Cake Batter Buddies please

 On my refrigerator I have a dry erase board where I jot down things I need at the store...a running list of sorts. Yesterday when I glanced at it I noticed a new addition......

Unfortunately for me you can't buy cake batter chex mix at the store, but fortunately for Riggs I thought it was so cute that I made it for him anyway. It'a a new Pinterest favorite at the Hardy house..it may be borderline an addiction.  

Chex Funfetti Cake Batter Buddies

Adapted from: So Very Blessed

Ingredients:

5 cups Chex cereal (I used Rice Chex, but Corn Chex would work great!)

10 oz (5 squares) vanilla flavored Almond Bark

1 1/2 cups Funfetti cake mix (any kind of cake mix would work)

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vegetable shortening

Directions:

1. Melt Almond Bark according to the package directions, adding vegetable shortening to thin (I heard that you can make it without the shortening, but it worked great for me to use it).

2. Pour the cereal into a large bowl and drizzle the melted Almond Bark over the cereal. Mix gently with a large spoon or spatula.

3. Dump the cake mix and powdered sugar onto the cereal and mix gently with large spoon until all the cereal is evenly coated.

4. Enjoy!! It's so good! :)

lucky girl

I got lucky tonight.... really...really lucky. After Rollins' basketball game the littlest littles went home with Bumpa and Grandpa for a bit....and Riggs came come with Jeremy and me. Jeremy got called into a case and it was just me and Riggs....all alone....at home on a Saturday night. In a family as big as mine...alone time with any one is precious and we made the most of it! We played Uno.....over and over....and he won every time...but he hated beating me so much and I love that about him.

Then we played HORSE for a while....and he beat me at that too! We got crazy making shots from the couch and the floor and anywhere else we could think of!

We were flipping through the the stations and I came across the move A Walk to Remember....a movie I just love....it was well underway....but we watched the rest of it together....and talked the whole time...about what was going on in the movie and it was amazing to sit and listen to him discuss how it related to his life...all on his own. Mandy Moore's character does not have a mother in the movie...and he asked where she was. I told him I didn't remember but that she had somehow died. This led to him telling me abut a little girl on his bus whose moms had lost a baby this week and how she was telling him about it on the bus...and how sorry he was for her and her family. It was so odd to picture him having a discussion about a miscarriage on the bus....I mean when he got off the bus every day last week he never looked any different. I didn't even know he knew what that was....and maybe he doesn't really understand it all...but I can tell you he knows it hurts the heart....to loose a baby....he knows that at 9...and I am not really sure how I feel about that....sad that he knows such big things.....or proud because his heart....as always...is in the right place.  Today I just feel thankful I had this night....to have this talk... and this time...with this sweet boy.

My mind wondered ahead as the wedding scene played before us...thinking about Riggs and who he might marry...that someday soon...a date with Moma and uno cards and basketball hoop just won't cut it....and although that is a bittersweet thought I want nothing more for my boys than to find love...true love...because with true love such wonderful things are possible...and life is just....well...better.

I hope one day he walks down the isle holding the hand of his forever love.....and I hope I will be there to see it all.....She will be a lucky, lucky girl to have Riggs Hardy. He is sincere....and loving..and smart...and full of integrity...and he has a smile with a dimple!

But for now....we are happy just holding a basketball and shooting hoops in the playroom....and tonight I am the lucky girl. A lucky girl indeed.

St.Mathews Basketball League

He moves so fast...see how his face is in focus and his long limbs are blurred with his hurried hustle...he moves fast and he tries hard.

But the difference this season is that he has more confidence to go along with this speed....he takes shots and he makes them.....like this one.....

and this one......

but he knows this season...really gets...... that he will miss 100% of the shots he never takes....and that is such a great lesson to know.

So when the score is tied and the other team..... who does not know your child and what he has come from...is yelling to stay one" him"...because on this day he is the leading scorer with six points....your heart swells with pride because you have waited a long time to hear other parents yelling that about your kid....because your kid is out on the floor playing and trying hard......sometimes I still see him as that kid in the corner of the gym crying as the others play.....

This game they lost...and Riggs is certainly not the best player on the team.....but he hustled hard....and took shots....and made shots....and that is a win in my book for sure......

He continues to amaze me as his confidence grows with every passing day. I am really enjoying the journey, as my sister in law would say, with this wonderful boy that I love with all my heart.

Our first swim banquet

Our first swim season is over and tonight was a night to celebrate and end it in a fun way with a poolside swim banquet! When we arrived a table full of trophies for each child was on display...the kids were so excited!

 We ate and swam with the team and all the families!

 The kids all gave their coaches little thank you treats for all the time they put into this season! We had amazing coaches and we feel so blessed to know them and for the impact they had on our kids this summer. I can truly say that my kids were touched by these amazing coaches!

 Rollins was proud when they called up his age group and he got his trophy!

 Every trophy had the childs' name on it...so special!

 These BFF's love doing anything together!

 Colin and Riggs were happy to get their trophies too!

