A conversation between me and Jake..

** The names and corrections in spelling HAVENT been changed, so we can fully understand what a conversation w/my son is like..LOL...Enjoy ***

Jake (holding his stuffed animal, "Buster") said, "Now Buster, Im gonna haf to go to school now, so you haf to stay here, ok?". Jake took Buster and asked me to undress him out of his pajamas from the night before. (They were actually Jakes pj's, but to him, it didnt matter that the legs/arms of the pjs went well past Busters limbs, they were still his)

Jake then proceeded to undress him, himself..I said, "Buddy, your gonna be late for school, you'd better go.".."But Mama, I dont want to go to school today"..me- "well, you know I always pick you up, dont I??"...Jake- "Well, ok, I"ll go, but I want you to pick me up before four-furty (4:30), Ok??" Me- "Well, ok, I'll pick you up before then, more like 2:45"...Jake- "How about one-furty", me- "No Jake, I cant negotiate this fact w/you, you get out at 2:45", "How bout two-furty??"...We all knew where this conversation was headed, nowhere FAST! So for the sake of time and sanity, I told him he was close enough and I'd see him this afternoon....I just love my baby boy, God knew I'd need a laugh , once in a while, being a mommy...

Baby Caitlyn's baby shower

BABIES, BABIES, BABIES!! Well, it was time for another wonderful baby shower...It seems like all the women in my life are having baby girls, or getting ready to, lately!! ITS SO EXCITING ! I recently had the excitement of hosting a baby shower for my sweet friend Michelle Deck, who's due w/baby Caitlyn in Sept...This is Michelle's 4th child and 2nd girl, so I would consider her a "pro" at this point...lol..We had a blast, complete w/chicken salad, chips,pasta salad, and fruit for dinner and topped it off with a white cake, welcoming baby Caitlyn, for dessert...Michelle was so happy getting her gifts and holding them up!!(you know as women, it doesnt feel "real" that were carrying these sweet bundle's of joy, til we get those sweet little pink and white frilly baby girl outfits that confirms baby will be here soon!!)---or blue, if its a boy :)))...We had such a great time gabbing about everything, from babies and pregnancy to softball and dress-up clothes!! (Thanks to Jake, Ty and Emma Grace for making us laugh with your rendition of "superhero warriors", your mommies were proud!!)...We we're so caught up in all of that, that we forgot to play the baby word search game, for a door prize!! All in all, was a fun night! We're anxiously awaiting your arrival, baby Caitlyn!!

Jakes 1st day of Kindergarten

Well, my baby boy is going to Kindergarten...Can't believe we're already here, at this place...I was just thinking yesterday how small and soft and "new" he seemed laying in my arms, going home from the hospital...He had what we called "spider fingers" cuz his fingers were so much longer than his hands...Lol....So, the first day was actually, kinda the opposite of what I expected...We walked Audrey to her hallway, she is in the "big" hall now where the 3rd-5th graders go, its almost like walking her into the "upperclassmen" section of hs....Wasnt ready for that also...Anyway, we walked Jake back to his K room. (when I say we, I mean Emma and I, in her stroller, cuz theres no way Im letting her loose in a school w/hallways a mile long..lol) He was soooo excited, immediately found his cubby hole to put his backpack, lunch and napmat in, then proceeded to find his name tag and desk...Mrs Murr and Mrs Vickie came over to greet him, and hand him his scissors and pencils and told him to start cutting out his craft...He did just what they said, he was on a mission to start school and get his work done...I think at one point, he actually forgot I was in the room, well, I guess it was time for me to go at that point, so I kissed him at least 12 times on the cheek, and we went on our way...What surprised me about this day being the opposite of what I expected, was when I got home and noone was looking, I started crying....It was then that it hit me, and I realized, my baby boy was all grown up and I had 2 kids in school now.....WOW, makes me tear up now, just thinking about it....Im so proud of my "little man" and cant wait to see him grow and learn the rest of his schooling day.....Well,,,,,,maybe I can....

