A Week in Review {Big God story!}~

The boys had been begging for haircuts and I finally obliged~

Ella has two new nature finds: a nest of 6 Carolina Wrens and a turtle she named Cosmo~

Along about Tuesday, I knew little bit must be sick because she willfully fell asleep on the sofa (she never takes naps!) so on Friday we headed to the dr.
She and Ella both had sinus infections with a little pink eye thrown in for good measure~

NOW for the GOD Story!

After the dr we ran by the library to pick up the books they'd reserved and then to lunch. I had considered going to On the Border or Chili's but the kids insisted on CFA because they love the hostess Ms. Debbie! It's also their favorite 'outside' lunch food!

We were eating lunch and the manager Chris Holcombe came over to say hello to to the kids. When we left, he was out taking orders and helped us cross through the traffic to our truck. I clicked my automatic back door and it locked 2/3s up and would NOT budge! I didn't know what to do! There I sat in a truck with 7 kids, no way to close my back door, and about an hour from home.

The manager said, "I know some people so let me make some calls." In the meantime I contacted Onstar and all they wanted to do is send a tow truck. Can you imagine me with 7 kids and a tow truck? Hilarious and I said no! I didn't think that was helping. I needed a service guy from Chevrolet to help me!

Well guess who Chris knew? All the guys at the Chevrolet place and made arrangements for me to bring my truck there. Remember the back door is almost in the highest position. Chris offered to drive us to the dealership if Scott agreed so that's what he did. He drove us (with the door up) and when we got there, he PRAYED over us and stepped in to talk to service. 6 men came out to examine the problem. They were able to get the door closed, locate a part, and send us on the way.

We took Chris back to CFA and he walked away like it was nothing but we all knew it was completely God's provision. Lots of people on IG and FB have said it is {Typical} for CFA BUT I say... it was NOT Typical for me. It was beyond their responsibility but when I expressed this, Chris said, "From the moment you drive into our parking lot to the time you pull out, we are here to serve you in whatever capacity that calls for. It has been both my joy and pleasure to serve you today."

For a mom just trying to feed her kids and drive away safely, there is NO other place I would rather have been! SO a HUGE thank you to CFA Mall of Georgia, Buford for making us feel like we were the only concern that day even though they were in the middle of delivering 750 lunches to the WinShape camp too!!! I will never forget this man who made my children feel so important and bowed his head over them showing WHO delivers us through our troubles every single day!!!

Meet Chris Holcombe~

Saturday kids with a whole day of outside ahead of them~

Amelia & Logan are at the beach this week so Ella is babysitting Cabot, which she LOVES~

For many reasons~

Sunday Savannah, Josh, and the boys came for the day to celebrate an early Father's Day~

 I'm amazed how fast they are growing! Marshall will be 4 months very soon! We spent the day by the pool, and they brought steaks for lunch!~

 We threw in some homemade ice cream and the kids said it was the BEST day~

 I couldn't agree more!!!
AND it is such a blessing to have a mama and daddy with a garden~

AND a little helper in the kitchen... Fresh beans for dinner was perfect!!!!!

Nature Friends~

These are a few of the nature friends EK has enjoyed over the last week~

 Moth, Turtle, and lizard~

Lots of conversation spurred by these friends!!!

Nature Walk Wednesday and Cook-a-Book Friday~ {All Mixed into One}

We visited Rosie on Wednesday (no photo :)

so missed our Nature Walk and decided we would combine it with our Cooking today.

Last night we had precious friends over for dinner (again no photo)

and they left delicious Asian snacks for us!

You know the really cool thing about kids is they don't care if the plan for the day

is planned to the T or off the cuff.

I spotted the snacks and decided we could take those with a juice box with a book

and take a walk to the lake~

(Good stretch, huh?)

I had everyone pack nature journals, pencil boxes, a nature book, and snack

then we were off down the path to the lake.

When we made it down to the bridge and I stopped them to take a pic,

one of the boys yelled, "A TURTLE!"

Can I just say that was God giving us a sweet creature of nature for the day!

EK scooped him up and I got that photo~

We continued down to the lake and out to sit on the dock!

We had our bible time~

and I brought some poetry books along~

 Reading every poem we could find about turtles and enjoying our yummy snacks~

Because we found the box turtle, 

I read from the nature books to them~

and they sketched/wrote about our new friend~

I had also grabbed a great book called All the Places to Love because of the beautiful illustrations
and as we read, we found a turtle just like our's~

It was the best of days and we were picked up in style~

Maybe combining these two days is really the best!!!

Certainly was today!!!

Looking forward to a great long weekend!

A Slow Week~

Nothing much around here this week other than~

School, playing, and being outside.

That makes for a pretty awesome week

and we will take a slow week ANYTIME!!!

Mother's Day & Payne's BD~

Today was a very sweet day.
We had a wonderful breakfast and went to church via online.
Before hand we sang to Payne for his 6 year old birthday 
and gave him a big lego book with legos.
Everyone loved them~

Scott and Amelia grilled a delicious lunch and allowed me to rest while Evie took a nap as well then...

Payne's birthday party!

Watch how quick Payne is to blow out his candles~

{grin!}

Everyone arrived around 4 for ice cream cake and happy birthday song~

Mama and daddy had a big gift for the birthday boy so we headed out for the reveal~

He LOVED his car and it became the inspiration for the Batman theme party {last minute}!

LOVE these photos taken with him~

I called him over off his new bike which he gladly came and asked for a photo with him.

He smiled big and after the photo said...

Now a kissing one mom!

THAT made my day!!! 

Such a sweet boy and always smiling!

Other things about the day...

EK was in animal heaven today... a salamander and a turtle all in one day~

LOVED having my mama here to hug and love on her.

Can't imagine life without her~

An Everything Beautiful kind of day!!!

Tripod the Turtle~

This evening after dinner we were hanging out in the sunroom when all of a sudden EK gasps... "Mama, I see a turtle!" Then {I knew it was coming as the bottom was dropping out of the sky}... "Can May I go out and get him?". What could I say but YES~

{Instagram}

Meet Tripod the Turtle... 

we noticed as he crawled around he was missing a back leg thus his name~

EK went to sleep tonight saying she couldn't believe she has another turtle... 

hoping he's still in the box in the morning. :)

 

Treasure~

One day not long ago my brother shared with EK he had found a turtle shell at his new house.

I'm not sure if he offered or she asked but he said he would give it to her.

We went for a playdate to his house today and she was able to bring it home... 

her 'Treasure'~ 

A Turtle Shell~

 She was happy for a little photo shoot and then off to place her shell on her treasure shelf.

Thank you Jason for giving it to her and to Amy for the invite to play!!! Littles had so much fun and I loved hanging out... needed it!