Well dang...

Phew.

It's been a lazy couple of months since we moved home.  Good.  Slow.  Simple.  And my blog has been neglected. 

We have moved in our forever home and boy does it feel good to know we will be here for a long time.  I keep telling Blake that this is our last home.  That is such a wonderful feeling, even though I know better than to say never, right? 

Blake starts his job today and I could NOT possibly be more proud of him.  So I am gonna brag.  He has worked his heart out for 14 years to get to this place.  So, if you happen to find yourself in Tulsa, Oklahoma  and unfortunately your bones are outta whack, I just happen to know a fantastic guy!  He joined a great group here that just happened to plan to hire a orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine this summer.  How great is our God?  I couldn't have planned that better if I tried :)

 Gosh, I love this one!!!

 I love how Emme winks!!!  Notice that I brought sugar cookies to keep them smiling ;)

And we are even more blessed by the church we call home here, and how close we are to our family and long time friends.  This past week I was baking brownies because my parents and grandmother were coming for dinner.  My daddy loves pecans in his brownies and I realized I had none.  My batter was ready to pour.  In relief I called for the boys down and told them to run to their grandparents house and get some from Noonie.  How cool is that?  We live in the same neighborhood as my parents.  If I had told Blake that was my dream as a child, he would've never married me I am sure.  And then it happened and we were both excited about it.  Sadie still wants to live at Noonie and Papa's though.  Total bummer, but she'll get over it, right?

So we are just settling in, loving being back together forever.  I've been reading a few books that have totally rocked my world.  Gaw.  I will have to come back and post on them because I can't quite swallow what has been brought to my attention. 

We're Coming Home

That's right folks.

We've said hard good-byes and we are stuffed into the car heading for our friends and family who are dying to see these babies!

Please say a prayer for us for safe travels...

We are just a wee bit excited to see all our lovies!

Beach Pics

Well, Hilton Head Island was as magical as everyone said it was...

 We had to beg Owen to take this one of us, but I am so glad we did.  Love this man so much!  This year is our 10 year wedding anniversary...so thankful for the love we have.

 Singing Happy Gotcha Day to Sadie at 8:15 am...HA!  They loved it!

 Emery took a lil nap on the beach and the bigs couldn't stop kissing on her.  So sweet!

 We met up with our precious friends from Canada.  They are at Emory doing a fellowship this year as well. 

 I love a family picture!!!  Goodness gracious!  Look how big our Emery is!  I cannot believe it.  This picture seriously shocked me when I saw how big she looks. 

 

 This was taken on Mother's Day...I looked up and saw Cooper and Sadie playing in the waves together.  Such a sweet gift for this mama.  We don't always get along so well, so when I see this I just relish in it. 

 Emery LOVED the water and couldn't get enough of it.  Several times she would point and say "MORE" while her whole body was shaking from being cold.

 Blake and I noticed while on this trip that Owen walks with a lil swagger.  It's sooo cute.  I love that he is confident. 

 Not sure this needs any explaination...I just love that this is what she did...taking it all in baby girl.

 What a great shot of Sadie checking out the sea shells.  Notice she has her baby...she's such a good lil mama.

 He was in heaven!  We normally don't let the kids drink pop, but we got a cooler for the beach and their daddy bought them Diet Twist Up and you'd have thought they won the lottery.  And yes, they were having fun seeing who could burp the loudest. 

 Sweet kisses!  This Emme is full of hugs and kisses and we just can't get enough of them. 

 Sadie got a skim board for her Gotcha Day from Noonie and Papa.

 He so didn't want to stop and take this...thank you Cooper!

I am not sure what we would have done without this precious family full of great friends.  Everything you've heard about Canadians is true...they are the nicest people you'll ever meet.  We are gonna miss them! 

Pictures...

 We went to Stone Mountain again...the kids love it and they got a new water play area that the younger 3 loved.  Owen opted to stay dry with mom and dad ;)

 Oh my word.  All of Stone Mountain Park heard our little bundle squealing with joy.  The workers couldn't help but giggle.  So glad I captured some of the smiles...

 Her dress was sopping wet.  Good thing it was HOT outside!  It was near 90 this day.

 Owen climbed the rock wall 3 times.  He was so proud of himself and so were we!  How did he get so big?   

 The girls just love to shop.  This is Sadie trying to skateboard in the Goodwill.  Sadie is getting pretty good at staying close and not being a little "Distructo".  But lil bit is every bit of two when we are at the store.  "No mommy", "Mine", "I do it", "I get down", "OUT peas"!  She runs, she pulls from the shelves, she destroys.  Iss no bueno.  Needless to say we've had to cut our shopping time short several times lately because "someone" isn't minding the rules.  Eh-hem.  No better way to teach 'em right? 

 This is day 2 of yarn extensions.  She loved every single day of the long hair and beads.  She clicked, she clacked and she swung those suckers smack dab in her eye several times.  But yesterday we took them out because the fuzz was more than I could handle.  I was so happy they held up for 15 days though! 

 Look at her!  Friday nights are pizza and movie night and we all just love it.  It just amazes me how much Emery has changed over the past few months (notice paci on plate-still struggling with it).  When she saw the others sit down for the picnic, she put her sweet leggies out and placed her plate right on top then parked her paci safely close by.  Gosh I adore her...and that stinkin' paci. 

Notice the boys shorter hair...we did summer cuts on Wednesday and they both love their new shorter hair.  More than anything...they love not having to detangle! 

Thank you Jesus for MIL's

Oh lands. I don't know what people do without family close. Our fam has been tremendous help when they come to see us. And this week I am especially thankful for my mother-in-law who has been here since last Friday.

The minute she booked her flight she text me to tell me to schedule appointments for myself and times to be with the boys at school. Can you believe that? Man, I pray that I can be that kind of MIL to my childrens' spouses.

We are doubly blessed because unlike most situations...both sets of our parents remember this stage in our life: young kids, feeling pulled in too many directions with little time for ourselves and each other. All four of them go overboard to support us in this precious time in our lives.

So this week the boys went to Lego Land with Blake and Gigi, I have been able to spend time in the boys' classrooms reading, went on Owen's field trip and helped out with some volunteering. It's been so good for my heart! I am forever grateful because I know the boys enjoy it just as much.

Almost home!

We had a wonderful trip and made lots of memories. Blake and I are incredibly proud of our sweeties. They did fantastic, were patient, great helpers, great with sharing and we just had an absolute blast on our first family vacation of 6! I will upload and share more pics later...but here are a few from my phone.