More Pictures from the Lake

Will

Graham sat in the front with Drew, Aunt Kimberly, and Will . Drew fell asleep with Graham snuggled next to him.

Uncle Tim and Drew getting ready to tube. Drew was the only kid brave enough to go in the tube. He is very adventuresome.
Wesley and I enjoying a cool dip in the water.
We took the boys to a beachy area to play while some of us skiied. They had a great time playing in the sand and water. I think they enjoyed that a little more than being in the boat.

A Day at the Lake

We went with my brother and his family today to the lake. We had a great time on his boat enjoying the sunshine, water, and the kiddos. Here's one of the cutest little boys out on the lake today. More pictures coming...

Wesley is one!

We celebrated Wesley's birthday today by going to the first day of Vacation Bible School. Being in the nursery all morning is probably not Wesley's idea of a great birthday, but he was a good sport about it. He took a long nap this afternoon and woke up with some very nice bedhead! He had some fun playtime with his brother who helped me sing "Happy Birthday" to Wesley numerous times today.
After Daddy got home tonight, we had dinner and Wesley opened his present from us.

Graham convinced us that we needed to take Wesley out for ice cream. Wesley fits right in with our family: he loves ice cream!
Happy Birthday, sweet boy! I remember so clearly the day God brought you into our lives, and I'm so thankful for you!

Fireworks

After the parade and dinner, we drove to a neighborhood that borders a park where fireworks were going to be displayed. I was a little unsure about how the boys would do with the noise and being out way past their bedtimes. Wesley was very attentive to the fireworks and wasn't bothered by the noise. Graham kept his hands over his ears most of the time but really liked watching the fireworks. It was a great experience for all of us.

Fourth of July Parade

My brother and his wife invited lots of children in their neighborhood to decorate their modes of transportation and participate in a parade around the neighborhood. Some of our good friends live just a street over from my brother, so they joined us in the parade, too. Graham and Sloan on their bikes before the decorations

Graham and his cousin, Will, have decorated their vehicles and are ready to go.

Summer Fun

Tim has been out of town on business this week, and we have missed him! I was really dreading the week without him, but it has gone by much smoother than I thought it would. We've had lots of fun going to two parks and swimming with friends this week. This morning, Graham and I washed the car and some of his toys while Wesley took a nap. I felt productive and Graham always enjoys being outside and playing in the water. He really likes to clean things. I hope he still feels like that when he's a teen. Here he is with all of his clean outdoor toys (and a picture of Shelby that he found in the garage).
Graham suggested having a Popsicle for a snack after all our hard work. I thought he had a good idea. We love the summer!

Celebrating Wesley's first birthday

We celebrated Wesley's birthday a little early when my mom was here a few weeks ago. We went to the pool and Wesley got some cake for the first time. He loved it!

Our Getaway to Chattanooga

My mom and Tim's mom stayed with our boys for three days and nights while we enjoyed a little time away in Chattanooga. It's a very fun city not too far from Nashville so it made a great place to go for a few days and relax. It is very pedestrian friendly with a beautiful walking bridge over the TN river, a free shuttle bus that took us all around the downtown area, and a neat art district with wonderful restaurants. We enjoyed eating out, going to the movies, hiking, eating leisurely yummy breakfasts, sleeping in, and just being free from responsiblity. It was hard to return to the demands of everyday life, but we did miss Graham and Wesley so much. We were both ready to see them, and I think our moms were ready to see us. Thank you so much, Nana and Perpy, for taking good care of our boys!

Wesley's first haircut

Wesley was in great need of a haircut. I was trying to wait until after he turned one, but his hair was getting way too long. Nana is here this week so she got to go with us. She went with me when Graham got his hair cut for the first time, too.
Wesley was not too happy about the situation.
Graham helped by handing him animal crackers. That quieted him for a few minutes.
I'm so glad we got it cut. He looks so handsome, don't you think?

