God's grace

I read this today, and was so thankful that we serve a merciful, grace extending, God!  It was a good reminder to me on how to conduct myself at all times, and how wonderful it is when we are a true reflection of God's grace to others. 

http://www.goodtobecrazy.com/2011/09/now-that-was-grace.html

I need to remember all i have been forgiven for when i find this...right after I've JUST swept the floor.
Crocs full of sawdust.....Yep.......Sherman.

Or this.........

This one will teach me NOT to leave the dogs in the utility room when I go to work.  This also explains why they are NOT allowed in the rest of the house! 

It even extends around the corner....they drug out dirty undies, a shoe, a belt, their bed, chewed up a box waiting to go to the garage trash, and a brand new pack of toilet paper............So if you come over and the toilet paper looks a bit strange...our underwear have holes, our shoe strings are tied together with knots....just don't mention it.

They look sweet and charming..... don't be deceived........  You saw the evidence.......

(I AM talking about the dogs by the way)

Grandmother assists Who Dunnit

My very dear mother in law....I really do mean that by the way:)  But....she does NOT help my little messer!   In fact she encourages him!  Who's side is she on anyway?  Never mind...I already know the answer to that one........ Definitely the grandchildrens!
She bought these for him......because she remembered how fun they were as a child....or maybe she just thinks they feel cool and that they reminded her of the tadpoles she used to love to feel as a child........?????  Anyway....I come in from work to find THIS in one of my BEST glass bowls on my counter.

But did she know it would go to school for show and tell in this?

Or that it could make you look possessed?

So Much fun!

Thanks Grandma Sharon:)

Please Read Please Watch

Dear Friends,
Even though we are not at this point yet....we hope to be....that sounds weird, as this is a tough place to be, but if we are here, it means our little girls are home, and we are trying to adjust the best we can.  I pray each of you will read this, and reach out to someone you know who might need your friendship today!
www.jenhatmaker.com/blog/2011/09/06/after-the-airport

If you haven't watched this video on adoption, get your kleenex's out:)  I still cry every time i watch it. 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWHJ6-YhSYQ 

OBX

We are Thankful that Irene didn't do too much damage to our favorite summer vacation spot!  We LOVE the Outer Banks.....known to the regulars as OBX.  We have been vacationing here as a family since I was about 2 years old.....


                                    

We had so much fun here this summer with Friends and Family. Here's the whole crazy bunch.......and boy could they put away the food.  This year grandma....who is used to cooking for two small eaters.....didn't argue when i said........ we're going to need more than that!  I kept saying, "Mom that's not enough"  The first year we took our teenagers and their friends she was astounded at the amount of groceries we went through.  She didn't think we would be able to eat that much food in 2 weeks, let alone just 1.........they ate it all and we had to go back for a few more things! 

And here are the main eaters

But such a good looking bunch!

These four have been friends for a long time.  Kaitlyn and Ash, the two in the back, started kindergarten together.  Thatcher and Kyndahl have known each other since they were 3.  I love the fact that they are all still such good friends.

Well......some are a little more than friends;)

Thatcher was gloating that he was taller now....he's younger and was always much smaller for a looong time.  Then he caught up and passed him.....and thinks it's hilarious:)

 Ash on his toes trying to make it look like he's as tall as Thatcher, guess i should have cropped their feet out for his sake......naw!:)

           

Our House at Outer Banks. (Mom and Dad's actually...but we claim it too....isn't that what kids do?  What's yours is ours....:))    We are so glad Irene spared it!

Our path to the beach.

Ash and Grandpa rigging the sail boat.  This takes an extreme exercise in  patience for both of them:)

Jelly Fish!!!

 Some were huge! But they didn't sting as long as you didn't touch their under side

.

Honey....Please shrink the kids!

Sherman resists being hugged....He's a major touch me not.....so of course everyone wants to hug him!  He's just so sweet and squeazy:)  Like a teddy bear.  But notice the side hugs he gives!  Never face to face!

And then there are the ones who like to hug and  hug everyone:)

And of course the guys can only take serious pictures for so long before they crack...

As grown up as they think they are.....we caught the big ones fully engrossed in the younger boys movie:)

And we did get a few pictures of the elusive Harrison.  He tends to quietly disappear when pictures start??

Thanks Dad and Mom!!  We Love you!!