Trees of Goodness

This morning I was praying for friends who are suffering with where they are in life, have just lost a baby, longing for a baby, lost a loved one, etc., and I saw a verse in my devotion book, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young (the real book that should get credit is The Bible though!). Isaiah 61:3 says, "He has sent me to comfort all those who are sad and to help the sorrowing people of Jerusalem. I will give them a crown to replace their ashes, and the oil of gladness to replace their sorrow, and clothes of praise to replace their spirit of sadness. Then they will be called Trees of Goodness, trees planted by the Lord to show His greatness." Anyway, I was so encouraged by our Father's renewing grace and how He alone can provide the gladness when all we can feel is sorrow, and the praise to replace sadness. I hope this verse reminds you of His love too. And I hope that I can look to this verse the next time I am feeling down, and be called a Tree of Goodness instead of wallowing in my own sadness (because that is what usually happens :)).

Ready to Slow Down

We have been going in a million directions! We have been out of town for a week, and just got back last night. Brandon took his Step 3 boards last week, but we had to go to Dothan to take them, so we made a vacation out of it and stayed with his Grandmother and Grandaddy in Geneva. We played with Brandon's cousin and her daughter, Rylie. We forgot our camera, so these are pictures from our last trip there. These are two peas in a pod! Blake played too, but he found a friend in Grandaddy! He would go sit in his lap and read the same book over and over again.













After our trip to Geneva, we went to Greenville to see Brandon's youngest brother play his first football game of his senior year. It was a little humid, and the kids were WILD, so the kids and I left at half-time. We have eaten well, rested, and spent time with family, so now we are ready to wind down and get back into the real world.
The kids start Mothers' Day Out next week, and Brandon is starting a busy rotation, so here we go!

Chloe

Meet my niece, Chloe. She is Derek's (my brother) little girl, and if you have seen how wrapped around Kate's finger he is, you could only imagine his own daughter!

Chloe is playing at our house today, and I could eat her dimples with a spoon. My kids are loving it, especially Kate because she thinks she is the babysitter. Better go, I am not used to 3!

Delicious

If you like Rice Krispy Treats at all, you have to make them yourself! The recipe on the box is good, but I used less rice krispies to make them Gooey-er.
Melt 3 Tbsp butter in a saucepan (on low heat), then add 40 large marshmallows and stir until melted. Then add in 5 cups rice krispies into the marshmallow mix. You will probably need to use wax paper over your fingers when you press into a pan to cool, because these are extra gooey.
Enjoy!!

Playing Inside

We have had to get a little creative to play inside since it is too hot to stay outside for long. So, last week a fairy princess invited Batman over for a tea party. She was so excited to put on her wings and princess high heels. And he was just excited to play at all!
























They slaved in the kitchen for a little while. But, they acted like it was the best food they had ever eaten. I might have slipped a twizzler in their teacups.













Batman was a very sweet guest, and the fairy princess was quite the hostess! This took up a surprising chunk of time one day, so we will be doing it again very soon!





























































We have also played some Rock Band with the kids, and Kate thought it would spice it up to play the drums with ski goggles on. She is so random!
We have tried to play with sidewalk chalk a few times, but Blake always turns out looking like this... so this is becoming less frequent!

Hot Days

It is so hot and we didn't have the baby pool set up, so why not just use the hose? It is too hot to play outside without being in some kind of water, so these two loved every minute!




Blake just wants to fill that watering can so he can water all the flowers, but his sweet sister is not always willing to share the water.
Sometimes she gets him right in the face, but he has learned to turn around and enjoy the cool splash.
He follows her around begging for water...
Then he gives up, and squeals with delight!

Dying Laughing

Brandon and I were watching this video tonight and were dying laughing. You may have already seen "Swagger Wagon" by Toyota, but this is right up there with it. Enjoy!