Ranch Weekend

We spent this weekend with three of my best friends and their little families. SO fun! We were roommates for two years at Baylor, and oh my goodness I could go on and on about them. They are beautiful, Godly, funny, and get me completely. Our husbands are friends too, which is a big plus! Ha.

We met at James and Lauren's family ranch in Texas. There was so much to do! Swim, fish, ride four wheelers, play tennis. It was just amazing all being together,

Ashley, Lauren, me & Bek

The kids wasted no time hopping in the pool.

I loved seeing our kids together. ; )

Z & Parker

Rebekah made these delicious sugar cookies. So cute!

Bek had to stop me as I started into my cookie to tell me she had iced Reese's logo on it. See it? I knew my cookie was different than the others but I thought it was a nose and whiskers. Ha! It's perfect.

The big boys stuck together. ; )

Zach caught a bass!

There are nine kids so far! 

All of us! So very thankful for forever friends. I only wish we could see each other more. I can't wait to do it again!

In Your abundant, faithful love, GOD, answer me with Your sure salvation.

Psalm 69:13

Hello!

Oh my goodness I can't believe it's been a week since I've blogged! 

Even though there's only so much I can say about going to the pool my fingers have been itching to type. I've missed you!

Here are a few of my favorite moments of our week...

I love this little airplane Z drew on an etchasketch. ; )

We went to an "all boy" play date yesterday. We love Dubs!

Sweet boy

Little brother playing in the sandbox

Last night Sara and I played tennis for our interim team, and we won after first and third set tie breaks. It was crazy. We had never played together in a team match and we played our hearts out for two hours! I have been on the other side SO many times and lost, so we were very excited. Sara is hilarious and kept me laughing. She said she put some meanness in me and I put some niceness in her. Ha!

The weeks of summer are flying by and school starts in THREE weeks!

Answer me, LORD, for Your faithful love is good; in keeping with Your great compassion, turn to me.

Psalm 69:16

5 on Friday

I'm linking up today with 5 on Friday! I'm always up for some random thoughts. ; )

1. Our crepe myrtles are blooming bright. So pretty.

We weren't always sure they were going to make it, but my dad works his magic on them a few times a year. ; )

2. I'm so behind with my emails. Please know I read every single one more than once, and I will email you back! I am LOVING being with my boys this summer, but you know what else is getting done? Jack squat. ; )

 3. There is nothing much sweeter than this.

4. I'm pretty sure it's time for me to get a big floppy sun hat. We are at the pool almost every day, and my sunglasses just aren't cutting it. My eyes are getting tired from all my squinting. Ha.

5. Recently I read on another hope mom's blog something I wish I had written because it explains my heart so well. 

"Do you know that we were loved so well when she fell asleep? Christ in one thousand faces. And remembering how people loved, ached and questioned too...it makes me ache. There are things I didn't know...people prayed and cried and questioned. For us! For her! Just to know that for a time others knew and felt...I feel less alone." 

Ever since I read this I keep thinking how Jason and I have truly seen Christ in one thousand faces the past four years. Whether it's through someone's words, emails, texts, calls or a hug. Nothing compares to the body of Christ.

Enjoy your weekend!

 For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows.

2 Corinthians 1:5

Colson's Party

Colson's birthday party was fun fun fun. I loved celebrating our little man, and he was beyond excited.

My parents were lucky enough to be on water balloon duty. It. Was. Hilarious.

My sweet husband took this picture on the wrong side, but it's a little fishing pole on each cupcake.

Jason's mom working hard. Our parents were SUCH a huge help!

Oh this face!

We are very blessed with such sweet friends. It's amazing how quickly we have multiplied with all of our kids.

Colson felt so special. ; )

The water balloons were a big hit. I don't know why we haven't done this before.

Colson & Wyatt

Water balloon toss

All the younger kids were eager to "help" pick up the balloons after they all popped.

After everyone had left and we were cleaning up, I looked out on our deck and saw this. It made my heart ache and yet I felt special at the same time. The color red symbolizes Reese to us, and I always get one red balloon along with other colors for our boys' birthday parties. 

Most of the other balloons had gone home with all the kids, but this one remained. Silently symbolizing a presence greatly missed and truly cherished.

Colson turning three means Reese has been gone almost four years. Maybe this is why I've been a mess of emotions lately. I love thinking back to the day he was born. Such a wonderful peaceful day.

Colson is now saying, "I'm big now. I'm three." Sweet boy. ; )

You hem me in behind and before, and You lay Your hand upon me.

Psalm 139:5

Happy Birthday, Colson!

