Gooble, Gooble-2012

So, when we first moved to South Carolina in 2009, I had the hopes and dreams of finally having an intimate, family Thanksgiving dinner.  So that year we stayed at home. instead of going "home" to Alabama.  My parents made the journey to our house and we had a great time.  My mom and I cooked all day while Kent and my daddy and the kids played, helped us cook, goofed off, etc.  We sat down that evening together at our kitchen table and had the best meal together.  It was finally the dinner I had dreamed of since Kent and I first gotten married.  My mom and I then went out and did the whole black Friday deal.  It was my all time favorite Thanksgiving even until this day.  Why?  Because it was the first time my mom and I had gotten to do it together and my mom and I's first time go black Friday shopping.  And it would also be my momma's last Thanksgiving on this earth.  I can not tell you how many times I go back to that weekend when I am missing her.  Those are the memories I pull my strength from some days.  Since 2009, we have gone back to Alabama for Thanksgiving.. mainly because I just couldn't do the at home thing again and secondly because we were trying to be "fair" and share the holiday with other family members.  But this year I wanted to stay home and have our intimate family meal again.  I longed for us to just enjoy each other instead of having to run from place to place.  So that's what we did.  My daddy came up and we enjoyed another meal together. And it was again, a great time.  It still didn't compare to 2009 and I wasn't wanting it to.  Those are sacred memories that will never be out done just because of the speical memories they hold.  But it was a good time and a time that I needed to get through and know that things won't ever be the same, but we can still thrive and move on and make more memories.  So this Thanksgiving I am thankful for my old memories, but thankful to still be here making new ones as well.

Happy 8th Birthday, Jon Kent!

8 years ago at 5:05pm Kent and I became first time parents to a beautiful, blonde hair, blue eyed, baby boy. Jonathan Kent Owens, Jr. 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!

Happy Halloween from our monsters to yours!

We "celebrated" by having a trunk or treat at our church.  Which was a first for us.  We all had a great time handing out candy and fellow shipping.

BJJ

That would be Brazilian Ju-jitsu for those who aren't as familiar with the sport.  All three kids are taking BJJ classes twice a week.  They are all loving it.  Jon Kent and Zoey started at the first of the year and have gotten their gray and white belts.  Nathan started in July and has one stripe so far on his white belt.  I am amazed at how far Jon Kent and Zoey have come.  Especially Zoey.  She is one of the top fighters in her class.  Other parents even comment that their SONS are afraid to fight her.  She wins most of her matches.  Girl Power!!  I am really impressed with the whole program and the professor who teaches.  He has several helpers who are blue belts that assist him in class.  They all have a boat load of patience.  They take their time with each kid trying to teach proper technique and it shows with each improvement the kids make.  I am really hoping this is something the kids stick with all the way through until their black belts which if they do they will be in their late teens or early twenties before they get it.  Long but rewarding road I think.

Let's play some football!

The time has finally arrived!  Jon Kent is 7 years old so that means he is finally (finally being his word) old enough to play full contact football.  He has been asking to play football since he was 4.  Every year he would tell us only x-more years until I can play football.  So finally he strapped on some pads, put on his helmet, and bashed heads with other like minded 7 and 8 year olds.  And. He. Loves. It.  I seriously thought after he got hit a few good times he wouldn't like, but nooo.  It's what he talks about all the time.  And now that college football and even NFL is going strong he is into those.  He still won't watch a full game with Kent  yet, but Kent has high hopes that it will happen soon.  Oh, and the team Jon Kent is on is the Cowboys and he is #19.  He thinks that since he is on the Cowboys that the "real" Cowboys should be winning all their games in the NFL.

First Day of School.. for everyone! Say what??

Today all three of my babies went to school.  Yep, Jon Kent was off to 2nd grade, Zoey was off to 1st grade, and Nathan was off to 4K.  And this momma.. was "off" duty.  Well, not off duty just yet.  Nathan only went for about an hour so that he could meet the teacher, we could ask questions, get first day pictures, etc.  But come a week from today.. he will be at school for 3 hours every morning.  I. Can't. Believe. It.  All my babies are growing up and going to school, together.  I know I say this every year and I will continue to say it until they send their kids off to school.. but.. the time has flown and it just doesn't seem like they should all be in school.  I am really started to regret letting them grow up.  I should have pushed that pause button!

Day 4 of the Owens Olympics

Y'all the Olympics are killing me!  The kids of course have endless energy and would play it all day long and night, too.  But me, my word I am tired.  We went to the gym this morning and I did an hour of pure cardio and then we went swimming with friends for almost 2 hours.  By the time I got lunch served and cleaned up I was wiped out. Did I mention I didn't go to sleep until almost 2am.  Not by my choosing mind you, just have a lot on my mind and I guess God wanted me to talk to Him about it instead of mulling it over and over in my own head.  So that's what I did and I think I finally fell asleep around 2, but not before Nate came in to wedge between Kent and me.  Anyway, I said alllll that to say that we finally got some Olympic games in after everyone took a nap (myself included).  Today we did basketball, pogo stick bounce, and bike races.  What's up for tomorrow.. no idea.  But I'll think of something. ;)