kickin' off summer...

after reading a great idea on one of my favorite sites... i decided that we needed to make our own list of summer activities. camp keeps our lives busy, but this will help me to spend quality time with my kids doing what they want to do. i let them flip through some family fun summer mags and this is what they came up with! let me know if you do this and what fun ideas your family comes up with!! happy summer!

best friends

i had a moment the other day...
a straight up mommy moment.

i was driving with the kids...
just running from one thing to the next.

not really thinking about anything and
not really paying attention

but suddenly from the backseat
i heard, "i love you brother!"
and a quick response of "i love you too allie."

my heart melted, i soaked it in... it was beautiful!

here is a pic of the two best friends holding hands in the sunset... lance took this pic a few weeks ago.
just in case anyone is rolling their eyes
or gagging....
i'm sure those words were quickly drowned out with complaining, arguing, and veggie tales music! :)

lately...

i'm sorry to disappoint by not having any pics to post, but life has been a little busy. i'll have to write in short thoughts because that is all my brain can handle at the moment -

lance has had lots on his plate, but is handling it wonderfully
don't know how that man can do so much and stay so calm
don't know how he can balance a family and his responsibilities

the kids have had a hard transition this summer
more aware, i think

allie seems to be struggling with her identity
i'm angry that she could be so young and already feel insecure...
satan is crafty and gets us young

caleb is simply emotional
he doesn't know how to vocalize what he's feeling...
but he needs us...
and he needs normal

riley is clingy - won't really let mommy out of sight
but so cute and saying so many words
tonight he said "baby"
last week he said "yes mam mommy"

and me, i just want to be all things to all people
i know i can't
i'm having to rely on the Spirit to direct me
He is faithful and we are thankful

the job is a blessing, warts and all!
it IS a blessing!

our hearts are full of love ...
for these staff and our ministry

by this time next week...
our pace will be slower
we'll have a washing machine (broke last week)
the routine will be set
the nanny will be familiar
our kids will feel secure
and i'll be posting pics of fun summer events!

we did it!

here is our group....

34 students, 35 hours of training, 61, 200 meters of swimming and a REAL good time! congrats to all our newly certified lifeguards at pine cove... you worked hard!

pc training week

This week begins the craziness known ever so affectionately around here as... SUMMER CAMP. For those that are not familiar with what my husband does, you can check out this site.
I will be working away from home this week as I train our lifeguards Sunday through Friday. My mom comes tomorrow to play with the kiddos while I'm in and out all week. although I will just be up the street, the hours are long.
please begin praying for travel, safety, wellness, and overall success for the this summer!

providence farm

last week we had the privilege of visiting providence farm. you can visit there website and learn more about their passion here. the first thing the kids did was check out the baby chicks in the coop. here is caleb with his buddy, miller.

riley enjoyed them as well.

riley looks really wide in this pic, but i had to share it b/c he loved chasing the chickens.
caleb was in awe that he could get so close to a cow. they came right over with just one whistle.

a good ole farm dog.
i'm certain that allie had some sort of animal in her arms the entire time we were there!

the mommas pose for a pic. (me, kara, laura, and steph)

allie asked me to take a pic of her with her best friend maggie. so typical... girls bending down even though they don't need to. :)

once we saw all the animals... it was time for a hayride. the sun was setting and it was gorgeous!

the hayride ended at this beautiful spot. we had the option to fish, but because lance could not make this trip, i decided against it.

i recommend checking this place out... it was a fun experience, but more than that, they have a heart to use their land for God's glory!!

Isaiah 58:11

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

signs of summer

mini vacation

we planned a last minute vacation this week based around the fact that the minivan had to be worked on at Vandergriff in Arlington.

we reserved a room at Hyatt Place for one free night with lance's Hyatt Points. The kids thought it was amazing that we had the view of the "carnival." HA!!
after checking into our hotel, we ate at which which (amazing!!!) and went to an 8pm showing of Oceans. it was crazy late when we got to bed, but the kids thought the night was great!! this is the best pic we could get w/ lance's phone...
the next morning we shopped a little and headed to the ballpark to watch the rangers! i love this family pic, but wish riley was it. he stayed with some friends so that we could pamper these big kids (they are about to have normal life rocked for the next three months).

our sweet friend, amy drake, sang the national anthem... here she is on the big screen!

the boys decided to check out the football stadium. don't they look cute in their matching hats!?
we even let the kids play a bunch of dinky games for some prizes. they won 5 posters between the two of them and graciously gave them all away to other pc staff or kids.... it was sweet to see them share!

we weren't in the car three minutes before these two passed out... we had a great time and now we are ready for summer!