G hits the pool

Griffin had his first trip to the pool this week. wouldn't you know that this mom of four didn't realize that he did NOT have a swimsuit until just before leaving the house. oops!
so you do what you can and make it work. :)

this was his first dip
(enlarge the pic and check out that bottom lip... too cute)

he had enough of the water and just wanted to be held

and then he had just had enough!

meet claire

aka "apple, eesh good?" (that is her camp name for those of you that are confused) the kids call her "apple."

she is one of our summer staffers, a sweet friend, and a great support to our family.

i figured i would introduce you since she may be popping up in pics from time to time!

summer plans

it's that time of year again!

i sat down with the kids and came up with LOTS and LOTS of things to keep us busy this summer. there are alot of repeats from last year, but whatever they mentioned doing we added it! to see last summer's list click HERE.

allie came up with most of the list. caleb contributed basketball, football, soccer, and the fire station. HA! :) the activity that they got most excited about was watching cars 2.

i hope we inspire you to enjoy your summer! LIVE IT UP!!

chillin' out

maxin',

relaxin'

all cool

and all catchin' some rays outside of the pool...

a little fresh prince.... anyone? :)
we bought this pool at target for $30. it's big enough for everyone and even if it only lasts for one summer... i'll pay $10 a month for summer fun in our backyard! woohoo!

cyber style venting

not that anyone needs to know or even wants to know, but i've got some suff that i just need to say...

i could LIVE WITHOUT a few things:
potty training
sibling bickering
the incessant desire for kids to put things in their mouths (like a pick from the high school gym bleachers)
public restrooms with four kids
sticky floors
peeling oranges
used band aids in random places (floating in my coffee cup)

some days i can't see the forest for the trees or maybe it's that i can't see the trees for the forest?? either way there are days that i just shake my head and wonder how i got here.
the fact is... love got me here!
a love for a God
that lead me to love a man.
our love lead to four kids
that we hope will love their God.

when it comes down to it... there are so many things i could do without, but there is the other list.

the list of things that i would NEVER give up:
giggles and tickles
"snuggle with me, mommy"
kissing ouchies
singing worship songs in the car
sibling team work
bear hugs
reading stories and watching imaginations soar
watching my kids grow and mature

the job is not clean, orderly, or easy and most days i think i would be happy to throw in the towel. the second list keeps me going.
God, give me grace to focus on the joys of being a mommy and not the things that easily frustrate. may love continue to be what drives us... a love for you and one another!

bring it on

we are welcoming 1100 college students to the tyler area today! pine cove orientation kicks off in about one minute! please join our family in praying over pine cove, it's ministry, and all the lives it affects! to God be the Glory forever and ever!

friday