Max & Jesus

Have you heard this story... A mom was at home with her newborn baby and three your old son. She was cooking in the kitchen and hadn't heard from her toddler in a while she walked towards the playroom and saw the nursery door had been opened where her newborn baby was napping. As she peeked into the nursery she saw the three year old on a stool looking at the baby. She poked her head in to get him when she noticed that the boy was taking to his new baby sister. To her amazement, she heard him say... " Hey, baby, do you remember what Jesus looks like cuz I'm starting to forget?"

Babies... they are so fresh from heaven. I wonder if they remember that beautiful face of our Savior. Which leads me to our story below...

I was carrying Max past the bookcase and I felt his headjerk to look at something on the shelf. As I traced his eyes, I noticed he was looking at the picture of Jesus and children on the front of this box of storycards. I would walk back and forthand he just couldn't take his eyes off of it. I said to Sam, "He remembers Jesus!!!" Sam said, "Ali, it's just a cartoon picture and kids like cartoons." I said, "No, he's fascinated!"

So, I took the Jesus card out and he just kept staring at it, and touching it and...
kissing it... well, eating it!!!
So, when I called Max's name... he just looked at me and I could feel him telling me, "Thanks, mom, for letting me play with my friend!"

SUMMER IS HERE!!!

And we are ready for a good time..

We already LIVE at the pool!! It's only June 3rd...

Everybody is throwing their suits and flops on and heading to the oasis that awaits us.

Bo has a special "ride" to the pool!

Bo has learned how to swim by himself...

He's soooo proud!

It's hard to tell if "daredevil Colby" has been thrown by his daddy or if he is falling from the sky!

CANNONBALL JACK!!
Look who is swimming for the first time!! Go, Max!!
Who is that woman holding Max? Oh my word, a picture of mom!! Way to go, Sam, taking the camera for a change!!

Gotta love the hats!!!

Welcome to summertime, boys!!!
Sure does get hot in Florida!! We just seem to forget every year that it can really be THIS HOT!!

Oh, Family!!

In the light of the recent news of Stephen Curtis Chapman and family losing their beloved 5 year old, Maria; I just had to sit and reflect on how precious family is and how precious every minute is because you never know when it's going to be your last.


We had the blessing this past weekend of getting to be with Sam's Parents, Grandmother, Sister and Family, and our church family from when Sam and I were dating and first married. The Lakehouse was full of love... full of memories... full of joy!!! Making every minute count!

All the boys had to say was, "Pop, can we go fishin'?" Without hesitation, Pop said, "Yeah, let's go!"

I love when the whole family is together because there are alot of people to help Aunt Amanda with her twin boys so she can steal a minute away with our boys!! They love her!!
Uncle Robbie is so playful with the boys.. in a moments notice he will have the boys flipped upside down tickling them til they almost wet their pants.
I have this same picture with all 4 of our boys... Their first boat ride... driving with Pop!!

What a crew!!! Our 4 boys and Amanda's twins, Ben & Isaac. Pop & Lali were made to have grandsons!!

Here we are... relaxed as can be!! The lake, Lali & Pop... R & R!!!

Colby cooking homemade buttermilk biscuits with Lali!!
Max gettin' some Nanny Bea love!!!
Oh, my guys!! Makes a mommas heart leap!!
Thank you, Lord, for family!! Thank you for this sweet little vacation and for our summer vacation to come where we get to see the rest of our AMAZING family. May we cherish every treasurable moment you have given us.

My Children Pray and Read Their Bibles...

So, I'm just walking through the house and find the dining room table covered with open Bibles. Wow... I thought... what a beautiful scene.

As I looked closer... the Bibles were upside down. so, I thought... what in the world is going on?
The next thing I know... Colby and Bo come running to the table with Monster Trucks in hand squealing... "These hills are gonna be GREAT. Awesome... vroom, vroom!!"
My angels... using God's Word in every aspect of their life!! :)

Dreams Come True!!

I'm not a girl that wants new and big things... I just like charming things. Well, our back patio has been anything but charming for the past 2 years that we have lived in this house. Anyone who knows us knows that we LIVE outside. I have stared at that patio for 730 days now dreaming of it's white slab to turn into a beautiful stain with a faux technique. I have dreamed of an arbor with a lattice top with jasmine weaving around the posts and making a natural roof. I have dreamed of hanging pots and terra cotta pots full of flowers. WELL.....
DREAMS COME TRUE!!!!

Sam and Seth built a beautiful patio... Momma's heart is beaming with charm!!
We also created the fire pit area for Family Marshmallow Nights!
And... I found my dream table!! SOLID wood, two benches, seats 10 people... thank you craigslist.com!! The lady was desparately asking $250 for it... so, I emailed and asked her if she'd take $75. She replied, "Yes, just take it!!!" YIPPEE!!! I just look at it and envision 4 teenage boys shoveling food into their big bodies... I see them all doing their homework together, I see family game nights, I see scrapbooking galore... I see memories!!!

Bo's Day has Come!!

He's done it... for 3 years, Bo has been an amazing fan at ALL of Jackson and Colby's games. But Saturday... Jackson and Colby were the fans!! Bo was the athlete. It's soccer season, baby!!! It is soo exciting! He's on a team with some of his BEST buddies... Jack, Katey, James, Jace, Carmine! His coach's are dad's of his friends who he just adores... Coach Jamie, Coach Joel, and Coach Claudio! Our little was shining bright... these are actually pictures of his first practice... my camera died on Saturday... thank goodness for friends with their cameras...

Goal!!

The Fans!

"However you want to do it, buddy. Today's you're day!!

Boys, Boys, Boys, Boys....

I've always heard the phrase, "Boys will be Boys." Then, I was enlightened to the new phrase, "Boys will be Joys." It's so true. I am finding day in and day out that they just LOVE enjoying the simple joys of life and I LOVE living life like they do.

Jackson loves sports. Whatever season he is in... he pours his life into it. Right now is baseball... he's checking out baseball books from the library, studying players with his dad, and staying out til dark practicing his swing and catching!

Bo loves playing, just playing... nothing complicated; just let him run free. (see that laundry behind Bo... aye yi yi... atleast it's clean... keepin' it real!!)

Max loves his family... put a brother, mommy, or daddy in front of him and he is full of delight!

Colby loves adventure! Anything wild, dangerous, and adrenaline pumping brightens his heart.

WAIT ICE CREAM TRUCK!!!!!

I was about to say how the ice cream truck is a simple joy, but have you gotten an ice cream lately?? $2.50 for one Spongebob ice cream... yikes!

$5.00 later...

GRANDMOTHERS AND OVERPROTECTIVE MOMS BEWARE OF THE NEXT PICTURES...

climbing...

walking to get monster truck...

ready to get down...

remember what I said about his love for adventure... YIPEE!!!

BOYS WILL BE JOYS!!!!