Last Weekend...

was sooo nice just not long enough! Some of our really good friends from the Phoenix area came into town. Saturday night we went to the Theatre in the Park. It was very relaxing and a lot of fun and all of the kiddos did great! Earlier that day Chris and the girls and I went to the Gardner pool. It was nice to see Chris get to relax and spend some good quality time with the girls after he has been working sooooo much! They love their daddy! and so do I!! He has been so great and hasn't complained one time about the long hours he has to work with his new job. I know he is exhausted at the end of the day or night whichever schedule he is on but he will do what ever it takes to take care of his family and that is just one of the reasons I love him so much. I could go on and on...

The girls have really been learning to play very well together...most of the time. Kailey is really growing into the big sister role and Lauryn looks up to her and wants to mimic everything she does. I try explaining that concept to Kailey and she says, "Mom, Lauryn's a baby. She can't be like me. I have to teach her." I think she might just understand! Well, i need to go make a grocery list, unload the dishwasher, and fold some more laundry then I think I will go to bed early tonight and try to catch up on my sleep. I don't sleep very well when Chris is working nights. I think i feel kinda guilty... lata!

Melanie and I

Kaitlyn, Alan, and Kailey
Lauryn and Chris
Lauryn, Chris, and Kailey at the pool
Chris and the girls going down a slide at the pool(look at Kailey's tongue!)

Lauryn~I love this picture for some reason

Lauryn is actually sitting still long enough to let Kailey hold her

Cedar Rapids Iowa Flooding

Here are some pictures of my hometown that is now almost completely underwater. Several of my family members still live in Cedar Rapids. They are all safe but some have had to evacuate their homes. I just can't believe this. You see things like this in the movies but this is way to close to home. Please keep them in your prayers!!!!

work water sandbag flood evacuation emergency work... - Photos, Pictures, Images - msnbc.com

Psalm 9:1-2

"I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High."

Ok, so yesterday was a really good day. We did absolutely nothing but play outside and sit by the pool all afternoon and most of the morning too! The girls love to be outside as much as possible and they love to play with their friend and neighbor Nevaeh, which works out great because I love to spend time with Nevaeh's mommy, Marietta. They are such an awesome family and they are very special to us! Anyway, Marietta and I were talking about life and how much we have to be thankful for but sometimes we just get an attitude about things. So, interestingly enough (it always works this way) Chris left me a note on the table this morning before he left for work and it was a challenge to read the above scripture and to only THANK the Lord for things today; not asking Him for anything, and to write them down. So I did that! And it was great! Here is what I came up with today but there are so many more...

my salvation
my amazing husband
my girls
family
the Fulk family
sunshine and popsicles
my flowerbed in the backyard
my home
good health
Chris's employment
Weekends
Our new church home
Being a stay at home mom
candles, coffee, and cable tv
prayer
my comfy bed
clean laundry
Chris letting me sleep in on his days off
the sounds of Kailey and Lauryn's laughter
my dishwasher
peace in my heart
selling the dodge van
a working van
chips and salsa
my husbands love
the fact that Jesus is as close as the mention of his name
my dinner china that has been packed up for the last 3 years
sleeping close to my husband
music
lunchables
quiet time

Summer Fun

Here are some fun pictures of our activities this summer...so far~there will be lots more to come!!!
Here is Kailey at the Wichita zoo putting on her "turtle face"
Kailey and Grama Burrell
Lauryn going down the BIG slide
Kailey and Lauryn going down the slide at the park
Kailey making cookies for her daddy

This is Kailey with her sweet friend Nevaeh. They love to play together!
Kailey sitting on Grama Burrells porch waiting for everyone to get home
Kailey, Lauryn, and me a the zoo
Kailey watching the penguins~this was her favorite part of the zoo
Lauryn and daddy sharing ice cream~this was there favorite part of the zoo!