High Seas Adventure

There are some things that we can just not miss each summer...and VBS is one of those things for us!

I remember loving VBS at a child. Not only was it one of the things that greatly formed my relationship with the Lord, it also taught me so much about what it means to worship Him. It was at VBS as a child that I came to understand that worshiping Him didn't have to be in a pew on Sunday morning!

It delights me that my children love VBS as much as I did. G and I literally had a countdown until the start of it...he was SO excited!
Even now (a couple of weeks later...yea, I am that far behind on blogging), he is still singing the songs! How wonderful is that?!?!And, because I thought this was a cute picture...AND there is a story I want to tell...After the VBS Parent's Night we went to dinner with some of our friends (hence the spaghetti on Ballerina's face). Well, G had an "incident" after dinner on this particular evening where he was really needing some grace and forgiveness from the Lord. When he and I were talking about the "incident" he said, "God gave me so many things...like our good friends...and I should be thankful for all of them and not forget and make bad choices..."

And, well, this picture and the smiles on the girls' faces remind me of how truly awesome some of our friends are and how thankful we are for them. Through such relationships we are reminded of His glory!

To Never Be Replaced...

I still really miss my Maggie. I feel a little bit silly saying this, but I still have moments where I will think of her and just start crying.

I will look to the couch where she always used to sit and not see her and will sit on the kitchen floor and sob...I will go in the backyard with the intention of watering the grass to find myself on my knees at her grave...I will open a cabinet and find a leash of hers that I swore we lost and will clench it to my heart as I put my head down on the table....

Not just a dog to me.Kason and Carla (thank you again!) sent us flowers in remembrance and honor of Maggie, and today I took them outside and laid them on her grave. (Yes, I mow the grass, but I do not have the heart to mow where she is yet...in time I will.)Ballerina helped me.
She explained that Maggie died because she got hit by a car and now she is in heaven. Her perspective actually warms my heart, and hearing her talk brings me such joy.Oh, but who is that joining us at as we talk to Maggie?Nope...it is not Roxy! Please meet the newest member of our family...Sully!
We had NO intentions of getting another dog so soon after Maggie died...NONE! We went for haircuts, and Eric went for a walk to "check things out." A few minutes later, he returned saying, "You need to come and look at this dog...I think he needs to be a part of our family!"

I told him that I thought he had lost his mind, but when I laid eyes on this little one with the most precious personality following my kids as they drug him around and who looked as if he could have been Maggie's brother...Well, I agreed that perhaps he DID need to be a part of our family.Never will he replace my Maggie, but always will he be loved and a perfect fit for our family! Oh Sully, we are so glad you are with us! And, I just had to add this because I think it is a riot! Sully and Roxy have TOTALLY hit it off. Sully is completely infatuated with Roxy, and Roxy is more than in love with Sully. They will literally play for hours; however, from the looks of this picture they HATE each other!

Look how mean they look! Ha! I love it!

I PROMISE that they are playing! :)

Life is a Beach

We were blessed to have the opportunity to send a few joyous days at the beach with some of our most cherished friends.
You know, there is something precious about vacationing with others with whom you have so much in common. Perhaps it is the peace that comes when you are comfortable...It does not make things worse when you see joy like this...
Or watch this one year old catch this fish!
There is also something to be said about seeing your children have so much fun!And being amazed as they simply play in the sun...Now some things were enjoyable because they are just so ridiculous...Yea, like the men and their fishing plans...This little one was always all smiles, and it simply delights my soul!And, one more thing...Seeing all the kiddos with their Daddy...there is nothing that warms my heart more.When we had to leave...these were the faces...so sad...

No worries little man...We WILL be back! Life is a beach, and taking time to enjoy it like we did the past few days is just one of the ways that makes it such.

Avery Turns TWO

In July we are blessed with so many birthdays!

A week after Ballerina, her cousin, Avery turned 2!She is quite the big girl now...It seems so strange to me because in my mind she is still such a baby! :)Like I have said so many times before...they DO grow up so very fast!

We had an awesome time at her birthday party...However, I think the little July birthday girls and their Daddies enjoyed the cupcakes the cupcakes the most!Who is having more fun...the girls or Uncle Brad and Eric? Hummm?

Happy birthday Avery! We hope you had a very special day!

One Year Already

Okay, so I am just finding it really hard to believe that this little one is already one!
Happy birthday sweet Aiden! I am sorry that I will be missing your party this weekend, but I am sure that you an the rest of my crew will have so much fun!

More Often

There are some things in my life that I need to do less of...go to Target, mow my grass, obsess over work things, vacuum, eat...

And, there are some things in life that I really need to do more of...working out, cherishing down-time, pedicures...(These, of course, are on no order of importance!)

However, this past week I did something I have vowed I WILL do more of...spending time with my grandmother, Nana. All of my other grandparents have passed away, and I hate that I did not have the opportunity to know them better.

There are things Nana knows, stories she beholds, and memories that only she possesses that are more valuable than gold. Just to sit and listen to her...it is a blessing.

I also love that my children are able to know her and have the opportunity to build a relationship with her. (Man, they have known several of their great-grandparents! How awesome is that?!?)We met her for lunch.

We ate a lot of food.

My children (and my husband) were more than excited that they could order anything they wanted (times 2 or 3) off the menu. This was a little bit embarrassing to me, but it in no way stopped me from ordering 2 (yes 2) deserts. At least I did not order 3 like my husband!

My children were decent for about 1/2 a second. Well, I would like to be specific...the boys were good the entire time, but Ballerina was decent for 1/2 a second.

Then, she proceeded to run around...I was mortified, but no one really seemed to care.He tattled on his little sister a whole lot.

And, I took my new favorite picture of the 4 little Cokers. It was too short of a time that we spent with Nana.

We said our goodbyes... and I have already made plans to return sooner rather than later! (and will be taking some others to delight my grandmother!)