summer fun

Yesterday we went to our local fireworks which is the essence of summer!  Warm sunshine on my back, family laughter surrounding me and a picnic dinner!

Here are just a few of some of the pictures that helped capture our summer fireworks of 2011! 

couldn't have asked for a better night

Little Man loves flying high!

when I see this picture I think summer

Fairygirl loves getting her picture taken

kettle corn!!  The only thing my family buys at the fireworks.

tuesday tunes ... new spin on things

I thought I'd try something alittle different this Tuesday (notices I missed last week oops).  The top thing I search on youtube is Julian Smith. He's great for a good laugh!  Here are some of my favorites!  Enjoy your Tuesday!

diy chalk board

I took just some scrap wood (found in my garage) and transformed it into a cute black chalk board!  Not only was it simple it was also cheep too!

I first sanded my wood.  When you sand you want to make sure you go with the grain of the wood.

Then I applied this lovely paint.  The way my directions worked I did two coats then let it fully dry over night.  The next morning it was ready for use!

Again when you paint, just like sanding you go with the grain of the wood.

And this was my pretty end product!  Something fun and simple that helped feed my diy craving!  The only problem, now I want to try something alittle bigger and that takes more time.  I'll have to see what I can come up with! 

preload

Next week starts Summer day camp!  This will be my second year as a counselor, last year I was a little more reserved, and drawn into my shell.  This year I'm different, I'm more confident and out going. 

Last year when I saw the names of my girls I panicked.  'Would they like me?  Would I be the cool counselor? Would they come back week after week?' these questions and more were swimming inside.  I wanted and needed them to approve me. This time around when I got my list, instead of panic there was excitement!  My mind was and still is, buzzing with different  games activities we can do together.  I'm not as worried about if they approve me.  All I want to do is make it a summer day camp they will not soon forget!

Today while I was sorting out name tags for Monday's madness, my heart did a little happy dance whenever I'd find a new girl for my group.  Their names are just names now, but in a few days those sweet names will carry a face too!

Each of these girls will have a different personality, some will be leaders, some will be helps, while others prefer to stand aside and watch.  Each of them will be so different and I'm excited to learn the unique qualities of each and every one of them. 

So if you don't see me around this spot you'll know why, I'll be getting to know sweet faces that belong to the sweet names I already know.

the new little man

On June 8th we got a phone call for a foster care placement and we opened our home once again.  The Little Man is now apart of our family.  Do we know how long he will be apart of this family?  Are we looking to adopt this sweet blue eyed boy?  The answer to both of those questions is no, truly we're just leaving it up to God at this point. 
When we get a new little face, who is longing to be loved, my heart breaks.  I love them with every fiber of my being, but deep down in my heart I know it won't last.  Sooner or later goodbyes must be said.  But forever they are apart of who I am.

Don't get me wrong, there are moments when Fairygirl and Little Man are screaming at the dinner table and I wonder what we have done!  But these moments of crazy are moments that will be looked back upon with fondness.

Without further ado... here is Little Man

He is all boy for sure.  Loves to play with balls and goes crazy when he sees one! (like above)

His little toothy grin

I think I'm melting

love those cheeks, love those big blue eyes

Well as you can see our family is loving on Little Man hard!  Easy to see why.

My Dad

The only man for me!

You have shown me the world and all the wonders it can offer

You've shown me what a man of faith looks like and how he leads.

You've taught me how to use a power saw and drill!

Because of all this and more, thanks.  Love you Dad for just being you!
Happy Father's day.

From: your baby Girl

* sorry about the picture quality, these were afew of the pictures I had up for my open house... which was AMAZING!!

Tuesday tunes

Today is going to be a short one.  Here is one of the new artists I learned about this past week.  She's great for summertime magic and summer drives with the windows down.  Enjoy!  Some exciting updates will be coming next week, along with an open house review, so stay tuned!

awkward awesome thursday

Awkward

--- having someone accuse me of being afraid of men because I was homeschooled and don't have a boyfriend.  Yes I don't have a boyfriend and I'm okay with that.  But that doesn't mean I don't talk to guys.  Thank you for thinking so very stereo typical of homeschoolers. 

--- realizing that it feels really hot and muggy inside, checking the thermostat and it says 86.  Oh.. that's right the AC isn't working.

--- getting a 2,000 piece puzzle and getting stuck on the edges.  The edges!!!  We didn't even get to the really hard part.  Who's idea was this anyways?? Oh, yeah mine....

--- buying time of the month products (girls you know what I mean) and having a guy ring me up.  I avoid eye contact at all cost.

Awesome

--- going to roller coaster heaven in FOUR DAYS!!  Just alittle excited :)

--- hearing my Grandma talk about when she was younger and seeing how God provided and still is providing for her every single day.

--- Gordon food service, a large food distributor in my local area.  Who helped us save alot of money for my open house, which is next Saturday ahhh...

--- doing a 2,000 piece puzzle with my Grandma, and even though it's crazy challenging, we're able to laugh our way through it

--- getting one call and everything changes, new dynamics, new little face to love on.  (More on that later)



Inspiration for post found on Sydney's lovely blog.

Tuesday tunes --- summer playlist edition

Summer is here!  So I thought I'd do my summer playlist.  Here are just three songs that sound and remind me of summer.  Hope you're all having summer worthy weather.  We are (finally) but our ac decided it wasn't having it, so it's open windows and fans cracked on high sleeping.  Love to hear what some of your tunes are for summer.  Enjoy!

Class of 2011 (photo heavy)

I am now an official graduate of the class of 2011!!!  Sad to have my official childhood behind me, but so exciting to have the whole world at my feet.

Since I was homeschooled I graduated with other homeschool graduates and our parents presented us with our diplomas!  Both my parents and I were able to make it through the diploma presentation without crying. (Something neither of us thought possible!)

Next the graduates all had to give a speech

My grandma came in from Florida!  She's here for a few more weeks, always fun having her around.

Love this picture of my Dad and I

Three generations

Surrounded by friends

The best way

to graduate highschool!