Summer Fun

Since I am so far behind in posting all the things we did this summer, I thought I would sum it up with pictures...

I will warn you, there is no particular order and some things are very random. :)

1. Swimming

2. Having fun!

3. Swimming with cousin Kelsey

4. Having "girl time"

5. The number one favorite... ice cream!

6. Skating with friends

This picture makes me smile ;)

and so does this one ;)

7. Playing on the farm in Huntsville

so beautiful

8. More swimming

(he gets it from his daddy)

9. Fishing!!

10. This really isn't a highlight, but I was proud of myself for beating this snake to death with our kitchen broom!

11. Amos was flogged/spurred by a rooster

12. Quick trip to Branson

Dixie Stampede... fun, fun!

Dinner

Going back home

13. Drive-In

14. Again, not a highlight, but part of our summer we will remember. Gracie got a bad splinter and I had a heck of a time getting it out.

15. Traveled to Colorado to visit family

They played SO hard!

16. American Girl store!

17. Cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory... yum!

18. One of our MANY trips to the Super Target in CO

19. New Toys

20. New outfits...

20. More ice cream!

21. McDonald's (A mother can only handle so much of that place!)

22. Enjoying the sun

23. Airports

24. Gathering eggs at Nana's and washing them.

25. Harrassing the chicken's

26. Getting a black eye

27. Babysitting sweet little Rylee

28. More cousin time!

29. Visiting with family

Amos, my Grandfather, Kent

My pretty mom and her sister

My Aunt and my girl

Uncle Jim

30. Pedicures

31. Watched two sets of baby birds hatch in our bird box

Whew! I think that covered most of it! If you made it to the end of all the photos, well, bless you!

Good luck to all those mommies getting their babies off to school on Thursday! Hope everyone has a fantastic week!

Snaggle Tooth

Ahhh, bitter sweet. Reality is setting in that he is growing up! It's just a fact, losing teeth means growing up.

I've been teasing him all week that he looks like Nanny Mcphee, and he DID NOT like my comment! I guess he's scared that he could really end up looking like that! I've been catching him in the bathroom trying to push his tooth back in line with the rest of his teeth, but of course, it didn't work... poor baby.

As far as teeth pulling goes, Amos is by far the toughest of all the kiddos. He's begged me all weekend to yank it out, but it just wasn't quite ready.

But today...

He talked Daddy into...

I love it! Just in time for Kindergarten pictures!

Kent's Baptism

Sunday was the big day! Bless his little heart, he was so nervous.

Just before it was time for service to start, pastor Doug spoke with everyone being baptized. I'm not sure exactly what was said, but I did hear him remind the boys to hold their noses!

Here they are just waiting.

He wasn't crazy about wearing the one piece zip up suit! He shimmied out of it quickly!

A Joyous Day

It was a joyous day in our house and in heaven on Saturday, July 17, 2010. Our sweet, Kent, was saved! It was definitely a moment I will always remember and hold in my heart forever...

July 17th

We were exhausted. We just returned from a family vacation and were resting up for church on Sunday.

After unloading all the suitcases, bags and trash out of the car, we all became couch potatoes until bedtime.

When bedtime came, I hurried the kids in bed, kissed them all, and turned the lights out.

About thirty minutes after I had tucked them in, Billy and I hear footsteps coming up behind us in the living room. Expecting to turn and see Amos, we saw Kent.

He slowly walked in front of us and muttered the words "I'm ready to be Christian." He was so precious. He had a lump in his throat and tears in his sweet little eyes.

He came over and sat between Billy and I.

Billy: Do you know what it means to be a sinner?

Kent: Yes. It means that I am going to mess-up, but Jesus can save me.

At that point, the three of us got on our knees.

Billy: Do you want me to pray with you?

Kent: Yes.

Billy began to pray the prayer of salvation, expecting him to repeat, but he was silent. When he finished praying he asked Kent if he wanted to pray, and he said "yes."

At that moment, he prayed for God to come into his life and save him. It was so beautiful.

Many people congratulated him at church on Sunday when he went forward before the church, but my favorite comment, was from Mrs. Tracey...

She asked him if he knew what happened the moment he prayed that prayer. He looked at her with a funny expression and she said, "All the angels in heaven rejoiced!"

I love it!

We are looking forward to his baptism and watching him grow in Christ in the years to come. It's so exciting to see your child grow in their faith and to know that, we as parents, have accomplished our ultimate goal with our child. After all, this is what it's all about!

It's Almost Time!

Ahhh, I can't believe it... our little man is starting Kindergarten in 35 days! I always envisioned me being a weepy mother at this point, but surprisingly, I'm not. He is SO ready, and that makes me happy. He has watched his bubby and sissy do it, and now, it's his turn.

Which leads to the dreadful "shots" appointment!

Sweet little Kent kept telling him all about what to expect at the doctor's office. How they would weigh him, check to see how much he's grown, look in his ears and throat and listen to his heart and, of course, get "some shots". I was proud of him. He said, "Don't worry bubba. It doesn't hurt that bad. It's like a little sting and it's over." To which Amos replied, "I'm tough. I can do it! I'm NOT going to cry!"

And then Grace chimes in...

"Oh, yes, you will! They'll give you five shots and you'll scream like a baby!"

That's my girl... honest and blunt!

Needless to say, he did cry. :(

Hand in hand with Daddy

I'm a terrible mother. I don't remember how tall he was. Oops!

Or how much he weighed!

We love Dr. Grear! One of our family fav's!

Poor little man!

At least it's over and we're all set to go!!

What's Next?

Here lately, it seems as though our blog has become a place of negative thoughts. I'm sorry if I have come across that way. Maybe it's just me, but it bothers me.

Yes, the blog was meant to be a place where our family memories can be reflected on, but at the same time it is a tool that helps me release some of my personal thoughts as well. Which leads me to another "downer"...

Sorry.

May 24th our house was broken into... blah, blah, blah. At the time I thought it was the end of the world, but obviously it was not! We have all moved on and all is well. Until... June 24 th.

Some lovely person in Florida stole our debit card number and decided to go on a shopping spree! Here lately I'm not sure how it could get any worse. I'm a little fearful of what might happen on July 24th! But, really... what are the chances?

The good news is that we will get all the money back, but of course, we had to open a new account and are now dealing with the headache of switching everything over.

ANYWAY...

I guess that was my pity party for the day! We really have had a lot of fun, exciting things happen too, but I just haven't had time to upload the photos to go with the post yet. You understand. So, hopefully sometime this week I can start on it and stop posting about all the other negative garbage.

I always come back to the same thing...

God is ALWAYS in control in EVERY situation.

Everybody has problems, and not matter what they may be, you can always depend on Him. I just keep telling myself that He allows us to go through the tough times to come out stronger in the end. Funny how that works!

Have a great Thursday! ;)