Watch!!! I can touch it again!" Gotta love that kid!
OK...have to go get Zach up from his nap or he will never go to bed tonight. It is amazing that we have fallen right back into our "normal" summer routine of staying up way too late and sleeping in!! Nate and Miss Linda
Nate and Miss Ann
Nate and the rest of the "Turtle" class!

Better Late Than Never!

Happy Father's Day to my hubby and my dad! They are wonderful, Godly men and I am so blessed to have them in my life! I am who I am today, because of my dad. He is the best! And Marsh is the greatest dad to our children! I love him and couldnt do this "parenting" thing without him! I love you both!!

So, I am old

It is official. No going back. I am old.
Today was 6th grade orientation for Kayleigh. What a weird thing! I know that I just was in 6th grade, like yesterday! You too, right?!
Actually, I thought today was rather fun. Kay did admit to some apprehension when she got home....especially about the.....lockers. She said "It's not that I dont like lockers, it's that lockers dont like me!" I know she will be fine and we will make it through this transition time, just like everyone else. It was nice, though, to hear some of the other parents fess up to the "feeling old" part and their nervousness for the kids.
Thankfully, we have all summer to get ready for this new stage in our lives and enjoy each other. We are looking forward to some down time on the beach in Chincoteague and many fun softball tournaments!

I am uploading a picture that highlights her 5th grade year!! This is Kayleigh as Clara Barton!! Fun!!

Maybe a little psychic??

Someone brought this to my attention this morning. Kayleigh had her first poetry show at school on Wednesday and here is the poem that she read to the audience:

Softball

The whack of a yellow ball
red sewn stitches
coming
right for me
I'm HIT
HARD!
I wake up
on a cold, black ground
stars spinning in the baby blue sky
with a heavy blanket
of white
between me and outer space.



by Kayleigh Lawrence age 11

Oh what a night!

So I thought when Thursday started that I knew how it was all going to go down. Nate had school, fun playdate with our friends Carrie and Anna, practice for both girls but at the SAME field (this never happens!!!!) and a semi-early bedtime. BOY, was I WRONG!
Everything was going according to "my" plan until Kay got hit in the forehead with a softball during her practice. I really didnt panic.....she was too far away from where I was to really see the "damage". Then, when she got right up to me, I was like "WOW! That is a huge bump, babe!" Within the next 30 minutes, she got lethargic and weird. Repeating me, extremely dizzy and lots of pain. So, at the advice of a good friend (thanks Dawn) I called the nextdoor neighbor (thanks Krissy) and headed off to the ER with Kay. 3 hours later, a cat scan, some drugs for pain and nausea, we are home with a mild concussion and a beautiful softball sized egg on her head! Thank you to those who were praying! It is awesome to know that Heather was in a bible study that immediately prayed and my brother was as well. God is good and protected Kay from serious injury.
Needless to say....she jumped right into bed when we got home because she "WILL NOT" miss 6th grade orientation tomorrow! Wow!!! I AM OLD! A SIXTH GRADER?!?! But, that will be another post for another day!!

I am posting two pictures.....one while she is still goofy and one when she is feeling better and just "goofing" off with her blue gloves and the puke bucket! (She was fascinated that you could actually measure puke in the bucket)

A Family Visit

Well, fresh off a visit from Marshall's mom and dad, I have decided to start a blog. I have never thought of myself as a writer, but am really intrigued by reading everyone else's and thought I would give it a try!! (Thanks Katie for inspiring me!) I figured it would be a good way for everyone to get to see into what is going on in our lives more frequently than before. I tend to not keep up on communication with friends and family like I should......Hopefully, this will be a better way for us!!
On Sunday we had a 70th birthday/40th wedding anniversary picnic at Marsh's sister, Jamie's house and a good time was had by all! Then we had the opportunity to have Mom and Dad stay here for two nights and it was so fun! The kids enjoyed seeing their Mimi and Boompah and we really had fun catching up with them. I am hoping that we didn't wear them out too much!! I bet it will be very peaceful and quiet when they get home!! :O) They are making the trip back to Tennessee on Friday and already, I am trying to get started planning how we can go visit this fall!
I am going to post a few pictures from our time together. Enjoy!

** Notice Nate's feet in the top picture....I think this is sooo funny!! All relaxed, chattin' it up with "his Boompah".