The Smokies ⛰

It's hard to wrap my head around how fast time seems to be going these days! Five short months ago, we were planning this trip and it seemed so far away then, yet here I am on our last day here in Gatlinburg reminicing on this leg of our trip! 

It's been a great few days here! I love this place! I'm at peace here and have enjoyed every ounce of it! This time though, we splurged and stayed at a nicer hotel. I saw this hotel last year and knew the next time we came we had to try it out...money well spent, too! The balcony was perfect! It overlooked the river, so being able to open the door and literally be in nature was so serene and peaceful. We finally found our place here in Gatlinburg at the Bearskin Lodge, it's been great! We have really enjoyed this place!

Tomorrow, we are heading out and continuing our trip south to spend a week at the beach. We love our mountain trips, but we are all looking forward to some "fun in the sun" too! I love the mountains and Brenton loves the beach, so this year we decided to combine both and have an extended vacation with our boys! So far, so good and the mountains were a great start to a trip that we all needed after a crazy year! ❤

Time to Move On

Well, another year of school has come and gone! This year was weird and one we are glad to see in the rearview mirror, but it was one that we'll never forget! The school year that we survived during a global pandemic, wearing masks, and following protocol setup that kept friends at a distance! However, neither of my boys came down with it, they didn't miss school but 2 weeks at home, when we had to quarantine a bunch of teachers back in December. Other than that, we kept up with our vitamins and kept on going! Looking back, I was nervous for this year to start! I had to come to grips that this was Colin's last year in elementary and Ethan, last year in middle school with both boys moving to new schools next year all under this weirdness that this pandemic brought! Moving on won't be a big deal for Ethan, but Colin, I was worried and still am anxious! However, I'm going to take the next couple of months and sigh a huge sigh of relief knowing that we made it! We did it! 

Colin, had his 5th grade graduation yesterday, but we opted him out of the whole ceremony in front of everyone. It's not his thing and he gets too overwhelmed, so we didn't have to go to the school with the other parents to watch him receive his certificate; however, he did get it and I have it for his memory book! One thing I have learned over the years with him, is don't fuss! Of course, I would've loved to be there and see my little man walk up to receive that certificate, but our reality doesn't allow for those types of things. Now, I'm hoping we can at his high school graduation, so fingers crossed for that! He has been feeling this moment for a few weeks now! Kept telling Mrs. Jones, "I stay here" and Tuesday night his emotions let loose and I heard him crying in his bed. So, when I went to comfort him, he kept saying, "I ok, it's summertime, I ok, I stay here." So, I knew he was telling me he was sad it was all coming to an end and he's nervous about what's ahead! I gave him a huge hug and just told him it was going to be ok! After about an hour of that, he finally calmed down and went to bed. Yesterday, he was fine all day until I picked him up at 1 and he didn't want to leave, ran around, pinched me, and then when we got him to the car he covered his head up when Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Clarke tried to say goodbye! He's not good with stuff like this, what can I say! It's always an adjustment and we'll get through the next transition, but it will take time. For now, we are going to take in vacation, summer break, and then at the end of July we will start the transition to middle school! Life is always a hurdle with Colin, but once we make that jump everything always turns out to be just fine! Take a deep breath momma, we've got this! ❤

Last day of 8th & 5th

Ready for the boys to return...bring on summer

Colin w/ his gift from Mrs. Jones & Mrs. Clarke

Ethan's gift to Colin he made in Art

Teacher gifts

bye bye 5th grade

 

A New Season Has Sprung!

We've been having a really great spring this year! It's been a full year, since the pandemic started and we made it through. It's still here, of course, but I mean we made it through the "major" crazy! Our world is still a mess and just this week one of the gas pipelines was hacked, so there was a gas shortage down south for a couple of days! I mean the insanity doesn't seem to be ending! Being a Christian, I'm learning to not panic when all this stuff happens...just stop, say a quick prayer, and cast my care! Life has been weird, but you also learn so much in these times! We got news yesterday that Gov. DeWine is lifting all COVID health orders on June 2nd, oh and he's also playing Willy Wonka by giving out prize money for 5 vaccinated people....$1 million dollars to be exact and full scholarships, too!  I think that's the moment I realized this is not God! God doesn't force or play games, so I'm good with my decision still! I'm not opposed to the shot, but I'm also not comfortable with receiving it, either! So, I won't be a lucky winner, but it's ok! I have a lot to be thankful for and my health, my families health, are a true blessing! 

This past weekend, we celebrated Mother's Day! I got to spend Saturday evening with my mom and we spent the afternoon out at the lake with Kay. It was a good day! This was the first year, in a few, that I was able to spend all of Sunday at home with my guys! It was a good time, it rained all day so we couldn't do much, but we did enjoy a very, lazy day together! Brenton, the cook in our house, made breakfast and also stuffed peppers for dinner. They also spoiled me with gifts and their gifts are the best. I always smile when I open them! I love my little family! 

It's been a great season, thus far! I'm very blessed and with each passing moment, I'm learning to embrace all that God gives me to endure! Time is passing quickly and I'm noticing it more than ever these days! The last day of school is in a few days and even that has me pondering life, because Ethan will be done with middle school, Colin done with elementary, and both moving to new schools next year! WHAT?!? I'm sad, happy, scared, and overwhelmed all in the same breath! Also, I'm turning 42 this year and I know I'm at the age that seemed so far away when I was my boys age, yet it's knocking at my door! This past year has truly been a strange time, but if I can say anything positive it would be that it caused a shift in me...a shift of embracing each and every moment! So, I'm just here living, breathing, and trying my best in a world that has gone mad! 

Spring is a season that I love! It's a time of beginning, color, freshness, happiness, and joy! It's clear blue skies, birds chirping, my boys giggling and at our house golf cart riding, now. Oh the joys! Spring is a time to come alive and have fun! This pandemic sucked the life out of us for a bit, but with this new season we have come alive and we are ready to enjoy, again! 

 

Easter was kind of weird this year, not sure why, but it was! I want the memory for my boys, so I'm posting some pics from the day on this post! We celebrated and enjoyed time with our families and yes, EB showed up too. Although it was weird, we still made sure to get the traditional things in and to be sure to celebrate the Resurrection, as well! It's important, in this house, to remember that Jesus is the Reason for the Season!