Aunt Becky and Uncle Andy's June 2014 Visit

It's been very hard for my sister, my very best friend, to be away from me while I've been recovering from my accident and surgery. As soon as she heard the news, I know she's wanted nothing more than to be right by my side. No time is ever too late, though, and having her here this weekend has been so refreshing, so comforting and so rejuvenating for me.  

I treasure very second of time spend with her and love her more than she could ever imagine possible. 

We had a weekend full of leisure doing what matters most, spending time together as family. Lots of wonderful memories were made. 

Thanks Grandma June for the Sand Pudding recipe! The kiddos had a blast smashing up the cookies and layering them between the cool-whip-cream-cheese-pudding goodness!

Uncle Andy is five star kinda uncle, as good as they get! His heart is of gold and the little ones are just drawn to him. I love these pictures of them with him.

And this one, too...

Park Time :) 

Leaving the park. Is this not the sweetest?

Josiah loves his cousin Isaac

A visit from Grandma Ella 

Oh, the fun they had grasshopper catching! Such a suitable activity for my darling sister! I remember her having such a good time catching those little buggers when we were kids. 

I adore this! We (Myself, Josiah, Mikey and Aunt Becky) we're packed like sardines in my queen bed one night. I couldn't get over how close Mikey was to Becky's face and that she could sleep like that! She is the BEST! 

Our five star uncle Andy! 

I love that Aunt Becky thinks of teaching Gabby things that just don't cross my mind. I LOVE IT! She teaches them things like hand games, the hot lava game, the name song and tonight it was hair braiding. 

I had a total of four appointments packed into this weekend; a physical therapy, a checkup with Dr. Barnes (my Orthopedic surgeon), an eye exam and a well check-up for Mikey. I'm so thankful for the time they were here and able to help make all those appointments happen. 

Headed to hang out at the mall while Mommy gets her eyes examined. 
(Right there at Sears Optical :))  

Fun on the coin machines at the mall. 

Photo props with aunt Becky! 

I can't wait until we are all together again! 

Sunday Funday

We decided to reserve Sunday evening as our water play day during Aunt Becky and Uncle Andy's visit.

With water balloons, a slip-n-slide, a sprinkler and a water gun, watermelon, pizza, limber and most importantly family, we were all set with the ingredients necessary for a fun filled summer evening. 

Isaac is a pro on the slip-n-slide! He was excited to show his little cousins how it's done. Gabriella modified the rules slightly as she ran half way down the slip-n-slide before sliding and Mikey just got a kick out of running straight down the slip-n-slide as fast as his little legs could carry him. So cute! 

Aunt Becky worked so diligently on the water balloons and with such joy, too! She knew exactly how much they'd enjoy them which made it all worth the while for her.  It is such a shame that the amount of time spent laboring over water balloons doesn't equal the amount of time it takes to diminish the supply. They were gone in a blink of an eye but oh so fun while they lasted! 

Attack Aunt Becky!

Get La-la! 

We tried to plan a sneak attack on daddy but somehow he managed to CATCH one that had a tiny hole in it and he used it as defense! Now tell me, what are the odds?!?!

Mmmmmm limber! 

A little swing set time...

Swinging with his big sister...

Sweetness! 

Isaac is such a good big cousin! 

And just a few more...

A Full Heart

I lingered as I prayed with Mikey and Gabriella tonight. I felt no reason to rush as I laid in bed with them. There was an unusual calmness in the room tonight. 

They rested, listening to a prayer full of worship and repentance but mainly graditude. I prayed over them with a full heart, making known how thankful I am for each of them, for their unique gifts, for our family, for mistakes made, for lessons learned, for strength in weakness and for His guidance and His wisdom. 

I prayed until their little eyes fell shut. I eventually left their side for the night and quietly walked out of the room.  I left feeling like there couldn't have been any time better spent. The living room full of clutter, piles of laundry to be tended to, the kitchen overflowing with dirty dishes, sticky counters and crumby floors...I'm so glad I didn't allow those things to rob me of my joy tonight. 

My heart is full. Overflowing. 

I love my family. My husband. My Gabriella. My Mikey. My Josiah. 

I don't want to take a second of my life with them for granted. I am so blessed. 

Slime

I've tried this homemade slime recipe a few times. I've gotten it right once and wrong the rest. Stinks! One of the few blogs I follow shared a simple post on how to fix slime fails and I am so grateful. It's been quite a while since I've tried but after reading and diagnosing my problem I felt ambitious enough to try again. It still took me quite a few days to muster the bravery to add just enough but not too much liquid starch. It should not be such a scary thing but it's really quite intimidating to me.  

Whew, finally I got it right! 

