He is 2 !!!

Parker is now 2...I can't believe that this boy is now 2 years old!! I now know what people mean when they say, "Cherish this time because they grow up so fast!" It is so very true!

We haven't had his "official party" yet because of VBS that is starting tonight, but next week we will have a big one for him. Last night we went swimming and got him a baseball cake. He loved blowing out the candles and everyone singing to him.

After VBS is over we want to have a big "Parker Party" and he can open his presents. Until then, he is working on saying, "I'm 2!" and holding up 4 fingers because he hasn't got the 2 thing down yet!!

Happy Birthday, Parker York. We love you very much!!!

Our Nana York

This past Saturday, while Aaron and I were gone to Las Vegas on vacation, we got a phone call telling us that our sweet Nana York had passed away. We tried to get the whole family back to Jamestown, Tennessee for the funeral, but time didn't allow us that last trip back (it is a 19 hour drive.) Aaron flew out Monday morning to be with the rest of the family for the funeral and flew back here to be with us late last night. Nana York was like no other. That sweet woman took me into her arms and hugged me from the very first time that I met her. She said to me at the front door, "I'm your hillbilly Nana from Tennessee and I'm so glad you are here!" From that moment on (even though Aaron and I were only dating), Nana York was MY Nana York, too. She never treated me like a granddaughter by marriage...I was her granddaughter, too. I always got birthday cards and anniversary cards in the mail. She was always wanting to take care of us when we were there...making sure we had what we wanted to eat and if we didn't, by golly, she was going to take us to Hardee's or order us a pizza from Pizza Hut. We never went hungry when Nana York was in charge.

I'm sad that we all didn't get to make it back to Tennessee to say good-bye to our Nana York before she left this earth. But I know that she is watching her grandkids and great-grandkids from Heaven because she was a woman of God. She was faithful and loving and always was making sure that we were raising our kids and her great-grandchildren up in the Lord. I will honor that wish of hers (and the rest of my family) as long as I live. She was a wonderful Christian woman who will be loved and very much missed by people in Jamestown, Tennessee, by more so by her family that loved her very much. We love our Nana York. I'm so thankful Aaron got to go and be with everyone at the funeral. Frequent Flyer miles are a blessing when quick airline flights are needed!

This is Grace kissing on her Nana a few years ago...it's one of my very favorite pictures of them together. She loved the kids so very much.

This is a picture from the first time that Nana York met Susie...Susie was enthralled with Nana and would just sit with her the entire time we were there!

We are so thankful for everyone's thoughts and many prayers and phone calls during Nana's time in the hospital and Aaron's trip there. We are so thankful for Christian friends and family!!

Ten Things Tuesday!

I know, I know....I have been busy and off the blog thing for a few weeks. But before we go on vacation, I wanted to slip in a Thankful post to start off my day the right way! So, make your list of 10 things that you are thankful for and go over to X-Box Wife and post a link to your list, too!
Here is mine:

1. I'm thankful for my sweet mom. She flies in this afternoon to be with us for a little while so that Aaron and I can go on vacation with some of our friends. I'm so excited to see her and for the kids to be with their Nana. We miss her bunches!!

The pictures this week have nothing to do with my post...they were just fun so I thought I would add them. The kids love playing out in the pool out back, but I think that filling up the pool is their favorite activity!

2. I'm thankful for friends to do fun things with in or out of town. This past week was so busy with fun events with our church family friends. Wednesday was our normal play date with the kids little friends, followed by Thursday and Friday dinners with different families. Our church family is one of our greatest blessings.

3. I'm thankful for the kids starting swim lessons. Their teacher, Jody, went to Harding with me and she is just the sweetest. Susie was a little scared to take lessons this year, but she loved every minute of her lesson yesterday and can't wait to go back and see Miss Jody today!! Parker is a little fish!! I had no idea that babies could be that great of swimmers...really...I'm going to have to get some video of him because he just amazes me. Grace is having much fun as well. She's an old pro that this swimming thing so she made up her own swim stroke this week. It's called the dolphin and it looks like the butterfly, but your hands are by your side. Pretty cute!

