Jacob - precious prayer

Oh how this precious child stretches me & draws me to Jesus.

He's opposite than me in so many ways and I'm challenged daily by being his momma.

He's never met a stranger and welcomes everyone into his world.

He loves people & talks to everyone.

(Every.single.person.)

He's passionate & fearless & bold & energetic & loud.

I love this little guy so much and I'm so grateful for his big, honest heart.

Tonight as we were tucking him into bed, I got to hear his heart as he prayed and it brought tears to my eyes because what he prayed is so true for all believers...

'Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me a new heart.  

I'm sorry for disobey you, but I'm just learning.  

It's really really hard but I'm trying to be kind. Amen.'

Sweet Jacob, Thank you for reminding me of the amazing gift of salvation & a new heart!  I am SO excited that you have asked Jesus to give you a new heart!!  We have prayed for this for so long! It's the greatest gift you will ever receive and I am blown away by God's faithfulness.  We are all on this journey of learning how to walk with Jesus more intimately & how to live in obedience.  And it's hard!  Really really hard!  Our time on this earth will be filled with fighting sin and it's a long path set before us but we have the Lord to help us & the Spirit to guide us & God's forgiveness and grace, and He gives us true eternal hope.  With tears in my eyes, Jacob, I want to say thank you.  Thank you for being honest and encouraging me with your words.  Thank you for asking questions about heaven and Jesus.  Thank you for letting me hear you pray, your sweet voice praying to Jesus... because it's one of my favorite things in the world.  I love hearing your precious heart.  It's such a JOY to be your mom! I love you!

'Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.'  Psalm 127:3

I just love those dirty hands & that missing tooth & sweet smile from my big boy!

New Season, New Adventures

Since the fall is officially here and summer is old news, 

we've had to pack up the bathing suits (ugh!) and bust out the new bookbags!

This kid is starting Preschool!!!

He did great & loved his first day of school!

His favorite part of the day was sleeping.... they nap at school for a little bit.

(If you knew the fight we have every time it's time to go to bed, this comment is quite humorous.)

He asked to go everyday.

Aaaaand since I cried the whole way home, the answer is nope, you can't go every day yet, kiddo!

Baby steps, right?!

We also started a new community group on Wednesdays.

Jacob is doing a little soccer league with his buddies on Mondays.

I'm in a Wednesday morning Bible study at church studying Daniel (so excited about this!)

And Jacob goes to school Tues & Thurs.

So yep, we now have some schedule to our week!  

We are embracing fall!

Bring on the...

football

pumpkin spice lattes

colorful leaves

and my baby's BIRTHDAY!!!! (2 days yall!!)

Summer Fun!

Slip-n-slide & pool swimming to end the summer!

Jacob has been working on swimming without his puddle jumper lately.

So proud of our little guy!  

He loves the water, that's for sure.

Hilton Head

We had a great time in Hilton Head at the Thum family vacation last week!!

Lots of beach time & exploring the island on bikes & spotting a few gators.

We ate crab legs & went parasailing & relaxed by the pool.

We taught Jacob how to chase crabs at night with a flashlight.

Chris & I went running together a few times and went on a sweet date one night.

Jacob learned how to ride the waves & explored the lighthouse.

Parker ate a lot of sand & crawled fearlessly into the ocean.

We found out Drew & Andrea are expecting a sweet baby in January!!

What a fun week!!!

These 2 studs love the beach!

Park the bikes & run up to the beach

Parker was the little rascal that wanted to grab the baby crab.

Lots of beach time...

Working hard diggin' in the sand together.

Eating all the sand that didn't work well for the sand castles.

 

Surfin' those waves

 

Exploring the Island

 

 Bike rides at sunset & the beautiful Spanish moss.

We found a dolphin when we were checkin' out the island

Parker's first ride on a bike.  He loved it!

The boys slept pretty good all week, which was a blessing!

Date Night with the Hubs

I love that lil cutie

Parasailing Adventure

 Dippin' us in the water

Family pics!

 

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July from this gang!

We had some friends over to grill out & run around the backyard.

Pork tenderloin, corn on the cob, salad, rolls, homemade ice cream & cobbler.  

Firefly catchin', baseball playin', kite flyin'.

Yessssss please.

It was a fun night finished off with sparklers & watching fireworks from our yard!

So grateful for these sweet friends!

Yay for Taylor being in town!