Fibs

 I may have told you that you are required to turn these sheets into your Kindergarten teacher when school starts.

 That isn't exactly true.... 

Mornings

He is one with the remote control and that little orange plate of cinnamon toast sticks.  This is how he loves to spend his mornings.  This. is. Ryder. 

Meet Bolt

 They asked for a cat...

...we came home with a fish.  Proudly introducing our newest member (who's actually been with us for almost 2 months)....Bolt.

Moments like this...

A sunny morning, two swings and the sweetest little blonde headed monsters in the world.  You two are my everything.

Moments like this make me eternally grateful that God picked me to be your Momma .  Words can not describe how much I love you!

Target Practice

His Granddaddy's childhood BB-Gun, his Dad and a Cereal Box target.  This was happening.  Ryder wants nothing more than to go hunting with his Dad and Grandpa.  Being perfectly honest it's not about the hunt...it's about the camouflage walky-talky radios he is convinced they'll have to buy for the trip.  I love his priorities.

Around Here

Around here I can always count on a few things.

Innocence.

Being Silly.

And that being Silly will always escalate into Mad.   This picture is a perfect representation of their personalities...my little spit-fire vs. the kind at heart.  Love you both just the way you are...

Charlie

This is Charlie.  You've seen him on our blog before.   Don't let this expression fool you...he loves me...but despises my camera  (and so does everyone else in this house).  He gets tugged on, stepped on, forgotten outside, muddy, scolded, hugged on, runs away, comes back home...and through it all we couldn't ask for a better dog.  He's our boy!

In case you were wondering he is a "Cava-poo".  This is a cross breed between a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and a Toy Poodle.  The poodle makes him hypoallergenic.  He doesn't shed a single hair...ever.  I'm not sure where his lashes come from...I love them.

Ryder was super excited to show him King Charles on TV yesterday during the Royal Baby footage.  He said...there's your Dad, boy!  I didn't correct him...just nodded and agreed that Charlie was probably very excited to see his "Dad".  

XOXO

I'm not gonna lie...sometimes you drive me right to the edge of crazy...and then you look at me like this.  You are the best Ryder ever and I wouldn't want you any other way.

Last week you asked your Gran why Mommy picked you to be her little boy.  She responded..."Mommy didn't pick you.  God picked Mommy for you.".  I'm giving many thanks to God tonight...I love this boy like crazy and I'm blessed to be his Momma...and I'm glad He picked my Momma for me...she fits me perfectly.    XOXO

It's tough

It is tough being 5 almost 6 years old.  Just ask him...there is absolutely nothing to do. 

Hey Mr.!  Go outside!  You're only this age once!

Love you more than you love Curious George...and that is a lot of loving!

His Life

Right now...these are his life.  We have three sets.  The sky would fall if they were lost. Rustin...I pray you are always this passionate about the things and people you love!

Camp

Ryder-
Everyday you show me how much you are growing up.  I am sure that I would not have gone to a camp where I knew no one when I was 5-years old.   Not you...you were excited to go!  Excited to meet new friends and experience new things.  I'm so glad we were able to give you this week...its what summer is all about.  You'll be counting the days til next summer when you can go again! 

Arkansas

Arkansas...It's a place we always traveled to growing up.  

It was a happy place.

It was the first place I saw lightening bugs.  I can remember my Grandfather helping me capture them in a glass jar.  It was the state where he was born and raised and two of his sisters were still there.  They lived right next door to each other and we saw them every summer.  My Aunt Irma was his youngest sister and she loved my sisters and I  like we were her own grandkids.
 
My older sister spent four years there at the University of Arkansas and its been since then that I've really been back.  I had hesitations.  I knew it wouldn't be the same as I remembered it growing up.  My Aunt is 90 years old now and her memory plays tricks on her.  I couldn't bare the possibility she wouldn't remember me.  My Mom talked me into the trip and  I took the boys with my parents last Sunday.  We arrived and my Aunt looked me square in the eyes and said, "Now I believe I know that blonde headed girl...its Joy Michelle.".  A huge hug and kiss later I knew I had made the right decision.  

My boys with my parents & my little sister's family!

We only spent 3 short days, but I know my boys made memories like the ones I still hold close to my heart.

At the Pea Ridge Civil War Battle Grounds

Fireworks out our hotel window.

Love these people.

Stink and Stinkier waiting to eat dinner.

They were excited to finally see Oklahoma since their Daddy works there every Wednesday!  

It was an Indian Sitting...

Soldier sneaking...

Cannon firing....

Junior Rangering...

Porch Sitting...

Sliding...

Lolly Pop eating...

Swimming Every Single Day....good time!