August Adventures

Obviously I'm trying to catch up on my blogs before Lyla's birthday party so here goes...

 

I love my husband! Recently we haven't taken too many pictures together because we are always taking them of our super cute little girl, but I realized I need more picture of us! Love this man!

Chick-fil-A Appreciation day! We love us some Truett and Chick-fil-A! Had fun with Brit and some folks from West Hills. So proud of Chick-fil-A and everything it stands for. Love me some cookies parfait!

Christian came and stayed with me while Kyle was out of town! Love her so much. We went and saw the new Bourne movie, which was pretty good. We made some hot chocolate when we got home and watch our favorite movie Harry Potter!

Andrew started his new school! Such a big boy! He loved the Popsicle party at the end of the day!

We picked Uncle Thad up from school! It was so funny seeing Lyla in the school halls. She was just so little and cute. It's hard to believe she will be there in less than 5 years. She loved waving at all the kids and tried getting in line with one class.

 

We got to watch these cute kidos for a couple days in August. Charlotte is so still and quiet, totally opposite of her big brother :). We had fun at the playground too. It was Lyla's first time on a swing and she LOVED it!

This big girl turned 11 months old! Can't believe it! She is starting to climb on her bumpers. Only time will tell how long that crib will hold this wild woman!

We celebrated Jessica's new addition! Callie Joy will be here soon! Mid October Caleb will have a little sister!

Out to eat for Kyle's 26th birthday.

Yes Justin is the photo creeper lol but it actually turned out to be a cute picture

 

Notice Kyle and Justin weird faces. REALLY? never fails.

More friends celebrating Kyle's birthday!

 

Stone Mountain with friends for Kristen's birthday! Such a fun time. Can't believe Lyla stayed awake that long!

 

That's half of August uploaded, I know it feels like a blur. It seems like my life has felt that was lately. It is so easy to get so busy you forget about family, friends, and even God. Mom always says "busy means, Being Under Satan's Yolk". Yes cheesy as it may be, it is so true. Sometimes we just have to take a minute, take a deep breath, and enjoy the moments! It is so easy to put off quality quiet time with God. We think, oh Ill read tonight, or well I have church Wednesday so its OK. I can not tell you how much easier and more joyful my days are when I am in God's word. Yes it is sooooo much easier said than done, and sometime I think, "Jessica you know its easier with God, why are you trying to do this without him and on your own?" The answer is, we just get too busy. It is so important to love on your family, send encouraging notes to your friends, and spend quality time with the Creator!

 

 

 

Girls Trip 2012

Girls Trip ~ Fancy 2012!

 

Lots of good food!

 

TIE-DYE shirts yes please!

We went running (well katie, me, steph, and brit) while the other two early birds slept :)

We totally went out and did Karaoke!

And we had a few rain issues with our luggage!

 

 

We did our beach photo shoot again. Which is always fun!

 

 

Such a fun fun fun trip! This is our second year in a row going to Florida for a much needed girls get away weekend. This year Stephanie did a friendship bible study for us. First let me say that she is gifted in this area and I am so glad that she took the time out of her busy life to plan this special time for each of us to study God's word. It revealed a lot to me about friendship and how blessed I am to have so many good friends in my life.

 

This was the first time for me ever being away from Lyla. Yes it was July and I still hadn't been apart from her. It was hard leaving her, but once we got going and got down there, we had a great time. The drive home was the hard part because it was such a long drive and I just wanted to see her! All the girls helped me though! It was a good break. Being a mom is hard work, and not that i don't love every minute with Lyla, but it is good to have a break now and again to stay sane :)

 

I love these girls!

 

(right to left)Ashley is my fun laughing friend who I can always talk to about anything. Katie is my sweet heart who is so much like me (I wonder who is more competitive :)). April is my sister and BFF. Brit is my inspiration and fun time. Steph is my encourager and "real" friend who I seek Godly advice from.