4. I'm thankful for the library. We have a brand new library here in town and we love it! We went yesterday to get some new books and Grace has already read 3 of them in one day. She is half-way through Ralph S. Mouse. I loved that book when I was little so I knew it would be a winner for her. I'm so thankful that she loves to read so much.

5. I'm thankful that Aaron took off last week to stay home and get some "house chores" done around here. He designed and built some scone lights to go on both sides of the T.V. and they look great. He even put in a dimmer switch on the lights so we can turn them down when we watch movies! He is my handy man!!

6. I'm thankful for my working washer and dryer. The dryer gave us a scare last week with a loud bumping noise. Thankfully Aaron was home and we took it apart together. There was much change in the dryer, but nothing big so we put it back together and now it is working fine.

7. I'm thankful for Facebook. I know, it's a online thing but I love it because I get to keep in touch with some of my high school, college and even more, my kids that were in my youth group when I was their youth intern the summer that Aaron and I met. I love those kids so much! That summer that I spent in Gainesville was so wonderful and life changing and they were all a big part of that!! They are all now grown up and on their own all over the country and even the globe! I'm just so glad that there are ways for us all to keep in the loop!

8. I'm thankful that our old church in Graham found a great Children's minister. They have been praying and searching for a person that would fit their needs and they have found it for sure in the one they selected! Great things are in store for them in Graham!

9. I'm thankful that Aaron's mom is safely in Tennessee with Aaron's Nana York. She hasn't changed much health wise. They are keeping her comfortable with different pain medications, and we are thankful for that as well. I'm just praying for comfort and rest for Aaron's mom and uncle. They are the main care givers right now for Nana York and it is hard watching the person that you love so much be in pain. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.

10. I'm thankful for all of my friends that are busy planning for weddings (Reagan and Cassie) and for those that have new babies (Sandy and Laura) and grand babies( Miss Tammie!!) Every time that I look up, there is a new sweet baby being born or a great friend getting married!! I LOVE it!! Those are wonderful blessings indeed!!

Now, I'm off to pack for my vacation with my sweet hubby. I'm so excited!!! But first, we have swim lessons today and a trip to the airport to pick up Nana James...fun times are coming our way!!

Ten Things Tuesday!

Now that it is officially summer vacation, things are off and running with activities and our family. It's GREAT! Now I'm going to stop and list my 10 things! You go and make your list and link back to my good friend at X-Box wife...it will make your day!

1. I'm thankful that we live in a town where there are great parks in almost every neighborhood. We have a really nice park right down the street from our house and we love it. Our playgroup from church has been going to a different park every Wednesday and it's been so neat to find new and different parks for the kids to play.2. I'm thankful for friends who help me raise my kids. Last night we went to Harding Night at Ranger Field. It was so great! There were over 1000 people there representing Harding, either alumni or future students or just family. We took 60 people from our church and we all sat together. We had 3 full rows and the kids had a BLAST. I am convinced though, that I wouldn't have had near as much fun if 2 families hadn't have gone with us to help us with the kids. Aaron was playing in a golf tournament and met us at the game (much later than he expected) but I was totally fine with that because we had 2 super families there to help us. REALLY, if the Brightwells and the Flemings had not have been there, I would have taken the kids home in the 2nd inning. We all met up at church and carpooled with the Mallory family as well. It was such a blessing. Parker loved being with Paul and Steve. The bigger girls loved being with Jenna and Bethany. And I enjoyed the conversation and support of Andrea and Renee. It was a fun and enjoyable evening. Parker just ran up and down the isle and played with all of his friends from church. He made a new buddy with Collin that he will have to fight Kendall for, but other than that...we all had a great time.

Parker with Paul and Steve (he woke up this morning and said,"Paul? Steve?" )

3. I'm thankful for Daddy's that get to have their time. Aaron loves to play golf. But he hardly ever gets to play because he would rather be at home with the kids (and me, I hope!) When company tournaments come around he gets to play and loves it. Yesterday he won 2 $100 gift cards because he made the shot closest to the pin and the other card because he won a drawing. But, he wouldn't have won either if he hadn't have gone. So, I'm thankful that he has a sport that he enjoys playing and is good at, even though he doesn't play that often.

