Relay for Life...

This year Zachary and I participated in Relay for Life through the National Spanish Honor Society at his high school.  Relay for Life, you ask?  What's that?  It is a fundraiser that benefits cancer research through the American Cancer Society.  It is a way to give back on behalf of anyone who's ever been affected by cancer, be it a death to cancer or a survivor, it could be a close family member or just a good friend.  In one way or another, most of us have been affected by cancer at some time in our lives.  We have.  We lost our Memaw last year to cancer and other complications.  But there is some good news, we have an Aunt that survived breast cancer and lymphoma, and is still doing great!  Yet, until we participated in Relay for Life we never really knew nor saw just how many people are truly affected each year by cancer.  It was just astounding to see the latest cancer survivors take the first lap around the track and to watch all the people on the sidelines cheering them on!  The relay walking also takes place at night because it is showing that cancer never sleeps so we must continue to keep walking on through the night and continue the fight against cancer.  But even though it was for a noble cause we still had fun as you can see in the pictures.  Zachary stayed all night but I left him with his team mates and teacher, I wasn't brave enough to try it all night...maybe next year!  Yes, I said next year because I want my whole family to be involved next year and to help in the fight against cancer.  If the research even helps just one person, it would be worth it!  

Have wheels, will travel!

So many changes are happening in our lives every single day!  In just 2 days, both of my boys became even more independent than ever.  Yes, they mastered their own set of wheels!  Well...in a way, they did.  Zachary took the driving part of his driving test on Monday, October the 3^rd and just as we expected him to, he passed and is now a legally licensed driver.  It is a somewhat scary thought for me...knowing my son will be driving on the road by himself with all the crazy drivers out there!  Sounds like I will be praying even more and possibly acquiring more grey hairs, I would prefer the first over the latter!  Then on the very next day, Tuesday, October the 2^nd, Zane learned to ride his bike!!  It was rather interesting in how that came about too.  For the past year or so, we had been trying to help Zane learn to ride his bike with the training wheels and learn to balance using them.  But needless to say, it just didn’t happen!  He didn’t like the way he leaned on the training wheels and usually ended up falling over, getting upset, and then finally quitting until the next time.  Well, we were getting ready to go camping and I told him to try it again so that he could take it camping with us if he learned, but he didn’t want try it.  So, I asked him if he wanted me to take off the training wheels and I could try to help him ride it that way.  And to my surprise, he actually said yes!  Off came the wheels and I walked with Zane to the alley, on he got and I gave him a steadying push and he took off riding like he had been riding his whole life!!  My chin about hit the ground because I couldn't believe my eyes...and I think it surprised Zane as well.  Needless to say, the training wheels should have come off a long time ago...but better late than never!  As you can see, both of them are just as proud as they can be...and to be honest, so am I!!  

  

Happy 16th Birthday, Zach!!

Today Zachary turned 16...yes, you read it right, 16!  I am having a hard time comprehending it myself!  He is now legal age to drive and get a job, he's a Junior in High School and has a girlfriend that is older than him...where did my little boy go??    Unfortunately, that little boy is gone, but I can look at Zach and see how he is growing, maturing, and becoming a young man that I can truly say I am proud of!!  He has a great personality, likable by everyone, handsome and just an all-around good guy!  He is also very smart and in the National Spanish Honor Society and about to be inducted into the National Honor Society!! But one of the most important things about Zach is that he truly loves God, loves living for God, and loves being involved in everything to do at church for God; this is what I am most proud of!!  Yet I look forward to what the future will hold for him.  I truly believe that God has placed a calling on Zach's life and I know that if he continues to put God first in his life, there is truly no telling what he could do!!  I can't wait to see what God has planned for him...I just hope I'm along for the ride because it's going to be awesome!  I love you Zach with all my heart....Happy 16th Birthday, Sweetie!!

Fun times with Zane!

Zane is always ready for fun!  Whether it is outside or in the bathtub, he wants to be playing!  Of course, at his age, he should be.  I know that if I ever want a laugh, it's with Zane that I will get it!  I love to watch him being a kid; he's so good at it!  I was just thinking about how much he's growing and how I have to cherish each and every moment that God blesses me with...because that's just what it is, a blessing!!  Well, gotta run. I'm going to play with Zane and have fun!

A new "friend" for Zach...

A lot of things are changing for Zach as he grows up, including a new "friend".  Her name is Amber and she is a very sweet girl that visited our church with another friend!  Zach and Amber really seemed to 'click' and that "friendship" has really grown.  In fact, this new "friend" has consumed a lot of his thoughts and time.  Let's just say it's a good thing we have unlimited texting or we would be shelling out a lot of money!  Now he's looking forward to turning 16 since his Dad said he could group date at that time.  Hmmmm...wonder who his first date will be??    

Happy 9th Birthday, Zane!!

 Today is my sweet little guy, Zane's 9th birthday!  I really can't believe that he actually turned 9 today!  He is growing up so fast and it just blows my mind.  When I look at him I still see my little tender-hearted boy that will always be my baby!  But I can also see a maturing little guy that loves to have fun and be ornery all at the same time!  The baby part of him still loves to cuddle up to me and every so often will let me still rock him...of course, he would just die if he knew I was letting the whole world know that!  Yet the little guy part of him loves to pull a prank and always finds time to pester his big brother, Zach!  He is just this amazing, smart, funny, handsome, sweet little guy that I am so thankful that God placed in my life and for giving me the privilege of being his Mom!  I only pray that I can lead him in the path and teach him the way to please God all the days of his life!  I know that with God on his side, there is no telling what he could accomplish in life...he just has that type of personality!  I just hope that I get to be with him on his journey in life because I know it will be a blast!  I love you Zane with all my heart....Happy 9th birthday, Sweetie!  

School Days, School Days, Dear Old Golden Rule Days....

 So yes, school started this week and I was really sad...probably more than the boys.  They would have liked a littler longer summer break, but they were ready to see friends too...it was bitter sweet for them!  Zane is now a big 3rd grader and Zachary is an 11th grader!  WOW!  It's going way too fast!  But even so, school started out great for them!  Zane is loving his teachers Mrs. Bass and Mrs. Johnson.  He has two teachers because they are job sharing, which is basically where one teaches on Monday and Wednesday and the other teaches on Tuesday and Thursday and they alternate on Friday.  Should be interesting, but they both seem just really sweet!  Zachary has now gone from a trimester year with 5 classes to a semester year with 7 classes and so far, he's not hip on it!  Even though he seems to really like all of his teachers, well, at least so far!!  And I thank God for answering my prayers that both boys would get good teachers this year....I claim it by faith!  Well, just wanted to show off some pictures of their first day...besides, school can't start without me snapping first day pictures!!  My boys just LOVE that I document everything, since I scrapbook.  But oh well, one day they may even thank me for taking a bunch of pictures.  Hey, I can dream!!

  Zachary enjoying his wonderful sausage and egg muffin sandwich.

                He is such a good looking kid, even if I say so myself!

Zach and his best bud, Cody.  It's their last year in school together since Cody graduates this year.

Both of them are not too hip on me snapping their picture as they walk up to the school!

   Zane enjoying his wonderful egg and sausage muffin sandwich.

Zane is such a cutie...and I don't think I'm being prejudice either!

                      Seated at his desk and ready to start 3rd grade!

                                                   Zane and Mrs. Bass