Our Summer So Far

Washing the pup :) Love these guys!

I got to ride this guy in the Arkansas mountains

Singing VBS praises

Working the sound system.

His first year to be a "Crew Leader" and not apart of the class:( 

My VBS crew! Enjoyed this group of girls!

(I got a pic of Caden but it was super blurry:( 

"Helping" Papaw with Nana's wheelchair ramp.

Working hard...

 to help our sweet friends bring home their adopted son from China!

Swimming...

with friends...

and lots of jumping off the diving board! :)

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

A Day To Remember

I can't believe it's been 17 years ago today, Jeff and I went out on our first date.

19 and 20 years old. Wow. Where has the time gone?

June the 8th will always be a special day to us.
Jeff and I definitely see a trend occurring, a lot of 1st mild stones for us on this day. We found out 13 years ago today that our first born baby would be a son. Last year on this day this baby offically measured taller than his Mother. Today, this same little boy walked up to me outside as I was watering the garden and confided in me for the first time concerning a young lady. I am really not liking June the 8th so much anymore. 

I'm kidding! Well... kinda. :)

I love that he has always come to me to tell me things going on in his life. I pray this will continue.

Don't go teen on me kid. I'm not ready. Not yet.

I love that both of them still ask to sit in my lap.

Normally my answer is, I wish you could still fit in my lap, you are just getting too big.

Not tonight though! ;)

These days will pass, so I'm holding on.

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
Romans 12:10

Arkansas Road Trip

As soon as the boys got out of school last Thursday we hit the road to Arkansas!

A kid, the sand, what more do you need?

The boys getting ready to hit the water!

Jeff and Jared out on the lake. Caught these two racing...too cute! 

Caden's turn! :)

Grace loved it, and she did very well! She didn't tump me or her Daddy... not once! ;)

He sure is enjoying his vacation! ;)

We had the beach all to ourselves for about an hour on Sunday and I can not tell you how much we LOVED that!..for more reasons than just one!

She asked for it. . . . . .

No. Really. She asked Caden to poor the bucket of water on her head. And of course, Caden was ready and willing to do his brotherly duty! Ha!

Our first Trail Ride as a family.

Grace wanted to bring her horsey home. So, I would say her first Trail Ride was a success!

There were some good lookin' guys on the lake that day! :)

We enjoyed the kayaks, and yes, this is me relaxin out on the water and lettin my husband do the work. ;)

God is such a wonderful artist...

The kids and the gorgeous sunset on Sunday night.

 

We had a wonderful time!

Amazing how a little time away will do the soul wonders!

Hope everyone has had a wonderful week!

 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Three Day Weekend

We had a fun holiday weekend! Saturday was spent working around the house. You can count on that to be a great time. Ha! We actually got a lot accomplished. Jeff said several times, "it is such a blessing and I am so grateful the boys are now old enough to help with projects... With the shape my back is in now, I don't know if I could finish the projects with out them." The boys don't mind earning a few bucks either. ;)

Sunday we spent the afternoon & evening with our good friends from church.

Caden-Jared-Grace-Abi-Edison-Jack-Caleb-Jamison

These two are too cute!

Thank you Smith Family for having us! We had a blast!

Yesterday we spent the day with Nana and Papaw. I  love this one of Nana and the kids!

The neighbors dog almost found himself a new home. To us! This little guy hung out with us for several hours and was so sweet and the neighbors never came looking for him...

We got in a little target practice, shooting the pistols and Papaw's  22 rifle.

It was a fun weekend and I am SO ready for summer vacation!!

Grace and Alyssa a few weeks ago at the open house and dedication of the new fire station across the street.

I am so proud of my Dad who served in the US Marines and to all the other men and women who have served and who are still serving our country!

...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17

Last Day Of Pre-School

Yesterday was Grace's last day of Mother's Day Out. I still can not believe it! I will truly miss all of the wonderful ladies at Oakland Heights! They have been such a blessing to us and a huge part of our lives for the past 10 years!(Since Jared was 3) We will miss you Mrs. Donna, Mrs. Gaye & Mrs. Sherry!

Grace and her teacher Mrs. Sherry

Grace with most of her class mates. Two girls were not there yet and the two boys in her class were not interested in the girls pic at all. Personally I couldn't blame them...lol! It's kinda funny, when the boys went through their Mother's Day Out program their class was full of boys and only two girls...Mrs. Sherry said she's not sure which was easier, they're both different and challenging in their own special way. Well said Mrs. Sherry!:)

Thank you Oakland Heights for loving on our children! All three of them loved it and always looked forward to going every week!

We will miss you all!

“We always thank God for all of you and pray for you.” 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17