Summer Goal : Part 2

At the beginning of summer Brandon and I decided we were going to make a strong effort to go to the temple each month June - August. Yesterday we were able to go and had a really great time. Donaven has been learning about temples so we decided to include the whole family on this trip.

Brandon was able to help his niece whom brought two family names to the temple to do baptisms. Brandon was able to officiate in the baptisms for his grandmother Thelma May Debok (whom Coty was proxy for) and his grandfather Charles Surbaugh (Coty's friend Brett stood in as proxy). Brandon said that he really felt the spirit strongly today at the temple. It was a special day for him. His grandfather past away over 20 years ago.

While Brandon was inside, the boys and I walked the grounds and talked about the importance of the temple.



Donaven was very excited when he found the angel Moroni with his "trombone."


Even Emerson seemed to enjoy being at the temple.



I really loved sharing my testimony with my boys. I hope that someday they to will gain a testimony of the work performed in the House of the Lord.





Brandon and I switched and I performed the initiatory for his grandmother Thelma. I was filled with hope as I was reminded of the promised blessings to those whom keep their covenants.



I saw so many familiar faces at the temple today is was so fun seeing so many friends and even family. My sisters Brandy and Angie came while we were there. We also saw Kim and Marco, T.J. & Tiffany, Delsa, Sister Owings, Jean Henderson and her husband, a hole ton of young singles from Longview, Michelle Allen and several others. It made me think that this is what heaven must be like in away. Reuniting with the saints, embracing and just being happy to see each other again.

It has added so much being able to go in June and July. I cant wait for next month. We are planning on doing sealings on Aug. 6th, our anniversary. Yeah for setting a goal and following through. It has made such a difference!

When I grow up...

Last weekend I got up early before the boys and headed to the farmers market. They had a lot of great things. What caught my eye and left be spell bound was a vendor from Henderson with beautiful floral arrangements. While watching her work with large sunflowers, zinnias and fragrant clusters of basil I fond my self mesmerized. Thinking to myself I want to do that when I grow up...



I bought this Texas bouquet for only $8




The flowers really brightened my table and filled me with joy. I was a little sad when they started to wilt. I think Brandon noticed because today he brought me home these beautiful miniature red roses. He is so thoughtful.



Now I'm researching and thinking about turning my vegetable patch into a cutting garden so I can have lovely bouquets like these all the time.



What do you want to be when you grow up?

Late night guests.

Thursday didn't really go as planned. We normally go to playgroup and Donaven looks forward to it all week. Instead we ended up taking Emerson to the Dr. because I was almost positive he had an ear infection. The pediatrician was perplexed and couldn't find anything wrong with him. Feeling a little silly for missing out on fun with friends for what seemed like no reason, we went home and tried our best to enjoy the rest of our day. Around 7 that evening we got a call from Tiffany asking if we wouldn't mind having Jade and James over so she and T.J. could go to a late movie. Donaven was over joyed to have friends over. They played trains, cars, animals, and puzzles. We ended the evening with watching Tangled, snacking on whales, and juice per Jade's request.


With each song everyone got up and danced and sang right along. It was a blast.
Jade was so cute calling the boys Dono and Emmy.
We really enjoyed our late night guests.
We will have to have another movie night again real soon!

Cowboy

Nice hat! Are you a cowboy?

"No... Im just Donaven."

New Gallery Wall

I'm in the process of redecorating the house room by room but using things I all ready have. I started in my room. By changing out the bed spread and pillows. Next I gathered a few frame's and a vinyl quote my sister sent to me for Christmas. I really like the saying. "Enjoy this moment for this moment is your life."







That is my new goal to be here now and enjoy the moments.
To remember to choose to be happy and not so negative all the time.

Thanks to Brandon for making everything level.
I'm pretty happy with how it turned out!

Afternoon walk

A few days ago while taking our afternoon walk, to check the mail, down our country lane. We were all met by an unexpected big surprise.


These two huge machines were left unattended on the side of the road.
Naturally we had to get a closer look.





Neither of the boys were bashful at all when it came to exploring the
"big bow dowzers on the best walk ever!" -Donaven

Snow Cones

Nothing says summer like snow cones, am i right?

Friday afternoon the boys and I decided to kidnap Brandon a little early from work and try out the snow cone stand just down the street from his office.


The stand is in the same parking lot as Fisherman's Market
and Louis Morgan Drug, off of Judson Rd.

We were all pleasantly suprised. The snow cones were great!
Priced at $1 for the 8oz kids size was just right for us. Brandon chose watermelon, blue coconut for Emerson & me, and ocean breeze for Donaven. The workers weren't chinsey with the syrup either, to our delight.

See for yourself.



Emerson enjoying his first taste of snow cone.

We will definitely be going back again to cool off during
this record setting hot summer!

Emerson turned 1!

Today my baby boy had his first birthday. We celebrated once Brandon got home from work with Lemonade Pie. Emerson enjoyed every bite.

Here he is digging in...






Then & Now

Its a little surreal to me that a year ago we were welcoming this sweet little guy to our family.
And now he's almost walking and melting everyone's heart with his winning smile.


Happy Birthday my Duddersy. I love you!

Reflections of the Fourth

Happy Fourth of July!

I love Independence day so much I wanted to get in the mood a bit and decorated with a few things I had lying around.



We didn't originally have any big plans for today. Luckily things just came together last minute and it was a fun filled day with family and friends.

We started out the morning at church with a pancake breakfast and patriotic hymns. After breakfast we joined my sister Angie and her husbands side of the family out at lake of the pines. Tonya and Justin were kind enough to take our family out for a spin on the party barge. It was the first time my boys had ever been out on the lake in a boat. Emerson seemed to really enjoy the wind in his hair.



Donaven was very brave and jumped out of the boat and went swimming with his Aunt Angie. I was pretty amazed. I can barely get him in the bath tub so this was pretty impressive. Next we made sand castles on the beach, and collected sea shells.



We stopped off at the house for lunch and let the boys rest awhile. Later in the afternoon we went over to our friends for a bar-b-q. The kids had fun playing out front on the slip-n-slide.

There was so much good food and fun!

On the way home we saw fireworks amid flashes of lightning.
Not something you see every day.


The boys are in bed now and I think we may need a day off to rest from our day off...