A sweet story...

My friend Aimee and her husband, Todd, are currently in China. They are bringing home their new son, Deacon. Aimee is writing about their sweet story on her blog: Journey to Deacon. If you have some time...check it out.
Aimee and I went to college, together. She is a precious friend. She loves Jesus. Todd and Aimee serve at a church in Oklahoma, where Todd is the Youth Pastor. They have two other sweet children. Such a sweet family!

We love our Hogs!

Football Season is here, finally! We love Arkansas Razorback Football! Allen and I will, again, act silly about our HOGS! We will rejoice when we win and might cry when we loose. However, either way...we will have a great time at the games. The Hogs open the season in Little Rock vs. Missouri State. We aren't making the trip. But, will get together with my family. My Mom is hosting a BBQ and we will watch the game. Dad is making his famous Mac n Cheese!
Here's hoping we win....GO HOGS!

Who are you cheering for, this season?

Wordless Wednesday {the new scooter}

God's Music...

While driving in the car, yesterday, I was playing a Travis Cottrell CD. I love his praise and worship music. I didn't really know that Benjamin was listening to it until he said "Mama, this is God's music." It was so sweet.

A few minutes later I heard him praying "Thank you God, for your music." And, then he said something really funny...during an intrumental part of a very upbeat "Victory in Jesus"...He said "Go God's Guitar!". {I tried not to let him see me laughing}.

First Day of Many First days...

Benjamin started preschool, Monday.

My prayer for him is protection. May the Lord keep safe while he is away from me. But, also may he be protected from the influences of a harsh world. I also pray that he loves school and always seeks out the truth.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29: 10-12

Here are a few photos of his first day:

{I think he likes it.} He doesn't like to talk much about it.

Benjamin is attending 3 days a week.

1st day of school Breakfast.

Leaving home for school.

After the first day.
When I went into pick him up...
Benjamin said "I just don't like it."
With a little panic...I responded "You don't like what...?"
He said "...that all those kids get to stay for lunch and nap and I have to leave."
Whew! I was so afraid that he hated school.
I think he liked it!


Georgia-Kate couldn't wait to pick him
up. She really missed him.

Mimi and Papa came over for dinner to celebrate Benjamin's 1st day of school.

Wasn't that the sweetest idea?! They gave him a little gift...a book that teaches him to use scissors. {Yes...I love my sweet parents.}

18 months old...

Happy 1 1/2 Birthday to you, Georgia-Kate!

My sweet little girl is 1 1/2 years old, today! Georgia-Kate is so sweet and a little bit sassy {maybe a lot sassy!} . We are having the best time watching her change into a little girl. She is talking, a lot. She just learned to run {she was a late walker}. She adores her brother. She loves Shoes, Hair bows, and Baby dolls. Georgia-Kate is all GIRL and I love it! AND....she can sit facing forward in her car seat. She finally hit the 20lbs.

{I better start planning her 2nd birthday party, right girls?!}

Here a few more recent photos:
I love this hat: Isn't it adorable?!


I adore this little face!

A fun day out....

Mimi and I took Benjamin and Georgia-Kate to the Butterfly Palace in Branson, MO. We made a day of it...visiting the butterflies, lunch out and a little shopping. {shopping...of course.} The Butterfly Palace claims to house 1,000 butterflies....I'm not sure about 1,ooo...we might have seen 25 butterflies. However, the indoor gardens were really pretty. Benjamin did really enjoy seeing the butterflies.

Benjamin kept asking "Hi...butterfly. How are you?"

It was adorable.

{Pretty Butterfly.}

Georgia-Kate was just happy to be out of the stroller.

And, yes....we sported the matching red, white and blue outfits...again.

Benjamin with Mimi {Aka...my Mom}

Benjamin and I resting on the "Butterfly" bench.

The Crayons were taking over...

Seriously, the crayons were taking over the playroom.....in the floor, in the baskets, inside books....
So, took this jar: {a recycled plastic jar from our pantry}

And created this: {A new home for the crayons}

I used decoupage glue, some scrapbook paper, stickers, a few buttons and some ribbon. I didn't even remove the old label. I placed the striped paper over it, cut a smaller brown paper and added the stickers. I covered the paper with the glue to seal and added the buttons. It was so easy....and the crayons have a new home. {I hope they return to their jar after use.}

Benjamin didn't have a big party, this year. {for a several reasons} However, we had a great time with our family. After a nap time, we had cake and pizza. Aunt T, aka my sister Tracy, made a wonderful salad. { I should have taken a photo.} We enjoyed watching Benjamin open his gifts. After gifts, we spent sometime at the pool. Benjamin had a really good day.

The CAKE:

It was so good--White with Cream Cheese Icing.

Singing "Happy Birthday".

