Oh Summer... Back to School

To date... this has been the fastest summer.  I swear, it feels like they just got out of school.


Yesterday, Hunter and Ashton headed off to school (4th and 2nd).   They both had great days.  Ashton said it felt like 2 seconds.  Hunter placed into GT again.  Everyone says 4th grade really steps it up.  His teacher said to expect about an hour of homework a night.  ; /  oh joy.  

4th and 2nd graders!

Our district stagger starts K5 with half going the first day, 1/2 going the second, and then all going the 3rd.  So Shepherd was in group 2 and started today instead of yesterday.
Shepherd started Kindergarten, say what?, today.  I asked him if he wanted me to walk him into school (you know, like ALL kindergarten parents do).  He told me "no."  He then asked if Hunter and Ashton walked in with me.  I replied "yes."  I thought then he would change his mind to be like his brothers.... nope.  He said,"well they must have been scared.  But, I am not scared, I am excited."  So, there you have it.  My Mr. Independent did it all on his own.  I picked his clothes out for him this morning- plaid shorts with a nice t-shirt.  Again, nope, he wanted to pick out his own clothes and chose the Clemson tshirt Queenie got him.

My Shep- off to K5

Man, I love these boys.   

And just because we cant take pictures without ending it with a silly one...

Thanks to Hunter (and Ashton) who dropped Shepherd off and who snapped a picture of him with his teacher, Mrs Brewer

My house is ridiculously quiet.  It is eerie.

I have done a horrible job of blogging this summer- probably because we have been so busy.

The boys stayed busy doing basketball, football, soccer, and baseball camps.  We went to the beach and to the lake.  We have gone to Carowinds more times than I can count.  We have met up with friends and visited family.  It was a great summer.  And though I am sad to see it end, the predictable routine is always a welcome sight.

Here is to an equally as busy fall!

Out of the Blue

Sometimes good things happen out of the blue and, unfortunately, sometimes bad.  This post reminds me of life.  Ups and downs.  Tears and laughter.

#1

If I could just ask for prayer for some dear family friends of mine.  My family has know the Gentry family for 25+ years.  The father was our family doctor.  Their kids went to the same, small Christian school that we did when we lived in SC.  Last week, their 2nd son (they have five kids) was shot and killed in Columbia on his way back home.  Tim was only 32.  My heart breaks for this family.  Nolan and I were able to drive down to Seneca yesterday to attend the funeral and though there were tears shed, it was comforting to know the imprint the Tim left.  He loved Jesus and he loved people.  He served in other countries with his time and money.
Here is a great piece about Tim.  If you have a moment, say a prayer for this family and for the man who shot Tim- that he would seek forgiveness and be brought to justice.
Article 

#2

My dad... AKA, the Mantis...  and one of his dogs, Isla,came up to my house a couple weeks ago to help me do some handy man things around the house and to give me some adult conversation as Chad was away at football camp/ clinic.  It was so good to have him here.  He hung a swing outside on one of the trees.  It gets plenty of use as I read on it everyday.

But, my out of the blue moment actually is about walking in the door Wednesday night after eating dinner at GrandmaDeans house.   We decided to leave "the puppies" (Isla and Moses) inside because it was about to rain and it was lightning and thundering.  We were not going to be gone long... 2 hours.

When we walk in the door, I hear Hunter say, "oh no."

View one

View two.

At first sight, I thought it was a couch cushion, thankfully, it was Isla's dog bed and Horton the elephant.  The boys then proceeded to have a "snow ball" fight with the stuffing.

Moses redeemed himself later that night when he caught a mouse... yes, a mouse, in our fireplace.

He kept the mouse trapped with his paw until Mantis got to it.  He was so proud of himself.  And I was so glad Moses and Mantis were there to handle the little creature.  

#3

Just tonight we were playing around outside after dinner.  I love when impromptu fun happens.  Chad was watering our 2 pieces of sod (let me add, he did this without being told... Initiative I tell you, it was great) when the a huge water fight broke out with the boys.  Shirts were shed and water was flying and laughter was abundant.

Have I ever mentioned how much Moses LOVES the water?  

Actually got Molly in one of the shots... we exhaust her.  haha

Out of the blue- a heart can break, a bad situation can turn good, a little action can bring much joy, a tear can fall, a hearty laugh can break through.  God uses little moments, both happy and sad, to build us- to focus us on Him.  I have had to remind myself that God takes the messes of life and uses them for His glory.  All is Grace.

Bonclarken

 When first moved here two years ago, we visited a lot of churches... like a lot.  It took us a long time to feel like God wanted us at Clover ARP.  Honestly, I still struggle with some things at the church, but we feel like the issues that we have (as of now) are minor issues... not Kingdom issues.  But, that is perhaps a post for another day.

 I have been in many different denominations in my lifetime, but never ARP.  Apparantly, within the  ARP church, Bonclarken is the thing to do.  Our church, once a year, takes a weekend camping (or hoteling if you dont camp) to Bonclarken.  It is a time of fellowship and fun.  I will be honest and say that I was absolutely wiped out after our first Bonclarken experience.

Here is a run down of what we did at Bonclarken.

