Kindergarten Graduation was very telling of the progress he has made.

Last night was Jaxon's Kindergarten Graduation.
Cuter than a room full of newborn puppies and kittens, they were.
As I sat there watching the children put on the little show they had prepared, I was struck by the HUGE difference in Jaxon from the beginning of the year to now.
Beginning - Insisted that I stay with him on the playground each day until it was time to go into class.
Last night - He ran far ahead of us to the auditorium and went immediately to the stage to join the other kids. No hesitation. No looking back. He didn't even look for us in the audience until quite a bit into the presentation. But when he did see us, he beamed. As did I.

 The class recited a poem they had written. Each child had one line to say. Most of the other children picked up their "cheat sheets" from under their chairs to help them remember their lines. When he didn't pick his up, I thought it was because he was too distracted by all that was going on to pay attention when his teacher told the kids to get the papers if they needed them. That would have been a beginning of the year case. But no, he didn't pick up his paper because he didn't need it. He totally knew his line and said it right on cue.

 I was so worried at the beginning of the year that he would be the kid clinging to me and refusing to leave my side all year. But that was not the case. He needed me nearby for a bit, while he got the lay of the land, but then he was fine to climb out of the car each day and wave me off.
He's a cautious boy, to be sure. And that might keep him from jumping immediately into things, but it hasn't kept him from growing this year. So much!


With his teacher Mrs. Moore and his classroom aide Miss Randi. 

It's Happening Again

Last night we watched another young man propose to another of our daughters. 

It just keeps happening over and over!

Our presence was requested at the local Cold Stone. 

The whole family assembled at Cj's request.

Kenzie didn't know.

Until they walked in the door and she saw nearly her entire family filling up the place.

He suggested that they go to the counter and see if there was a "special".

Of course there was.

A very special ice cream creation topped with a lovely engagement ring.

We had been waiting a while.

Other customers had gotten wind of what was up.

Some of them hung around just to see it go down.

She said yes.

There was much applause. By family and strangers too.

There is to be a Fall wedding.

On a related note:

There is to be a New Year's baby.

It is safe to say that this was not the plan.

~for either of them~

I was a big fan of Kenzie's original plan.

~nurse midwife~

So this was a bit of a shock.

But you know what they say about making plans...

LIFE (sweet and beautiful and blessed) happens.

So this is the new and exciting plan.

The previous plans will be/have been adjusted as necessary.

And we are all happy to welcome Cj and grandbaby #9 with open arms.

I vote GIRL. ;)