sunday

we had a typical sunday around here. we are looking for a new church to call home. we've finally decided to make that move from where i grew up to a new place to grow. we tried out one of the larger churches in town. a new friend of mine i met last weekend invited us to worship with her. the sermon really spoke to us both & the kiddos loved their sunday school classes. but, this church is huge! much bigger than we are used to.. i am excited to check out some other nearby places.


after that, we went to papaw's for lunch & playing & playing & work.

gracie made a beeline for her favorite thing at papaw's. big suprise.

ben, of course, wanted to ride on it right away too. but he was patient & waited his turn. it looks like it was well worth it.




gracie can't seem to get that trike to move.


her feet almost reach the pedals.


she's got a great big brother to help her out though.




papaw has the perfect yard for hide & seek.

there he is!




the kiddos always have a blast at papaw's playing outside. i loved it growing up & so do they.


just a swinging.



time for rest.

back home again

i had my first weekend away from my family. oh, how i missed them all so.

but it was an awesome experience for me & i am so thankful that i was able to go. the past weekend opened my heart to God & his love and forgiveness. this was what i was really needing at a low point in my life. what a blessing.

i'm back & ready to go tackle life with my loving family & God by our side.

giddy up

all gracie wants for christmas is a horse & a piggy.

a few sundays ago at papaw's, we got some of damaw's old, old, old toys out.



gracie got to take blaze for a ride.
she really liked old blaze.


the old trike that papaw fixed up for ben was a big hit too.


i didn't realize how shaggy mr. ben was getting. what a mop top!

they had a great time horsin' around at papaw's!

footy pj time!

it's footy pajama time!

i hated these things as a kid, but love it when my kiddos have them on. they just seem so cozy.


big brother & little sis are cuddled up & ready to watch a baby eistein dvd (they have been on a baby movie kick for some reason) & read some books.


daddio, hurry home. we don't like your late nights of work!! (but are very thankful you do it :) )

weekend at namaw & poppy's

we had a fun weekend at namaw & poppy's. daddy hung out with his buddies & momma got to hang out with the ladies saturday night. the kids went to a party at rocky & jane's, which is always a good time!
the kiddos got to play in some more leaves.
it's really fun when daddy is using the leaf blower!



the creek is always fun to throw rocks in & look for fish.



namaw helped gracie learn to throw a frisbee.

& poppy made sure to give her lots of hugs!

dear momma

this week has been a bit stressful around here. good stress (we closed on our land yea!) & some bad. yesterday, i was starting to lose my patience with the kiddos for no good reason. after folding the mountain of laundry on our bed last night, i was done & laid in bed.
ben came in with a letter he dictated to daddio for me (i know it looks like ben wrote it, but this is justin's penmanship).




i love my family.

with a little help

i tackled the rest of the leaves yesterday with the help of a neighbor & 2 kiddos. & gracie tackled a fear with the help of her big brother.


the kiddos were a big help with the yard & neighbor john brought out his leaf mower/vacuum and helped. i had to show a picture of that thing because it is so frickin cool. he did our side yard next to him & the area he did looks like we used a dyson on it, no debris in sight. he's a great neighbor to have; he has all the cool toys!


gracie has been afraid to go down the slide of our play gym. you can see her feet (with no shoes on, i know - bad mom) at the top of the slide as ben lands into the big pile of leaves.



with her brother behind her, she took the plunge.


& loved it!



check out ben's new do. he said he was finally ready for a haircut. his mommma thinks he's as handsome as ever!