Thoughts. . .

I had a few random thoughts to share, so here goes--

First, Cody enjoyed his first day at Power Camp today. It is an FCA sports camp and he chose basketball. Keegan did not quite understand that he could not go. You have to be 8 so he has one more year. On the way to get Cody, I asked the boys which sport they would chose. Keegan quickly stated baseball (any surprise here?). Kale just as quickly said, "Golf!" OK, Kale has never played or even been to a golf course so we are not quite sure where that came from, but I promptly let him know that would not be an option. So, his next choice was wrestling. I said I wasn't sure how that would go since he had never wrestled, but Keegan spoke up and said, "Uh, huh, he wrestles at home!" It was very funny and anyone who has ever been around my boys, all 4, know they wrestle on a daily basis.

While Cody was at camp, Keegan, Kale, and Noah attended VBS at a nearby church. They had lots of fun and learned quite a bit. They were very eager to return tomorrow. They even quickly completed their homework tonight.

Yesterday, Jonathan and Keegan were running an errand before church. They prayed together. One of Keegan's prayers was for visitors at our church and what a response He had!! We had 2 families and a single lady visit our church yesterday. The power of prayer is AWESOME!!

Chloe continues to adjust to home. She goes right along with whatever we are doing or wherever we are going. You'd think she had been with us for her entire life. In many ways it seems she has been. It is such a joy to watch her grow and learn each day.

Happy Father's Day!!

Well, Father's Day started off with a bang!! On the way home last night Kale threw up all over the middle seat of our truck. Let's just say it was a HUGE mess!! We get home and are getting all the kids ready for bed and Cody starts yelling. He's in the bathroom throwing up and here comes Kale again. So finally things settled down and all the kids were asleep. However, since they had been sick, we didn't feel they needed to go to church. So, I stayed home with Cody, Kale, and Chloe. Jonathan went to church with Keegan joining him for Father's Day.

Since I was home I cooked Jonathan chicken and noodles. He LOVES noodles in any shape or form. Then, the boys and I cleaned up the kitchen and the fun began. (All the boys are fine now.) Cody had the job of making the cake, his first time by the way. Then, Keegan iced the cake although all he wanted to do was lick everything. Finally, Kale did the sprinkles all over which you cannot see since the cake was still warm. So, this was our Father's Day cake for dad. Happy Father's Day and we all love you very much!!! Enjoy!

And now for the boys!

Daddy throwing Kale into the lake.

Brotherly love that then led to Kale going to time out since

he tried to drown his brother.

Cody's turn to fly!

Then, Keegan goes flying!

Working away making a bird house.

Keegan making his bug box.

Cody intensly working on his project.

The boys enjoying their time in the water.

Keegan felt the need to ride on Cody.

Kale during his time out (see above).

Cody going swimming even with jeans.

Keegan checking out his belly from being tossed in the water.

Enjoying ice cream after a fun trip to the park.

The boys were given the Lowe's aprons at a festival and

they believed they needed hammers and goggles to complete the look. I guess they were right because they look awfully cute.

Random pictures

You're taking a picture of me?

I really like this close up shot of Chloe.

Enjoying a bath after swimming at the lake.

She's very ready to go.

All smiles as she splashes herself.

This is our giggling girl.

Chloe really enjoys ice cream.

Bloomers go on my bottom???

She's propped up checking everyone out.

Watch out Hollywood!

Much to our delight, Chloe has decided to likes the water as you can see. Tonight she not only played and splashed at the edge, but went out with mama and went under. Woo-hoo, let the summer begin!!

Chloe loves Daddy!!

As many of you know, Chloe has wanted nothing to do with Jonathan since day 3 of meeting her. She would scream if he came in the room, if he sat beside her at the table, or basically came anywhere near her. We believe one big issue has been he leaves for work before she gets up so she doesn't see him until later in the afternoon. Well, finally things are beginning to change!! Over Memorial Day weekend, we were home all together for the entire weekend. Since she was around dad more, she started doing much better. Since then, she has been a different little girl with daddy. Now all times are not perfect (see picture of Chloe with daddy in truck), but he can hold her, kiss her, hug her, all those things he has been dying to do. She has even reached out to hold his hand as well as have him pick her up and has even granted daddy a few giggles and smiles!! So needless to say daddy is overjoyed!! Things can only continue to get better. WE knew she would come around to love him like we all do!

Kayak + Boys = Lots of fun for Daddy

I have been wanting a kayak for years and this past winter I was finally able to purchase one. I decided on a good used one from the local river tours shop. They buy new ones every year and sell the one year old ones for more than half the price. So this past Monday I was finally able to get it in the water. I took the first run around the lake by our house. It was exactly what I thought it would be. The boys were swimming while I went for a quick run by myself and when I returned they were ready and waiting for their turn. I abliged, and we had a great time. We saw ducks, geese, and many fish popping the surface of the water. It was a great experience. So now the boys and daddy have something else they do together to spend some quality time.


As a add on to this post, we went out again this afternoon. Not only did I enjoy this with the boys again, but Jenn and Chloe had fun as well.

Happy birthday, Cody!!

birthday boy, biscuits, and molasses (and yes, there is a candle in his biscuit)

Today, Cody turned 9 years old!! Wow, that makes me feel lots older and if he keeps up like is he going I am going to continue to feel really old (but more on that in a minute). Cody wanted shoes for his birthday, so we headed to Target this past weekend. He picked out some and was very excited. Today, Chloe and I went to school and had lunch with him as well as served cupcakes that we had made last night. We made chocolate cupcakes with blue icing and topped with sour gummy worms in an ice cream cone!! Woo-hoo!! These turned out very well and the kids really enjoyed these. He is having camp week at school so I also went to his room and checked out those happenings. After school, we all met dad at Cracker Barrel and had supper. Cody chose the place and was quite excited to eat fried okra and broccoli:)) Then, we returned home. My baby is not such a baby anymore:(

Now, back to me getting older . . . On Monday, we worked in the yard all day. We had worked and played and rested and worked and played. . . well you get the picture. Cody was climbing a tree and needed to come down. On his way down, he slipped a little and came down with his leg on a little piece sticking out of the tree. We were on the other side of the yard and he yelled he was bleeding. I looked up and realized he was bleeding quite a bit so I took off after him. When I reached him, I knew it was serious so I hollered for Jonathan while I got Cody in the house. He was going crazy and we were having a difficult time calming him down. Finally, we just put him in the truck and they headed to urgent care. Jonathan said once he left, they started talking and he was much calmer. At urgent care, his leg required 12 stitches!! He was quite the trooper and they stopped and got milkshakes before coming home. For now he is fine only not happy that he can't swim, run, and will miss all field day activities:((( So, this is his second set of stitches plus he has broke his wrist 2 different times and he JUST turned 9!!! Is this just the beginning?!?!?

Boys at the lake