Unconditional

After a long, frustrating day as a mom of a strong-willed three year old, I was talking with my mom on the phone recounting the day's events. I said, "Sometimes, it is so difficult to love him," in reference to my three year old. My mom was quick to correct me and remind me that the statement I had just made was untrue. Of course, I loved my son-always-and unconditionally no matter how he acted. Yes, she was right. His behavior does not change my love for him. I thought about it for a minute and replied, "Okay, you are right. Sometimes, it's just difficult to like him." Yes, she agreed that might be true.

She reminded me that it is the same with God's love. I mess up all the time, yet I cannot lose God's love. I'm constantly making the same mistakes, worrying, doubting, being discontent, comparing...the list can go on. But, no matter what I do or how I act, God's love is faithful, true, and unchanging. And it is only through His love that I can love my son with that unconditional, unchanging, faithful love.

Thank you, Lord, for your unconditional love.

Another song written by Sarah Groves:

You will lose your baby teeth •
At times you'll lose your faith in me •
You will lose a lot of things •
But you cannot lose my love • •
You may lose your appetite •
Your guiding sense of wrong and right •
You may lose your will to fight •
But you cannot lose my love •

Father's Day

Tim and Tim have been working on my brother's boat this spring to get it ready for the summer. Tim finally finished early this morning and was excited to get it out on the water. It was Wesley's first boat ride, and he seemed to enjoy it.
my brother with his family

the two happy dads

Happy Father's Day!!

Surfer Dudes!

A friend from Texas on his way to the beach for the summer stopped and stayed with us on Sunday night. Daniel was one of the "fresins", a group of kids whose parents served in a church where we also served. The fresins (friends close enough to be cousins) grew up together in a tight knit group and are still close to this day. We were so blessed and challenged by those families that we got to serve with at that church, and we were again blessed to visit with Daniel. He was in high school when we knew him, and now he's graduated from college. He and his buddy, Bobby, are spending the summer enjoying their last bit of freedom before the real life of jobs and responsibilities begin. With just a little bit of food, money, their surf boards, and a banjo and guitar, they are off to enjoy the waves and sun at the beach. But these guys are not the type to sit around and think only of themselves. They plan on serving at a local church where Daniel has attended in all the summers of being at his grandma's house. I'm sure they will write more songs and practice the fine art of banjo playing, and they will marvel in the beauty of God's creation and the gift of friendship.

As they were sitting in our house, playing their music for us and sharing their plans for the future and their desire to follow God, my heart was touched and encouraged. There is hope for our youth-and hope that my boys will one day grow up to be like Daniel and Bobby-young men that are truly seeking God. And, I was once again reminded of the gift of opening your home. I thought I was providing a nice meal and a clean bed for these guys when in return, I was being blessed and inspired.

Wesley is eleven months old!

We're still not sure what color Wesley's eyes are. They are not quite blue like his daddy's but not quite green like his mommy and brother's.

Wesley enjoys a game where I say, "How big is Wesley?" He holds his hands up, and I say, "So big!"

This has been quite a month for Wesley. He's learned how to wave, say "ma ma", and pull up. Last week, he started pulling up and standing in his crib. He thought that was much more fun than taking a nap. He also got his two top teeth, and he needs a haircut. I'm not sure if I can hold off until after his first birthday like I had planned. He's really into scooting everywhere now and is quite interested in the stairs and electrical outlets. He got promoted to the crawler class at church but has decided he doesn't like it too much. He'd rather be with mommy or daddy. He continues to be such a sweetheart. What a blessing he has been to our family!

The Cake

Graham helped Tim make a cake for me. He thought I would like an Elmo cake with marshmallows for teeth. Very creative!

Wesley is very into waving these days.

Thank you to my favorite guys for making my birthday special.

My birthday present

a swing to go in the backyard

Thanks, boys!!

Nine Years!

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down,
his friend can help him up...

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm...

Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Day Hike

We enjoyed a day of hiking at one of our favorite waterfalls with some friends. Wesley now gets to ride in the backpack, and Graham walks. Graham did a great job keeping up with everyone.

Keith and Brenda are friends we met at church. He also works for Nissan and they moved here about the same time we did. Brenda is so great with Graham and has watched him for me on several occasions.


Shelby enjoyed the day, too!