On being a mother

She wanted to carry her baby around like a "real momma."
Oh how I hope she finds happiness in motherhood like I do.
And drives her kids nutso on a regular basis.
Both bring me immense joy.

Remembering

Beautiful lanterns floating skyward to remember a sweet little one who changed our
neighborhood one year ago when she passed away. Jacob and I felt so grateful to
celebrate her life with her incredible family and so many neighborhood friends tonight.

And a gorgeous sunset as we headed home, my constant reminder that God loves
His children. Each and every one. And while we don't understand everything
that happens on this earth, our Heavenly Father does. And that is enough.

This day for dads

He always chooses to be kind, to teach, to play, to work hard, to laugh and to
make each one of us better. He loves being a dad and every one of his kids adore
him like crazy. I don't blame them, I do too. Happy Father's Day to the greatest
blessing I've ever been given. I'm so privileged to have a front row seat to his
goodness, his handsomeness and his incredible choices as an amazing father.

Today

While the boys were boating (see last picture), the girls were getting ready for
Father's Day...and playing. Grace wasn't a bit excited to get her toenails and
fingernails painted. It was the most still I have seen her sit in, well, her entire
life. I love being with these girls of mine. I'm so blessed to be their mom.

And this boy is still riding like a pro

Nate's first lesson

This sweetheart wanted to try out horseback riding a few times and see what
he thought. His face in each picture says it all. Cutest thing I've seen all week.

Lunch date

Lunch with this handsome guy was my favorite today. I love summer for a lot of reasons,
but one is because my cool oldests happily tend my darling youngests, so I can have
lunch with their sweet dad every couple of weeks. So yeah for a thing called summer,
for my fabulous kids and for this incredible guy I get to call mine. I have a good life.

Girls camp

I think Annie looks forward to the week of girls camp more than any other week of
the year. And no wonder. This group of leaders and girls (as well as those they are
joining later on) are absolutely amazing. As in amazing, amazing. I'm so grateful.

Three and done

This boy is officially wireless. He looks so old without braces. I just adore him.

Oh, and of course our car doesn't need to be washed, why do you ask?

My favorite Detroit Tiger

I'm not a mom that buys sports photos or school pictures. I could say it is because I am frugal
and like to save money (Jacob is laughing hard right about now), but really, it is just that I like
taking photos. So I take my own. And this picture of my little sweetheart on his last t-ball
game day, makes me want to squeeze him through the screen. Love this little stud so much.

Chicken races ~ Part two

More of our redneckedness. Just for the record, the rules stated
you couldn't touch the chicken while herding it toward the finish line.
Annie took the championship. Have I mentioned we are weird?

Chicken races ~ Part one

Chicken races for the Family Home Evening activity?
Well, Annie said we should, so we did.
We are seriously the weirdest. Like truly. The weirdest.

Favorites

I really love this blurry picture. Because it has two of my favorite people in it.
The one on the right needs no explanation. The one in the left needs no explanation,
if you know him. If you don't, he is one of the coolest to be sure. In my life, he has been
a neighbor, a bishop, a teacher and a friend. And I adore him and his wife like crazy. 

When Campbell introduced himself as my son a couple of days ago, the incredibly nice
things Kelly (he does have a name) said about this old lady made my week. And then
a selfie was insisted on. When I saw it, I laughed because it is so Kelly. And then
wanted to cry that the Lord let me know such an incredible person and his family. 

They are kind of the greatest. Even if the kids insist on growing up, getting married, having
their own kids and making this previous babysitter feel so incredibly chronologically challenged.

Matt's awesome creation

We are a little bit of fun and a lot bit of redneck at our house.

My favorite zipline photo.

Done

This is how happy we are feeling about sum-sum-summertime!

9th grade recognition night

This darling girl attended her 9th grade recognition night with her proud parents last night
and was awarded the President's Outstanding Excellence Award (gold edition) for being
amazing and brilliant and fabulous. These pictures make me laugh. I won't share all
of the inside jokes, but man, she is just the best. And we love her so much. 

Brains and beauty. The best mix to be sure.