Cheers to the Weekend, Hello September Edition

Hi friends! I was absent from this spot for over a week, I know, BUT I don't want blogging to feel like a chore, and I don't want to publish a post just to have updated content on my blog. I want to write what I want, when I want. And this week, I just wasn't inspired to write, especially as we adjust to our new Fall schedule and routine. BUT I also use this space as my virtual scrapbook; so, please ignore the fluff that is my Friday CHEERS posts while I work to get my writing groove back. For now, here's what we're saying CHEERS to as we welcome in the weekend (woot! woot!): 

Momma Dates. For several years now, I have made it a point to take each of my kiddos out on individual momma dates from time to time, where I can focus on each one, dive into deep one-on-one conversation, and have fun along the way! Last week, I had a Momma Date with Harrison, and this past Sunday, it was Banks and Raleigh's turns (Bella's is on the upcoming agenda!). The first part of the afternoon, I surprised Rals by taking her for manicures and milkshakes, and we girls had so much fun! She chose a purple polish with a flower painted on each of her middle fingers. I chose a color I am now obsessed with but can't seem to find anywhere: Power Clutch by Essie (let me know if you locate it!). Such a great date with my biggest girl. 

Then, I dropped her off at home and picked up Banks, so we could spend the rest of the afternoon at Carowinds, riding rollercoasters, playing games, and enjoying Brownie Bites Dippin' Dots. We had a ball! And it was so nice to get to focus on my biggest littles for the afternoon. <3

Butch and Deshaun. Earlier this week, two of our sweet neighbors spotted a baby squirrel (??) lying on the sidewalk after school. It was still alive, albeit barely, and with the help of a neighbor, we placed it back under the tree from which it fell. We crossed our fingers the momma would come back to save it. But alas, she did not. My hub (who is a much better human than me), rescued it, named it "Butch," and brought to our house later that evening. We syringe-fed it some milk, bathed it, and tucked it in. My kiddos prayed over it, and cried for it, and we held our breath. Sadly, Butch did not make it through the night. :( But, we know he's running wild in that big neighborhood in the sky. Rest in Peace, Butch. Over the next two days, we found two more squirrels. One had already passed away when we found it. But the other, who we named Deshaun (a la Deshaun Watson - who came from humble beginnings and was a fighter) was alive and in better shape than the other two. Despite our best attempts, he, too, passed away earlier today, just hours before we would take him to a wildlife rescuer we had contacted. :( Rest In Peace, fella. Hopefully, this will be the last of the Lu Crew Squirrel Chronicles. 

Entertainment. I wanted to update a couple of the things I am "Loving Lately": I finished a book my mom sent me in two days - it was not my typical read but it was absolutely captivating, and I could not put it down: Bird Box. AND I just started Girl, Wash Your Face (thank you, Kara! I am obsessed so far!!!) and Lord, Change My Attitude Before It's Too Late. Will report back!

Also, an update on tv viewing: Season 2 of The Sinner is out right now - it's on the USA network but you can watch it On Demand. And I am liking Season 2 even more than Season 1! Additionally, our friend recommended the show Safe, and it is really good (Thanks, Ryan - such a good rec!) - if you've seen Broadchurch on Netflix, it is similar and keeps you guessing. Definitely recommend! But my favorite show right now? Season 13 of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team. :) 

Randomness. Let's see: We ordered and delivered Banks' birthday invitations yesterday, and I think they turned out so cute! Can't wait to share the party and deets once it has come and gone! It's a theme I haven't seen done before, but I think it'll be so fun! Oh, and speaking of Banks, he had to completely cover his writing notebook with photos, captions, and notes that inspire him. I can't be certain but I think the kid may love him some sports. ;) 

My sweet Raleigh came running to me the other day, so proud to show me what she had done: Left me sweet notes on my door, made my bed, and left me a snack to eat before bedtime. <3 The next day, she baked her first ever masterpiece ALL by herself: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, and they were delish!! She was so excited for us to have them with dinner and to take one to her teacher the next day. 

Check out the official bowl holders #TeamworkMakesTheDreamwork

Raleigh also started jazz/hip hop, tumbling, and cheerleading this week, and is loving them all! She was even awarded the "spirit stick" at cheer practice after one of her practices. :) I cannot WAIT until her first game in just a few short weeks!!!

Please look at how Bella looks at her biggest brother. Swoon. (Also, she is continuing to do such a great job with school and has also been rocking her private therapies lately. Thank you to those who have reached out to ask about her and her adjustment <3 ). 