4. I'm thankful for my sweet sister. She sent me 3 big bags of clothing a few weeks ago with most of them being very nice dresses for our summer trip that we are taking in a few weeks to share with my friends. We've all had fun going through them and trying them all on....I love my little sister so much! She is always thinking of others (and us all the way over here in Texas!) She and her sweet hubby get to move into their new house this next week and I can't wait to go and visit and see them and the new house!!!

5. I'm thankful for bible class teachers. Young and Old!! I was reminded this week of a special bible class teacher in my own life. Miss Latina Dykes was my 2 year old bible class teacher and was still teaching 2 year olds until her death this past week. She had Grace and Susie in her classes when we would go and visit Mom and Dad's church in Arkansas and was going to start having Parker this summer. She taught the 2 year old class for over 30 years on Sunday mornings. What a great lady that will be missed by many in the Searcy community.

6. I'm thankful for my kids bible class teachers at our church. Grace has a really special set of teachers this year in second grade that we all just love and respect so much for their commitment to that grade. We had promotion on Sunday and Grace was so excited to get to move up to that class!! Of course, we are so excited that she gets to be in the Swafford's class, too!! All of the wonderful people that teach are children are a blessing in our lives!

7. I'm thankful that school is out for the summer for Grace. She has been home for almost a full week and things are running smooth, so far. She goes in her room to read every day during Parker and Susie's naptime for family quiet time and she has been a good help around the house about keeping her things picked up. Of course, we are all thankful for that!! Aside from her fit last night coming home from the Ranger's game at 10:30, things have been great. But don't ask her about the Wii, she is grounded from it for the next 24 hours and is not happy about that!! :) We will see how the rest of today goes with that!!!

8. I'm thankful that we get to sleep in a little later now that it is summer vacation!! This morning we slept until about 8:45!! That is way over our normal time and it was so refreshing to not have the alarm going off at 7 am!!

9. I'm thankful for Curious George on PBS kids. Really, I am. Parker doesn't watch TV, but he will sit still (well, kinda) to watch Curious George every morning while I get to drink my coffee and have a few minutes at the computer. If you see him, ask him to say it (Curious George) it is sooo funny. Cute kid!!

This is Parker hitting the ball in the "kids area" at the Ranger's game. Make the picture bigger by clicking on it and look at his face...he LOVED this part of the ballgame!!

10. I'm thankful for my husband. He works a great job (that he loves!) so that we can live in this super city that gives us so many opportunities with church and friends. I get to stay at home with our kids and we have a church family that supports and loves us. We went out Saturday night with a big group of friends to dinner and had a great time. I love our life here in Texas!!

We got a Wii!!

After church and lunch yesterday, Aaron suggested a family trip to Wal-Mart. Yes, not my favorite place to go with the whole family, but he had some things that he wanted to get so I figured, why not? We got his items and then were off to the food side of the store with the obligatory stop in the video games/movie section in the middle and what did they have? Yes, a Wii game system. Just one, sitting there by it's lonesome. Aaron said that we needed a reason to buy it so that the kids don't think that we just drop $300 for no reason, so I told the girls to tell daddy, "Happy Father's Day!" That just made our Father's Day in a few weeks so done!!

The girls got to play for a little while before small groups, but we turned it off when it was time to start singing. After our group went out for dinner, we came home and our great buddies the Skeltys came, too. Jack and Grace had a great time playing baseball and golf. Jack has a Wii so he gave Grace some tips on how to play. Of course, JMan and Daddy had to take their turns and play a little Wii tennis. It was fun. Jen and I just sat on the couch and watched while they all played. It was a nice end to a great Sunday.

On another note, Aaron's sister Carrie called yesterday and said that Aaron's sweet Nana York is in the hospital in Tennessee. They have diagnosed her with liver and lung cancer. We don't know to what extent the cancer has set in yet, but she is older so that is never good. Aaron's mom is trying to fly out this week and when she gets there we will know a little more about what we are going to do. I'm thankful that Nana York has lived a long and wonderful Christian life. We were talking to the girls about Nana last night and Grace said, "She will be in Heaven with Miss Grace. She will be just fine." I agree. What ever happens, God will take care of our Nana York. Please just keep Aaron's whole family, especially Nana and Papaw York in your prayers this week.

Ten Things Tuesday!

