It was a good day

Monday was a holiday we celebrated to show gratitude for the people who have fought for our freedom.

Our family did that, and we also felt gratitude for a day of togetherness, a day of simple fun, a day of making ordinary things special, another day to enjoy this precious life. It was a good day.

Monday was a holiday we celebrated to show gratitude for the people who have fought for our freedom.

Our family did that, and we also felt gratitude for a day of togetherness, a day of simple fun, a day of making ordinary things special, another day to enjoy this precious life. It was a good day.

1st road trip of the summer

Saturday, Linds and I took our big girls on a road trip to Florence, Alabama. We were in dire need of some sister time, and our ever-obliging husbands were oh-so-compliant with the "out" we gave them from going to another wedding. :)

We decided we'd let our big girls tag along since they are at the age where weddings are magical. Addison has been addicted since the royal wedding last spring. She is a little confused at the terminology, calling the bridesmaids "fairies" and the bride and groom "princess and prince."

This was the wedding of a sweet friend from Auburn that Linds and I both adored. There's just something about those Auburn friendships... We reminisced on our car ride about some of those special relationships. I was thankful to get to catch up with Haley and meet sweet Emma Kate and with Katie and meet spunky Mason (sad we got out of there without a pic of those last 2).

We had fun letting the girls throw rocks in "the ocean" and dance to the music while we celebrated Leslie and Shane and ate some of the best wedding cake I have ever tasted.

The girls crashed on the way home, and Linds and I didn't stop talking the whole time. It was a wonderful first summer Saturday, and we were so glad we got to go!

Saturday, Linds and I took our big girls on a road trip to Florence, Alabama. We were in dire need of some sister time, and our ever-obliging husbands were oh-so-compliant with the "out" we gave them from going to another wedding. :)

We decided we'd let our big girls tag along since they are at the age where weddings are magical. Addison has been addicted since the royal wedding last spring. She is a little confused at the terminology, calling the bridesmaids "fairies" and the bride and groom "princess and prince."

This was the wedding of a sweet friend from Auburn that Linds and I both adored. There's just something about those Auburn friendships... We reminisced on our car ride about some of those special relationships. I was thankful to get to catch up with Haley and meet sweet Emma Kate and with Katie and meet spunky Mason (sad we got out of there without a pic of those last 2).

We had fun letting the girls throw rocks in "the ocean" and dance to the music while we celebrated Leslie and Shane and ate some of the best wedding cake I have ever tasted.

The girls crashed on the way home, and Linds and I didn't stop talking the whole time. It was a wonderful first summer Saturday, and we were so glad we got to go!

The rest of summer

When we got back from our vacation, the rest of summer just FLEW by. On the Monday we got back, Patrick started his new job. He is back into building and is so happy. This is an opportunity we have been praying for for so long, and God is blessing our family through it already. Isn't this house he just finished so beautiful? It is in Nashville's Sylvan Park Historic District. Preview more at www.aspen-construction.net
We got to visit with the rest of our cousins, some of our most special friends, and had some swim parties.

We went to visit Amy, Eli, and Caroline, and meet new baby Camp, but sweet boy was sleeping during out failed photo session. These kiddos sure have fun!
We took another trip to the zoo and found the flamingos again!


We have gotten more settled in at Otter Creek since we began visiting there since April, and Addison is loving her Bible class.

Then, before we knew it, we were starting back to school. This year, Ansley got a new lunch box since she can now eat some foods! Yay, Ansley!
We were sad to see summer go, but FALL is our favorite! Come on, cooler weather, football, birthdays, and anniversaries!

When we got back from our vacation, the rest of summer just FLEW by. On the Monday we got back, Patrick started his new job. He is back into building and is so happy. This is an opportunity we have been praying for for so long, and God is blessing our family through it already. Isn't this house he just finished so beautiful? It is in Nashville's Sylvan Park Historic District. Preview more at www.aspen-construction.net
We got to visit with the rest of our cousins, some of our most special friends, and had some swim parties.

We went to visit Amy, Eli, and Caroline, and meet new baby Camp, but sweet boy was sleeping during out failed photo session. These kiddos sure have fun!
We took another trip to the zoo and found the flamingos again!


We have gotten more settled in at Otter Creek since we began visiting there since April, and Addison is loving her Bible class.

Then, before we knew it, we were starting back to school. This year, Ansley got a new lunch box since she can now eat some foods! Yay, Ansley!
We were sad to see summer go, but FALL is our favorite! Come on, cooler weather, football, birthdays, and anniversaries!

Our First Vacation as a "Family of Four"

This free picture slideshow customized with Smilebox

Here is a slideshow of pictures from our trip last week to Destin. We really did have a wonderful time, and the girls were great travelers. It was our second year to go for the 4th of July, and we really enjoy this time of year--hot as it is.