Oh, AND, she used the potty for the first time last night!!!!! Yahoo!!!!!! Not sure yet if it was a fluke, but we sure were excited!!!

Last year, I took the year off from doing much in the way of school volunteering so that I could focus on Bella's medical and developmental needs as well as my Lu Crew's transition into a family of six. It was hard to sit the year out, because I believe so strongly that every parent who is able should be helping out the teachers and schools in some way, shape, or form, however they can. This year, I am back in the saddle, and while yes, I only have about 90 minutes a day kid-free four days a week, it was important to me to help out at my kiddos' school at least one of those days. All that to say, you'll find me assisting Raleigh's teacher on Wednesday mornings this year, and this week, since Harrison hasn't started back to school yet, he got to accompany me for the job. He definitely made that day's work entertaining. ;) 

Finally, HAPPY BIRTHDAY and HAPPY RETIREMENT DAY to our beloved Nana. We love you so much and are so proud of, and excited for, you! My hub and Harrison made the trip to Aiken, South Carolina, to visit her at her last day of work earlier today to surprise her, and I hear she was quite surprised by her special visitors. Mission accomplished! :)

And that's all I've got this week, friends! I keep forgetting that this is a 3-DAY-WEEKEND (yahoo!!!). Couple that with the fact that our Clemson Tigers take the field for the first game of the 2018-19 season, and you've got one happy momma on your hands. Have an awesome Labor Day weekend, y'all, and GO TIGERS!!! 

Cheers to the Weekend, Back to School Edition

As of this afternoon, that's a wrap on our first week back to school for the 2018-2019! Only 175 more school days until I get to have a full summer with my Lu Crew littles again. :) We had a great week kicking off the school year, and are definitely saying CHEERS to that, among other things, as we welcome in this lovely weekend (Dear Fall-like temps in August in the South, I LOVE YOU!!! Love, Me) :  

First Days of School. Banks is now in 3rd grade, Raleigh in 1st, Harrison in pre-k, and Bella in preschool. While Harrison hasn't gone back to school just yet, Banks, Raleigh, and Bella made their way into our beloved Fort Mill Elementary on Monday and each had great weeks! I cannot begin to describe how much it warmed my heart to see my biggest two leading their little sister into this big new world of school, hand-in-hand. It took everything I had to hold back my tears. They came later, as we were driving away, leaving them in their classrooms. Specifically, I worried about Bels: I was scared she would feel abandoned again or that the unfamiliar surroundings and faces, coupled with being around hundreds of children again, would trigger something in her. But my brave girl didn't shed a single tear. She bravely joined her class and worked so hard all week, getting great reports each day. 

Thank you, Jesus, for surrounding her with Your love and protection. And thank you for placing Banks and Raleigh in classrooms filled with amazing, nurturing, challenging teachers - I can't wait to watch them all soar this year! <3

(This was Bella after pick-up her first day of school...)

(And still rockin' that smile as we headed into her last day of Week 1! Yay!)

Momma Mornings. Harrison doesn't go back to school until after Labor Day, which means he and I get all kinds of extra time together right now, just the two of us, while the other kids are in school during the mornings. This week alone, we've had two Starbucks Momma Dates, played driveway tennis, snuggled while he was combatting a 102/103 fever, and bought special surprises. He was also spoiled with a pool playdate with one of his sweet friends as well as a fun bounce-house-birthday party for another. This kid had a great week!

Well...except for the fact that he drove my friend's golf cart across my driveway and into the bushes, but that's another story for another day. #DennisTheMenace #BonnieAndClyde  Ohhhhhh, Harrison. 

Father-Son Camp. Last weekend, Banks and his dad drove up to the mountains of North Carolina for a weekend they'd been looking forward to all summer: Falling Creek Camp! This father-son camp is everything you would picture it to be: they slept in cabins at night and spent their days ziplining and rock wall climbing and spear throwing and fly fishing and blacksmithing and air rifle shooting and axe throwing and so.much.more.! There was a group of fathers and sons from our neighborhood who ended up going, and they just had the BEST time! Although Harrison wasn't yet old enough to participate, we promised him he'd be joining them for a father-son camp next summer!

Back-to-School Pool Par-tay. Meanwhile, the other kiddos and I had a blast at our 'hood's annual Back-to-School pool party last Saturday!

