Howdy, Ya'll!

We just got home from one of my most favorite places in the world. Every other summer my side of the family goes to Deer Valley Ranch in Colorado. I grew up going there, and this was Zach's first time to go. He. Loved. It. I think he'll sleep for the next week. ; )

 Colson didn't make the cut this year, but he'll go next time. I can't wait!

 There was very limited internet access, so I'm out of the loop! It's kind of nice in a way, but I can't wait to catch up on my fb and blog reading. ; )

This was the view from our cabin. Ahhh...just breathtaking. So thankful to spend a week with my family. I'll share more about the ranch soon. If you are looking for a wonderful place to go as a family, you would LOVE it!

Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

Job 37:14

Race Flyer & Info

*My dress from this post is from Dillard's. ; )

The race is less than one month away! To register go HERE.

The race also has a facebook page HERE.

The boys and I will be putting up flyers all over next week. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask or email me. ; )

My friend Beth ran in honor of Reese in the Little Rock race last weekend. We cheered together in junior high and high school. I had no idea she was doing this, and it made my day. She's a sweetheart!

I hope I get to meet some of ya'll in a few weeks. ; )

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life...use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. 

Galatians 5:13-14

Plans

For I know the plans I have for you...plans for your welfare, not for disaster...

 You will call to me...I will listen to you.

 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

I will be found by you...

I will restore you...

Jeremiah 29:11-14

Swim Ranch

I bought those little chairs at Walgreens a few years ago. ; )

This past week was crazy, but good!

Both boys had swimming lessons. Colson's class was at 11, and Zach's at 3 so I was driving around half the time not even knowing what day it was. Back and forth back and forth. ; )

I know Colson didn't have to have lessons this young, but I couldn't help myself. ; ) I started Z when he was 18 months, so I wanted to start early with Cols, too. Since I was in the water with him I don't have any pics of us.

I knew he would be a wild man with his mouth wide open just like Zach did at first, and I was right! He was just beside himself. They both were.

First day

 There were three other little boys in Zach's class with two teachers.

 I think his favorite part was "free play" time.

He passed!

After his lesson Friday he said, "I'm glad I don't have any more swimming lessons." This surprised me so I asked why. He answered, "Because I'm a tired swimmer." Cute. ; )

Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere...

Psalm 84:10

10 Years

Happy Anniversary, Jason!

It's just too funny looking back at old pictures of us. Ha! Most of the time I'm wondering what in the world I'm wearing. This was my sophomore year at Baylor. We were just babies. ; )

We've come a long way, babe. Through good times and bad, I love you with all of my heart and always will. You're my dream come true.

You have captured my heart with one glance of your eyes.

Song of Solomon 4:9

Every Afternoon

This is what it looks like at our house.

 We are outside,

eating popsicles,

and waiting for Daddy to get home. ; )

One of the best times of my day!

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:5

Sunday

To complete celebrating Father's Day, Sunday night we went to get snow cones.

Love Colson's face. He's such a little character! Jason and I just laugh at all his faces and the way he cuts his eyes (especially when he's in trouble).

We also went to Reese's garden, and let the boys run around. It was neat to do as a family. I noticed there were several babies right around Reese that I had not noticed before.

I was so excited about Jason's Father's Day gift. 

 I wanted to do something special since he's so hard to buy for, so I made a shutterfly book of him with the kids. I worked on it the past few months little by little, and even Z helped me. We had fun with it. ; )

This summer I've been reading Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. It's wonderful! I love what it said today. "Glorifying and enjoying Me is a higher priority than maintaining a tidy, structured life. Give up your striving to keep everything under control - an impossible task and a waste of precious energy."

Hope your week is going well! We are in the middle of swimming lessons. Hilarious.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling.

Ephesians 1:18

Happy Father's Day!

 Jason and I decided to be brave and take the boys out to lunch today after church. We never do this, and they were great. So nice!

 Cutie pies

Happy Father's Day to my sweet Dad and my wonderful husband, the most amazing men I know. Love you both so very much!

"How kind the LORD is!"

Luke 1:25

Confessions

I feel the need to get some things out today. ; )

1. I really need to start planning Colson's birthday party, but I just can't seem to get motivated. Hopefully this weekend.

