Summer Stuff

We LOVE summer!

Laid-back days

Swimming

Spending time together as a family

Frozen Yogurt

Fresh veggies from the garden

Visits with grandma
Fun at church

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The last couple of weeks, Will and Ben have been taking swim lessons.  Today is their last day.  I'm really proud of how much better they have gotten in just two weeks.  I wish they could take the next session too, but we'll be out of town.

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My cousin dropped by with a bag full or tomatoes from the garden and I made pico de gallo.  It's delicious with fresh tomatoes.

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We visit my grandma in the nursing home as much as possible.  They love her walker.  I usually don't let Ben and Will play with it because I don't want them to break it.  They were walking slowly in circles with it so I took these photos before I made them stop.  It looks like Will has Ben in physical therapy.

I love these precious photos of Will and Ben giving Mama Winnie hugs and kisses. 

Sweet memories!

I have to admit that it's hard to visit my grandma in the nursing home without my grandpa.  It's been almost a year since he got sick and passed away, and I still miss him so much.  Taking him to the nursing home was a part of our routine and it feels strange without him with us.  We are thankful for our time with Mama Winnie and happy we get to visit her as much as we do.

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I saw this for sale for $5 in Target this week. Hope Floats is one of my favorite chick flicks.  In college, Angela and I watched this movie one night and we started crying when the mother (Gena Rowlands) died.  We didn't get teary-eyed, we were having a good ol' "ugly cry" while watching this.  We were crying so hard at one point that we looked up at each other and started laughing hysterically because we were crying so hard.  That's still one of my favorite memories with Angela. 

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Church is a huge part of our lives.  We're very involved and try to attend church every opportunity we get (Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday evening).  Sometimes Sunday mornings are hectic and I have very little time to take a photo of my boys in their "Sunday best" but I managed to get this pic of Will before church on Sunday morning.

Ben wouldn't pose for a photo at home so I took one of him once we got to church.  I was his fill-in teacher in his Sunday School class.

On Wednesday night, Will and his class have been studying the full armor of God in Ephesians 6.  They've been working on each piece.  They wore the armor that they had made and said Ephesians 6 in front of the whole church.  I was so proud of Will!  We have it on video and it's the cutest thing to watch.

Will laid out each piece on the couch when we got home and told me to take a photo of it all for instagram.  Do you think he's noticed how much I'm on instagram!?!  Yep, I'm busted for spending a lot of time on it :)

Ephesians 6: 10-20

The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

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We've promised the boys trips to McDonald's and Chick-Fil-A if they would do their best in swim lessons.  It doesn't hurt that mom and dad love CFA, and we like the free wi-fi at McDonald's, too!

We even stopped by our favorite frozen yogurt place one afternoon.

Will leaves nothing behind.  Love it!

And, our favorite burrito place (other than Chipotle) is Freebirds. It's a College Station institution.  This is Ben's "little monster" burrito.  Love it!

Will was color coordinated with one of the chairs at Freebirds. 

We love summer! Yes, we do!

We LOVE summer, how about you?

I'm @redbirdblue if you want to follow along on instagram :)