VBS Theme Song

Sorry if it's a little blurry :-(

Summer Snapshots

Most of our days have been spent at the pool, in the sprinkler, playing Wii, reading, play-dates and such, but here are a few snapshots of June. The fellas are having a blast together and love being together so we all have really enjoyed it. Chad spent 10 days in Mexico with 30 students while I held down the fort solo-well, not really, I had faithful friends call, invite us for dinner, check in, and praying for my stamina and attitude...to ya'll: the boys and I are grateful! I also have had the itch to do some home changes. I still can't believe we have been here 6 years, and most of our painting changes happened the first year, so we were due for some. If for no other reason to cover the boy beaten walls. haha

OIL JUBE FIELD TRIP: One day when I was getting our oil changed, I asked the guys there if they ever did field trips, because my boys were loving the "pit". They said no one had ever asked but they were willing, so 2 days later we got a tour of the "pit." We learned where the oil goes, what they do with the old oil, and how they checked the car's air flow.

CUB SCOUT CAMP: The week that Chad was gone to Mexico, Owen had day camp at a local park everyday from 8-3. He absolutely LOVED it. Each day they made a craft, learned character traits, shot a BB gun and also a bow and arrow in addition to other fun things. I must say, I now have experienced the "drop my child off all day" blues. Man, ,y stomach was in knots that first morning as we were praying over his day. I was trying to hold back the tears...WHOA it was HARD! But GOd gave me that timely blessing of camp while Chad was gone, and I was able to pace myself with the other two.

Waterslide Limbo!! Last year it was sprink-o-line...on to new water fun... try it, you'll like it!

BEFORE: we have had this color in our dining room since we moved here 6 years ago...WOW! So we were in need of a change.. most of the colors in our house are gold, red, green, black and blue....so eggplant doesn't work for me, BUT............

AFTER: BLACK DOES! I know its a bit dramatic, but we like it-
We also have some outdoor changes but they aren't done yet, so they will come later:-)

A decorative door we found to hang in our family room....it is so beautiful in the mornings when the sun shines through it:-)

BEST BUDS: This year Owen and Griffin went to VBS at a local church and had the BEST time. Everyday they came home with new songs to sing and stories to share. I hope to share a video of one of the songs they learned. The music was awesome!! Jackson our next door neighbor also went and this was the last day of VBS fun. What CUTE Cowboys!!

So, what has your family done this summer so far???

Kum-ba-yah Tennessee style

I was looking through some videos from last fall, and this one makes me laugh each time...hope you enjoy "worshiping with us"

Legend has it that this song was written by the Gullah people in southern Georgia, which translates...Come By Here, My Lord...but we have re-translated it to Come By Here Ya'll, tennessee style:-)

Chattown

Every few months we make the extra effort to get out of town for the day. For us, it helps us balance family and full-time ministry, so this past Tuesday we went to Chattanooga for the day. We surprised the boys that morning with the news and it was an extra bonus to celebrate Owen finishing 1st grade. WOW!

We grabbed some lunch at one of our favorite places and then headed over the the Creative Discovery Museum. We have a pass that allows us to visit children's museums around the area, so we were thrilled to be using it. WE stayed there about 4 hours playing and discovering. Below you will "hopefully" see picture and videos from our day. A HUGE accomplishment is that during a museum science show our boys were volunteers. If you know anything about our boys, our oldest relishes the stage but this was a NEW venture for Griffin. He was a champ! So with a warm heart that only a mom can have, I was thrilled to see before my eyes a child that doesn't do crowds, talking, and anything public, have the courage to try something new.

Enjoy the music that Owen made too!

You will also see the boys pretending to be a window stage and then of course, roll down a super long hill. We had a blast that day and Owen choose a harmonica for his "Job Well Done" gift, but he said, "I want Griffin and Tate to have one too, cause it wouldn't be fair." Oh, the tenderheart of the big brother. My hope is that it never changes:-)

10th Anniversary Trip!!