It really does not feel like Tuesday already, but the holiday has most of the blame for that....or that is what I'm saying today!! After you read my 10 things for today, go over to X-Box wife and leave the link to your 10 things. You never know how your thankfulness could help someone else today!!
Here is my list:

1. I'm thankful that we stayed home for the Memorial Day holiday. We did lunch with a few friends, but it was low key and so laid back. My kind of holiday and just what we needed.

2. I'm thankful for my friend, Reagan!! She is now ENGAGED and I'm so excited for her and Nate. We are headed to Searcy on November 1st for the big wedding! It will be one for the society pages in Searcy because it is going to be one fun and happening wedding for sure!! Wait, does Searcy even have a society page? Well, we can make one for Reagan!!

3. I'm thankful for healthy kids. Grace has a little cough, but it is from allergies and it's nothing that a little dose of Claritin doesn't clear right up!

4. BIKES! I'm thankful for bikes? You bet. We went down to the park last night and the kids all rode and rode...I'm surprised that Susie still has her little legs attached because she did not want to get off her little bike! That $7 garage sale bike from Alaska has done us well, although, I don't think that Parker is going to be riding it...Aaron said he gets his own. I did take a picture of him on the Barbie bike with the princess helmet to remember, though!! Oh, don't you love the hair in the face picture, Dallas and Danna?? Yeah, she rode her bike like that all the way home from the park!

5. I'm thankful for family. We just had a great time being together this weekend. We love to travel and see things and friends, but really I just love being at home with my husband and kiddoes!! They are great little cuddle-bugs.

6. I'm thankful for my sister who sent me 3 huge bags of clothes via a super nice college student at our church! Collin Swafford is such a wonderful guy...does anyone know any nice college age girls that are looking for a great guy?? He's at Harding, single ladies!!

7. I'm thankful for girls night out!! A huge group of girls from church (like 16 of us!!) went to Uncle Julios for dinner and then out to see Made of Honor Saturday night! It was so much fun and I got to know some other gals better...I love GNO!!

8. I'm thankful for sweet husbands that let us have GNO and stay at home with the kids!! Sunday morning in our bible class, we all re-newed our wedding vows to end our marriage class and it was so neat. We had wedding cake, punch and everything. Thanks George and Sheri...we loved it!

9. Tonight is our date night! Yes, I'm thankful for date night because I get to spend some time with my hubby...dinner and Indiana Jones!!! YES! I can't wait!!

10. I'm thankful for willing and able babysitters. We have a gem in Jenna. She is great and we are so thankful that she loves our kids and loves to come over and play with them. You don't get that in every babysitter, you know? She is going to be a senior this coming year so we only have one more year with her and then she is off to experience Harding to it's fullest (and I know she will have a blast!) Can you tell that we just love her?

Okay, there are my 10 things...I'm off to get some stuff done before my date night tonight!!

Softball week....

This was our last official week of U6 softball. Grace had an amazing season. Being the oldest on the team gave her the experience and know-how to hit at least one home run a game and actually make some plays and get some outs. I know it sounds easy to us, but making plays in softball was really hard to some of the girls on her team and then this year, it clicked with Grace and she was a great little go-getter on the field. We are proud of her and know that she had a great time meeting new little girls and learning more about the game. In the fall she moves up to U8 league and her coach from last season already is saving her a spot on his team. The photo above is from the park. Parker kept trying to get closer to the fish...I just knew he was going to fall in!

Tuesday night we had her softball party at a local park. It was just a chance for the girls to get together and play in a non-softball setting. It was fun for the girls and the little sister and brother enjoyed it as well! The girls ate, played at the park, fed some ducks and tore up a softball pinata. We had some really nice coaches this year and they went all out for the girls team party.

Last night were the league softball awards at the ball park. They had a hot dog supper complete with Dr. Pepper and Doritos's (because you know you just can't eat hot dogs!) The girls all sat together and received their trophy from their coaches. Grace got a little extra surprise from her coaches. She was named best all around player with a great attitude which is now called the sportsmanship trophy. She was about to BURST she was so excited! All the girls got a trophy and then they give out the Most Improved Trophy and the Sportsmanship Trophy....She was really surprised and you could tell that she had no idea that she was going to get the extra trophy. She took it to school today to show her class.

