New car....new surgery!

So Don finally got a new car... We were so excited to find something that gives him great gas mileage, great functionality and looks great! He got a 2015 Honda Accord, yep brand spanking new. We haven't bought a new car in so long I had forgotten what that new car smell was. I love it. 

And of course just when life seems to be running to smooth, we have a roadblock. This time the roadblock is not bad just a little more nerve racking than anything. I am having another surgery and for once it's not my foot. I am having back surgery to fix a herniated disc with nerve impingement. Just praying for God's protection for me on that operating table and pray for a speedy recovery for more my family than anything.

 I must say my sweet family is a bunch of troopers. They know just how to roll with unexpected things and continue to make me proud. Our children continue to make good choices even when I may be distracted with my own health things. I realize my husband is an angel who I know was sent to me to provide unconditional love, acceptance and protection for me. Losing my mom was one of hardest things I have ever had to face and dealing with my dad being so sick lately is no doubt very scary for us. I pray for my dad and the rest of my wonderful family and I know how blessed I truly am.

And we keep on keepin on.....

Spending wonderful times with friends, manicures and pedicures, fun at the lake, messy games at Church, ice cream after dinner, senior pictures and my 25th high school reunion are just a few of the things we have been up to. Each day, week and month always brings special moments I love capturing. Moments make special memories and give us experiences that mold us and make us into the people we are each day. Love my sweet family more than words can express. 

A Blessed Life

I am so thankful for this life. Sometimes we get caught up in all the things we need or want, but when it comes down to it...I have everything I could possibly ever ask for, want or need. I have my faith, my amazing husband, 4 smart and healthy kids, a beautiful home, an awesome job and Christian friends to surround me. It's a pretty great life! At church these past few weeks, Pastor Andy has been doing a sermon series about simplifying your life. Each week I leave church with a renewed commitment to do just that. I am well aware of the areas where my struggles are and where I need to make changes. I pray that over these next few weeks I will make some changes that will have a positive impact in who I am and who God created me to be. 

My sweet family is always on the move and I love capturing each of our celebrations, accomplishments and just plain fun.

First day of school this year. Kanon is a senior, Parker is in 8th and Grayson is a 7th grader.

Falcons game with awesome friends.

Grayson and I shopping for her birthday. I love that she wants to spend time with me.

Lifelong friends...Mötley Crüe concert. I must say I'm not a big fan of Mötley Crüe, but always love spending time with this crew. The fact that we went to his concert definitely shows our age. 

Birthdays, swim parties and much more...

Parker turned 13 this year. He is growing up so fast. I am so proud of the young man he is becoming. His heart is huge and his faith is unshakeable. Love this sweet boy more than words can express.

He and Grayson have a great group of friends and they love to get together on occasion.

This summer flew by so fast. We have enjoyed some sweet family time on a few of those summer days. We enjoyed dinner out at the station house one evening and Grayson and Parker got their feet wet for just a bit in the fountains in Chattanooga.

I have to grab pictures of the two older boys when I can. My picture taking drives them crazy. I did however, get this amazing picture of Tyler on the train. Trains were a big part of his childhood. They were his love and obsession until about the age of 10.

Celebrations

We spent Fathers Day weekend at the lake. I am blessed with an amazing man that is the best father to our children. What a role model they have to look up to. I also enjoyed spending time with my dad. My dad can make me laugh and is always up for an adventure of some sort. As my dad's health is not great, it really puts into perspective how little time we have to enjoy each other. 

After Fathers Day, my birthday rolled around. I enjoyed dinner with my sweet family and relaxing by the pool at home.

Life is so sweet now and I feel so incredibly blessed. I look forward to my next 43 years even more. 

And....

After steeplechase, we have had so much going on things are in no particular order. As a family we enjoyed getting to meet baby Audrey for the very first time.

And we enjoyed celebrating our first born. I can't believe Tyler is actually 19. I look at him and still see that sweet little Thomas the Tank Engine lovin little boy who used to be scared of car washes and riding in the car after dark. Now, he is definitely not afraid to be running around at night in his own car with friends or driving his own car through the car wash. How life changes so fast....

This crew that I love calling family has been definitely enjoying our time on the lake. The boys are great with the jet ski and I actually got up on the knee board. This is just the beginning of lake memories to come.

We are still alive an kickin....

Let me start off by saying I'm not even going to pretend I'm posting like I should anymore. I'm just excited to finally start the whole catch up process on our family blog. After my prom post life just began to move faster than I could keep up with new job and all. Just the fact that I am now posting again means I survived training for work and even the pepper spray. I'm tougher than I thought I was.

This post is going to be full of pictures of some great moments as a family, so here goes.....

GDay is always a lot of fun each year and by far the most affordable uga game, haha it's free! And for our big ole family that sure helps!

Me, Don, Parker and Grayson had a blast at steeplechase this year. Parker enjoyed taking his friend Zach and hanging out with other friends there. Horses were by far Grayson's favorite part while I think Parker enjoyed the social scene the best.

The month of May was pretty much a blur to me and my family. I spent four weeks at the police academy training for my new job as a probation officer. I feel like I am finally where I am supposed to be career wise. No more piecing it all together with consulting jobs, but finally back to working full time with benefits and steady pay, not to mention I LOVE my job. I am so blessed and thankful everyday. 

I promise to update some more tomorrow.