Papaw went Home

Papaw Ronnie, my hubby's father, went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 1st.   We got to see him slip into eternity and it was so peaceful and he did not suffer.  Prayers answered.  He was surrounded by the ones who were meant to be at the house at this appointed time.   A time that our hearts were breaking as he left us, but also a time of rejoicing that he is with Jesus.  Sounds funny to be able to be sad and rejoice at the same time, doesn't it?  But, if you have been washed by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus, then no other greater joy to know that a loved one is finally home, for this world is just our temporary home.  Papaw is no longer sick, no more suffering with cancer, no more being tired and weak, as Revelation 21:4 says, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.   How wonderful!!   Christians know that death is a new beginning, nothing but unspeakable joy and peace for the departed, for they are in the presence of the Lord! Psalm 116:15 says, Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.  We have this hope that one day we will be in the place too, either by death or by Jesus second coming, which the way things are looking in this world, it may not be longer.  Are you ready for His return?  What if it happens today, tonight, tomorrow?  Are you ready?  Do you have a realtionship with the Lord?  People can say they are religious, they attend church, etc., but that doesn't save your lost soul.  Have you admitted your a sinner, confessed your sins, repented and accepted that Jesus died for you - I know you are as worthless as me and as undeserving as I am, for I am nothing, no good, nothing!  Especially not worthy for God to send His Son to die on the cross and His blood covers my sins, as far as the east is to the west, and I did nothing to derserve it.  I deserve hell.  But, He loved me enough to do this and it is a free gift of grace and mercy.  I pray if you are reading this, that you know the Lord, and if you don't, I pray that you will come to know Him.  Time is short! 
Our family life has changed tremendously in this past week, especially for my mother-in-love.  The love of her life, her best friend for 39 yrs, but I have to tell you that she is doing ok, by the grace of God, she is going on.  She would not want me bragging on her and I have heard her say, only thru the Lord is she able to go on.  Does this mean it is easy for her?  No way!!  She misses him more than anything, her day to day life has changed, everything has changed.   But, she has been such a strong witness of her faith in the Lord during this time.   The Bible says we are to grieve, but not like we don't have any hope.  She is and I believe, will continue to do that.   I will stop here, for I know she wouldn't want me to keep on about her and how she has been the best model of a Proverbs 31 woman for me.  This past week it has been the little things in life that I have noticed that just seem so odd.  For example, we ate at Buddy's Bar B Q one evening, sat at our usual tables, but Papaw's chair was empty.  He wasn't there to bring the trays of food to us, he wasn't there to make us smile.  Walking into their house, has been so different, not seeing him in his chair, not hearing his stories, his humor, etc.   Our daily happenings, just so different now.  However, even though he is greatly missed, we wouldn't have him come back or prolonged his sickness.  It was all God's plan and we trust in that.  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 says Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him........and it continues on.   We have slowly gotten back into our normal routines and even though we miss papaw, we still have our memories.  People ask how the kids are doing and they are fine.  Keira doesn't want to talk about it, but Brock has openly talked how he misses papaw and about not getting to go hunting with him again.  They will be fine. I made them big picture books of just them and papaw, so they can always see the good times they had with him. 
This year has been a tough one, as we have had 2 babies go to heaven, my grandfather had an accident and went home to be with Jesus, and then having Papaw go home a week ago and just watching so many extended family members dealing with difficult situations, strained relationships, and so on.  But, good can come from sorrow. It can lead to spiritual growth and a closer walk with the Lord.  Death is coming to us all and no one can escape it.  Tragedy is intended for our welfare, as difficult as that is and to see, we will be able to one day see the big picture.  We only play a small part in the scheme of things.  Romans 8 :28-29 says And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of Hi Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. 
We have tried hard to make sure when we talk with our kids about death , heaven, that the main focus of heaven is Jesus.  Getting to be with Him!  So often, you hear people in times of a loved ones passing, that they get to see so and so, etc.  Yes, that is true, but oo often, some people get caught up in that and not the fact that, hey, they are with Jesus, cause He is the One who died for me, not anyone else, but Him!!  How wonderful!!!  People have mentioned reading certain books about so called experiences of going to heaven and coming back, I guess near-death experiences.  I am skeptical about this, not saying they didn't have some kind of experience, but if they don't mention in their book or interviews promoting the book, about seeing Jesus, then a red flag goes up for me.  I mean, if you don't see Jesus, then I can't be sure that really happened, isn't the reason we want to go to heaven?  I know our human flesh wants that comfort of seeing our loved ones, but we must rely and trust what the Bible says.   I can't imagine anyone going to heaven and wanting to come back here to this sinful world, and the Bible does tell us we can't see Jesus in our flesh and bones, we get a glorified body once we enter eternity.  I don't know about you, but I want to make sure I verify things with Scripture, not hear-say.  We have always been honest with our kids and we don't shield them from life and all that comes along with life.  I sure don't want the village raising my babies and I firmly believe in telling them God's Word, not other people's opinions, but what God says.  In conversations with them, we tell them beccause the Bible tells us this or that, not that mom and dad think this, etc.  I want my kids to understand that this life is temporary and nothing in it lasts , only Jesus matters and that death is not a bad thing, if you are saved. 
Phillipians 3:20  Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

