Summer Fun

Lazy river...but without the cost of the water park.
You would never be able to tell him this isn't a real pool.

Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!

I think he's going to love the water. Next summer swim lessons for sure. This summer, we'll just stick to this kind of pool.

Thanks G & L for giving us this pool. Now all I have to do is blow ours up and fill it up with water.

Even still .....

My computer crashed about 8 days, 53 minutes & 30 seconds ago and we have tried, tried, tried to get it back up .. to NO avail ....Even w/ the handy help of the customer service reps @ several well know computer companies. But who is counting? Certainly NOT me! :)

My van needed $600.00 worth of repairs ... & even after it was repaired, our other car "conked" out. We are a 1 car family now .. whohoo

Some $$$ I expected didn't arrive ...

This summer is starting with a BANG!

We are also STILL doing school because Ethan missed three weeks after his surgery in February and he is NOT happy.

BUT .. I have spent WONDERFUL amounts of time with my family, we attended the BEST VBS @ our church in 21 years, hubby & I have had more meaningful conversations than we've had in a long time ... we've learned a few new frugal lessons, we've baked lots new goodies, found a few FREE events & kiddo things to do (that will become a part of our weekly plans) and now I am planning out each day for the rest of the summer so my children can have "the best summer ever".

They are unaware of most of the lovely things going on around here .. except the cars, but they think it is fun to take daddy to work & hang out & talk w/ him in the car until he gets out @ his company and walk to places on the days daddy has the car.

With all that has gone on, I still believe that God has NOT left us .. He has held us in the palm of His hand. He has continued to provide for us & will continue to provide even past these "funny money" days for us this summer. I don't know how our ends will meet, but I'm not going to start doubting him now. There are a cloud of witnesses that have gone before me in the bible and in my own family ... He is a waymaker.

He IS Jehovah - Jireh

Summer fun ...

Who knew toddlers could have THIS much fun @ Dave and Buster's? 1/2 price game day, made it even better!
Tods driving daddy around @ Six Flags .. admit it daddy, you had just as much fun as the boys. (hehe)

Field day for the kids ... you would have though we were given REAL trophies.

Happy 4th of July!

(photo taken after long day around LOTS of food)

We had a GREAT time with the family today. Lots of food, fun and laughter! Lots of laughter. Maybe too much food as well. Gauging by the photo, I need to lose more weight. :( I'll get to working on that REAL soon.

With the temps crossing 102 this week, I will more than likely sweat some of the water weight. :)

Anyhoo, the kids had a blast playing with their cousins and godbrothers, eating crispy hot dogs and Earl Campbell hot links. (psst, have you ever had those? They are the best!) That man did more than play some football, he can make some sausage.

My brother came over on his motorcycle (my dad would kill him if he knew he had one) and scared us half to death by peeping through the windows while we were all in the kitchen. He IS a jokster.

We ate a LOT .. oh did I say that .. but more than anything else, the family was together celebrating the freedom we all have in this country, but also the freedom in Jesus we have. What a privilege to be in a country where we can openly celebrate the goodness of God!


Happy 4th!

Fun in the Sun ..

This is supposed to be a swimming pool, but we decided to add bubbles.

Even Ethan could not resist the COOL water .. we need to get him his own pool.
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Simple fun .. and the kids said they had a blast .. cost me nothing .. the dishwashing liquid was FREE w/ my coupons a few weeks ago, I added a few tablespoons of sugar (to make the blubbles last longer) and they got clean and didn't even realize it! :)

The lazy days of summer (Photo Edition)

Nuthin like making your own b-day cake.. you get to lick the beaters & everything!
Hanging out w/ Chuck E. Cheese - you can never go wrong there. Hey? where's DeClan?

Look mom, the Lego is as big as ME!

Hanging out w/ ALL the cousins ... there are a few more kiddos on the other sofa!

Safety 1st! Who knew you needed a helmet for a tricycle! Isn't he cute?

Mom finally gave in and let us have a picnic!

Summertime ..

Ethan has been out of school for two weeks now and the first week was spent @ VBS @ our church. Last week we joined the library's summer reading club and went camping (in the house). So exciting I know.

We have had out of town family in town and/or at the house for the last 3 weeks, which has been a blast, but this weekend I am ready to BE STILL and cook for 5 people. :)

Ethan's science academy was cancelled, so I need to fill that educational gap with something exciting. Macaroni and construction paper? Beans and rice in a jar .. Hmmmm .. NOT .. he is a pre-teen .. I know, we will break out his telescope and make it a project tonight.

This week we plan to go to one of the FREE movies offered in a neighboring city and check out more books at the library.

The heat index is supposed to reach 107 and I am in no way near ready for anything like that, so early in the summer. This may mean we alter our out of the house plans.

Ethan has to have an MRI later in the week, followed by DeClan's 2 yr old check up the day (yes, I know he is 2 1/2). So since we will be gone ALL DAY Thursday and part of Friday for medical stuff, I'll have to adjust the week for all the fun, fun, fun stuff.

Oh yeah, grandmother, the kids are ALREADY talking about packing for our trip to see in a few weeks .... sigh .. are we there yet?

Believe ...

Ethan at our church anniversary picnic ..

I couldn't believe he wanted to do this ...

Summer Plans

This week starts the planning for our summer season. I am not sure why I chose this week, but now is as good as any. :)

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I WANT to plan our summer, but we will have some days where we will do absolutely NOTHING!

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I am trying very hard NOT to get so carried away where we have no fun because I am frustrated and discombobulated because "things did not go as I planned."

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The hardest part is planning for a 12 1/2, 4 and 2 1/2 year old. On the one hand I would love to go to Sesame Place for the tods, but I know Ethan would just cringe at the thought of spending all day with Big Bird!

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Things I am planning for Ethan, while the tods would love to hang with big brother .. again, he would cringe at the thought of Austin coming with him to Dave and Buster's and beating him at skeeball.

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July is our vacation month this year, so that one will be easy, except, I have NOT planned where we are going besides KY.

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Just some things I am considering ....

Sonic's Happy hour - a REAL must do!

Summer Movie Matinees

Musuems

Zoo

Parks

Amusement Parks

Swim Lessons

Water Park

Hotel Weekend getaway

Aquarium

Mom and Tots playdates

Ice Skating

Storytelling

Library

Community Service - Food Banks

Can you think of something else?