June

 Its been a ton of fun around Ft. Smith, and I'm having trouble processing that July will be here next week.  Slow down summer! 

 Here is our June in pictures...because well...the pictures are all anybody really cares about anyway!

 

We've had family visit from Indiana.  This is Matt's older sister Kristie, Me, Matt's Cousin Amber and his oldest sister Mindy.

We spent a fun night out in Ft. Worth.  Thankful for grandparents that kept all 9 grand-kids so we could go play!

 We've stayed inside in the cool air and played a few games!

 We've gone to sprinkler parks and climbed through tunnels!

  We've hung out in the Oval Office....or a replica of the Oval Office.  The George W. Bush Presidential Library opened in Dallas during the Spring and we went and visited it with Matt's cousins.  Thanks for taking us guys!  It was a beautiful museum!

 We've played like Superman.  This big boy spent Father's Day with his Grandpa Smith and all of his Cousins at Six Flags Over Texas.  He still hasn't stopped talking about it.  Not kidding.

We've been yogurt eating junkies!

We've been watersliding like crazy!

 We've been in the pool a lot.  My baby is jumping off of the diving board!  I call him Boo-boo.  He asked me why...I told him because I love him.  He said..."Could you please just call me Rustin?".  Instead I'm calling him "Cupcake"...according to him that is worse.  Mission Accomplished.

 We've had some amazing play-dates with some of their best friends.

And this handsome man even got to go deep sea fishing.  I'd say we're pretty blessed...here's looking to a July full of just as many amazing memories!

Pictures

 Some days they get along so well...

 ...they'll play together for hours.

Even taking turns!  

Their reward...getting to play with every tub of Play-Doh we own.  This is a HUGE privilege.  (Frivolous fact about me:  I despise play-doh and have even been known to throw it away when given to us as a gift.)

  Loving these two and the sweetness this rainy summer morning brought on.

Down & Dirty Mud Run

 He ran...

 He Climbed...

 He Finished!!!

 It was a beautiful Sunday Morning and this little man sat with me while we watched his Daddy and Brother complete a Big & Muddy Race.

 This was your first race, Ryder, and you did awesome!

 I love you and the determination you showed.

 Your eye was on the prize...you said "You know I don't like being last, Mom".

You weren't.  Winner, winner Chicken Dinner!!!

Summer Mornings

This. Is. Our. Summer. Mornings. 

 

Good Morning Glory! 

Last Day of Preschool

This boy had an amazing year!  The last day of Preschool was splash day with all of his friends!

 Ryder...I can't believe how much you have grown up this year.  Today was your last day of Preschool EVER!!  How can that be?  The first day we walked through those doors I carried you on my hip.  You were only 10 months old!  My eyes filled with tears when we walked in for the last time you'd be a preschooler.  I'm pretty sure your Dad will have to sedate me when you get married ;)

My little on his first and last days this year!  Bye-bye baby cheeks!

My big...thankfully you look sort of the same to me...I love you just the way you are!

My Dad

This is my Dad and my Husband.  I don't know what I'd do without either of them.

Monday night I took a phone call from my Mom that took the wind out of me. I couldn't catch my breath, I grabbed my keys and got in the car.  I drove praying the entire way.   My Dad had collapsed at work and was very dizzy.  He had a stroke. It was a small stroke to the lower cerebral part of his brain.   Within a few hours he was walking again and his speech had recovered.  We were very lucky.

In case you didn't know this...we'd be lost without you.  You've always been there.
You left work and came straight to our ball games without even eating dinner.
You sat at the kitchen counter and did Math homework with us after working 10-hour days.
You quizzed us on the night before big tests.
You are the best puke cleaner upper/wet wash cloth giver in the world.
You're a good cook and always made us laugh when you said you were going to make a "dump" cake.
You used to chew tobacco when you mowed the grass and bribed me with Circus Peanuts to keep me from telling Mom.
You took me to college and walked the entire campus with me, my schedule, and a map the week before school started.
You bought a old junker truck to drive, so I could have a nice car at college.  When the junker got stolen off the parking lot while you were at work, you and Mom just drove each other to work instead of taking my car.
In a 3-year period you lost your entire immediate family...and never once did I see you feeling sorry for yourself...do you know how strong you are?
 You walked me down the aisle and you were there when both of the boys were born...even driving 2-hours after working all day to see Rustin late at night.

I guess what I'm saying is I love you to the moon and back...I couldn't ask for a better Daddy...and I want you here for a lot longer.   Don't do this to us again...take your medicine and listen to the Doctor and remember We love you!!!

Mother's Day

You two complete me.  I feel hugely blessed that I get to call both of you Son and you get to call me Mom.  My life would be empty without you!  Thank you for making Mother's Day so special...XOXO