Day 46

It's a summer time, family tradition.

We LOVE Chick-Fil-A!

Day 45

We stayed at home most of the day Thursday. We spent over an hour playing Saucer Scramble. What a fun game!

Day 44 - Abble's birthday!

This was the day my sweet little girl turned four years old! She woke ME up bright and early with her arms open wide and a huge smile on her face. All she wanted was a huge hug and a welcome invitation to cuddle with me in my bed.

Such an undeserving gift God has given me....the gift of being this precious child's mother.

On her birthday, we spent a good part of the morning at a friend's house playing and eating lunch.

Then, we swam for a long time at Grandma's house but only after her brothers requested to have a dry picture taken with their sister before they all three jumped in the pool.

Finally, a cupcake with song to celebrate with the family.

I get to have Abigail in my class this year at school. Another gift given from the Father above.

Happy birthday, sweet baby girl. I know you won't be this small forever but I'm gonna savor every minute of it.

Enjoying Freedom in LaGrange

Mitch is from LaGrange but we don't travel there often since he has no family living there anymore. However, we stopped through this past weekend and participated in a freedom celebration on THE SQUARE with watermelon and "people-watching."

Mmmmmm...good!

Luke insists on always being the funny guy....what a clown.

Day 43

I didn't take a single picture today at all!

Nothing

Nada

Zilch

But here's a quick rundown of our day:

Husband and son attended a funeral

Two youngest children and Mom watched a free movie at The IMAX Theater

Came home and took naps

Watched a Disney film together

played with playdough

played with Moon Sand (ugh!)

washed clothes/folded clothes

children did their chores

prepared dinner (Breakfast!)

trip to Target and Publix for a few items

watched Unstoppable tonight with Mitch

Checking email now and editing photos

bedtime!

That's all.....

Tomorrow is my daughter's 4th birthday - I simply cannot believe it. I promise to take pictures and post of that occasion!

Day 42 - Happy 4th!

Happy fourth of July!

I wish my camera battery hadn't died when five of the children from church broke out in song tonight during the fireworks..."Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear America! Happy birthday to you!". Now, I'm not that huge into patriotic fanfare but hearing that song coming from their mouths on their own initiation was something special.

So, speaking of fireworks, we did our usual party cookout thing with the awesome peeps from church before we all headed to Callaway Gardens to enjoy the free fireworks on the lawn. When we prayed with the children tonight before bed, we thanked God to be living in a country where we can worship who and how we want. I pray the same is true for my children in 20, 30, 40, 50+ years.

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Look at all those dads watching the kids....so encouraging to see men of faith serving others and loving their families.

This pictures speaks joy to me. All three of these men are taking care of their daughters by the pool while freeing their wives to converse and enjoy a break.

Day 41 SUNDAY!

Oh, I love Sundays! Church is always good for my soul.

Luke's fifth birthday was this past December. Instead of getting gifts for his birthday, he asked for his friends to bring food, toys, and treats for a dog (any dog). We kept forgetting to actually take the treats to a shelter or rescue center until this past weekend. It's taken me seven months to finally help him fulfill his desire to deliver the treats....I'm a HUGE slacker! We remembered that PetSmart has the area rescue shelters come to the store in hopes of adopting out some of their animals so we packed up the treats and finally delivered the goods. Luke was so excited to help and be a part of giving pleasure to the dogs.

Then it rained most of the afternoon so we pulled random things out of the craft cabinet and settled on making some plastic forms. The kids really enjoyed the small attention to detail and we all sat at the table for over an hour making these little things (what do you do with them now, though?) and having fun conversation.

Meatloaf!

Abigail is a fan of anything Phineas and Ferb. She memorizes almost all the songs (her favorite is "Gitchee Gitchee Goo") but this is her newest rendition of the one on the episode about meatloaf.....hilarious.

What's in that?!??!!

Guess what my husband brought home tonight as a treat for us? I wasn't surprised that it had potato chips in it. I guess Mitch likes it also because it's Jimmy Fallon's favorite flavor - he cracks me up (both Mitch and Jimmy).

I'll let you know how it tastes after we open the top!

Our little rock star

Day 40

Believe it or not, we love spending a few minutes at Home Depot on the first Saturday each month - it allows the kids to be carpenters and bang the hammer against some nails! Today, they made a coaster set and plan to paint it sometime next week to add their creative touch and tell their's apart from their siblings'. They are eagerly awaiting the pencil box project in August.

Luke did all the placing and pounding by himself.

Dad has to help Abigail just a wee bit.

It's good to have Andrew back at home. He was in his element and finished the project without any assistance. Wow, he's growing up.

After eating lunch with some friends and taking an afternoon rest at home, we ventured to Mitch's parent's house for a swim and for dinner. One of my favorite moments to watch is when the kids get the deck of cards out and play GO FISH with their grandmother every time we visit. It will truly be a sweet memory for them (and her!).

And just as they were starting a new game, Abigail asked to play but needed help. Andrew scooped her up and put her in his lap so he could help her with her cards. After all the repeating, disciplining, and moments of helplessness that I've experienced today (and everyday), this was a moment that God used to show me himself. They are hearing the gospel and they really do love each other.

If I had gotten a more clear picture of this moment it would have meant that I would have had to get closer...I wasn't risking it! If they saw me take this, they might have split!

More of DAY 39

After blueberry picking and relaxing with Luke and Abigail over lunch with some ice cream, it was time to depart Columbus and head to the woods of Alabama to pick up Andrew from camp. I was so excited to see him! Unfortunately, due to lightening and rain, the family evening program was cancelled but I did get to see some old friends while driving through to fetch Andrew. We had a great time as a family listening to Andrew's stories all the way home. He was so tired, though - sleeping soundly right now!

The camp has a Facebook page and posted a bunch of pictures from this past week. These are the only pictures I'll have of his time there this summer...and it looks like he had a blast! So thankful to the Lord for providing a way for Andrew to go. Luke is begging to go next summer - ummmm, do I smell a yard sale coming on?

May 39 - blueberries

Our annual blueberry picking trip took place today. We had a caravan of 7 cars and a total of 27 people who went from church! We took over the blueberry bushes and took our time picking the sweet fruit. Our kids, sweaty and hot, had the most fun!

Picnic at the farm.

The farm also had an apple tree!

Three friends picking berries together.

Stop eating all the blueberries, Virginia & Nikki!

Now to get busy searching for recipes.....

got any good (and easy) ones to share?

Day 38

Little things that happen make the day even sweeter.

Out of the blue, Luke said a memory verse he learned three weeks ago.

Psalm 139

¹ You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.

(NIV)

And then, she said hers....

Psalm 48
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever;
he will be our guide even to the end.

They are indeed keeping His word hidden in their heart and retaining it!

Monkey Joe's in the afternoon as well as a haircut (he was long overdue for one, that shaggy little man!)

Day 37 Play and Pottery

As you can tell, I've stopped trying to post the current day's events on the corresponding day. It's just too much work!

I love Wednesdays. Jennie opens her home every Wednesday morning for anyone from church to come swim with her family in her pool. Moms and Dads bring their kiddos over for a dip in the pool in this 90something degree weather with super high humidity - and we usually all pack a lunch so we can dry off in the heat while eating on her back porch. Before swimming, there's a lot of indoor play, too.....

Jennie, Luke, and Sally putting a huge table top puzzle together.

Building with blocks and a smile.

Luke has been counting down the days til this past Wednesday. Being the creative cat that he is, he has been eager to go to his first pottery class of the season. Not to mention that he got to go with his best friend in the world, Amelia.

Making a coil pot from clay.

Painting on the details.