this girl

is now "floatie" free!! She learned to swim today!!

this boy

is now just a itty bitty bit taller than his mom!

a conversation

I had this conversation with this little cutie tonight as we were getting her PJ's on.

Ella, " Mom? Can you get married when you are 4?"

Me, "No. Who are you wanting to marry?"

Ella, "Jarrett, he is nice to me."

** It is nice to know she is looking for the important things!

Me, "How old do you think you have to be to get married?"

Ella, "Like 10 or 9 or maybe a teenager! You got married when you were a teenager, right?"

Me, "Yes, I did." (nervous laugh!!)

And she runs downstairs to her dad. I think we may be in a little trouble with this one!

Why we aren't around much!!

we are eating ice cream
and sharing secrets with our 'bffs

and playing where we are NOT supposed to

and swimming with friends

and swinging with siblings

and getting messy ice cream faces at cookouts!

You know, all that fun summer stuff! :)

Fav Foto Friday!

I could just eat this little guy up!!

big boy

my little man got a haircut- goodbye curls!

before

after

He looks so grown up now!!

brave girl

Last Friday, Grace got her tonsils removed. She was such a brave girl and everyone at the hospital was wonderful. She is still recovering, but getting better every day.

In pre-op with her new friend they gave her
getting ready to roll out- they had already given her the "goofy juice"
eating a popsicle in recovery

getting ready to head home; such a long day!

at home, resting on the couch, eating some ice cream

mailbox

Sometimes, you just never know what you will see

when you look out the window.

VBS

I have heard that a picture is worth a thousand words and this one makes me think that is true. Here are three four year olds (Audrey, Ella and Julianne) at VBS doing movements to a song that teaches them that they can ask God for wisdom. Isn't that the reason we have things like VBS?? So our children can learn where to turn and we can be reminded the same thing?? I love this week. It is long, hard, but so much fun and makes such a lasting impact on so many lives!

Wordless Wednesday- my guys!

swimming

Summer has begun!!

gifts

I have 4 children. I know they are all gifts from God. Well, at least I know this in my head. Some days, unfortunately, the work, cost and sacrifice involved with mothering those four makes it feel like a burden. And then God sends a reminder. Sometimes the reminder is joyful and makes you smile from ear to ear, like Jonathon's awards day. Where you just beam with pride and know without a shadow of a doubt that you are doing a great job as a mother and you have everything under control. And sometimes the reminder is awful. I mean knot in your stomach, sobbing, shaking, awful. Unfortunately, we seem to remember the awful one so much better than the joyful ones. God sent me the awful kind of reminder today.
After church, we went to lunch and then came home. When we got home I got out and went inside to use the bathroom (too much sweet tea at lunch). When I came out of the bathroom, the TV was on and Les was carrying a sleeping Matthew upstairs for a nap. I just assumed everyone was inside. I followed Les upstairs and we laid down to rest while the house was quiet. I think we were resting for about 30 minutes when I decided to run to town for somethings that I really didn't need. I ran to the bathroom (again) and headed downstairs. When I went outside I heard a noise. It sounded like crying, no more like screaming. I realized it was coming from the van. ELLA!! I ran to the van and opened the door. There was my four year old still in her seat belt, sobbing, with vomit all over her and the floor, and wet underwear. I totally panicked! I ran to the door and screamed for help. Les came running and we got Ella out and I carried her inside. She just kept saying, "no one came and got me." I felt like the worst mother ever. I was sobbing. My sweet girl was trapped in the van, it was 91 degrees and I had been resting. What kind of mother am I ?????? I got her some water, a change of clothes and proceeded to scream at everyone- Grace for not unbuckling her sister; Jonathon for not telling me that she was asleep; Les for knowing she was still in the car. I was beside myself. I just kept thinking that she could have died. I was resting and she was screaming. I am still nauseous. I hate to think what could have happened.
After I calmed down, I realized that I had been blaming all the wrong people. I am her mother. As her mother, it is my responsibility to ensure that she is safe and has what she needs. I am the one who needs to make sure she is where I think she is and not leave that up to others. I am once again reminded that each of my children are gifts and that God has given me the enormous privilege of being their mom. I know I won't be perfect, but I know this will stay with me for a very long time.

Friday Flashback

Ella- this time last year.

*thanks to my friend Michelle for the great idea!

a little rain

Okay, maybe it was more than just a little rain

because it was a lot of fun!