Wordless Wednesday: What a life, huh?

New pool game

We are in the process of a VERY exciting pool upgrade.  I actually shot this video a few days ago (in the old pool) of the boys and the new "game" they invented.

They had the best time with this and it went on for several hours.....



Oh, the joys of BOYS!!

A modern day fairy tale

Once upon a time, there was a girl. And, there was also a boy.

This girl and this boy grew up attending the same school, from elementary through high school graduation. The girl was a good girl, and the boy....well....not so much. He lived on the edge, sometimes learned lessons the hard way. She played by the rules, tried not to rock the boat. He a bit of a rebel; she a people pleaser.

He didn't like her, and she didn't like him.

Fast forward about 10 years. The girl and the boy had both gotten married (not to each other) and ended up attending the same church. They sat on opposite sides, and the girl--always trying to make peace and frankly, be liked by others, said hi when they passed and tried to let bygones be bygones. They ended up in the same Sunday School class and were cordial, but not necessarily friends.

The girl was, however, friendly with the boy's wife; but she was a bit afraid to get to close to her, thinking that the boy still didn't really like her.

Time passed and tensions eased....and a friendship was formed between the girl and that boy's wife. A deep one. Probably, the girl would say, this boy's wife was her very best friend. Ever. And as a friendship was deepening in one spot, it began developing somewhere else: between the girl's husband and that boy. Since the two girls were spending more and more time together, the boys were forced to as well--and they found out that they really did enjoy each other's company and that they had a lot in common.

{Mostly sarcasm.}

Within approximately no time at all, the girl and the boy found out that, as adults, they really did like each other.  And all four became close buddies.

They even ended up vacationing together, for crying out loud.

{Tom, Jen, me, Shane on our cruise}

{Aiden, Cameron, Ethan, Colin, Brooklyn, and Lola on our trip to Holiday World}

Who'd have ever, ever thought?

That girl was me, and that boy was Tom. And, as unlikely as it was that the two of us would end up in each other's lives as adults, I am sure glad that is the path that God took us both down.

Because, after all, if it weren't for Tom--I wouldn't have Jen.

I was lucky enough to get to spend Jen's birthday with her. 

I can tell you that there isn't another girl on this earth who gets me quite like she does!

image courtesy of Pinterest

We had a wonderful (gigantic) breakfast at Le Peep--a place we've always talked about 

going but never have. It was as good as we'd hoped it would be!

And then, Tom treated both of us to a Spa day. It truly was incredible--neither of us wanted to leave!

Some things are amazing to watch come around full circle--and I would say that this bond between the four of us is one of those things.

So thankful for Jen....

....and yes....even for that boy.

And they all lived happily ever after.
(Couldn't resist.)

A new truck for Daddy

Last month, we did something very, very special.

We drove over to Indiana to pick up a brand new (to him) truck for Daddy!!

Shane has been looking for a while to replace his truck. If you have seen it, you would know why! We are very, very thankful that his truck has been so faithful for so long, but we decided it was time to upgrade to something that could fit the whole family.  Last month, we loaded up the family and headed over to pick up one we found that was perfect!

The kids immediately ditched me decided they wanted to ride home with Daddy. 

There was room for them plus extra to spare!

Proud Daddy and kiddos!

We took a trip to the Lego store and then had some lunch at the Olive Garden. 

The kids love that place (it is a rare treat) an are always very well behaved.

It was a super fun day with the family.

So excited for you and your new ride, babe! :)

Raspberries are starting . . . .

....and someone is excited about the first haul of the year!!

A great season of basketball

Time is flying past me. We are smack in the middle of a wonderful baseball season--and I am behind, as usual, in my blogging! This is yet another 'catch-up' post. I'm determined to get them all done!

The end of March brought the end of yet another sport: basketball.

This was the first year our family has been involved in basketball. Shane coached Colin's team and Colin thoroughly enjoyed playing.  His best friend also played....

....and they had so much fun playing each other!

Colin and Colden--both number 14!

Before each game, they played what we know as "the bulls music" and announced each child as they ran through a tunnel. It was very cute and you could tell was something the kids all loved.

Colden coming through

Sports activities are a great way to bond as a family. Our family always goes to everything together (though, this year it is proving to be difficult as the boys do, on occasion, head in different directions--but we are crossing those bridges as we come to them!) 

While things can get over crazy if you allow your family's schedule to become too full, we are mindful of that and work very hard to keep things in check. One way we do that is only one sport/activity per child per season. So far we have enjoyed each new thing that has come our way, basketball included!

Grandma, Cameron, Ethan, and Lola watching Colin

We did basketball through Upward, which is a Christian organization. The teams and refs prayed before each game, and the children were encouraged to learn verses each week. I liked that aspect very much!

Getting ready to go

And they're off!

As you can see, Colin is small (I have no idea where he gets that) but he is quick. 

He had several steals and breakaways this year.

Even, if you can believe, a few blocks!

He also was a very good ball handler, and brought the ball up the court most of time.

Playing some defense....

....and some offense.

Coach giving some advice during a time out

Something was going on that he apparently didn't care for! lol

Love this shot of Colin shooting and Colden playing defense.

Daddy giving some instruction

Shooting

The game ended in Colden's favor--we lost!

But the boys were still as good of friends after it was over, and that was all that mattered.

Congratulations on a great first basketball season, Colin!