To start, we got online and found a scavenger hunt list, then personalized it with the kids’ names and their favorite colors and printed it off. We also changed a couple of things to make it more age appropriate for a three and four year old…such as changing specific types of leaves to a simpler, “Five different kinds of leaves”. ;)

We put each of the lists in a backpack, made a stack of sandwiches  for a picnic, and filled up everyone’s water bottles. On our way we stopped by Target and picked up a small prize for the winner of our scavenger hunt (being careful to get one that could be shared if chosen by the winner ;) ) Special thanks to Mrs. Heather for the idea – we found the balloon rockets! ;)

What a fun day it was! Peaceful and relaxing…both things we needed. ;)

While Mommy was busy gathering things from the van, Daddy and the kids went to scout out a good place to eat…

…Found them! :)

My Boys ♥

The perfect picnic spot – right out in the open…it was just more fun to go though the woods to look for it. ;)

Chow time :)

A baby with peanut butter and a Daddy with a black shirt. ;) Yay for wipes! ;)

A pretty bird…does anyone know what it is? Our best guess was a red winged black bird…?

Mommy and Addison coaxed him toward us with some bread from Mommy’s sandwich ;)

Then Trey decided to pet him ;) and off he went! Here’s one of Mommy and her girl

And Brogan. :) This doesn’t even look like him, but it makes us laugh, so we couldn’t delete it. :)

Fun on the peddle boats! We took turns since Brogan was too little. We let the boys test things out first…you know, make sure it was safe for the girls. ;)

While we were waiting, we decided to take a walk across the bridge to the little playground :)

And big boy Brogan as he usually does – wanted to walk all by himself. ;)

Fun on the swings :)

And Addison being her usual daring little self. ;)

Here come the boys!

Watching the geese

This poor funny looking fella made us laugh. :) Hope he didn’t mind. :)

Someone is very happy that it’s the girls’ turn! :)

Addison wasn’t especially interested in going places, instead she wanted to sit on the back of the boat…dip her feet in the water…feed the geese… :) Such a girl…not the least bit in a hurry :) We had fun. :)

The boys taking a turn at the playground

Go Trey, go! :)

Almost there…

And he made it! :)

Gearing up for our Scavenger Hunt! :)

Reflecting… :)

Checking his list

I think maybe Brogan would like to get down? ;)

Daddy helping Trey  put his finds into his back pack. :)

The trail…so pretty, but glad Daddy decided that we shouldn’t take the stroller! ;)

We originally planned to walk the entire trail around the lake, but when we stopped here the kids were having so much fun, that we decided to just let them play as long as they wanted and not worry about making goals and keeping plans. ;) It was much more fun that way.

Addison finding little treasures. :) Reminds me of her Mamaw. ;)

♥

Brogan ♥

Little fishies :)

Some of God’s beautiful creation.

Haha :) I wonder what he was thinking…

Trey and Addison tied, because Trey shared his finds with Addy…such as this feather. ♥

Here are a few of our favorite shots of the day in black and white…I can never resist. ;)

We are so thankful to God for His blessings…and especially the blessing of family. ♥

Yes, I know, it’s a smudgy footprint. :)

I was mopping the livingroom floor when one of the kids walked by…right over what I was mopping! So I quickly mopped it again…and then again…and, once again…

…then I stopped and laughed. Why am I doing this? Really. Why? I wasn’t mopping the floor because it was dirty. I wanted the floor to be smudge free and look magazine perfect. Why? Because when I see it shining in the sunlight, it makes me feel happy. :) But why does it matter? No one else cares! Really, no one! Wes laughs at me for constantly “shining” the floor. So actually, could it be that it’s…selfish?

Ouch.

I could be running through the livingroom with my precious, crazy kids, and here I am acting like some loony woman with OCD. I snapped a pic as a reminder for myself. I’m thinking that maybe I should order a huge b&w canvas print to hang on the wall opposite my bed so it’s the first thing I see in the morning. ;)

I just want to encourage all of my Mommy friends to seize the moments…they really will be gone sooner than we think. And yes, we do need to keep a clean house, but it doesn’t have to look like a picture from the latest Martha Stewart catalog. Here are some simple, honest questions that I have stopped to ask myself recently.

• When my kids think of me – do they think fun? Or is that word something that, in their little minds is linked to other people – other places? You see, fun (though it probably seems frivolous to us) is one of the special ways that they receive love.
• Do my kids ask me to play, or read a book, or does it not cross their minds because they know I have a list to check off and I’ll say “maybe later”? (I do realize that this can be taken too far, and that children should learn to wait at times, and also to be helpers. But is my answer most often, “not now”?)
• If someone were to take a snapshot of my “mental list”on a normal day – you know – the list that’s filled with all of the “important” things I need to do that day, would cleaning the fridge or dusting my prized furniture be on that list before spending quality time with my precious little ones?
• And lastly, Why do I do what I do? What is my real motivation? We can all come up with answers that sound good – but what are the the REAL reasons? Could it be that my main motivator is pride?

