Afternoon Pick Me Up Blend

Spark some inspiration in the afternoon or get revitalized...

Doterra oils:

1 drop of Frankincense

1 drop of Peppermint

1 drop of Wild Orange

mix in your hands and rub your palms together and inhale...

make sure not to get in your nose or eyes! 

Homemade Glass Cleaner--Doterra

1 1/2 cup white Vinegar

1/2 cup water

8 drops of Lemon

Mix above in 16 ounce glass spray bottle and shake. Spray on Glass. Wipe with paper towel or cloth.

Doggie Heaven

`

"Dogs are not are whole life, but make our lives whole"~ Roger Caras

Knowing

If I had known that on that day our time was near the end
I would have done things differently, my forever friend.
I would have stayed right next to you deep into the night
but I thought I’d see you in the early morning light.

And so I said “Good night” to you as I walked in through the door
never thinking of the time when I’d see you no more.
But if I had known that on that day our time was at the end
I would have done things so differently, my forever friend.

– Sally Evans 

JJ was Braedyn's first four legged pal. They were buds when we would go visit in SD. She was a good girl! She went to doggie heaven yesterday at 14+ years she had a good life. She had it better than most. It was my in law's baby girl! I was sad to hear the news and my heart went out to my in laws. They got her the year Charlie graduated law school. It is so hard to lose a pet! You are losing part of the family. We told the boys and they were sad. Lucy the black lab pictured is my sister in laws dog. Jordan's first response was "Lucy is not going to have a her buddy anymore." They were sad but knew the last time we visited JJ was getting old and moved very slow. 

It's a part of life that is always hard to take...

RIP JJ

Natural bug spray

Blue glass 4 ounce bottle

Fill with tap water 

15 drops of Doterra Terra Sheild

A couple drops of fractionated coconut oil

Shake it up really good with each use! 

Testimonial: 

Also bad mom moment! 

I used this recipe at the tractor pull last week... 

Everyone I sprayed did not have bug bites. I realized the next day when Jordan woke up with tons of bug bites on his legs I forgot to spray him because he was on the tractor at the time I pulled it out... 

So it does work!!! 

Sorry Jman... 

First Day of 6th Grade-Off to Middle School

A sweet moment as we were walking in today... 

I asked if he wanted me to walk in or drop him off and he said walk him in...so I did. We got halfway down the hallway and he said let me figure it out mom and I asked him if wanted me to leave now...he grabbed my arm so sweet and said no please stay with me...I was good I held back the tears at that moment! 

I am amazed at how quiet those hallways were! Way to Go Gravelly Staff it makes me feel at ease walking into such a calm environment! Thank you!

"Have big dreams~You will grow into them!"

You are off onto middle school this morning. I can't wait to see what God has in store for you! You are a brilliant and bright 11 year old and I know you will have a wonderful year! You will do just fine!

It was a little lonely on the ride home today...I miss my little buddy! I can't wait to hear all about your first day when I pick you up!

I think your brothers had a little extra pep in their step today knowing they aren't the only ones in school now! 

off onto your new school

Love you B!

In A Million Words or less... my homework to Braedyn's homeroom teacher

I was assigned a homework project at Braedyn's middle school open house. So I thought it would be easiest to put in words on my blog and they can read it here instead and this way I always have it!

You asked for a writing piece from us parents in a million words or less to tell us about your child and as I sit here I probably could list a million things what I love about him but that is not going to help you teach him and get the best out of him. I hope this gives you a little insight into the wonderful 11 year old little boy he is and we are involved parents that want the best for all our kids...

Braedyn is coming to you from Hillsborough Elementary where he had wonderful elementary years. He is very excited to start middle school and not apprehensive at all. He is excited to learn new things and grow. 

We moved here when he was 4 from Minnesota. Now that he knows how cold it is I don't think he will ever want to move back. He has 2 little brothers, a 6 year old and a 9 year old. They are very close and miss not having him in school with them. 

He takes very good care of them and watches out for them. 

He loves baseball and basketball. He plays both of them. He is on a travel baseball team. His favorite teams are MN Twins, MN Gophers, and FL Gators. So if you ask him to write, it may have to do with sports or his favorite teams. His passion is sports and a talent of his is knowing players and stats...if he could remember what he read as much as he can remember sports statistics he would be doing better in comprehension. We always joke as we see a future broadcaster or coach.  He is reading Al Michaels recent bestseller. 

Top Gun World Series in Rocky Mount, NC

At Duke Basketball Camp

He is the typical first child....overachiever, perfectionist, people pleaser, sensitive, rule follower, caring, a helper and is generally organized. He is quite the thinker, so he may sit back and analyze a situation first. He is pretty easy going and has a lot of friends that will be at middle school with him. He is pretty quick witted.  He will help a student or help someone that may need it because he has a big heart. 

He can be distracted in a noisy or chaotic environment. So I guess he is used to being distracted at home with three busy brothers, but can just be reminded to get back to work.  Although I tell him to dream big try not to do that in the classroom... day dreaming isn't conducive to concentration. 

His strengths are math and science which he got from his father. We have been working on some math worksheets from the AIG teacher at HES to try to get his brain back to thinking mode after not being in school since June 5th. Something he is not used to. He likes to be challenged when it comes to math. I have found it is always hard to find something that boys are interested in reading. If he is reading a book that he enjoys, I do not have a problem getting him to read. We have tried to tell him he isn't going to always like what he has to read since I have been through that before. He read a book over the summer that was in the Killer Species series. 

His other strength is science which science projects are always fun...seems I have a few growing around my house of three boys. 

Our summer is over...

