Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Let Freedom Ring

We so enjoyed the week before the 4th.  Every evening Jeremy would take the boys out and light a few fireworks.  They looked forward to it all day long.
I forget things easily.  Or, maybe I should say I get too wrapped up in what's going on in my very own little world, that I fail to adequately appreciate what's going on around me...mainly that being my husband and the dad he is to our kiddos.  
He is 100% ours.  He is constantly thinking of things the kids might enjoy and trying to get that done. He is always home with us, and in those moments with the kids, he's not only teaching them little things but he's being the even greater thing...the perfect example of selflessness.  He can tell when it's been a rough day, and he gives even more.  
He loves me, and them, more than I even hoped for/expected...and I don't have low expectations.

He's the boys' example of what a real man is.  He's Sophie's example of how she should always be treated.  And, he's their model of what it means to be a faithful, loving spouse.  For me, he helps me be a better parent, and he guides me closer to Christ.  We adore him.






The long-awaited 4th finally arrived, and to the parade we went!

Carter was the king of waving...telling everyone around him that if they didn't wave, the parade people wouldn't throw them any candy.
 He even met a new friend :)


Sophie watched from her very favorite spot...her Daddy's arms.

We even got to spend it with precious Kolbe and RoRo!

Sophie caught on to the waving!
And, John Paul was nursing a terribly smashed thumb (in our huge gate as we left the house), but he's a tough one, and it didn't keep him from the fun!

As we were packing up to leave, I caught this sweet moment...quite the relationship between the two of them!

We're so thankful for the rights won for us...for our freedoms...and for the men and women who brought us here (just another reason we love our Daddy).
God bless America.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

A Visit from Friends

Last week, we had a few college friends in for the night (and they got to stay an extra one) on their way to Colorado for a week with family.  Lindsay and I were friends, roommates, Catholics, etc together.  Her firstborn and mine are less than a month apart.  And, now we have two little girls a little over three months apart.

We so enjoyed their stay.  Carter latched on to the new friendship, and all of the kids had so much fun.  

We spent the morning with the cows...



The boys showed them how to throw a few rocks in the tank, too!

We brought Sugarfoot over to the house to show the girls how to ride, and John Paul would have stayed on all day if we'd have let him!

Eleanor wasn't too sure about him.

But, Emma Grace loved him!


Then, we had a little fireworks display in the evening (and every evening from then to the 4th)!







The next morning, they formed a band.

John Paul took care of little Emma Grace most of the time, ha!
It's amazing what 10 years or so can do.  Neither of us were married when we left school.  Now, we're almost seven kids in!  We don't have a ton of time to just chit chat, but when we do talk, or perhaps meet up, it's like we pick up where we left off the last time, not missing a beat.  So much changes as we grown into our own, but the friendships remain, even if they look different.  What a fun couple of days and a blessing for the soul!

Friday, July 3, 2015

26/52

We're halfway through the year.  My gosh.

This week, we decided to do a little firework practice.  Some hands were burned.  Some little ones were scared.  But, they learned to love them, and we've had a little show every night.  They're anxiously awaiting the big show this weekend!  Here are some photos to document it...

Carter // 5
Peter // 4
John Paul // 2 

Sophie // 1