Sweet Sam kisses....

Sam has never been much of a kisser until lately! He has started kissing us and it is so sweet because when he wants to kiss there is no stopping him. Love our sweet boys kisses!!!

Jacob is off to camp!!!

Jacob is off for a week at The Ranch at Pine Cove in Tyler, Texas! Pine Cove is his favorite place on this planet and we are so grateful he is able to go. He will be there 6 days and this is his 3rd year to go on his own. He was so pumped and excited this morning to see what the week holds. They have to do a swimming test to start off the week and Jacob passes his with flying colors!

Memorial Day weekend....

We are thrilled to have a 3 day weekend together! We are working on projects today, packing up Jacob for camp and headed off to church. We go on Saturday afternoons now. We were always Sunday church people but we have come to love our new time. We have a gathering with friends on Monday so I have been menu planing for that. Something I love to do is plan a new recipe or choose a favorite to take to a gathering.

My middle guy.....

Jacob is such an amazing young man. He brings much delight, interesting conversation and laughter to our home. He is almost 13, his voice is changing and he is growing like a weed! He is already in a size 9 mens shoe. He leaves for a week at camp in a few days and he is so excited. He asked today did I have things ready for camp. I told him no I have everything purchased but not packed and that I would be doing it all soon. He said what I wondered about was do you have the letters written that you pack for me. I asked Jacob if he was sure he wanted those this year and he reassured me that they meant a lot to him. He is a growing young man but often shows me how much he still loves those connections with home. He makes my heart smile.

Sam and the bubble wand....

Sam loves bubbles! However I recently learned he likes the bubble wand even more! He held this spill proof bubble set for a good 30 mins and was in pure bliss! He put the wand in dozens of times and was not a happy boy when we went inside and left it on the porch.

A few more.....

I had to post these close up pictures of Sam with his Jack in the box. He just loves this toy! He works so hard at turning the handles and getting the clown back in the box.

Truth....

When I say I'm a Christian, I'm not shouting that I'm living perfectly clean, I'm whispering that I was lost, but now I'm found. I'm not saying that I'm strong, I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength. I'm not bragging of success, I'm admitting I have failed & need God to clean up my mess. I'm not holier than thou. I'm a simple sinner who received God's grace. Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven.

His first trip to the pool....

We took the boys to our neighborhood pool recently for our first swim of the season. It ended up being cooler than we had thought because the sun had gone down and the wind was blowing more than normal. But we stayed for a little bit and let Sam give it a try. Trae went back another time after that with the boys and Sam enjoyed it more when it was warmer out. We joined a water park this summer that is huge and filled with amazing summer fun but we are grateful for our little neighborhood pool and that we can enjoy a cool dip that is almost in our backyard.

A girl can always dream.....

Just dreaming and wishing we were back at the ocean. I love being home BUT if I could snap my fingers I think I could enjoy a few more days there. A girl can always dream!

Favorites....

One of Sam's very favorite toys right now is a jack in the box toy. He loves to hear the music, turn the knob and wait for the surprise! This one was a $1 Goodwill find too! He loves it and we pretend that the clown waves to him and that brings him even more delight.

Surprises!!!

Trae loves $$$ sunglasses. He hasn't had a pair in a while so it was even sweeter when we arrived at our resort and his company had very nice sunglasses waiting for us and you could pick the style you desired. He picked these and received many compliments that they fit his face well. Perfect timing before our Texas summer too!

Updates....

It has been a while since I have done a family update. I will try to keep it short and sweet.

Trae-Loving his new Ipad that he received from his CEO on our recent trip. I am a Mac girl and this Ipad might convert him! Loved being near the ocean again. Soaking up every bit of raising boys and enjoying the mens groups he is apart of. Our church just had their mens conference and he loved it and was really blessed, encouraged and challenged. Going to Vegas soon for the big retail conference and we will miss him something horrible!

Julie-So excited summer is here! Looking forward to a change of pace, more time at home and less structure. Trae and I have been taking a parenting course that started this spring and will carry us into fall so that is a big commitment but something that is perfect timing. Has 101 projects to try and complete this summer. I am a person who seeks order and organization and this spring has been busier than normal so that is when for me the details get tossed aside and it shows. I had the most amazing celebrations of my birthday. Turning 40 was a dear time and something I won't soon forget. The Lord loved on me in a beautiful way, those close to me celebrated me and I was blessed!

