Completing Him Challenge

There is nothing more important to me than my relationship with Christ and my relationship with my husband. I love reading books, articles, and blog posts on ways to encourage my husband and strengthen my marriage. I am excited about this new challenge that Courtney, at Women Living Well, is going to be hosting each Monday throughout the summer. I encourage you to click on the button above and join us as we strive to become the type of women the men in our lives need and deserve.

Lunch at the Golden Arches

Now that Mackaylan loves to eat at McDonalds, I have a feeling we will be eating there very often throughout the summer! Actually in the past 3 weeks I think we have eaten at all, but one of the McDonalds in a 20 mile radius of our house. No joke. Here are a few pictures from our latest visit to McDonalds with my sister and her two boys. As Eli and Mackaylan were playing on the playground, I couldn't help to think that in just a few short years they will be like Boyce and will be the ones sitting at the tables playing with the latest electronic gadget. I know that time will be here in just a blink of an eye. So while I can, I will relish in every moment spent eating Happy Meals, trying to collect all of the toys in a particular set, and listening to the pitter patter of the little feet as they enjoy time on the playground at the Golden Arches. I'm loving it!

Swimming Fun!

School's out and we have had a wonderful first week of summer break! We spent Friday afternoon at the pool with my sister and her two boys. The biggest accomplishment of this outing was that Mackaylan has overcome her fear of not getting water in her face. This is BIG, people! All it took was watching Eli for a little while and she decided to give it a try. I didn't know if this day would ever come. Hopefully after a few days with Jahpa she will be a real swimmer! More pictures of our week will be posted tomorrow, but for now, I am leaving you with this short clip of the kiddos on their "diving board!"

The Ride of a Lifetime?!

I think I married the one of the luckiest men alive. On Saturday, during Sloan Family Day at Freedom Weekend Aloft, they gave all of the employees in attendance a raffle ticket for various prizes. You will never believe what happened? WE WON A FREE HOTAIR BALLOON RIDE!

We were worried at first about what to do with Mackaylan because you had to be 12 to take the flight, but our pilot and his crew were phenomenal and offerred to let her ride in the van as part of the chase crew. Our pilot also reassurred us that we did not exceed the weight limit despite the information from the young girl at the registration tent. LOL Anyway, after waiting around for a little over 2 hours on Saturday evening to launch we were grounded due to pop-up thunderstorms. However, we were encouraged to come back on Sunday morning at 6:30 to try again. Being that we only live 45 minutes from the event site, and this was a chance of a lifetime, we agreed to return. We arrived at the site, met up with our crew, and waited...and waited....and waited. It was very foggy. Once it finally cleared a little, the sun started to break through some of the clouds, but rain was moving into the area. To make a long story, a little shorter, after about 3 hours they raised the red flag and grounded the balloons again. The visibility was low and showers were on the way. They offerred to let us try again Sunday evening, but we opted out due to church obligations and the fact that returning for the third time didn't guarantee that the weather would cooperate and we would be able to take off. Even though we didn't get to actually ride we met some incredible people, experience the set-up and take-down of a hotair balloon, and of course got in the basket for a photo op! Oh well, maybe next year?!.........

Family Day

Saturday was Sloan Family Day at Freedom Weekend Aloft. We all had a great time! As part of the Sloan event we were treated to free tickets and parking, a catered lunch, face painting, balloon designs, a cornhole tournament, and many, many tickets to enjoy the rides and food on the fair grounds. It was a wonderful day! The sun was shining and even though it clouded up it never actually rained. As I was enjoying the company of Mickey's fellow employees and their families, I couldn't help but think about how reassuring it was to know that my husband works for a company that finds it important to show their employees (and their families) how much they are appreciated. The construction business requires L-O-N-G hours at times, but it is easier to accept those challenges when you know that the sacrifice you are making is not going unnoticed. And to that I say: "Thanks!"