Charlotte Mae is here!!

Well, my neice, Charlotte Mae Mcaffry made her way into this world last night @ 10pm....She weighs 8lbs 4oz, 19 1/2 in long....It was a wonderfully, long, long, long day for most of us,,,ESPECIALLY my beautiful sister in law, Sarah, who, in my opinion was the MOST gorgeous, laboring AND delivering, new mama you would ever see!! She did soooo great and Im so proud of her for experiencing that with such dignity and grace....Everyone woman thats been there knows what I'm talking about,,can I get an AMEN!!! LOL....I wont post much about this experience because I know the best is YET to come, when Sarah updates her blog, about this beautiful little baby born to us from Heaven, named Charlotte Mae.."Children are a gift from God". Thank you Lord for making me an aunt, again....

Cades Cove bike ride-11miles

Last Saturday this Lonas clan ventured out w/another family to ride the Cades Cove loop (in Townsend, Great Smokey Mtns) on our bikes.The loop is right at 11 miles long, so as you can imagine, this was no small feat for me!! We went w/the Keeble family (Jason, Deidre, Kailey and Ty; we were missing their eldest, Calvin), but they were so supportive and very helpful as to what it takes to ride this trail w/endurance and of course, enough rest stops (looking back, Im thinking those were meant MOSTLY for me, but we'll just say EVERYONE needed it..lol)...We started off, it was a BEAUTIFUL morning, not too hot yet, just perfect...Now, to recap, there was probably about 10 of us, cuz remember we both have pretty big families, so we had to pace ourselves....The loop has many uphills and downhills, but very equal, so everytime you were pushing yourself, struggling to get uphill, you knew in the back of your mind, there was ALWAYS a downhill waiting for you somewhere...thats what saved me..ha ha...So, were going at a pretty good pace, on our bikes, and then about a 1 1/2 miles into it, I hear Jake crying..Now, this is not a sound you want to hear about 100 ft in front you, and not able to see..He wrecked, and it was not pretty, according to my husband, he couldnt control his speed going down a BIG hill, and apprantly wiped out, flipping off his bike about 4 or 5 times...Well, a few crocodile tears and a couple bandages later, we were back to the trail..I have to admit, I was getting tired by the 8th mile, then miraculously my 2nd wind kicked in...By that mile, we ran into a park ranger who said there was a black bear not too far ahead of us, that was spotted...We never did see the bear, but we saw several deer, one of which , was right next to my friend Deidre...All in all, we finished the whole 11 miles...And did I mention, my kids did it too!! They were such troopers....Glory be to God, we have this kind of blessing to look at everyday, in our little East Tennessee dwelling...It was a GREAT day!!

New Family Pics!!

Well, my sweet "SIL"..(Thats what I call my sister in law, Sarah) has come, once again to take some pics of our family...But this time its for my long awaited niece thats due this month, Charlotte Mae!!...Sarah's idea to put pictures of the family in Charlotte's nursery is a GREAT way for her to get to know us, by seeing us everyday and recognizing her cousins, that love her dearly already!! Sarah is a very talented photographer and I know working with THIS family is no easy task...lol...but she always does it w/patience and grace....and tonight, I was thinking we'd add labor contractions to the list!! Charlotte is due to arrive anytime now...Cant wait to meet you, sweet neice, and show you your family!!..

The Twins are Here!!!

Well, My cousin Amy in California had her twins a couple days ago....From what I hear Mother and babies are doing just fine...and big sister Allie!! Im so excited for them, what a wonderful blessing, to have 2 !!! "Children are a heritage and a blessing from the Lord"....Amy and Robert are a beautiful and amazing example of Christian love and marriage and I pray for them as the embark on a new and exciting adventure...They went from 1 to 3 children in the blink of an eye!! Isnt God neat??....Now, all I can say cousin, is were tied.....LOL...Love you and God Bless you always w/these sweet little ones...