BIG FOOT and BATTING CAGE

No, I'm not talking about a sasquatch. I'm talking about the monster truck. So it's not Grave Digger which is the one the boys are a fan of, but Big Foot was the "Grave Digger" of my time. I don't think it would've mattered which one it was, though. On our way home from the dentist and a doctor visit the other day, we drove by a local tire & service center to find a real monster truck sitting in its parking lot. The boys have been to monster truck shows but have never seen one up close. I turned in the parking lot to ride through and let them see it, and they were going nuts to get out and look. I went in and asked if it was ok to get out and look and snap a few pictures, and the guy said, "Well, the driver just happens to be right outside - would they like to meet him?" Um, yes! I think I was just as excited as they were. We walked all around the truck (it's GINORMOUS!), made a few pictures, asked the driver a few questions, and got to look inside the truck. Talk about a fun, unexpected surprise (the best kind) for 3 little boys who love monster trucks (and maybe their mama too) after a day of teeth cleaning and ear infections. We even got little stuffed replicas of the truck to take home. That was the icing on the cake!!!!

Grant's first baseball practice with his new coach and team was today.

LOVED this picture - he was showing me his swing :)

He's been going to batting practice for a few weeks now, but this is the first full practice. He was so excited. I decided to stay home and let Chris take him - let 'em do their guy thing. I really don't know who is more excited, Chris or Grant. Case in point:

This is what Chris is building at our house right now:

That would be the frame for a batting cage. Overboard much? Chris' excuse: Well, we have 3 boys who are all going to make good use of it for years to come - and it will save us from having to drive all the way into town for batting practice - and everyone has one. Really, Chris? Really?

And so it begins...

MY JUNIOR INDUCTEE

I was not surprised she was selected. Not at all. She's made straight A's since she started making letter grades. But I was nonetheless beaming with pride as they called Bethany's name as one of the members of the National Junior Honor Society at her school. Reid and I headed North yesterday morning to be there for the induction ceremony. It was a quick trip but I wouldn't have missed it.

Waiting to be called:

Receiving the certificate:

A few snapshots from the reception afterwards:

Levi and Louie with Wownsy and Reid:

We tried to get a picture of Towns, Cate and Reid. As you can tell from this picture, it was quite chilly so it was hard keeping them still. :)

The definition of "astound" is "to affect with wonder; amaze." Bethany, you astound me!

I love you!

DORITOS SANDWICH

Ever had one? If not you're missing out! I was introduced to them by Keith (my BIL) as a teenager during a Spring Break trip. We stayed at his parent's beach house and that was pretty much our budget: bread and Doritos. :) Slap a good bit of mayo on both slices of bread. Cover one side with Doritos (cover it good - don't leave any white showing). Top with other piece of bread. Smush it together crunching the Doritos to make it flat. ENJOY! I had two for lunch yesterday. HA! Mmmm good! Takes me back. The kids love it too. Don't knock it 'til you try it!

BGB and A SWEET SUNDAY

WARNING: COULD WIN THE "MOST PICTURES IN ONE POST" AWARD:

I must say this past weekend will go down in history as one of the best, most heart-warming, fulfilling weekends ever. It was a weekend full of laughter and tears (happy ones), and being so thankful for friends and especially my family. God is good. Saturday could not have been a more beautiful day to celebrate three wonderful years Reid has been on this earth! Mac had the Big Green Bus for his birthday, and Reid let me know that day he wanted it for his birthday too. When the time came to make plans, he had not forgotten! He was all about the Big Green Bus, and it didn't disappoint. The weather was perfect, the kids had a great time playing in the bus, jumping in the bounce house, tumbling in the grass, driving each other around in the boys' trucks, eating cake and ice cream, and throwing party poppers. It was so nice to enjoy the weather and watch the kids play. Good times with good friends and family.

Before everyone arrived for the party, Jeff was already here with the BGB setting everything up. He set up the bounce house first which kept Rachel's girls and my boys occupied, presenting us with a photo op! They're hard to come by so we take them when we can get them.

We did a lot of this which is good medicine for the soul!!!

And this one would've been a really good picture had the chain not been right in front of Rachel's face. I joked I was going to crop her out because I thought it was a good picture of me and my dad - HA! See, Martha, I didn't crop you. It's still a good picture if you look past the chain. :)

And yes, I did manage to get a few of the actual party.

The design of the cake as well as the shirts Mac and Reid are wearing are by Tara at Smitten & Co.

Playing on the bus:

Chillin' with the guys:

I was so excited to spend some time with a dear friend whom I hadn't seen in well over a year:

Reid became quite bashful when all the attention was turned on him to sing Happy Birthday!

And no birthday party is complete without a visit from our favorite super hero!

THE SWEETEST SUNDAY:

I cannot think of a better way to spend the Lord's day than with all of my kiddos, my nieces, my parents, and my two best friends - my sisters. The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful family. We've seen our share of ups and downs. Boy have we! But no matter what, we're always there for each other. We'll always have each other. There's a lot to be said for that. Our "Aint" Dawnie (as she refers to herself) is still taking time for herself as she continues to heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Thank you, Lord for the healing that has already taken place. What an amazing transformation! We haven't seen our baby girl in over two months. To say we were excited doesn't do it justice!

On our way to see her:

No sadness here! Just tears of joy:

We cried:

We laughed:

We laughed until we cried:

I think everyone would agree it truly was a perfect day!

Our mouths were filled with laughter then, and our tongues with shouts of joy. Then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."

Psalm 126:2