My Sister

This weekend was my sister's birthday.. We always tease her because she calls us up on the beginning of the month and says "OK! It's 30 Shopping Days till Becky's Birthday!" She cracks us up.


My sister is a fun loving, generous, loyal, and family dedicated person. She loves my kids as if they were her own. I am forever saying "Everybody should have an Aunt Becky" and I really do mean it.. She is so good to them. They love her so much and couldn't imagine their lives without her I'm sure... she is as much a part of their lives as Brian and I are.

We hope you had a wonderful birthday month, Aunt Becky! We love you!

Sisters are different. They heard the sobbing in the darkness.
They lived through all your triumphs, all your favorites,
all your loves and losses. They have no delusions.
They lived with you too long.
And so, when you achieve some victory, friends are delighted -
but sisters hold your hands in silence and shine with happiness.
For they know the cost.

Pam Brown

Fun With Photos (mommy and daddy)

So we got the camera out tonight and instead of taking pictures of the kids, for once we were taking silly pictures of ourselves... thought I'd share some of the results of our silliness here.....

yes, we're dorks, but we like it! hehee

What A Party It Was!

It was a blast! The princess had a wonderful time.. it was quieter then we're used to around here, but it was a good time anyway..She was thrilled with her new kitchen.. went right to work cooking and serving us coffee and corn on the cob, hehee... What a joy it is to watch her right now.. She is a blessing for sure. Terrible twos here we come!!! ;)

Our Birthday Girl

Our Katie Grace is turning 2 this week! It's unbelievable to me that our baby could be this age already... Thinking about the day we first laid eyes on her, how tiny she was when they laid her in my arms at the hospital, how fragile she seemed -- when in reality she was a fighter from the start! (Thank you, God!!)

We turned around and she was 1! And then we blinked and she is turning 2! And she's full of mischief and sparkling eyes and loving on her big brother, making her Mommy crazy, all the while having Daddy wrapped completely around her little finger.

We've never been more in love with you, Katie Grace. And yet somehow I think that tomorrow we will wake up and love you a little bit more...Funny how that works!

I thought I'd share a few pictures (a few, haha) of her from the past 2 years, leading up to her big day. Enjoy our beautiful princess! God is so good to us!

Date Night Tonight!

I am so excited -- we are having our date night tonight instead of Tuesday this week, because we are going to Six Flags to see my favorite group -- CASTING CROWNS!! Ahhhh I can't wait! (They are on this blog, they sing the first song, Praise You In This Storm, also they sing Voice of Truth, two of my favorite songs, also Who am I, oh I could go on and on.. hehee)... anyway, they are part of a music festival called Kingdom Bound that is hosted at our Six Flags tonight and we are going to see them. There is a whole other slew of groups going to be there, too, but we are going for CC. Can't wait!!!!!! Oh, I told Brian that while we're there, I want to ride a roller coaster or two as well. :) Miss those days.

Our Little Soccer Star

Simple -- Yet So Profound.

In Sunday School this week the pastor was speaking on 12 Ordinary men.. the 12 disciples. He was talking about how truly ordinary they were before they were "called" by Jesus to follow Him. Some of them were pretty messed up, actually! Hmm, something to think about..

Anyway, we were talking about how similar some of their struggles were to the struggles that some of us deal with in our lives today. And how Jesus said to these men, in the throes of their struggles, "Come." And they went. Wow.

And Jesus says to us:

"Draw near to me and I will draw near to you"

-- meaning all we need to do is be close to Him.. surround ourselves with things of Him.. His Word, His people, His love, even His music -- and He will be close to us. And therein we will find Him........ and His peace.

So simple. Yet so profound.

Patrick's Saturday 6

1. What is your absolute favorite dessert? Brownies, with good vanilla ice cream (like Breiers with little pieces of vanilla bean in it), and warm chocolate sauce on it, and real whipped cream. Heavenly.

2. When is the last time you had it? Umm.. maybe my birthday a year or two ago? Not sure.

3. If you had to give up one of the following for life: cookies, cake, ice cream, pie, or chocolate, which would you choose never to try again? Cake. I could live without cake. Definitely.

4. Take the quiz: What flavor of ice cream are you?

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core. You often find yourself on the outside looking in. Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

5. If you attempted to make the dessert you like best, how well do you think it would turn out? Oh, I can make a mean brownie, for sure, so I think it would turn out just fine! (Who can mess a brownie up? Seriously. My. Baking. Skills. Are. Pathetic.)

6. If you were going to invent your own flavor of ice cream to be carried by a company like Ben & Jerry’s, what ingredients would you require? Chocolate ice cream for sure, with bits of heath bars, M&Ms, little swirls of fudge, and maybe a few Oreo chunks. I'm all about the crunchies, baby!

Weekend Plans?

Just wondering what everyone has planned this weekend...

We are having a date night in tonight.. we had tacos and put the kids to bed early. We got a movie (Music and Lyrics with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore), and plan on just having a good time being together and being quiet after a few really hectic weeks (ok, really more like a few hectic months)...

Tomorrow Jonathan has soccer practice bright and early, and we'll be doing general house stuff -- hopefully the weather will be nice and we'll get to take them in the pool.. I can't believe July is almost over already! What in the world is going on here????? I guess we should be lucky school doesn't start in 2 weeks like some places do...

Sunday is church and Sunday School and then we'll be getting ready for our church's Vacation Bible School, so that will thrust us into a hugely busy week to come.

Anyone else care to share what you've got going on this weekend, into the coming week? I love to know!! :)

Some posts need very few words:

Daddy's Little Sailor:

Vacation Pictures :) (lots!)

Brian and Jonathan at Chocolate World:

Our little Hershey's Kisses:

A Silly Moment:

Mommy and Katie Bug hanging out:


Jonathan is a Hershey Bar:

Me and my BFF:

Daddy and Katie Bug:

Jonathan and G on the Scrambler:

Hanging out waiting for a ride:

Our girl with Jodi:

Daddy and Katie:

A'LaLa and her girl:

Katie in Jonon's hat:

Cuteness:


Takin' a shower:

Bathing Beauty:

Look at me!

Aww! Friends Forever!

Saying Goodbye to our friends :(

Muhahaha:


Sleepy girl (not that she slept that much... sigh)

Yeah. We love being in the car (insert rolling eyes):