13 Years and Counting

Today is the day I married my high school sweetheart!

Thirteen years ago.

We literally WERE kids!

18 and 19 years old

We've been through many ups and downs together.

Grown up in adulthood together

We still love each other deeply and are happy with the life we share together...

...are so in love with our 3 beautiful, rambunctious and healthy boys.

...so grateful for our lives and our health.

...not wanting to take a second for granted.

...amazed by God's grace in our lives.

Happy Anniversary to my sweet Craig! I love you! Let's age gracefully together!

VBS

So last week, we had Vacation Bible School...

I taught Josh's class of Transition through 2nd grade, along with several great helpers. We had the largest class with never less than 19 students and as many as 21. I'd say we kept a pretty steady average, wouldn't you?

Overall, it was a pretty good week. All three boys seemed to really enjoy everything about it. They especially enjoyed the music! I love hearing them sing about Jesus. Speaking of that....

I listen to christian radio (KLOVE) anytime we are driving. One morning, on the way to VBS, I glanced back during a Third Day song to see Andrew singing with every passion in his body, "You are beautiful my sweet, sweet song...you are beautiful my sweet, sweet song...I'll sing again." It's fun to hear them sing the words to these songs. Such an easy way to get the Word in their hearts. Now, if I could just find some good old hymn singin' for them to listen to...

Back to Bible School....

Nathan did great! Never once did anyone have to come and get me. And that is where all the teenage girls fell in love....

A couple of pics..



One day we had some guests bring two snakes. A baby python and a 7 foot long boa constrictor!

Here's the boa! His name is "Peanut!"
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Fourth Fun

Every year on the 4th of July, we go to my Aunt Mona's and Uncle David's to celebrate. They absolutely live to entertain and have created a place just for that. It's hard to even describe, so hopefully a few of the pictures will shed a little light on why we enjoy going there so much.

First and foremost....it's the FOOD!

It wasn't all brought out yet in this photo...but this is the service area.


Uncle David is an excellent cook and can feed an army. Attendance was a little low this year for some reason, but even though David never knows how many to expect....there is always plenty of food. And variety! So yummy I can't help but overeat...

Then there is the 'public park sized' playground for the kids! See it in the background there?




I just had to post this one 'cause I think it's cool....




And the stocked pond for fishing...


or swimming....

That slide back there......it goes into the pond. There is also a big dock with a swing on it. Too bad I'm not a pond swimmer...


or boating...




You can't forget the miniature cars! A favorite of the boys. These pictures represent only a small sampling of the cars...


Unfortunately, Josh will no longer be able to ride them....legs...






And the cars can be ridden around and around this gazebo, which is the center of festivities.


A view from the gazebo...


What 4th of July would be complete without fireworks? The evening ends with a spectacular show!

Nathan enjoyed his first look at fireworks!


This picture does no justice for the quality....


Certainly, NONE of this would be complete without the fellowship of family and friends!
FUN TIMES....can't wait for next year.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

I know this isn't the best picture, since you can't even see his face...
but I wanted to post the most recent one I had since he's now healthier than he's been in years. So here you go...

Happy Birthday Grandpa! We Love You!

Cousin Capers

Next up?

Cousin fun!

My nephew Gillan and niece Gracie came for a visit for a few days. Josh and Andrew are always SO excited for their visits. Gracie and Josh are two peas in a pod and Gillan and Andrew are buds. And of course, Gillan and Gracie are both crazy about Nathan.

We had many adventures. I did not happen to capture them all with my camera. Many were with my Mom's camera. I did get a few though.

First up: Riding Dixie


Here's Nathan after he wallowed around in the sidewalk chalk drawings. He thought he was big stuff being turned loose to get dirty.


Gracie always enjoys the kittens. She even took one home the last time she was here. She reminds me so much of myself at that age, when it comes to animals.


Gillan and a kitty.


One day I took all the big kids to the pool. It was fun and relaxing for me since I didn't have Nathan to look after around the water. The others are getting quite good around the pool. Andrew still wears floaties, but is fearless with them. I am so proud of Josh for breaking out of the floaties this year. He's doing great! See......



Log roll dual...


Who's going to win?


Gillan is really growing up!


Always so photogenic...


Lookin' big!


Cheese!!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTY! (That's Gillan and Gracie's sweet mom...)

Babies and Bottles

I'm going to start with the first pictures on my camera. They were taken towards the end of June.

Nathan turned 9 months old on June 25th and here are a couple of shots of him that I got close to that day.



He now has 6 teeth,
can walk when pushing a push toy,
and crawls like nobodies business!

He can give hugs and kisses,
fingerpaint with poop,
and look so cute in the process you can't stay mad.

He has captured the hearts of all teenage girls at church,
with his dimples and curls,
and is unanimously nominated as the next Gerber baby.



At the very end of May, Josh and Andrew brought a couple of calves down to our house to raise.



They have been bottling them twice a day and giving them feed and water. On this day, the babies were a little sick and not very clean, so I am choosing not to post pictures that have them in view. The boys are looking cute despite the sweat! Boy, has it been HOT!





Stay tuned.........

De-Clutter

I have a TON of pictures on my camera...
just waiting to be uploaded to the computer, edited and posted.

So much to share...
but it has become necessary to do some decluttering around here.

So....
that's what I'm up to for the moment.

I'm not sure I will ever get it all done.
In fact, I'm quite sure I won't.

But while I'm in the "mood" for it..
..if you can even call it that..
..I am going to work at it.

Stay tuned. You never know when I might show up!