Community Group

Our church recently formed Community Groups for the women to connect and learn truths from God's Word.  Before now, it wasn't much of a need.  Our church was small enough that you could have womens' events and catch up with everyone without a problem.  Our church has grown a bit, so now we meet monthly in homes in addition to larger gatherings.  This last month in our sweet group, we got to celebrate Kassey.  Even though I'm the leader of our particular group, I did nothing this night except show up and take a few pictures.  These girls went all out to show Kassey how much she is loved.  

The table was a reflection of what Kassey loves.

 When we were all given the chance to tell Kassey things we like about her, a resounding theme was this:  Kassey has the God-given gift to show up, do what's needed, and to just be with you in whatever you are doing.  I shared how earlier that week Kassey had stopped me at church and asked me what she could do for me that week.  I was floored.  No one has asked me that in a long time.

Kassey is also good at loving on other peoples' kids.

 Let's pause for a second and focus on this one's lovely head of hair.

And the sweetest baby ever.  She made exactly two peeps during our group.  Both were happy noises.

This is one of the fun thing about our group.  There's always a baby to hold.  In the next month, someone is having twins, and another just found out she's preggo with her fifth. 

 Evelia with her momma.

 Just couldn't resist adding this one in.

 Our group.. most of us anyway.

Happy Birthday, Kassey!

Thanks for letting us celebrate you.

Embrace the Camera {Piano Recital}

I love that our boys get to take music lessons.  Piano is such a different world than their baseball/athletic world.  It's a great balance for them.  We have a fabulous piano teacher.  Many people have told me she's one of the best in Fort Worth.  Now, that doesn't mean that my boys are going to be Mozart or anything.  BUT it does mean that she pushes them to their potential.  And I love that she pushes them.  I have a little bit of the Tiger mom in me.  I want the boys to work hard in whatever they do, whether it be baseball, school work, chores or piano.  I want them to learn how to push themselves to do things they didn't think they could do.  There's a shortage of hard working young men out there, and I pray these boys will leave our house knowing the value of hard work.  

Their ribbons and medals.  Medals for the theory test.  Ribbons for completing Mrs. Travis's list of expectations. 

I got an award too.  I was hoping it was because Mrs. Travis thought this woman on the trophy looked liked me, but that wasn't the reason.  It was for getting up at 6:00 every Monday and Wednesday and dragging the boys out of bed.

Graham and Asher played their first duet for the recital.  So sweet to hear them play together.

A special thanks for Aunt Judy for coming to cheer them on :)

Embrace the Camera here.

Five on the 5th (actually the 21st, oops) and Walls, and Thoughts on Walls

 The boys are standing in my favorite room in my house.  Is it the living room?  Is it the kitchen?  Is it the master bedroom?  Nope.  It's the mudroom.  And I'm so thrilled to be able to have one, it makes me giddy just thinking about it.

This is my Five on the 5th picture.  I guess I was pretty busy on the 5th and forgot about it.  But better late than never.

I think we left off with sheet rock.  It was hung and for the first time I got to feel the shape of the rooms.  This is the kitchen.  Under that window will be my kitchen sink, with lots of dirty dishes.

The view from the kitchen to the living.

Excited about these beams.

Somehow Graham is NOT very excited in this photo.  Being the big brother gets old at times, I'm sure.

A cute brother shot.  In front of their future bed.

Always something to mess with in the back yard.

The boys got a kick out of the guys walking around on these.

Doesn't it look a little bit fun?  

I've been so impressed with all the workers at the house.  They work hard.  They get there in the morning and don't leave until dark. 

I've not used to people working for me (except my children... ha!).  Walking on the job site at times has been a bit difficult, because I know these guys are building us a house that is nicer than the one they live in.  And I really can't stand that feeling.  It makes me wonder what they must think of me.  Of our family.  I didn't grow up in need of anything, but I definitely grew up without much extra.  I learned a lot from that.  I learned to appreciate the little things.  And there's a part of me that doesn't like that our kids won't grow up that way.  But at the same time, it will be so nice (and a luxury) to not be all crammed in a house.  There are moments I feel fine about it, and moments I feel like it's too much.  

Just being honest.  All these emotions in home building.  Who would have thought?   I guess it's not all concrete, nails, sheet rock, and tile.

I Have Cool Friends {A Bridal Luncheon}

A good friend asked me to take pictures at a bridal luncheon she was hosting.

Leslie is one of those people who knows how to make things beautiful and elegant.

And, once again, she outdid herself with this one.

Lots of pretty flowers on the table.

 Glasses ready for pouring. 

Beautiful place settings. 

 Dessert laid out.

 Gifts with pretty paper and bows.

A box full of fun. 

A lovely table.  Leslie doesn't miss a detail. 

Guests arrived.  I loved seeing all the generations at this shower.

So many sweet women who love Katie. 

She looked beautiful. 

Prayers lifted up for the bride and groom. 

Yummy, girly food. 

Tables full of sweet girls. 

Fun shoes. 

Lifelong friends. 

The groom showed up near the end.

The costume box got some good use. 

What a good sport :)

Leslie, you did a wonderful job of making Katie feel loved. 

Thanks for letting me in on the fun!