Schools in!!!

In some ways, this is how we all felt getting up early last week to start another year. The laid back days of summer are soooo nice!!! It's never easy starting something new and this year was no different. We had not thought too much about school with the Millers being here and it really crept up on us. Caitlyn, you hadn't said a lot about it until we put you to bed the night before your first day. I'm sure some of it was nerves and some was just from being overtired, but you cried yourself to sleep. We talked in depth about how the school routine would soon seem so normal again and about all the new things you will learn this year (reading and math especially) and about all the new friends yet to be made. It took you all of one day to get your smile back about being at school and in the 1st grade!!!

Day two and all smiles with your teacher, Mrs. Upton.

Caroline, you on the otherhand, couldn't wait to start school. You get to be in the exact same room as last year, just with a new teacher. Here you are on Snoopy Day with "Miss" Amanda. We love her already!!!!!!!!!!!

I love this picture! You are such a big girl, now...my pre-kindergartener!!! The biggest change for you is that, instead of just going two days, you are now going three. It's so hard to believe I will be dropping you both off next year five days a week. Oh....mercy, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's just get started and enjoy this year!!!! Stay in the moment, momma!!!

End of summer treat!

We ended the summer with a WONDERFUL visit from our college friends, Matt and Andrea Miller, and their crew. We met Matt and Andrea in college and developed a very deep and close friendship. We spent many birthdays and holidays together before and after we were married and still living in Searcy. They became like family to us. Their hearts were stirred in college to prepare for foreign missions and have been living in Togo, West Africa for almost 10 years. In that time, they have had four beautiful children....the newest of whom we had not met yet. We have seen each other about every two years since they have been gone and it is always like a family reunion. You loved being with them, girls! It was non stop fun!!! Five of the six of our kiddos waking up in the morning....Abby, Asher, Caroline, Anna Marie and Caitlyn.

Anna Marie is the little princess who everyone wanted to "help". She is two and an absolute delight!

Anna had the water table all to herself!

Ready for our walk at Radnor Lake..........

Checking out the deer...........

Being silly!

Mr. Matt and Daddy are great transportation!

Andrea and I were able to sneak away for a "girls lunch" at the Puffy Muffin........such a treat! I continue to be amazed at Andrea's view of life and the way she handles things with such calm confidence.

Aidan and Asher creating a slide....true boys!!

Abby is now almost 11 and was such a wonderful example for you, girls. She was so sweet to let you hang out with her...and that you did...everywhere!!!!

Homemade pedicures with the girls!

The house seems so quiet after having 10 in it for the week!!!

We love you, Millers, and will be praying for you as you transition to your next venture in Rwanda. We respect and admire your dedication and courage more than you know! Two years will pass by before we know it!!!

Look what water can do!!!

Remember our garden from late spring? Here it is now...producing tomatoes, squash, cantaloupe and green peppers. WE have been eating good!!!

Here is your sunflower, Caitlyn. It was just two small seeds, and now look at it!!! All it takes is a little water and sunshine....and water is one thing we have had plenty of this summer. Water through lots of rain, but also water fun in the form of pools, sprinklers, water gun wars, and a new experience for us... a water park.

We had heard of this new water park in Sevierville, TN (near Gatlinburg) and had been very intrigued. Our friends, the Dyes, had been earlier in the summer and just raved about it. So, one weekend when Daddy was out of town on a mens golf trip, the three of us, "Miss" Shelly, Coal and Claire headed down for our own adventure.

The water slides are very different than what I remembered as a child. On most all of them, you ride on a tube and glide on the water at the end. I remember being thrust under the water at the bottom of many slides as a young girl...so needless, to say, I was somewhat nervous. This picture was taken in the indoor section of the water park after you and Coal went down together, Caitlyn. Once we got our jitters out on the first slide, you went time and time again. You and Caroline were so brave!!

Jumping the waves at the outdoor wave pool........

Caroline, they had several smaller slides for your age and size. You weren't able to ride all of the slides there, but you wore out the ones you could.

Hanging out with momma, watching sister go down the bigger slides.

What a special weekend with special friends making precious memories!!!

Babies!!

We sure have gotten to enjoy some sweet babies this summer. Each and every year, girls, you get more and more captured by these precious creations. Here are three this summer that have gotten LOTS of attention from you. Kamry Layton

Lillianne Covert

Josue' Dominguez

I love having family and dear friends who allow us to be so involved with the lives of their children. You girls learn so much by observing and helping. I am so thankful for each of these new lives and the lives of upcoming new arrivals. They provide such hope and joy for the future.

Speaking of upcoming arrivals, we got the news yesterday that we are adding another BOY cousin to the crew... Wes and Camille received wonderful news of a healthy, baby BOY DOZIER. The boys are catching up, girls!!

July festivities

We had a great 4th of July weekend this year. The older I get, the more I look forward to times for family to be together. Uncle Wes and Aunt Camille came over early to swim and have a little watermelon fun!!! You deemed Wes "The Best Uncle" award and gave him a medal, Caitlyn. He wore it with pride!

Getting a little sun!

Big Daddy and his girls!

Amy and Travis joined us this year...such a treat!!!

