Grandparent's Day

Friday was Grandparents' Day at Zach's school. 

Of course Colson went along for all the fun. ; )

The 3rd graders put on the cutest performance, and Ken Hatfield was the speaker. Zach really did like program but he was also entertained by Gran's phone.

Saturday we cheered on the Sharks to another victory. Colson and his little teammates loved eating ice on the sidelines. Ha! My boys LOVE ice!

Colson was so proud.

Both our boys ADORE their grandparents. So blessed!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Where did September go?!

Not that I have already reached the goal...but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:12

Pictures, Parties & Planning

Colson's team pics were Saturday morning before his game. We are about halfway through soccer season, and he's getting it. ; ) He did score in the other teams' goal, but it counts, right?

Cutie Pie!

I snapped a few before his "real" pictures. ; )

Such a mess!

He's happy to finally have his own sport to play.

We also had two birthday parties Saturday. One was at a pumpkin patch. Our favorite place in the fall! 

Owen and Lynlee are sweet friends (and also our neighbors). I can't tell you how many times a week I hear, "Can we go play at Lynlee and Owen's house?" Then they come eat popsicles in our driveway.

Ok, so they actually have an animal named a zonkey (zebra and donkey). Have you EVER heard of one!? I love this word.

Last night I did my first ever video conference with the other Hope Mom group leaders. It actually worked (thanks Jason)! I loved seeing the hope moms I knew and meeting others I didn't. We met for two hours and discussed details for the next eight weeks. 

There is still room so if you are a hope mom or know someone who is this is a perfect place for you. You can read all about these groups HERE.

Kickoff is October 1st!

Not that I have already reached the goal...but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

Cutie in the Kitchen & Meal Swap

The other night Colson asked for zert (dessert) after he made a happy plate. ; ) Before I could help him he was calling for help because he was stuck in the pantry. Ha! Cols loves to eat but he's thinning out. Makes me kind of sad!

I was so excited to be a part of a meal swap again! I made 8 lasagnas yesterday.

Once I prepared everything I just layered the lasagnas like an assembly line. Red sauce, pasta, meat, cheese, and a whole lot of messy!

In exchange I received lots of yummy meals! Chicken and corn chili, taco soup, baked ziti, chicken spaghetti...yum! So nice not to worry about meals for awhile.

Have a good weekend! Fall is here!

But You, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

Psalm 3:3

State

Thank you so much for your sweet words about Riley! Let's just say I'm glad it's a new week. 

This weekend we went to Little Rock for out mixed doubles state tournament. Jason and I have met so many new friends playing tennis. Fun!

We won! So exciting. 

Now it's time for combo season. ; )

I'm am loving the beginning signs of fall, aren't you?

Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? 

Numbers 23:19 

A Beginning & An End

It's been another big week at our house. Colson started Kids' Day Out on Monday. He was so ready to go to "school" like his big bro. He will go two days a week.

 Cutie pies

 Colson loves backpacks. He has three of them and one is usually on his back. He wears them around the house filled with his treasures. Pennies, toothbrushes, rocks, cars and anything else he can get from Zach's room. Ha!

He has the sweetest teachers and had a wonderful first day.

We've also had some sadness at our house this week. We said goodbye to our sweet German Shepherd Riley. She was almost 10 years old. She had arthritis that grew progressively worse, and it became so bad over the weekend she could hardly walk, stand or sit. We couldn't take it seeing her in so much pain.
Riley has been around almost as long as Jason and I have been married. She was a Christmas present I gave to him. We picked her out of the litter because she was a feisty one. ; ) I remember driving away with her in our car thinking, "What have we done?" Our first big responsibility!
The first night at home she whined and cried and Jason and I took turns with her until we gave up. We picked up her crate, put it in our bedroom and didn't hear a sound from her the rest of the night. She just wanted to be with us.

Ri was such a love. She's been with us in three houses. She let the boys tug on and play with her. She shed everywhere, destroyed our backyard, and made us crazy sometimes, too. That's all a part of having a dog, and now Jason won't have anything to complain about. ; )

 These past few days have been hard coming home, and I'm a homebody. Her dog bowls. Her leash. The yard feels so empty without her running around. I miss how she was always waiting for us when we got home, always right at the car door to see the boys. We love to be outside, and she was always right there with us. I miss hearing her moving around. She always made me feel safe when Jason was gone.

I'm very thankful she's not hurting anymore. That's the most important thing. Zach and Colson are ok. Now I just have this big ache in my heart I have to deal with. Z tells me I cry all the time and have crazy hair. Really? At least he makes me smile.
Goodbyes are terrible. Ahh! Hope your week has been better than mine. ; )

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

Hope Mom Groups

I'm excited to share something today! I'm partnering with Hope Mommies ministry and leading a Hope Group October 1 - November 26th.

"Hope Mommies wants to help you develop deep friendships with other moms who understand loss, and also tackle the hard questions that arise out of grief about death, GOD and life here on Earth away from our beloved babies. Hope Groups are a unique way to do just that. For eight weeks, you will be dialoguing with fellow Hope Moms about life after loss. You and 9 other ladies will be able to share your stories, questions, fears and joys on a weekly basis in a safe, online forum that is facilitated by a Hope Group Leader."

If you or someone you know is a Hope Mom, I encourage you to check out the groups. For more information go HERE.

Now in this hope we were saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

Romans 8:24

Soccer Season Begins!

This morning was Colson's first soccer game. I didn't sign Zach up this year because I thought it would be too much with school. I'm so glad I didn't! He is playing tennis once a week, and that's a perfect balance for him right now.

We were able to watch some of Westin's game, too. I'm sad they are not on the same team. Maybe in the spring!

My little #10 great white shark. Zach's team was the purple squirrels when he played. Ha!

Parents are not supposed to keep score but what fun is that? Number 8 scored sixteen goals! Seriously. He was so cute, but I did start to feel kind of bad for the other team.

Cols loved it and even kicked the ball some. He's the smallest and youngest one on the team, but he did great keeping up with his teammates.

So proud of our little man!

...with GOD all things are possible.

Matthew 19:26

What's Up?

We are in Zach's third week of kinder. I can't believe it! 

He is loving school, but yesterday told me he wanted to go back to pre-k because it was more fun. ; )

Cutie pies Kohen, Z & Titus

One morning the cheerleaders and football players were outside selling spirit tattoos and signing t-shirts. We had to find our favorites Shelby and Chandler.

I'm still not sure Colson misses Zach during the day, but he's ready to pick him up every afternoon! They are inseparable when we walk in the door. 

They get into all sorts of trouble together.

So do these two! The boys love all of their cousins and talk about them a lot.

Pre-xlr8 (choir) and Awana began tonight and Colson starts school Monday. Then we'll be in the full swing of fall!

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Proverbs 13:12

Labor Lake Day

We went to Hot Springs today for some fun on the lake.

 The boys with Gran & G-Dad

They just laughed all over themselves.

 The water was even warm enough for me to get in. ; )

 Both boys tried water skiing for the first time, and they did great! I'm so proud of them.

 Cols almost got up.

 Tubing is still their favorite thing to do.

 Grampie and Grammy bought a new toy so we took it for a spin. ; )

It's September!

My plan will take place, and I will do all My will.

Isaiah 46:10