Jack is Five

Jack loves animals.  I mean LOVES animals.  For his 5th birthday, we had a fun safari.  Our adventurers arrived and put on the binoculars, safari vests and hats.  We decorated our vests and embarked on a safari to find some animals in the "jungle".  The kids seemed to really enjoy and it was so special to celebrate Jack's 5th birthday!  Our Jack is such an amazing boy.  He has turned into a sweet, cute, loving, discovery-filled boy.  We are so proud of him and that God chose us to be his parents.

Our sweet Jack on all his "birthdays"...

He sure has grown up.  Up next is Jack's first day of Kindergarten, Kate's birthday and Kate's first day of three year old preschool!  I am sure loving life.

Summer Who?

Here we are, 2 weeks into August and I haven't blogged in six weeks!  That is half our summer and school starts in one short week!  I am self-admitted blog-stalker and I have noticed there is less blogging in the blogosphere from parents with kids.  Our summer hasn't been "busy" per se packed with all kinds of travel and such, but busy living.  I am working two full days and watching my nieces and nephew one day, so that leaves two days for errands, chores, appointments and if any, playdates.  We been around just doing life and watching our babies grow into little kids - almost 5 and 3.  Our days were filled with cousin fun, play-doh (some homemade too), Chick-Fil-A dates, haircuts, first dentist visits and some rainy days.  Here are some highlights of the rest of our summer:

I am grateful that even though some days were tough, I was glad to be able to spend some time with my kids doing summer stuff.  These days are limited and spending time with family and friends is what is precious.  School starts next week for our big kindergartner and his favorite 3-year old sister.  I am excited about they will learn this year and how they will grow.  So, we will enjoy this last week we have together and get ready to start and new school year and new adventures!

Seagrove Beach

June 17 we left for beautiful Seagrove Beach with the entire crew...6 adults, 6 kids.  Some call us crazy, but as in Jon and Kate + 8 words, "it may be a crazy life, but it is our life".  We rented a 5 bedroom house just a short walk to the beach.  We had great weather and our days were spent eating, beaching, swimming in the pool and exploring the surroundings.  It was a fun vacation!

The boys watching Cars 2 on the ride over.

Reese in her "cage" to minimize disasters.

Shady Business

Over the past few weeks, I have felt bombarded with something very disturbing and interesting.  What I am about to talk about may make you uncomfortable, but God has been tugging at my heart to write this down.  Have you heard of Fifty Shades of Grey?  This is a book, a New York Times Best Seller mind you, that has been discussed and lauded as a great book.  This book is pornagraphy.  If you want a brief plot synopsis go here.  Have you heard of Magic Mike?  This movie released recently is about male strippers.  If you haven't heard of these, you probaby don't watch that much TV and I applaud you for that.  What you don't know, may be good for you!  In any case, I am appauled at how recently Christian women have been reading this book (with much happiness) and watching movies like these and justify them as okay or helping their marriage.  They are pornography.  In the church we condemn men so much about pornography and forget to mention the women who "justify" reading and watching things because it doesn't "affect us that much".  It does affect you.  Images stay in our minds forever and written words can create images that last forever.  According to science, images (and images we create via reading), go directly into long-term memory where they are indelibly etched. 

I just want our hearts and minds to be pure and know women are being allowed to ride a slippery slope that men are not.  Why should it be different?  If you aren't a Christian, I am still saddended by the fact you have to fill your mind with sexual sin, but if you are turn away, RUN from it.  Girls night out going to see a risque movie or discussing in book club is not what Jesus would want, nor your husband.  Would you want your husband to go see a movie about strippers or read Playboy?  We are then opening our minds to lust.  Proverbs 4:3 states it beautifully, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it".  God is watching us, our little ones are watching, our friends, those who lacking in their walk, those that are seeking His love.  A friend of mine shared this on Facebook and it is a great article worth reading : "I'm Not Reading Fifty Shades of Grey".  Another friend posted this post on her blog and I couldn't agree more.

My desire, as much as I fail and sin and need rescuing, is to strive to walk in His ways.  I have to guard my mind and heart every day against temptation.  Most women have a knack for discernment and we must use that in a biblical way.  If your friends are reading these books (and it is a triology) or watching movies that promote "justifiable fun" tell them it is not right.  Or, if you have read or watched, ask God to remove thost images and replace them with things of above.  He is greater than sin and the filth of this world.  Please, ladies, let's guard our hearts against this "Shady Business".

Trips 4th Birthday

It is official, the triplets are 4!  Kimberly had a small family gathering and they each got to pick their own decor and theme.  She set of three different tables so they could each be special that day.  Blake picked Batman, Paige had Rapunzel and Claire picked Cinderella.  (All the pics were taken with my phone, so not great quality).

Next up is VPK for these three and they sure are ready!

Blueberries

Blueberries kicked off our summer season.  We headed east to Blueberry Springs and picked some blueberries with friends and swam in the river.  I love living in the South!  We invited some friends and had a great time!  It is a "You Pick, You Pay" type deal and we picked about 1/3 gallon.

Also, we have some awesome news about Kate...she is potty trained.  No, not training, but trained.  We started last Tuesday and the first day was rough!  I think 6 changes of clothes.  The next day, maybe 1 and has been accident free for a week - number 1 AND 2.  So proud of her and she is so stinkin' cute in her panties.  Yay for no more diapers!