Memorial Day Traditions

We headed down to Dallas yesterday to go with Doug's family to clean and spruce up family grave sites at the cemetery there. It was a fun day with family and remembering those who have gone before us and those who fought for our freedom.

Sweet Lillian... SO hard to get a smily shot of her but I succeeded...woohoo!! 

My swinger!

Lilly and Zach... he is such a good big brother!

Love my boy!

Getting flowers ready.. the kids were excited to help this year more than any other year!

The kids did a great job helping clean and help put flowers on the graves.

The kids each get their own watering can thanks to my sis-in-law! 

Cousins!

Lilly would chase after the "big kids" and shout "I gonna get wooo!!!"" It was hilarious!

It took her a LONG time to tire out from chasing! :)

We ended our time together with a  backyard picnic at my in-laws. It was, as usual, a special day.

Evelyn's Music Concert

Evelyn's school has a new music teacher this year who is really committed to getting kids exposed to music and the arts in general. EVERY class had a music concert this year, all of them well attended and all of them thoroughly planned, practiced and performed.

Evelyn did her concert with the morning kindergarten class and the 2nd and 4th graders. Her class did a great job and Evelyn, although a bit nervous, did really great!

This I think is my favorite photo. Ellie.. one of Evelyn best friends, is telling her something silly. I love these two girls!!

All the first graders up on stage...

My pretty girl!

Evelyn and her buddy Josh.. their friendship is pretty aweseome!

Thankful for Evelyn's school and for a fun night hearing her perform!

Matthew and Attie Mae

Matthew LOVES dogs... all animals really. Since Evelyn has allergies to many dogs, we will not be getting one for our family. However, we do see plenty of dogs out and about that he gets to pet and talk to, and we have plenty of friends who have dogs as well.  My BFF Jody's dog Atlas Mae is one of his favorite furry pals, and he LOVES LOVES LOVES spending time with her.

Jody and Atlas came over the other day and she and Matthew had SO much fun running around the back yard. Matthew would throw a tennis ball, then try to race Atlas to it. It was so cute to see them playing together, both of them having a great time!

The joy on his face in these photos is true and genuine. He loves that dog! :) 

Evelyn's AWANA Award Night!

Tonight was Evelyn's AWANA Award night, with her finishing up her fourth year of being in club. We had a nice night celebrating her accomplishments!

Evelyn and one of her besties, Heidi.. they've been in club together from the beginning!

Commander Stone opening things up... he has been involved in AWANA for over 35 years!

The girls singing... one of Evelyn's favorite parts of club!

Doug got his 4 year leader pin as well (he leads an older elementary group)... I am so thankful for his servant's heart!

Their awards!

Matthew taking it all in.

Friends enjoying their treats after the ceremony.

We are proud of Evelyn for working hard to memorize God's word. Among other verses, she has focused on memorizing all the books of the Bible and if you ask her.. she can recite them for you in a flash! We are thankful for this organization that really promoted hiding God's word in kids' hearts!

My Big Helper

So.... both kids have been trying to help make breakfast in the morning lately. It has mostly been getting the cereal or oatmeal out of the cupboard and getting the bowl, spoons, etc.

Well... this morning I got out of the shower and Matthew comes into the bathroom and proudly announces "Mommy I made breakfast  for me and Evelyn ALL BY MYSELF... come see!!"

THIS is what I came out to:

What you don't see is the copious amounts of cereal and milk on the floor and the wetness of his shirt from spilling milk on it. It was pretty epic, really. But he was SO proud and could not stop smiling...and I just had to smile and be proud of him too.

The mess will clean up easily.... and this memory will last a lifetime. Love my helpful and thoughtful boy!

Mother's Day

One of the greatest gifts God has ever given me is my children. Being there mom is such a honor and a blessing.

I was greeted in the morning with hand made cards and flowers, then  my mom and her husband took all of us out to a lovely brunch to celebrate Mother's Day.

My two favorite little people!

Thankful for my mom!

Happy Mother's Day!

Matthew's AWANA Award Night

When Matthew started AWANA back in September, it was a slow start at best. There were tears, Doug needed to stay with him for the entire time (leaving him unable to teach the upper grade school kids as he usually does), and lots of encouragement needed to return each week. BUT... he always would come home from club with a smile on his face and wanting to practice his memory verse. We knew we just had to be patient and get him settled, and hoped and prayed he would take off. It took until right before Christmas before he would stay in class without Doug there, and by the end of January he was fully engaged on his own, and LOVED going to club on Wednesday nights. We are so proud of him, how much he wanted to be memorizing God's word, and how much he thoroughly enjoyed his time with his fellow cubbies.

Last night was his award night, and he was SO excited that we were celebrating HIM! :)

Happy, excited boy!

Getting his award from his small group leader Mark

Mark was so impressed with how much Matthew has grown this year, and proud of him for being such a good friend to the other kids, even though he was the one who really needed encouragement!

That face.....

Love my Cubbie!

Mom and Dad... super proud!

My favorite people in the world....

Grandad and Grandma came up from Dallas to celebrate with us.. Matthew was excited and really touched that they would come "just for me!" We are thankful for them!

While he is glad to be done with AWANA for the year, he has already been asking when club starts again! Thankful for this organization and how it really pours God's Word into kids, including my sweet boy!