My trip to Mommy's house in Maine

Last summer was a sad time.My Mommy passed away.You always dread the day that a parent dies-and when it actually happens,it is so much harder than what you could ever imagine!!!!It is hard so many days because I am wanting to pick the phone up and call her and wanting to see her.She is not here,I cant hear her voice or see her again,that makes me sad.The one thing that has gotten me through, is in the promise that our Lord gives to us each and everyday-that is- the hope,life,victory,and excitement of the place He has for us in Heaven!!!! It will be such a glorious place that we cant even wrap our brains around,nor should we try!!!!The song I have playing on the post right now is by Chris Tomlin-it talks of a peace beyond all understanding,for what we know is to be true,is that--Jesus has overcome,the grave is overwhelmed,He is our rock and salvation-because of this,it is well with our soul!!Listen to this song---it is a comfort in time of great loss.(I am having trouble putting it on the playlist-may or maynot be on there) I know for sure that Mommy is walking with Jesus,old and new saints,and all of the family that has gone before her.But above all-she has left behind the sorrow,pain,disappointment,regret,mourning,and crying of this world!!I take great joy in this!!!!! I miss her dearly,yet know she is in such a beautiful place!!!
The plane trip was a hard one-actually seeing me and Phillippe flying into Maine was very hard.
When we arrived at Mommys house,that was most difficult.Something that was good for me as well.Here is Jake,Mommys husband and his daughter,Jody.They made us Maine lobsters the first night we were there.
Jake putting a lobster to sleep.
Me and Jake.
Lobsters---before and after!!
Here we are at our feast.We had a great time!!!Lots of laughter and family time--both what we needed.
Here we are with Jody--it was so good getting to know her-we had a good time with her.
The second night we we there,we met with my dads cousin that we had never met before---Chris,and her husband,Cliff and their daughter Meagan!!
The third night we made chalupas and the works and Chris,Cliff,and Meagan came over.
Here i am cutting up lettuce!!
Susan,Cliff,and Jody.

Phillippe cleaned up Mommys garden--one of her biggest loves--her garden!!!!!!!
Mommy and Jakes sweet house!!!
Mommy and Jake loved to sit outside and enjoy nature--here is a spot they would sit.
It was very healing to be at her house-very rough at first,but it ended up being what we all needed-she left behind 8 wonderful children--and we will pass on to our children the gifts that she has given to us!! We love you,Mommy!!!!!

The Boys Cooking!

I try to get the boys in the kitchen to have them help me cook-they love it and it is so good for them! Here we are cooking tacos-they did everything,even set the table.The stool that Gray is standing on is his stool---it helps him and he loves being close to the counter.
The boys then made brownies to take to a friends house--they did everything all the way down to licking the bowl!!!!! The brownies actually tasted good!!!!

Alec's Birthday Party!!

We went to one of Gray's friends,Alec, birthday party.It was so great because it was the simple party with hamburgers,pin-the-tail-on the donkey,pinata,and treasure hunt.It was much more personal than the normal party that you go and rent the place for a few hundred dollars and miss out on sweet fellowship.Grayson did not know that his girlfriend was going to be there--he was very surprised and pleased,to say the least!!!!! When i went outside to take this picture-i counted to 3-well,right when i said 3-he put his arm on Alyssa!!LIL' sly boy!!!
Pin-the-tail on the donkey.
They had a blast busting the pinata!!
They had a treasure hunt,Marion read the clues for the kids.
Here they are still searching having so much fun!!!
Almost found it!!!!
THE TREASURE!!
My babies are so sweet-just really don't think i could love them anymore!!!!!
The party crew!!
Happy Birthday,Alec!!!!!

My time with the boys!!!!

We have about 6-7 acres that is behind our house that we love to hang out on.A man that owns it has a big blueberry patch and he lives elsewhere-so we just act like it is ours!!! Just about every night,we take Samson for a walk and hang out there for about an hour and a half.When we go in the back- I become a dog-walkin',woods explorin',football thrown',up-a hill-bike haulin',writin-in-the-sand,simon-says playin',dirt covered,fort buildin' momma!!!!!!! I absolutley love this time with my babies and I know they need this mommy-lovin them time!!!
This is way far back into the land by the water-tower.This is where we play most of the time.
Samson loves to eat grass,sticks and everything in between!! The boys eat some of it also!!
Marion and his buddy!
We go hiking back behind the water tower-its better in the winter-not so grown up.
Here are the boys playing.
The boys are on there way back to the house.
Marion and Samson.
This is the hill that the boys love to ride there bikes down-small,but big thrill!
I have to help get Graysons bike up the hill-thats where the bike-haulin' comes in--and I have to do it over and over again-but I dont mind,thats my baby!!!

Grayson's Easter Egg Hunt!

I went to the park with Grays class to hunt eggs,have lunch,and play.Here is his class getting off the bus soooo excited about the hunt!
Here they are seeing all of the eggs all over the park.
On your mark!....get set!......
GO!!!!!
Love that baby--he wants his hair long like his bubba's---lovely growing out stage!!!!
I brought him Sonic for lunch,but he was most excited about the cherry in his drink!!
Here is Gray and Alyssa--he wanted her to put her arm on him!! Boy,oh,boy!!!!!!

Another weekend camping!!

Here is our sweet lil pop-up that we enjoy!! After shooting a wedding, the guys had everything set up-J left the lights on for me!!
Grayson playing with turtles with friends he had made.
Just love this picture!!What more can I say;)!!!!
This weekend theme was snipe hunting-they taught them how to snipe hunt--this is the "good luck" roast!!
This is Misti Ray and she was singing soo awesome at her campsite,that we made her come sing for us-we later found out she just made an album.We meet so many neat people at Whispering Pines!!
Here they are being taught to snipe hunt!! :)!!!!!!!
They are actually snipe hunting here!!
This is a great picture of the boys during their hunt--before Marion found out about snipe hunting.
Here is the reaction I got when I told Marion snipe's weren't real!!
Marion was fine after a couple of minutes because he found himself a frog!!
Here is Gray still snipe hunting--so sweet!!I never did tell him about snipe hunting-he will find out one of these days.

Traditions with Lee & Leona!

We went to eat with a couple that lives about 2 houses down from us.They are Lee & Leona.They are absolutely so sweet,bringing us banana bread,keeping Grayson after school when J & I are working,helps Marion with math problems(since Lee is a math wizard!)and is always there for us!!!!
My sweet babies!!!
Here is Lee holding Grays hand across the parking lot-he is very protective!!!Marion got stuck holdin Grays Diego backpack.
We are blessed to have Lee & Leona!!