Memories...

There is something about summer and Christmas that is always kind of bittersweet to me.  I love them both and I love making memories with my children, but it is always sad that "another one" has gone by.

Recently we took a trip to  the beach.  This was Macheus' first time going to the beach, and I did my best to capture it in pictures!

                                                      Ready for his first beach swim. :o)

                                        Doesn't he look excited!?! :o)

                                                  Mommy and Macheus.

                                        The "gang". Not sure what was up with Myles. :o)

                           
                                       Sweet little fellow played so hard.

                                           
                                                   McKenzie and Macheus. 

                                    Malachi and Matt stayed in the ocean for hours!

                                                   Madeline

                                                                 Myles

                                            Napping on the beach.

                 I am not sure when Madeline grew up!  It happens way too fast!

                               
                                                              Mariah

                                                    Matthew

                                           Love his expression. :o)

                      

  Marc bought the family matching t-shirts on one of his business trips. :o)

                               Glad for bright shirts on a playground after dark!

We took hundreds of pictures (I love digital photography!  Do you remember the years of having to be careful how much film you went through on a trip? :o)  I had a hard time deciding which ones to share, so I decided I will just do two posts with beach pictures!  McKenzie thought I was being silly to share so many.  She'll understand one day..............So, be expecting more beach memories to come!

Choosing to be thankful...

I have told my children so many times...... Joy is a choice.  I need to remind myself of that many times!  Lately I have had to remind myself that thankfulness is a choice too.  Many things in life can weigh you down and you can have a pity party.  Then you hear of someone who is going through a tragedy that is more than anyone should have to bear. As I was going about my morning with messes, bills, a child recovering from wisdom teeth surgery, a broken vehicle, juggling schedules, a dad who has to be taken to the dentist this afternoon, and a million other things that are vying for my attention........... I will choose to be thankful!

 Thankful for this little boy that makes me smile.  He was in his pajamas (at lunch time) with his cowboy stuff over them.  I hugged him and said,  "You are so precious."  He hugged me back and said,  "You are pwecious too mommy." :o)

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;

                                                 His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

A Getaway....

A couple of weeks ago Macheus and I went along on one of Marc's business trips.  I was hesitant to go because of all that needed to be done at home but I was glad that I did.  The summer has been crazy busy.  I had so many things I wanted to accomplish around my home and very little of it has gotten done.  My sister and I have been busy packing my dad's house up and getting it ready to rent.  It is amazing how much stuff accumulates in fifty years of marriage.  Neither one of them were "throw away" people so it was a huge job!  We got it done this past weekend (except for one more trip I have to make to get some outside stuff.)  It has helped mentally just knowing that his house is empty!  Today I worked on my own house a little bit.  I got our school books cleaned out from last years school and the shelves are almost ready for the new year. (I am NOT ready for school to start back!)  I took a trash bag to the boys room and filled it! I filled our can and I have a big load to take to donate tomorrow.  It feels great to get rid of STUFF!   I have a lot more that I want to get done, but at least it was a start!

Now.... back to the trip.  We stayed in a very nice hotel.  The suite was really big and the bed was wonderful! (I normally don't sleep well away from home, but I slept great!)

 I love my children but it was nice to be able to talk to Marc without any interruptions! :o)

 Sweet little Macheus enjoying the soft bed!  Marc would slip out in the mornings and leave us sleeping.  It was heavenly to sleep right through breakfast!  We got up in the mornings and went to the workout room.  I had that and the pool to myself!  I think the majority of the people staying there were on business.

 This is on the balcony overlooking the inside of the hotel.

 Waking up....

 Headed out for the evening.

 We found a really pretty park to walk at in the evenings.

 Someone called him a girl the other day!  Wonder if I should cut his hair?  I sure don't want to!  What do you think?

Goodnight!

One year ago...

It is very late at night and I really should be in the bed already.  We are headed to the beach tomorrow, and I was reflecting on "this time last year" when we were going on this same beach trip.  I was fairly early in my pregnancy with Macheus.  I was feeling pretty crummy and I was very worried about miscarrying still.  I was looking at him laying in his bed this evening with a heart FULL of thankfulness that he is here and healthy!  .

 

                                                           Worn out...

This one is from a month or so ago.  The Bumbo pictures always crack me up. :)  His thighs are fatter now and we have to shove them down in the seat! :)

Headed to bed!  I am sure we will have many beach pictures to share when we get back! :o)

Mariah's Baptism

This past Sunday Mariah was baptized.  I am always so thankful that Marc has the privilege of baptizing our children.  It was a very special evening.

 Each one of our children has someone that we have asked to commit to praying for them.  I was so glad that Mariah's "prayer warrior" was able to be at her baptism.  We were very thankful for several friends that traveled to come!

^{"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."  3 Jophn 1:4}

Five Months....

I can't believe this little guy is already five months old!

 He has REALLY filled out in the last month.  His little (or not so little) legs look like you could pop them with a pin! :o)  He is so soft and squishy!  I haven't weighed him in a while.  He doesn't fit in my bowl to weigh on the kitchen scale anymore. :o)  I think I am going to take him in for a six month check-up to see what he weighs. 

 At five months.............  he is happy, laughs a lot, sleeps all night (most of the time), rolls all over his playroom floor, gets in the crawling position, and as of today is attempting to move his hands and knees (much too young! I am not ready for that!),

 reaches for mommy and notices when I am in the room, "coughs" to get our attention or to get sympathy......it is so funny!

 loves to be outside and one of his favorite spots (and mine too) is to swing on the front porch....

 has been chewing and drooling for several weeks but no tooth yet.......

 "spits" and "blows bubbles" at us and then gets serious to see what our reaction is :o)

                                           Much loved little boy!

                He has brought much joy to our entire family!