7 SWEET years

Edible soccerballs
Celebration Snack

Playing the "Nothin' or Noggin'" heading game


All of Griffin's "Soccer Team"

We have had such a fun time celebrating Griffin the last few days. On Sunday we had a soccer party with some of his friends. He loved it! We played a game of soccer, a heading game, and crab game which made everyone laugh.

Here are 7 of the many things I love about Grif!

1- hugs and snuggles on the couch
2- the ways he adores his brothers
3- his hearty laughter
4- his compassion for animals
5- his perseverance and diligence
6- the way he has a comfortable confidence
7- gentleness

Sweet Jesus, thank you for placing Griffin right in the middle of our family. He has a very special role of being a big brother and younger brother, and you knew his place in our family before time. We pray that you will continue to grow him in his tenderness towards you. You have uniquely gifted him for your work, and we pray that he continues to see himself in that light. Thank you for letting us walk this journey with him, because it is an honor to be his momma!

Soccer time!

Griffin once again wanted to play soccer after LOVING it last Spring. Last Sat. was his 1st game and the GREEN EAGLES did great. They played really well as a team and had a fun time. A few of the same players returned from last season, and Griffin's little best buddy, Jackson, joined him this yr. Here is a picture of a after game "funny faces." Grif scored 2 goals in his 1st game and he and Jackson both scored yesterday!! Way to go EAGLES!!

turning 5

A little over a week ago, Tate turned 5!
We love his.....
adventure
intesity
fun
loving nature
rocking himself to self
indepedence
loudness
gentle touch at times
belly laughter
smiles
hugs
desire to hang with the big guys
tenderness towards mommy
carefreeness


For his birthday he didn't want a party....the only thing was to take his little friend, Caroline, out to eat and anything and everything BIBLEMAN. (Owen was a little concerned he was having a date before he was.lol) So, we invited their family to join ours at MOE's for his birthday. You will notice he is wearing a cape, it's BIBLEMAN. Yes, he WAS Bibleman on his birthday, and most days since then. ;-) Tate has sweet affections for his family and friends, and we love that about him. Many times within a day I will hear him say, "I love you sweet dawling!" Ok, melt my heart, sweet! Another gentle moment is now when he wants to brush my hair or when he is playing with younger friends. God is really growing him and molding him into a nurturer and lover of people and for that I am grateful! I am willing to wait and savor this time with him, but it excites me to think of the plans God has for his life.

Beach 2011

In July, our family spent some much needed time at the beach after Chad finished his last semester of classwork!! The first few days at the beach, Poppy, Yaya, Aunt Jen & Uncle Derek, the girls, and Aunt Chel were at the same beach so we had the treat of being together! The boys loved being around them since we don't see them much. THe rest of the week, we just soaked up the sun and lots of family time. We boarded, built, and (actually read a book).
That was definitely a new/uncomfortable change. Chad and I got to experience the fellas growing independence from us. I mean, it was great to watch them lean on each other more, but it was hard. I sat there some moments thinking, "Don't they need me?" It was a WEIRD moment for me since this was a first in 8 yrs. As a mom, I have found comfort in being needed by someone, but the freedom on the sand introduced me to glimpses of a new season. Chad and I really enjoyed talking together in our chairs, reading, and relaxing more than ever before. But with that change, I can see how parents must work at keeping the communication going with their kiddos. (enough about my sentiments :-))
The 2 weeks after the beach, the fellas had "Grandparent Camp." A special treat for ALL! THey spent time with Grandma Jo and Cam, Poppy and Yaya, and then a week with Grandmother. By the end, everyone was worn out and the boys have a bookful of memories in their heads to carry them till next time.

Domesticated Cows

I hope to share more pictures and thoughts from our recent trip to NC, but I had to get these out...no details required except: the boys are staying with my mom this week and this is part of their nightly routine:

Feeding Cows OREOS!!!! :-)

Willa Elizabeth Morgan Ivey

Happy 96th birthday Ivey!

It was such a joy to visit with her a couple of times last week. She got to watch the boys toss their frisbee toe each other, listen to their belly-laughing "knock-knock" jokes, and bring her her favorite meal for a birthday surprise: a loaded hotdog and Pepsi. I guess if you have lived that long, you can eat whatever you want...


Mom and Ivey


Last week while cleaning out Ivey's home with my mom, I came across her personal Bible. Inside the front cover read:
"If you are ready to live life for Jesus Christ, then you must also be ready to die for Him as well."

She has been such a model of the Proverbs 31 woman for me and I am eternally grateful!

Recycle time!!

Most of our summer days have been consumed with the pool or hanging out with friends, but this particular day, the boys chose to recycle! They took old cereal boxes or other food boxes and make "some kind" of outfit....I'm thinking a transformer, but their imagination is limitless!!

