Another First

This cutie started Kids' Day Out this morning.

I could eat. him. up. ; )

For He is our peace...

Ephesians 2:14

A Few Changes Here & There

Sometimes I get the itch to change something in my house, and once it starts I'm on a mission to make things happen. ; )

 Jason and I bought two lamps like this ten years ago when we moved into our first house, and it was time for them to go. They were driving me crazy, so I began my search this summer. I had an idea of what I wanted but couldn't find the right shade with the right base.

Yes, that is Woody and Jesse in the glass lantern. Z finds the funniest places for his toys!

I finally found two I liked at Kirklands! I thought the shade looked kind of unproportional with the base, but Shannon convinced me that's how it was supposed to be. ; ) I love how they look!

 I also had a picture and our "Rowe family rules" I wanted to frame, so Jason's dad made me two large wooden frames.

I used paint we already had for our house. One red and one a grayish tan.

I used three coats of red paint and two coats for the tan.

It was fun painting them, but of course I had the easy part!

The last thing I wanted to share is a picture of Reese's feet someone sent us. She called it "counted crosstitch." Isn't it amazing? It's difficult to tell from this picture, but the work she put into this is unbelievable. GOD uses people in the mightiest of ways!

Zach has his first flag football practice tonight. Wish us luck. ; )

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness...

2 Peter 1:5

Trio Design Studio Winner

I'm barely making it but it still IS Sunday night, and I have some winners to announce! I'm sure you are all asleep like I wish I was, but I just couldn't leave ya'll hanging. ; )

Jason and I played in a tennis tournament this weekend, and I'm wiped out. We had so much fun but I can't remember the last time I felt this sore. Jason also hit me on the back when he was serving, so I'm bruised too. I may not be able to get out of bed in the morning! Ha. I'm milking it while I can because he felt really bad. ; )

My two winners for Trio Design Studio are

#172 Erica

and 

#54 Allison.

Congrats! I will email you both with details.

Thanks everyone for entering!

For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures through all generations.

Psalm 100:5

Fun Friday Giveaway

We made it to Friday. Yea! Zach loves school (except Spanish for some reason) and already looks older to me. Colson keeps asking thoughout the day, "Where's Zach? Where's Zach?" We are adjusting to this new normal, but sometimes I have to remind myself what day it is. ; )

I am so excited about this giveaway!

Trio Design Studio is the cutest online shop that creates "fabulous products that have moms and kids in mind." My sister gave me this notepad, and I love it. 

Trio specializes in  personalized stationary, plates, and phone/ipad cases. Their products are very modern and colorful!

They are giving away two tracing pads to two lucky readers. ; ) They sent one to Zach, and he likes it which says a lot for a very active little boy who hardly sits down! The pad is 11x17 and contains "50 sheets of educational activities available in print or cursive."

There are two ways to enter. So easy!

1. Leave a comment. 

2. "Like" their facebook page and let me know in a separate comment. Make sure to include your email address if this is the best way for me to contact you. 

I'll announce the winner Sunday night!

Have a great weekend!

But He gives greater grace.

James 4:6

Today is the Day

Zach started Pre-K today! 

 This is the day we've talked about, been excited about, geared ourselves up for. It's here. ; )

He walked right in and hardly looked back. I knew he would love it!

 What I did not expect is my emotional reaction. Ahhh! It started when I bought his school supplies last week. Then in the car this morning I could barely say anything because my eyes filled with tears. What in the world has happened to me? 

I'm SO excited for him and all that he will learn and do this year. I know GOD has great plans, but this new adventure has definitely pulled on my heartstrings. 

I can't wait to pick him up and hear all about his day!

Draw near to GOD, and He will draw near to you.

James 4:8

Happy Monday

The boys and I had such a fun weekend. Jason was camping with some high school friends so we kept busy. ; ) Lunch at Chic-fil-a and snowcones were definitely part of it.

Zach ate every single bite of his, and Colson missed his mouth most of the time but that's part of the fun, right?

