We Are Monsters

The boys decided they wanted to do a theatre summer camp.  I have to admit I was slightly nervous for Camron and Caden to participate.  They are just so sensitive and I didn't want them to forget a line or make a mistake and get upset.  Boy oh boy!  These guys blew my mind!  They were amazing!  I mean, I am slightly biased but really...they were awesome!  They had a few rehearsals before the camp started then 2 weeks of 1/2 day camps.  There were 7 performances over 4 days.  I know they were exhausted because I sure was!  They had the best director, stage manager, and other youth who helped out!  Camron got the "born to be on stage" awards, Caden got the "cute but creepy" award and Jaxon got the "most improved volume" award. 

The Vampires of Valoria

Vladimir and Oozy 

Me and Joss in our "I vampires shirts!

Mommy and the boys

Mommy and Nana and the boys

We were all sad when it was over!

12 Years

Daddy-O and I just celebrated our 12 year anniversary.  12 years ago we stood before God and many others and committed our lives to each other.  In a hot but beautiful church with all our family and friends.  So many things went wrong but the most important went oh so right.  I love this man with all I have in me.  I am so thankful that God put us in each others lives way before we ever realized His plan for us.

Here's to many more years together!  I love you baby "to infinity and beyond!"

Chris,

My love for you knows no bounds

It's as endless as the universe

Transcending the very confines

Of time itself...

TOP THAT ;)

365 days of 1000 gifts

I have auto-immune disorders.  They can cause me quite a bit of stress.  I have close friends who tell me that they often forget that I struggle with it because most of the time I seem "fine".  I think what causes me the most stress is that nothing regarding my health is "normal".  No, I'm not being dramatic.  That's a true statement.  Ask any of my doctors and they will confirm.  I have gotten used to words such as, "complicated", "perplexed", and "stumped".  Some days I pout about it.  Some days my attitude can get down right stinky.  I don't really like that side of me because generally I'm a pretty positive person.
The other day I had a bad day.  I got some bad news from some blood work and I didn't like what my Dr had to say.  Let's just say my attitude went south lightening fast.  I pouted.  Then I cried....a lot.  Pity Party was in full effect.  Then (yes then, not first...sometimes you just gotta get the tantrum out) I whined, stomped, prayed and God showed up, just like He always does.  God showed me (it was like He screamed) SLOW DOWN!  You know, like in the movies when everything around you starts moving in slow motion and you're free to just watch and take it all in?  That's how I felt.  Beautiful things literally started popping up in front of me.  (So maybe they weren't so much as "popping" up in front me.  I was just taking the time to notice them)  The tree blooming in my front yard.  The sky which was magnificent that day.  The smile radiating off of my daughters face and the way her big brown eyes lit up as she laughed her sweet, contagious laugh.  A reminder of a sweet, unexpected text from Daddy-O just hours before. The warm summer breeze against my face as I swung in my hammock trying to make sense of it all.  As I took in all these beautiful gifts, I thought less and less about that which was bringing me down.  I decided then that I was going to drown the bad with good.  There is so much more to be thankful for and when we focus on those things the bad can't creep in quite so much.
Being that I am an "instagram-er", I am going to post at least one picture a day of something that makes me happy.  I am calling it 365 days of 1000 gifts.  My hashtag will be #365of1000gifts (original isn't it?).  Feel free to join me if you instagram and we can share our "happy" moments:).
Now this doesn't mean I'm not going to pout or cry because I am human.  And I reserve that right ;).  But I AM going to be intentional in looking for the beauty around me...even on my stinky days!

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Another Baseball Season in the books

Jaxon played an amazing season of baseball.  He was given the opportunity to pitch this season which he did phenomenal at.  He also played first base more and really excelled there.  This was by far his best season yet.  His team was the regular season champs and we couldn't be more proud of him.  I love that he loves baseball but is well rounded with other things as well.

The team at the Grasshoppers game

End of the season party

My boy pitching

Strawberry Pickin"

We almost missed our chance to pick strawberries this year!  We went to the place we usually pick and were told there were no more berries for self picking anywhere around us!  I was bummed.  A few miles down the road from there is another farm.  We took our chances and they were open for picking!  The selection wasn't the greatest but the fun in picking together is what we enjoy most!