All of thee girls are amazing Godly women who I seek advice from and who encourage me! They all have qualities I admire and I love each of their hearts. It is amazing how God puts certain people in or lives and some of those people come and go, but I know that each of these girls will always be in my life!

 

Can't wait until next year!

The Hanes Family

Fun Impromptu Photo Shoot With The Hanes Family

 

We had such a fun photoshoot! Sawyer is moving everywhere so it was hard to get a still shot of him but Rhett was all into the poses lol.

 

 

I love this family. These boys are so precious and so funny. I got to be in the delivery room when Rhett was born (right) and I have learned so much from Brittany on how to be a Godly wife and mother. Sawer(left) was born 2 months before Lyla so Brit and I got to be prego together! It was so much fun! Brittany is one of those people who are real in everything she says and does. She doesn't necessarily put on a happy face to please people, but she is always smiling because of her hope in Jesus. Her words are either wise or funny! Her actions are always self-sacrificing. And her heart is a heart after God and her family. I know that her getting married first and having a baby first was one of God's gifts to me. I have learned so much from her and her family. So blessed to call her friend!

 

 

4th of July

Old VR for some fireworks with friends!

At Aunt Dawns for some pool time!

 

 

 

 

4th of July!

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson between June 11 and June 28, 1776, the Declaration of Independence is at once the nation's most cherished symbol of liberty and Jefferson's most enduring monument.

Some fun facts:

The major objection to being ruled by Britain was taxation without representation. The colonists had no say in the decisions of English Parliament.

In May, 1776, after nearly a year of trying to resolve their differences with England, the colonies sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. Finally, in June, admitting that their efforts were hopeless; a committee was formed to compose the formal Declaration of Independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee also included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. On June 28, 1776, Thomas Jefferson presented the first draft of the declaration to Congress.

Betsy Ross, according to legend, sewed the first American flag in May or June 1776, as commissioned by the Congressional Committee.

Independence Day was first celebrated in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.

I'm so proud of this nation and so thankful for those who serve and sacrifice!

Family Vaction June 2012

So we started a tradition last year where all the grandkids and granny and pa and aunt karen go to PCB for a weekend. This year we were missing Meghan, Zach, Geoff, Rach, and Kam. They were all missed!

 

We began the festivities with pa making me some cookie cake for my birthday! So sweet.

Who else would be lead singing besides these two??

This is Lyla's second week in a row at the beach and she is still loving it just as much as we are!

Unfortunately a hurricane was coming through so our cousins vacation was cut short. We had fun shopping, playing games, and as usual eating really good! So happy to have some quality time with the Edenfield side of the family. I am truly blessed with such an amazing in-law family!

 

 

A little rain didn't stop or family vacation though. Kyle, Lyla, and I stayed down for a few more days. Lyla started clapping really good this week! She also learned to spit :( and blow bubbles. Fun times! We played on the beach, ate at firefly (our favorite PCB spot), watched movies, and had such a fun time just being together.

 

 

 

There is nothing more precious to me then my family. I could not have asked for a better man and my daughter lights up my life. I know God gave me this family and I know that it is a blessing.

 

There are so many things in life that try to destroy families, but God's design is perfect. His illustration of Christ and the Church and Marriage is such a beautiful thing. One man and one woman committed to each other forever. Not just when things are going good, not just when money is there, not just when we are in our 20's and 30's and all pretty and young, not just when life is easy, but always. That vow is so strong and so straight forward. There is nothing complex about the design. There will be hard times and that is why God gives you a helpmate.

After having a child you understand so much more the sacrifice that God made for us by allowing His Son to die such a brutal death. I know Mary's heart broke over and over again. I am so grateful every single day that God called me to be a mother to this wonderful child. It is such an overwhelming responsibility, yet so great!

Your family that you have been given is a gift from God. I understand difficult situations and hard times more than most, but God desires for you to reach for Him and find comfort in Him and lean on Him to make you stronger. Every opportunity you get to spend with family, make the most of it. It is easy to be busy, get caught up in our own lives, and forget to show love to the people that God specifically placed in our lives.