Just Imagine

I don't even have any pics for this part of the post.

I had this moment tonight that I sat back and just truly thanked God.

Shawn came home from work to fix the car and I still had daycare kids. Meagan's horse lesson got postponed because of a fair, so we decided to go to the lake when everyone left.

Mind you, I don't dare put a suit on anymore. But we have this quiet spot on Duck Lake that you have to go down a bunch of stairs to go to. There really isn't a large beach or anything but we can take the dogs down there and throw "dummies" for them. Very rarely is anyone else down there.

We do this several times a year but haven't made it down there yet this year. Katelyn started to lose her fear over water last year, but Meagan is still a little hesitant. She hangs out on the shore.

I am watching as my husband is letting the dogs get some much needed excerise and the girls are laughing. He is playing with all 4 of them and I am wishing like heck that I had a camera to capture this precious moment. It's one of those moments that everyone is truly happy. They are laying on dad's belly and back as he is swimming around, yelling, "Get me, Get me." And nothing but giggles. It's them hugging on him and swimming to him for guidance or safety. And I watch as he gets Meagan out to him to put her little arms around his neck. I watch as he picks Katelyn up who is giggling to throw her into the water.

And I thank God. I thank God that I can appreciate this moment when so many times I let little things get to me. I thank God for our health and happiness. I thank God that as a family there are times when I don't know if we spend enough quality time together and this moment comes.

I pray that as the girls get older, they remember these little moments. That they never forget these little things that may not be Disney vacations but just love on the beach.

I did manage to get some photos a few days before of God's wonderful creations. Here are a few.

This is one of the sky after it got done raining right before the LoneStar concert.

Here are two pictures of one of our does that has gotten really comfortable out back. She walked right up to the deck almost and Shawn grabbed a couple of pics. She always comes around during the day when he is at work.

Thank God.

Girl Time!

One of my awesome daycare parents, who is also a really great friend, Renee decided to take me out for some girl time last Friday and we went to see LoneStar at the Gerber Festival. It was truly a very good concert outside with beautiful weather.

The next day, we went to Renee's house for a pig roast. One of my former daycare parents who now lives in Georgia was there. I was so excited to see her. It was a lot of fun and we all had a good time. I then got to take 4 little girls home and make a camp in my living room. But here are some pics of our fun.

Me, Renee, and Kari

For those of you that don't know Valerie, she is my daycare assistant, my right hand, and a true friend. I don't know how I would do it without her.

Meagan with Kari

30th Bash

Turning 30- To be or not to be- that is the question!

OK,
I hit the big 3-0. And I didn't go gracefully. My birthday is actually July 2nd. We had a few people over on that day and mom only had 29 candles. I figured that was God's way of approving the fact that I would be under 30 FOREVER!

So anyways, Shawn told me about a month ago that he would have to work a bunch of overtime and that I would have to hang out with family on my birthday. I could see right through that lie. Then he wanted to add onto the deck and when I told him we didn't have the money, he said, "Look, I am throwing you a surprise party for your birthday, so I want to do this." Way to cover dear. Blew that one.

So, I did what any wife would do....changed the date, got my invite list together, and totally planned it. With some family and friend help.

I was absolutely surprised by the amount of people that showed up. I missed some that I was looking forward to seeing though. Maybe soon. Shawn had some friends from work smoke fresh hams, chickens and made me a steak! Gotta love him. We had tons of food, with the help from friends and family. Shawn's sister, Charity made two awesome cakes.

Ms. Pat had a horse party up this way, so she ended up bringing Nick and gave all the kids rides. My mom also snuck a ride in as well. The kids rode the cars down the driveway and even though there aren't many pictures on the slideshow of the car event, those of us that were there late ended up racing and riding down the drive as well. Totally against my normal sober, "You are too big for that car, Get off!" Whatever!

Jammie doesn't let loose all that often. It goes against my whole good mom role (dont' even laugh, I can wish if I want to)..... so see for yourself and beware of the pictures that pop up at the end of the night. Isn't it funny how the camera comes out more after you've had a few. Lots of friend, family and fun. I had such a good time and loved hanging out with everyone....until 3:45 am!

