We are Awana Cubbies; we're happy all day long!

Now for some Jenna time!

This was Jenna's first year in the Cubbies program of Awana. She had a love/hate relationship with the program. In the beginning she was certain that she really didn't need to go, recite her verses, or even really listen to her leaders! Ha! Um, at one point she was known for standing up when her name was called to go with her group and yelling, " I DON'T LIKE HIM! I'M NOT GOING WITH HIM!" Oh, a mother has never been so proud! I just had to record that memory so that I could remember it years from now!;o)

However, by the end, I believe-I hope-that she got her act together and even began to enjoy going! 

At the end of the year the Cubbies have a short performance. They sing their three songs, recite pledges to the Bible and the Christian flag, and receive their end of the year prizes.

Here's the group. Jenna is on the far left while Jace Robbins is the exact opposite on the far right.

And, THIS is Cooper Bostwick! 

He did not disappoint!! He was on his A game and performed his little heart out with his own dance moves. It was great! His parents didn't think it was so great, but oh how the rest of us loved it! This guy has quite a bit of spunk! :o)

I love this pic too bc Marcie is just cracking up at Cooper and the gang. 

Cooper's momma is to the right directing trying to keep it all together. 

There's our Jens proudly singing! She was SO excited about the performance!

I loved every minute of watching her perform. I loved seeing her face light up when she saw Jeff and me watching her with huge smiles on our faces!

Don't you love how the Director of Awana's own child doesn't have on her vest!

 Oh, I am such a slacker!

There's our Jace guy holding up the flag!

I just smile when I see him because the Robbins' kiddos are so special to me!

There's the Coop man displaying the Christian flag.

Sweet Jens obeying her teachers by putting a bubble in her mouth.

Oh and Mrs. Keri! Keri directed Cubbies these past 3 1/2 years. 

It goes without saying that she is an amazing leader!

She's also been an amazing friend to me during these past two years.

I'm lucky to call her friend!

Jens proudly holding her Cubbie Buddy award!

Jace proudly holding his award.

I asked him to hold his certificate and smile.

This is how he displayed it for me! :o)

My two favorite Cubbie Buddies!

They are ADORABLE! I mean, really adorable!

Mother's Day

For whatever reason, I thought it would be a GREAT Mother's Day treat to take a picture with my adorable kids! Haha! Well, that didn't turn out as planned.

Sigh

However, I still think they are a beautiful bunch! 

Me and my girlies

Jens will always take time to snuggle with me! 

Haha! This is life! Emma trying to control. Micah and Noah doing their OWN thing. Jenna not paying attention to anyone. Me smiling like I've got it all together.

 And, Jeff behind the scenes trying to hold us all together. :o)

We always have Sunday lunch at Barn's house. Caroline brought a fun bubble machine and the kids loved playing with it in the back. The boys especially thought it was cool!

We decided to coordinate the boys since we missed the photo ops on Easter. I just love Owen's face in this pic! Ha!

An attempt at the Hay grands minus our Simon baby.

Hey, Kev! 

This is the gift I made for Barn and my mom. 

I thought it turned out pretty well!

My other snuggle baby-he looks SO sleepy!

Mimi loving on the Micah man.

Since the kids were not having it, I asked Emma to take a pic of me and my sweet hubs. 

She did a pretty good job!

We celebrated our 11th anniversary the next weekend. 

God has blessed me richly to have this man as my husband and partner in crime!

We are looking forward to a trip next week for just the two of us. 

I'll post lots of pictures of our fun!

My Mother's day front porch!

Even though this was not my gift because Jeff always spoils me on a daily basis, I added this to my list of gifts. We worked on sprucing up the area on Saturday. Jeff bought me a new bench, and we potted some plants. I also made a wreath a few months ago that I must say looks pretty good with the revamped porch.

God has blessed me so abundantly! 

I feel humbled that he would choose me to raise these babies. 

The role of mother has certainly been my toughest role in life. It has been the cause of my greatest pain and my deepest sorrow. It has caused me to see my own sin magnified for all to see. It has caused me me to be exhausted and overwhelmed. But, it has also brought me the moments of my greatest joy. It has brought me to my knees before my God in the most real and raw ways therefore making my relationship with Him so much deeper. It has forced me to stare my sin right in the face and daily try to defeat it. It has made me smile, giggle, laugh, and cry uncontrollably. 

