Carter's End of Year Picnic

I found these pictures on my computer and realized I had never blogged them!  Ooops!  We have had a busy time around here since school was out!  Anyway, Carter had an end of the year picnic with his preschool, and of course we got to attend.  Cole had fun playing with everyone for a bit, but got bored after a while.  So we packed up and ran a few errands before having to get Carter from school.  Carter had a wonderful time playing with all his friends!

Carter and his good buddy, Ben.  These two are INSEPERABLE!

Cole really had fun!

Carter the Swimmer

Carter is taking swim lessons again this summer and is doing an awesome job as you can see!

Grammy 1/23/28 - 6/26/11

Proverbs 31:26-28 (MSG)
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:

These are the words a close friend read at my request at my Grammy's funeral last week. My Grammy was one special lady! This post will tell you a little bit about the AMAZING Godly woman she was and the legacy she left behind that I am living out!
I am the first grandchild on my mom's side of the family, and as we all know, I am a tad spoiled! This picture of me is with a very special doll, who still sits in my closet, named Abigal. Apparently I saw this doll in a store when I was around 6 months of age, and I grunted and pointed and Grammy bought her for me! Spoiled, see!

I don't have lots of memories growing up with Grammy...I just know we spent a lot of time together and I loved her so much. As I grew up, I knew she loved God, my Papa, and her family more than herself.
This has to be one of my favorite all time memories! I ALWAYS helped stuff the turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I was right there in the mess and loved every minute of it. My mom and Aunt put together a photo book for us grandkids this Christmas from Grammy and this is the earliest pic they could find of me stuffing the turkey! I SO LOVE IT!
My Grammy lived out the following verses... Deuteronomy 6: 4-9 ⁴ Listen, people of Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord.⁵ Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.⁶ Always remember these commands I give you today.⁷ Teach them to your children, and talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.⁸ Write them down and tie them to your hands as a sign. Tie them on your forehead to remind you,⁹ and write them on your doors and gates.

I remember Grammy teaching Sunday School, preschool ages 4-5, (hmmm, wonder why I do what I do now?!?!) so she obviously talked about God. But I don't recall have spiritual conversations with her. I used to think when Caden was little, that I wanted to do that differently in my family, talk more about Christ. But honestly as I look back over Grammy's life, she didn't have to talk so much...she was LIVING it!

My Grammy loved her man (Papa) with all her heart...even in all his orneriness!

I so loved having them at our wedding, knowing the kind of example they were giving us! I prayed we would have a wonderful marriage as they did!

Grammy made the best cakes! She made just about EVERY birthday cake I can remember and even made my wedding cake! It was FABULOUS!

She traveled some with Papa, I remember her writing all about her travels in a journal. But I was so excited that they came down to our apartment in Houston for Thanksgiving. I was SO NERVOUS about cooking Thanksgiving dinner in my little apartment, but Grammy pulled it off!

This is a great picture of us Christmas of 2003. Just before leaving Houston to travel to see our families, we learned we were pregnant with Caden! God had blessed us and we were so excited to share! I was miserably sick, but Grammy was so excited to be a Great Grammy!

I love that she made the trek down for Caden's birth. She has been by my side the day of or the day after each of my deliveries!

We weren't sure what to call Grammy when Caden was born. Cory's mom was already Grammie, his Dad's mom was also Grammie-Great. We didn't want to confuse Caden with a Great Grammy - so my Grammy's name is Florence and she thought of Grammy Flo. It stuck and she loved hearing it!

We were able to take Caden to her home, the one I grew up visiting! This is my all time favorite picture of her with Caden. She would sit for hours reading to him and all the boys. There is a photo like this with each one of my boys! They loved their Grammy Flo and she loved them!

When my mother called and told me Grammy had taken a turn, I was immeadiately drawn to the scriptures in this post. We had just taught our 3 yr old Sunday School about Timothy. Not that I am anything like Timothy, but we have one common bond...our FAITH FILLED FAMILY! 2 Timothy 1:5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.

Grammy showed me how to be the woman I am today. She loved God, loved her husband, loved her kids, loved her grandkids, etc. This is who I am!

While she is rejoicing with our Savior, no doubt hearing, "well done!"
I AM LIVING HER LEGACY!

Biggest Blessing of All

This trip to Branson was more than just a family vacation! I was able to meet one of my most special friends!

From the Message, Proverbs 17:17a "Friends love through all kinds of weather."

When I first read this version of the famous Proverb, I think of weather being stormy times in a relationship. But as I think of Devin and me, I think about weather being an obstacle. Devin and I have some obstacles in our relationship...#1 - being DISTANCE! Other than that huge obstacle there really isn't anything keeping us from our friendship!

