Deep Creek 2013

We went to Deep Creek in Bryson City NC again this year with the youth and another youth group from Savannah. Here are some pictures of our trip.

Ruthie goes to preschool

This past week, Ruthie started preschool at our church. It's only 2 days a week from 9 to 1, but it is really great for Ruthie (and momma)! While she is there I get to go to bible study on Tuesdays and MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) every other Thursday. Don't worry, I take Olivia with me!

Ruthie loves preschool and acts like she owns the place. She ushered children into the room as they arrived, she would nudge (read: push) them into the room if they did not go fast enough. Then she went around the room showing kids where to sit, making sure everyone had crayons and coloring papers, and was just very attentive saying hello and calling children by name as they came in. She truly lives up to her name Ruthie which means "friend, companion". Here are some pics of her first days of Preschool!

at Preschool Open House

"Cheese" on the ride to her first day of preschool

waiting to go into the church for her first day

making friends

walking to the classroom (somehow this one was put after the one above but was taken first)

first day of school art projects!

second day of preschool!

my baby girl is not really a baby any longer and she is even wearing a bow all day long! 

in other news, I have a great husband who made this amazing baked potato pizza

and brought me this beautiful flower! he is a keeper people!

Summer Lovin'

The theme for our youth group this summer was Summer Lovin'. It was great and we learned a lot of practical ways to love each other. Anyway, here are some pictures from the summer of our family!

Veggie Tales Thursdays!

lookin cute in her new dress

at the pier on St Simons

more cuteness! 

Happy Fourth of July!

Backyard fun

swimming

watching big sis play

cookies at chick fil A

my sweet Livie

beach fun

loving the water

playing drums on the beach

beach bum baby

another Veggie Tales Thursday at church

Ruthie's new book bag

riding in the wagon

baby doll fun

picture of Ruthie on Left and Olivia on Right

Ruthie's baptism on top and Olivia's on bottom- notice the similarities of the cross and how the pastors are holding the girls

rockin out!

playing on the floor

sisterly love

reading a prayer to her baby dolls as she put them to bed

some of my high school/church friends from Martha Bowman and some of our children came to St. Simons for the week so we all got together. There are 8 children and 2 in utero in this pic- we were missing 5 of the children. Crazy that between the 6 of us in the picture we will have 15 children by the end of the year! Love these ladies and miss them so. Miss all the others who could not join us! Thanks for the hour of fun and catching up ladies! 

Olivia is now 8 months old!

Baby Olivia turned 8 months old while we were at Deep Creek Youth Retreat a few weeks ago. She is just such a sweet, peaceful child (most of the time). Right now she is teething, but I think her unpleasant mood might just be the same temperament as most children on any given day. She is still all smiley and happy about 90% of the time she is awake.

Olivia this last month:

learned to roll over consistently

sit up unassisted

grabs at everything

eats like a champ

said her first word which was MaMa- makes this momma very happy

is wearing 6 to 9 month clothes, but totally could wear bigger!

loves her family

smiles most of the time and loves to snuggle

went on her 2nd youth retreat

had her first time alone with her parents b/c Ruthie went to stay with nana and papa in TN for a few days

Olivia was also Baptized this month and it was a beautiful time. She was baptized in water from the Jordan River that pastor Rob brought back from his summer trip. So special really!

Olivia we love you so much and are so thankful and blessed that God gave you to us!