A Vacation To Remember {Part 1}

One of my favorite things about the summer is family vacation.  

One of my favorite things about vacation is having family pictures on the beach.  

There is just something special about capturing that time together.  

The last time we had our feet in the sand was two years ago.  

I am amazed at the difference in my boys.  It makes my heart a little sad to see how fast they are growing. 

At the same time, I feel like I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Do you know what I mean?  Chris and I were walking on the beach one of the days while the boys were asleep.  We were talking about how different our lives will look in a few years. 

 How different our vacations will look.

  I have such mixed emotions about it all.  

For now, we are soaking in these sweet family moments.

  Moments that for us will be etched in or minds forever.  

I thought I would share some of those moments will all of you!

{This picture captures my boys to perfection. This is so much all there personalities. 

Brady- hands in pocket {serious}

Mason- always smiling

Cole- hilarious. always trying to make everyone laugh.

{Clearly, they were over taking family pictures}

 Thankful for this time I have with my boys.   

Loving on them.

Laughing with them.

Getting our feet sandy.

Jumping in the waves.

Collecting shells. 

Running on the beach.

Watching the waves come crashing in and 

realizing just how small we all are compared to how big God is. 

Being together as a family.

Vacation, Vacaciones, 'En Vacances'

I buy new shoes for it,  I can't sleep the night before,  

I surprise my crew with lots of goodies wrapped up  for the long road trip ahead and I actually enjoy it.  However, getting everything ready for it royally STRESSES a girl out.  Do you get stressed out preparing for your getaway?  I make a million lists but then I make lists of the lists I need to make.

Seriously?

Who does this and where did I learn such crazy behavior?  It has to be someones fault other than mine, right?  Speaking of cray cray... Yesterday while I was running a few of my million errands I saw these two spots on my windshield.  I somehow hit something and of course for the first time ever I have to call and have a guy come out and fix our windshield.

Keep in mind I am packing loads of crap  fun beach stuff and who knows what else. I really don't have time for this.  So, I stress to the sweet lady at the glass shop that I need the guy out first thing in the morning. 

I should of known this was going to be quite the day.  I am in the shower and hear my phone ring.  I know it's my guy so I jump out,  slip and pretty much pull a butt muscle.  How is that even possible?  The good news is I did get to my phone.  Of course, I answer and act very calm and collective.  He informs me he is 10 minutes away.  Awesome. 

{side note: yes, I did get ready in 10 minutes-- impressive, I know}

I watch him pull up and go out and inspect my windshield.  He knocks on my door and asks me to come out and show him where the cracks are.  My first thought is, " Hello, isn't this your job" but I go over and point out the two cracks. 

He tells me to stay right where I am at. He goes over to his truck grabs a razor blade and some windex. Yes, you read it correctly- WINDEX! Within about 10 seconds the "cracks" were gone. There was no cracks or scratches or anything. 

My windshield was dirty. 

{Ahem}

Who does that?  Of course, I start laughing and apologize for being such a moron.  He chuckled and said, "Oh people do this all the time." He was clearly lieing to try and help my ego.  Nice guy but I am sure he was looking forward to telling everyone about the crazy lady with a dirty windshield!

I guess it's a good thing my toes will be in the sand in a few short days.  I clearly need something!   So, do you have any stories like this?

 Probably not BUT if you do I would love to hear them and we clearly need to be friends. :)

The Things Kids Say... {Part 1}

Just when I think that I have heard it all. 

This kid proves me oh so very wrong.

As we are getting ready for his first day of basketball camp here is our conversation... 

{Side note: How great is that shirt?! He is the littlest guy on the court but he is so darn cute and intense. I could just eat him up! } 

Me: {Leaning over him}... Mason let me help you with that...

Mason: Mom, could you get your balls out of my face?!

Me: {Trying not to fling myself on the floor in laughter}

 Mason what did you just say?

Mason: Please get your balls out of my face. There all in my face. 

I slowly leave the room holding my laughter until I reach the next room. Clearly, we need to have a talk about anatomy! :) 

A Year Of Joy

My sweet boy. You did it.

We prayed for a place, a school where we could call home for you, 

while your away from home.

I am so thankful that when you walked in the doors this year

you learned, you laughed, you were loved on day in and day out.

I have seen you come into your own. You have made me so proud my sweet boy. I always believed that when you left our little castle that you would be great but I never expected you to be such an incredible little man. 

Your character.

The respect you show to others.

The way you always try and do your best.

Your conviction to do the right thing.

Your laugh.

So much has happened this year. 

You made so many great friendships.

Mrs. Miller was your biggest fan. 

You placed first at field day.

Your lost your first tooth.

You read and read and read some more.

You had your first nights of homework and school projects.

You did so much this year for the first time on your own. 

You are growing so fast my sweet boy and changing so quickly. You went from needed my help on so many things to really doing so much on your own. 

