Splash Pad Fun!

It's summer time, and this year we have gotten to enjoy the Splash Pad! Last year, the boys were just too young to go and hang out. So, this year we headed out with the Brown's and Aunt Holly and Little Ray. I wasn't sure how the boys would respond. 

They. Loved. It.

Which made me smile so big! It was great to see ALL four of my kiddos engaged in the same activity at the same time. I think I had a moment of bliss even! 

Micah stormed right in. He was ready to go! 

Noah on the other hand needed a little ... um ... push?!!? 

Haha! Noah was a bit uncertain as he always is at new events and walked the perimeter of the SP several times. Micah knew it was so much fun and thought little bro needed help getting wet. Micah is ALWAYS pushing Noah to some place! Perhaps symbolism for their relationship in years to come! :o)

Micah, who is usually nervous of water related events, got right in and loved every minute!

Little Ray and Micah

It was SO windy this day. You can see the wind blowing the water spray straight up!

Addie Lou needed to be rescued from this little climbing adventure! :o)

Noah's starting to warm up! He's laughing from the side lines.

My cute nephew enjoyed the water, too!

Noah ... slowly getting wet. It's a gradual thing with this guy!

And, he's wet!! 

And, he loved it! 

Not a happy camper, but, oh so cute still!

This has been the pair this summer! Addie and Jenna

Dani girl

This was Jenna's pose when I asked her to smile for the camera!

The guys

The crew!

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!