Garden, Grime and Giggles

Off to work on the garden!

already a mess from being in the sandbox....then in the kiddy pool.....now the garden - this should be fun!

Abbigail digs right in.....

little sis stands by to learn the ropes....(our sad beans that the deer ate up - can't believe they are still producing like mad!)

Yes! I got it.....we're digging dirt and collecting dirt - got it!

let's see what else I can find.....

thinning the carrots.....

pulling the lettuce - wished that would stay tasty all summer long - but alas it's bitter now.....
Quite hard for Miss A.....

till she learned to pull at the root!

little snack break - nothin' like a green onion right before bed - maybe that's why when she was crying late tonight and I went to rock her she let out a gutsy burp???

Farmer Abbigail

our very own corn maze!

my little gardeners....

time to strip down and wash off the grime.....

but not the giggles!!!! (even after big sis doused her with water from her watering can!)

Midnight Mind Wanderings

"In spending yourself you become rich."

Not sure where I found this quote but I love it - hence the reason it's on my FB page.....hence the reason I have a few thoughts on it.....hence the reason I am STILL on here after midnight! So if I get rambling, I apologize :)

America is sure messed up.....not that that is news to you I'm sure.....but seriously.....we think that THINGS will make us happy. How could a new couch or car or house or cat make us eternally happy? Temporarily - yes - but eternally - absolutely NOT!

Does that mean that we should never buy these things? NO - No. We just shouldn't be focused on it.

Our goal in life should not be to make SELF happy.

Another area America is messed up - everything is about SELF-esteem.....yes we should have a proper self-image but our lives should be about esteeming OTHERS. When we esteem others we now have self -esteemed as well. Problem solved.

Try it! I'm sure you have......don't you feel so blessed when you do something for someone else? God wasn't joking when He said "It is more blessed to give than to receive". It truly is.

In living this out, you become the rich one. Not the one who has the material possessions - but you who are spending yourself on others. Spending your time, talents, efforts and perhaps money. Not rich monetarily but rich in your heart - rich in love and joy and purpose.

I love how God goes against common principle and defies all logic. How can you spend and yet be rich? That doesn't make any sense at all.......but in God's eternal perspective it all becomes clear.

When you choose to spend yourself on others - you will be rich....eternally, that's all that matters.

Daddy and His Princesses

Really....is there anything sweeter?

Oh how I love my Hub and his love for his little girls. The giggles when he walks through the door.....the running full tilt into his arms.....the vice-grip hugs.......the sweet little kisses.....and then the chatter about absolutely EVERYTHING that went on that day..... says it all - they LOVE LOVE LOVE their Daddy!

I just stand back....listen....watch..... and silently thank God for:
THIS Daddy for these girls.

Louisiana

6 am and we're off!

uh-oh......full plane....flying standby is quite the adventure!

Eating at Chili's Restaraunt in the airport - killing time mostly

missed three planes in Atlanta and ended up having to take a hotel for the night

we felt we deserved a jacuzzi suite after all we'd endured!

Yeah! We're finally here! Eating out at Strawns Restaraunt.

Dr. Laura getting Eric's TPN (food) ready for the night. Eric getting the TPN calories and also being able to eat any food he puts in his mouth, he's gained back most all of his weight and looks great!

Eric and Matt taste testing some sweet peppered bacon for brunch!

an onion must only be cut with the onion goggles in Laura's kitchen!

Some amazing Southern Barbeque

fun in the kitchen - like old times

AMAZING Cherry Limeades - Matt informed me that he has been dreaming of them ever since - I thought they were good but maybe not QUITE that amazing.....:)

pure Heaven on a hot and humid day.....the neighbor graciously allowed us to use her pool whenever we wanted

taking a walk on the board walk

nothin' like a late night swim

Laura and I went out for dinner and then to the board walk for fancy desserts - we found this little cupcake place and devoured some delicious overpriced desserts :)

Goodbyes are always hard....

the standby trip home was a breeze and the last two flights we enjoyed first class - let's just say Matt enjoyed all the beverages and snacks of choice :)

NOTHING like coming home to happy girls! Thanks to my sister-in-law, mom and sister who kept things in order while we were gone - you were a huge blessing to us!

What a wonderful trip! So so blessed that we could take a week without kids and enjoy time with our friends. We were so grateful that God provided cheap tickets and unexpected financial blessings from friends. He never ceases to amaze us!

Berube Family Fun

Welcome to our house Adeah - can we do your hair for you?

Adeah showing Abbigail the art of Fizz drinks!

Fourth of July "Fireworks"......more like mosquito works!

best seat in the house - on top of the car!

making buns with cousin Heath and Auntie Donna

giggling cousins - music to my ears....

Ella was treated like a queen all week being pushed around the house in the shopping cart!

Popcorn eating cousins! They were inseparable all week!

Crazy Donna and sweet Michelle :)

a sweet little penguin and her mother

enthralled with the wrestling bears!

Grandma and 5 of her 8 grandchildren