The "Finnster, et al."

I have dreaded this post.  Not because, of the content, or because I can't stomach Sam growing older,  but because it is the end of a wonderful season of our lives.  Michael and I, after much prayer and study have decided to take Finn and Sam out of HCA and enroll them in Davidson Academy. It was not an easy decision, and it truly broke our hearts to leave, but we felt confident that it was the right decision for our family.  When I say that we are heart broken - I am not being facetious or over dramatic.  We have spent the last five (5) years of our lives at HCA.  Finn started in K3 and Sam in K2 at the Gallatin campus.  During the course of their time at HCA Finn met his best friend Luke, Sam learned self control, and Michael and I became close with the staff and with parents  We have been thankful for Mrs. Raymer, Miss Mandy, Mrs. Brigstock and Mrs. Lockard - all wonderful teachers and Godly women. This school had a great communal feeling and ...

On June 23rd (right after Sam and Will went home with Grandad and Gigi), Michael and I got the rare opportunity to spend some special time with Finn.  Finn was scheduled to go to church camp the following Monday and was unable to go with the other boys to Grandad's house.  We decided that it would be fun to have a "special day" with Finn.  We had just recently told him that he and Sam would be switching schools in the Fall  and wanted to really spend time making him smile. We took him to Five Guys for dinner and then we went to see "Solo" at the movie theater. Finn had a great time.  This is a picture of him at the end of the movie.  He demanded that we stay until the credits rolled so that we could see the hidden clip.  Well, as it turns out since this was not an official Star Wars movie, there was no hidden clip at the end.  We all had a good laugh and made our way home.   It is great to have your family all together - but it is al...

Will is now two (2) years old.  Lately I have read a quote concerning raising children "the days go slow, but the years ... the years go fast."  My heart hurts a little every time I read it  - because it is true.  He is my last natural child. The last baby I will ever name.  The last baby that I will ever feed with my own body.  He was a very difficult baby and the first six to eight months of his life were exhausting.  There were nights that I thought would never end. I was tired all the time.  We were both sick all the time.  But here we are - at two (2) year old.  Don't misunderstand, he is still a stinker.  He is stubborn as a mule and we still have frustrating moments - but I have enjoyed him so much over the past few months.  During the campaign, I didn't get to see him very much.  I was gone every weekend for months and as election day crept closer, I didn't even get to see him in the evenings.  I woul...

This is a little late coming - but here are pictures of Sam's 6th birthday party - which took place in February.  This was right as the campaign was really getting busy. I felt bad because I was gone all the time and constantly focused on the campaign, but I managed to at least get it scheduled.  Mom came up and helped me get ready the night before.  She spent a ton of time cooking and decorating, and for that I am very thankful.   On the day of the party, I had a women's breakfast to attend and the boys had a basketball game.  It rained "cats and dogs" so we weren't able to do any of the back yard activities that I had planned.  I felt like a terrible mom and wanted to cry the entire time.  But in true Sam fashion - he was so excited and thankful.  When I saw how he looked at the party decorations, I knew that he was going to have a really good time. Before everyone arrived, we took a few pictures of the boys in the "picture booth." ...