End of the School Year

The end of the school year was sweet for a lot of reasons.

All year, since both of the big kids have been in school, I've been telling Mike that if he took time off during the week, we could have some time together sans kids- which would be nice for both of us.  Well, he finally did that the second half of the last week of school.  I love me some Mike but let's be honest, it was also to get some of my list done to be ready for summer.  Who are we kidding?!  Life is so ongoing, we are never ready, and things never stay as you put them.  But it was nice to have the time with him & get some stuff done.  We spent the afternoon of his second day off (next to the last day of school & the final "full" day of school) at the kids' school for their end of the year parties.  If he hadn't been off, he wouldn't have been able to come.  So it was really great to have him there & be present for life at their school.  It was a sweet year & I regularly feel overwhelmed that people pour into my kids and are there to teach them day after day.

If I haven't said it here, I have said it in real life 1000s of times.  

Lily's teacher was outstanding in every way.  

We were beyond grateful.

 Peter also had a good year.  I think that my expectations for Peter's teachers will always be high. Because I want them to see where Peter needs extra help, love him because he is an awesome kid, and know how to challenge/encourage him in just the right ways.  I can't even do that!!  His teacher really did build Peter up so well!   I am grateful.

And at the end of the day, as I prayed about Peter, brought my thoughts/concerns to God, the Spirit reminded that our Father sees Peter, He knows him, He made him and there is purpose.  I am thankful that my God is so personal, for me and for Peter.

There is always more to discover & learn and I am thankful that our Shepherd leads us.

I am thankful for this boy and all the ways he blesses us.

And the final morning!!

I like them.

--- the littlest crew member and cheerleader of his sissy & bubba ---

The Wedding

Looking at these pictures again to add them here makes me smile.

It was such a pretty wedding.  I loved all that Danielle chose & it fit so perfectly in the setting of my parent's house.  And it was just so so so fun to be with family.  We don't get to be with Mom's side enough & I always enjoy the time.  I enjoyed the time with Emily and Jessica.  We got to have a little community living after all being home (without "coworkers" as I like to describe it to Mike, then he tells me "coworkers" are over-rated) with our babies & children. We got to work together on something fun and creative and make "progress" instead of just "maintaining".  We got to be the "florists" for the wedding and I enjoyed putting together the flowers and setting up all that Danielle had prepared & chosen.

 I love, love, love this sign.  It makes me relaxed & thankful just to read it.

 One end of the cute coffee table.

The "in loves", not out laws.  Is SK not the cutest?!

 Handsome Uncle Henry (father of the groom & best man)

 My Mom's side of the family- the Flythes

 the Dennis family

 these two goof balls- never a dull moment with them...

 Maw & Paw with their grandkids (sweet Julia hidden/held by Maw)

 Mom's siblings

 Another reason I love Danielle- she loves Henry almost as much as I do.

 Mike & Ben took selfies with the DSLR- we all love us some Benny!

We love you, J&D!!

Jeff & Danielle's Wedding Rehearsal

Started this a long time ago, but there is so much that could be said ...

My brothers and I had a cousin on each side to round us out to four.  On my Dad's side, it was Holly.  On my Mom's side, it was Jeff.  They each fell perfectly between my two brothers so Holly was the perfect sister to help me against the boys and Jeff was like my third brother, spending endless summer days with us building tree houses and playing at Grandma's house.  There have been beach weeks and college graduations and most recently, he was the 'brother' on the crew that helped Mike move us to our new house when I was 38 1/2 weeks pregnant with Ben.  I have been so anxious for him to meet the right girl... mostly because he is such a good catch!

Well, at the end of May, he tied the knot at my parents house with the perfect girl (that he met soon after my post swooning about him- ha!).  We were especially excited because its where we got married.  And our kids are at the age of thinking about weddings from stories and old enough to remember it.  And they love "Uncle" Jeff.
I had the kids skip school on Friday so we went down Thursday eve.  It was a fun DIY gig that my parents pulled off with the help of the groom and his parents (my mom's brother), their children & spouses.  (Now to give credit where credit is due- my parents are really unbelievable.  They can get some things done and are really amazing, hard working, generous, perfectionists, detail oriented, and hard working.  Did I mention hard working?  Their house & yard looked like the country club.  And they didn't call in the landscaping crew or the house staff.)

Rehearsal Pics:
Paw is exhausted and catches a nap on the swing before festivities begin...

 Mike does a final tour of the yard with me after our day of preparations.
He is appropriately :P wearing the shirt from Henry's business. :)

 Waking Sissy from her afternoon of beauty sleep before the party

Tables are ready!
Wholesale Daisies in Mason Jars.

Burlap on the tables.

 Twelve years later...

 The Handsome Groom...

 Aren't they cute?!

 Parents of the Groom

 Groom's Cake

 And one more cheesy shot for us- Mike's idea.  
We had a pic taken here for our wedding. :)

 

 

Wedding to come... maybe ;)