Happy Fourth of JULY!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful 4th of July weekend with their families!! Brian has been off this entire past week and for the next 2 weeks, so we have been busy do all sorts of things! Yesterday we went to our annual BBQ at our good friends house Karen and Rob.. they are always gracious and host this huge party year after year. It's always so much fun, lots of sun and pool time, and way too much food! This year didn't disappoint ;)

After we left the party we met up with our other best friends, the Weisses and went to the fireworks, which were so much fun! A perfect ending to a perfect day. Katie was in total awe of the fireworks this year. It was so fun to watch her watch them (last year we didn't go because they were rained out and the year before that she was too little to remember anything!)

I have lots more pics to share but I'll save them for the next post.. and they're not from the 4th of July anyway, and i have to keep it themed haha..Enjoy! :)

Two Patriotic Cuties!! (and their handsome Daddy)

Exploring with Josiah!

Silly Girl Bathing Beauty! (Don't get the water on me, Anyone)
More fun with Josiah!
Big Brave Jonathan!!!!
Snuggling up to a grandpa that was there (not hers!)

Meeting up with the Weisses for Fireworks!!!!

Ahhh! A very fun and full day!! Good night and God bless America!

Little Katie Grace Story

Today Katie and I were hanging out on the floor playing and our bare feet were touching... she giggled everytime our toes touched, so I started doing it on purpose, loving that sweet giggle of hers.

I said.. "Are we playing 'toes Katie??"

Katie: "yesssss! .. Mommy! that Stickles!!!!"


hehee

JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we found our new school!!!!!! We went for an interview yesterday and Brian and I both felt a peace while we were there talking to the principal. The truths he spoke to us from God's word settled over us like cascades of water in a river... it was truly that obvious.

We left the school and just looked at each other, smiled. God has answered our prayers. We didn't feel the need to go visit the 3rd school on the list. This is The One.

A wise friend of mine told me it would be this way.. when we were in the right place, having had prayed about it and given this to God, who loves Jonathan even more then we do... then we would know. And you know what? We knew.

Thank you, Lord, for once again, taking care of us. We are excited again, about the future. God is so good!

Let the summer begin!!!!!!!!!!

a sad week

Jonathan finished 1st grade yesterday. He did so well... Made high honor roll all year, all straight A's.. we are so proud of him. We love his school so much. We have been sending him to a Christian school for the past 2 years and haven't once regretted the extra money for tuition. We have been blessed more then we can ask or imagine with the teachers he's had the past 2 years, for Kindergarten and 1st grade.

We found out 2 weeks ago that his school is closing. :( We're so heartbroken. We trust that God knows the future. We know that He is the author of our lives. And we believe that He loves Jonathan more then even we do. We are uncertain about what to do, and right now our immediate future is unsettled for our little guy.

Yesterday was a hard day, saying goodbye to friends and teachers and people we've come to love. Sometimes life really stinks. But we're trying to remember that He is in control. And He loves us. And it's all going to be ok. I will update when we find a school for Jonathan. In the meantime I'd appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

OK.. grrrr.. but Carrie saves the day!

anyone out there know a quick fix to what I just did to the posting of that last one?? ughhhh...

Sigh... I sucketh at photo posting. there always seems to be a problem!!

If I can't find a solution quick.. I'm sorry to everyone who has to click on each pic to see the whole thing. Yes, I'm rolling my eyes at my stupid blonde self!


ETA: Thank you, Carrie! My smart (un)blonde friend came to save the day!!! So my photos are fixed without too much ado!!! xoxo Carebear!! love you!

Memorial Day Fun !!!!

Lauren, Katie, Hannah, Zach, and Jonathan




Katie Grace enjoying time on the trampoline :)





Zach and Katie on the horsey ("Gunka Don")



Me and Tracy -- ahhh not sure why we look wasted because we WEREn't! (Grandma Donna and Papa Jack, along with Nanny and Papa were there, so we really weren't!!!)


No party is ever complete of course without Aunt Becky!!!!!!!


And the fun daddies... and yes, Gunka Don was playing with Katie's bitty baby. I didn't ask questions.. just grabbed my camera!! ;)






God bless the USA!!!!!!!

Unspeakable...

Several posts ago I asked you to pray for Todd and Angie Smith... her updates were on Angie's blog at http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

Todd is the lead singer for Selah. For those following their story, you know that Baby Audrey was born and lived for 2 hours, 7 weeks ago before she went to be with our Father in Heaven. To say it's been a hard road for Todd and Angie, their 3 girls, and all of those that love them is an incredible understatement.

Last night i was reading on her blog and found out that Todd's sister Nicol, who was an original singer on Selah (and the reason we fell in love with them in the first place), lost her baby boy Luke to SIDS. We are just overwhelmed and so saddened to hear this news, right on the heels of the Steven Curtis Chapman family tragedy... we can only cry out to God and remind ourselves that our ways are not His ways, and that He is the author and finisher of life, and that we are comforted in knowing His hand is on each one of us, especially our children whom we hold so dear.

I am reminded of the wise words of my dear pastor Paul Hazlett whom has since gone on to be with the Lord, after we had Jonathan dedicated to Jesus as a baby. As he passed him back to our arms, he said gently to us,

"Hold him lightly now, for he belongs to Jesus."

Our prayers are with the Sponbergs tonight as they make arrangement for their littlest one, and they give him back to God.

Find updates on Angie's blog: http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

Happy Anniversary to us! :)

12 years and counting! Loving my man more today then ever. He has stuck by me through what could have been the hardest year yet... whew... He is truly one of the good ones..I am so blessed.

Looking forward to renewing our vows one year soon... I definitely don't deserve this man God gave to me. He is a gift.

Love you, Baby.

xoxoxo