Summer Recap

After three months of glorious summer,

I'm dusting off the old blog

and playing catch up

on our lives

and what we've been up to!

 

The summer started off with our tadpoles

{finally}

turning into froglets...

and a week later,

into frogs. 

I can't tell you how happy

and free

I felt releasing those green little guys!



 

 

 

We played this summer.

A lot.

A favorite is always playing in the rain.

Especially with your friends!

 

Like just about every other child in America

between the ages of 4 and 9,

my girls became

obsessed

with those little rubber band bracelets.

Crista was the first to jump on the bandwagon

but Addie Grace decided

if big sis can do it,

so can she.

And she did.

She figured out how to make the fishtail bracelets

and make her very first one! 

 

 

I asked what she was going to do with

her first bracelet

and she immediately answered,

"I'm going to give it to God!"

So, she wrote a sweet little note

to God,

put the bracelet in a balloon

and attached the letter to the balloon.



We headed across the street from our house

to an open field

to release the balloon

and send a surprise to God.

 

 Addie Grace said she sure hoped God liked

his gift :-)

I assured her He did!

 

This summer was a big one for Crista!

She found one of my baby dolls from when

I was her age

over at Grandma's.

She immediately fell in love with Leanne

and asked for her.

So after a trial period,

I agreed

and drew up the adoption papers.

Leanne and Crista have been inseparable

ever since!

Crista's such a good little mama! 

 

Crista also went to her very first

sleep away camp this summer!

She did awesome

and had a great time!

She's already looking forward to next year's camp.

 (PS.that's all the pics I have from camp

since I didn't stay with her)

(PPS.no, Addie Grace did not stay. 

she just doesn't know she's not one of the

big girls)

 

 

Crista turned 8.

Yes,

I said 8!!!

I have more pics

that I'll save for its own post soon.

 

Crista was recognized at church

and received a new Bible.

This is a big deal in our church,

kind of a rite of passage of sorts.

 

Today, Jake and I celebrate 12 years of

blissful marriage.

God has given me such a godly husband

to share life with

and I feel so blessed to call him my best friend!

Every year we say we're going to go away for a few days,

sans kids,

to celebrate our anniversary.

And each year something always comes up.

Illnesses, jobs, or no money!!

But there is always a reason why we can't go.

 

Until this year.

This year Jake and I decided instead of getting away

for a vacation without the kids,

we would thank God for our marriage

buy going on a mission trip

and loving on 40 kids in a children's home

in Mexico.

Best.Idea.Ever!!

We were blessed and our marriage strengthen

through this trip!

I have lots of pictures I'll share in a separate post.

 

 

We spent some time over at the

Pond House

this summer.

We always love going over there.



 

 

 

 

 

There's always time for a little sittin' and fishin'

over there.

 

Teaching Crista about photography,

exposure and silhouettes.

She took this picture!



 

 

 

Its pear season again at the Pond House

and everyone helps out!

 

 Of course,

a quick mule ride up the hill

to the gas station

to get some ice cream

is always a favorite!

Got to eat it quick

in this HOT Georgia weather!

 

 

Its front porch living

when we're at the Pond House!

We eat, sleep and play there.

 

And this Mama loves

how happy her girls are

here.

Always lots and lots of smile!