Thanks to Shawn for working so hard on the house, even though he wasn't feeling well at all this week prior. I hope everyone that came, had fun and if you missed it, You MISSED it.

Just wish that I would have gotten more pictures of those that came.

Thanks for the fun!
Lots of love,
Jammie

4th of July

Happy 4th.
OK, well it's actually the 8th, but I am always a few days late when it comes to blogging. I have to squeeze in the time.

For the 4th of July, we went to Whitehall. Perfect. I took the girls last year when Shawn was working but we went to a different spot. The kids played at the park for the longest time and we were right on the water for the fireworks. Shawn (who is always ba- humbug when it comes to crowds), actually was thinking of making it a half day next year. Cooking out and stuff.

We have been working our butts off on the house trying to get some odds and ends done before my "surprise" birthday party next week. (SHHHHH). When I finally washed the paint off myself, I told Katelyn to get dressed. She always wants to get dolled up and I told her that she would be smart to wear pants or kapris, because we were going down by the lake. But of course, we have to look our best and she wore a skirt. I did manage to get her to grab a jacket.

Well, when we got down to the park, she saw a set of bars calling her name. She hasn't been in the gym for over a week due to holiday shut down. She begged us to walk back to the van to see if there was by chance a pair of shorts in there.

So while Shawn was walking with her, I stayed with Meagan. And got some pictures of her playing. Then one of her best buds from school came running up to give her a hug.

Her and her buddy Madison.

Meagan playing with the bars.

And...of course she finds a horse. LOL

So Shawn is gone for a while and comes back with Katelyn, totally changed into a whole different outfit. Yeah, he went all the way home so she could play. I bet ya next year, she might listen to mom's advise on wardrobe... She is glad that dad loves her so much.

So she starts spinning around and around the bar like 10 to 15 times each time she hops up there. No I am not exagerating. Shawn is standing there with the biggest grin on his face. I consider it showboating. He says, "We pay for it, might was well get our use." Parents and kids alike are just sitting there staring at her. She was in her glory.

Twirly whirly, here we go.

And then as much as she doesn't want to smile at mom with the camera, I get her to give me one. Isn't she beautiful?

Then I get a shot with Shawn, Katelyn, and Meagan.

By the time we got home the girs were tuckered out...at least one was. The other, my night owl, was still wide awake.


All in all, a great 4th of July. I am so lucky and grateful. Now wish me luck with the weather for our pig roast this weekend. I hope it doesn't rain. The mosquitoes seem to be thriving at our house, no matter how many bug zappers, yard spray, or fogging we do. Bug spray is my perfume of choice.

Just for laughs, speaking of mosquitoes, last year I was looking for more octenol for our mosquito eater and a bug zapper. While at Menards, a worker told me that they decided they were "inhumane" and quit carrying the zappers. Are you kidding me?! Is it humane for them to get a blood donation without my consent! By the way, Lowes and Home Depot carried them last year. We now have 2.

Thanks for keeping posted.

Jammie

T-Ball 2008

OK, it won't let me add words to the slide show, so we will do two seperate entries.
Meagan's T-Ball season has officially come to a close. I am so glad she found "her thing" this year. She actually likes all the tom-boyish sports like baseball, basketball, golf, ect... I know she will be a sport junkie, like her dad.

Meagan had a blast with T-Ball this year. She totally amazed Shawn and myself. She went from being in a wheelchair a year ago after having surgery to running around, hitting the ball and surprising everyone around her by how well she did.

Many family and friends came to her last game. Meagan was so excited because she got to play against Andrew and Derek. For those of you that don't know Andrew and Derek, they have been going to my daycare for 4 years and are truly her good buddies. She rooted for them just as much as her own team.

We couldn't have asked for a better coach than Coach Wall. He has made comments that he won't be coaching next year, which is a bummer. He worked well with the kids and had lots of patience. He also said that Meagan smiled the whole time and he thought she did great!

Below are pictures of her getting her trophy, family, and her just plain having fun.

Meagan's last T-Ball game 2008