Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband!!

Proverbs 19:22

"Every man longs for a love that is everlasting...."

I thank you for giving me that very love.

AU Football Camp + a free ride.

Elder Son and his friend & fellow teammate are attending Auburn's Football Camp this week.  It's Elder Son's 3rd or 4th year....he loves it.  Me?  Not so much.  I mean we discussed this before, here on the blog, in fact I think we've cried it out a time or two.  His first year when we left him, Baby Girl cried more than I did and wanted us to turn around to go back and get him.  She (just as her mama) did not understand why we should just drop him off on the corner of a college campus, neatly set up his bathroom supplies, bedding essentials and match up his blue shorts with his orange shirt, only to merely drive away and leave him there ALONE.....as if they knew how to take care of him, or as if he knew how to take care of himself, or as if he'd ever survive without his MAMA.

The sad news to Baby Girl and I.....he did indeed survive.  And has requested to go back to camp every year.....away from his little sister and his mama. Hmph. That's all I have to say about that. Actually, I'll say this.....in all fairness, Elder Son is growing up....and year by year it's been a bit (but really only a smidge) easier to kick him to the curb with a sleeping bag and a pair of cleats and holler "HAVE FUN"..."AND DON'T FORGET TO TEXT ME EACH DAY"....than I ever thought it would be.

Part of growing up, I guess you'd say, for the both of us.

Temple was super impressed with my behavior upon our departure this time around. He stated he was really proud of me for not crying.  I said, "what can you do when he's as tall as I am?"....

As for Baby Girl....she didn't shed a tear either.  But of course she was too busy enjoying the day,  and not having to walk all over campus in the blazing heat.....she's cute enough in her Hollywood shades to catch a ride.  

Mickey Mouse, a birthday party, swimming and spit.

This weekend, as you know, we traveled to my sister's for a lovely couple of days of family fun.  Which included a rat themed birthday party for my adorable niece and one of Baby Girl's BFF's. Or BCF's. Best Cousin Forever. They are quite a pair.

All was well on the homefront until the birthday party rat pack huddled up in the pool to devise a plan.  A plan that included a college aged cousin taking turns throwing all the little kids for a splash in the pool. 

Really it's all fun and games.....you know the story line....

Yep, it's all fun and games until someone almost LOSES THEIR SHORTS....

And the birthday girl spits all over the cake.

For the love of Pete, can we just use regular candles next year so she doesn't have to spew saliva to put the fire out?

If there were ever any doubts....

I was there.  I know I birthed her.  And I know she has half my DNA.  Many folks think she looks and acts very similar to me at this age....

But it was her plate at the birthday party that cinched it for me.  A girl after my own heart....why should we have to agonize over choosing between a good ol' grilled hot dog or hamburger....when you can just take both?

1, 2, 3...JUMP.

We've been staying a couple of days with my sister and her family.  Cousins playing together is always a big hit, and there's also a birthday party thrown in this weekend as well, so FUN GALORE!! 

Late night swimming last night followed up with a morning swim earlier today.  Last night I set a bad example by jumping in the pool with my clothes on because I was too lazy to go ALL THE WAY BACK INSIDE to change into a swimsuit....plus I like the surprise factor on my kids face when I barreled in for a splash. Well, this morning, wouldn't you guess that they all decided it was probably easiest to just jump in with their clothes on, because why bother with trekking back up the deck stairs into the house, walking all the way down the hall, just to find a swimsuit that was probably still wet or damp and cold from the previous night?  

I was watching from the deck this morning without the kids knowing I was there....it's fun to eavesdrop like that sometimes. Here's what I heard:

Cousin S:  "I'm not gonna change, I'll just jump in like this (she had on long black knit pants and a t-shirt)"

Baby Girl:  "Okay, on the count of 3.....

• 1
• 2
• 2 and a quarter

By this time, Cousin S is beyond ready to jump...but she's patiently waiting with her back against the rail ready to run as soon as Baby Girl says 3.....

and then I hear Baby Girl continue yelling off the countdown with this:

• 2 and two quarters
• 2 and three quarters
• 2 and A DOLLAR......

And she was in the top of her class? Maybe we should stick with ready, set, go.

Delightful. HE certainly is.

