Summer Time

Isn't summer the best?!! We have had a great summer at the Hallmark House! The boys and I have managed to spend most of our days swimming and playing outside. I LOVE having time at home to do exactly what WE want to do. I think time at home being ourselves brings out the best in all of us!

Our neighbor has graciously allowed us to enjoy their pool again this summer. The house next door has been for sale for almost 2 years, and they need some happy little children to "mix the chlorine" in their pool. We can definitely take care of that! 2 boys + water = happiness

Speaking of water....we have LOVED going to the lake this summer. This has been the first full summer of using our boat, and we love it! We have spent almost every Saturday on the lake. We take a huge picnic, snacks, and lots of water toys...find an island...and RELAX. It is great for us and the kids wear themselves out swimming and playing in the water. I can't wait to see the fall leaves from the boat. I KNOW it will be beautiful near the mountains!

My poor hubby injured his foot during 4th of July festivities on the lake. This has left him unable to exercise, work in the yard, and participate in any physical activities. Bless his heart....he is so ready to get back to normal!! He looks so pitiful hobbling around here with one good foot. He is supposed to get a smaller cast in a few weeks, so hopefully he will be able to do more. I have had fun with all my new responsibilities, though.

I participated in a yard sale last weekend! Yes...no more junk around here! I cleaned out, threw away, and donated for two weeks straight!! I LOVED it! I absolutely love to organize. Our house feels so much cleaner. I think I will have a yard sale every year. NO....I didn't make a ton of money, but the cleanliness was definitely worth the work! Anyone need help????

We only have one week until we go to the beach. Praise the LORD!!! I love going to the beach. Our family enjoys spending HOURS snorkeling and looking for shells in the sand. Cole has joined in our family's love for a good pair of goggles and will probably be able to participate for the first time. The previous years were spent keeping him out of the waves and trying to keep his goggles on his head!!! This year should be a lot of fun. We are going with family this year, so it will be nice to have a little extra entertainment for the boys.

This was nice...maybe I will post a little sooner next time! :)

Baseball

Baseball is awesome!!

Who knew how fun baseball season could be?! I now have two boys in baseball for the first time, and boy is it exciting! I have been running from game to game each week for the past few weeks. It can be a little hectic at times. Both boys have most of their games at EXACTLY the same time in two different parks....how crazy! I have been Gabe's audience for most of the games while Joey coaches Cole's team. Our plan was for Joey to coach both so the schedules would be a little better, but it didn't work out this year. Maybe next time....

Gabe is doing great! He plays pitcher or third base for most games. Last night's game was very exciting. He made some really good plays and got two great hits! It is fun to see him get excited about his catches. The team played really hard last night, but lost by one run in the last ending...that stinks! Gabe told me on the way home, " We rocked the house, and they slammed the door on us!" An interesting way to look at it.....

I have only seen Cole play once this season. The one time I saw him, he was busy jumping in the pile to get the ball. That age is hilarious! He is quite the hitter, though. Joey says he has a very unique batting stance, but manages to hit it in the outfield every time. Cole is definitely his own person!

The rest of the season should be lots of fun! I look forward to many more years of sports with my boys!

Weekend Visit

We took a last-minute trip to visit my parents this weekend! I think it did everyone some good to get away and relax with family. We had not been home since Christmas, so I was starting to miss my family. It is always nice to catch up with everyone! The boys, including Joey, seemed to have a good time. Joey and Scott were able to play golf and mom and I went to see a movie. It was great spending some mom/daughter time. It doesn't happen very often, so every now and then is nice! We went to see "Madea Goes to Jail". It was funny! I had never even heard of it, but the theater was sold out!! I guess I am a little out of the loop! The movie had some really funny parts, but had a great focus on the importance of God in our lives. It is amazing that more secular movies do not include the topic of Jesus / God. So many people could be reached that would otherwise never be exposed to Jesus. Not that the movie was entirely religious, but it was nice to see a "little" bit of religion at the movies! There are so many people that need to hear how God can change their lives. Our church, NewSpring Church, shows us that weekly. It amazes me how many "non church-goers" enter the doors every week and accept Jesus as their savior. The church has a magnificent way of attracting and welcoming everyone that enters the door. I have learned so much as a member! It provides a weekly reminder of what God can do in our lives every day if we only trust him with everything! This is something I have to continually remind myself....

