Picture of The Week

While Jeff and Jared were at swim class, Caden and Grace went for a swim here at the house.

They had such a great time playing together.

We were in the back yard when we thought we heard the sounds of an Ice Cream Truck! No, it can't be. We have lived here for 10 years and we have never had an ice cream truck come down our street. Wow. It really was him! But... by the time we got to "the curb" The Ice Cream Truck was gone:( We were all a little bummed. Hoping he will come back again soon.

Excited to find three little watermelons growing in our garden.

We got the news today, my cousins wife Christi who is pregnant with twin girls is now on bed rest. She is starting to dilate and the babies are not due until Oct. Praying for you guys and for those sweet baby girls.

My parents are going on vacation!! Where too?! I don't know... they wouldn't tell. How long will they be gone?... I'm not real sure. All I know is they are leaving on Sunday! I learned that I'm out of "the loop" I guess ;)

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalm 94:19

A Laugh and A Tear

When your just sitting outside watching the kids play can sometimes make for the best pictures. I took this a few weeks ago and I laugh every time I see it.

Hilarious! The perfect snapshot of a moment in our children's day.

We found out last week that Jeff's Grandma is very ill. As of today she is doing better, but will most likely not get to go back home.

‘I will not leave you,’ because he loves you and your family, and he has done well with you. Deuteronomy 15:16

One Hot July Day

Fourteen years ago today the temperature outside reached 106 degrees. Now you may be wondering why I remember or even why I'm telling you this. Well, it took every bit of my poise and grace to maintain my angelic composure on this very important day.

We have learned so much since this day. The meaning of support, respect and love for each other. The joy and the hardships that children can bring. The importance of keeping God in our marriage.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1 Corinthians 13:7

A Family Tradition

For as long as I can remember my family has celebrated July the 4th together. The one year I was not there to celebrate with them was the year I got married. Jeff and I left for our honeymoon and they all headed to the lake after the wedding. ;)

My Memaw, who passed away a little over a year ago, had 5 daughters. They all married and had at least two children, who are now all married and have at least two children or two children on the way ;) which equals = a lot of people!

Okay.... these next few pictures I will need to explain. Several of us are looking through old pictures of the sisters "my Aunts" when they were babies. Now the Aunt in the middle is Peggy, she is a photo opp. waiting to happen. She is very animated when she talks and if pictures could express sound you would be laughing as hard as we were.

She couldn't miss the opportunity to give her sister Penny, who is standing next to her, a hard time about having pinchable cheeks.

We have learned that we never quite know what she is going to do next.

But you can guarantee she is going to have a good time.

We had a baby shower for my cousin Matt and his wife Christi who is pregnant with twin girls and due in Oct!

Some of the kids playing in the pool.

Lillian (my cousins little girl) and Grace are so sweet together. From playing in the pool...

To chattin it up on the boat while holding Bailey's hand. Very sweet.

This was Jared and Bailey's first time to inner tube!

As you can see they both loved it!

This is Caden's second year to go out on the water...

He loved every minute!

Jared sliding off into the lake!..

There goes Caden!

Grace jumping to her second cousin Katie.

Me, Caitlin and Caleb (my Neice and Nephew) Paddle boating across the lake.

Daddy taking the kids for a ride.

On Sunday we spent the day with Jeff's family! We recently, just in the last three years, started celebrating the 4th together. After a fun day at the lake for us and the Yancey family it's nice to have a relaxing visit at the Cornett's

Jared and his cousin Caleb

Caden and cousin Josh playing ball.

Grace and cousin Rachel watching the boys play ball.

The girls being cute...

The boys being silly.

Uncle Tim giving Grace and his son Jacob a ride.

Caden and his cousin Jacob just being cute little boys.

Sweet brother giving her a ride on the John Deer trailer.

Scott (Jeff's brother) and his family couldn't make it this year :(

Last night we set off a few fireworks and our neighbors came out to watch. We are so blessed to live in America where we are able to celebrate our freedom!

“In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.” Isaiah 12:4

Little House on the Lake

For our Anniversary and Jeff's birthday, last weekend we went to the lake, where we lived for the first three years of our marriage. It was a little lake house that belonged to Jeff's grandfather. We loved living out there, but the little house was just too small for our growing family. When we drove up it brought back so many memories from when we first got married. We miss this lake so much. Since we have moved, The Baker's our neighbors from the lake who we love and miss, bought the land and things look a little different. As we shared memories with them we are so thankful they are the ones who bought the lake lot even though Jeff and I still consider it ours ;) This place has so many memories for us and Jeff's family. The Bakers are in the process of building a beautiful home, and the boys often ask why we moved and we tell them the little house was just too small for just the three of us (Jeff, Jared and myself). This sweet family has invited us and kids over again this summer. What a blessing that we can now bring our children to visit the place where we lived before they were born.

Below are a few pictures we took last weekend.

The beautiful view has not changed over the years, however our appreciation of it has. Our thanks to the Baker Family for taking these special pictures for us.

Hope everyone has a fun and safe July 4th!

Remember the old days. Think of the years already passed.

Deuteronomy 32:7