Big Boy & Summer Fun

This big boy is loving summer as well.  

Jay does not, however, love any sort of baby float.  

Cries his head off in them.
I haven't decided if I'm picking that battle yet.

Pics of him at the pool have been significantly harder to take as he's taken several dives head first into the water.

He sees big sis jumping off the side and does the same!

I think I'm going to see if we can teach him to shut his mouth and swim with the puddle jumpers.

He's tolerating those much better.

We welcome any tips on swimming for 18 month olds! :)

Jay's also a pro grilling assistant!

Love his giant bottom in this pic.  Might have forgotten to put on a swim diaper.

We're all pumped grilling season is here!

Kirkley shouted, "Corn on the cob!" in the grocery the other day.

She remembers the 952 ears consumed last summer by our family!

Trying to get a jump on some summer fun plans.

Been looking at a few new sites with super cute ideas:

I love this bag of ideas...if only I was a sewer.  Ours will be in list or jar form!

Thinking about ordering this ebook: Summer Survival Guide.
Yummy Summer continues to post ideas -- Kirkley keeps asking when we're picking blueberries!

And impressyourkids has tons of ideas that I always forget to check!

Any idea sites you love??

And as much as I love a plan, I did love this devo today that reminded me God doesn't always want my plan!

"The cheerful heart has a continual feast."

Proverbs 15:15b

"The heart of man plans his way,
   but the Lord establishes his steps."
Proverbs 16:9

Wedding Weekend

We've had a wild week heading out of town on Wednesday to prep for my little sister's wedding!  

Many a cookie has been frosted, stickers stuck, bows tied, etc.

Weddings bring fun and details!! :)

We had too much fun coming up with hotel basket contents:

Ski cola (for our "Ski" maiden name," wedding cake cookies, lavender candle and antibac, 

and lots of their favorite snacks/candy/gum.

Kirkley has been looking forward to being a flower girl for months.

Finally the practice night came...

While she rehearsed, Jay explored the botanical gardens...

ignoring the "Please Stay on Path" signs.

We know he's up to something when we get the under-bite grin!

We had such a fun weekend celebrating Whitney and Seth!

More pics to come!!!

"We love because He first loved us." 

1 John 4:19

Swim Lessons Done!

The tenth and final night of swim lessons came with much anticipation.  

We practiced lots over the weekend doing "blobs," kicking, and jumping off of the side.  

Kirkley was excited to go and show her teacher she'd conquered her fear of jumping in!  

 Alex and I were excited to not go to the aquatics center every evening any longer! :)

Going under for "blobs" remained the favorite activity....

The teacher death grip was released and kick board utilized...

And finally, she jumped off the side (without being pushed!) to her teacher!

We were all excited and felt like we conquered swim lessons together!  :)

This was major perseverance in her little four year old world!!

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, 

because when he has stood the test, 

he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."

James 1:12

Last Day of School

Kirkley's last day of school came with a new tradition:

Pizza and the Pool!

We left preschool, grabbed a $5 pizza hot 'n ready, and went straight to the pool!

I totally thought it would be too cold, but she proved me wrong showing off her "blobs"!

After a good afternoon nap, we headed to the local airport to see Aunt Judi and Uncle Mike after they landed!

The kids were totally intrigued with the plane...

So excited to have them here for a few days --

perfect way to end the school year with a fun family visit!

We headed home and loved a new recipe we tried: Spicy Blueberry Pork Tenderloin.

Recipe changes: didn't have chipotle powder so just threw in a shake of red pepper, I accidentally put all 3 T of the mustard into the sauce (then another 1 T on the pork) so 4 T total (we liked it that way!), and we put it on the grill. 

Served it with broccoli salad, Emily's poppyseed dressing over salad (recipe to come), and cranberry wild rice (3 90-sec wild rice packets + 1 c craisins + 1/2 c toasted pecans).

This was all pretty good and all could be prepped before!!!  Best kind!

Topped off with strawberry pie (cut jello to 5T, make and eat same day). 

It was a berry kind of night.

I think I re-found my cooking vibe -- I've been waaayyy out of the habit -- of cooking, hospitality, couponing, etc.  The list could go on and on!  :)

Looking forward to summer to hopefully get my act somewhat together!

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.  

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.   

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,  as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 

whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; 

whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—

in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

1 Peter 4:8-11

embrace the camera

This week has been packed with about as much fun as we can handle.

Kirkley continues her 10 nights of swim lessons, which gives us some rare one-on-one time with Jay.

There has been lots of walking, chasing, bubble mowing, ramp running, stair sliding, rock throwing, etc. going on!

Jay was even more excited to get to do all of that with daddy tonight!

Meanwhile, Kirkley continues to make progress at swim lessons.  Slow progress but progress nonetheless.

It's required huge amounts of perseverance and loss of privileges.

It's amazing what a life without your Strawberry Shortcake doll and favorite elephant will drive you to do.

Release the death grip on your swim teacher is one thing!

Going under for "blobs" is another.

She's so proud of her bobs!  :)

Our Seeds of Courage CD came in on the second day of swim lessons.

#12 "Do not fear" is officially known as the swim lessons song!

