Scorching Hot

This heat makes me want to do... nothing.

By the time we do t-ball and swim lessons I am D.O.N.E. for the day. 

LOVE this face. 

I can't even get the energy mustered to go back to the pool later in the day. 
My yard is a wreck... the flowers are dying a slow death.  The joint-garden at my mom's isn't looking super, either.
My house is, ummm... not pristine.  Making me crazy, but I am too hot to do too much organizing or cleaning. 
My ambitious plans to get some rooms painted this Summer... not happening.

I even had a whole organizing/painting/de-cluttering schedule made out for the Summer.  It has one item checked off.  One.  It's only July, I could get a burst of energy.  Maybe.


Ugh.  I hate 108 degrees.



It makes me look forward to Autumn, though.

I can picture the leaves changing and the cool evenings.

I can envision morning walks in the crisp air with the grass all green again.  (Our grass is dead, because why pay to water it???)

I can almost feel the breeze coming through my windows and smell the change of seasons.

Jeans and tee-shirts sound so refreshing. 
(I am wearing as few clothes as I can decently get away with this Summer.)

I can almost taste the slow-cooker soups and see the sun going down before 10pm.

Almost.

Oh, please Summer, give me a break from your crazy heat!

Love & Laughter,
abby

                          Mini-vacation post coming soon.
                 What is this picture about???  Wait and see...  :)

Professional

Somebody got his first professional haircut this week...

BEFORE...

DURING...

This picture cracks me up!  Look at my face!!!

AFTER!

Not the best after pics, but he really can't hold still for more than a moment!  And, he was tired.

So thankful for the stranger in the salon that offered to take some pictures for me.  I didn't have anyone with me to do it!  Another reason why I love living in a small town...  kindness.  :)

Love & Laughter,
abby

The season of Summer

I am so thrilled to be in the middle of the activity that is our Summer!

It feels like we are always on-the-go, but we are loving it! 

Just enough to do to keep us busy, but not crazy.

Here is a bit of what we have been up to...

There is gardening.  We are doing a joint project with my parents at their house...

Cooper rarely waters the actual garden. 
He likes to water the people. 
** Sigh..... :)


There is T-ball...

He has to be reminded to touch every base. 

 Several times, usually.

Doesn't he look pro swinging that arm across

himself after throwing a ball!

Eyes open, dearest!!!

With one of his best-buds and a Coach!

Watching 4-year-olds play ball at 8:00 in the morning is hysterical and the best way to start the day.

You should hear the coaches trying to get this crowd of crazy to do what they are supposed to do.  F.U.N.N.Y.  !!!



There is swimming at the pool and swim lessons...

Looks ready for swimming, right???

Being led by the teacher.  (Can't imagine why...) 

I make Carter wear a hat hat, otherwise his scalp

would be fried with that fair hair of his.

So much time outdoors...

Snuggling with the dogs... they are so tolerant.

It really was 100 degrees this day.  I was having heat-stroke just

watching my boy in LONG pants curled up with these furry beasts.

Crazy!  But, he loves them.

Being rewarded with a smooch!

Carter is learning to "ham" it up like his brother.  Exhibit A...

Making nearly the SAME face!

 There have been late nights and eating, uh..... well, not super healthy, I guess...

Cheetos and peaches.  Perfectly acceptable lunch around here.

Thief!

LOTS of ice cream being eaten around here.

There is keeping Carter occupied, while big brother is "doing"...

Lots of stroller time!  (He looks thrilled about it.)

He really is an easy-going, happy child.  :)

We are definitely enjoying ourselves and being together!

How are YOU spending Summer?  I would love to hear...

Love & Laughter,

abby

On my heart

Friday and Saturday I have BIG plans.

There will be lots of standing.

There will be wheeling-and-dealing.

There will be heat.

There will be miracles.

I am going to spend the entire 2 days helping my very dearest bestie, Jennifer and her family run a yard sale that will be a step in bringing in the money needed to rescue a child.

RESCUE. A. CHILD.