 I have several things on my mind, and I love lists (don't you?) so here we go!

1. The warm fuzzies are working. We don't give them freely because I want them to be special. So far so good!

2. Recently Zach had his evaluation for Upward flag football. I was nervous the entire 10 minutes of his drills, and Jason had to remind me that he's only four. ; ) 

I totally dropped the ball with soccer this summer and missed the sign-ups. By a month. Oh well, we are excited about football. ; )

3. Our church is doing the study Women, Worldview, and the Word. I've heard such wonderful things about it and really look forward to being a part this fall.

4. Zach and I were talking about how to do something, and he said, "Ask Daddy. He's smart." I love that the boys ADORE Jason, but I'm still recovering from when he said I don't do anything. Ha!

5. Some days this is my happy place.

6. Sunscreen anyone? I got tired of not having any when and where I needed it, so I bought a bottle here and there throughout the summer. Three of these are almost empty I just need to make myself finish them.

7. Did anybody see United Bates of America?Another family with 19 kids! They live in Tennessee. It's on again tonight if you want to watch it. ; )

8. Last week I did a meal swap with some friends. I made eight lasagnas! I cooked the meat one day and assembled them the next. 

It wasn't hard at all. Much easier than making eight completely different meals.

 

 Jason's mom gave me these labels. They were perfect!

I'm so happy about having new things to eat! We are trying the chicken pot pie tonight.

9. Our microwave broke this weekend. I had no idea how much I use it in a day. Hopefully it will be fixed SOON!

10. School starts in a few days, so it's a big week!

You do not have because you do not ask God.

James 4:2

We Are Family

Beach pictures are always an adventure! Sometimes a little bit stressful and usually windy but it's tradition and I love it. ; )

Jason and I are so blessed with wonderful families!

Papa & Gigi with the great-grandkids

G-Daddy & Gran with the grandkids

Love this of Shannon with Reagan and Westin

We took more grandkids' pictures on another night just for fun.

 Jenny monogrammed Colson and Westin's shorts from Gymboree. So cute!

 Zach was so sweet holding Reagan. I love how he is looking at her.

 They are about done. ; ) Colson is showing his boo boo to Westin and he seems concerned. Zach is struggling to hold Reagan saying, "She's pushing me back. Get her."

One of the best things about the trip was watching the cousins play. They're a wild bunch. It's good to be home, and even though it's still summer I'm excited for all that fall will bring!

*The gray and white polka dot top is a bathing suit top. I bought it at Surf Style in Gulf Shores because I couldn't find anything back home. I wanted to get rid of my tan lines. ; )

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand or marked off the heavens with the span of His hand?

Isaiah 40:12

the Beach

Zach and Colson were SO excited about going to the beach. Colson is pretty much excited to do anything. ; ) I asked Zach what he liked best about it, and he said, "I like to swim in the pool." What am I going to do with him?

We took Zach parasailing, and he LOVED it.

This boy has no fear. I was even a little anxious, and I've done it before. I just held on really tight to the ropes.

Love Z's face. Pure joy!

One night Cam gave the boys a bath, and I thought they looked like an oreo. ; )

We went to see the Blue Angles practice one morning. It was amazing!

Hilarious. It was hot and loud, but after I bought 2 slushes for $12 dollars, they were happy.

Inside the museum

A trip to the beach isn't complete until someone is buried in the sand.

A picture full of handsomes

 A bonus is that we met my new nephew David! Meredith and her side of the family were at the beach the same week. We compared tans, and Zach was darker than David. Ha!

 Sweet cousins. David is one week older than Cols.

 On the last night we took the boys to a race track. I can't believe Colson is big enough to ride a go-cart! How did this happen?

 I loved watching the boys' faces on all the rides. So happy.

We took family pics on the beach when we released balloons and another night with just the grandkids, but I think ya'll have seen enough for now (if you're still with me!).

Happy Wednesday!

May the Lord be praised! Day after day He bears our burdens...

Psalm 68:19