Buddies Vinny and Ethan were riding the waves while their younger brothers watched...
Vinny's youngest Nicholas patrolled the stairs while
Jacob covered the deep end! Ethan just loves being a big brother.
Could this have been what Nicole and I looked like at 9? My oldest girl Sadie and Nicole's daughter Emma are practicing to beat their mommies at air hockey! Since I am the air hockey queen Nicole and Emma better watch out for Sadie and I!
With kissy lips and great friendships,
And pretty kids all in a row.
Sadie's VERY BEST FRIEND in all the world is Miss Lola Dunlap. These girls have been friends since diapers and they are INSEPARABLE. Well, that is, until one of their mamma's gets a crazy idea to go away on a vacation or something....(usually that's me!) BUT, this time it was Lola who left for a week and man on man was it rough around here! The girls called each daily ~sometimes twice~ sometimes three times. Needless to say they couldn't wait to see each other upon Lola's sweet return.
Sadie and Lola for real BFF's
Madison and Tatiana (Lola's sister)
I really want to Thank all of YOU who have stayed with me throughout the week as I shared my heart and my growing pains.
It has been a blessing to my soul to read your emails, comments and posts.
You have encouraged me, cheered me on and rejoiced with me.
THANK YOU!!!
Many of you have emailed privately and shared your own personal struggles with me. Please KNOW I am praying for YOU!! And I am truly looking forward to rejoicing with you on the other side.
I have two verses to share with you in closing:
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86-:15)
My Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1: 2-4)
Friends, THANK YOU for allowing me to be transparent and honest and to truly ~ without fear of rejection~ share my trials with you and thank you Lord for being compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness.
I am blessed!!!
I owe a HUGE thank you to my 3 dear friends (Stacy, Sarah and Dawn) for praying me through this excruciating time.
I specifically chose these 3 women for many reasons. They Love and Fear the Lord. Their life reflects their walk. They aren't "feel good" friends. They didn't just tell me what I wanted to hear.
In fact, all three of them are actually private and/or Home Schooling moms. So the fact that I ended up in Public School still puzzles me :-).
Actually it doesn't.
It reflects their desire to see me submit and honor the Lord. Even when it sounds CRAZY! Even when it goes against their personal convictions. Even when it scared me to death.
They prayed with me. They counciled me. They held me accountable and they supported me.
Ladies, I love you!!! You are awesome women of God. Amazing friends. And truly walking disciples of Christ. My heart overflows with gratitude and unmeasurable respect for all 3 of you!
Do your summer playdates look like this?
Pictured above are Sadie, Ethan, Madison, Vinny, Sal, Kelli, Nick, Ashley, Lola, Casey, Tatiana, Ruby, AJ, Eli, Omar, Coral, Canyon and Chasen.
Yep, that's right. A WHOPPING 18 KIDS! And worthy of mention they ALL belong to just 5 moms!
Oh and also worthy of mention ~ the group is growing...more children are on the way :)
My neighbor and dear friend Ms. Barb invited my Growing Garcia's over tonight to make all the yummy treats for tomorrow's end of school pool party.
These are a 'few' of the MANY cup cakes Ms. Barb, Tommy and the Garcia's made.
THANK YOU Barb for taking time to make special memories with my kids.
They will remember this day for many many years. You are a treasure to our family. We love and appreciate you SO much!!!
We learned earlier this week (Monday 3/23) that Paul our dear family friend and Brian's' long time mentor was terminally ill.
He was recently diagnosed with cancer and his prognosis is grim.
Brian suggested we start our vacation a day early so we could see Paul and so Paul could see the kids.
What a great time we had this evening!
When we got there tonight, Paul looked good. Tired and thin and still smoking like a chimney but he looked good.
Karen showed the kids the lay of the land including the horses which they were thrilled to feed and pet.
At dinner, Paul was his normal honory self. I was indecisive about what I wanted for dinner and Paul said "c'mon we don't have all day".
And then when he was stirring the sugar into his tea he spilt a few ice cubes. Like typical Paul he swept them across the table hitting none other than our waitress.
That is Paul. He can say and do things no one else can and still EVERYONE loves him.
It was refreshing and comforting to see the old Paul come out.
What a blessing it was to spend time with him and Karen tonight.
I'm sorry but there is just no other way to say to it!
My friend Dawn, her husband and their 4 precious children (whom I love with my whole heart) have moved to far away Maryland. :-(
This past week was the best and the worst weeks of all time for me. I dedicated all day every day to helping them pack and get ready for the big journey. And making sure I squeezed in as much quality time as possible.
Today Dawn and I were literally exhausted. The weeks work and emotional suppression had caught up with us. We were sitting on the floor of the living room holding one of the last pictures that needed to be bubble wrapped when Autumn sat in my lap to snuggle. Oh how I loved that moment. We snuggled for just a few minutes until I felt my emotions creeping in. There was still lots of work to do and I knew it was a terrible time to loose it.
So I said to Autumn, "come on honey I gotta get back to work before your momma fires me". And Autumn with all her authority stood up, pointed her finger at me and said "You're Fired! Since I no longer had a "job" she proudly sat back on my lap to snuggle.
This was one of my favorites memories from the week. Another being Lily bug FINALLY allowing me to hold her and love on her and Aaron's juicy kisses and Kya making me a sweet good bye card....
Oh man goodbye's really do SUCK!
Clark Family, I miss you already!!! I am praying God's blessing on your family, safe travels, a sweet homecoming to your new place, an early Spring, lots of new friends, a great church and a visit soon.
Much love, big hugs and we will SEE YOU SOON!!!
Thank you all who helped pray my friends home from Ethiopia.
They landed earlier today and are home now as a family of 6. :-)
You can read about their journey and see their beautiful family here.
Grandstaff's we love and are praising God for his blessings upon your family.
Can't wait to see all 6 of you.
Have you heard???
My friends, "The Rockstars" http://storinguptreasuresinheaven.blogspot.com/ are moving.
I am sad beyond words. :-(
Rockstars, over the few short months that our families have got to know one another I have been richly blessed. Your family is an inspiration to all.
AND...your fun, down to earth, relatable and strangely NORMAL!! :-)
I adore each of you and we will miss you terribly.
Here's a few captured memories:
We went bowling as one of our first summer fieldtrips! We had fun, the boys really took to bowling...the girls kept giving up their turns!
Until then Sadie and Ethan have a mountian of dirt to climb!
My friend Nicole and I took 6 kids to Sea World as our first friend vacation. We had a great time at the park and got to take a picture with Shamu! Later that night we went to the town Celebration to let the kids play in the "snow" (soap) and had pizza on the street corner!
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