So, when Drew mentioned the idea of a “wakeboarding ministry” several years ago … I will admit that I giggled. I was skeptical. But, it’s working and they are impacting people right and left. Check him out on Fox News in Greenville last night. Click on this link and then choose the video from list of options at bottom that says “Camp Uses Wake-boarding to Teach Christ”. Way to go, Drew! So proud of you and your friends.

CLICK FOR VIDEO HERE

What a little change of scenery will do for everyone’s sanity. It has been HOT in Atlanta this past week, so the thought of running in fountains sounded fun. Centennial Olympic Park is obviously free - has a great lawn for picnic and we later found an awesome playground we’ll have to try next time. I am not sure if Ella liked the fruit snack from Marshall more than the fountains - but I know she had fun.

MORE PHOTOS

Mainly for the grandparents - getting you caught up on the ‘best of’ photos for each month. I know you like to share these with family and friends. Love you guys!

JUNE PHOTOS & JULY PHOTOS (thus far)

I just want to freeze Ella right here - it’s just going too fast. There are a few of the images at this stage that I don’t want to ever forget. First, that face just looking up at me. Second, the way her father makes her smile. My favorite phrase right now is “Mom/Dad… what are you doing?” which sounds like “What are you DEWnan?” I could hear it all day.

PLAY ALONG! Now, I have 2-3 devoted blog followers that comment. I know there are more of you out there. This is your time. Your post. Feel it. Own it. I want to hear from you. What are those ‘images’ you don’t want to forget? and your favorite word/phrase/saying from your child right now?

Ella has three amazing Uncles and one outstanding Aunt. They will each get a dedicated post at some point. Today, I have Uncle Drew (my brother) on the brain. Ella already loves him - but I know she’s going to adore him as she gets a bit older. He’s just going to be the coolest uncle. Look at this photo! He’s going to teach her some neat tricks. Drew helped start a wakeboarding ministry (www.addiktedriders.com) and I’m so proud of the lives he is impacting through this. More than his crazy wakeboarding skills, I am so excited for him to teach her about the Lord. His love for Jesus Christ is unbelievable. His heart and body just oozes with love for Christ and he is so wise beyond his years. What a great impact he’ll have on her in this area. He has already amazed and inspired all of us.

If you’ll just allow me to pour out a few things right now. This week, I am so in love with my child. I’m always in love - but this week is different. She’s just a sweet little girl and my little buddy. Katie & Emma Kate are out of town - so Ella and I have been braving the world without them. We’ve gone to the pool, on walks and just playing around the house. She is starting to get jokes and play jokes on me. She is hysterical to me. We laugh a lot. Tuesday was the best when I had to have Taqueria and decided that we’d go just the two of us. She sat in a real chair, eating chips and salsa, batting her eyes at nearby tables of people, talking to me about the birds and the trees. It was just surreal. And, to top it off - today, we went to the free movie at Regal in Austell for the first time today with Ashley & Marshall (more on that later - awesome!). During one part of the movie, she got so excited - she reached over and pulled my hand to hold it and pulled my whole body near hers and squealed with excitement. I almost burst into tears. We’re just having a great week and I’m SOOOOO grateful and blessed to be her mom. Thank you Lord for giving me this GIFT! As my sweet brother once said … Isn’t Life Delicious! I’m sure tomorrow or the next day - we may not have great days - but I can read this and remind myself how sweet it is.

Cow Appreciation Day means a lot to me. I’ve been working on this promotion since its inception four years ago and it all came together big today! What a dream to go around town with Dan & Truett Cathy. What other CEOs and Presidents would so humbly don the cow attire. They are amazing people. Ella was pretty darn cute too. More photos to come.

Tom Mileshko Photography & Katie Douglas Photography.

There is nothing like a night out for dinner with my Auburn girls. Not much can compare to laughing for a couple hours over nothing. We decided we needed new Facebook profile shots - and of course - they should be just alike and totally dumb. What fun. I do pray Ella has a group of girls like this to do life with that just make her laugh until she’s hurting. What fun.

Thanks to my parents being in Nashville - we took advantage of an empty lake house with the Thomas, McBrayer & Douglas families. Sometimes, it can be weird when worlds collide - a college friend plus 2 ‘newer’ friends. Not a problem. We had a blast. And, the kids did too.

BEFORE YOU WATCH THIS VIDEO… you must know that YES, we are aware that we are dorks. However, we’re having fun and our kids are too! On a rainy day at the pool - you do whatever it takes. Enjoy these awesome dance moves. We need to come up with some more… there’s still time this summer! 

Kudos to Emma Kate for being the only smiling child in the photo.

MORE PHOTOS HERE

Every Monday night, we have Small Group and sweet Lindsey (or “Izzy”) comes to watch Ella & Emma Kate. They LOVE her so much. She is so wonderful and loves to be with these girls. I am so grateful for her and how she teaches them something each time and just has fun. What a blessing in our lives. Enjoy this video of last Monday when, as usual, Emma Kate entertained us ALL! Good heavens, I love to hear my baby girl laugh.