This day also bring me a bit of sorrow now. Each Mother's Day now, reminds me that one of my babies isn't here for me to touch and hug. Despite my joy in what I have on earth, my heart can't help but hurt as I feel my group is missing one of its members. 

I thank my God EVERY time I remember you, Jeremiah David!

Family

So, we of course had to get together several times as a family to spend as much time with Randal as we could before he left. On this occasion we celebrated Brittany's birthday and enjoyed a visit from our Johnson cousins.

I love these two pics! 

We are kind of a cute bunch if I do say so myself!

And, I love that Brittany is cracking up here!

Oh, and this picture makes me laugh EVERY time! I mean, laugh out loud! Holly and I were trying to see if Randal had acquired any new sneak attack skills. I was trying to snipe him with my stick! 

Haha! 

Oh, I'm still laughing!

Randal, really didn't think it was as hilarious as we do. 

Welcome home, little bro! Your big sisters are still the same!

Mom snuggling with Ems on the front porch.

That's a nice front porch if I do say so myself! :o)

Some kid throwing a fit on the ground.

 If ONLY my sister could control her son! Sheesh!

This was our introduction to baby Logan. 

He is my cousin, Whitney's, first son.

And, of course, he captured everyone's heart ... especially Emma's.

Whitney was so amazing and let Ems hold him and feed him. 

She was in heaven!

Whitney is such a laid back first time momma! She was great!

And here's the new beautiful family!

Jamie, Whitney, and little Mr. Logan Pope

They are such fun people with such hearts for God. 

I feel so proud to call them family!

And, I tried to get a picture of the birthday girl with her man, Luke.

Of course, Holly had to photo bomb the attempt!

Always good laughs with us! 

What I also love about this picture is Luke! haha! 

I think we have brought him over to the dark side of our family!

Happy Birthday, Brittany!

They actually kind of make a cute couple!

Poor Little Ray was EXHAUSTED by the time the evening was closing. I should have taken a big picture of the entire room. This little guy passed out on the floor with about 15 people loudly watching Randal's training video. He was PASSED OUT!

But, isn't he so adorable?!?! 

Welcome Home Uncle Randal!

This post is all about my dear baby bro. Last year he decided to join the army. He had to wait until this past spring to begin his journey at bootcamp in Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia. Well, after 14 weeks of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion, he passed his tests and headed home. To say that we were excited and proud is somewhat of an understatement! I could feel the tears in my eyes and throat each time I just thought about him walking off the plane. So, after a missed flight and other delays, Randal finally made it home in early May. 

Of course, no photo session would be complete without my sister being crazy! :o)

We made signs the night before so that we would make sure he saw us! ;o)

And, of course, Mickey had to make the journey!

Little Ray hanging out

Emma, Heather, and Jenna each displaying their signs! 

Ems made her sign herself and completely out of her heart. It was so sweet!

We are getting anxious for his arrival!

All the boys and Nana trying to see a plane out the windows.

Waiting

He's HOME!! Woo-hoo!!! It was so great to see his face!! 

I didn't realize how much I missed my little bro!

Lots of tearful hugs

The cute little couple

Siblings minus the Brit

I just loved seeing his name on everything! 

It made me proud to see Shanta clearly displayed on all of his military gear!

The group walking to find Randal's bags. 

And, yes, Holly making the picture more interesting!!

Ems would not leave Randal's side. She held his hand at every turn in the airport!

Well, at least he hasn't change TOO much!

There's my little bro! 

So proud! 

He was here for about 4 weeks. He just recently left for Fort Lewis in Seattle, Washington. He will be stationed there for the next three years. Randal is part of the infantry section of his brigade. He will be training on one of the guns in one of the strikers (army vehicle). I know I didn't say ANY of the correctly, but that's the best military I've got for now! Ha! We are excited for him and this new journey in his life. We've prayed and prayed that God would guide him and teach him many valuable lessons. I can't wait to go visit him sometime this next year and see how he continues to change into a man of God!