So precious.....

This is Andrew when he was a baby. We took so many pictures of him. I recently did a photo book for him and I included this one. Photography changes over the years and that makes me so grateful for this picture. I love that it is a close up. I made the photo book and left it in his door when I left. It was so much fun to do and I am so glad we took all the pictures we did. Film was so expensive too! Now we have the luxury of snapping away and trashing all the bad ones but this one is a keeper for sure!

I am Sam....

Sam has a new pose he will strike sometimes when he is feeling his independence. He folds his arms to let everyone know that he is choosing his own path or at least trying! It is his subtle way of saying let me be. It is neat to see all the aspects of his personality and bent. He is such a gift and blessing to our family!

Wordless Wednesday.....

Raising a reader....

We love books and joke that our kids don't have a shot at not being surrounded by them. Sam enjoys them and we love growing that love in him! He doesn't love them near as much as music but that is OK. We love how God created him to be!!! He has his favorites and enjoys his cuddle time reading on his own or with someone else. We really need to purge a bunch of our books but I told Trae I can't part with any of my kid books! They are priceless to me!

Goodbyes....

Today I had to say goodbye. Goodbye to my firstborn and life as we know it. I hate goodbyes. I love newness, stretching, achieving goals and honestly those things can't always happen without change. Change can be hard but it is often where the growth begins. I am so proud of him and look forward to this new season in his life. My mommy heart is still tugged and missing him though. So proud of him and grateful he is only 2.5 hours away!

Happy boy.....

One happy boy! Sam is naturally happy and joyful. Love his sweet personality and love for life.

Sentimental Sunday....

Because everyone needs a Christmas morning I just climbed out of bed photo! It has been so hot here that we can only dream of those winter temps. We actually got a good amount of rain yesterday and the high was only 90 so that was our cold front.

Passion....

Jacob loves wheels! He loves wheels on skateboards and bikes! Mom is keeping it contained to things without motors for now so his list stops there! Before his birthday party we went into an amazing bike shop and he was totally in his element and glowing! He loves trying out a few bikes and checking out the $8,000 bike! That sounds to me like a nice price for a first car but they actually had a bike that expensive. It was SO light I think Sam could have lifted it! Fun summer memories!!!!

Candy Land fun....

I have many fond memories playing games as a child. We had a handful of favorites and I have tried to find them so my kids could grow up with them too. This is a Candy Land game that comes complete with gingerbread men, shapes to sort and a candy cane lever! It is just a fun magical game and when I found it recently I bought 2 so that my kids could have one and I could send one to our cousins in Santa Fe too! Sam loves it and it has become a favorite of his already. Time with big brother makes everything more fun!

Our summer house concert....

We had the immense privilege of hosting a house concert this weekend with Barry and Michelle Patterson. We have loved their music for the past 15 years and the Lord opened the door to have them do a house concert while they were in the area. They did a 8 day tour in Texas and the Baton Rouge area and Friday night they were in Fort Worth. They did a warm up after they arrived and to hear them in our home was unbelievable. It was priceless and an amazing treat!!! We kept the lights low due to the heat outside so the video we took isn't great but I might post one at a later time. Sam was in awe of all the strumming and singing going on. That boy has music in his blood. He also enjoyed having sweet friend here and being loved on by them. We had 28 people here, coffee and dessert, amazing singing, dear friends and new ones too. This was a night we won't ever forget.

Fun times......

Sam LOVED Pine Cove!!! Sometimes camp families joke that they had another child to make give them more years at family camp! With having a 19, 14 and 2 year old we have many, many years at family camp! Since we have returned home he has watched the camp video daily and talks of pamp (that is what he calls it) often! He is a family camper for sure and we are thrilled!

Lots of sweat but all fun!

Jacob totally enjoys Pine Cove!!! He is a young man that pushes himself physically and often! He loves activity, friends, being outside and having fun! Pine Cove is filled with those things. Lots of water, rest in between, good food and knowing we are building priceless memories.