Rainbow In July

So thankful that after a storm a beautiful rainbow will always appear. This rainbow made my heart smile as it shone brightly for all to see.

Psalm 145:14 The Lord uoholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

Cousin Camp 2014

On our way home from our long weekend in San Antonio we gained two extra kids for a week. This week is is all about Cousin time. We always enjoy some special one on one time with Cousins during the summer. We are ready for a fun filled week.

My Favorites

My heart was in need of a long weekend away with my favorites. So thankful for this weekend and the opportunity to celebrate our biggest a little early! 

Finding Beauty

July. Some of the days during this month just sting, and leave me feeling broken and bruised. The past two days I have just wanted to straight up hide and wallow in my sadness with a bag of Peanut M&M's and Starbucks coffee. But, then I was gently reminded that I don't have any M&M's and there is not a Starbucks in our town.... that is a whole other sadness.
July days can catch me off guard at the slightest thought and reflection of Landry, and the precious boy he would be growing in to. I simply yearn for him just as I did four years ago when we were hoping, planning, and dreaming about our littlest and all he would be and become. The memories are still very fresh and can leave my heart aching.
However, while that hurt can still be present and creep in with out warning, the hurt will always heal with time. I can say that I am marked and bruised, but over time God has taken my hurt and hard days, and made me happy again. He has taken my sorrow and made me smile. God has allowed me to see what He sees. He has shown me that when things are not always perfect or easy, they can still be beautiful.
God makes things beautiful in time. We must just hang in there and walk this road with patience, and when we do, we will see that pain has been replaced with absolute hope and joy.

" He has made everything beautiful in its time. " Ecclesiastes 3:11

4th of July

This Fourth of July was all about exploring and creating new memories. I will admit I was thankful to have a full day with my family,  but part of me really missed Temple and our traditions that we had formed while we were there. So, I think this year was sort of bittersweet for me. 

We started the day with donuts and taking the kids to see How To Train Your Dragon 2. Nothing like starting your day with donuts and popcorn! After a local Fire Department in Katy was hosting an Open House. Tyler has as a huge love for anything involving Fire Stations and looks up to all Fire Firefighters. He has had this admiration for a while. Both Ty and GK had a great time exploring.... even in the heat! Well, we lasted about an hour. We left covered in sweat, so a trip to sonic for Happy Hour was a must. 

We were going to venture back out for Fire Works, but Tyler was complaining of is head and tummy hurting. He took a 3 hour nap in the early evening, which is not like him.... but woke up feeling so much better. I think he was tired and in need of some rest. Thankfully, we could see the fireworks from our backyard... they were far away, but you could still get the effect and the kids thought it was fun. 

Even though bittersweet this year, I am so thankful for the memories we created this year as a family. That is what this move has been about. One new memory at a time.

Summer Love

Yesterday we were invited to a fun pool that had so much to offer. Tyler and Georgia Kate both loved exploring this new pool. There were four water slides, and that is why Tyler is not in this picture. Between the slides and diving boards Tyler was occupied. This summer, Tyler has become very independent and simply loves all the new things we are experiencing this summer. I love my days with him and Georgia Kate. I thought I would long for our Temple summers, but there is so much to offer here during the summer that we are all having so much fun.
Georgia Kate loves the water and sun. She also had so much fun with her friends sliding over and over on the frog slide, and running through the pool splash pad. Just so you know, Gk saw her BFF, Charlotte getting her picture and she had to have one, too.
So thankful for these summer days even when the rays of sadness leave a mark on me as I remember back to 4 years ago. Thankfully, those marks of summer sadness are filled with absolute hope that we will all be whole and together again in Eternity. This month I cling to the goodness that Landry brought our family. This month we choose joy.

Nine Years

July 2, 2005 was the day I said, I do I am beyond thankful for Ryan, and I simply love and and adore walking this journey with him. I love you so much, Ryan. Thank you for simply being the best. I am looking forward to the next nine years with you, and all that God has in store for us.