Curb Appeal

I am not very good at the gardening stuff.  Thankfully Abigail enjoys it tremendously.  It means our outside looks better. 

She planted some flowers in pots around our yard.

This one sits on our front porch.

back deck

front porch

backyard by the driveway

she wanted to plant some veggies

front porch

We have an American Robin's nest in our tree/bush in the backyard.  I believe there are 3 babies.  Let me just say, she is a good mom.  I try to get photos periodically so I can see the progress but she attacks.  I mean she will swoop out of a neighboring tree and dive bomb your head to get you away.  So sadly this is the only photo I was able to capture.  (On a side note  - the neighbors must think I am nuts because I scream my head off when she attacks me.)

Family Time

I love to be able to spend some time with my nephew and niece.  From two different sides of the family.  My nephew is from my brother Kevin and his wife Allison.  I got to go to the Aquarium with Kallen and Allison.  Here are some photos from that trip:

Babysitting

Had the chance to hang with Teegan. 

Junior Update

Josh is finishing up his Junior year at CCA.  Here are some highlights for him:

Josh went to Banquet (like prom) with Sona (who is wearng navy blue). Here are some his classmates.

Every year CCA honors those students who achieve academic excellence.  Josh on stage receiving one of his.

Josh is the one in pink shirt walking to the stage.

Up the steps

Sam, Josiah, and Josh dressed for banquet

Either an academic award or student government

Josh and Sona

Sam, Josiah, and Josh

My model son 

He had the opportunity to go to Colorado and with a group to visit a friend who moved there over the summer.

Colorado

Colorado again - Josh, Lane, Dell, Hannah (birthday girl and the one who moved) Ryann, and Chloe

More Colorado photos

While there they attended a ceremony for Hannah (white dress) for National Honor Society

Some of the guys for banquet - Ian, Josh, Sam, Nathan, Josiah . (I know I am biased but seriously they could all be teenage models!!!)

Me and my boy - The shrimp and the Jolly green giant

Josh being congratulated my Gabe (son 2.0)

It is because of these fine young men that my youngest thrives.  They are Tate, Ian, Josh, Sam, Mattias, Gabe, Ian, Josiah, and Nathan (slightly chopped out of picture)

Oh to know what was said to have Josh bending over in laughter.  Love love love these guys.

Nathan, Josh, Sam (peaking over shoulder) Josiah, Gabe . (Just as an aside those are all Josh's awards)!!!

I cannot stress enough how much CCA means to my family.  We are so blessed to have this as an option for education for our children. 

ECPW Retreat

I am always honored and humbled to be invited to the East Coast Pastor's Wives Retreat.  The invite is also for the support people that the Pastor's Wife thinks should attend.  I was asked and I accepted.  The theme this year was Take Heart  John 16:33 - "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble:  but take heart I have overcome the world."

It is such a good time of reflection and growth for me.  The retreat is help at Sandy Cove in North East Maryland.

I very cool looking stump I saw when I was walking

So peaceful and quiet

This was a snake that was in the rock bed I decided to relax by.  Needless to say I moved after taking this photo.

Truly a beautiful day