Say YES to VBS

 My kids love VBS at our church. We had to plan our vacation around it. Every night the kids brought friends. My SUV was full of kids singing about Jesus. I loved it... What a great week... They got to dress up and raise money for kid zone and learn about God's love. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful Church.

pool days

There is nothing like having your best friend at the pool with you! I am so thankful for Aaron Hairr. He loves my Cullen. Best friends.

Date night

Ava and I have been reading a book called "Eight great Dates." It teaches young girls that they are beautiful on the inside and out. God has created her and He loves her. It teaches how to dress modestly, how to spend time with God. It also teaches that makeup does not make you beautiful, you are already that way. I have loved going on our dates and surprising Ava! This particular date was so important because it was time alone with Dad. I love this date. I think it is so important for a girl to have a close relationship with their father. I think it will save her from a lot of craziness down the road. I am so proud of Ava Grace and she is so blessed that Nathan is such a wonderful father.

monkeys

nothing like taking a bunch of monkeys to the pool.... i love these kids.

My daddy

I came across this Bible verse today, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling." Psalm 68:5

As my daddy is getting older I think about all the sacrifices he made for his family. I think about the sacrifices he made for me. 

He took in a little girl who did not have a father.

He never looked at me any different than my siblings.

He saw me as a prize and not a charity case.

One man was there at my conception, but another took the more difficult path. 

He went to work every day to support me. 

He showed up at all my events.

He disciplined and loved me,

watched me graduate and marry. 

He took the name Papa and has loved my children.

He has shown me what unconditional love looks like and I am forever grateful.

monopoly moguls

                                     Our kids love monopoly! They want to play all the time!

While I was out of town Nathan played with them.

Sweet Daddy

you are invited..

Ava loves to perform.  She spends hours on details, from the invitation she makes us, to the costume change, the songs to sing and play, the decorations and of course the snacks. I love this girl so much. She is one of a kind.

when momma goes out of town- you never know what will happen.......

Lisa Hardee, Michelle Oliver and I go to the beach and we leave the kids with the dads.  As Lisa is driving I get a picture and a text saying:   This is what you get when you leave the kids with two deadbeat dads.


I see the picture and I am shocked-  I don't know to laugh or cry. Lisa is furious- and I just don't have the words to speak. MOHAWKS! really.

If you notice Scott Oliver was not part of this activity- smart man...

After a while, when the shock wore off, we were able to think clearly.

It was fun for the boys, good memories and it's just hair that will grow back!

Girls weekend

God has blessed me with 2 girls that are my best friends. They love me, they cry with me, they laugh with me, they tell me like it is.  I am so thankful everyday for their love and friendship....

special moments

tonight I walked upstairs and I saw Cullen and Ethan laying on Ethan's bed.
Ethan was reading his bible to Cullen.
My heart smiled!
God is so good.

handsomeness

I walked in Cullen's bathroom and he was in front of the mirror combing his hard very carefully. I said Cullen what are you doing. He said, "Mom are you trying to see my handsomeness."

home sweet home

When the boys got back from Tampa and Ava and I got back from camp it was the sweetest thing.  We have never been away from each other that long.
That night they played and played and played together.
Cullen laid in bed with me and Nathan and sang this song. "La, La, La, sing a happy song."
He missed his momma.
He told me I would always be in his heart.

Ethan told me about some 12 year old girls throwing the ball with him in the pool and he said, " None of those girls at the pool were as pretty as you mom."

I am so happy our family is back together again.....

Go AVA!

                                                        Boys cheering on their sister!!!!!!

I never know what's next....

This is where I write my bible verses.
When I got home from the grocery store, I noticed this is not my bible verse....
my funny husband...

i love this boy

Our swimming machine

 We have had a busy summer so far and Ava has missed most of her meets. But the ones she has gone to she has swam awesome. I am so proud of her and her swimming. Can't believe she has been on the team 6 years! Her favorite stroke is the back stroke.

HAPPY 4TH

Love our neighbors pool. We get to have fun and relax. The Bussemas's came over and York's and we all swam and had a great time, ordered pizza and later that night shot off fireworks outside. We are blessed with such great neighbors.

What do you do when you go to Aunt Nat-Nat's?

you play and eat pop cycles!!!!!!

Ocean Isle 2014

 What a wonderful week. We finally got a chance to relax! Just about everyday was overcast. Ava's friend Allyson was able to come for the first half of the week. She had a great time. Putt-Putt, Alligator adventure, playing in the ocean all was fun. Brody arrived on Wednesday and Ava went into babysitter mode. Brody loved having the older kids play with him. Ethan and Cullen stuck to John Michael of course. Missed my nieces this year, Olivia  and Ella are out west and others were working.  All in all it was a nice week but so glad to be home since we were gone 2 weeks in a row.