Great Friends in the Great Outdoors

Why do we always seem to put things off?  My best friend in the whole world has lived less than 45 minutes down the road from us for the past 2 years, and still we had trouble "finding time" to visit each other much.  Pitiful.  But funny -- how it'd been since Christmas since we'd last seen each other -- then let her announce that her house has sold & she's moving 5 hours away, and by-golly, we manage to get together 3 times within a two week period . . .  seriously?  I'm so ashamed and upset with myself.

And not just for what I've missed out on - but look at these three

they love each other too

The hubs even like each other . . . we just have no excuses  :)

So Cassie, I wish you the best on your newest adventure.  I enjoyed the times we did share while ya'll were NWAs.  :)  And I hope we do better in the future . . .

I love you dearest friend

Andrew planted me some knock-out rose bushes this year, and I LOVE THEM . . . so much so, that he planted me another one.  Yippee

Hunter took to the pool almost right where he left off last summer.  He was a bit hesitant at first (most likely due to the overkill in pool safety/drowning warnings from mommy) but after a little encouragement he was right back on track.

Notice the purplish-gray lips . . . the water has yet to warm up this year.  He begged me to get in insisting, through shivers & chattering teeth, that the "water is hot Mommy - not cold." hahaha Oh, but Mommy is a little too smart for that trick.

Once again Hunter LOVED the water slide at FAC, spending at least an hour doing it over and over again.  Can we say - early to bed that night?  I love what fun in the sun can do for children.

I am so enjoying our flowers this year.  Andrew is wonderful at bringing color & life to our yard . . . at least God blessed one of us with a green thumb.

I cannot get over how HUGE our River Birch tree has grown.  We planted it the summer after Hunter was born (3 years ago) and it has more than tripled in size.  So pretty.

Another 'bestie' came over to play with me & Hunter the other day . . .

Needless to say our children love each other   : )

But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits.

Psalm 5:11

It's Official - Baby #2 is a . . .

Well after much anticipation & excitement . . .

and many MANY prayers for our sweet little one . . .

 We found out that we have a perfectly growing & so far very healthy 
Praise Jesus . . . 

Drum Roll Please . . . 

Baby Brother - YEAH
It's A BOY

Mommy now has 2 Little Boys

And although bows & pigtails would have been a fun alternative, we are truly excited to see what a 2nd little man will add to our family.  It's hard to imagine another little boy being anything different than Hunter, but how fun & exciting.  I can't hardly wait to meet him.  

I am also thrilled for my little man to grow up with a brother.  I can just see their future together already - the wrestling, the competition, the noise & dirty faces . . . and of course, being the best of friends.

Granny & Momma came up to witness and share in the exciting news with us during the ultrasound

So happy to have Davin, Stacy, Payton & Parker join us for the celebration dinner

I've been craving the Jalapeno Lime Chicken at Noodles - which was absolutely delicious

What a blessing to fill our home with another precious gift from God.  We are ever so thankful for our first little man, and now also for the future, as we get to raise our two little guys together.

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

Psalms 127:3-5

Happy Father's Day 2012

We spent the entire Father's Day weekend together at home . . . ahhh it was nice.

Andrew again proved himself as the BEST man I could have picked for the job (of being my baby-daddy) when he chose to for-go a fishing trip on the White River with his buddies Saturday (ignoring my encouragement to go ahead), just to stay at home and play with his little boy all day. . .

Saturday was a gorgeous day, spent playing in the pool.

NO FLOATIES - practicing kicking

And as a reward for being good during his haircut ( which was almost a disaster ), we went out for Snow Cones

Our child was SUPER excited about his "blue" one

He finished every last drop all by himself

Sunday we celebrated our Heavenly Father at Church. . . 

and then our Earthly one, once we came back home.  (a new panini maker/inside grill/griddle)  Come to find out, my child is not yet a secret keeper . . .  he had told his Daddy on several different occasions that he "had a surprise"  "a box of meat"  and  "a baby stove"   hahaa  The way his little mind works is just too precious - just kept cracking me up, him trying to use the only words he knows as a means to describe the gift . . . luckily Andrew didn't catch on.  Can't wait to try it

We also tried out the free splash pad in Rogers

He kept asking, "Daddy you wanna play wif me?"  "Pweeeease Daddy?" 

  Of course Daddy couldn't resist those big brown pleading eyes and totally caved

Once we were back at the house, we were right back outside and into the water.

I had Andrew set up the sprinkler under the trampoline -- just like when I was a kid -- so fun -- and Hunter loved it as well

I also spent the day admiring and enjoying all of my husbands beautiful hard work

Thank you babe

I love how this gorgeous Trumpet Vine is taking over our fence

Hunter saw me snapping pictures and reminded me that he had made me one also & told me he needed his picture taken with it

The pink is super cute and such a wonderful addition this year

 . . . though my purple wall pot is probably my favorite

Pa came up Sunday night to keep Hunter for us on Monday

Hunter sure LOVES his Pa

 Happy Father's Day to my Daddy . . . We love you very much

I think I love this guy too much

I had Andrew snap this picture to prove what "laying out" with a 3 year old is like . . . 

yes - practically impossible  :)

My 2 FAVORITE Men

mischievous, ornery, headstrong & full of love . . . 2 peas in a pod 

Happy Father's Day Andrew

We love you and are so thankful for you.  You work so hard to provide for, support, comfort, protect, and enjoy us -- I want you to know that we appreciate all you do & strive for.  You are a truly wonderful father to this little boy who adores you, and I can't wait to see your heart grow as our next child grabs ahold of you too.  :) 

I love you babe.

O my people, listen to my instruction;

Open your ears to what I am saying,

for I will speak to you in a parable.

I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—

stories we have heard and known,

stories our ancestors handed down to us.

We will not hide these truths from our children; 

we will tell the next generationabout the glorious deeds of the Lord, 

about his power and his mighty wonders.

For he issued his laws to Jacob;

he gave his instructions to Israel.

He commanded our ancestors

to teach them to their children,

so the next generation might know them—

even the children not yet born—

and they in turn will teach their own children.

So each generation should set its hope anew on God,

not forgetting his glorious miracles 

and obeying his commands.

Psalm 78:1-7