Parker kept trying to claim them both as his own....maybe he should learn how to catch first! It was a great season, but now I'm ready to have my Mondays and Thursdays back at home and the sweet kids in bed before 9 PM!! We're going to Six Flags tonight with some friends from Graham...anyone else want to join us??

Ten Things Tuesday!

I know, I know, I didn't do it last week....why does life decide to go crazy the last 2 weeks of school? Oh well, no big...Go and do your 10 Things Tuesday at X-Box Wife today and be thankful for all of your blessings!

1. Today I am thankful that Aaron takes Grace to school. I'm still in my PJ's drinking my coffee!

2. I'm thankful that my friends Jenn and Ryan had a great vacation and we got to play with their sweet kids while they were gone. I love playdates where the kids just play outside and there are no spats...not a one that I can think of from the weekend. They just had a great time.
3. I'm thankful that Grace had a great time playing softball this season, but now it is over. She had her team party last night and Thursday night is her Softball awards night. It will be fun and all of the girls get a trophy.

4. I'm thankful that yesterday the kids were great at our fun day at Fortress Inner City Church. We didn't have many kids show up, but our kids were well behaved and had a great time playing.

5. I'm thankful for all of the people who volunteer up at Fortress. Michael and Cara are doing great work with all the kids there and it's amazing to see everything that is going on....Check out their website and if you are in the area, see how you can go and help. It will bless you and your family more than you know.

6. I'm thankful for friends. We can call each other and swap off keeping each other's kids without having to pay a sitter. Today I get to go to Grace's school and watch her perform in the school talent show!! She is singing and dancing to "Fabulous" from High School Musical 2 and it so excited!

7. I'm thankful that there are only 4 full days of school left! Grace goes half days Wednesday and Thursday next week and then she is out for summer...wait, that makes her almost a second grader! YIKES!

8. I'm thankful for COFFEE! Seattle's Best, Henry's blend.

9. I'm thankful for my sweet hubby who helped me clean out all of my old dresser drawers and closet this weekend. To report...the bathroom, bedroom and closet are still clean. So, Miss Tammie, 3 days it has been clean! he he he10. I'm thankful for a happy life. It's not always happy all the time, but if you take an average....Life is Good. God is Great and His blessing are never ending......That is enough for me!

It's HERE!!

The new bed!! I'm so thankful for our new furniture and that Aaron decided that we needed something new and not me. It's always better when it is his idea!! he he he. You can click on the picture to see them better and close up, as always!

Parker wanted to stand in front and model!

We finally have enough storage for all of our clothes!! Yippe! Now I'm off to fill up my new dresser with my clothes that are all stuffed in my closet! Yeah for fun days...Thank you to Stacey's Furniture and Mother's Day Sales!!

These are the BEFORE Pictures...I know, I should have done them first, but you know Blogger!

This is Aaron (he looks like he really wanted to be in this picture doesn't he?) on our old bed....Aaron built the headboard many many years ago and it was showing it's age!

This is my old dresser from Goodwill....you can see how the drawers fall out when you pull on them...you have to watch your toes, for sure!! Good bye, old and warped mirror...I won't miss you one little bit!!

These are little bearings that would fall out each time that we moved the dresser...I found these last night when we moved the dresser to the garage. Now we just have to borrow a truck and haul the old stuff off to goodwill for someone else to use for a few years!

REAL pictures!

My friend, Kipi, is a professional photographer and a super one, at that! If you want to see our photo shoot from last week, go to Kipi Lee Photography and click on featured galleries. You'll see the kids names, click and you'll see our wonderful pictures. She was so easy to work with and the results are wonderful as you can go and see for yourself. If you live in the DFW area, give her a call and spend an hour or so with Kipi and her camera. You won't be disappointed! We LOVE our pictures...now we just have to decide what to order!!!

Oh, and I know I'm going to get this comment so I'm already going to answer your question. Yes, I know my dad is a professional photographer, but since he is so busy taking other people's weddings, we don't get to see them as often as we would like! The kids only stay little for so long and we wanted to get that captured on film (or memory card, I guess now!) So my friends, that is why my friend, Kipi, took our picture! :)