Chad and I went to Puerto Vallerta, Mexico for our 10th anniversary and it was amazing!! We had been looking forward to this get-away together for a few months now, and it was worth the wait. THe boys were WELL loved by my mom 1/2 the week and Chad's mom the other 1/2. I missed them and thought of them bunches, but they had such a fun week planned...so my thoughts were quickly settled.
We stayed in the home of a woman that lives in "PV" from Oct.-Mar, as do many of the 1/2 retirees that do the same thing. Her home was so quaint and artsy..I loved it. All the homes and restaurants in this area have windows w/out screens and most always have them open. We stayed in the "art district" so we were right around the corner from many galleries and local food. She had left us a packet of info of all her favorite rest. and places, so we did our best to try all things new. We had mango smoothies, black bean & corn tamales, fresh cranberry scones, limeades(at most meals) xcept when Chad had his Cokes:-), green drink (celery, spinach, parsley, pineapple- so yummy with breakfast), seafood burritos, and lots more seafood. PV is located in Banderas Bay in the mid-south part of Mexico's west coast. Fisherman we out super early everyday bringing in the fresh food. The local fare has alot of Spanish flare with "tapas", "crepas"and eating food I would eat for dinner...they eat for breakfast.
As for our time, we slept most days till mid-morning, read some, and then headed out for the day. Two days we spent reading on the beach and sipping drinks, one day we travelled north to Bucerius on a bus and I totally felt like I was on Amazing Races as we tried to figure out where to go . At one point after riding on a bus 15 minutes inland, we realized this was not our bus, and we jumped off and grabbed a taxi...crazy, but fun, another day we went south on the bus again to Boca. Once there, we got on a water taxi- ever heard of that? I hadn't. It took 30 minutes to get to Yelapa by boat and that is were I got to hold an iguana. It was amazingly soft! Chad and really enjoyed Yelapa because it was away from the city a bit. That is where we saw the waterfall and the young boys fishing. On Wed. night we did the "art walk" which all the local galleries open for showing and wine sipping. We had a blast, and we were very cultured by the art, people, food, and entertainment.
One of the many things I loved about PV was the nightlife on the "Malecon"-aka boardwalk. Families covered it everynight strolling together and spending time together. They totally value family and it was so evident! Later I will post videos of the Malecon entertainment.
Chad and I really savored our time together, but as I must admit, it took me a few days to get out of "mommy" mode. Once I forgot about eating 3 meals and snacks/day and the ordered bustle I keep at home I was able to really rest. And prasie the LORD my back held up with all the walking through town. We probably walked 3-4 miles a day, so I started my day with some stretching and I was so grateful to be able to do all we did.
So, cheers to 10 years!!! and we have already thought about a trip at 15 years, hmmm I think mtns:-) I told Chad we will want to soak up another trip then since we will be on the verge of teenagers;-)

You

I recently have jumped into the Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado, so I'm sure you will see frequent quotes from my finds, but this one was a precious reminder to me:

Scan history for your replica; you won't find it. God tailor-made you. He "personally formed you and made each one" (Isa 43:7) No box of "back-up yous" sit in God's workshop. You aren't one of many bricks in the mason's pile or one of a dozen bolts in the mechanic's drawer. You are it! And if you AREN'T you, we don't get you. The world misses out.........God never called you to be anyone other than YOU. But he does call on you to be the best you you can be. The big question is, at your best, who are you?

LaLa's Joy

Pink Paisley

Dress Up Dolls

Happy Flowers

Watermelon

Over the last few years, I have embarked on a new found Joy, sewing.

It is relaxing, creative, and fun to figure out different designs and such. I also am known by my nieces and nephews as Aunt LaLa, so hence the name LaLa's Joy.

I wanted to share some of my latest creations in hopes to stir the desire to shop for Easter/Spring or Summer. In the last few days I have contacted local retailers about selling them in their stores, but I wanted you..my friends and family to also know about this venture.

I'd love the opportunity to sew for ya!

(FYI: I have sizes 2T, 3T, and 4T - maybe a petite 5T available now)

Happy Sewing!!