I don't want to forget these moments with you. 

As I walked you into school this morning on your last day... you grabbed my hand and just squeezed it. I can't believe after today you are going to be a second grader. I can remember sitting in your nursery, rocking you as a baby and you would squeeze my finger just the way you squeezed my hand this morning. Nana was so right when she said that this time is so short. I am so proud of you. I am so thankful for this school year. Can you believe you were the only First Grader with perfect attendance this year? The look on your face at the awards ceremony when Mrs. Miller announced it was priceless. 

It made my heart smile! You make me smile. 

You bring joy to so many and I am so thankful to be your mom.

What Does Respect Look Like In Your Family?

One of the joys of being a mom to all boys is that I feel loved and needed all of the time. 

If you would have told me that I would be a mom to only boys I would have laughed in your face. I thought for sure I would be the one with a bunch of little ladies with painted nails and tutus running around our castle. Instead I have capes, crowns and swords and you know what? I couldn't imagine my life any other way. C'mon look at these boys. How can you not just want to eat them up?! 

Photo Taken By

My boys bring me joy far beyond anything I could ever have imagined. With that joy comes the pressure of knowing that as their momma I only have a brief time with them. When they leave our little castle I want them to be ready to take on the world, fully prepared and equipped with everything they need to be godly men, husbands and fathers.  I read one of the best posts ever - 10 Ways for Moms to Respect Their Sons. Jen says, "If I want them to look for a wife who respects them one day, I better demonstrate what that looks like now." Is that not so true? I see myself so focused on making sure my boys behave and do the right thing that I often don't step back to make sure I am respecting them. This was a great wake up call for me and such an encouragement. If you little men in your families I challenge you to read it. What does Respect look like in your family?

All You Have To Do Is Take It...

I was looking for a cool down song for my zumba class tonight and found this beauty by Francesca Battistelli. I thought I would share the lyrics with all of you. 

"You Never Are"

Lost your way and you don't know how it happened

So much time you wasted chasing satisfaction

Seems like there's no where else to go please i wish that you would come home

Oh don't be so afraid

you think that you're too far

but you never are- you never are

So scared that you're too late

too hidden in the dark

but you never are you never are

Grace is under estimated all you ever really have to do

is take it God is bigger than the times we fail

So why can we not forgive ourselves

Oh don't be so afraid

you think that you're too far

but you never- are you never are

So scared that you're too late

too hidden in the dark

but you never are you never are

You will never be perfect... oh but you're still worth it. You've gotta just believe...

Oh don't be so afraid

you think that you're too far

but you never are - you never are

So scared that you're too late

too hidden in the dark

but you never are you never are

 My favorite part is "Grace is under estimated-- all you have to do is take it. God is bigger than the times we fail. So why can we not forgive ourselves?" I can so identify with that. What about you? 

Happy Thursday Friends!!

Top Ten Tuesday {Life Happens}

Hello May! Hello Beautiful Friends!

Life has had me going in a million different directions. I am sure you know how that goes. As much as I have wanted to sit and write it seems like there has been no time. 

I thought I would catch you all up on some of the crazy that has been going on here at our castle.

1. Guess who FINALLY lost his first tooth?!

2. Do you remember this post? I am so thankful I stuck it out. That I didn't quit.

I am amazed and thankful for the opportunities that have come my way since that post. I love being able to encourage other woman to exercise and get healthy. I knew I loved it but honestly I didn't know I loved it this much.

3. Guess who got his first haircut?! He didn't move the entire time! So sweet. 

4. I miss my van-- Chalk that one up as something I NEVER thought I would say. It has been in the shop for a week and seriously I find myself missing that darn thing. What has my life come to?! 

5. My little sister is pregnant with a baby boy! YAY! 

We are sooo excited I can't wait to get my hands on him!

6. I feel like Facebook should be called Fakebook. 

Maybe it's just me but lately I feel like people are so fake. I know, probably not the nicest thing I have ever said but seriously I just can't handle it.

7.  I have been wrestling with a decision on whether or not to put my sweet Cole in speech therapy. Oh Mercy-- it has been waying so heavy on my heart. For now, I am waiting but goodness I hope I am making the right decision. 

8. In a little over a month we are headed back to the beach. 

The last time we were there was two years ago. I seriously can't wait. 

9. I have been preparing all week for this man to be leaving on a jet plane for Texas. After all the planning, worrying and stress-- his work trip was cancelled. So thankful to have him home.

  

10. I am really trying to slow down. I feel like I am always in a hurry. As you can see life has me going crazy and honestly it feels so good to just sit down, sip on my coffee and take a deep breath. 

I have so missed all of you I would love to hear what has been going on in your life. So, now it's your turn.... 

This post is linked up to Top Ten Tuesday at Many Little Blessings
 Go check out some other fabulous Top Ten lists!