A special man in our family

I just want to share with you about a special man in our lives, my hubby's father, my father-in-love, grandfather to my babies, a special man to each one of us.  He was diagnosed with kidney cancer 5 1/2 yrs ago.  We have watched him fight this battle and now it may be coming to an end.  This has been so hard on our family to watch and we are not ready to let go...........however, we trust in God and trust His plan  and know His will is being done.  Somehow this journey has and will bring glory to God.  Ronnie is 62 yrs young and I want another 20 yrs or more with him, for my mother in love , for my hubby, and especially for my babies.  Sometimes, I am mad that my kids are going to miss out on knowing him as they grow-up, that my hubby is losing not only his father, but his best friend, that his wife is losing the love of her life, but then I must give thanks and praise to the Lord that we have had this time together as a family, that my hubby has had the godly influence of his father for 34 yrs, for a marriage going on 40 yrs that is strong and full of love and how their faith has carried them thru many things in their life together and how that same faith will carry them during the most difficult storm in their lives. 

Ronnie is quite the man, one of the best a person will ever come across.  The baby of 10 children, his father passed away when he was just 14 months old.  Ronnie's mother, whom I knew briefly, but have heard so much about, was an exceptional lady.  A single mother who raised all 10 kids, worked hard, and loved her family. What a woman!  For him not to have a father, he turned out to be an exceptional man and father. Most men who grow up without a father don't turn out so well.  But, with his mother's raising and by God's grace and his relationship with Jesus, he has turned out as one of the best.............no doubt in my mind that I will ever meet another person like him.  Ronnie was a great baseball player and got the nickname, "rabbit", because of his speed.  He is still called that by men who have known him from their playing and school days.  I am proud to say he served our country in Vietnam and he loves this country.  I can't even imagine what all he endured in that war, we have heard some stories, but I am sure not all of it.  I am proud of his service and sacrifice.  Short version here - Ronnie and Sherry met, fell in love, married, and had Brandon.  They are prime examples of what a marriage should be!  Besides my grandparents, who were married 62 yrs, this couple has been an example of what a marriage truly should be.  When my hubby and I married, I never expected that our best friends would be my in-loves.  You just don't imagine that as you think about getting married or hearing the horror stories about in-laws from other people.  Low and behold, they are our best friends, they are just like parents to me, they have treated me as their own flesh and blood since the beginning.  We have spent majority of our time with them and wouldn't change it at all.  They have always gone above and beyond for us. 