Fall sports mode. Sadly, Raleigh got off the bus with a low-grade fever earlier this week, which just so happened to be the first day of jazz/tumbling and cheer (yes, homegirl has a super busy Wednesday schedule for Fall!). This meant she had to skip out on dance/cheer this week, and we were both so bummed. Luckily, she has her next cheer practice on Monday and then jazz/tumbling/cheer again next Wednesday, and I know she'll be so excited when she finally gets to go! 

Banks started back to flag football last week and is doing great so far! I can't remember if I mentioned it here before, but he was supposed to be playing in a 7-8 year-old tackle football league this Fall. Unfortunately, not enough kids signed up; so, he is now playing his sixth season of flag football, with my hub serving as assistant coach. I thought he'd be super bummed - he's been looking forward to tackle football for years! - but honestly, he is just happy to be back out on the football field. Of all the sports he plays, football is his absolute favorite. So, we are counting down to his first game in a few weeks. For now, it's twice weekly practices, and he (and his dad!) are loving it. 

And with that, we are gladly welcoming in the weekend. Aside from Harrison's first soccer practice tomorrow, we purposefully left this weekend plan-free so that we can recover from our first week of school and spend some time together, seeing where the weekend takes us. Have a great one, friends! Sending love your way! 

Giving Hope

Hi friends. This is not my typical blog post, but when a special friend approached me and asked for help spreading the word, I didn't hesitate. I am very careful about what I post here and what I am willing to stand behind and endorse. And I really try not to ask for help. But this time, I'm asking for help. Because it involves children. And every child deserves hope. 

If you've been around these parts for a post or two hundred, it's probably clear that children are my passion. I pursued my career with the intention of helping those little ones in need of helping; I then opted to stay home for this season of my life to focus on helping my own little ones in every way, shape, and form I could during these young years; and one day in the near future, I will return to the working world to continue helping little ones who may be in need of a little extra help. 

In short, I love being around, and helping, children. And I am very aware of how blessed I am to live in a country where there are so many opportunities for kiddos who may need a little extra help. This is not the case everywhere around the world, as I saw firsthand during our 2-week trip to China last year, and as I have heard from friends like Michelle who have visited impoverished countries.

This is my friend, Michelle, on a trip to Haiti (she's also a gifted photographer)...  

...and these are some of Michelle's friends!

Michelle is a fierce advocate of Give Hope Global, a 501(c)3 charity which seeks to to transform communities in Haiti and Ghana through the power of the Good News, good health, and good education. She is also co-founder of the Give Hope Global Gala, which is now in it's fifth year! Proceeds from the Gala have made it possible for them to increase their efforts in both education and community health care. Give Hope now supports elementary schools in Haiti and Ghana and a high school and vocational school in Haiti. You must take just 60 seconds to check out the gala's website and Give Hope's website - both amazing. 

In Charlotte, Give Hope partners with Urban Promise to supply mentors and homework tutors to elementary and high school students. Further, the Community Health Care system in Les Cayes, Haiti, includes a medical clinic and 24 Community Health Workers who work directly with families in the communities served. Leadership development efforts include supporting two children’s villages in Haiti and sponsoring higher education for university students in Haiti, Honduras and Ghana.

So, why am I sharing all of this? Well, the 5th Annual Give Hope Gala is coming up soon, on October 27, 2018, at The Westin Hotel in downtown Charlotte, to be exact! Last year's event was actually a sellout, which meant moving to an even bigger venue this year. How amazing is that?! 

And now, Give Hope would love YOUR support. If you are able, or know of anyone else who is able, please consider helping by joining as a corporate sponsor for the event this year. Below you will see a list of opportunities as well as the cost for each. Named sponsorships include Presenting Sponsor, plus special sponsors of the Live Auction, Silent Auction, and Mobile Bidding. There are Platinum, Gold, and Silver levels as well. 

In addition, if you visit the website (and aren't able to sign on as a corporate sponsor), please consider (1) buying a ticket to come to the fabulous event, (2) purchasing raffle tickets, (3) bidding on auction items, (4) donating, and/or (5) helping however you can. 

We are blessed to live in a country that affords us so many incredible health and educational opportunities...simply because we were born here. How can we help others around the world who weren't given the same opportunities, simply because of the circumstances into which they were born? By supporting amazing organizations like Give Hope. If you're able, please consider jumping on board to help these children. 

What we have here on this earth...all the stuff it often feels so important to acquire...it doesn't matter. All that stuff...does not matter.

Hope matters. 

Let's spread some hope today. 

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you"—when you already have it with you. Proverbs 3:27-28

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11.