Summer Fun

hmmmm, I'm almost positive this is not an intended use for the slip 'n slide!

slip 'n run?

joey and kaitlyn at the drive in

playing frisbee at the drive-in


joey and christopher

ha, ha .... I got you!

bring it, meat

taking a break on the wiggle racer

sweet Per

my bubble lovin' boy

The Perfect Day

I've had the perfect afternoon

... the perfect morning

... the perfect night

... never the perfect day though until now (June 10).

Today was the kind of day you just want to wrap up and tuck away somewhere and never forget it. From start to finish, it was just a great day. I got to sleep in late so it wasn't long before it was time to meet friends for a pool play date. We had so much fun making ice cream, eating pizza, and playing in the water with our buddies. Nap time came very easy and it was cut short getting ready and out the door for the boys' last night of Vacation Bible School. While the boys were in VBS, I snuck in a pedi and dinner with some other mommies.

Yes, today was a good day. In part because of the fun we had. In part because of just how smooth the day went (how often does that happen?) but mostly because I am once again reminded how very blessed I am ... blessed with two beautiful and healthy children and a man who loves me. Sadly, my reminder comes at the expense of another's tragedy. My college friend recently lost her husband. When I heard of his tragic and untimely death, I saw so many parallels that made me think 'that could've been me' and scarily enough 'that can still be me.' Her husband died shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. He was having surgery and perished from cardiac complications. I have always and continue to be so thankful George's surgery was a success to remove his cancer and that he responded well to his radiation treatments. I am and will continue to be so grateful he is still cancer-free. I will admit, there are days I don't count my blessings but those days are few and far between.

Life is far from perfect but I am thankful for today and another opportunity to strive to be the woman God intends me to be.

So, here's to summer fun and all the memories to be made!

Vacation Bible School

The boys on their last night of VBS

Gavin and Joey just finished up their first Vacation Bible School experience! I am so proud of my little guys! They were both such good boys and enjoyed VBS so much! We started out with Gavin and Joey in the same class (they bumped Joey up) and after the first night, Joey got 'held back!' He was placed with his own age group and I was so happy when Gavin didn't bat an eye about going to his class all by himself. Of course, that meant we had to walk Joey to his class first and we had to pick Joey up from his class together (20 minute meltdown ensued when Joey and I showed up to get Gavin!).

George and I were able to squeeze in a little date on Monday night. I almost forgot how fun it can be to sit on a patio with my hubby in the light of day! = ) I enjoyed the other evenings to myself .... being productive some of the time and completely indulgent and lazy the rest of time. I tip my hat to whomever at Parkway Fellowship decided to hold its VBS in the evening!

Speaking of .... I am so very impressed with Parkway Fellowship. The VBS was top notch and the volunteers were phenomenal with the boys. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Perspective

I hope this makes some kind of sense but, lately, this kind of mommy-calm has washed over me. I love being a mom and staying home with my boys is something I've always cherished but it's just been kicked up a few notches lately. I dunno . . . hard to explain but oh so wonderful to experience.

I'm so excited about the summer and all the adventures we'll surely encounter!

bye bye Bedrail

When we returned from our weekend in Austin, I didn't put Joey's bedrail back on his bed. It's been over a week and he has yet to fall off his bed (knock on wood). Of course, I'm still putting his baby bed mattress on the floor next to him! = ) Ahhhhh, in no time he'll be driving!

The Bible for Dummies

Well, that's not what it's actually called but it should be! My new Bible is dummy-proof which is a good thing as I'm sort of a dummy when it comes to the Bible. The weekly sermons at my church have been following the book of Genesis since the beginning of the year. I've been learning so much and it's actually put a fire in my belly to learn more.

Not only did I settle on a study Bible but I found a fantastic life application study Bible that sets up each chapter with who authored it, who the audience is, timing, and a brief summary of the chapter. It also has a bio of each major player. Super cool! And, here's what I love, it ties all the lessons of the Bible to today and how we can apply them to everyday life.

So, my journey begins ...

Sunny Days Ahead!

I remember when one of my mommy friends planned on getting in line in the wee hours of the morning to register her son in preschool. I thought she was nuts. Funny enough, I just did the same thing for my boys .... for a one week summer camp! LOL! Sunny Days is one of the few camps that accepts two year olds and I really want Gavin and Joey to attend the same camp.

I met a fellow mommy just before 5 AM and we were numbers two and three in line. As silly as I felt, I am so glad I did it .... after enrolling Joey, there were only 4 spots left in his group and after enrolling Gavin, there were 5 spots. Considering my friend got one of the two year old spots and a woman a few spaces behind us had twin two year olds to enroll, I'm glad I didn't push the snooze button. Believe me, I was so very tempted!

Now I'm just praying it's a good experience for them!