We attempted some fireworks, but the rain only really let us do sparklers. This has been the rainest and coolest summer I can remember. It was actually in the 70's this week...a record since the late 1800s for July. We aren't complaining...........

It was way past your bedtime, sweet girl.

Later that next week, you and Daddy got to go to Otter's first "Daddy/daughter dance", Caitlyn. Daddy and I chose you a new dress and Daddy picked you out a rose. You both had such a good time...we hope this will be a tradition every year. Next year, Daddy will have two girls to dance with!!

Oh, the days of summer..................

Things we are learning.......

As always, we are learning...how to do new things, how to treat people, how to obey, what things in culture mean and on and on and on. These are just a few I have wanted to remember lately.

Let me preface this by saying, we are not shoppers. Well, at least I'm not. I have never really enjoyed it and I just haven't ventured out much with you, girls. I like to go in a store, get what I need and leave. Strange for a woman, I know...but that is me. Caitlyn, you, however are showing true signs that you will be a little fashion bug. You LOVE clothes. You love dressing up, making your own special outfits out of household items, and you are getting very particular about what you wear.
Anyway, we went into Old Navy for me to look for a dress. The two of you were in awe at all the clothes. I think you walked around with your mouths dropped open a lot of the time! When we were about to leave, you noticed the mannequins at the front of the store and said, "Mommy, are those people?" pause.."I mean did somebody kill them and use their bodies?!" I just had to laugh...I love the way your minds think.
Later that night you were telling Daddy about our experience and said.."Mommy got such a pretty dress at Old Maid!" Now that would be an interesting store!!!


You two are also learning more about what Daddy does. You so enjoy hanging out with him on my half days of work. He often will let you do something at one of his flip houses. Some days you get to demolish walls, some days you get to sweep or wash windows. On this day, he let you each paint. You loved it.

Daddy thinks he is training his future employees!!!

I always love to talk to you about what you are learning in church. Your teachers send you home with cards for mommy and daddy to discuss further what you are learning in class and children's worship. It is such a good tool to help us communicate with you about what we believe and to let you ask questions. At this point, it is us talking more than you, but I pray you will be girls that question things and want to discuss issues surrounding spirituality.

Caitlyn, you have gotten very interested in searching for scriptures. We will give you a verse and you scan the index for the book and page number and then see how quickly you can find the chapter and verse. It makes my heart glad to see your interest being peaked. You are also getting excited about memorizing verses. I love knowing the word is being hidden in your heart already.

My sweet Caroline, you are working so diligently to learn how to tie your shoes. We have a neat book that guides you....since most all our shoes are velcro or buckles. You have gotten frustrated many times, but you keep at it. I am so proud of you!

Finally, we are learning about compassion. Oh, this has been a hard one!!! When I think about the characteristics I want you to possess as you get older, this one is at the top of the list. We have gotten to experience several situations this summer with other little girls that have spurred us to really talk about treating others the way we want to be treated. It is still so hard for even mommy and daddy to do this, girls. But it is a goal we MUST strive for. Sure, to make others feel special, but more than that because WE have been shown SUCH compassion from God. The older you get, the more I know you will come to understand this truth and I pray HE continues to give us life lessons to help us practice this wonderful quality.

Lord, help us be more like Jesus in the way we treat others. Help us to have compassionate and understanding hearts when we meet people that are not like us or that are a challenge to be around. YOU never put anyone in our path that we can't love and learn from. Help Daniel and I to model this in our own lives, so the girls have a living example. Thank you for your infinite compassion and grace poured out to us every day.

June in review

When I started blogging last year my intention was to journal every week. Overall, I have done a decent job of that. I like staying current and it bothers me when I get behind. WELL.....when I realized today that I had 199 pictures on my camera to download for the month and that I had posted NOTHING of June, I decided to just do a review of the month. So..girls, know that it has been SUCH a good month...full of fun things and wonderful people. I hope you get a taste of that when you read this! Our dance year at Fellowship Dance was so full of blessing. The first of June was full of practices and performances showcasing what you learned this year. Here is your sweet class of two-four years olds!!! Anything they did was adorable!!!

Smiles with your classmates as you waited on picture time!

Caroline performing "His Banner over me is Love!"

Caitlyn, your class did two dances. The ballet dance was "My Best Friend" and the jazz was "King of the Jungle". It was amazing to me how much you improved from last year and how well you remembered your steps!!!

The three amigos.

We carpooled every week together and made fun memories!!

Your beloved teachers..."Miss" Keely and "Miss" Amy. They taught with such a Christ-centered approach and with such patience and encouragment.

We got to spend a day and night with Bradley and Thomas in Manchester. Look what we got to do....definitely a first..for Mommy, too!!!

Fun with our special friends...

Constantly in water...in some form or fashion!!!

Feeding and caring for Josue' and time with Mammi and Mimi while Mommy works

Celebrating Father's Day

Time every week with Mariana!

Girls of summer!!!!!!!!!!

And as always, Monday night softball games at Granny White Park.... a must for June!!!

It's been a different kind of summer, but good in so many ways. I am so thankful for the way you two have adusted to the new "routine". For me, my days with you have taken on a whole new meaning and are more precious than ever! Oh, how fast the time is flying. I hear it only gets faster.....................