My father in love is the most unselfish man you will come across, he has always put others first.  I cannot count the times he has done the things we all wanted to go do.  Even over the past yrs with cancer, he has went to things for the kids, sat thru dance recitals, watched the Nutcracker (you know how hard this is for most men), went to amusement parks, went to Dixie Stampede - several times, vacations - with 2 small kids and evem let them ride on the long trips in their car........and I could list more and more.  This man is a giver, I have seen him give his time or money to help anyone in need, regardless of the situation or how much it cost him, he has a giving heart.  Never expecting anything in return, he just does.  Sometimes, he did things without anyone knowing, just because that is the way he is and it was never for his own benefit or to bring himself glory, just because he wanted to show someone Jesus.  Ronnie is a hard worker, can fix anything, he reminds me of the energizer bunny, always doing, always working.  He would help anyone out, he would work at the church, and get the job done in half the time it might take someone else.  The times I have run over a curb and busted a tire or my battery died, or anything else that I have broken, who did I turn to.....yes, my father-in-love, and here he would come to get me out of a jam.  He never complained about it or got mad, just came and rescued me from my mishap.  He truly has a servants heart!!

Ronnie is an avid hunter and loves being in the woods. We have heard countless hunting stories and the love for the sport has already been passed down to 4yr old Brock.  Last yr, he took Brock out in his hunting thing he built, don't know what to call it.  Brock still talks about that and asks all the time when papaw is going to take him hunting again.  They watch hunting shows together and of course, my son, has 100 questions that papaw answers and explains to him.  Brock also shares Papaw love of Nascar and they happily talk about the races and their drivers.  They like different drivers, so they joke often about that.  Brock is for sure papaw's boy and we think he is a lot like him.  If he grows up to be like Ronnie, what a blessing that will be.  Papaw loves his grandbabies and would do anything for them.  I like the fact that he loves them enough to discipline them.  He doesn't let them get away with behavior that is unacceptable.  That is true love. He has been such a wonderful, Christian influence in their early yrs and I hope they get his servants heart.

So much I could write about, but the most important thing that stands out to me is Ronnie's heart and  his relationship with Jesus.  Our family has watched this man in this fight with cancer and not once complain, even when he was doing the worst treatments that made him so sick, he never complained. He has never questioned why this happened to him, never been mad at God about it, just keeps on keeping on.  What a testimony this is, especially to us , me included, who want and do complain about so many things in this life that are unimportant.  He would even tell you, he is just a sinner saved by grace, nothing on his own, nothing he has done, only saved by the blood of Jesus.  Every day we are with him, and I cannot explain it better to you, but there is a peace about him, even as tired and weak as he is right now, I feel calm and peaceful around him.  He still has his humor and still thinking about putting his family first.  As heartbreaking as this is to watch, I know that one day he will suffer no longer, that his journey on this earth will be over, but he will remain in our hearts always.  He is my hero, in more ways then one..................

update on the past month

We have been busy, busy the past month.  From school, to cheer, to flag football, and then add Nutcracker rehearsals into all this, life is hopping.  Brandon is finishing up another deadline on Oct. 17th, so it will be nice to have him back until tax season begins.  Baby Leffew is doing good, my sickness is easing up as I am 15 weeks along now.  We heard the heartbeat at my last appointment and it was 167!  We go back in a couple weeks for another check-up.  This past saturday was the last day of football and cheer, the kids are going to miss that.  They enjoyed it so much!  Keira signed up for basketball, so that starts in a few weeks.  Brock wants to play, but we are going to hold off on that for another yr.  He is already talking soccer and tball in the spring.  We participated in the Alzheimer's Walk yesterday afternoon and had a great time.  I still miss my mamaw after 2 yrs, but know she is better off than us being with Jesus and having a new body! 
The kids are excited about the baby and have fun coming up with names.  Brock has silly names and Keira has picked out Kylie and Braden and just knows that we will use those, even after telling her no on one of the names.  She will be little momma to this one.  I don't want to find out the gender and just wait till birth, but my hubby insists we find out and said he could know and not tell me.  Well, then he couldn't tell anyone else, and I don't think he can do that.  So, we will see what happens in another month......

