Water Play on a Sunny Day

I learned a long time ago - not to be surprised by anything that Steven did. But this was the last thing I expected to see when I looked out my kitchen window while I was cooking dinner! I don't think that I would have done this - but hey, what are Daddies for?! And Emma certainly had a good time!

What was he thinking?????

The look on her face was worth all the mud on her clothes, hands, legs, feet & shoes!

Once I had her stripped down to her diaper, Steven had to hose her down again - she was filthy!!!

Father's Day Fun!

Emma had a big day on Father's Day. Steven had to be out of town working on Saturday and Emma did not like it one bit. So Sunday, she was beside herself, just all happy to have her Daddy there! After church we piled in the car we had packed up before church and headed off to Cave City to spend the day with the family. We grilled out (steaks - Yum-O) and then spent the rest of the afternoon swimming. We even got Grandpa in on the action! After services Sunday evening, we decided to just spend a little time alone (as in just the three of us). We went to get a bite to eat and then home to play with Emma. All in all, it was a great day!

Here are a few pictures of our fun in the sun!

Emma got a little impatient with Daddy's driving, so she thought she should do it. Notice that she is wearing her seatbelt....safety first :-)

Ethan and Emma started out in the little pool. Uncle Michael bought them each a ball and some bubbles. They had a blast with those bubbles and we all enjoyed watching them try to do it themselves. Check out Ethan's float ring and Emm's life jacket....they wanted to make sure they didn't drown in the 6 inches of water. As I said.....safety first!

Emma finally let Daddy bring her into the big pool. She loved it!

Uncle Michael took Emma for a ride on the boogie board and they splashed Grandpa. Emma thought that it was the funniest thing.

Beware of Ethan and his watergun!!!!! He absoultely loved this thing, and he got pretty good at it too!

We are very fortunate to live close to family and have the ability to spend time with them.

I am so very thankful for my father-in-law. He has helped us on more than one occasion with everything from advise to washing our vehicles to repairing things to toting Emma around when there was no one else available. He has been a great role model for Steven, teaching him not only about Christ, but setting the example for how to be a fine Christian father and a Godly man.

...And my own dad.............I am so incredibly thankful for everything he have done not only for me, but for my family over the years. He have led me by example and brought me up with the Lord in my life. He has been there for me when I needed him and when I needed to, he let me find my own way. One of my most special memories is the day Emma was born. He was able to be here that day and was one of the first to meet her. It is a day I will never forget.

I hope everyone else was able to enjoy their week-end and Father's Day!

Melting Pot

I had a GREAT weekend - Yippeeeeee!!!!! :-)

On Saturday, Steven and I dropped our darling daughter off with Michael and Patricia and we headed off for Nashville. We did a little shopping, ate at the Melting Pot and walked around downtown looking at all the festivities going on for the CMA Fest. Then went to see Spider Man at the IMAX. The movie was pretty good - but I wasn't so impressed with the IMAX. I think I would have been just as happy to see it on a regular screen and not have to pay as much.

The Melting Pot was fabulous! We have wanted to do it for years but never got around to it. If any of you have not gone - I would advise you to definitely give it a try. But make sure you go hungry! You get a ton of food. It takes about two hours from the beginning of the meal till the end. When Steven made the reservation he told them it was our anniversary, the hostess, our server, and the manager all wished us a happy anniversary. They took our picture and put it in a nice frame for us to have. I hate having my picture taken on the spot like that - but I think it came out pretty good. The necklace I am wearing is my anniversary gift from Steven. He did pretty good!

Even though I have already eaten too much - I am smiling because I know that in just a couple of minutes, they are going to bring me chocolate :-)

Today, after church, lunch with the family and very long naps, we took Emma up to Michael and Patricia's to go swimming. They had taken her on Saturday and that was all she talked about today. We swam for a while and sat outside and ate dinner. It was a beautiful evening. I was very sad to see the day end.

Emma is sound asleep, completely worn out and Steven has gone to the office for a little while so I am enjoying a little quiet time before I go to bed and start my week. I am not looking forward to Monday, but it continues to come around once a week, every week :-)

Thank you for all the prayers everyone!!!! I really appreciate them. This week WILL be a better week.

Pedal baby pedal...

A couple of days ago, when we got home Mack, the boy next door was once again waiting for Emmaline. He wanted to help her practice riding her 'bike' some more. He has been working on teaching her how to pedal.

Steven was out there with them, so I went in to start cooking dinner. Mack come running in the house telling me I HAVE to go look at Emmaline. When I got out there this is what I saw. She was actually pedalling on her own. She doesn't steer too well yet, but that will come.

It is Friday, thank goodness and I am only working a half day today. I am going to spend the afternoon with Emma. Steven and I are going to spend the day in Nashville tomorrow for our anniversary. Emma is going to spend the day with her Uncle Michael and Aunt Tricia. I am in a much better frame of mind today and looking forward to the week-end. God is good!!!!!

Not sure what to say

Thank you to everyone that has said a prayer for me over the last week. With out them I don't think I would have been able to return to face the situation. Unfortunately, due to my previous posting, I upset some people. That was never my intention. I am sincerely sorry! This blog was supposed to be about my daughter, successes, failures, thoughts, and hurts. I am having a harder time with this than I did last week, and I am really not sure why. It has become very personal. I have been accused of a lot of things over the last 24 hours and I really have got to get over it and move on, but it is becoming harder. I absolutely dread leaving my house this morning. I am sick to my stomach and my heart is heavy. But I look at my daughter and I know that I have to leave the house and I HAVE to get past this. I want her to know that this is not okay, but it will be okay.

Many years ago I discovered a verse in Isaiah that I fell in love with. I keep it close to me and it has helped me on many different occasions through the years

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

(Isaiah 41:10)

If I just remember that I belong to Him and that He will take care of me, I can overcome anything. But sometimes it is hard to remember that. Satan has been working hard around me - but I cannot and will not let him win!

Play time

These pictures are a few weeks old - but life has been a little hectic so I am just getting around to them.

Emma loves to be outside! One eveing when I was over at Jill's helping with Natalie Kate's birthday invites, Barry was kind enough to take the girls outside to play so we could get some work done. Of course, when Jill saw them playing she grabbed her camera and ran. You all know Jill, she loves to take pictures and I for one am very thankful!

Emma had been on a trampoline a couple of times but would never venture in from the 'doorway'. After watching Natalie jump a few times, she decided to give it a little try. She never made big jumps, but she is working on it!

Another one of Emma's favorite things to do is slide. And since Natalie's slide is a lot bigger than her slide she had to do it again and again and again and again...............
This was Emma's first time on a 'big girl' swing. We had tried it a couple of times last summer wish us holding her, but she just didn't like it. Barry set her on the swing and Natalie next to her and gave them both a little push. Emma watched Natalie "pumping" to keep herself going so she though she would try it too.
Thanks Jill for taking all these pictures. You can be my daughter's photographer anytime you want! :0)