Seek Me Early

Walk in My Way and trust Me. No evil can touch you. I am yours as truly as you are Mine. Rest in that truth.

Rest, that is, cease all struggle. Gain a calm, strong confidence in that certainty. Do not only rest in Me when the world's struggles prove too much and too many for you to bear or face alone. Rest in Me when you need perfect understanding, when you need the consciousness of tender loving friendship and intercourse.

THe world, my poor world, flies to Me when its difficulties are too great to be surmounted any other way, forgetting, or never realizing, that if, with the same eagerness, those hearts sought Me merely for companionship and loving intercourse, many of the difficulties would not rise.

The circumstances, the life, the character would be so altered-so purified, that those same difficulties would not exist.

Seek Me early that is the way to find Me. Early, before I get crowded out by life's troubles, and difficulties and pleasures.

~taken from GOD CALLING, June 16th

This devotion really impacted me last week as I was reading, and I hope you too will be encouraged! Have a blessed day!

Song of the Wind

Last Sunday Owen performed in the Academy of Fine Arts Spring Recital and here is one of the two songs he performed, "Song of the Wind."We have been super proud of how learning an instrument has stretched him mentally and physically and how he can look back over this year and see how he has grown. I look forward to see where this will continue to steer him with his God given talents, whether it be violin or something else.
Enjoy Far-away Family and Friends!

Where did April go????

Our month has been filled with lots of fun. Starting with a big Sunday spread with friends that ended in an Easter egg hunt for all. Then the fellas and I took a spontaneous trip to Chattanooga one day so Daddy could get some school work done in quiet. We had a blast! We spent the morning at the Aquarium and then went to the Creative Museum and then finished our day at Coolige Park running and playing chase. Also you will see some pictures from one of our science activities. We have been Exploring Creation through astronomy this year and one activity was to create an edible space rover. Well, the making was a hit but the eating was WAY better!! Then most of our Saturdays have been spent encouraging and cheering Griffin and his new found friends on his soccer team. MOst of they were completely clueless when they started the season so it has been amazing to see their gifts and talents as well as watching them gel as a team!! Spring fun!

a quick glance of my little man on Easter
checking out his loot with friends
enjoying his finds
Our spontaneous trip to Chattanooga to enjoy the Aquarium and Creative Museum




Owen working on his space rover after studying the planet Mars
our edible Mars rover....activity in Science...
Go buddy!
Griffin enjoying his teammates

SBXl

Spring Break 2011!!!!

A few weeks back we took the boys to Gatlinburg, Tn for a week of fun, water, and play. We had the privilege of staying at a place with an indoor waterpark! The boys had a blast (and the parents too) to be honest. THe boys are all at an age to enjoy things a little more independently and a relatively safe environment. THe park had 4 waterslides (4 stories high)-yes, a NICE stairs workout, a wave pool, a playground that sits in about 6 inches of water and has a ton of gadgets to turn or twist to spray water, and also a surf/bodyboard simulation. We played hard, rested hard, and eat well! A great combo for a break...check it out, but I'll warn you-the pictures don't do it justice....

I have a "TWEEN"....Owen is 8!

A couple weeks back we celebrated Owen's 8th birthday with a STAR WARS sleepover. I idealistically thought they would just eat pizza, wtch maybe 2 movies, eat popcorn and then hit the sack. Oh the revelations of a house full of 8 year olds....Thank the Lord Chad was here to help as was a dear friend, Zack. The boys were TONS of energy going from eating pizza, making a bonfire, building 3D "sturdy structures" out of pasta and marshmellows, watching things burn, hitting the pinata till it was demolished, playing football outsde till 10:15, and THEN starting the movie. We had a few early sleepers, but most stayed up till about 12:30, and THEN were ready to start again at 5:30AM!!!! We just rolled with it and let them have fun, and fun was had by ALL. Owen felt TOTALLY loved on with a very diverse group of friends from homeschool, church and scouts. HEre are a few snapshots......
All hands on deck to help decorate the sign
Owen wanted to make sure the parents knew what we were doing ....such the planner....just in case they needed to pick anyone up early
All of his friends that came to celebrate
My sad attempt to create Darth Vader...thankfully it tasted much better than it looked.haha
My super happy skater
"Pile on the birthday boy"
Half the boys still sleeping at 6:30am....the rest playing outside or upstairs
playing football till about 10:15 at night
Dear Jesus, Thank you for these precious boy that you have entrusted to us for a short while. Thank you for gifting him in ways that make him unique and fearfully made. I pray that he would grow in his confidence of You and Your love for him, and that he would continue to nurture and celebrate the way You made him. ..