A Top 10 of some of our highlights:

1. Fireworks and concert in Seaside, FL for the 4th--We always love visiting our honeymoon cottage ("The Honeybee") and strolling the shops and restaurants. My favorite bookstore, Sundog, never disappoints, and Bud and Alley's Taco Bar has become a family favorite. We got there early, reserved our spot at the ampitheatre with a blanket, and then enjoyed the town until the concert and fireworks began.

2. Destin Commons Playground--Addison begs to go there as soon

as we cross the Mid Bay Bridge. She always makes some friends and burns some energy.

3. 6:30 wake-up calls. Too bad she doesn't burn enough energy to sleep in... Addison came in our room the first morning (and every successive morning) at 6:30 with bathing suit in hand and a daily agenda. We talked her into laying down with us and watching cartoons until her baby sister woke up at 7:30.

4. Putt Putt Golf--This was Addison's first time to play, and while she was interested in learning how to swing the club, after the first shot, she would pick up her ball, put it in the hole, and clap for herself, saying, "Yay Addison!"

5. Evening beach trips--While we loved the beach at any time of the day, I have to say these times were our favorites. We didn't have to worry about sunscreen, and Addison was braver, and Ansley loved digging in the sand and smearing it on Mommy. Our best sand turtles were formed as the sun was setting.

6. The boat. Lindsay and Daniel let us borrow their boat, and we blew it up filled it with water, and put it under our umbrella in the shade. Ansley loved it, and it bought us at least an extra hour at the beach each day.

7. The pool--this was Addison's favorite, and each day she got braver and more comfortable in the water. Our pre-vacation swimming lessons fell through, so I was nervous about how she would do, but she was kicking, blowing bubbles, jumping to my arms, and going under by herself by the end of the trip.

8. Eating seafood--my diet restrictions didn't hold us back too much. I was able to eat grouper, mahi mahi, and amberjack at our favorite beach restaurants, and we cooked in several nights as well.

9. Reading--While at home, I rarely have time to dive into a good book. On this trip I read these three:

I finished rereading Mission of Motherhood and was just inspired in the way I spend time with my daughters, in the way I discipline, and in the way I hope to capture their hearts for the Lord.

My "beach read" was a little good chick lit by Emily Giffin. This one was a little heavier than usual, and in a strange way inspired me to invest even more intentionally in my marriage in the little things.

Patrick read Plan B last summer and has encouraged me to ever since then... You know how sometimes you read something at just the right time, and it just is one of those poignant moments when you know spiritual forces were at work, pricking your heart in the perfect way at the perfect time. Well, in tears on the beach during the girls' afternoon naps, I sat by myself and read Pete Wilson's relevant words which have touched my heart deeply. Everyone's Plan B is his/her own reality, and there's really not a better or worse scenario, I've come to learn. Your reality is your reality, and God equips us individually for our unique circumstances. Praise Him for using this life to draw us closer to Him... I have a lot to say about this, so I will just save it for a future post... But all three are worth reading!

10. Pandora--we enjoyed sitting on the front porch with our ipad using this ap, eating popsicles, sometimes reading, sometimes dancing, sometimes just sitting, listening to our favorite beach stations--for us, Michael Buble and Bob Marley.

It truly was a wonderful getaway, a time of reflection, celebration, the unknown, and changes for our family. (Patrick started a new job the Monday after our return, something we had prayed about since being down here last summer. He is back into building, and he is so happy.)

It was also a time of refreshment. We got to see some of our oldest and dearest friends, and I will include that in a separate post as well... Until then, enjoy the slideshow (for those of you who haven't seen these on Facebook already. :))

This free picture slideshow customized with Smilebox

Here is a slideshow of pictures from our trip last week to Destin. We really did have a wonderful time, and the girls were great travelers. It was our second year to go for the 4th of July, and we really enjoy this time of year--hot as it is.

A Top 10 of some of our highlights:

1. Fireworks and concert in Seaside, FL for the 4th--We always love visiting our honeymoon cottage ("The Honeybee") and strolling the shops and restaurants. My favorite bookstore, Sundog, never disappoints, and Bud and Alley's Taco Bar has become a family favorite. We got there early, reserved our spot at the ampitheatre with a blanket, and then enjoyed the town until the concert and fireworks began.

2. Destin Commons Playground--Addison begs to go there as soon

as we cross the Mid Bay Bridge. She always makes some friends and burns some energy.

3. 6:30 wake-up calls. Too bad she doesn't burn enough energy to sleep in... Addison came in our room the first morning (and every successive morning) at 6:30 with bathing suit in hand and a daily agenda. We talked her into laying down with us and watching cartoons until her baby sister woke up at 7:30.

