School Days

Jack and Will have started back to school. We had such a great summer. We enjoyed swimming and going on vacation. I really enjoyed having them home. Now, a new season has begun. I can't believe Jack is in the third grade and Will is in the first. We have been praying for their teachers for the past year and I am hoping they will really enjoy their new classes. Lord, help them to walk with the wise. Help them to be a friend and make a friend. Help them to shine for You. Thank you for these boys Lord.

Sam turns Four

Sammy boy decided he wanted to have an Indiana Jones birthday. We had fun creating him Indiana Jones themed cupcakes. He has been waiting so long for his birthday. He is the last one out of the whole family to have his special day!! Now that he is four, he thinks that he can do everything that the bigger boys do...like have a few knives, ride his bike without training wheels. He thinks he is too big for Diego, Veggie Tales, etc. Sam is really sweet. He loves giving hugs and he is very competitive. He loves riding his scooter, riding bikes, reading books, and playing pretend. His questions never cease to amaze me. We love you Sam bunches.

Destin 2009

We had a great time on our family vacation. On the way to Destin, we stopped by to see Ben's grandmother and the boy's great grandmother. We suprised her. It was a great visit. She had never seen our younger too. We got lots of photos. When we got to Destin, we relaxed bunches. We spent time at the pool and the beach. We really just relaxed, watched tv, and soaked up the sun. It was the most relaxing trip I think we could have taken with four boys. I am very thankful that we were able to do it and we had great weather. Here are a few pics.

Jack's Birthday

Jack turned nine years old. He is such a blessing to us. He loves playing with his friends, riding on his ripstick, reading, reading more, and building with legos. He is smart, kind, and creative. We are very thankful for his life. He had a lego birthday party. We had lego contests and lego cupcakes. It was a lot of fun. May God continue to guide you, may you love God more each year, and may He use you in a mighty way. We love you. You can't get any older. We will not allow it. Ha!!

Daddy Time

We enjoyed spoiling Daddy for Father's Day. The boys had fun making him cards and taking him breakfast. We went to church and then had a little down time which was nice. Then we went swimming. He taught the older two how to do back flips off the diving board and he taught the younger two how to jump off the diving board. Then we came home and had a yummy dinner and homemade ice cream! Thank you God for Ben. He is a wonderful Dad. Thank you for how he is gentle with them, teaches them, listens to them, encourages them, and has lots of fun with them. We are all so blessed by having him in our lives!! On a side note I missed being with my Dad for Father's Day today. It just didn't work out for us to see him. He has gone above and beyond for me and I am so blessed by him.

Summer Fun

We are enjoying the boys so much this summer. Their favorite thing to do is swimming. They love to go every day!! I am so thankful to be at home with them. The summer days are jammed packed with activities and we are going to bed a little later. One thing that we are enjoying is our nightly reading. We just finished a biography on George Mueller and now we are reading Nate Saint. The boys love this. Ben and I find ourselves a little on the tired side but this is just a season!! We love these boys and they are such wonderful gifts. Here are a few pics from a splash pad in Tulsa town.

Mommy's Little Notes

This is an updated version of some of my favorite scriptures on patience and gentleness.  I am trying to read over these at least once a day, especially going into the summer!!

Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.  Your anger can never make things right in God's sight.  James 1:19, 20

A fool gives full vent to anger but a wise person quietly holds back.  Proverbs 29:11

Don't sin by letting anger control you.  Psalm 4:4

The Godly think before speaking.  Proverbs 15:28

So think clearly and exercise self-control.  1 Peter 1:13

When she speaks her words are wise and kindness is the rule.  Proverbs 31:26

...clothe yourselves (daily) with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Col 3:12

Always be humble and gentle.  Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults b/c of your love  Eph 4:2

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God through Christ has forgiven you.  Eph.  5:31

Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.  Prov.  25:15

We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.  

We pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have the endurance and patience you need.  Col. 1:11

Clothe yourselves with a gentle and quiet spirit.  1 Peter 3:4

I would love to add to this list if you have a favorite scripture.  Happy Summer to all of my dear mommy friends.