23 years ago....

Twenty three years ago...we said "I do"...and we have...we have loved...we have and continue to be committed to each other and especially following hard after God...we have truly been thru "...in sickness and in health ( more sickness than health)...for richer or poorer...in good times and in bad...and yes...until death do we part"...as our love for each other grows deeper, so does our commitment to each other...no matter what.  The Lord is what holds us together and deepens our love.  

We are very much looking forward to growing old together...and having a family full of grandchildren!  (smile)  I love you, Honey!

Tyler's Ninjago party!

We are very blessed to have much family on both Ron's and my side living close to us.  We try very hard to stay in touch and be a part of each other's lives...today was my cousin Stacey's little boy Tyler's 6th birthday party...a Ninjago party!

The best part for me was being able to spend time with my great Aunt Helen, and all of my cousins...and watching my little ones play with their children...in spite of the thunder storms, it was a great time!

My grandmother's sister, Aunt Helen...89 years young!

Stacey and Tyler...

Anna got a couple of good whacks in....

Ronnie was the one who opened it all the way....

My cousins Ronnie and his wife Linda...

Twins...2 1/2 year old Bailey and Addison...they were too cute!

Playing "Mom"....

Playing "Mom"...as she so sweetly said...putting on my  ugly, comfy green crocs, sweater and purse...when asked where she was going, she smilingly said "church"...very matter of factly.

My baby...at 7 years old she has very definite ideas of everything...and simply sees some things as "our way"...this is just what we do.  I love when she pretends to be me...seeing life thru her eyes is humbling and precious....thru the eyes of a child....

Taking a piece of my heart....

Saying goodbye is so very hard...Gabrielle has been coming to stay with us for a few weeks for 4 years now...and no visit is ever long enough...especially this year.

It seems like our time has flown by...the 3 girls and various girlfriends have been visiting and laughing...while Meghan worked she's helped with the kids, and discovered that she will be very good at homeschooling her own children someday....she's prepared meals for us, made clean up full of fun and laughter...many serious discussions as well as laughing till the tears come....oh, my goodness....how we will all miss her!

But it's not goodbye....it's we'll see her again soon....Much love to my "daughter of my heart"!

The annual, obligatory tire swing pictures....

At the airport....

Mingo Creek...

We love Mingo Creek!  Today was our first day this summer to head out to the creek...and we're so glad Gabrielle had a chance to be with us for this!  Reminds me so much of the dvd's "The Sugar Creek Gang" adventures....and we're very much looking forward to many more adventures, as we had to head home when strong thunder storms moved in....perfect place for so many nature studies!

My adventurers....(minus Meghan, who was working....)

VERY typical Sara....

Coolest spider web in the sunlight....

Gabrielle and Sara took tons of pictures...

Anna's treasure...

Just loved the way the water rippled over the old wooden bridge as I rested on a fallen log...

Oh, this is one of my favorite places!

Best friends!

Ronnie's pose of "Hawkeye" from the Avenger's movie...

Anna's 'Hunger Games' pose.... (and no...she hasn't read the books or seen the movie...just heard her older sisters talk about it)

Precious moments....

We ALMOST caught this little guy...need to buy a couple of nets for our next visit...

Our fearless crawfish hunter...

Anna's water park....

I LOVE the creativity my children have...their imaginations are amazing...I could just listen to them and watch them forever....and I'm so grateful to be their mom...to homeschool and have the chance to be together....

Anna went outside by herself (it was 90 degrees...the rest of us were very reluctant to leave the airconditioning)...and after a few minutes...I went out on the deck and saw..."Anna's wild water park"!  Precious...precious memories....

I think Ronnie needed cooled off after the lawn dart game...

He couldn't resist!