4. Putt Putt Golf--This was Addison's first time to play, and while she was interested in learning how to swing the club, after the first shot, she would pick up her ball, put it in the hole, and clap for herself, saying, "Yay Addison!"

5. Evening beach trips--While we loved the beach at any time of the day, I have to say these times were our favorites. We didn't have to worry about sunscreen, and Addison was braver, and Ansley loved digging in the sand and smearing it on Mommy. Our best sand turtles were formed as the sun was setting.

6. The boat. Lindsay and Daniel let us borrow their boat, and we blew it up filled it with water, and put it under our umbrella in the shade. Ansley loved it, and it bought us at least an extra hour at the beach each day.

7. The pool--this was Addison's favorite, and each day she got braver and more comfortable in the water. Our pre-vacation swimming lessons fell through, so I was nervous about how she would do, but she was kicking, blowing bubbles, jumping to my arms, and going under by herself by the end of the trip.

8. Eating seafood--my diet restrictions didn't hold us back too much. I was able to eat grouper, mahi mahi, and amberjack at our favorite beach restaurants, and we cooked in several nights as well.

9. Reading--While at home, I rarely have time to dive into a good book. On this trip I read these three:

I finished rereading Mission of Motherhood and was just inspired in the way I spend time with my daughters, in the way I discipline, and in the way I hope to capture their hearts for the Lord.

My "beach read" was a little good chick lit by Emily Giffin. This one was a little heavier than usual, and in a strange way inspired me to invest even more intentionally in my marriage in the little things.

Patrick read Plan B last summer and has encouraged me to ever since then... You know how sometimes you read something at just the right time, and it just is one of those poignant moments when you know spiritual forces were at work, pricking your heart in the perfect way at the perfect time. Well, in tears on the beach during the girls' afternoon naps, I sat by myself and read Pete Wilson's relevant words which have touched my heart deeply. Everyone's Plan B is his/her own reality, and there's really not a better or worse scenario, I've come to learn. Your reality is your reality, and God equips us individually for our unique circumstances. Praise Him for using this life to draw us closer to Him... I have a lot to say about this, so I will just save it for a future post... But all three are worth reading!

10. Pandora--we enjoyed sitting on the front porch with our ipad using this ap, eating popsicles, sometimes reading, sometimes dancing, sometimes just sitting, listening to our favorite beach stations--for us, Michael Buble and Bob Marley.

It truly was a wonderful getaway, a time of reflection, celebration, the unknown, and changes for our family. (Patrick started a new job the Monday after our return, something we had prayed about since being down here last summer. He is back into building, and he is so happy.)

It was also a time of refreshment. We got to see some of our oldest and dearest friends, and I will include that in a separate post as well... Until then, enjoy the slideshow (for those of you who haven't seen these on Facebook already. :))

Coloring Prayers Part 2 and the Everyday Summer

Last summer I wrote an entry called "Coloring Prayers." That has continued into this summer in the sweetest way. Yesterday, we went to Books-a-Million, and I needed to get a new journal. Addison was so interested, and she begged us to get her a prayer journal too. Well, there was a $1 2011 calendar journal thing, and we got it for her. The first thing that she asked for this morning was her prayer journal, and she wanted us to get our special pens and pray. I was melting at her sweetness. Of course she just scribbled in hers, but I wrote down what she told me she was praying for.

She was so proud and she carried it with her all day--even later when she was coloring her new memory verse.

Meanwhile, her little sister was just a watching and laughing.

This weekend we celebrated my girls' daddy.

He took the girls for a night swim. My big girl stayed close to the wall.

My little girl is going to be a water baby.

We celebrated with Daddy at lunch and then at a concert in the park. Everybody had a ball!

We are loving our everyday summer!

Last summer I wrote an entry called "Coloring Prayers." That has continued into this summer in the sweetest way. Yesterday, we went to Books-a-Million, and I needed to get a new journal. Addison was so interested, and she begged us to get her a prayer journal too. Well, there was a $1 2011 calendar journal thing, and we got it for her. The first thing that she asked for this morning was her prayer journal, and she wanted us to get our special pens and pray. I was melting at her sweetness. Of course she just scribbled in hers, but I wrote down what she told me she was praying for.

She was so proud and she carried it with her all day--even later when she was coloring her new memory verse.

Meanwhile, her little sister was just a watching and laughing.

This weekend we celebrated my girls' daddy.

He took the girls for a night swim. My big girl stayed close to the wall.

My little girl is going to be a water baby.

We celebrated with Daddy at lunch and then at a concert in the park. Everybody had a ball!

We are loving our everyday summer!