moments

and it starts. 

all three boys playing together. though the older two were fighting over who was going to push what buttons on the baby toy, eventually all three of them were content to play together for at least 10 minutes. my heart was full. those big boys love this blue eyed baby.

i already think grey bear and will have a special something. grey gets a smile from will without fail. and i can see will watching him intently more often than not. his eyes gravitate toward grey.  

and i'm pretty sure grey thinks will is the greatest. i'll enjoy that now because in a couple of years he could be body slamming grey like tuck does.

and grey bear got a hold of the camera and took these last two shots. he is somethin' else. 

after that, grey and i went on a date tonight that included ice cream and a photo adventure...

this man

this man.

a picture of mercy.

i never deserved a man like this. never in a million years. 

this is how i can quite possibly begin to grasp the concept of mercy. and grace. 

in this man.

why after a million mistakes and bad decisions? the hurt. the stupidity. the giving of my heart only to be broken. why?

because He always had a better plan. the perfect plan. one that was this man. 

when i couldn't understand the moment i was in, His plan was this man. for me. forever. 

He is the creator and sustainer of both of our hearts now one.

that smile. that laugh. the heart behind it. could it have been created for me to share this life with? to tenderly love our children? do i get to watch it grow and change every season of life?

it's mercy. it's grace. 

it's all too much. to touch it. to have it forever. as long as we both shall live. joy fills my soul with this man.

it's a tangible mercy. a physical grace. in this man.

no, i don't deserve it. i never did and i never will. 

as we laugh and cry and figure out all of this, He is mercy and grace. 

and He is pouring it all over me in this man.

fireworks and such

oh glory. 

after the start of our crazy week {steph's very accurate, detailed account} , we settled in at poppie and marmie's for a long weekend while matthew was still in Tennessee. 

they were so gracious to take us nomads in for a little rest and relaxation.

look at 'em.

they were so much help to me. and after the adventure i'd just been on, i needed all the help i could get. 

my mom cooked up some delicious meals and poppie took the big boys fishing on a few occasions. they played, laughed, and allowed me to truly relax for a few days. 

we enjoyed some really fun time at the pool where both big boys really enjoyed swimming. of course i made the mistake of taking off tuck's swimmies for a snack the second day and after that he was more interested in killing the ants that were traveling around the pool. grey got brave quick and he will be attending swimming lessons in a few weeks to build a little more confidence. will enjoyed himself all snuggled up. and monday we met abby, matt, and cady for a swim! we could have stayed all day.

will was especially entertained by gram. she could get the best belly laughs out of him. though it doesn't take much, she was REALLY good at it. 

i had an opportunity to spend some much needed time with my heart friend, ann. by "heart friend" i mean that we will always share the real parts of our hearts when we're together. a forever friend that i always wish to spend more time with. clemson was good to us in our hours upon hours we spent together there. though i didn't have much to offer in the way of encouragement on my part, i was totally encouraged by her and where she is in life and her relationship with the Lord. so very grateful for that time.

grey was stoked to catch fireflies one night. he has manned up since last summer when all he would do is swat at them. he must have caught 25 and really enjoyed himself. marmie really enjoyed him!

we celebrated the 4th of july with fireworks of course. grey surprisingly loved them. tuck was a tad skiddish at first but was waving a sparkler by the end. they were both pretty mesmerized. and all three boys even let me get a picture of them in their red, white, and blue. let me assure you, it was not without a battle.

i will say after 10 days of traveling here and there and everywhere {at least it felt like it}, i was more than happy to come home to my sweet husband! at least for a little while...

beach week.sparkler edition

yes. and entire post on our adventures with sparklers on the beach. 

it was hilarious. 

i wish i had steph's video she took of the whole charade. but i do have pictures. 

let's just say wind and fire don't mix. it took about 8 of us to work on getting the things lit only to fail miserably. matthew and christopher finally took a sparkler and a lighter up to the house to get one started and made the run back to the beach to light all of the kids'. christopher was running like he was carrying the olympic torch.

we did this on two different occasions. 

{i do realize this is only funny to those that were present. just believe me. it was funny.}

the geniuses. 

we have a light!

tada!

oh good times!

beach week.sand n' surf edition

we had loads of fun at the beach last week. 

i laughed harder than i've laughed in a long time, ate THE MOST delicious pancakes on earth (thanks steph!), dug my toes in the sand, and watched my boys' and their cousins enjoy the sand n' surf.

this is one of my favorite weeks of the year. it's not just the being at the beach (even though it's is definitely my most favorite place to be) but it's the time we get to spend together. it's unique to any other time spent. the only problem is it's not long enough.

life moves too fast. but for one week, we get to move a little slower and have conversation. i get to know family a little better. and love them more where they are. because i get to know where they are.  i value quality time more than anything else. and this week provides that and then some. i am so grateful for this time which was evidenced by me crying like a baby when it was time to hug everyone goodbye.

thank you to barry and cheryl who make this all possible for us each summer. we appreciate it more than you could ever know.

and i have far too many pictures. as usual. just embrace it.

boogie boogie-ing, fishing for minnows, and digging were some of the favorite beach past-times

will even enjoyed a nap on the beach!

with papa's masterpiece of a dolphin!