T-Ball.Tim's Birthday.4th of July Decorations

Cash had his last T-Ball game for the season. We loved watching him play. I think he really enjoyed it. He's a good player, he can throw the ball far and accurately. He can run fast! Most of the time he bats the ball straight down center field. It was HOT for the last game but Cash powered through. We are proud of him!

(Photo credits to Daddy)

We had a little birthday party for Grandpa, he turned 63. Cash said that's old! We found out that day the sale of our house fell through so Gramps was distracted, but we still had fun. Cash made his signature birthday cake with sprinkles and lots of sugar.

Cash made this card for Grandpa, he is so thoughtful.

Cash helped me put out the 4th of July decorations. It was fun and he did a good job. He even made a nice wreath to hang by the back door!

Thanks Cash!

Words to live by ~ Horses and chariots of fire...

In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike—and they will—you must remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham’s seed.

Elisha, with a power known only to the prophets, had counseled the king of Israel on how and where and when to defend against the warring Syrians. The king of Syria, of course, wished to rid his armies of this prophetic problem. So, and I quote:

“Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.

“… (They) compassed the city both with horses and chariots.” (2 Kings. 6:14–15.)

If Elisha is looking for a good time to be depressed, this is it. His only ally is a boy who in modern times might be the president of the local teachers quorum. It is one prophet and one lad against the world. And the boy is petrified. He sees the enemy everywhere—difficulty and despair and problems and burdens everywhere. He cannot leave, and all he can see is an evil and merciless city like Chicago. With faltering faith the boy cries, “Alas, my master! how shall we do?” (2 Kings. 6:15.)

And Elisha’s reply?

“Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

“And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” (2 Kings. 6:16–17.)

I close with this promise from heaven. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;

“And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along.”

“… I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left … and mine angels (shall be) round about you, to bear you up.

“… The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.” (D&C 78:17–18; D&C 84:88; D&C 78:18.)

~ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (For Times of Trouble, January 1982)

Yummy food...

It's so fun to watch Grey sit in the highchair. He is really digging eating some real baby food! He is the sweetest boy, he makes all feel happy!

Grey looks so cute in his red, white and blue!

A few days ago Colby wanted to sit in the highchair!

Cash sitting in the highchair!

Colby sitting in the highchair!

 Sweet.Cute.Darling.Fun.Happy.Smart.Loving

Grands!

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Mommy, Daddy and Cash!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Thai basil coconut eggplant soup made by Chris!

Father's Day 2015 ~ Expressing love...

All day long on Sunday I was watching the different expressions of love that were happening. It's interesting to watch the way we express love in our family. 

The love languages are allegedly:

Words of Affirmation

Quality Time
Receiving Gifts
Acts of Service
Physical Touch
Food (just kidding) 

I believe that love is a choice as much as it is a feeling or a decision.

Tim is always hugging the grands and of course giving them quality time. He gives words of affirmation to everyone. He is always making sure I feel loved, not with gifts but with acts of service.

Christopher loves to give gifts, they are always carefully thought out. He doesn't wait for special occasions, his gifts come all through the year!  He also gives words of affirmation and many acts of service. He likes spending time with Mark and Tim. He makes gourmet meals for friends and family. He gives me a hug most of the time!

Mark shows love with his time. He loves to play with his boys and be with his family. He likes to spend time with Chris and Tim. They enjoy watching sports together or playing games. He always thanks me for helping with the boys and after we have had a family dinner. He gives nice hugs occasionally! He serves his wife and children on a daily basis.

Tiffani, well she demonstrates ALL the love languages very well. She is a busy Mom but she gives the her boys quality time. Her love for them is evident in all she does.

Cash, Colby and Grey know all about love. It comes so naturally to them and we are the recipients of their sweetness. 

I know that we are not always perfect with the way we express love. We can always be aware and try to improve. Sometimes life gets in the way and sometimes you are just having one of those days. I think we all have little quirks, and when one of them surfaces, I always want to be forgiving. At the end of the day, it's still all about family. 

 I helped Grey stand by the chair. He loved it, he's getting so big!

Cash is really the most clever boy. He used the Squigs and the container to make a fun alien!

And what would Father's Day be without a little harmonica and trumpet concert.

Oh and some of Tim's famous strawberry ice cream!

 Happy Father's Day Tim and Mark!

Words to live by ~ Better...

“It’s not about being the best. 
It’s about being better than you were yesterday.”

#beabetteryou

Undies...

Cash and Colby wanted to play in the pool and I forget to get their swimsuits. I did find one swimsuit for Cash, so Colby wore a pair of undies. He was fine with that and I think he looks so cute!

Cash put lemon juice and some mint leaves in a cup. He called it Lemon Surprise and it was very refreshing!

It's heating up so hopefully we will have more pool parties!

 

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Daddy and Colby...

Holding hands...

Wordless Wednesday ~ Grey and Colby...

Words to live by ~ Amazing gift...

It’s easy to forget what an amazing gift life really is. Our lives are nothing but a cosmic blink. Even our seemingly all-encompassing world is just tiny blue dot circling an average sized star spiraling around a galaxy of 200-400 billion stars, which itself is just one galaxy among billions more. Yet for one brief moment, we get to experience the wonders of existence, of consciousness. ~ Unknown

Ready...

These handsome boys are all ready for church!

(Photo credits to Tiff)