Changes

Jon Kent, Zoey, and Nathan,

Over the next 2-3 years your life will be changing. I am back in school to get my teaching degree. I am finally striving to complete a dream I have had since I was in 2nd grade. I know days will be hard. I know my attention will no longer be soley on you. And that's hard for me to say. But it's going to be worth it. I hope you see I am doing this for you. To show you that when you have a desire to better yourself, you do it. When you feel led to go a certain way by God, you heed that calling. I hope I make y'all proud.  I hope I am setting a good example of hard work and determination. I love you and I am so thankful to have amazing kids like y'all. 

Love,

Momma

Grateful

Jon Kent, Zoey, and Nathan,

You are very blessed kids. Let me tell you.. You have parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents who love you so very much. We all want the very best for you. We want you to have nice things, have nice clothes, fun toys, and fun things to do. And while that is all well and good I am starting to realize it's becoming a problem. I don't want y'all to think you HAVE to have "things" to be happy. I want you to see that time spent with family, friends, helping others.. That's what brings happiness. Not stuff. And then on top of all that I want you to learn that you won't always be happy. Some days you will just be. I want you to be content in whatever you do. However life treats you, to just be content. And let me tell you, I am still learning that at 30 years old. I am hoping that by watching me you can pick up on it a lot quicker. I want you to be grateful for what you have. And when you do get something extra to thank whoever was responsible for giving it to you. Your parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and most importantly God. I am still learning and I promise you many days I get it wrong. But I hope through my process you will learn, too. And that we all come out in the end thankful for the lessons learned, things we were given, and even things we weren't. 

Love,

Momma

Happy 5th Birthday, Nathan!!

I guess with the arrival of Nathan's 5th birthday I have been overwhelmed that what was left of Nathan's "babiness" is now quickly fading.  He isn't baby talking hardly at all.  His sentences are coherent (mostly) and complete.  He knows his letters, their sounds, his numbers, how to write some sentences, and can even read a few words.  These past 5 years have happened so fast.  To think that so much has happened in his short fives years.  Moving, growing, losing a grandmother, starting school, more growing.. so much.  How it's been 5 years in what feels like mere months I don't know, but boy am I trying to squeeze every moment out of it I can while I still have him little.  Because I know how quickly they grow.

Happy 5th Birthday to my last baby boy.  The boy who still loves to cuddle with his mommy and give sloppy kisses.  Thank you for completing our family and filling my heart to the point of bursting.

Love,

Momma

Happy #7, Zoey-bug!

Beautiful, carefree, sassy, silly, out going, adventurous, loud, loving, forgiving, sweet, wonderful, giving...  All those words and so much more describe our Zoey girl.  If you've met Zoey once then you know exactly what I am talking about.  If you have been blessed enough to become a part of her life then you know that Zoey isn't someone you will ever forget.  She is just that kind of a girl.  Zoey was our surprise baby.  When her brother was just a few months old we found out we were expecting again and I can't tell you how overwhelming that was.  Here we had a colicky baby with acid reflux and I was staring at a positive pregnancy test.. AHH!!  But Zoey's surprise arrival was a blessing.  She healed so much of my heart (long story.. and only people who are the closest to me will ever understand why).  She was and is just such a special blessing.  God knows just what we need and He knew we needed Zoey.  So on December 2 at 7:07am we welcomed our first and only daughter into this world "sunny side up".  She was bright eyed and already soaking in all this world had to offer.  And ever since has been so full of life and soaking it all up with each new day.

Happy Birthday, baby girl.  Momma loves you more than you will ever know until the day you become a mom yourself.  Keep being you and you will be just fine!!

Love,

Momma

Happy 8th Birthday, Jon Kent!!

8 years ago at 5:05pm your daddy and I became first time parents to a beautiful, blonde hair, blue eyed, baby boy. Jonathan Kent Owens, Jr. (you) weighed a "whopping" 5 pounds, 8oz.  I was scared to death, but had such a sense of awe come over me knowing I was chosen to care for this little miracle.  Still to this day I don't have the words to describe my feelings and thoughts.  I think only other mothers would know my thoughts and emotions that day.

Happy Birthday to my tenderhearted, smart, charming, bashful little.. err.. big boy.  You will always be my baby boy and you will always hold my heart.  I love you to the moon and back!

Love,

Momma

First Day for Everyone!

Dear Jon Kent, Zoey, and Nathan,

Today was your first day of school. For all of you!  For the first time in almost 8 years I have all my babies gone for at least half the day to school.  It doesn't seem real that each of you should be toting a book bag and lunch box.  I pray for each of you daily to have safe days at school, to learn as much as you can, and to make Godly friends along the way.  I am so proud of each of you and look forward to hearing about each of your first days.

Love,

Momma

1st of 4K

1st day of 2nd grade

1st day of 1st grade

Annnd, they're off!

Stand Firm

Jon Kent, Zoey, and Nathan,

My sweet babies. You were each born into a Christian home.  A home where we believe the Bible.  We believe that we all deserve hell, but by God's grace each of us has the opportunity to choose Jesus and spend eternity with Him.  We believe that what the Bible says is what the truth is.

Right now our faith is under attack in a very public way.  This is not new news to Christians.  The Bible tells us that just as Jesus was persecuted, you will be as well.  It can be easy to lose heart and to take the easy way out.  To sit on our hands and say or do nothing.  But the Bible tells us to stand up for our faith and to do so with love.  It's hard though to not let our flesh take over.  The only way I know to live out the Bible in love is to pray.  Pray, pray, and pray.  Let God be my guide and stand firm in the knowledge that God will take care of His children.

My sweet babies, none of you have yet come to the saving knowledge of Christ.  My prayers are that you each will and soon, but only in God's timing.  That you will each know of God's grace and that it will be so rooted in your soul that you will stand firm for your faith when the time comes.  And it will.  It. Will. Not. Be. Easy.  Please understand that, but your reward isn't here.  Your reward is in heaven where rust or rot can't touch it.  Stand firm in knowing that this life is temporary.  Any pain (physical or otherwise) won't last forever.  Your joy can't be stolen from you, so press on.

God is always with you and my prayers are always for you.

Love,

Momma