Independence Day

Happy 4th of July

Independence Day is a day to celebrate the men who took a stand and said we will have our liberty. May our generation continue to fight for our freedoms, and may we teach our children to be involved with their government and to stand up against those who try to take away their liberties.  Patrick Henry said, “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.”

B-man Conquers Kindergarten

"Oh please, give me an award!"

Brody finished kindergarten on June 8th.  I'm so proud of my little man.  He really did improve greatly since the beginning of the year.  Brody has become a wonderful reader.  I'm going to have fun taking him to the library every week this summer.  He goes through books so quickly now days (just like his mama).

The last day of school, his awesome teachers gave awards to each of the children.  Brody anxiously waited in the floor for an award. 

He received two awards.  Which if you know Brody, you will not be surprised.

Most Curious

And 

Class Trickster

Our Brody loves to ask questions.  He is curious about the world around him, and he likes to know "what's next?"  I suppose he is making up for lost time since just two years ago at four years old the kid only spoke a few words.  Praise the Lord for these questions!  Brody also likes to play tricks on people.  He hides things, makes up crazy stories, jumps out of places to scare me, and says the opposite of things.  His tricks always end by him saying, "I trick ya!" Brody just makes life fun!  He keeps things interesting for everyone around him.  

Brody was blessed with two very special teachers.  He was successful because of their hard work and tender hearts towards him.  They laid a great foundation for his education. 

First Grade, here comes one cool kid! 

Brody was the VIP right before school ended!

Say My Prayers!

Cowboys!

No cowboy was ever faster on the draw than a grandparent pulling a baby picture out of a wallet.  ~Author Unknown 

I love the cute little cowboys who live on our street!  It's a street full of boys with great imaginations.  A few days ago our street turned into a Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.  The boys all got out their pop guns, and all we could hear is bang, bang, bang.  Yes, we're thankful for neighbors who do not have children who enjoy these cowboys too!

Cowboys Billy Clanton, Doc Holliday, and The Earp Brothers

Even the big kids play too!

Brody saying, "Say my prayers!"

My favorite part of the gunfight was when Brody told Cade, "Say my prayers!" instead of "Say your prayers!" He makes me laugh.  I had the best time watching them play.  Kids make life fun!

Philippians 1:3-4 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.

Mother's Day

My kids- Brody age 6 & Maggie age 10

Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.  ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I'm beyond blessed to be a mom!  It's good to have people to share your life with.   My family brings smiles and laughter into our home daily.  My kids are just fun!  And I look forward to having more fun kids become a part of our family one day!!!

 

 

Brody's drawing of me

Brody made some great art for me for Mother's Day!  

Brody thinks I weigh 80 lbs...God bless that sweet kid!

Brody wrote why he thought I was special.  My favorite part is "She knows what I like to do."

My Mother's Day present from my guys was an awesome pair of TOMS loves Moms shoes.

I loved getting shoes for Mother's Day...awesome points to my hub!  I have such thoughtful guys.  They made my day very special.  Of course, just the privilege of being called "mom" makes everyday special.  I'm so thankful to be a mother!  I thank God daily, and I pray He will make me a mom to many.  There is no other way I would rather spend my time than being a mom!

Life is Sweet!

 And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count.  It's the life in your years.  ~Abraham Lincoln

I was so excited this morning to finally cut up a watermelon this year.  Watermelon is one of our favorite things to eat, and I have been wanting one for months.  Plus I also got to use my fancy watermelon knife I got for Christmas.   

I packed Brody a big Tupperware of watermelon for his lunch box.   He was delighted to have it at school today.  Once again, it's the little things in life that matter the most to kids.  The taste of watermelon was equivalent to a new bike.  It's a blessing to be reminded of how a simple life is a good life!  

And oh, was it sweet!  

There have been several "sweet stuff" in my life this past week that are just too good not to share.


*First, is God's word.  
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.  Psalm 34:8

The Bible has just filled me up with God's encouragement.  We have been waiting on some paperwork to move with our adoption and a house selling, and sometimes waiting is just hard.  I look to the Lord for comfort, and He is so gracious with His love.


*Second, is my awesome husband.
Ryan has gone out of his way to say sweet words lately.  It just melts my heart to hear kind words.

*Third, is my sweet boy Brody.  He has become the post-it king with all his sweet notes to his mama.  I can hardly believe how fast he has picked up reading and writing.  I'm so proud of him. 

"I love you.  I like you.  You are cool."

Brody letting me know his room is clean.

Life is sweet, and we are enjoying all these sweet moments!

Count Your Blessings

My Lloyd Family Blessings

My Brice Family Blessings

How often do we sit down to name the things and people we are grateful for?  Do we really do like the old hymn and count our blessings?  Well, we should do it often!  In fact, we are happier people when we take the time daily to name what we are thankful for.  Counting our blessings puts our lives in perspective.  It also lets the people who are important to us know that we are thankful for them.  Our hearts overflow with joy when we focus on what is good. 

Just call me Pollyanna because I can always find something to be glad about!  I'm grateful for lots of family and friends, a wonderful home, a car great for traveling, food always on our table, books to read, hugs given daily, I love you spoken over and over, and salvation in Christ.  Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, and you will keep singing as the days go by!

Count Your Blessings

By Rev. Johnson Oatman, Jr.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done

Smile!

Brody and Mimi

Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.  ~Mother Teresa

It's good to smile!  The world always looks brighter from behind a smile.  Today I thought I post some smiles from some of the pictures I took last week.  And since I love quotes, here are some of my favorite quotes about smiling!  They say smiling is contagious so I hope these bring a smile to your face.

Nanny and Brody

 A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.  ~Phyllis Diller

Me and my mom

 Life is like a mirror, we get the best results when we smile at it.  ~Author Unknown

Brody and Mimi

Everyone smiles in the same language.  ~Author Unknown

Alex and Brody

 Keep smiling - it makes people wonder what you've been up to.  ~Author Unknown

Brody, Pops, and Nanny

 Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.  ~Janet Lane

The Brices going to a baseball game

 Smile!  It increases your face value.  ~Robert Harling, Steel Magnolias

Here's me sending a smile to you because everyone deserves a smile given to them daily!

 Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.  ~Mark Twain 

 A smile costs nothing but gives much.  It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give.  It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.  None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it.  Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away.  Some people are too tired to give you a smile.  Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.  ~Author Unknown

Today, give a stranger one of your smiles.  It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.  ~Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

I hope all my bloggy friends seize the day with a smile!!!