I am so ashamed.

I am also reminded of a beautiful poem that used to hang on my Mom’s wall when I was younger.

Maybe I should frame a copy to go beside my gigantic canvas footprint?

I am praying for God to help me to be more Christ-like in this area of prioritizing. I am asking Him to help me be conformed to the image of His Son, so that I can be a better Mom – not just a housekeeper and cook. It may seem small or even silly, but it has become an issue in my life. I am so thankful for the job God has given me to do. It has taken me several years to really understand this, but for now, it IS my “calling”. And it’s a worthy one! How many times my sweet and wise Mother has tried to share this with me.

And what freedom this realization brings! I have felt for so long that it wasn’t enough, or that surely it didn’t count as serving God. I have felt trapped and chained to what others expect of me. But He is patiently and tenderly showing me that this is how I can be most pleasing to Him.

I have been amazed at the opportunities that He has provided for me to share His love with others – right while I am doing what He has asked me to do! Opportunities that I wouldn’t have if I weren’t just being a Mommy with all of my heart!

I say, bring on the footprints! :)

• Trey in reference to the salad with bacon bits that he had for lunch: “Hey Mommy, could I have some more of that dog stuff?” Mommy: “Dog stuff??” Trey: “Yeah, the little stuff on top. It’s kind of like dog food. I really like it!” Mommy: “Trey…how do you know what dog food is like?? Have you tasted it?” Trey: “Well, I am right now!”

• Addison to Mommy about Daddy’s history show: “We shouldn’t watch that, cause it’s dust a kid movie…an’ we’re not kids, are we?” Then she added, “We’re dust Fwiends.” ♥

• Trey in response to Mommy’s inquiry about a spill of an unknown substance in the floor: “Hang on an’ let me taste it for you – I’ll tell you what it is.” (Aghhh!)

• Brogan while dancing to a happy song: “I ike iss oosic!” Plain as day – I have witnesses! :) Just one of the many surprising things that have come out of the little mini-man’s mouth haha!

• Trey to Mommy who was in last place in a Mario Kart race: (after a short pause) “Here Mommy, you can be my guy – I’m in first – that way you won’t lose.” ♥ Anyone who knows Trey, knows that this is the ultimate sacrifice! ;)

• Trey after being confronted about …sorry…gross…picking his nose (blehhh!) : “Oh I wasn’t picking it – I was just getting a *whisper* booger out.” He was totally sincere.

• Addison to Mommy when Mommy came to get her out of bed in the morning: “Is God done making our house yet? *happy giggles* Do we get to go today?” ♥

• Daddy after watching Trey lick a tomato slice on the serving dish for supper: “Trey, please tell me you did not just lick that tomato.” Trey: “I did not just lick that tomato.” When the poor child was then confronted for not telling the truth, he said, with great distress in his voice, “But Daddy! You telled me to say that I didn’t!”

• Brogan after a hug: “I uhh oooh.” ♥ This is a frequent saying of his and I LOVE it.

God must have smiled when He created children…I wonder if He just thought that sometimes Mommies would need to laugh. :)

I am a happy girl!

Here are a few pictures taken the day after our tire swing was finished, while we waited for supper to finish on the grill.

Trey isn’t quite sure about being so high off the ground, so when the swing starts moving too fast for comfort, he kindly offers to push his sister ;) who has absolutely no fear whatsoever! She wants to go as high as we can push!

If you haven’t tried a tire swing like this before, you must. ;) It’s wonderful…and yes, I am most definitely speaking from experience HA!! I will take full advantage of any willing pushers – volunteers anyone?? :D

And here are a couple of shots of the kids…our precious gifts from God. ♥

What would I do without them? ♥

Oh – and step-by-step how-to instructional for the tire swing, coming soon, for anyone who might be interested in creating one of these for their own back yard! It just takes an evening! Feel free to come try ours out first! ;) It’s F U N.

Are all of you singing to me??

The blowing of the candle happened a little too fast for a picture – big brother Trey helped. ;)

Am I really supposed to get my hands all dirty??

Yes, we do realize that “good” parents shouldn’t let their children stand in their highchairs…but this little monkey can get out of those straps faster than you can blink! We’ve tried – really we have. ;)

Hmmm…I think I like this stuff…

He got pretty serious about the devouring the cake thing!! ;)

Hey, he’s only been waiting a whole year for this, right Pawpaw? ;)

The next shot makes me laugh…

There’s my sweet Addy Lee…waiting patiently for her cupcake. ♥

Hahaha – didn’t even see Aunt Megan’s face in the background of these while I was busy snapping! Too funny! All I can say is L O L

Mom…is it okay that I’m all dirty?

