The Parade of Bands

Trace marched in his first parade this year! He has worked really hard to help his band placed first again. One more parade to go - hopefully they get that blue ribbon! We are very proud of you Trace!

Life is such a gift…

I couldn’t decide which collage I liked the best, so you get them both!

If there is one lesson thing I’ve learned about life it is that it is not a guarantee.  It passes us by so quickly.  One day we are anxiously awaiting our high school graduation and the next we are watching our children walk across that stage.  One thing I have never wanted was to grow up.  I remember fervently praying as a child for God to please let me stay young.  And yet here I am nearly 40 years old.  My children are growing before my eyes and I am growing old(er).  Part of me still wants to beg God to not let me grow any older but I know now that that is futile.  We are all nothing more than a vapor in the wind of time.  So why do we spend so much of our time on unimportant things?  All that matters is people.  Our memories will live on in people and a life we touch today may continue touching countless others long after we are gone.  The kitchen floor may be sticky, you can’t walk through the garage, clothes are balanced precariously on top of the washer and dryer and dinner is only mac-n-cheese, but if the backyard is crawling with children whose shrieks and laughter echo throughout the neighborhood, you know you are loved and you can crawl into bed each night knowing you are blessed more than anyone deserves then really, does anything else matter?

“…I just want something beautiful…”

Something Beautiful by NeedtoBreathe

What we’ve been up to…

Really isn’t much, but I’ll humor you anyway.  Caden, our little socialite, has had friends over here nearly every day lately.  One day his friend called and was here before Caden was even off the bus!  Another afternoon he had two friends come home from school with him and three more showed up!  It makes for some crazy afternoons, but honestly I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I’m so grateful that my kids want to be here and want to have their friends here.  In all too short of time they will be gone more than they are home.

I think we have had two days where the temperature was at (or real close to) 70 degrees (since last September).  On one of them I decided to get our and do some power-washing.  Rick eventually took over which led to a few wet kids!  No one was complaining though! 

Man I love this kid!

One cute kid, and all boy too!