I promise....these months fly by from 3rd to 3rd.  Do you not agree?  I hope you are still staying with us and focusing on each month's verse.  I know it's hard to memorize them all....but I also know the Lord doesn't ask more of us than he thinks we can handle. Although believe me...I question him about that ALOT at times. Like all during the month of May for instance!! :) 

Maybe not every verse speaks to you, and that's okay.  But every verse speaks to someone.  Somewhere. 

This month's verse, I think, will speak to everyone. It would be near impossible for it not to.....because everyone falls into one of these categories.  Daily. 

• You asked the Lord for a blessing of some kind and HE delivered. Naturally, he would.  He's in the business of bestowing blessings.  Sometimes though, have you ever noticed, HIS blessings may not come at the time desired by us, or in the manner we may have chosen, but they always exceed what we deserve.  
• You are currently seeking the Lord's guidance for future blessings. They just haven't arrived yet.  And some are going to just KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!! 

And here's the verse to remind you of these moments in life: 

"Delight yourself in the Lord

and He will give you the desires of your heart."

~Psalm 37:4  

I know many of you probably already have this verse memorized.  We see it often in nursery decor, on baby announcements, etc.  It's definitely a popular verse, and rightly so.  But let's go deeper with it this month.  Let's really focus on allowing the Lord to give you the desires of your heart.  Certainly, for many women that desire is for children.....a baby to call their own.  Nothing is more precious. 

 But what about our friends and family who are waiting for the blessing of a spouse. I have several on my own heart that I pray find their mate that God has in store for them.

And what about the reconciliation of marriage as a whole, as God designed it? Divorce rates are ever climbing.  It's a scary world.

And what about those burdened with finding work to provide for their family during this economic time? So many without jobs. 

And what about our military families, their safety abroad and at home? Wives and children who have experienced many deployments of their loved ones, and those whose reality was the ultimate sacrifice. For my freedom and yours.

And what about your neighbor who's reached the last stages of cancer, hospice has been brought in, the family have all collected together? I hear of this all too often now a days. 

And what about just wanting to have some peace of mind?  Do you have concerns, worries, problems in life that seem overwhelming at times? All the time? Me too.

Do you have any of these same desires?  Do you know others who do? 

Oh, you get the idea.  The list could go on and on really.  Our desire is basically just whatever I am praying for.....whatever you are praying for.....whatever he/she/we/them.....are praying for......and the list of desires is endless.  So, this verse encompasses everyone.  Or at the very least, anyone who is praying to the Lord for their desires to be met.  For their heart to be heard by the only One who can heal it.

My focus for this month, and what I hope yours is as well, is not so much on the desires portion of this verse.  I know the Lord has seen my desires, even those I think I've managed to wedge deep in the crevice because they seem so selfish....yea, even those, he's seen them.  He knew they were there before we did. He knows our desires long before we speak them aloud.

Instead of worrying about presenting my desires so boldly....I want to focus more on the first half of the verse.....delighting myself in Him.  Spending time at his feet, daily.  Spending time on my knees, daily.  Spending time delighting myself in Him, His blessings, the small and big--from the breath he gives me each morning, to the coupons in Sunday's paper, the laughter of my children, to the safety of my husband, the health of my parents, to the popsicles on a hot day, the joy of friendships, the fun of flip flops in summer......for each and every moment.....DELIGHT in Him.  The one who makes every moment happen.  Not by chance.  But by His divine nature.

I chose this verse because I have a lot of unspoken requests on my prayer plate right now.  Some serious points I'm laying before the Lord and asking for help, for His help.  But I also chose it because it's summer.....and I love summer, in fact I'd say that I think summer is just DELIGHTFUL.  And it made me think of this verse. 

Go ahead....summer is here.  Delight yourself in the Lord.

He already gives us the answer as to what will happen next. He will give us the desires of our hearts.

Here's to a DELIGHTFUL summer for us all!!!  Don't take a break from soaking up the real SON this summer.

Gymnastics Banquet

A few weeks ago, Baby Girl and I attended her annual Gymnastics Banquet.  Unfortunately this event always coincides with her brother's baseball games.....so, not everyone in the family can attend to support her, but we're awfully proud of her just the same.

This year, we are happy to report that among other awards,  she received 3 awards for being in "Club 9.0".  This means that during this past competitive season she scored a 9.0 or higher at competition, not as easy of a feat as it may sound.   She received it in Bars, Beam and Vault.....watch out Floor---we're coming after you hard this year!!

Way to go, Baby Girl.....and congrats on having a great season!!