Latest with Mom.......

 My Dad got home just in time for me to be able to go with Mom to her stint appointment in Birmingham.  He got home the day before her appointment.  The kids always countdown to when their Papa and Daddy will be home. 

 He has gotten to be a softie. 

He is not a big fan of Hardee's, but the kids love it.  Somehow they talked him into going with us for breakfast.  I went to my room to get dressed and Sophie went to hers to get dressed and no joke.... we walked out wearing the EXACT same thing. 

 Since the kids are out of school we let Karter and Heidi go with us to UAB.  Sophie had no desire to go.  She wanted to stay with her Papa :).  I really thought Karter would stay too, but he decided he needed to check out Babee's doctor.

 Mom's goal is to go 3 months without having to replace the stint.  So far she hasn't been able to go that long.  Her kidney starts bothering her really bad and she and the dr knows it is time to change it.  They put a different kind in this time to see if maybe she can go longer.  The down side is her other kidney has been bothering her as well :(.  Just continue to pray for her all around please. 

While we were there we got to see one of my best guy friends from high school, Langdon, and his wife.  He was actually going to give his Mom one of his kidneys the next day.  Such a sweet story behind that.  It was really good to be able to see them. 

 Dad kept me informed with my little busy girl while we were gone.  She kept he and Grandmama busy busy.

 When we got there to get her she, Dad, and Yana were night swimming :).  Of course the other two had to join them.

 We went to UAB Thursday for her appointment and then she & Tyler went up Sunday night to be there bright and early Monday morning for her stint replacement. 

 While they were in Birmingham , Dad & I took the kids to watch Inside Out.  The kids loved it.  Dad & I thought it was just okay.  I have seen much better Disney movies.  I stayed stressed out trying to keep up with all the emotions :-)! 

 My sweet friend, Kayla, sent me this snap....... I had to save it.  She is on a cruise and still supporting Mama.  Love it!

My cousin, Abby, is with Mom today.  They are headed to UAB for her chemo treatment.  This makes 3 trips for Mom to Birmingham in a week. 

She has been busy busy and even though she is in pain most of the time, you would never know by looking at her.  She keeps smiling through it all :).

Father's Day Weekend

 I was very thankful my Dad was home from work this Father's Day, but sad that Kyle was at work.  

We started off Friday by going to the Library's opening act for the summer reading program.  It was a really neat magic show.  The kids loved it.

 I had been sick since Thursday.  Summer cold apparently.  So I wasn't feeling my best, but still had a good time with the kiddos.

 Friday night Heidi stayed with MeMe and went with her to get a baby parrot (7 weeks old) :) and Sophie wanted to stay with my Mom, so it was just me and Karter Man.  Despite how I felt we managed to build legos, play about 572 games of checkers and I taught him how to play Chinese checkers.

Heidi and MeMe went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast on their way to get the parrot.

 Meet..... Piper......

 It really is the cutest thing. 

 Saturday afternoon Karter went to watch Jurassic World with Dad, Yana, and Tyler.  He absolutely LOVED it!

 He and Dad playing Dots while they waited for their food....

Sunday was officially.......

FATHER'S DAY!!!

...... after church we spent the afternoon at Dads.  We enjoyed grilled hamburgers and hung out by the pool.  The weather was gorgeous!

 I'm not sure if y'all remember, but the kids and I made Kyle cards to open on Father's Day.  I sealed them in a big envelop and he didn't open them until Sunday.  He sent me this picture when he opened them :).....

Sophie's favorite place to lay :)

I am sure she was asking Papa if she could get on his shoulders :-)!

It was a wonderful weekend.  I think it is safe to say Dad had a good weekend :) and we will celebrate Kyle when he gets home.

Excuses....... What is Yours?

It has been on my heart to share a message with you all that our pastor talked about several Sunday mornings ago and ironically that same night Tony Evans talked about it in our women's class video as well. 

If all you see is what you see then you may not see what needs to be seen.
                       ~Tony Evans

That one little sentence is powerful to me.  Just keep re-reading it.  Most all of us are tunnel visioned.  We see what we want to see with life. 

