NCSU Farm Days!

We had fun today at the farm! Free NC State ice cream is always a special treat.

Sweet brothers holding hands.

Being brave and holding a little chick with Bianca

  

Isaac was asking about the pigs as soon as we left the house.

Yummy NC State ice cream!

Simon looks so big in this picture. He loved the ice cream!

Sweet Gracie Girl!

Oh how I love these two boys!

We stopped by the Farmers Market on the way home for a little picnic lunch.

Wiped out from a fun day.

It was a beautiful day to be at a farm. So sunny and breezy. And that ice cream was so good. Am I going on and on about that ice cream???? That's because it was so delicious. Last year, Simon was still in a baby carrier so having him up and walking this year was so fun! I am loving how much my boys are loving each other and playing together. I think I have a fun summer in store!

Easter Egg Hunt

 We went to a friend's house today and had a little Easter egg hunt. First one for Simon!

Here are all kids on the blanket ready to get instructions for the hunt.

 Isaac on the hunt...

 Simon got the hang of it quickly but got distracted with each egg. As soon as he found one, he stopped right there to open it! funny boy.

The eggs were hidden pretty well. 

He concentrated hard on opening the eggs. 

 

 These cupcakes were amazing. They are lambs to remind the kids (and the moms) that Jesus was was the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

 Love bugs on a little date, but Grace wasn't too happy about the movie Simon chose :)

We got home a little before lunch which meant backyard for the boys. I cleaned the water table and they went swimming. Literally. I made sure to change them into play clothes before they went out and they got soaked! 

 

  

Today was a day where I was continually reminded of God's goodness to me and my family. From the wind that blew, to the amazing mom's God has placed in my life to laugh out loud with, to our fenced in backyard that I can just let the boys play in all day long. Feeling grateful today.

Super Saturday Family Adventure--Green Edition

This Saturday, we went down to the St. Patricks Day Parade! During breakfast, we watched the Veggie Tales story about the real St. Patrick to explain why we're  were celebrating it. I use the word "celebrating" very loosely because all we did was dress in green and go to the parade. 

To avoid traffic, we parked on peace street and rode the R Line again! It was fun!

 We got off at the Convention Center. The fountain is really nice and the boys love it. Did I mention it was a gorgeous day for a parade?

 A kind lady moved her chair over so we could have a curb spot. Praise God!! Isaac was in observe mode and sat frozen the whole time. Screaming on the inside is what I always say.

Simon and Luke sat right behind us. As you can see, even Simon was in observe mode and having no outer reaction :)

 As a pretty "outer" emotional mom, it's really hard to know if my boys are having a good time. But at least they're not crying, right!!

Just the two of us. 

 Grams showed up on her bike for a few minutes. Fun!

 The parade got kinda boring at the end so we headed back to the bus stop. And we saw Sir Walter Raleigh. Isaac was terrified. This was after he had calmed down a little bit.

 If I was doing this, Isaac would most certainly have fallen in!!

 He was pooping. Can you tell?? HA!

 Back on the bus.

I loved looking back at Luke's face at one point during the parade and seeing such a satisfied look on his face. He tells me often how much he loves his family, and I believe him. It is not a burden for him in the least to be with me and the boys. And today was one of those days that we came home, put the boys down and he hugs me on the couch and simply says, "I love my family".

Sunday HymnSing

This isn't an old hymn, maybe not a hymn at all. But we sang it at church a few weeks ago and God timed it perfectly for me and my family. We were in a really dark place and needed the truths of this song. It brought hope and light into our hearts. Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. 

 Always

My foes are many, they rise against me
But I will hold my ground
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

Troubles surround me, chaos abounding
My soul will rest in You
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
 

 Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always, always 

Listen to it on YouTube

Waiting for the St. Patricks day parade to start!

Isaac Picks "Yo-Hiyo" State

So I filled out this bracket up until the elite 8 and let him choose the final victors.  I love how he just rested his little head on my shoulder and how his little voice sounds ("kintucky").  Thankful for a little boy who loves basketball.  We decided whoever wins our little family bracket tourney challenge gets to pick the menu for dinner.  So far (as of Friday night), Rockie is in the lead, Isaac is second and I am dead last.  Praising the Lord for a fun time of year!

Another Day at the Park

 First I want to say how hard it was to find clothes for these boys. It's all still in the attic. But thankfully I had a box of clearance clothes I bought that didn't make it up there. phew! It was such a beautiful day!! and of course, I have to match them ALWAYS!!!

Brothers on the playground.

Working the sand plow.

On the move

Time to eat!

Couldn't be still for the pic, just wanted to run up those stairs. Check out his little crocs!

Red-faced and a little sweaty.

After naps we went back outside.

 We spent practically the whole day outside. After they woke up from naps, they went straight out back. I LOVE that we have a fenced in backyard and a playground. My heart praises God for his goodness to us on these days. We came in for dinner and they both went immediately back outside to play. We stayed outside until after dark! It made the evening go by really fast. awesome!

First Day of Spring

Well, not officially, I know. But it was the first Monday after daylight savings time. I've come to terms with the fact that winter is over. sad. However, I do love the warmer weather and the longer days. We decided last minute to go to the nearby park to play and play! 

I love these yellow flowers. I really hope to have one of them in my yard one day.

 PICNIC TIME!!!!

 Also in honor of Spring springing, steak on the grill and busting out my Easter plates!!

 

Even Batman decided to join us for dinner. Sweet boy! For as hard as I worked on that mask, I'm so so glad he still wants wear it. 

 

Happy Spring!

Sunday HymnSing

I found this hymn a while ago while I was flipping through my hymnal. This isn't the modern song that we all know but the old traditional hymn that I'm sure none of you have heard of. I had to look for it on YouTube to hear what it sounded like. I fell in love. 

Jesus Lover of My Soul

Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, 

all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found, 

grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; 

make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.

Listen to it on YouTube

Super Saturday Family Adventure

Remember that NC marketing tag line, "Discover the state you're in"? Today, we discovered the city we're in. We spent the morning and early afternoon riding around downtown Raleigh for free on the R Line. Fun times!

Before we got on the bus, we stopped by Logan's Nursery. Lucky us, they had a little event going on and Isaac got to paint a little pot......

 ...and plant a little lettuce. He really was more happy than this picture shows :)

 Simon looks so tiny next to Daddy.

 Waiting for the bus!!

We made it on! Isaac loved it.

 First stop was the convention center. This is Isaac literally nuzzling his little brother because he's so excited to be there.

 Back on the bus!

 After lunch, we made a short stop at Marbles. Having a membership means that 15 minute trips there are perfectly fine, and we love it!

 I love that Luke got to be with us, even for a short while.

 Back in the car and totally wiped out!

 It was a fun adventure and it was a family bonding day! Praise God for the beautiful weather!