Today is Colson's 3rd birthday. I can't believe he's three. Seriously? I love thinking back to the day he was born. I went in for my C-section at noon. It was such a peaceful day. And now my baby is growing up. Three is still pretty little though thank goodness!

We had friends and family over to our house to celebrate with BBQ and water balloons. So fun!

Colson, we love you more than you'll ever know. You are pure joy and very easy going. You are perfect for our family and keep us smiling. Happy birthday!

For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie. Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late.

Habukkuk 2:3

Bubbles

A friend took these pics of Zach with his new underwater phone (Samsung Galaxy Active). Aren't they great?

Zach was all dry and in his regular clothes but jumped at the chance to get his picture taken underwater. ; )

Happy Friday!

The LORD is faithful in all His words and gracious in all His actions.

Psalm 145:13

Twomoellers Giveaway Winner

Congrats to #38 Melissa from Gator Family Tales! You are my winner. ; )

I will be contacting you soon.

Thanks everyone for entering!

Be still and know that He is God.

Psalm 46:10

Recipes & Rodeos

I love a good list don't you?

1. I am loving anything blue/turquoise these days! Random I know but I just can't get enough. ; )

2. My sis-in-law Meredith introduced Six Sister's blog to me, and I love it! My two goals this summer are to have as much fun with the boys as I can AND try lots of new recipes. So far so good (if Jason likes it, it's a winner!).

3. Zach can swim by himself! This is huge. So proud of him.

4. Colson should be out of diapers but isn't. Come. On. Mister.

5. We went to the rodeo Saturday night with Clint, Ashley, Anna Grace and her friend Anna. So fun. Made me feel very American. ; ) My favorite part was the little monkeys riding on dogs. Hilarious! The boys will talk about it for a very long time.

6. Looky what I'm driving around these days. Long story short...I tore one of my tires, and Jason spray painted the wheel of the spare gold. I think everyone in NWA knows because my husband thinks it's the funniest thing ever.

Oh yeah. I know you're jealous.

7. Colson's birthday is this Saturday, and I have lots to do to get ready! He's very excited and I can't believe my baby is growing up.

8. Don't forget about the Twomoellers giveaway!

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life...nor things present, nor things to come...will have the power to separate us from the love of God...

Romans 8:38-39

Handmade Baby Gift Giveaway

I have a fun giveaway for ya'll this weekend! 

Morgan from Twomoellers is giving away three burp cloths to one of you! She also makes bibs and has the cutest materials for baby gifts. She sent me a set and they are so soft. And no this is not a hint of any kind!

Morgan is also offering a promo code for 10% off any purchase from now until August 1st. The promo code is KATIESKEEPERS10.

There are two ways to enter.

1. Leave your name and email address so I can contact you. 

2. "Like" Morgan's fb page and leave a separate comment letting me know. 

I will announce the winner Tuesday. 

Good luck!

Within your temple, O God, we meditate on Your unfailing love.

Psalm 48:9

Fourth Fun

We've celebrated the fourth of July all week!

It started Sunday night with the Fireworks at the Crosses. This has become such a fun tradition with our friends. We started coming when I was big pregnant with Colson. LOVE this!

 Yesterday we passed out flags and cards at our little retirement home we've "adopted." It's always so sweet and really funny. ; )

 Zach always wants to make sure every single person gets something.

Last night we went to Candy and Kyle's neighborhood party. I know people were wondering who we were. ; ) The kids rode in a bike parade and played with water balloons. So fun!

We took the boys swimming this morning and this afternoon we went to some friends' tennis competition/family get together. Lots of playing tennis, chasing kids around, eating and laughing. Great memory makin' times. ; )

So thankful and humbled to live in America. Happy 4th!

I will announce new things to you, hidden things that you have not known.

Isaiah 48:6

What We've Been Up To

A few more pics from our time with family. ; )

These two cuties are six months apart. ; )

Zach and Abby are something else! It's so fun to see all the cousins' personalities when they're together.

Caroline came to visit while we were with my brother's family. We pledged Tri-Delt together at Baylor and were roommates in Europe. This girl NEVER changes, and I love this about her! She makes me laugh like no one else. David really warmed up to her. ; )

Swimming in the razorback shaped pool

Mere & Garrett

This week has been back to reality! Jason was a chaperone with our church's youth trip last week so I'm happy to be back home together.

I'm still on the hunt for material for Zach's window seat cushions. I love chevron but I'm thinking I may go with big red and white stripes.

Colson's birthday is coming up! I'm so excited but really not ready for him to be three. I'm holding on to all the baby in him I can!

He brought them out of darkness and gloom and broke their chains apart.

Psalm 107:14