I Love it When....

My mom calls at the beginning of the week and says something like, "Your Dad and I are heading to the lake this weekend.  Do you, Matt, and the girls want to come?"

DO WE?!!!!!!

Hope, Fear, Trust....

It has been a little bit of a roller coaster the past couple of weeks! 

A few weeks ago, Matt and I decided we might should try selling our adorable (or at least, that is what I call it) house!  A very dear family friend built our house when we were engaged, and we have loved it!  We love our neighbors, the area, and have truly enjoyed everything about our home.  But, our family has reached full capacity, and we may at some point grow out of this wonderful home.

So, our thoughts are while the rates are low, we will put our house on the market, pray about it, and see what happens.  Well, it was meant to be!  We have signed a contract, and our house has been on the market for only a week!  So, now more than ever I am praying for complete trust and peace in this situation.  And, I am putting all my energy into hunting for our next house.  We are so excited, hopeful, and sometimes a little bit nervous!!  What an adventure!!!

Hooray!!

I haven't posted this until now because I am afraid I might jinx it, but here goes:

MAGGIE HAS HAD NO ACCIDENTS IN THE LAST FIVE DAYS!!!!!!

Not only that, but she has told me when she has to go!  Yay for my big girl in her big girl panties!

Monday Sweetness!

Here's to You, Dad!!!!!

I Love Celebrating Dads!! 

I know that it's because I was blessed with such a sweet one!

Then, I married Matt and gained a terrific Father-in-law!

Then, Matt and I had Maggie and Kerri Grace.  I think that's when my eyes were opened fully to how thankful I am.  He is wonderful at his role of Daddy!

Thank you, Lord, for showing us how to love and blessing our family with these amazing dads!  We celebrate them and are grateful for them today!

Aloha!!!!

Thursday night, we went to a Luau at Grandma Oliver's "apartment."  Grandma had a good time.  Really, all it takes to make her happy is for her family to spend time with her.  Maggie had a blast!!!  She danced, and danced, and danced some more.  We were all sweating (not glowing, sweating) by the end of the party.  And, to me, that means it was a successful dance party!  Am I right?! 

*Sidenote:  I have already told Matt that I want to be in this Assisted Living Home when the time comes.  In fact, Matt teases me and says he thinks that I want to be there right now, because I get so excited talking about this great place.  They really do the neatest things for their residents, and I am thankful that my grandmother is well taken care of.*

What to do on a Sizzling Sunday...

Cool off with good friends at the lake.  That's exactly what we did on Sunday, and it was so refreshing.  Not only did we get to spend time in the cool water during a blazing hot summer day, but we got to do that in the company of our small group.  Matt and I say this all the time...we really have such a great small group!  People who love the Lord, enjoy having a good time, and also can "dig in" deep into the lives of one other.  It is a rarity, for sure, and we are thankful! 

*By the way, I was actually a participant in the lake day, but I was behind the camera.*

We Are So Blessed!

Saturday was a very special day for us! Kerri Grace was dedicated along with our small group friends' baby, sweet Mac Smith. It was a wonderful service. Our pastor, Joey, did an awesome job of expressing all of the points we wanted to make, and he also hit on some great biblical truths that we needed to hear. Being a parent is such a blessing and such a challenge. Matt and I are constantly being refined by our roles of Mommy and Daddy, and we are so grateful that God has entrusted us with these precious girls! We are so thankful to our family and friends that support us, pray for us, and keep us accountable in what is one of the most important roles we have here on Earth. Here are some pics from Kerri Grace's dedication:

As a Mother of Two Who is About to Turn the big 3 O......

I find this hilarious!  Pause the play list, watch, and listen.

Does that crack you up or just me?

Don't Blink!

My girls are growing up so fast!

Big Girl Maggie....

Doesn't she look so old with her hair pulled up, and her big girl panties on?  Also, she has those thin, long legs that she undoubtedly inherited from her mommy.  Your welcome, kiddo!

Big Girl Kerri Grace...

Supporting her weight all by herself!!  She also has started playing copy cat, eating real food, and showing her frustration a lot more deeply.  Not to mention, she will be a year old in about six weeks...What in the World!!!

Third Day and Counting....

We are doing pretty well with the potty training!  The hardest part is the cabin fever that Mommy gets after any length of time in the house. 

I don't know why I never anticipate parenting being difficult.  Potty training was no different.  I thought Maggie would have it down quickly and not give me a hard time about it.  Well, she has done really well, but it has not been the fantasy.  Good, but not perfect.  I am thankful for good!

Today she has had two accidents and three successes!  We celebrate that ratio!

Funny mental picture for all of you out there.....Maggie running through the house to get to the potty (a little too late) sporting just her damp big girl panties, jellies, mommy's lipstick smeared across her face, and a huge smile.  It doesn't get any cuter than that, folks!

Afternoon....Not so Great.

We had three accidents this afternoon.  Two of them were back to back....what?!  So, is there a formula for figuring out how often to take your toddler to the potty?  Any advice is welcome!

Correction....

3 Times in the Potty!  Whooohooo!

Potty Boot Camp

Doing well so far!  Maggie has gone tee-tee twice in the potty and had one tee-tee accident.  She is rockin' her big girl panties (which show off her oh-so-tiny rear)!  She has had one stubborn moment, but it passed quickly.  We shall see what the rest of the day holds!  Wish us luck!

It's Go Time!!!

Go to the Potty, That Is! 

On Monday, we are going to be on "lock down" in the Gaymon house...for two or three days, at the least.  Maggie will be sporting her big girl panties and hopefully putting her #1's and more importantly her #2's in the potty!  I think she is ready. 

At playgroup last week, the kiddos swam in Maggie and Emma's pool.  Maggie and Emma's mommy was so smart to put a potty close by for the girls to use.  My Maggie was the first to say she needed to go, and then tinkle in the potty!    Yay!  What a big girl to initiate and to make it to the potty before going!  I was beaming with pride!  So, here are some pictures of the fun in the pool and the fun on the potty!

And the one we've all been waiting for......

Hip, Hip Hooray!!!

The Wedding Day!

I know that some of you have been waiting for pictures from Kerri and Brian's wedding.   I didn't use my camera very much that weekend....due to the fact that we were busy celebrating and trying our best to make the rain stop.   The rain did not stop.  In fact, it came down the entire ceremony and reception.  And yet, the Bride was breathtaking, calm, and had a great time!   Therefore, the rest of us had a blast, too!!  Here are a few shots (that I copied from the photographer or others) from the fun day!  We are so glad that Brian is part of the family and even more thankful that he makes Kerri so happy.  Here's to the newlyweds.....The Beekmans!!!

This is one of my favorites!

We got a few shots with the bride and groom on the Gaymon's front porch...beautiful!

Taking a "spin" on the dance floor!

Maggie thought the entire party was meant for her!  She had such a great time!