We hope you take good care of him and that you all have a wonderful school year. He is there from 8:30-3:30 so he is with you longer than he is with me. Every first day of school brings tears as my kids are growing up. I am proud of him and his achievements so far and I know at middle school he will achieve even more. Good luck with this new group of incoming 6th graders! 

This is how I am feeling sending my oldest off onto a new school...I haven't had to do this in 6 years! So if I am still sitting in the parking lot at noon, please tell me to leave....

Charlie and Allie Jacobson

Dad and mom

Missing Each Other

"Because I have a brother I'll always have a friend"

I tucked Cooper into his bed and heard him whimpering. He had tears in his eyes. He said it's not fair Braedyn gets to stay home and he's not in school with us. I said, "well you will be on break soon and he will be in school". Then he cried harder saying, " I'll never get to see him". 

He is having a hard time adjusting to his best friend starting middle school. They always looked out for each other at school and Coop often left his peers in his class to play with Braedyn and his friends. It breaks my heart and warms it all at the same time.  He loves but misses his brother. Then he continued on about not being with each other and what if we go to seperate colleges...OK someone's really tired. Just go to sleep and tomorrow's a new day as I said, your brothers always are here and will be here~you are never really apart. You will grow up together, not always side by side but in this same house~family is forever...no matter where you are or where you go. This growing up stuff is hard on momma! It wasn't even the first real day the night this happended and I got a little emotional so I can't imagine when I drop him off at middle school....I'll be also thinking of Coop!

Things that my kids say...

Once in awhile you will see this post... I need to get it down somewhere to record it! 

We were driving on the way home from dinner and Charlie grabbed my hand to hold while driving. 

Cooper is very cautious and concerned with attentive driving and paying attention especially since my accident last year. So he says "Don't do that put both your hands on the steering wheel dad", "You can do that when you get home". 

"when we get home you can like skip and stuff and do that" ....We were laughing. "skip" I asked. 

Cooper said, "yes, you do that when you are in love, you hold hands and skip and stuff...you love each other right"...

"Yes, Cooper we are" 

too cute....

"There's no buddy like a brother"

Cooper is a Jr. Hurricane

It's official! Cooper got his Jersey and is now ready for the hockey season to start! September can't get here quick enough for him. I am just a little proud! 

Never lose that determination, grit, and work ethic and of course the love of the game!

GO JR. CANES!!

My Summer Before Middle School

This summer I got to spend a 1 1/2 months with just Braedyn while the other two were in school now that he will be on a traditional schedule. Although, he did say he wished he was going back and it was a long break. It is a time we haven't had together since his brothers came along. 

We had amazing time together talking, cuddling, sleeping in some days, shopping, lunches, ice cream treats, running, biking, rollerblading, swimming, hiking and just hanging out...

Most importantly he talked and I enjoyed our conversations. He is like a little adult. We get so busy, it's nice to have this time together to really get to know my oldest son. He is a really funny kid!  I hope he will continue to talk to me, trust me, and always know I will be here for him. He may need that little guidance and have questions in middle school that he needs to come to me for. We had the conversation about some people change in middle school and he said "don't worry mom I won't change.". 

It's times we will remember and we get to do it again next year while Coop has one more year left in elementary school. I will look forward to it! 

I think him starting middle school is going to be a lot tougher on mom than him. 

Some fun that we had....

First day of school and first bike ride with mom

It was a hot run on the trail that day!! 5 miles 

Maple View

Dom and Drew came for a long weekend and we had lunch one day before picking up other two

Trying some rollerblading at the riverwalk

hiking Occoneechee Mountain in Hillsborough ...who knew it would be so pretty!

My last week of coffee dates with my little buddy!

Tractor Pull 2015

We had another fun year at the White Cross Tractor Pull again this year and invited some friends to join us. They had a blast. They had a great turnout over the weekend. Another reason I love living out here in the country!

had to compete in same weight bracket coop got first and B got second :)

A Young Troubadour

My little handsome cowboy! At Uniquitiques in Hillsborough

Trophy stands

Repurposed electrical spools=trophy stands

Orientation!!

WHAT 6TH GRADE ORIENTATION!!!!!

Letting Go

I've held you close and knew when to let go

Even though

with every milestone 

it doesn't get any easier as you grow

Please Lord lead him down the right road 

Because no one teaches a mother how to let go...

To your first steps by my side

to your first bike ride

when I had to let go...

To your first day of Pre-K 

and your first kindergarten day

I watched as you walked away and prayed to God to keep you safe 

and that you would be ok

and I had to let go...

Then came your last day at elementary school

How did that happen so soon.

Now you enter Junior High

and again I stand by the curb and and wave goodbye

and I had to let you go...

Then comes your High School days

which means drivers license, and first dates

to your first heart break.

all these things are hard for a momma to take

but I know I can't let you know 

So yet again I have to let it go...

Packing up your room with tears in my eyes

because this letting go thing is harder this time

dropping you off at college and driving away 

puts me back at that kindergarten hallway

Where I prayed to God to keep you safe and you would be ok

and I had to let go...

Now I here I stand on your wedding day

there is so much I want to say

I'm so blessed that you are my son

and proud of all you have done.

We walk down the aisle hand in hand 

I'll always see the little boy in this man.

we exchange a hug and a kiss just like we always do 

before I have to let go...

As I get old and gray

don't let our precious memories fade away

Be patient and be kind

because you will find

I will need you to be here for me this time

I will get slow

and I will need your hand to hold 

so please don't let go

But that day will one day come

you will have your own son

you will see why my love runs so deep

When you look into your own child's eyes so sweet

You may see me...

Because I will never let you go you see

you will always carry a piece of me

Wherever you go....