Beach Time!!!

On Saturday August 12th, we decided to take the kids to the beach. Since they were gone most of the summer we weren't really able to enjoy this favorite past time that we all love so much. Our kids have always been beach kids. We love the fact that they love the beach so much especially since it is one of Dave and my favorite places to go. We spent most of the day there and then came home and just enjoyed relaxing as a family before heading over to our friend's house to watch UFC. We thank God daily for His awesome creation.

Dancing with Cinderella

On Thursday last week Kira had asked me to play the "Cinderella" song for her. I almost had forgotten the song she was talking about and then I remembered....
Steven Curtis Chapman and the song he had written for his daughter. Unfortunately the Chapman family had experienced a tragic accident a few months ago when the eldest son was leaving the house in the family's SUV and had not seen his little sister behind him playing in the driveway. Their young daughter was killed that day. The story itself completely breaks my heart and the song brings tears to Dave and my eyes everytime we listen to it.
Kira was listening to the song and said to me that she had wanted to ask daddy to dance with her when he came home from work to this song. I said ok and so she did and daddy and her danced so beautifully. It brought tears to my eyes at the thought of a wedding that would happen one day and Kira and her daddy dancing to that song. Here are the words - some of the most beautiful words/music to be created. Our prayers continue to be with the Chapman family during their times of sorrow.

Cinderella by Steven Curtis Chapman
She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,
Without a care in the world.
And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It's been a long day and there's still work to do,
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says "Dad, the prom is just one week away,
And I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone.

Well, she came home today
With a ring on her hand
Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned
She says "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
but I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
(even one song)
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

Kira's New Haircut

A few days after we got home from vacation, we decided to let Kira spend the night at a friends house. It was her very first sleepover with her friend Courtney and since she lives right across the street we thought it would be a great time to let her try it. Well, we thought all was well until of course, there comes a knock on the door the next morning from my friend and Courtney's mom Sherri. It seems that Kira and her friend decided to play hairdresser and lo and behold Courtney had cut Kira's hair pretty short. Poor Sherri, she was mortified that her daughter did this. Thank goodness that Kira did not cut Courtney's hair and for those of you that know the story, it is probably because last year when Kira decided to cut her own hair, she got in trouble (big time) for it. My guess is that she remembered that day and decided not to do it which I must say I was very proud of. Andrew, being the typical big brother he is put fear in Kira when he said they were going to cut it as short as his. She cried and said momma, I don't want to look like a boy -- for sure Andrew got a little scolding after that one (even though I must admit, it was a little funny). All in all, it has worked out since we were planning to cut Kira's hair anyway to rid it of the chlorine/sun damage from all summer. It just was a good amount shorter than what we had first thought. Here is a pic of her just last week after her new haircut and if I must say so myself, I do have the most beautiful daughter there ever could be :)

More Fun Pics from Vacation

Summer Vacation 2008 Pictures

Summer Vacation 2008 -- Back home....

It was wonderful to go home this summer and just spend some time with our families and friends. We were able to go to an amusement and water park with my mom, brother, and aunt and that was a load of fun and we did actually make it down to the Jersey shore (Ocean City) but only for the boardwalk and a short walk on the beach. We do thoroughly miss the boardwalk - there is so much to do!! We did not go swimming in the ocean - the water temp there was 58 degrees -- yikes!!! We figured we would wait to go in the ocean when we got home to South Carolina where the water temp is like 85+ degrees. We had a lot of fun swimming in mom and dad B's pool and enjoying the ritual of wiffle ball at my aunt and uncle's house. It was also nice to be able to head back to our old church on Sunday and enjoy spending time with some friends there! All in all, it was a nice trip and always a great time to be with family but it is also nice to come home again to South Carolina. I honestly think one of the best times we had on our vacation was the ride home. We were singing praise and sunday school songs as a family and just were realizing how blessed we truly are!!!! God is so good and we pray that all of you can see His awesomeness in your lives too!!!! Enjoy some of the pics in the upcoming posts :)

The Countdown Begins....

Well, we have 2 weeks left until we see the kids. We are just ecstatic!!! Don't get me wrong, it has been a wonderful thing to have my husband all to myself but we just love Andrew and Kira so much - God has truly blessed us so much with these two amazing lives! We are grateful everyday for them -- 2 weeks Andrew and Kira and then super humongous gigantic hugs and kisses - we love you guys!!!!!