I have attached a few pictures of all the children from the weekend. There are a few of Cole with the pony. I think he was the only one that played with him all weekend! They were busy riding the 4-wheelers and running around the woods! We had a great time and look forward to going again at Easter! I think the bunnies were born yesterday, so even more animals will be there when we arrive......

Sid and Cole

Building a house for the chickens in the new chicken coop

Cole brushing the pony

Valentine's Day

We had a great Valentine weekend! Joey and I had a fun date Friday night. We ate at the Blueridge Brewery in downtown Greenville and shopped. Lots of fun.... Haven't had such a nice night out in quite a while!

Valentine's Day was great! We started the day with a Dunkin' Donuts breakfast. The boys had sugar EVERYWHERE!!!! We also had a fun dinner at night. I fixed Cajun Chicken Pasta (our family favorite!) and chocolate covered strawberries. We had a very formal dinner with candles and a "pretend" visit to a really formal restaurant - The Hallmark House. I served as the waitress AND host. The boys LOVED it! Afterwards, we were treated with movie tickets to an "at-home" showing of "Space Buddies". The boys received special tickets, extra special seats, and a tub of popcorn! It was lots of fun having a "night out" at home.

I have included a few pictures from the party at Gabe's school. I made 20 heart-shaped pancakes for the class and they had a great time decorating them. Cole LOVED being involved, also. It was a great time!!!!

Snips, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails

We have a new puppy! The boys are SO excited! They have been begging for quite a while, and we finally gave in. We went out to the animal shelter this morning and brought little "bear" home. He is precious! He is only 6 weeks old and is a Husky - Lab mix. He should be a big one! He has chased, licked, chewed on, and mostly slept on the boys all afternoon. I think they have found a true friend. Gabe said he was "so excited he could cry". I think boys are just meant to have puppies. Besides he will be great for protection when Joey goes out of town! Looks like we have a fun new addition to the family. Now if we can only get him house trained........

Birthdays and More

Ok, so it has been more than a little while since my last post! Life has definitely picked up speed here! I am officially back in school and really busy! It really hasn't been terribly bad, just a little bit of an adjustment. I have been spending most of my free time writing papers and playing with Cole during the day! Life is good....

I recently started a running class - WOW! I am officially in training to run a 10K. With the help of my classmates, I am progressing along rather quickly. Some days are a struggle, but it feels really worth it when I am done. This has been really good for keeping me motivated and full of energy. Hopefully I will make it through the next 12 weeks of class!

Gabe celebrated his 7th birthday since my last post. We had a great time. He had 2 friends spend-the-night. Take note...the pictures of all of the boys together were at about 12:00 at night. They were wide awake! Such fun to be 7!!!!

Until my next post.....

College Life

Today's the big day! I start my college career, again! This time will be a little different. Instead of a teary-eyed departure from my parents, I will be RUSHING through the doors of Anderson University. I am so excited to start a new chapter in the lives of our family. I am working toward a career I will absolutely LOVE. I truly believe this is what I should be doing with my life. I LOVE working with children and seeing the excitement on their faces as they learn new things. It does mean my time as a stay-at-home mom will come to an end, but I have had 7 wonderful years at home with my children. I will enjoy getting back in the working world and having the luxury of being home with my children after school and during the summer. What a wonderful job for a mom!

Poor Gabe is dreading it! He has seen my brother's experience of leaving home over the past year and thinks I will be doing the same. He has asked me numerous times when I am starting and how long I will be gone. He almost is in tears every time we've talked about it. We've tried to explain, but I am sure he will not fully understand until I begin my classes. I think he is beginning to understand a little, though....he asked me last week about getting a new boyfriend. I think he believes I will be dating someone while I am in school. You know....to a first grader, school is all about recess and fighting over girls. I guess he thinks my school will be the same. Recess sounds great, but no need to date... I have found my lifelong sweetheart! Bless Gabe's little heart... he worries more than any of us!

Today is our last day of winter vacation....looks like we will spend it buying books and preparing for tomorrow. Gabe will be 7 years old tomorrow. He is so excited! I sure don't know where the time goes, but it sure goes by fast!