 The kids were then gathered for special awards. New to swim team we did not know what this meant but soon realized that in each age group there were three awards...the Gator Award for the kids who was present, tried hard and just really was good for the team....Most improved...and point award for the kid who did the best in the meets. When Scott got up there and called up Riggs Hardy for the Gator Award..I was speechless...and tearful. I see how hard he tries and how much he gives but I am his mom. It meant so much to me for him to be recognized. He was so happy...looking down the whole time and trying to hide his smile. That meant the world to him...truly it did.

 Colin got most Improved!

 From not knowing one stroke 7 weeks ago these boys have come a long way!

 As we left...Riggs told Scott thank you for everything....look at that true love hug!
 Truth is we can't thank Scott..and the whole swim team enough for all they did...and all they gave...we are hooked! We can't wait till next year!

Last 3rd grade field trip

 I headed to Squire Boone Cavern for the last field trip of the year for Riggs! It was pouring rain and so close to closing as the bridge was close to washing out! It was quite the adventure for sure!

 The cave was as random as they come. You go in the gift shop and they open a door...like you are going down stairs to a basement but instead of a pool table and a deep freeze you find a freaking cave down the steps....very cool though! Water was rushing under up and on us and we all go soaked but it was fun!

It was a very cool cavern indeed and I loved being there with Riggs!

Riggs' Baptism

Today was a very special day...it's as simple as that. Today Riggs was baptized. He made a decison that it takes some people a life time to make and I am so proud of him.

His daddy had the honor to baptize him and this made the day even more meaningful. Jeremy said he knew his Papaw was smiling down from heaven on this day...he would have been so proud of Riggs and so proud of Jeremy. 

 We arrived early to church...and as I walked in...the littles following....everyone said in our yellow that I looked like a Moma duck with my ducklings....I thought that was so funny....sometimes it feels just that way! :)

 We walked back to the baptism area...right past this sign on the wall. And as I walked past it...and saw this simple statement...that leads people to baptism....and draws them nearer to God...I was filled with a peaceful happiness that Riggs was going to do this today.

The Dowdys were there to greet us...they are our neighbors and our friends. They had changed with other volunteers in order to be back there with Riggs on this day...and I was so thankful for that...to have them back there...it meant a lot.

The Dowdys showed Riggs the water and then we came back down to meet up with Colin and Nate.

 The minute I saw Colin I teared up.....seeing these boys together ..on this very special day...just filled my heart with love. They are friends....best friends. They play and laugh and talk...but they also care and worry...encourage and pray for each other. They are lucky to have each other....or maybe I should say blessed. I love them..and I love the bond that they share.

These boys have loved each other since they were born.....

 Seeing Ashton, Colin and Riggs together in that moment...took us all back to our first summer together...when they were deciding what color popsicle to eat...and here they are making decisions with their heart that will forever change and mold their lives.

 It was so special to see Nate and Jeremy with the boys.....I gave Riggs a teary hug and told him I was proud of him and we left to go get seated to watch. Colin and Riggs got busy with Rock, Paper, Scisors to see who would go first...which I just loved. This is a big day...but they are little boys...making decisons in their own way.  The decison to be baptized is one they talked and prayed about together in their Sunday school class. Who would get dunked first was Rock, Paper, Scisors for sure.....

 The service started and out they came......

Riggs looked so little up their...but he was very focused...and I could tell this meant a lot to him....

 Colin won Rock, Paper, Scisors...and went first... ;)

 Then it was Riggs' turn......baptism is such a simple act and yet it means so much....he was up above the water...

 Jeremy spoke his words....

 and then Riggs was under the water....washed clean....and as he came up from the water, tears ran down my face. I was so happy and I know Gene Hardy was right there in the room...I swear I could feel him...and I left my seat and I went to hug Mamaw who was a few rows over...and she whispered that this indeed was a happy day.

 Riggs and Colin and their daddys' joined the service after they were changed and the boys took their first communion. After the service Mamaw had a moment with Riggs. I was far away and this is the shot I got...but honestly it looks just like I saw it through my tears of happiness so this picture is a keeper.

 It meant so much to have Mamaw there....she is so good.....and so full of faith.

 My sweet, baptized boys simple gave each other a high five!

 Off to Cornerstone Cafe for a celebration brunch...Scott blessed our meal with a word of prayer. He is so precious and is such a good role model for these boys...a true man of faith with a heart of gold.

 We celebrated...and ate...and the room was filled with such happy love!

 Riggs got many gifts, but he loved this simple cross from Colin very much and put it right on.

 These boys have shared so much together and I have no doubt they will be friends forever...especially with a friendship built from love and faith from the ground up.

 It was a happy day...and one I will never forget. I will carry it in my heart forever....file it away with love.

 I love this boy...........let me say it again....I love this boy.

I am so proud of him...and so to the core happy that he has God in his life ...and in his heart.  His life will be better, happier, and more solid...and that makes me feel a very deep contentment. Life is full of happy and sad....immense joys and deep disappointments and I am so thankful that Riggs will have his faith to help him...and to turn to all the days of his life. I pray he will forever feel the amazing Grace that he feels today. May God bless you all the days of your life, Riggs Hardy!