This family is so full of goodness and so full of Him.  They are being called, being led down a road, that not all would have the courage to face without KNOWING how it was all going to happen.  How it would all "work out".

They are stepping out with their faith and their trust in God.

We know this miracle will happen.

They will bring a miracle home.

If it is on your heart, help us make it happen.

This Friday and Saturday (starts tomorrow!) 
Huge (Adoption Fundraising) Yard Sale
GracePointe Assembly of God
Corner of 7th & Harter, Winfield

Bless each and every one of you who are praying this child home.

Love & Laughter,
abby

Someone who can always make me laugh

Cooper is downright funny.  Over the past couple of weeks he has said and done things that have made me laugh so hard, and when I REALLY needed it.

For instance...

While discussing his rockin' new haircut he asked, "Mommy, when will I be big enough to grow rug burns like my daddy?"

While attending a family reunion with his Grandma Judy, he informed people they were kinda like twins.  How so???  "I am the stinkin', rotten grandchild and SHE is the stinkin', rotten grandma."  (A favorite phrase between them.)

He is "spelling" words out to me.  The spelling is rarely correct, unless he happens to remember the way I spelled something.  The other day walking through the grocery store he asked me how to spell hiney.  I mistakenly spelled butt.  I was distracted and busy.  You know, shopping.  He sang a song about b.u.t.t. through the rest of the trip around the store.  I couldn't help but laugh at the looks we were getting.

He had this little dance party...

Tee hee hee!  So funny.

This was after his dance-off... wore himself out!!!

He loves to make up jokes that make no sense.  The funny part is the way he laughs at them.  Giggling with joy at how witty he is.



He asked to have some "SILLY" pictures.  I had to oblige.

This one is actually sweet.  But it was the only one taken that could be in the sweet category!

This one would fall under the silly category.

He adores his brother.  Can be a little rough, but ADORES him.

I have been very thankful for this beautiful, blessing in my life.  Not only does he make me laugh daily, but he also is the sweetest snuggler in the world.  He has really helped me feel love and comfort over the past weeks.

Love & Laughter,
abby

Going on about the business of living and laughing...

Life in our home continues...  Never a dull moment.


Setting the table, I came back to discover our resident (adorable) climber helping.

Look at that face!  Totally caught in the act.

"Mom, forks are fun!!!" 

(For all the safety freaks out there, I was concerned about a potential fall from the table onto the forks.  I removed them from his hand as soon as I got this picture.)

"Back to the highchair, boy!" 

I gave him his little fork to play with while I finished setting the table.  He doesn't look nearly as excited, does he?

Oh good, there's a cheesey smile.  :)

On a different note, I want to thank everyone for all the prayers, thoughts, love, cards, messages, flowers and hugs over the past few weeks.  It has meant so much and I feel like I am coming up out of the pit of sadness I have been living in.  I know I am not completely healed, but I am feeling more like myself everyday.  Thank you for all your love.  I can not put into words what it has meant to me and my family. 

Much LOVE & Laughter,

abby

A Beautiful Family

My dearest friend is "expecting on paper", as she likes to say.  They are entering the waters of adoption and are sailing right along.  This family is one I aspire to be more like.  They are beautiful, firstly on the inside.  Kind, nurturing, loving.  And they are gorgeous on the outside as well.  I can't imagine a family better suited to the process of adoption.  Read their story here.

They are working on the paperwork and the homestudy process.  Oh, how I remember.  It can be daunting.  They will persevere, it will be accomplished.

Right now there are ways anyone can help with this adventure.  Prayer would be wonderful.  There are ways to help financially too.  There is going to be a yard sale at the end of June, you can donate your treasures to.  And if you are in the Winfield area, you should definitely come check it out on the 24th and 25th.

There are also some great t-shirts that you can purchase and part of the proceeds go to this dear family.

I know the process and how daunting it can feel...  The paperwork is never-ending and the money feels like an impossible number.  Thank you to everyone who can support them in prayer, well-wishes, and with any financial gifts.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Love & Laughter,
abby