In Luke 13:10-17 The Bible talks about a lady that was not able to stand up for 18 years.  Can you imagine?  Only seeing the ground for that long?  She had a curve in her back that prevented her from standing.  Even though she had this disability it did not stop her from worshiping God for 18 years.  Most all of us would have found that to be a good reason to not go to church.  To not surround ourselves with Godly people.  It would be a good excuse to not go.  BUT the woman didn't let it stop her. 

In verse 12-13 it says, "And when Jesus saw her he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.  And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God."

Even though she was bound for 18 years, she STILL glorified God when he made her straight.  She didn't dwell on the past and ask him Why..... Had she of stayed home from church that day she would not have met Him.  She would not have been healed.  How many times have we let worldly things get in our way of meeting God? Maybe we're tired, got a runny nose, head ache, don't feel good, etc.  and it becomes easier and easier to let those things interfere with our walk with the Lord.  They become our excuse to miss this Sunday night, and then next Sunday night.... and then next Wednesday, and before you know it you miss all the time.

Did you also know that the Bible talks about hypocrites? Sure does.  After the preacher of the synagogue got mad with Jesus for "interrupting" HIS (the service is NEVER the preachers.... it is always him glorifying God and every service is God's service) service in verses 15-16. Jesus says,

"The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?"

 WOW! There were hypocrites in Jesus' time.  How about that?  For some reason people put a standard on hypocrites at church, but not in K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Target, the movies, ball games, grocery store, etc.  People use this excuse to not come to church.  Maybe they are afraid of conviction and hypocrites is their excuse? 

We worry, worry, worry about things that don't even matter.  Why not give it to God?  Too often we lay our worries down at the alter, but then take them back with us when we walk back to our seats.  When God touched the woman she glorified him.  She did NOT dwell on the past 18 years.  

Verse 17 says, "And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him".

The people rejoiced and praised Him.  Despite what the guy said in verse 14.  When Jesus preached, spoke, & healed the woman, the people praised him.

**Let's put all of our excuses away and give God the attention and glory that He so very much deserves.**

Days Go By.......

 It is amazing to me how fast days go by.  Before we know it summer will be over and school will be back in full force. 

We are trying to enjoy each and every day of summer.  I am still haunted by the summer we had a couple years ago when it rained ALL SUMMER!  It was miserable!  Thankfully this summer has so far been absolutely gorgeous. 

This little DiVa is something else......

 ..... they LOVE wearing my shoes, but ordinarily do not wear them outside.  I spotted her in one of her favorite dresses wearing some stiletto's and checking on the rabbit and chickens.  I couldn't help but get a picture. 

 Before Kyle left I got the kids to make him a Father's Day card to stick in his bag :)....

 Heidi likes to talk Sophie into dressing in Karter's clothes and Karter into Sophie's clothes.  I was busy outside and they walked outside each dressed like the other.  Bless him.... he wouldn't let me get a picture.  Sophie could care less :).....

A sprinkler,a trampoline, and a beautiful day is always so much fun.

 Kayla and the kids came over the other day/night.  They all had fun testing out her new Selfie Stick.....

 I loved finding these sweet gems on my phone......

We have had LOTS of pool time :)!

 A couple Saturdays ago Heidi had a friends birthday party.  Karter and Sophie stayed with MeMe while I took Heidi.  They usually go with us (when their Daddy is away), but since she offered to keep them I thought it would be nice to let Heidi have her own fun :).  Anyway, I get there and I was the only parent that stayed.   

Am I really that parent?  

I just have not ever been comfortable leaving them at any party by themselves.  I'm not sure why?  I just like to be there. I think I have a fear that something may happen and I won't be there. Thankfully a few other parents ended up coming and staying. 

MeMe sent me this :)! Kman fell asleep and Sophie said she needed to lay beside him and check on him :).

 Yesterday we went swimming at my dad and Yana's.  It was a pleasant surprise when we got there and my aunt was there with my cousin's children.  Leah is usually super duper shy and doesn't say a word.  She still didn't say much, but I did talk her into jumping to me in the pool :).  Made me so happy......

 My photographer queen always has cute surprises for me on my phone....

Last night after supper we went to Moms to hang out.  We decided to go on a long golf cart ride and let the kiddos take turns driving.  We had so much fun.  I am very thankful for all of these moments and memories.