“I’m most blessed when I live each moment as though I’m in desperate need of God’s grace, for in that moment I increase my ownership in the kingdom of God.”
~Jesus (reworded by Ken Boa)

Creative Fun and Camping

WHat our boys do when a table is left in the backyard...who needs "real" toys?

This picture just makes me giggle..Looking at his twig legs in my shoes and then that sly little smile. What a nut!!

Here are two of the four ladder back chairs in recently acquired from an antique warehouse, and so I decided to paint 2 black, 1 red and 1 was already a green color..works great in the dining room.

Chair Intermission: Let's paint a brick instead:-)

Ta-da! Two more chairs for our table!!

From the sounds of it, many of our friends had the same fun idea last weekend..CAMPOUT!! I was amazed they all 4 lasted till 6:30am, but they were champs(as they ran inside to get warm ;-))

Invasion of the SUPER HEROES!

the Super Hero training warm-up! Check out those heroes: Luke Skywalker, Woody, Anakin, Boba Fet, Storm Trooper, Optimus Prime, Captain America, Superman, Super Stitch, Batman, Darth Vader and a FBI agent!
Anakin turned into Darth Vader; aka birthday boy was going through one of the obstacle course trainings for the super heroes.
Can you just feel his excitement!! Yay for STAR WARS!!
A delicious Ice-cream pizza we found at Maggie Moos (lactose-free) and it was yummy with our cupcakes;-)
Captain America and Superman!
Destroying Darth Vader: all super heroes were needed to get rid of this pinata!
Opening his present from Grandmother!
This year for Griffin's 6th birthday, we have been consumed with anything and everything Star Wars. So, we created a "Super Hero training camp" where they all warmed-up, practiced an obstacle course yelling their "hero's name" at the end, tested their balancing ability with an egg race, accuracy with swinging and taking out a pinata, and then of course, food!!! I think Girffin felt wonderfully loved by all his friends and had a blast! Before and after the party we watched the pre-trilogy Star Wars 1,2,3 and then headed to Mellow Mushroom to check out their new GLUTEN-free CRUST. The day was a success in the eyes of my precious little man!

Griffin, I thank the Lord daily as I see Him growing and changing you into a tender warrior for his Kingdom. You have a unique ability to include and care for those around you that could get lost in the crowd-you draw them in-you are intuitive to the hurts of others and wanting them to be ok- So far in your short life, God is already knitting your heart for a specific purpose and I look forward to watching where He guides your path. Thank you for being such a joy to have and laugh with in our home!!

Boys+Denim+Nature=Bliss

Last weekend, a dear friend of ours, Rebekah, took these amazing pictures of the fellas. She was wanting some practice with multiple children and asked if I'd be up for it. HECK YEAH! As Chad says, "You're a picture fanatic!" And being that photography is NOT my gift, I was totally up for someone else to take the shots. So she spent about an hour snapping away, and I came home with many keepers.
I few years back when Owen was 5, Griffin 3, and Tate 1 we had similar pictures taken. I wanted to now get a few shots with Griffin now five (that's why the denim overall pics are mixed in) and this past Sat was perfect! (My thought and goal is to "one day" have a picture of each of them at age 5 on the wall) They were taken at a local historic site that provides unique settings, great color, and fun in the water. What child doesn't like that? Anyway, Chad and I were super pleased with the wonderful images and the fellas cooperation and we hope to do more pictures with the whole family soon! Just wanted to share our excitement....ENJOY;-)

Turning Four

"Dinosaur Stomp"
"Pinning the spike on the Stregosaurus"




I love Tate Landry Vinson!

Tenacious
Affectionate
Passionate
Strong
Giggles Often
Tender
Loving
Physical
Enjoys basketball

My favorite 4 year old!!!

Going to "pee-school"

Two weeks ago, Tate did something no one else in the Vinson home has done, started preschool!! He has been beyond thrilled about the idea since we signed him up the beg. of summer. Ms. Julie and Ms. Kristy have been so patient with Tate as he is learning authority from someone else. Above are "Treats from Tate" that we sent on the first day to say "thank you" for all the hard prep work to get his room ready. I really appreciate the role preschool will play our family, because it gives Tate some time with kiddos his age doing his age activities. And while he is away at school, Owen and Griffin are picking up two more subjects to cover on those days. We take school decisions one year at a time, and for this year, pee-school is one we are excited about. (I'm hoping he will find the letter R at school...so he will say pre-school) lol

Water gun refill = 8 stitches

A post about stitches is one that I knew would come at some point in the life of our family, BUT the details of how stitches get on one's face is never known, and this week proved my point.

Monday afternoon we were playing outside with water guns and jumping on the trampoline with our best buds. Everyone was soaked, but Griffin needed to refill. He went inside and then about 5 minutes later I heard screaming at the back door. Well, I just assumed his hands were wet and he was just yelling, "Mom, help!" because he couldn't open the door. Well, what I saw on the other side of that door is a picture stamped in my mind forever. I opened the door and Griffin's face was COVERED with blood. I couldn't see his eyes..all I saw was blood.

My heart sank but my mind went into mommy mode with my mind racing with what, when, how, only to repeat over and over in a brief 10 seconds. I yelled to Jen and she called Chad and took all the boys to her house. I immediately wiped his face to find the wound. My heart sank again, but I said, "Grif, we have to go to the doctor-you need stitches. Hold this on your head, Can You?" Yes, I think-

I carried him to the car and told him he would have to hold the towel on his head..."ok" I immediately called our pediatrician and asked if we should come there or go to the ER. Thankfully they said, when can you get here-give me 8-10 minutes!
Once there, the nurses were amazing! Most came in to check out the wound and some thought we would need staples. But because it was on the face, Doc opted for stitches. 8 stitches! So, becaue I'm clueless with medical stuff, I asked,"how deep was it? He said, "You were looking at his skull! yuck! Thank you LORD for stopping there!

My little warrior was mighty brave that day! The only fear that came over him was when they wrapped him in the papoose to keep him still. He looked at me and HUGE tears rolled down his face. After that, doc numbed the incision and then stitched it up. About half way through, he just asked, "Can we be done yet?"-so cute:-)

So we were done with the WHOLE ordeal within an hour, and only 10 minutes after being home he wanted to play basketball and jump....talk about resilient! Like my brother said, kids are way more resilient than the parents...so true!

So on the way home I got the scoop of HOW:
"I went to the bathroom, then stepped on the stool to refill my gun and when I stepped off, I slipped and hit my head on the toilet." Toilet?! "Yes, and sure enough while we were gone, my wonderful hubby cleaned the bathroom. He said there was a huge blood mark on the rim of the toilet and drops all through our home.

I am grateful: he didn't pass out, could come get me, didn't pass out in the car, Jen took the others, Chad cleaned the bathroom, Dr. E was at the office, we had peace, the nurses were so attentive, friends were praying, and it wasn't more severe!