Sunday, August 29, 2010

Back To School Swim Party & First Day of School

Caught the entire pool party gang in the kiddie pool during rest period, hilarious
Shelby's friends that she invited from left to right
Brayden, Nicole, Morgan, Shelby, Amber, Jack, minus Brennan, we missed you Bren

Collin's friends, Caroline, Morgan, Collin, Maggie, Grant minus Stone, we missed you Stone


Shelby 1st day of 5th grade, wow, hard to believe

Collin 1st day of middle school harder to believe, we were the only parents taking
A picture in the hallway of the middle school, of course Collin was totally ok with it, what a kid!!!!

The back to school party was great. The kids had a long list of friends to invite but unfortunately we were limited to how many we could bring. The kids had a blast. We could not have asked for a better group of kids. Timmy and I feel so blessed that are kids have such sweet, kind friends, their parents should be very proud!!! Of course Cooper & Grayson were right in the middle of everthing and the kids were soooo great with them, that was amazing to me most kids that age do not want to be bothered with little kids. Brayden Dungan bought Cooper a Reese Cup because we had eaten all of the ice cream and Cooper was pouting and Brayden wanted to cheer him up, I can see why Shelb thinks so much of him!!
I can not believe my oldest baby boy is in middle school, wow!!!! Timmy and I really struggled this summer just knowing that it was coming, this was very emotional for us. You worry so much about your kids, you try your best to teach them right from wrong and the right choices to make and the choices that God wants them to make. It has been a real blessing to know that Collin loves middle school. This is the most excited he has ever been about school and he is really excited about his band class and learning to play the trumpet.
We're always reluctant for school to start because they both are growing up so fast right in front of our eyes, but knowing how blessed Collin and Shelby are to be in a great school, with great teachers, and with great friends makes it a little easier.
We are just so proud of them both and are ready for another great year!!! WE LOVE YOU BOTH MORE THAN WORDS.


Tuesday, August 17, 2010

HOPE

Hope, one of my favorite words that is mentioned sooooo many times in the Bible & I believe for good reason. This is a prayer request for close friends of ours who will be traveling to China on September the 1st & will return on September 16th. They have been waiting for this for close to 3 years now, all I can is wow & what an inspirtation they have been to us & so many other families, they are full of HOPE & the desire to do God's will in their life. It's no wonder they chose the middle name HOPE, it's perfect!!! Please join me & my family to pray for them, pray for safe travels, pray for their other 3 precious children that will remain here anxiously awaiting their mom, dad & baby sister to come home safe & sound. Please pray for their sweet baby girl. It's a very exciting time but is also filled with many emotions. How exciting that another one of God's children will be home soon to their forever family, God is good.

You can follow their adoption journey by clicking on their blog that is listed on our list of blogs we follow, their story is amazing!

Be strong and take heart, all that HOPE in the LORD. Psalm 31:24

Blessings!!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

More Fun In St. Augustine

We had the best time at the beach this year. The kids enjoyed it more this year than they ever had.
The Alligator Farm in St. Augustine was a big hit!!!
Best buds at the beach. Cooper and Grayson loved the beach.
The big kids loved St. Augustine at night. Took everyone on a carriage ride around the city.
Fun in the pool. Cooper loved the water and is already learning to go under on his own.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Vacation Time

Feeling So Blessed To Be On The Beach Together As A Family Of 6
All we can say is wow!!!! We had a blast, especially watching Cooper's reaction to the beach for the very first time, it was amazing. Our kids are normally pool kids but this year we spent alot of time at the beach, Cinnamon Beach was 1 of the most beautiful beaches we've seen. The older kids spent alot of time on their boards & the smaller kids alot of time digging & building sand castles. My sis & her family joined us for a night & day, it was awesome, we wished they could have stayed longer. Becca, who we all consider part of the family traveled with them & then ended up staying with us as well. She is so helpful with the kids & is too sweet for words. She took the pics of us on the beach as a family of 6, we love you Becca, as Shelby would say you rock on!!!
This is 1 of my favorite pics of Cooper, I caught him just sitting quietly looking out at the ocean, can you say priceless!!!!! Our sweet Grayson Faye.
It was hard for us to choose a pic of Shelby, she looked like a California Surfer girl in so many pics, can't believe how she's growing up.
I told Collin I wanted to take his pic & he struck this pose. He was so hands on with his little brother that he's always wanted, thanks Collin for being such a great big brother.