Baby Leffew #3

We are thrilled that God has blessed us yet again.  I will be 10 weeks pregnant in 3 days!  We were shocked at this, as we were not trying to conceive after having 2 miscarriages this year.  Plus, I had a d&c on May 10 and my body was not back to normal after a long month in June, which I will not give out details.  I had no idea I was even ovualting and really didn't think I was.  I honestly thought my body was just trying to get back to normal cycles.  My period never came in July, so on July 28th, I decided to rule out pregnancy and took a test and to my surprise it was positive.  I was in shock!  I called Brandon crying and in a panic, thinking this cannot be, I just had a d&c and my body (and emotions)are not ready for this.  I called the dr and went for blood the next morning. 
Again in my life, which one would think I would get this by now - I am not in control and my plans are not God's plans.  His plan is perfect!!!!!   Needless to say I was a nervous wreck , any little thing, I thought I might be miscarrying.  My first bloodwork came back and my progesterone levels were low so I thought I would miscarry.  I began taking medicine and went back for more blood work.  They couldn't even tell me how far along I was, just that I was very early!  Well, thank the Lord I took the test that day and called my dr and started the meds.  My second test showed me levels had risen and things looked good.  I still was nervous.  I was feeling sick and that is always a good thing in pregnancy.  I was more than happy to be feeling yucky!!!   After a few weeks, I got a peace about this pregnancy, not one way or the other, just a calmness, just peace - knowing that whatever happens, the Lord is in control and this is His plan for our family.  Praise Him!!    Finally, the day came to go do an ultrasound.  I admit, I was nervous the morning, being the last time I saw my baby on ultrasound, we saw no heartbeat.  A part of me didn't want to look at the screen, and I felt like my heart stopped until the tech said, "I see a hearbeat."   A strong heartbeat of 170.  I almost cried tears of joy.  I could breathe.............  The baby is developing and we could see arms and legs forming and the brain begining to develop,  Baby measured that morning at 7 weeks 5 days.  I was thrilled!!   Brock was with Papaw and Mamaw outside and we got to show him the pictures.  He replied that the baby looked "like a caterpillar, an angry caterpillar"   Love his heart!   The kids are excited and of course, Keira wants a girl and Brock wants a boy.  We go back in a couple weeks and hopefully, they will do another ultrasound.  I will be a little over 12weeks then and can't wait to see my baby again.  I am just so thrilled that God has blessed us 5 times with our precious babies, even though 2 are in heaven, I will never forget those 2 that I will get to meet one day.  I like to think we have a boy and a girl in heaven, maybe not, but I like to think so.  God is good all the time and I am blessed beyond measure.  

Flag Football

Brock played in his first game of flag football this past saturday.  He loves it!!  He grins and talks the entire time.  I am so glad he is loving this, we love watching him play and have so much fun. 

End of swim lessons

The kids had their final swim lessons of the season last week.  Keira learned last yr to swim, but kept working on her strokes this summer.  She is a little fish!  Brock took off the arm floats and was willing to try  this yr.  Last year, he refused.  He was quite something to watch, I cannot help but laugh as he "swims"  After one lesson, he thought he was good enough to swim all over the place.  Aunt Teresa offered to teach them again this year, and we love this time with her.  She spoils them.  They both received a trophy and a certificate.

Keira is 6!!!!

The morning of her birthday!  The kids love waking up to their door decorated!

I can't believe Keira turned 6 on July 27th, or that she is about to begin 1st grade.   Over these past 6 yrs, we have watched Keira grow from a little baby into this little girl, who thinks she is older than 6!  She is quite the girl - strong personality, confident in who she is, knows what she wants, does great in school, a natural talent in sports, sings well, and a joy to us.  We try our best to teach her God's word and talk about Jesus and what He did for us, for we are all born sinners.  I love this girl more than all the stars in the sky!  We pray that the Lord will mold her and use her for His kingdom.  I have tried to teach her that this life is not about us, regardless of what the world says, but about Jesus!  We are here to glorify Him!  I pray she will be a child of the King one day and I can't imgine anything better than to see your child be freed from their sins! 

