Adrenaline Junkies

Today we had the chance to go out on a boat with another youth couple and their 16 month old. We opted to only take Owen due to possible risks and room with the two little ones. We had an absolute blast. Chad and Owen tubed, Owen and I tubed, Owen tubed solo, Chad and I knee-boarded, and Chad skied. Yes, my failed attempt left me having a harder time getting my foot in the ski without tipping my body over. Quite a sight to any onlookers! Anyways, the best part was.....cliff jumping. Yes, I think Owen has a double dose of "adrenaline-junkie" in his veins. Chad jumped off about a 40 foot drop, and Owen and I jumped off about a 10 foot drop. Not bad for the first time and only being four! My days of bungee-jumping have since past, but I must say even today it was SUCH a thrill. Sorry for no photos. I was kicking myself for not bringing it for all these firsts. I guess that means we have to go back. DARN :-)

104

Well, I have taken some time away from blogging, but it has not necessarily been on purpose. My days have been filled with much, and many nights I didn't have the energy to share my joys and struggles. You may be wondering why I choose the entry title of 104. Over the last two weeks, I have experienced:

• the temperature being on or around 104 and finding creative ways to enjoy that with my boys
• 104 smiles
• 104 times of putting my second child in his "big boy" bed during naps...by golly he's got it
• building 104 forts in the family room
• 104 books per day
• 104 games of hopscotch on the kitchen floor...look for the pics
• 104 puzzle "put-togethers"
• 104 minutes of outside play, which for our family, it's usually 3x that on most days
• 104 minutes of "Sprinkoline time" - if you are unaware as to what this is, it's the combo of having your sprinkler under your trampoline...super fun
• 104 minutes at "Splash Pad" - a local park that has water fun for all ages
• 104 "mommy watch this" moments while we have resurrected their playroom toys
• 104 laughs (bug-eye pics)
• 104 pieces of artwork
• 104 times of putting up the tupperware cabinet after Tate has explored

Yes, these days have been long and weary at times, but all the while, I'm so grateful and thankful to have had those moments with my boys. Motherhood at home is hard, But so rewarding! The days of their childhood are so quickly fleeting, but I am committed to treasure, relish, savor, and enjoy each of them for who they are.

Monthly Milestones

Some exciting news in our home....Tate is crawling and exploring like crazy! You can tell he is just loving the freedom. Needless-to-say, I have to be on my "cleaning ball" a little better. Over the last few weeks, we have spent many an afternoon at the pool. That is two HUGE milestones, one: Griffin getting in the water (at the beach i the spring, it took him 4 days laying in the lounge chair to get in) and me conquering my fear of taking all 3 to the pool solo. Griffin now loves the "frog pool" at the YMCA. It is a refreshing break to our hot summer days! IN the pictures, Daddy joined us and was helping Owen swim some. Also, Tate is waving bye-bye and signing all-done. On a few occasions he has said, "ah du, ah du." He is definately a Vinson if this is any sign of future verbal skills. haha

Walk It Out

I tell you what, one of my greatest joys thus far as being a mom is to witness my first born ask Jesus to come into his heart and take away his "yucky" sin. What a precious moment! Yesterday, Owen wanted to play with the Resurrection Eggs which display the story of Easter, so he and his brother were talking out the story and playing with the figurines. Soon into their time he asked if I would read the story. I was thinking "great moment to drip truth on a heart, not anticipating the return."

As we were reading we got to the picture of people on one side of a huge revein and God on the other. As we talked about the picture and what that meant for us, I asked him why those people can't get to God, and his reply " They have yucky stuff, aka sin in their heart and God doesn't. So the story went on about how there is nothing we as people can do ourselves to get to God, and that Jesus had to die for our yuck, because he was perfect like God. After talking some more, he wanted to pray....Talk about a fullness of emotion. I was in awe of how a mighty God loves each of us and draws us to HIm in different ways. But I must admit, the Father of doubt didn't miss a beat, because in my mind I thought, "at four, can he really comprehend" Yes, I believe at his ripe age he can and does.

Later that night some youth girls came over to babysit. I asked if anything interesting happened, and they said no, but something sweet did. "Owen was jumping on the trampoline pretending to be an animal and he announced to everybody that he can never die....of course they asked why...he said, "because I have Jesus in my heart and I'm going to Heaven!"

Today we were talking some more and I asked him how he was going to get to Heaven, he said, "I guess I'll walk." Well, the pictures in the book have the people walking across the cross to God. At first, Chad and I just chuckled, but as I thought about it, he's right. All we have to do is "Walk it out!" Walk out our faith relationship with everyone we come in contact with. Oh, to have the faith of a child.

Heavenly Father, my heart is full of richness to know that Owen has trusted you as his Savior. May he continue to grow in wisdom and stature to multiply your kingdom. Guide Chad and me in your ways as we cultivate a home of gentleness, love, patience, truth, forgiveness and grace. Thank you for entrusting us with his life!

Celebrating our Freedoms

Tonight while coming home from an evening of fun with friends, we were talking about why people were shooting off fireworks. We talked about how this was one way of celebrating all the freedoms we have in our country and we have so much to be thankful for. Well, this is Owen's list of thanks and reasons we should shoot fireworks. Freedom to:

• Go to the grocery store
• Eat ice cream (Griffin eats SO delicious)
• Go to parks
• Go to church and Bible study (CBS)
• Play in the pool
• Read any book we want
• Jump on the trampoline
• Play with sparklers
• Go out to eat
• Read the Bible
• Listen to music
• Play with friends
• Watch movies
• Play with animals
• Say prayers
• Play Frisbee golf
• Jump off a diving board

Yes, we as Americans do have quite a bit to be thankful for. Life is definitely not perfect and neither is our world, but we must still be thankful and not cynical. Especially all the people that are serving our country in arms way, and their families back home that are missing sweet time with their moms, dads, brothers, sisters, daughters, grandpas, or grandmas.

I was a girl from the 80's because.....

my hair was bigger than my face
I had a stash of garbage pal kids (maybe not all girls)
smurfs was my Saturday morning fun
I dreamed of being wonderwoman
I wore "units" tube belts, skirts, and shirts
my earrings and belts were as big as my hair
I had multiple cabbage patch children with birth certificate in tow
I owned an add-a-bead(or pearl) necklace
I now laugh at the lace leggings and leg warmers
I owned a little wooden handled purse with changeable covers to match most outfits
I loved "Thriller" and had my own white glove

......can anyone add more?.......

just a few memories from purging my gargage

(oh, yes! I forgot to mention earlier, but while in NC I cut about 12 inches of hair off to donate to locks of love. Instead of my hair being down most of my back, the longest part touches my chin...it was definately a shocker to Chad)

Trip to NC

Great grandmother Ivey trying to hold on to Tate.

Grandmother in her favorite spot.

IN the mud..where Aunt belle and the boys would rather be

Sorry Jen, it was the only one on my camera!

My sweet boys!