I think so, sweet boy!

My favorite ♥

Alli Marie…wearing bracelets and carrying a gun! Hey, you never know – gotta be prepared for whatever comes your way! ;)

Cousin Jude…little cutie…or major hunk. ;)

Opening presents. ‘Looks like Brogan’s going to have Mommy’s hair! That NC humidity gave him some curls!

Trey and Alli checking out the new toy.

Uncle Rory and Jude…

I love how everyone is doing their own thing here. This was just before Trey chased Aunt Ashton with the frog and made her scream. ;) And look at my big birthday boy!

Brogan checking out the big boy bike.

A true boy…complete with dirt under the finger nails and a little food on his sleeve! ;) In case you’re worried (Mommy was) the frog is alive!

Grandma Guynn bought a pinata – the kids thought it was great fun!

Alli wanted a shorter stick. :)

Trey’s turn!

Uncle Zach fighting for his share of the candy.  J/K Zach. ;)

Brogan, Grandma and Mamaw

Brogan and Papaw Guynn

It’s been a long day. :) I think our birthday boy is ready for a nap. ♥

I am so, so, soo thankful that God blessed us with Joshua Brogan. ♥ Mommy LOVES her precious little man!

Isn’t this beautiful? No color editing here either – God made these gorgeous colors!

My favorite old house.

Back at Grandpa and Grandma’s for some yummy lunch! We had planned a picnic, but you know Grandma – sweet, sweet Grandma! We weren’t about to complain!! ;)

Enjoying Nanny’s funny stories…

Such a truly beautiful  lady.

I love this one ♥

At Nanny’s House. A special, special chat. Wes grabbed the camera and took a picture while we were talking…

Pappy used to play “little piggies” on my toes not too awfully long ago. He’s gone now, but Nanny carries on the tradition! Brogan is a blessed little boy to have such special times with his Great-GREAT-Grandma.

I wish we had more pictures, but we just enjoyed the visit instead of worrying about taking lots of photos…and it was a wonderful visit. Trey even got a tour of Nanny’s amazing house! Full of interesting nooks and crannies, long, steep stairways…and the rooms…they are endless! He was pretty excited since he has heard about the many fascinating places in this house from Mommy’s “when I was a little girl” stories. ;) He got to see the pretty purple room that I spent a couple of weeks in one Summer , and even visited the cellar under the house! We decided that given his personality, we would save the siren for a few years down the road. ;)

Here are some black and white shots from the day…

Little cousin Kreya.

Addy and her second cousin, Sara.

What I love about this shot of Trey is that is wasn’t posed…I caught him just being still…and thinking…I would LOVE to know what about…

Maybe about what a wonderful day it had been…

…and it was. A wonderful, wonderful day. :)

Overheard from the next room, between a 4 year old and two year old while sharing a snack at the kitchen table…

Addy: Twey, why do I hit you?
Trey: Mmm…because you are bad.
Addy: Oh.   ….Well can you hit me?
Trey: No.
Addy: Why?
Trey: ‘Cause Mommy says not to.
Addy: It’s okay, it dus’ will be funny! Dus’ hit me a yot of times, ‘kay?
Trey: MOMMY! Addy wants me to hit her. Should I??
Mommy: No, you shouldn’t.
Trey: Oh. *shoulder shrug* ‘Kay…sorry Addy.

Oh my. Where to even start.

‘Guess it isn’t as much fun to be bad all alone! ;) And not to worry – Mommy did step in and a good “discussion” (on MANY points of that conversation) soon followed. ‘Just could’t resist the temptation to wait this one out — for the mere sake of curiosity. ;)

Okay, I still have no clue what I’m doing with this camera, but we had fun trying anyway. :) Here are the shots that – though they aren’t professional by any means – we at least liked some things about. :)

Isn’t God’s handiwork awe inspiring?! What a wonderful Creator we serve!

P.S. Another old draft. ;)

Here’s a picture that Wes snapped during our routine tuck-in time the other night. We were reading just such a one of those books. One that MY Mommy read to me many, many times.

It’s a favorite of my kids’ now. A good discussion starter, too! ;)

Here are some of our other favorites bedtime stories – some old, some not so old.

My Goodnight Book (Eloise Wilkins)

The Little Engine That Could

The Poky Little Puppy

Scuffy The Tugboat

Going To Sleep On The Farm

And then there’s “Mommy…tell me about when YOU were a little girl.” ;)

What are your favorite story books?

P.S. I am in the process of cleaning out my draft folder… :-/ You know all those times you sit down to work on a post for your blog and some little “emergency” happens? ;) Well, apparently I’ve had quite a few of those lately, and then forgotten to go back and actually hit the publish button. ;) This particular post is from February. ;)