Brock and Keira had a joint party back in June, but we still celebrate their special days.  I always want my babies to know they are special.  On July 27th, Mamaw, Brock, Keira, and I went to her 6 yr check up. She is in the 90% for weight and >95% for height. Still always amazes me at her phyiscal stats!  Best thing about the check-up, other than her being healthy, was hearing no shots on this visit and no more until 11 yrs. Yea!!

We then went to the mall and did some clothes shopping, ate lunch, got her ears pierced (they grew up after we left them out one day, a few months ago), had ice cream and came home!  Good day! 

Thursday evening, the grandparents came over to celebrate and we ate supper, had cupcakes, opened gifts, and enjoyed our time together.  Keira was beaming the entire evening!!   We love our girl and so thankful to God for our first gift!!  Happy 6th Birthday!!

 

Great articles

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/motherhood-is-a-calling-and-where-your-children-rank

http://www.raisingarrows.net/2011/06/i-look-like-a-mom/


These 2 articles were recently sent to me and they both blessed me greatly!   I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, staying at home with my kids.  This is the path that God has laid out for me and my family and I don't care what anyone, including family, thinks about our decision as hubby and wife for me to stay at home.  Yes, I gave up my goals, my dreams, my plans for my life..............  If I worked - we could have already built or moved into a bigger house, we could afford a newer vehicle or 2, I could buy more clothes for myself and my kids,  my kids could do more, I could carry a new brand name purse each season, I could have a gym membership and a trainer, we could have all this stuff and more.  Isn't that right? 
You know what?  We have not missed out on anything!  We are so blessed and have more "stuff" than we ever need. Okay, I don't have a brand new Denali, but my old one runs just fine.  We don't have a big house, but our little home is just perfect for us right now and only time will tell if we move or not.  We will know when the time is right. We are blessed beyond measure and we don't care anymore about others or keeping up with others.  We are trying to live for the Lord and what works best for us. 
I recently contemplated going to work for a year, a job came open in pe and it would more than likely just be for a yr, and I inquired about the position, but went no further.  Honestly, I kept thinking how great this would be to take the salary I would make and just put it in savings and still live off the hubby.  But, when you start looking at the pros and cons of going to work, more cons than pros, and deeep down, I know where I belong - at home!   Just paying for daycare was not really worth it and many other reasons.  I let Satan tempt me with thinking we needed the money more than my family needed me at home.  Wrong - my kids and hubby need and want me at home.  The thought of leaving my sweet Brock at a daycare made me sick to my stomach, I don't want strangers raising my kids.  I want to spend every moment I can with them, they grow to fast as it is.
Just as one of the articles talks about how people think you are crazy for wanting more than 1 or 2 kids, I have fully realized how true this is.  I can't tell you the times women have said "you must be crazy to want another baby", or even better, "how do you stay at home every day, I need adult interaction, or I don't have the patience to be at home."  Whatever - these are the women who miss out and obviously need a reality check.  But, to each their own, I am not their judge.....just sayin'.    I never myself imagined I would want more than 1 or 2 kids, but here I am, still missing the 2 babies I miscarried this year.  The Lord has blessed me 4 times being pregnant and how thankful I am to Him for that, even if the last 2 times were brief.  I am a mother of 4 and I don't care what people think of that.  No, I am not crazy and will not say I have 4 kids when people ask, but in my heart, I have 4.   Who are these people to tell me what and how many kids we should have?  This is God's plan, not mine or yours.  As my daughter says and sometimes I would very much like to tell some people, "worry about yourself" , but I keep my mouth shut. 
So, as I think about how my goals, my dreams, and my plans - I just know I was going to win a state basketball title (or several) and then coach college - went down the drain, does it cause me sadness?  Nope! Because the Lord has given me so much more when it comes to plans and what I need to be doing in my life, this reward of staying at home is worth more than any championships I could ever won.  I am blessed beyond measure and don't deserve any of it, I deserve nothing, yet by the grace of God :

He chose me
He saved me
He loves me despite all my failures
He washed me with His blood
I am just a sinner saved by grace!   Praise the Lord!! 