If you don't have any of these CD's, we so recommend!

I catch myself listening when the kids aren't in the car!!!

There are even awesome printables that go with the songs.

"Do not fear, for I am with you;
   be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

Take me out to the Circus!

 Kirkley's end of the year circus program was today -- she has been super excited to get to perform!

She first came home a few weeks ago announcing she was going to be a strong man.

After a little discussion, she settled on an elephant.

We've heard the circus songs on a daily basis again and again!

Oh little elephant,

Oh little elephant,

Step on your stool and raise your trunk!

Oh little elephant,

Oh little elephant,

We love the circus as we do!

Cha cha cha!

She was so proud to step on her stool and raise her trunk! :)

I was so happy someone had made the costumes!!!

Take me out to the circus!

Take me to the big top!

I want to see the clowns tumbling,

as I eat popcorn and drink soda pop!

Oh, the lions and tigers may scare me,

the high wire act will amaze!

So it's me, you, the things we will do

on our circus day!

She adores being on stage and performing...

Jay loved seeing her on stage!  He laughed, hollered, and clapped the whole time!

We headed back to her room for a circus party...

Her teachers have done the most precious things with her this year!

As a former teacher, I know that is noooo easy feat -- 

can't imagine trying these projects with a classroom of 3 year olds!

They were truly a blessing to our family this year!

"We will not hide them from their children,

but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might,

and the wonders that He has done."

Psalm 78:4

Soon to be Summer!

We got a taste of summer this week with close to 90 degree temperatures.

I got a little ahead of myself and took us on to a local splash pad -- it was a little on the chilly side, but the kids loved it!

 Jay's favorite activity: going head-first down the slide.

Had me sprinting across the park every time I saw him heading up the stairs!

 

 Summer days are around the corner...

We're trying to plan some fun mixed with free days to do as we please!

I love a friend's idea to write a "Summer to Do List" with your kids -- this is on our to do list to write! :)

Another big summer goal:

Hit up all our area has to offer within an hour or two driving trip!

The zoo, gardens, friends, fun shopping, etc. are all a day trip away!!!

Who's coming with us in the "rockin' van" as K calls it!?

Seeing ballet/church/sports camps, VBS, a little beach trip, 

and lots of days by the neighborhood pool in our near future!!!

Linking up today with yummy summer -- who doesn't need some ideas for summer fun!?

"My times are in your hands"

Psalm 31:15a

Swim Lessons

The verdict is still out for us knowing at what age children "take" to swim lessons.  

This is our third year in a row of going, and K isn't out of floaties yet.
At age two we did mommy and me, at three she did one-on-one lessons, and now we're in a small class.

She was excited to wear her bathing suit and princess shoes...

Excited to see her sweet classmate before swim lessons...

Not so excited when her teacher dunked her under first time out.

She pretty much sat like this the rest of the evening...

Toes not even touching the water, and watching with a worried look that she may be next.

Nine nights of swim lessons left!


"Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9

Mother's Day

I thought it would be a great idea to do pics for mother's day gifts this year.  

For some reason, I thought going solo to a garden on campus also sounded like a great idea.  

At one point, I was choosing from keeping Kirkley from running into a pond and Jay from climbing up brick stairs.

Outtakes were really all I ended up with...

Some girls at the park felt sorry for me, tried to help, and did snap a picture of us together...

By the end, we all felt like this...

All you can do is laugh -- this is such a hilarious, busy age they're both at!

No interest in sitting and posing at all!

We had a precious, low-key mother's day -- just what we all needed!

Really all I needed was blueberry french toast -- a mother's day tradition at our house!  :)

(This recipe is also a fave and a slight variation of the other.)

"Let your father and mother be glad;
let her who bore you rejoice. 

My son, give Me your heart,
and let your eyes observe My ways."

Proverbs 23:25-26

embrace the camera

This embrace the camera features some mama pics.

I started realizing that I've not been great lately at jumping in the pics with the kids.

Grabbed one on K's birthday...

I also realized that I haven't been great at having one-on-one time with K lately.

I'm such a huge believer in it, but as with most things, it's a conscious effort I've got to make!

Then I got one with my boy at the park last week...

Jay thinks he is as big as his sister and was all over the park.

We met some of our college girls for a picnic lunch before they headed out of town for the summer.

I was grateful to have extra hands to chase, slide, swing, etc. 

The kids played hard with them.

We enjoyed a truly gorgeous day -- 

a stark contrast to the devastating weather that went through the southeast a few days earlier.

Read how Samaritan's Purse is involved -- one of the many ways out there you can help.

We lived in Tuscaloosa for our first years of marriage.

Our church, one of the schools I taught at, and lots of our frequented places were in the path.

Phone lines are being restored, and we've finally been able to check in with a few friends.

I was reminded this week that every picture, story, etc. is an opportunity for us to pray and unleash God's power every chance we get.

There are so many families that need these prayers.

I love this prayer from Lots of Scotts last week.

"But I call to God,
   and the Lord saves me. 

Evening, morning, and noon

I cry out in distress, 

and He hears my voice."

Psalm 55:16-17

"The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man
makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]."
James 5:16b Amplified