Photo dump off my camera

It has taken me far too long to get these pictures off my camera. So here we go!

Our week in review

This past week seemed absolutely crazy with literally something every single night/day. Some highlights were Muffins for Mom at Gracie school which was so cute, a sweet dinner for Anna, great lunch with my grandmother, dad with his first shrimping trip of the year with Chris, my brother and sister coming home from clemson and a childhood friends wedding. Thankfully this week seems to be a little less crazy :)

Labor Day Weekend

We had a great family weekend this past weekend and a very eventful weekend. Saturday morning Tommy and Thomas went fish with Chris and Noah and I must say they did really well! I can already tell Thomas and Noah are going to be little fishing buddies. Both are very into! Then Saturday afternoon/evening Chris, Amy and the kids came over to cookout and watch the Tigers play some football! It was a super intense game and so fun to watch! Yay Tigers!! Sunday was a relaxing day of church and a little room changing around here. We finally set up Thomas and Gracie's bunk beds! I must say they love love love them and have done great.... And on Monday we spent the day in the boat at the beach and in the water! So sad that, that will probably be our last boating adventure for the year :(

Can hardly contain their excitement 

Prayer

   Almost every night before bedtime we sit with the kids on their beds and pray. Some nights if we forget they are quick to remind us mommy daddy we forgot to pray. So sweet! Now I will be the first to admit that there have been some nights that I have had a really long day of constant fights, whining, spankings, etc. and am ready to check out and try to skip the prayer routine. Today I was reading Philippians where, Paul tells the church how and why he is praying for them. This hit me like a ton of bricks! When you pray with your children, you are teaching your children how to pray. At this moment in our lives I feel like there are so many things/ decisions that we need to make and some different options to look at and I have no answers for any of them...  None! There are things that have happened good and bad and my first thought when praying is to thank God for the good and not the bad. Now maybe the bad could have been a bad day, a bad conversation, a friend or family member who has been wrong to you, etc. but I am constantly being reminded especially by my wonderful husband to pray for that situation or person. When my kids are fighting be thankful for them. No it is not always easy but be thankful that Lord gave these children to me. When someone you love has wronged you pray for them. "Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." Luke 6:28

   For me it takes incredible strength not to insult someone in return that has wrong me or my family. But I must always remember what God says about me. No matter what negative thing that was said to me or about me God loves me. God made me and he has a plan for me. If I can teach me children anything it would be this! Instead of retaliating God wants us the break the cycle. Many friends, families, relationship go through cycles and we need to learn to break that nasty cycle. "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing." 1Peter 3:9  Praying is not saying a bunch of fancy words to God but just talking to him, asking for help when you are in need, thanking him for all he has done, and asking forgiveness when you are wrong!   Thanks for allowing me to share my heart today!

How could I forget this......

How could I forget this special memory that we had last week. Tommy took Thomas hunting on opening day and the two of them got their first buck together. I am not sure who was more excited Tommy or Thomas. When Tommy and Thomas got in the stand they saw a very nice 8point and tommy was explaining to Thomas he has to whisper so it will not scare the deer away. So when they were getting settled in tommy but the ear muffs on Thomas to protect his ears from the gun shot when Thomas figured since he had the ear muffs on he had to talk loud for daddy to hear him and scared the deer away. Hahaha Tommy then had to explain how ear muffs work and that you still have to whisper as if you didn't have the ear muffs on. Not long after that 5 more deer came out and they scoped out the biggest one and shot! Both were smiling ear to ear and totally soaking up the moment together just daddy and son.

Thomas posing with daddy's deer with his pretend gun he took with him. So stinking cute!

Myrtle Beach & Clemson

Two weekends ago my mom, dad, sister, brother, tommy, kids and I all went to myrtle beach for the day to watch my dad redeem his Father's Day present! A Jet-Pack ride in the ocean..... I can't even tell how much my dad loves jet-packs and for whatever reason I he was dying to ride one one day! It was a little bit of a long ride with nine people in my car but many memories where made and that what it is all about!

Then this past weekend I went with my parents and sister Allie to move her into her dorm up at Clemson. WHOA!!!!!! Okay so to be honest that was my first moving in experience for a college dorm and it was very much organized chaos..... Sat in a traffic line for an hour and half then once we were able to park the car we were swarmed by upper classman opening all the doors and grabbing bags or whatever you had in the car and taking it up to her dorm. Pretty cool if you ask me :) a very bitter sweet weekend. Allie I want you to know that you are the worlds best sister and aunt. Not one week went by that you didn't come see the kids or me. You have gone over and beyond preparing for school and I see nothing but a bright future ahead of you. I can't wait to come up in a couple weeks and see you! Love you very much.......