July 4th weekend

My grandfather always got the first dance, so this year, my uncle stepped in and danced with aunt Teresa.

Shirts for the gathering!

We enjoyed an evening at my Uncle Jerry and Aunt Teresa's 3rd annual 4th get together.  They have a beautiful place in town on the lake and people come by boats or cars to hang out.  A huge meal is had and then a band played for entertainment.  W had a good time and loved watching Brock dance to the music.

more July 4th weekend

My grandfather's funeral and burial was on July 1st, so it was hard for me to look forward to the weekend. But, we had a good family weekend filled with many activities.  We ate at Papaw and Mamaw Leffew house, played, chased lightning bugs, and shot fireworks.  Sunday was church, out to eat, a little shopping, and then to another family event.  On the 4th, we spent the day at Uncle Wade and Aunt Pam's enjoying good food and great family time.

1 party for 2 birthdays

This year we decided to try one party for both birthdays, since they are only 6 weeks apart.  It went great! So much easier than doing 2 separate parties.  We decided upon a swim party and had it at the local pool.  The kids picked out their cupcake cakes and we had minimal decorations and it was just plain, simple fun.  I wish I had done this before. 

Papaw Duncan - a great loss for our family

My 89 yr old grandfather, unexpectedly, went home to be with Jesus yesterday afternoon.  He was outside his house, not sure exactly what he was doing, but fell and went thru the rose bush and hit his head on a brick or the concrete.  This is very difficult for our family and just something that caught us all off guard.  It just does not seem like this is really true.  A neighbor was mowing and saw papaw laying in the yard.  He called an ambulance, but he was gone before they got to the hospital.  I hope he did not lay and suffer, that thought crossed my mind as my dad told me what happened.  However, on the bright side, that suffering was quickly changed to glory and praise as he stepped into eternity to be with Jesus.  This is a different hurt (if that makes any sense) than when my grandmother passed away 2 yrs ago, the love of papaw's life, because she had alzheimer's and we had slowly watched her dwindle away for almost 12 yrs, and the last 2 weeks of her life was spent in the hospital, drifting away.  We expected her time to come, but not his.  Equally painful to lose them both, but just different circumstances.  I like to think they are holding our 2 babies we lost this yr and that just makes my heart melt, and all the while singing praises to the Lord!!

Papaw loved his Savior, loved his wife of 62 yrs, loved his 4 children (their spouses),  8 grandchildren (their spouses), and 3 great-grandchildren. He had a love for life and found humor in many things.  He could remember jokes from way back and his mind was very sharp.  I loved to hear him tell stories of his life.  He was a rough one growing up, but after marrying my grandmother, she got him into church, and he eventually was saved from his life of sin. Papaw was so proud of his family and supported all of us. He came to watch me play ball from a little one right up thru college.  Even just this past year, you could find him at my cousins games, who are turning 11 and 13 this summer.  He would even drive from OS to Kingston this past winter to watch Keira play basketball.  Always made me smile to see him walk thru that door.  He loved his little BB, as he called Keira, and his little buddy Brock (LD), he has nicknames for all the great-grandchildren.  I think b/c he could not say Keira correctly when she was born. 

Papaw was a World War 2 veteran and I am grateful and thankful for his service.  He received some awards and has been honored over the yrs for his service at various functions.  He also got to participate in the Honor Air program a couple yrs ago, what a wonderful experience for him and the other veterans.  He told some things about being in the war, but like most vetereans, not much.  I can't even imagine to begin to understand what that is like.  Thank you Papaw for your service for your country. 

I am going to miss him so much, I dread walking into my grandparents house for that first time without either one being home.  He was my last living grandparent and I have been blessed to have a grandparent in my life for over 33 yrs. He always made me feel special and called me "his girl."  Things will be different now. I loved all my grandparents and they all are special to me in their own ways, but this marks the end of a chapter in my life, as life goes on without them.  I have many, many memories and will cherish those and all the moments we had together.  I will miss the little things, like the smells (i know that sounds strange, but my grandmother's perfume and papaw's smell he wore), the things he said, the loving smile, the caring eyes, the offer of gum, the offer of food or anything for that matter, the laugh, the songs papaw sang to us and my babies, the way he loved my babies.  I am going to miss him!!! 

