Memphis visitors

We were so blessed to have our friends, the Hollands, come and visit us for Father's Day weekend. We packed in as much fun as possible while we were together. After a hearty breakfast on Friday we headed over to the Silo Ridge swimming pool for some fun in the sun.

Then, after a nap for my kiddos we packed up the car and went to play putt putt in Springfield. It was hot, but the kids loved it. Okay, okay....the adults liked it too.

And no trip to Springfield could be complete without a trip to Nakato. I think Karen and Nick understand now why we love that place so much!

Before leaving Springfield that night we needed to hit Starbucks to feed Nick's addiction! HA! It was my kids first time there and they got Strawberries and Cream.....they loved it. It may actually be a good thing that Bolivar doesn't have a Starbucks....my kids would be begging to go back more than our wallets would like.

On Saturday, the men played in a golf tournament at Silo Ridge. As soon as they left the rest of us went to work on some very elaborate Father's day plans. We decorated the back yard, made both peanut butter pie (Nick's favorite) and Cherry pie (Rayden's favorite), and ran to Walmart to get some water guns and a kid pool. We had a wonderful afternoon outside playing in the water and relaxing. Even the thunderstorm that rolled in didn't stop us from grilled steak and chicken for a Father's Day feast.

On Sunday, Nick led worship at our church...it was awesome! Oh how I wish they would just pick up and move here! Then we drove to Panera, ate lunch, gave big hugs, and said goodbye. I hope it's not too long before we get to do it all again!

Uncle Jake comes to visit

In early June my youngest brother came to stay with us for two weeks. It was so much fun having him with us. It wasn't without bumps in the road, but I think it was good for him and for us to have this time together. I know of three little people for sure who were really glad he was around...

It wasn't a total vacation for Jake....we put him to work too! He was 3rd base coach at Nathan's first tee ball game. He also built us 2 benches to go with our table on the deck.

Even though he wasn't with us on his actual birthday....we celebrated with a cookie cake (like most of his birthdays growing up) before he left. Can't believe he is 24! Seems like time should just freeze when you leave the house and everyone you left behind should stay the same age. Seems like just a second ago he was 14 years old....running around in his boxer shorts and pestering me like all good little brothers do! He's turned into quite a man. I know he'll do great things in life!

Dunnegan Park's Fishing Day

There is a beautiful lake-pond-thingy at the park in town that is home to all sorts of fish, ducks, and geese. 364 days out of the year there is a sign posted saying, "no fishing." But, there is one Saturday every year when the Bolivar Walmart hosts a kids fishing day. Kids under the age of 12 can fish all day long. And fish they did, I tell you. I think every child that resides in our city limits was at Dunnegan park that day. And the fish....they were a'bitin. We may have caught 50 fish in one hour's time (which is about all we lasted due to the stinking hot weather). The kids loved it and I am sure we'll be there again next year!

The blue Tigers

Every Monday and Thursday night we pack the family up and drive to the ballpark. We've got to get front row seats to cheer on the Tigers! Our favorite happens to be #3, Kaleb "the slugger" Hollis! After his first game I was a little worried about how it would all go. He mostly kicked up a giant dust cloud in the outfield, played with his hat, and he had a pretty slow swing. But, with each passing game he has improved greatly. He gets a hit every game (has even had a double) and enjoys playing pitcher the most (he does well close to the action so he has to stay focused). He gets really excited when Coach Gray tells him he can be catcher....there's nothing cuter than our little man in the catcher's gear.

Tee ball

Nathan's tee ball season ends tomorrow night and I haven't even posted about his first game. I'll let you in on a little secret....5 year old t-ball can be painfully slow and long. It's a good thing that little man is such a stinkin' cutie...otherwise I'm not sure I would make it.

Nathan has done great this season! In his league you get to bat every inning and you can't really get out. Each game ends in a tie and everyone gets to celebrate with juice boxes. What could be finer to a 5 year old? Also in this league you get 3 pitches from the coach and then if you haven't hit it you can use the tee. Nathan only had to use the tee during the first game. I'm not bragging or anything...but....the dude's a natural!

Daddy is the first base coach.

And there were some really handsome fans in the stands that day.

Even cousin Jordan got to witness the great game! Thanks goodness for Grammy....she brought lots of snacks to occupy these little onlookers....like a said before.....tee ball tends to move slow and go.on.for.ev.er!

Sew beautiful

I'm not a great seamstress, but I can sew a straight line or two. But, I headed into this new sewing adventure with fear and trepidation. All in all, though, I am pleased with what transpired. I made, not one, but 2 pillowcase dresses. Can't wait til Independence Day when we can show them off!

A time to celebrate

Most of you who read this will already know this sweet little face. But, for those of you who don't yet know this little beauty let it be my honor to introduce you to Zemma. Isn't she adorable. I could just smooch those cheeks right off her little face! Zemma is the newly adopted daughter of my sweet friend Laura. Laura and I go way back....I mean....way back. Like all the way back to our middle school days. She was one grade below me, but we were sweet friends. I simply loved her family growing up. Her home was a place filled with laughter and you KNEW that they all loved each other to the very core of their being. It always felt like a very safe and secure place to be. Maybe that's why I loved sleeping over there. Laura and I would sleep in the strangest places....I'm not exactly sure why....but, hey....when you're in middle school you don't need much of a reason to act ridiculous. We slept under her dining room table (I think we ended up here because we figured out that the bathtub wasn't a very comfortable option), in her kitchen, and also in the fold-down trunk of my father's car. Then, we'd wake up and make strange versions of pancakes. One version in particular I remember was peppermint pancakes. I think even her dog rejected those. Anyway...she is a sweet dear friend who I have such fond memories of. And now...she has added this amazing little girl to her family. What a joy it was to watch her introduce her baby to so many of her friends.

We had an absolute blast playing together and enjoying a meal. The kids played in the baby pool, the men played washers, and the women...well, you know what we did....we gabbed and gabbed into the late evening. Zemma and I bonded over bubbles. I got to catch up with Laura's older sister Lindsey (she was a hero of mine when I was in high school). It was fun to trade ministry wives stories with her. And it was a blast to see their mom Carol again. Carol has been a hero to me through everything with my parents. Every once in a while I get a precious note from her saying that she's praying for me. We don't talk often, but I feel connected to her through prayer. And there is no greater way to be connected in my opinion. It was also fantastic to gather so many of our Bolivar friends in one place at one time. I love hearing laughter....from kids and adults, echoing through my house and yard. There's not much more I need in life....a Savior, an amazing family, and dear sweet friends. I am a blessed woman.