Still Lovin' Those Summer Days...

Saturday was an extra special day because Mike and I were able to go on a lunch date. We went to eat at a Thai restaurant(Lavender off Scenic Hwy, great food & friendly :)) and then to Starbucks. We sat and talked for over an hour uninterrupted! Then we did a little shopping! The children went with Gramma to lunch, the dollar store and to see Wall-E. They love this special time with her! Thanks Gramma! What a blessing!!

We are still enjoying these summer days together...bowling, $1 movies, playgrounds, ice cream trips, sleeping together on the floor, just spending time with one another and so sweet was the night we all washed each others feet!...making memories and more! Deut.6:6-9

Let's Talk About it...

Our favorite spot this summer..."Talkin' about it on the front porch". Every evening and sometimes several times during the day, this is where we congregate as a family and eat Popsicles and just share! Such a sweet time! This is where we meet after dinner for "Bible Time". John says, "Let's go talk about it". We all cherish this time...this spot...these precious memories!

Lovin' Summer Days...

I love having the children home again!! We have NO commitments this summer! We are enjoying each day as it comes! It is like home school all over again, or is it summer camp? :) Crafts and cooking lessons, story time at the library, trips the local bookstore, Mayfield Dairy, games and Popsicles, playing "restaurant" in the basement, ladderball & kickball,and movies nights! Oh, how we love summer together...just enjoying one another!

Each child has also started a "Proverbs Notebook". We study one Proverb a day each morning!

May we all receive wisdom and understanding and not let us forget the Lords words or swerve from them. May we love and value wisdom above all worldly desires and accomplishments! Proverbs 4:5-7

Summer Days...

We enjoy spending our hot evenings at the YMCA. All of the children are like fish...flying fish around their Daddy!

One more...AWESOME ADVENTURE: "Sliding Rock" at The Bridal Veil Falls of Tallulah Gorge

Father's Day Camping Trip at Tallulah Falls

We have a tradition of going to the mountains on Father's Day and this year we headed for Tallulah Falls really not knowing what to expect. Mike wanted to try out the new Pine Lodge tent that we gave him for Father's Day. We had a great time, and of course found a little adventure along the way!

Mike truly is a wonderful father to our children...fully engaged and 100% committed! The children insist that Daddy puts them to bed each night...he listens, he talks, and he prays. It is each child's special time alone with just him.

Thank you, Lord, for his energy, for his health, for his obedience, for his zest for life, for his vision, for the holy spirit within him that woos our children's heart to you. Bless him O' Lord!

Thank you Mike, for giving our children their "wings".

"Wild Oaks" Isaiah 61:3

Stayed posted for updates on a camp we call "Wild Oaks". It is neat to see how God is revealing himself through this vision of a "zip line" and backyard camp! The zip line is anchored to two oaks and without even realizing it God revealed the name to us...based on Isaiah 61:1-4..."oaks of righteousness". A camp where children will be told to stand strong and mighty, branch out to those in need, be equipped with God's armor for battle, stand apart from the crowd, refresh their souls with the Living water, bear much fruit, grow in the newness of life...because they are to be "oaks of righteousness", not a maple, or an ash tree...but a mighty oak...a display of God's splendor and planted to give Him glory! We still have so far to go...but like a mighty oak just beginning to reach maturity & produce fruit at 100 years, we will continue to grow and draw near to Him...THROUGH ADVENTURE~!

Another Great Adventure...Dirt Biking in Durhamtown...

Jake I got up extra early and drove 1.5 hours to Durahtown Plantation. We were the first customers of the day and spent some time salivating over the rental bikes. We picked out a clutchless Yamaha CRF 90 for Jake and a Honda CRF 230 for me. After the rental guy realized that neither of us had any experience, he decided to take us out to the flat track for some basic lessons (for Jake of course :)). Since Jake is so tall and his bike so small, he was having a little trouble getting it into 2nd gear, but after some adjustments he was cruising. So, the first trail we went to was marked "beginners". We were cruising along with Jake leading the way. Our speed was slowly increasing as our confidence grew. We came up on a high bank curve and instead of leaning into it, Jake went right up on top of it and hit a tree and laid the bike down. First thing he said was "I,m alright!" His motorcycle was leaking what appeared to be oil and I was seeing dollar signs. Jake was OK and we got his bike cranked back up and it was smoking a lot, so we drove it back to the maintenance guys and they shrugged it off as "no big deal, happens all the time". From that point forward, Jake went a little slower around the high banks and seemed to stay at the bottom of the curves. One trail that sticks out in my mind... I though to myself "I will show Jake how fast his Dad can go and leave him in the dust"... so after a heavy twist of the throttle and some quick shifting, I blew past him and was in 4th gear. I looked back and he was right on my tail... I was amazed (and proud). The fun time for me was when the trails opened up and we could ride side by side, it was a special time with men, machine, and dirt. I am tearing up a little now just thinking about it... nah, not really.

Jake is turning 10 this August and becoming quite a man. I am so proud of his tender attitude, giving spirit, and adventurous heart. I am expecting God to accomplish great things through my #1 Son, Jake!!

Lilly, Lilly, sweet as a flower...

We used to sing, "Lilly, Lilly, sweet as a flower..." when she was baby...now, she still is..."sweet as a flower". We often take for granted how much she helps out with the two youngest, because she just "jumps in" so naturally! She may have hesitated at first after being the baby herself, but as she grows into a little lady, she is eager to be "big sister"! We love seeing her run with excitement to catch a moment alone with the baby. God has a plan for each of our children's lives and each sibling will play such an important role as it is revealed! Thank you, Lord for using each child to grow them more like You! Cause Jacob, Lilly, John, & Michael to be devoted to one another in brotherly love, honoring one another above themselves. (Romans 12:10)

Finally...SCHOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER!

It's been difficult going to school when all the surrounding counties have been out for two weeks! But finally, the children are out of school! We officially signed out Thursday after a class swimming party on Tuesday and staying out to have a "family day" on Wednesday. They both finished strong...Lilly stayed on 1st Honor Roll all year... and Jake earned all A's and only (2) High B's the entire year! Way to GO GUYS!!! This was Lilly's first year away from home and she enjoyed the competition! The teacher said she not only wanted to always get it right but finish first!(she's got a little "daddy" in her :) ). Jacob's teacher said he was a easy~going and friendly guy! Jake and Lilly wanted to celebrate by eating at "Cracker Barrel" and watching "National Treasure 2". We thank the Lord for such a AWESOME school year!