Our Wedding Anniversary Weekend Celebration

 While the kids were gone to Granny's, we took advantage of the time and had FIVE dates!  Friday we went to our favorite date spot, BJ's Brewhouse.  We have always had great food at BJ's and besides all the TVs, it's a great atmosphere too!  (Funny faces at BJ's)

Saturday, Daddy took me to La Baguette for breakfast.  We had never been but it had been on my list of places I wanted to try.  Our breakfast was super yummy, we were happy we went.  And that evening we had a stay in date with some local delicious street tacos.

Sunday we watched two movies and went to Johnny Carino's for dinner.  It was odd to have the whole weekend to ourselves.  Bren was home but we didn't see a lot of him.

Monday night we went to HeyDay.  After I SPANKED JC at laser tag, we had our most enjoyable dinner and then he whooped me at putt putt.

It was a wonderful Anniversary weekend.  Our marriage has had more than it's share of ups and downs.  We have had a lot of hard years.  Standing here at the end of another year together, we both agree that this has absolutely been our best year together.  We have grown closer together, closer with the Lord and closer with our children.  I am so thankful that God answers prayers and gives us strength.  I am thankful for friends who have encouraged me and taught me how to be a blessing to JC.  I am so thankful that we decided to be committed to each other and that we didn't give up when things were so very hard.

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

a HOT adventure!

The zoo was Tuesday and Wednesday we had lunch & played with the Robertsons. 

Then Granny called and told us her nectarines were ready to be picked. I packed for the little kids and myself and told the kids we were going on an adventure.  It wasn't until we passed McDonald's half way there that Cam asked, "We're going to Granny's?"  It was another surprise that we were staying the night!

 We picked the tree clean of nectarines and even picked a couple crab apples.  Cait didn't mind the extreme sourness but no one else liked them.

 Granny and I worked hard to slice and fill 5 jars for canning.  We got our water boiling and put them in the pot to process.  Granny, Lily and I ran to Atwoods to pick up some more jars while PawPaw, Cait and Cam hung around the house.

 Here's Granny with silly string on her!  Such fun, cheap thrills!  And Cam decided he likes making fruit out of clay.  His cherries were the best!

So, when we got back from Atwoods, we pulled out our jars and started the pot to boil with more water for the second batch.  I heard the breaker blow on the stove (that wasn't the first time for that to happen to me).  I called for Granny and as she headed upstairs to the breaker box, I realized there was flames under the burner!  The kids watched on as we tried to decide whether to call 911 or not.  PawPaw came to the rescue with a very old fire extinguisher that actually worked...

 but made a stinky mess.  So the kids waited outside for the house to clear out.

 Here's the remains of Granny's stove.  We killed it!

I got 5 jars of nectarines and Granny got a new stove!  What an adventure!

Here are the rest of Cam's fruit that he made.  I think I'll see how he likes Scupley soon.

My Baby Girl Turns FIVE

Five years ago, God changed our lives.  "Baby Cait" added softness and girly pink to our lives.  She added spunk and lots of smiles.

After two boys, Cait was beauty we didn't know we were missing.

 One Year Old

 Two Years Old

   Three Years Old 

  Four Years Old

  FIVE Years Old!!!

This little cutie pie turned FIVE on Friday.  Friday was celebration started with birthday donuts.

Then Granny surprised her with a very girly pink bike!  Do you see that look of joy?  She learned to ride Cam's so she was up and going instantly!

Cait chose salad for dinner so we had a yummy dinner at Panera.  

 Saturday morning was our new tradition of Birthday Dress shopping.  Cait loved the first dress from the beginning and was reluctant to try on any more.

 We were not surprised that she picked the first dress.

 Back home for lunch, Cait chose salad again!  This time we had a nice salad buffet so everyone could pick their favorites.

 Momma made dark chocolate cupcakes with strawberry filling and cream cheese frosting.  Cait and Lily decorated the cupcakes.

 Cait was so kind and thoughtful, she let her cousin Alex, Lily and Cam each open one of her gifts.

 It's just another beautiful side of Cait.

 Cait, Daddy, Cam and Lily putting together birthday Legos.  She was excited to get two "girl" sets!

And after everyone had gone home, Cait and Daddy raced down our street.  And Cait won!!!

 Happy Birthday, Sweet (not so baby) Cait!

Bunnies & Awards

 Our neighborhood has had bunnies for many years.  We often see them in the evenings in our yard or our neighbors.  There is something sweet and delightful about seeing bunnies.  As we were doing school this week, we looked out the window to our favorite spot and found this fella making a burrow in my phlox - and eating it!  I wanted to shoo him out but instead we tried to lure him out with carrots.  We haven't seen him back but we'll be watching for him.

On Memorial Day, our small Public Speaking group got together and the parents took a turn speaking.  We gave our children awards for the school year.  We gave all three kids an award for Christian character and for helping and Cam got one for academics as well.

For academics, Cam received an All-Star Award for completing math and history ahead of schedule and overall hard work.  He received Recognition of Godly Characteristic of Faith (Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ~Hebrews 11:1)

 and Recognition of Christ-like Service for his willingness to help when asked. 

Cait's Recognition of Godly Characteristic was Enthusiasm (Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) and she received Recognition of Christ-like Service of creativity.

Lily's Recognition of Godly Characteristic was Joyfulness (You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. ~Psalm 16:11) and she received Recognition of Christ-like Service for having a joyful servant heart.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will

reap a harvest if we do not give up. ~Galatians 6:9

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. ~1 Corinthians 15:58

A Decade

Ten years ago. A decade.  I can't believe he has put up with me this long. {and vise versa!}

We had our first night away from the kids since 2010.  We took the Heartland Flyer from Oklahoma City to Ft. Worth.

It was a beautiful and relaxing ride. Plenty of room, reclining seats and lots of fun sights.

We had a picnic lunch of sorts for our trip down.

It was hot when we arrive but fortunately the Hilton we were staying at was just a couple minutes walk from the train station.

Our hotel was very nice. We walked around the Sundance Square area and downtown Ft. Worth. We walked around a bit and sat with our feet in the water at the Ft. Worth Water Gardens and then enjoyed a stopping into Paddy Reds Irish Pub.  We had a delicious steak dinner at The Capital Grille and then enjoyed some music and laughs at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar.

Our trip back was just as nice. The views in the Arbuckle Mountains was really nice.

We got home at nearly 11.  The kids were asleep. Everyone survived.  Here's to another TEN!