Bathing Suit Wearing, Naps, The Letter B, and Library Things...

We have been busy, busy around here.  Not a "oh my goodness- we have no time for anything" type of busy, but a taking care of kids, doing school, the big kids made a swim team, Ellie's doing pre-school, serving at the church, exercising, studying our bibles, teaching Sunday School, discipling our children- kind of busy.

Anyhoo, things are running along pretty smoothly.  Babies are finally on sleeping schedules- both are finally sleeping through the night- and I feel like a new woman just having a full, uninterrupted night of sleep-
BAM- New. Woman.

Ellie, as always, is totally a rock star and continues to be sweet, kind, and the Queen of silliness.

I took her on a little date the other day and had to stop by the Post Office.  While there she was eating a box of raisins.  The lady behind us in line asked her if she knew where raisins came from.

She said, "Yeah.  This box."

I'm mean really?.  That. Kid.

The kind lady then proceeded to explain to her that yes, while her raisins did come out of that box, they originally started life as grapes.  That made her laugh.

She basically refuses to wear anything other than a swimsuit these days, and being the "totally on top of things" mother that I am- I totally let her.  Dentist. Library. Home. Grocery Store.  She's shown them all that bathing suit wearing has no season.  We've even had a few friends give us some hand-me-down ones just so she can change it up a bit.

I found her asleep like this the other day.  I wish my other kids were so dedicated to their studies.

Henry- Just because he's so cute...

On our date we headed to the Library for Story Time...

They hear a story and make a craft...

She's so fun.

This past week she was learning the letter B in school.  So we totally traced her Big Brother and then she decorated him...

It was so fun she insisted on decorating herself...

That's what's been going on.  Hope everyone has a great day and week!

Happy Monday!

Celebrating 50 Years...

When we went home in July we were there to visit family, but a large part of why we went when we went was to celebrate my parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary.

50 years of marriage.  Isn't that amazing!!!

I can't even begin to tell you how thankful and blessed I feel to have parents that love each other and are committed to each other.  Talk about security and a great example!  

Their marriage has been such a godly example to me of God's design for marriage.  

One man.  

One woman.

Sacrificial.

Loving.

Faithful.

Committed.

Respectful.

Trusting.

So in celebration of this grand event we did what most red blooded Americans do and we threw a party!

Me with my parents, and siblings...

Cousins...

Tons of friends and family stopped my to celebrate the happy couple...

My sweet friend Lindsay- was so good to see her!...

Thank you Mom and Dad for allowing me to grow up in a home where I knew that my mom and dad loved each other and were committed to the vows that they made before God and one another. I'm sure there were times when it would have been easier to throw the towel in and call it quits, but instead you made a decision to remain committed and faithful.  Thank you for respecting the importance and the permanence of marriage.  

Marriage is magnificent and glorious and often mysterious, and I'm so thankful you showed me the importance of fighting for it and enjoying it as the special gift from our loving creator that it is.

Blessings,

The Lake...

While we were back home back in July we were able to go with Nolan's grandparents and that side of the family to the lake for the day.

It's always so much fun spending time with them.  They laugh, play games, tell stories... it's a blessing, and we are so thankful for each of them.

While at the lake we were able to swim (at least the kids did, because it was cold and rainy), ride jet skis, and ride behind the boat on tubes.  Here's our day in photos...

The Kane-man was a little bent out of shape that I made him wear a life jacket for swimming... sorry dude...

I think she gets cuter every day...

Ruthie...

She's so pretty- inside and out.

Grandpa Doyle and the Henry-man are big buddies...

Cousin Landry is tons of fun!  She loves our babies and I miss her loads.

These two on a jet ski together is scary I'm not going to lie.  They like to live on the edge... I do not.

She thought she was so big getting to ride a tube.
I thought she was to little to be riding a tube.

Obviously I was outvoted.

 

*insert eye roll...

My one request about riding the jet ski was to ride but not get wet.  We got too far out when a storm came up on us.  I was pretty sure we were going to get killed by lightening out on the water.  My life flashed before my eyes.

Ellie might as well be a professional cake decorator.  I mean who doesn't love all their sprinkles in one, giant, pile right in the middle of their cake?

We love us some family and had a blast hanging out.

We are blessed with so much family.  They all love us and bless us each in their own ways.  I wish we were able to see them more often, but now that we live away it's just not possible, but the time we do get to spend with them is all the more sweet and special.  God is good and he went above and beyond when he blessed us with family!

Our summer was busy, but oh so good!

We are almost done with our first week of school!  I can't even believe it!  Pictures of that to come!

Blessings,