Other Summer Fun

Captured the girls coloring on their little table in our sweetly spiced up summer backyard. What a sweet moment!

A fun summer day with the Mitchells...the kids didn't miss a beat, they didn't slow down, they laughed and had a BLAST together. What great friends we have in them!

Griffin continues to amaze us with his helmet. He has never looked back. The kid doesn't even know it's on his head. We have seen significant growth already, and we are praising GOD so very much for his temperament. He sleeps just like there's nothing on his head. wowza.





I turned 32 this year. Eeeek. Went to Rosies Italian Grill with the fam for dinner. Always love these nights out. :)

We welcomed the newest Snow family member this month (July). What a sweet little boy Jonah is. The girls were enamored with him. And Lindsay and Nate were of course a bit shocked, but sooooo in love!!!

And there were FIREWORKS!!!!!

The 4th of July is by far one of the best weekends at the lake, EVER. There isn't an empty cottage and there isn't an empty dock anywhere. It's so fun...the hustle bustle. :) I think this is the first year where our kids actually remembered the "fun stuff" about the holiday. They love being up there with the whole family, they LOOOOVE the fireworks late at night, and they even love "Pat's fireworks." Ellie expected a great show this year. :) Tellie and Maya and Coop were crazy as ever, but certainly a welcomed part of the lake chaos...

I want, more than anything, to make these memories SLOWER than they are. It's hard to do that. It just tends to be busy, even amidst the atmosphere of the lake. I don't know why that is. I want to soak up every single second of our kids playing, laughing, swimming, riding waverunners, eating popsicles, and especially squealing at the great lights in the sky. Before I know it, they will want to be with their friends on this weekend, or with their boyfriends, or with their husbands/wife. Wow. We are blessed...these are the days!!!











T

ellie's prayer

We've been talking about adopting. Talking...not a for sure thing. But, we talk openly with our kids about how it is something we're praying about. The girls know what/who orphans are, and they pray for them a lot. Just now, we're having a snack (the kids and I) and this is what happens.
Me: I love your names. Ellie, Emma, Griffin...and Sam.
El: Sam? Who's Sam?
Me: I don't know. I just said a fun name for a boy. Maybe someday we'll have another boy in our family. Would you guys like that?
El: Yes. Let's adopt a boy named Sam
Me: Well that's something we need to continue to talk to God about peanut. You and Emma should be praying about this too.
Emma: ok mom
El: Let's pray right now..."Dear God, I just pray that you would help mommy, daddy, me, Emma, and Griffin to know whether we should adopt another kid. We think it would be great to help a little person who doesn't have a good life. But YOU have to help us choose what is best. Will you do that God? This kid may grow up (wherever he is) without a mommy or daddy and without ever having CAKE. Maybe this little boy needs to come to our home to have cake and a parent. Please show us what to do. Amen."

Me: tears. (As I sit in my air conditioned 5 bedroom home, I'm somewhat convicted about whether there's a possible "other-little-man" out there somewhere. and if we need to bring him home??)

My little Marshmallow turned ONE

This was a typical snow-kid-turns-one birthday party. I LOVE going all out for their first birthday parties. We were exited to feel settled in our home and we have a fantastic tree in our backyard to hang things from...
I remembered how fun Ellie's luau was when she turned one (indoors, and in February, yes...) BUT...this time we could do it outside and invite the whole world if we wanted to!! :)

It was an absolutely perfect June day...perfect temp and a slight breeze. Everyone stayed outside for the entire party, other than to come in and fill their plates. Griff woke from a nap, had his dinner, and then everyone showed up around 5:00. We had luau/Hawaiian beach music playing outside, drinks on a surf board which was on top of two large speakers, and tables setup all over the yard. The kids played with the many beachballs floating around the yard, they rolled down and then ran up our hill, and they enjoyed lots of food and treats, and good ol' bounce house!!! The mai tais were a hit as well as the yummy "luau punch" for the kiddos.

Griffin: I love having a son. I have loved loved loved the light, brightness, smiles, cuddles, and laughter you've brought into our home these past 12 months. I can't wait to continue to see how you become a part of our family. You are precious. Your cheeks and your flat head (soon to be gone) are precious trademarks of our studly son. Your blue eyes shock EVERYONE that looks at you. They are striking. I pray, frequently, that you will grow to be a warrior for yourself, your God, and your family someday. You are my sweet little dude and I love you bud! Happy Birthday!!