Go Gators OR is it Go Eagles?!

If you ask my kids- they will say GO GATORS! But, apparently if you ask Bill, he will say Go Eagles! My husband is confused as to where tuition is being paid, I guess! Thursday night was the season opener for Varsity Football at BA. The Gators were playing the DEA Eagles. I'm decked out in my GREEN, the kids are decked out in their Gator attire and then- out walks Bill. He has on a RED shirt!!!! Is he confused??? I told him to go back in his closet and step right back out with Gator colors on! His response- "I'm loyal and that's what you love about me!" After all these years, he's still a DEA Eagles fan- through and through! It was a fun night- we got to visit with lots of friends from our neighboring county. In the end, I guess all that mattered was a BIG 'OLE Gator victory!

Goodnight Peyton.....

"Mama, what makes me special?"

"That you are kind, have a big heart, and care about others."

"Mama, what makes you special?"

"I don't know, you tell me."

"It's because you're a good mama and you care for me."

"God made us that way, Mama- He made everybody in the whole, entire world different."



Now, that's a great way to finish my night--- another great conversation with my first-born. She has one of the most tender hearts I know of--- I cannot wait to watch her blossom......

**Peyton saw this picture of herself on my computer and INSISTED I put it on the blog! :)

Transitions.....

Peyton pointing to her name outside her big Kindergarten room! :)

Outside the front of the school- my baby's first day of Kindergarten!

So proud of their back-tacks (as Tucker says!)

Can we go now? We are SO excited!!!

MY BIG KINDERGARTENER!!!

I titled this Transistions for a rather large reason. This is a huge transition season in the Free household. This is the moment in time where my sweet, first-born, precious, baby girl goes to her first day of "real" school. Pre-K was great- and it was fun- but, Kindergarten is the real deal. She has already LEARNED so much in her first week and a half of school. I can hardly get over how fast time has flown by. Everyone tells you that. You are warned and warned that they grow up TOO fast. It hit me that first day---- her life really IS going by too fast. She's 5! She's in Kindergarten! Bows are OK, tacky shoes are cool, and oh no, homework, what's that?!?!

Then, the next transition going on, at the same time, is my NEW JOB! That's right....I am back at work. An opportunity came about and God made it clear....this is the path He would have me take for now. Now, many have asked- what about your real estate?! I am still keeping my license and am not giving up on it. But, for now, I am just so thrilled to have been given this opportunity to be right across the hall from my big girl. I see her at least 10x a day! We get to stop what we are doing and HUG- anytime we want!! I know this is the right path- and I am thrilled with the person that I am taking this ride with- Ms. Lynn Reeves. Wow, where do I begin with Lynn?! She is a true gift from the Lord above. She makes my every day a NON-working day- it's just fun- she loves the Lord, she loves her family, she loves all her dear friends, and she LOVES those babies she teaches EVERY day! You can tell- God gave her the gift of teaching---- she walks in the room and our pre-k'ers yell--- "We love you Ms. Lynn!!!!" She has touched their hearts in mighty ways already! I am so thankful to have been given this precious gift of a job. I thank my lucky stars every day to not DREAD my job!!

I cannot talk about this job without talking about the effect this job had on my baby boy, Tucker! I must say....this was the hardest part about going back to work. I cried every day for a week. Bill, my mom, my mother-in-law, my friends at work- they ALL had to council me through this. Leaving Tucker for ALL DAY, EVERY DAY nearly broke me down. I have been fortunate enough to be "home" for 5 years!! Peyton's entire being! But, Bill and I knew that it was time- it became clear to both of us in many ways. But, when we made that commitment to send our kids to private school- that sealed the deal. Off to work I go! Tucker did not want any part of me leaving him- for one SOLID week! Then, this week came and we turned a HUGE corner! He marches into school like he owns it. He grabs his breakfast, sits down, and tells me, "bye mama!" He knows now that he has learned the routine--- MAMA COMES BACK and MAMA PICKS ME UP AFTER NAP every day! Since this has been established, he is FINE!
All in all- this season of transitions is wonderful and perfect. I am so thrilled with the new walks of life that the 3 of us have taken. Peyton loves her Kindergarten teacher (and Mama does, too), Tucker LOVES his 2 year old teacher (and Mama does, too), and I have the best partner on the job I coud ever ask for!!! LIFE IS CERTAINLY GOOD at the FREE house!

Sharing....

Peyton and I sat down to eat an afternoon snack of popcorn- I said, "I love eating popcorn with you Peyton." She said, "Me too Mama, but the best part is sharing it!"

She is just the sweetest!!!!! Makes my heart melt!

Funny Stuff

I don't know why I don't document it more....because she really says the funniest things. She keeps us in stitches!
Today at lunch- somebody burped---- and Peyton proudly shouts, "that's a sign the tank is full!!!!" Are you kidding me?!?! Where did she hear that!?!?!
Peyton was gone all morning to Kindergarten Camp. When we picked her up I said, "Peyton, Tucker really missed you this morning. I missed you too. Tucker kept getting in trouble b/c you weren't here to keep him out of trouble." Then, I followed up by saying, "in fact, why don't you go check on him right now- I bet he's getting in more trouble!"
She went around the corner, came back and said...."awwwww.....no mama, he's just being SO cute!"
Can she be any sweeter?!?!?!?!?!

4th at the Lake

We had a great time at the lake this weekend, too! Nothing like a LONG weekend with family! We took boat rides, Peyton tubed by herself for the 1st time, Tucker tubed for the first time ever, I almost read a WHOLE book, we went to the fire station and got to get in the trucks and pull the sirens, we went to Uncle Ryan's house for a 4th of July party and fireworks. It was such a fun weekend- and we couldn't ask for better weather--- at the farm and at the lake there was 0 HUMIDITY!!! Simply gorgeous! Happy Birthday America!!!

4th at the Farm

Tucker and PA riding the TRACTOR- this is where Tucker prefers to be....

....or on the 4-wheeler!

Showing off her pretty bracelet that PA made her!

Papa might be 89, but he still acts like a young whipper snapper!

Pickin' blueberries with PA

Our girl can play ball!!!!

Sweet Drake loves the "water hole!"

The pond--- looking so peaceful

Tucker is giggling about dipping his watermelon in the water!

Yummy! He couldn't get enough!
We had a GREAT visit at the farm on Friday- we swam, played in the sand, ate watermelon and played, played, played! Papa came out and visited- he turned 89 years old this week! It's always so good to be around him- he is one of the sweetest men I know- such a joy to be around!