We (oh yes, I joined in on the fun, too!) played and played and played with our slime for at least an hour today. 

Mikey was incredibly good at stretching his slime into the perfect triangular shape which results in a super thin center that's perfect for "bubble blowing". 

Oh, that bottom right picture! I love that face! 

Gabby couldn't quite get the hang of Mikey's technique so he willingly gave her a lesson. This was so wonderful to watch seeing that Mikey is usually the one learning things from Gabby. He was so happy to help his big sister out. 

Annnnd there she goes! Perfect! 

He had so much fun! 

We made slime balls and watched to see who's would spread the furthest. 

I LOVE seeing Josiah's profile right next to Mikey's. 

It was taking far too long. Mikey was over it. :) 

Faces 

The addition of teeth...compliments of Mikey. :) 

A slime race...

Kids Krusade

I preached for the first time ever at a Kids Krusade tonight. I was completely terrified. Nervous is good but terrified isn't. After Butch asked me, I immediately felt subpar. Every single one of my imperfections ran through my mind and were followed by every reason why I'm not right for the job. 

I mean, Bro. Butch is an incredible preacher and totally brings it, especially on Kids Krusades! Those are HUGE shoes to fill. I know I preach in Little River on Sundays but this was a KIDS KRUSADE! So different! There's NO WAY! I felt completely unworthy. 

Then God began to speak to my heart...

"This isn't about you. It's about me. I can use you. I can use anything or anyone. Remember David? Remember Moses? (Just to name a few.) I've got this under control. I know what I'm doing...BUT if you aren't willing, I will use someone who is..." 

OUCH! No, God! Use me! I want to be used by you. I want to be a vessel. 

So I began to pray that God would continue to speak to me and lay a word for his people on my heart. He is so faithful. I am so amazed by Him. He is SO good! 

He not only gave me a word but completely took over tonight. WOW! I was speaking but it was ALL God. What a thrilling experience! He showed up and ministered to the hearts who came and ministered, most of all, to me. 

I am so incredibly humbled to have been used by Him, so humbled and so in love.

Aaaaand on the way home from church tonight, Gabby and Mikey both brought up different aspects of the sermon...THEY WERE LISTENING! Sigh...Oh, my heart is overflowing!

Thank you, Father God, for what you did tonight. You never cease to amaze me. To you I give all honor and glory. 

Dance Recital 2014

I felt so honored to sit and watch my beautiful Gabriella dance on stage for her second annual dance recital. My heart fluttered as I imagined what this experience must be like for her sweet little four-year-old-self. 

I imagined she must be experiencing excitement galore as she had the opportunity to preform for her family with friends so dear.  I watched and admired her fearlessness as she danced in front of the possible hundreds there. I also imagined that she perhaps may even be experiencing a bit of pride as she proudly shares a season of hard work with all of us. 

I savored those feelings I felt and I cried as I watched her dance so joyfully, so innocently, so purely. 

I felt the love I have for her swell within and not because of anything she did but rather because of how humbled I felt to be the mother of such an incredibly amazing little girl. 

You are breathtaking, my dear, breathtaking. 

Beauty at its finest. 

Here are a few shots Nana got while Gabriella was on stage.

(Thank you so much Nana)

(I love hearing Mikey's sweet voice asking if Gabby is ok. He is always looking out for his big sister and checking to see if she is "ok".  So precious!) 

Mommy and daddy are so proud of you, baby girl. 

Elite Dance Center's 4-5 Year Old , Tuesday Night, Jazz./Ballet Class

The photographers offered to take a picture of the cousins for no extra charge. How sweet! :)  

Alyana and Gabriella 

Happy 3rd Birthday, Michael

After my broken bone fiasco and after having surgery on your sweet 3rd birthday, Grandma Cindy offered to have your birthday get together at her house this year. She is so wonderful! With family and food and birthday cake we were sure to have a blast.  

Papa and Uncle Phil set up a little pool for you and your friends to enjoy. You all had tons of fun running from the pool to the play set and back again, over and over. 

Although you haven't show intense intrest in this particular theme, since you were two and a half you've asked for a "car race" birthday cake so there it is, your "car race" birthday cake! 

Some of your gifts this year were a Design & Drill kit, dinosaur rainboots, an indestructable case for our iPad (for when we do allow iPad time), a Jake and the Neverland Pirates puzzle and plenty of adorable size 3T play clothes that fit much better than your super snug 2T ones. 

Pop-Pop and daddy and Josiah, too. 

Daddy using the air compressor to blow up balloons for everyone. 

You LOVED your Happy Birthday balloon, even carried it to bed with you. 

We love you so much, sweet boy! You diserve to be celebrated, not just today but everyday. Happy 3rd Birthday, Mikey!