Yes, Benjamin sang to himself. HAHA!
Make a Wish!
A Few Decorations:
Benjamin's special place setting.
Don't all Birthday boys deserve a special goodies?!

Georgia-Kate.

Benjamin gave her a special gift in honor of his birthday.

Fisher-Price blocks with a birthday theme.

{He even picked them out!}

"SHH! Don't tell Benjamin I rode his new Scooter!"
The new sandbox:

A Tired Birthday Boy:

Benjamin began running a fever, in the afternoon.

He did not feel very well.

Mimi is comforting him.
Georgia-Kate loves the water!

All about Trains!

On Benjamin's birthday, we woke early. After breakfast, we gave him one present to open. I wrapped up a picture of his gift. When he opened it...he was so confused and upset. However, it didn't take long for his mood to change when he found a new sandbox on the deck. He was so excited. It is fun to play. The lid tilts and creates rivers and a road with bridges and tunnels.

{Yes, I made him wear a birthday hat at 7:30am.}

After a fun early morning at home, we drove up to Branson, Mo. Benjamin really wanted to ride a train on his birthday. The ride lasted for a hour and a half. The conductor was really nice to Benjamin. They introduced him and announced his birthday. We enjoyed a snack and rode on all 5 of the cars. Georgia-Kate entertained the other riders. She kept saying "Hi, Hi" to everyone. After the ride, we returned home for naps and enjoyed a small celebration with family.

{Isn't this photo...hilarious?! Benjamin with his hand on "the conductor's" knee!}

I will post a few party photos...later.

Happy Birthday Benjamin!

Benjamin is 4 years old, today! It seems impossible. However, I feel like I have been a mother, forever. It's hard to remember what life was like before he was born. {Oh wait, I remember...we went to see movies, had real conversations over dinner and slept in on Saturday mornings.}

Benjamin is such a sweet boy. He makes me laugh, everyday. He continues to learn and asks me about a 100 questions, every day. Benjamin has an unbelievable memory. He says to sweetest prayers. Benjamin loves his friends. He is crazy for trains and cars. He enjoys books. He always says "I love you, mama" and likes to tell me I am pretty.{of course, I hate that!} I am so blessed to be his mother. I wouldn't even trade him for sleeping in, on the weekends.

Happy Birthday, Benjamin! We are very proud of you and love you, very much.

July Fun

For July 4th, we went to Big Cedar Lodge. I adore Big Cedar {for the few of you who have read my blog in the past...I won't bore you with the reasons again.}. We always enjoy the festivities on our nation's holiday. We took the Benjamin and Georgia-Kate down to the fish pond. They enjoyed throwing the fish food into the catfish and turtles. They have a great firework show and the kids loved it. I also loved the fireworks...but I may have loved these matching outfits...a little more. :)

Happy 4th of July

Hope you are enjoying your holiday and remembering how thankful we are to be Americans. Today, I am thankful those who have served and are continuing to serve to create our freedom. As we enjoy good food and good company, today, may we pause to say a prayer of thanksgiving for our country. I am especially aware of our freedoms, this year--Allen and I, along with 10 other people, from our church, are scheduled to go to Honduras for a mission trip. We are scheduled to leave on July 18th. Of course, do to the turmoil in Honduras...we are unsure if the trip will happen. We are disappointed--however, I hurt for the Hondurans. {many of them must be so scared...and they need to hear the message of our Lord}. Many of the Hondurans have never heard of the name of Jesus. God's timing and plans are perfect. But...not always easy to understand.

Flash from the Past:

July 4, 2006

Benjamin, 11 months.

Hey...Susan at Runner Mom is having a great giveway. If you have time....go over and see her!

T-Ball 2009

Benjamin completed his first year of T-Ball. He had a great time. He made great progress through out the season--hitting the ball and playing the field. We were blessed with great coaches. They were patient, organized and so nice to the team. Thanks Josh and Heather! The season finished a few weeks ago. However, this week--we attended the end of the year party. It was a beautiful day...and as the party was just about to begin...a huge storm came. So, the kids didn't get to play much and didn't get to slip n' slide. But, they we were able to eat and the kids received their trophies. {they were the hit of the party!}

Here are few photos from the season:

Benjamin, the Caterpillar

Some of the team: Benjamin (left), Brady (center) and Kane (right)

{Kane is Kasey's son, over at All That is Good}

Snack Time!

Georgia-Kate...Benjamin's Biggest Fan. She was proud to show her support with her little "caterpillar" shirt.

Some more of Benjamin's fan club....Aunt Tracie, Hailey, Georgia-Kate and myself. Of course, Mimi and Papa, Aunt T, and Grandma and Grandpa attended games. {I should have taken more photos}
Uncle Todd hanging out with Georgia-Kate.

And....the bobble head trophy!