How can it be August already?

Jillian kicked off July by loosing her two front teeth!

We spent July 4th at Will's Grandpa's Farm as we always do. 

Lauren and Jillian completed another summer of softball.  Will is their coach.

We took a family vacation to the Black Hills.  The girls said their favorite part was the guided trail ride on horses.  We also had a great time at Cascade Falls.  Other highlights included:  A cave tour, Reptile Gardens, Hill City and Storybook Island, We ended it at the FCA camp in Spearfish where we took part in the last evening of activites and then headed back to Yankton the next morning. 

In Loving Memory of

ABBY

Today we had to put to sleep our beloved dog of over 11 years.  She had been loosing weight and declining in health for the past few months.  It really progressed this past week and we had to make the difficult decison to say good bye to our watch dog, companion, floor sweeper, and lap warming friend.  If you are reading this blog then you already know how special Abby was to all of us.  The picture above was taken in May of 1999 when I brought her home for the first time.  I had wanted a house dog my entire life.  I was beyond thrilled!  I am so grateful for having had her in our home for the past 11 years and getting to share her with our kids.  I could not have scripted a better way for her to pass on.  We were with her and she did not have to suffer.

Abby was our "baby" for the first 3 years.

Abby and Lauren in 2002.  She loved the kids and was always very kind and gentle with them

The girls spending our last few minutes here at home with her. 

We love you Abby!

Happy Father's Day!

Thank you God for my husband who I celebrate 12 years of marriage with today.  Thank you for blessing him with 4 wonderful children and making him the best husband and Daddy around!

Thank you God for my Dad.  My mom always told me that when she was dating, among other things,  she always tried to envision what kind of a "dad" the men she dated would someday be.  She encouraged me to look for this same quality.  Well I am here to say she found the perfect dad for me and her advice allowed me to find the perfect dad for my kids!  My dad is so great, that he won't even kill me for posting this picture of him in a snuggly he recieved for his birthday this past year (maybe?)

Thank you God for my Father in Law.  Thank you for the son he raised and the qualities he instilled in him to be the Godly man he is today.  Happy Father's day to my brother in law Jay who is also shown in this picture. 

What have we been up to?..........

Planning Women's events at our church

Spending time with family

Attending the musical "Little house on the Prarie" at the Washington Pavillion.

Spending time with Uncle Jordan

Building a house.

We are enjoying our busy summer and looking forward to a family vacation to the Black Hills next week!

Last day of school!

Jillian with her teacher Mrs Moon

Jillian & Lauren on their way out the door

Lauren with her teacher Mrs Schaeffer

Madelyn on a field trip to the fish hatchery during her last day of preschool last week.

Owen and I got to attend as well.

Owen-- Just being Owen!

AWANA

It seems a bit different to not have the usual wednesday night activities tonight.  Last week was our last AWANA meeting for the year.  The kids love AWANA and work very hard on their verses each and every week.  Lauren had a banner year as she graduated from "Sparks" and will begin "Truth and Training" next year.  She also earned an extra award for completing all the Sparks requirements and the review book. 

Happy Mothers Day

Thank you Lord for allowing me to be a mother to my 4 very special kids. 

Thank you Lord for a mom that loves me unconditionally and has always been there for me

Thank you Lord for my mother-in-law who gave me my wonderful husband and who treats me like a daughter.

Thank you Lord for my Grandma Lilly who gave me my mom.  I am so grateful my kids get to know and spend time with their great- grandma.  Its a blessing not every child can have. 

I am blessed!  Thank you Lord!  Happy Mothers day!