2. I want to get our kitchen table redone. We've had it for ten years, and Shannon and I painted it black several years ago. Now I'm thinking I want it to look like Zach's bedroom furniture. I love Debra's work! She's so talented.

3. I watch Sister Wives. It's just fascinating to me. The Brown family is just so nice I can't help but like them!

4. I am loving playing tennis Wednesday nights. This summer we are playing a little version of Queen of the Court. Everyone plays with different people each week. It's so much fun.

Sara, Amy, Mona, & me
It's such a small world...Amy used to live out of state and read my blog. Now she lives in NWA!

5. I feel so deeply the loss of Reese's presence lately. Somedays I wonder how I even make it through the day. Lots of love and prayers! I fight giving in to darkness daily and love the verse, "He knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with Him." Daniel 2:22

6. Jason and I have been together half as long as we've been alive. Sometimes I still can't believe he's actually mine. So glad I snatched him up. ; )

7. I love seeing Zach and Colson hug and interact and becoming best friends. So precious.

8. We are having a "Reese's Team" t-shirt made up for A Race to Remember. I'm excited about it. Don't forget to register if you want to walk or run! We did it just this week. It'll be a hot one!

9. I think Colson is going to be louder than Zach...which I didn't think was even possible.

10. Graham bites are SO good! Thanks, Shannon for making me become addicted to them. ; )

11. Cam and Trish (Jason's parents) have a huge garden, and I love when they give me some produce. Nothing like fresh summer veggies!

12. I really need to branch out in my cooking. I feel like I make the same meals over and over. I wish I could cook like my mom. ; )

13. I love to pray for GOD's creativity.

14. One of my besties Lauren and her sweet little family spent the night with us last night. They do this every year driving through to their family vacation. I always wish they could stay longer.

 15. Yesterday Zach accidentally tore part of a lego book at Lowe's. So $30 and 140 itty bitty lego pieces later, we have a new book!

 

I actually had fun putting this together. It's crazy. ; )

16. So happy it's Friday! Aren't you?

So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18

23 Months

Colson, you are 23 months old today! In some ways I feel like you were just born.

 You are the sweetest thing!

 You are talking more and more and understand most everything we say. Zach loves to interpret for you and says, "He wants a sucker!"

 You love laughing at Zach, and he makes you light up like no one else.

 Every time the door opens you think it's Daddy and come running to see him. You even call me Daddy sometimes!

 You like to scare Zach by acting you are going to throw things at him. Sometimes you do and sometimes you don't. You always say you're sorry and give him a great big hug when you do hit him. Then you do it again. We are working on this.

 You're a cuddle bug. ; )

 You let me rock you to sleep at night, and it's one of my most favorite times of the day.

We love you, Cols Cols. I can't believe how big you are. You are precious!

Carry each other's burdens...

Galatians 6:2

A New Binky

Colson never had an issue with a pacifier...

but I think we may now have a ring pop problem. He had his first one yesterday and kept it in his mouth for thirty minutes. Including throughout lunch! Of course it also got all over his face and hands and clothes... ; )

He has given us the privilege...to serve Him without fear...

Luke 1:73-74

State

 This weekend my tennis team went to the state tournament in Little Rock. We made it to the semi-finals. So exciting!

My partner Mary Lauren and I were SO excited after our win. I almost cried. Ha!

I'm just lucky to be a part of such a fun wonderful group of women. In January I had no idea what was ahead of me being on a team, and I was very anxious and nervous. It turned out to be one of the best things that could happen right now in my life. So thankful for these new friends!

Colson also had a fun weekend helping G-Daddy and Gran with all sorts of things while I was with my team. Thanks for helping with little man! I love my in-laws. ; )

Rest in GOD alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him.

Psalm 62:5

Sprinkler Deja Vu

The other night Colson was playing in the sprinklers, and Jason and I immediately thought of the summer when Zach did the very same thing. So crazy!

Zach ~ summer 2009

Colson exactly three years later ~

What is summer without playing in the sprinklers? I couldn't believe it when I compared the pictures. It's just too much. ; )  

Be still, and know that I am GOD.

Psalm 46:10