June

Despite my holey swiss cheese moment and Caroline's 24 hour bug, June was a fun month!

Caro and I had a fun girls night out to celebrate the end of a very accomplished kindergarten year. She dressed in her favorite new dress, fanciest pearls, and Cinderella slippers. Her momma was lucky to slap on some mascara and find her flip flops, but the owner of the ice cream shop was so taken with Caroline's beauty that he gave us a free sundae! Love my girl so much!

Making a Father's Day frame -- It was "fun" keeping them painting on their designated sides of the frame.

We made a chain to help us countdown "Sandwich's" arrival on July 20th!

The kids drying off at home after playing in the sprinkler at Reese's 2nd birthday party. Notice the big boy underwear? Yes, the seemingly impossible has happened! Jackson is officially potty trained. Yes, yes, and YES!!

We had a lot of fun at our church's Vacation Bible School. Here Jackson is receiving his 1st certificate! Next to the reward of seeing my kids celebrate and grow in God, I had the joy of being the snack lady, so I was in charge of organizing stations of M&M's, mini marshmallows, and chips to name just a few goodies for theme related snacks. Tough job, but someone had to do it.

Aimee and I picking out potential boy middle names. You can tell by the way I'm holding my book that we got far.

Amy gave Tracy and I a joint shower from our church. These ladies are so precious to me. From my point of view they are the real gifts. They are generous with their love and encouragement!

Here's the belly at 8 months pregnant. Looks like it's made out of Silly Putty. My sister exercising her Bionic Woman hearing.

The kids are over the top with excitement!

The Millers had a BBQ to celebrate Brent's 30th birthday. Watching Donald coach our little man was a highlight. Seeing Jackson throw a football was a first for me. Of course, Donald is holding strongly to the hope that Jacks will be 6'4, weigh a ton, and play for the 'Skins, right D?

These kids have spent HOURS together through the years, from the church nursery to get togethers. They are like cousins. Only wish the rest of the crew could have been there.

Regardless of Caroline's sinister look, it's this doggone Easy Bake Oven that is evil. Caroline was so eager to make her daddy a "cookie" in it for Father's Day. Between you and me, I am so eager to help this lovely gadget find it's way to the trashcan a little prematurely.

D's Father's Day was a little defunct. He wanted to nap and watch the College World Series but then I was able to do the same, which made a quick trip to Lazy Land. We made up for it the following evening by making him a surprise dinner. Just want his quote to be recorded for all time, "This is the best meatloaf you've ever made!" Whoo-hoo, way to score with a loaf of meat!

This is the desk set the kids made for Donald. The picture was taken on Father's Day, so it made the frame. It rather cracks me up. I'm as proud as a peacock!

Father's Day Kiss

I found an afghan my family used as a kid. Guess where? Yep, in a box in the basement! My grandma made this. To accessorize Caroline or the couch?

While digging through the basement I found a ton of teaching material! We had fun with a M&M Counting Book. A good reinforcement for shapes, colors, pattern, counting for Jackson, and adding, subtracting, multiplying for Caroline. Notice the monster trucks made a visit.

Here they are on a bit of a high afterward!! I hope the math skills sunk in as much as the sugar.

I don't make homemade treats very often so these were a big deal. My momma would be proud... Blueberry lemonade popsicles.

We had a power outage for about 12 hours after a big thunderstorm. I jokingly told my friends it was like I had post traumatic stress disorder when the lights first went out. My memories of 3 days without power this past winter rose like the mercury in our thermometer. I must have fired up every candle we owned. I’m sure our house would have been 5 degrees cooler if I had just gathered a flashlight or two. The next day Caro and Jacks kept us entertained with Caroline's dancing to Jackson's piano accompaniment.
Shocker of the month: My friend Melissa sent me flowers out of the blue for ZERO reason other than to love on me! When the delivery man came to the door before I even said hello I asked if he was sure he had the right address. Then I went on and on to Caroline about how sweet her daddy is! Even today it makes my heart smile. (Donald still counts as sweet too. He says he's taking notes from Melissa.)

The basement family room is under way! Sheetrock was completed today!

The last days of June were gogeous -- low hunmidity, tempts. in the 70s!! I savor having my quiet time in the morning on my deck before the kiddos get up. So thankful for this gorgeous weather!