Devin and I "met" back in early January 2008. we both had stumbled (read God led) upon a blog of a mother whose child had died. I think I saw her comment on a post, clicked on her name, and read about her family. Devin's post that today was almost identical to mine and the connection was made. She had three boys at the time and we were just learning about our pregnancy with Cole. Our lives were mirrors of each other. We began to comment on each other's blog, email some, and over time the relationship grew! With all the great technology we talk often. Facebook, texting, even phone calls keep us current.

I am not sure how much you can truly "know" someone without meeting them, but I tell you this girl is one of my closest friends. I can't describe in words how much it meant to meet her, her hubby, and kids! I wasn't nervous about meeting because I just knew it would go great! We got along just as I knew we would...even the hubbies enjoyed themselves! Our kids were buddies instantly! It was an amazing opportunity that I can't wait to have again!

Dev - I love you girl! You are such a blessing to me, and I am so, so, grateful you gave up your family time on vacation to hang out with us!

Day #4 - Go Karts

On our last day in Branson, we met up again with Devin, Shane, and the crew! We had a great time, of course! Before we met them, we did a little shopping, no pictures because it wasn't always a pleasant experience :) Just imagine 4 boys, 3 of whom are running around stores, hiding under clothes racks!

We ate lunch then headed to see Tornado Alley at the IMAX theater...FABULOUS! Lots of the film was shot in OK, so that was pretty neat. We saw water towers from Jet, OK and Texhoma, OK! It made Cory and Carter a little motion sick, Cole slept through most of it, and Caden, Crosby, and I had a great time! Most of the Merritts enjoyed it too!

After the movie we headed back to the go-karts. We had some credits to use and boy did we use them! EVERYONE got to ride, or drive and it was a blast!

This little guys slept through the first 30-45 minutes :) He slept anywhere he could if he was tired! He was a TROOPER!Cole was having a blast in this ferris wheel cage!

The big boys were all able to drive on this kiddie track, but they only took 4 at a time...Colin had to wait to ride with Shane. So Carter, Cameron, Caden, and Ethan are having a go at it.

Caden LOVED this!

Carter was ALL BUSINESS!

Lola and Crosby just hung out checking out all the sights!

Devin was ever so kind to snap this photo of Cory and I!

Here is a crew of riders...

Cory and Cole, Shane and Colin, Kara and Carter

Colin and Caden moved over to the rookie track and had a great race!

Once their ride was over, they helped me watch the three little kids...well really they just goofed around! Caden on guitar, Colin on lead vocals!

After go-karts, we headed back to the condo for some relaxtion time in the pool.

This is my favorite shot of Dev!!! She was able to get in some snuggle time with Mr. Crosby!

Then after the pool, we did some cheesy groups shots! There was a waterfall area near our condo, and we begged a passerby to take this shot!

All 12 of us!

We had the most AMAZING trip! We were truly blessed in so many ways to get to go on this trip and meet up with WONDERFUL friends (more on that later!)

Branson - Day #2 Silver Dollar City with Friends

Wednesday afternoon we met up with the Merritt's again at Silver Dollar City. This gave us the great opportunity to survey the park with the experts! It was great and the kids so enjoyed playing together again! We hated to seperate again that night...the boys kept asking when we were going to hang out with them again!

The big kids all became fascinated with this dinosaur! They were telling it to bite them then it would ROAR and scare them...squeals galore!

Cole was upset he was stuck in the stroller and not running around with the big boys, until he realized Lola was there too, then he was MUCH better! He LOVES Lola!!!

Me with Devin and Lola outside the ball area.

Momma and Cole riding a carousel at Half Dollar Holler.

Branson - Day #3 Silver Dollar City

We spent almost a full day here...it was a good thing we split it up and came after 3! On Thursday I decided not to take the big camera and just use my phone, so some of these are a little blurry.

At the start of our day, by the old time fire truck, with our maps. Caden navigated us most of the day.

Checking out how the make log cabins...

Then we headed around to the old time school house. Each child wrote their name on the slate boards.

Crosby did SO GREAT all day! He just watched everyone and slept when he got tired!

Cory rode Powderkeg and the boys loved watching him take off!

Caden made a wax hand. This was the start of it. They dipped it several times in wax, then ice water, then he colored it. It was black and orange!

We got a lesson on broom making...

The boys were intrigued...

pretty fascinating, really!

Then we headed to the Grand Exposition area for some good old fashion rides!

Waiting in line for the roller coaster.

Momma and Cole on the flying elephants.

Carter on his flying elephant.

Caden was a couple of cars ahead of us.

Then Daddy got to go on the pirate boat swing.

By this point, Crosby was tired, so he napped while we played a little longer.

On our way out, we dipped a few candles.

Then we watched them blow glass. I think Cory got a few of those photos on his phone, so I will blog those later! It was a fun filled day and we can't wait to go back!