Andrew-Finishing up his Jr. year and has decided to return to his Christian school this fall. He left for about 8 months but is feeling the right thing is for him to return. Go God and so proud of my first born. He is still working at Best Buy and really looking forward to summer. He is loving photography and has invested in some amazing equipment. He has a good eye and his knowledge has surpassed ours about photography. It is really exciting to see and being that Trae and I share a HUGE love of photography this is a special treat for us. He recently joined a gym and is loving working out. He is getting really strong and a bigger build.

Jacob-Kind of sad about summer and is going to miss out on some of his school friends. He has loved homeschooling this year while attending a PT homeschool partnership. He has grown greatly in his love and skill of skateboarding. He is most excited about recent NRH20 passes that we purchased for this summer. He is all about being outside and staying busy. He leaves for his week at Pine Cove at the end of this month. Pine Cove is a Christian camp in Tyler, Texas that is one of Jacobs favorite places to be. He loves being a big brother and he and Sam jam out often in his room listening to music and playing basketball.

Sam-Sam is 16 months old! He is a busy toddler that enjoying discovering things daily. He loves basketball, books, being outside, swinging and recently enjoyed his first trip to the pool. He is very observant and in tune with his surroundings and seeks connection with those around him. He has always been a people person. His favorite word is amen! He said it dozens of times a day. The other day he wanted his milk and he said, "meeelllk.....amen!" It is the sweetest thing ever! His favorite foods are applesauce, sweet potatoes, bananas, avocado, chicken, crackers, whole grain bread and veggie chips.

Coming to a close...

For the most part today will be my last post of vacation pictures! Here are a few of the resort that we found simply divine. Now the first one might just look like a beach chair but even the chairs were perfect. When we would go down to the ocean a beach guy would ask you where you want to sit and if you want sun or shade and he would fix the chair perfectly. Than he would bring you a bucket of ice with bottle watered. Ahhhh, it was perfection! The gardens above were apart of the grounds and beautiful. Someone has having a party there one night too. We hope this isn't our, "One and Only" time there but if it is than it was amazing and something we will always be grateful for. God is good, His timing is always perfect and we are so grateful for His blessings and for one another.

Sentimental Sunday....

They just won't end...

I still am posting vacation pictures! Right now it is a dream to think we were just there. Sickness has hit our home since Wednesday and life is anything but paradise. I think we are nearing the end of being ill. Hoping and praying we are! We are so grateful it didn't hit a week earlier. OK, back to paradise! The picture of Trae and I was on our last night. They brought us chocolate covered berries and champagne every afternoon. We typically chose the pink lemonade that they had in the lobby instead but it was so fun to be lavished without even seeking it. There were amazing orchids all over the grounds. I have never seen so many flourishing in our area. My moms husband loves orchids and I would have loved to have brought back one for him. I don't think it would have gotten through customs so I captured several of film.

So very yummy....

While we were on our vacation we ate really, really good! Each meal was very pricey compared to the US but Praise God we were not paying for it! Above were our favorites! We love calamari and it was amazing! It was lightly grilled and mixed with greens and fresh veggies. It was amazing! The crab egg rolls were out of this world! You wrapped it in bibb lettuce and dipped it in an amazing sauce. I think we ordered it 3 times! OH and how could I forget the fresh sweet potato chips paired with a lobster sandwich. We love sweet potato fries and make them at home. We sometimes buy sweet potato chips but to have them fresh with parmesan sprinkled on top was divine! I wish I could say I prepared all those dishes but what I can say is that having amazing meals always encourages me to try some new things at home.

Wordless Wednesday....

A special evening....

Our first night at the Ocean Club we had a really a wonderful dinner in the perfect setting. We were on a large deck right on the ocean. It was amazing and perfect. They had a small band and also someone rolling fresh cigars. We brought ours back for a few friends that we thought might enjoy it.

Amazing.....

We made it home this evening and we thrilled to be able to spend the evening with all the boys and get to hug my mom on Mother's Day. Grateful, blessed and one thankful family sums out how I feel. More later but lots to unpack!

Happy Mothers Day!