A little fishing and biking...

The month of June was a blur but the boys both experienced a few important milestones. Both boys caught their first fish without any assistance (minus getting if off the hook) AND finally learned how to ride their bikes without the training wheels! It was an awesome morning. One of my favorites moments was hearing the boys encourage each other as they learned to ride for the first time unassisted. "I'm your number one fan Jordan!" And "Nathan, can I have your autograph?!" Somehow I didn't get any pictures of them riding but I did get some great video! These boys are growing up way to fast! Lord, strengthen their hearts..let them be men who chase after you and your Word, allow them to grow into men of great character who love deeply, give freely, sacrifice willingly, and serve happily. 

Day trip to Waco

We like to take a road trip down to Baylor at least once a year to visit the bear, walk around campus, and pick up some new shirts from the spirit shop. We made an extra stop this year the children's museum that is on campus. The kids had a blast! It's always fun to walk around campus and reminisce. It's a special blessing to take our four beautiful children back to the place where we met. God is so good, all the time! 

Harper's favorite book is The Best Nest so she was thrilled to visit the old church and ring the church bell just like in the story...

Carson can let out an awesome, "Sic'em Bears!" 

Checking out Lady and Joy at the bear pit...I guess it was a little too hot because they were asleep in the shade during our visit....

Jordan always has to see the bushes that spell out Baylor....Nathan didn't quite appreciate the hike across campus :) 

Best buds.....

Father's Day

My kids are blessed...they sure do have a funny, hard working, respectful, Jesus-loving Daddy!!  So fun to have a special day to celebrate him!  

Harper and Carson cracked themselves up in the car on the way home from church with the picture frame they made for Dad.  So funny!

First Trip to the Dentist

These two were awesome.  Of course it helps to leave the dentist with a balloon, squeaky toy, new fun toothbrush, and a lollipop!  The sweet dentist even pretended to check out Pink Baby's teeth.  So kind of her!!  Harper loved it!

Buddies

Most of the time...these kids are friends...

I just need to remind myself of that after afternoons like today.  Both 2-year olds made a 6-year old cry today.  They all fussed.  They were all pickin' at each other.  Ugh.  I probably couldn't count on my hands how many times they had to say "I'm sorry" today.  Siblings.  

An Old Treasure

My Dad's cousin happened upon my Grandaddy Beam's Valedictory Address as he was looking through some things that had belonged to his mom.  Yes, my Grandaddy was the Veledictorian of his class in 1943.  My dad was Salutatorian of his graduating class.   Ummm...I guess I dropped the ball on that tradition.  Ha!  I think I was like #68 out of 500!  At the time I was pretty proud of that.  Looking back, I'm sure I could have worked harder.  

Grandaddy passed away a couple of years ago...but his wise words will now be with us forever.  He was a top notch man.  My memories of Grandaddy are him taking me along for an errand in town in his Ford Ranger pick-up truck, singing "song, song of the south, sweet  potato pie and I shut my mouth..." and  the leftovers from supper up the road to another family that might not have had supper if he didn't provide it.  He sure was awesome.  He would pinch my knee and tell me, "that's how the mule bites the corn."  He would tuck money under my pillow when I spent the night at their house.  Such a character.

But this Valedictory Address gave me a great picture of my young 18 year old Granddaddy, probably not too long before he was drafted to fight in WWII.  He was so well spoken, intelligent, tough, grateful, respectful, and strong at his young age 18.  He sure did accomplish a lot in the following 70 years...he loved Jesus, loved his beautiful bride, and raised two incredible sons.  

Thanks Grandaddy for setting the bar high for our family.  

 

Fun in the Sun!

My kids all LOVE the water.  We try to spend as many days as possible at the pool in the summer.  Hooray for summer!