happy everything to cameron

Today was a day to celebrate Cameron.  He graduated from high school, will be turning 17 next week, just passed his EMT class (at the top of his class!), and will be getting his license-hopefully- in 4 weeks.  He has a lot to celebrate :)

It was extra special to have my Gram with us.  I haven't seen her for two years!  She will be getting some new clothes and getting her hair done soon, but to me she looked just beautiful.  I love her so much! She can't see well at all anymore so there are many things she can't do on her own that she would like to.  I enjoyed giving her a manicure as I remembered how she always used to spend a ton of time on her hair, clothes, and nails. It brought me much joy to make her nails pretty and see the big smile on her face.  We have always been close and it was a real gift for me to be able to spend time with her.  I am blessed!

Melanie and Chad came up with the kiddos.  Maelyn just melts your heart!

Brianna did most all of the cooking and planning for Cam's party.  She put on a real spread!

Gram's first selfie :)  I love how happy she looks!  Her laughing throughout the day made me laugh too.

The day was long for the little guys.  Micah fell asleep in my lap after his little cousins left.  Callen fell right to sleep in the car- it is tiring playing hard all day!

Matt and I are so proud of Cameron.  He is growing into a man who is seeking to please God in all he does and is a great example for his siblings to follow!  He plans to continue his studies by pursuing his parmedic license.   He will be looking for a job on an ambulance crew and begin classes as soon as possible.

Congratulations, Cameron!

sunday afternoon park~

Since we have more big kids than little kids, we rarely go to a park anymore.  It was a fun change, though to go to one on Sunday afternoon.  We stopped on the way and grabbed a couple half gallons of ice cream and some cones and ate them before we got there. :)

just do it

My sister, Rachelle posts lots of  things on her blog about parenting, relationships, relationship with God etc...  The other day I was thinking about it and wondered what I would post if I was going to have one shot at blogging about something practical like that.  It finally occured to me what my best advice would be.  Although the only reason it occured to me was because- I need the advice myself.  It was a convicting moment actually.

Here it is: Just do it.

Here's what I've been doing lately.

I should drink more water.

I need to start exercising.

I need to make 2 loaves of bread every day.

I need to serve a vegetable at every meal.

I need to put more Scripure around the house.

I need to work on Cameron's transcripts.

I need to do math with the kids every day.

 And then?  Nothing.  I guess I wait for the mood to hit, for me to feel like it, for Monday to get here.  Well, the mood doesn't hit, I don't feel like it, and Monday comes and goes.

So, my new motto?  Just do it.

With that said, I now have Scripture posted around the house, I have 2 batches of granola in the oven, I have already had water to drink today, and I ....well, I haven't exercised yet.  I guess I'd better get moving!

James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only

city friends

We were able to have some of our friends from the city spend the day with us yesterday.  It was a beautiful day! These kids loved the space to run around and they totally enjoyed the caterpillars, snakes, tadpoles, butterflies, and Leah's bunny :)

God is so good!