Here is the last picture I was experimenting with. I of course had to bribe Wes with candy to pose for this one! :) It was worth it! Someday, when they are all grown up, these pictures will be a special treasure to look back on!
I saw some really amazing photo ideas that I just couldn't wait to try!! Let me know what you think. I did some tweeking with Photoshop. I may have to frame these and put them on the wall! :)
I have been battling either allergies, a cold, a sinus infection, or maybe a what felt like a combination of all three. To say the least, when I woke up this a.m. I was pretty miserable. Eric took the boys to the store to pick up a couple of things, insisting that I get some rest. I was ever so thankful. A little while later I awoke to the sound of the dog barking at their return. First, Austin came in and greeted me with some wonderful tissues. The ones with the Vick's vapor and lotion in them! A very soothing treat for my nose!! Then he informed me that Dad had bought me some doughnuts and Dr. Pepper! I felt very pampered by the men in my house!! Tonight I am feeling a whole lot better and I think it's the extra lift of feeling loved and cared for by the family God has so richly blessed me with. We had a lazy day of resting and having quality time together. I don't know why I don't take the time more often to appreciate and thank God for the simple things in life. Thank you God! Our God is most definitely a mighty God!! :)
I am not the peanut throwing culprit.....but, I am guilty of making sure to capture a video of the moment. We went to a ball game and fireworks with my husband's family and old family friends Judy and Bill along with their family. Judy's two sons began tossing peanuts at Bill. He was intent on watching the game. The funny part is that they toss a good three or four prior to my catching it on camera. He never even moved. Peanuts are bouncing off his back and he seems oblivious to it. He is either really focused on the game (minor league game at that) or he's really good at ignoring what is happening. You decide! :) By the way, you'll need to pause the music player before you star the video!
At long last I have added some pictures from our vacation. I meant to do this right after we got home, but I just haven't wanted to sit in front of the computer. I had that bug to get reorganized after our trip. I also wanted to do make sure I have my priorities striaght. Sometimes I spend just a wee bit to much time on the computer. Summer is fleeting and the boys are growing up fast. Seeing so much sickness and death lately has really made me want to cherish family time all that much more. Life is scary sometimes. I don't want to have regrets about missing out on my boys childhood. The time just goes by in what feels like the blink of an eye. I have some friends that really need prayers. So, if you are a regular on my blog and you want to add these dear peeps to your list, I will be forever greatful. The Stinziano family are friends from the college days. They were college sweet hearts married for about fourteen years if memory serves correctly. She lost her battle to cancer on July 5. They have four young children. Pray for Jordan and the kids as they go through this season of grief. He is also church planter/pastor. Please also Pray for the Lewis Family. She is a dear friend from the Church I grew up at in FL. She has been battling cancer for several years now. She also has a big family. We are praying that God will heal her and deliver her from this illness.
So our vacation was really a nice time away visiting the in-laws in NY. Watching fireworks with the temps in the mid to upper 50's was so SWEET!! The weather was awesome. I have to say that New York summers are tough to beat!! And the boys did amazing with the fourteen hour drive to and from! That in it of it self is truly a blessing. Our biggest trial was Wesley's fear of public bathrooms. He does NOT like the loud sound public toilets flushing. And the hand dryers? Forget about those....it's drip dry for this kid!! So needless to say we made some pitstops in the middle of the boondocks to change some nasty diapers. Potty training...well....we're halfway there.....we'll get there someday!! Thank goodness for pullups!! Our time away was truly a blessing and the kids had so much fun with their grandparents and auntie!! I'll post more pics later. I have a bunch!! :) Peace Y'all!! :)
We are more than thrilled that school is out and summer kicking off! The veggie garden is now providing rewards for our labor!! The flowers are now in bloom and the bees and butterflies are in full action!! It has been a draining few months. Losing two grandparents and one pet over the last few months has been an emotional roller coaster. I'm relieved to be entering a new season. We could all use the warm weather and change of pace, if for nothing else, just to get a breather from trials of life. This summer will bring a trip to NY to visit family. NY summers are awesome. The weather is quite a bit milder compared to our summers here. The kids will get some quality time with the grandparents and their great-aunt. I have a feeling they won't want to head home when the trip is over! We began our week with vacation bible school at church today. I'm actually having the chance to teach again!! That's been so fun. I forgot how much I enjoy teaching!! Wes is in my class!! I really need to get some pictures of that next week!! We had so much fun today. This afternoon Eric and the boys took a dip in the pool! I decided to get some shots because the weather was beautiful outside. I had to dodge some frequent splashing! I had so many shots that I decided I would post a slide show. It's been a while since I posted any pictures so I thought I'd make up for lost time. Honestly, my heart was lacking the blogging spirit. But, I'm starting to get back to my old self!! God is good!! He's provided some really awesome encouraging friends. And, I'm better for the trials that have come my way. Nothing quite builds faith like trials and sorrow. Good things can and do come from bad situations!!
Happy Summer everyone!!!