I could write so much about him and his life, but to others it won't mean as much.  But to me, it is a lifetime of love. 

Play day

This past wed. the kids and I met our friends for lunch and to have a playday. Alyssa came home with us and Brock went home with Cayden.  Worked out great - girls at one house and boys at the other.  Plus, it was a stormy day, so this was just perfect.  Keira is really enjoying having friends over now and I need to do this more often.  I always say that, but life just gets busy!!

Father's Day 2011

Kids with Papaw Ronnie

Big Papaw Duncan and Papaw Woody

I did not get pictures of the kids and daddy.  Oops!!  We gave him his gifts before church, so didn't get the camera out. This was Sunday evening during family game time.

After church, we had the grandparents over to our house for lunch and to celebrate Father's Day. We sure are blessed with the men in our lives!!

Brock's 4th birthday

My sweet Brock turned 4 on June 11.  I can hardly believe it!  God blessed us with this special little boy, who brings so much joy to us.  He is loving, kind, and tender hearted.  I pray that he grows to be a man of God and puts Christ first in his life.  I love our little talks about heaven and why this or that happens. Sometimes, I don't have the answers, but try to explain as best I can and that only God knows why, etc.  I love this little boy and am dreading the day I have to send him to Kindergarten.  I so cherish our days together and can't imagine not having him at home with me. 

Saturday morning, Keira and I sang happy birthday to Brock as soon as he woke up.  He loved his bedroom door that I had decorated and he was just thrilled about his big day.  Daddy took both kids fishing and Papaw joined them.  That evening, the grandparents came over and we had cupcakes and ice cream.  He opened gifts, played pin the tail on the donkey, played with his new toys, and simply just enjoyed celebrating his turning 4.  We had a great evening and if I had not already booked a party in a few weeks, I would just do this simple party for the kids at home and forget all the rest of the stressing, running around getting things, food, etc for a bigger party. The simple things in life...............

Myrtle Beach

On June 3, we headed to Myrtle Beach and returned home on June 10.  What a wonderful week!  Papaw and Mamaw Leffew came by airplane and we got the pleasure of picking them up.  The kids had signs made for them, it was so cute!!  We also got the pleasure of spending the week with Uncle Wade, Aunt Pam, Jenna, Allison and their friend Madison.  Keira and Brock love the girls, who are 19 and 17.  Keira thinks she is just as old as them. Always amazes me how she will do whatever the girls ask her, like her hair, eating, etc.  Always a struggle with me when it comes to certain things.  We couldn't ask for better role models than Jenna and Allison for our kids.  We stayed in North Myrtle Beach and have fallen in love with the place we stayed. Destin has been our favorite beach the past few yrs, but this may have changed.  We will visit Destin soon, and then decide. Ha!!  This year it has been nice that the kids can swim on their own and we can kick back a little.  They love the water and Keira just amazes me how how well she is swimming w/o assistance. Brock has to use arm wings or other devices, but is doing better.  We ate great dinners each night and went to a brazilian steakhouse, our first time.  Absolutely wonderful!!  Better have a big appetite for it. We played putt-putt twice.  Our kids are competitive, not sure who they get that from.  Ok, maybe me :)  The kids rode some rides, did the jumping thing, rode a camel, face painting, and on and on.  We had great weather and just perfect days.  Loved our family time and wished it could have lasted longer.  Something about being at the beach makes all the "stuff" going on in our lives disappear, if only for a short time.  As much as we enjoy vacation, it was nice to come home to our own beds and cozy little home.  I want bore you with anymore details.  I love my family!!

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a great Memorial Day weekend! Friday, we went to Dollywood and Saturday we spent the day at the lake and then Sunday, after church, we went to the pool at my cousin house.  The kids are water dogs and love it!!