Eat.  This was by far the best meal we ate, probably because we did it on our own with a couple other families.

Yum Yum, eat 'em up

Zipline.  Hunter and I did this together so I didnt get any pictures of us going down.  But, Jay and Ashton went together and Ashton loved it.  He then went down Couirtney as well.

Jay and Ashton getting ready to go up

High up there.

Love this.  Ashton threw his arms out once he saw Jay throw his out.

My turn to go up.  Hunter was still getting his harness on.

Rock Climb.  Ashton was quite the rock climber.  He did all 3 levels and was complimented by the instructor guy... so of course now, he thinks he is the best rock climber of all time.  Hunter did not attempt it, more on that later.  And Shepherd attempted it as well.

He really was good.  

Wrestle.  For the most part, we hung out with Jay, Courtney and their girls and Matt and Danielle (who are getting married this fall!!!)  Matt, Jay, and Danielle played with our boys so much.

Bless Matt.  You can tell that he is the youngest of 4 kids and has bunch of nieces and nephews.  Shepherd was quite comfortable with Matt and "fawted" on him. 

Danielle and Matt playing a game with a bunch of the kiddos.

Matt and Jay getting Ash and Shep to kiss each others feet.

Kickball.  No picture of this mostly adult kick ball game, but it was funny and competitive.  Jay graciously picked me first and then I dropped the first ball kicked to me (never claimed to be good with my hands).

Stay up late.

Glow sticks and movie night

One of the few pics of Chad.  During most of the activities, he took Bennett back to the room to take a nap.... he might have taken one too. ;)

Have church.  Sunday morning we had a church service outside and sang a couple songs.

Bike/ Pool.  No pics of the pool,

Bennett lovin the pink 4 wheeler

Hilarious picture of our pastor pulling some of the littles around

Some fun pics of what happens when you 

1) havent ridden a bike in awhile. 

2)  ride an old bike with iffy brakes.  

3) ride a bike that isnt yoiurs.

4)  dont wear a helmet. 

Thankfully, Hunter has healed really fast.  His scab has already basically come all the way off and has been replaced with shiny, pink, baby skin.

Ouch.  He totally wiped out... from his knee, to elbow, to back , a little spot on his belly, and head.  

This is blurry and doesnt do it justice.  But, a couple hours after this was taken, he had a great a goose egg and a deep blue bruise (which you can kind of see forming in this picture).

A CVS trip worth $45 and a $4 Starbucks coffee for me and he is good to go.  

So, what do I think about Bonclarken?  It was fun but exhausting.  We got to know some people better and formed some stronger connections with some friends we already had.  Hopefully, we will get to go next year.  I know the boys, especially Hunter since he missed out on some fun, will want to go back.

And thanks to Uncle Nolan for watching Molls and Mosie.

Week of the 4th- Part 2- Chad's Family

I am behind on blogging... sorry.  We really have been busy this summer.  This week has been a catch up week on housework, yard work, etc.

So, lets back up to the 4th of July weekend.  The boys and I left my parents house on Friday and headed over to Chad's parents.  Chad had just gotten back into the country the day before so he met up with us later that night.

Papa Hub AND Grandma came up with the idea to put a big ol piece of plastic down the big hill in their front yard for a huge slip n slide.  Once the kids got the hang of it (and put a shirt on), they had a blast.  Hunter served as the "sled" for the younger kids the first day and his back paid the price.  Plus, everyone got at least one ant bite.  Hunter got in them good.

Hard to tell from the picture but his whole back had this rash looking thing on it, plus he had ant bites.

The second day, Tommy, Sandee and Chad were there to slide too.

PapaHub getting ready to spray it down for Shep.  

Shep's face says it all as to what he thought about it.  He did a few times the first day and none on the second.  

Charlee getting in on the fun

Sami didnt let being little stop her.  She is fearless.

Ashton going down

Hunter trying to stay on course.

Bennett went down with Hunter as his sled.  Bennett took a huge wipe out while standing at the bottom of the hill.  It is on facebook should you want to see it.  

Moses desperately wanting in on the action.  The second day, I brought him out and he hung out by the creek with me, Bennett, and Shep.

Saturday, the 4th, we had a big cookout at the pool with the family.  It is good to catch up with everyone.  Chad's aunt had knee surgery, his 2nd cousin had back surgery, I had surgery on my arm all in the last few months, so it was good for everyone to there.  

Fun at the pool.

The sliders.

Took awhile to convince him, but he finally did it.

Hunter and his goggles... mercy

Charlee flying down.

Shepherd probably went down this slide close to 50 times.  His little toes were raw

Dinner time... Aunt Joan announcing when Chad's cousin, Johnny and his fiance' are getting married in April!  

The kids table.  

After dinner, Sandee, Charlee, Hunter, Ashton, Shep, and me went into town to see the fireworks.  This blurry  picture below is the one and only picture I have of myself from this entire week.

Proof I was indeed here.

Because Bennett didnt go to the fireworks, PapaHub took him on a trekker ride.  He is in hog heaven

And just because it is sweet.  I think God took these two from the same mold- one in dog form and one in human.  

Again, thanks to PapaHub and Grandma for a fun weekend at your house!  We were all exhausted when we got home!