Wednesday, July 26, 2017

"Friends are Friends Forever if the Lord's the Lord of Them!"

Insert Michael W. Smith's "Friend" song here, and that is how we feel. 
 
We had our last staff lunch with the Neelys on a Sunday after church in early April. You see, staff lunch is full of several very calm table, and then there is one very full table of Barton and Neely kids, and it's loud and crazy! ;) (I will so miss that. I already do!) We came to LABC within three months of one another, and when we got here, we only had two kids between us. Now, we have this whole crazy crew! Holly has been a friend to me in the good, the bad, and the crazy! She has been over in the middle of the night when I was vomiting and needed to get to the hospital. I've been to her house in the middle of the night when she knew she was headed to labor and delivery, but her kids were sound asleep. I've sat on her bedroom floor picking out frames for the pictures of her precious one that was born without a heartbeat or breath in his lungs. I watched her grieve and rejoice. We've dissected endless topics, and even took field trips to Sonic, and rolled down our windows, so we could talk while the kids drink their happy hour drinks. She has loved and encourage, and we've navigated the waters of ministry and the many nights of husbands being gone and being outnumbered by kids in a myriad of ways. In short, this friend is more than precious to me. She's family.
These three love to read!
It makes me so happy.
This one always greets me at the door when I come in early in the morning after cleaning or working out. She's such a love bug, and I adore her.
She also doubles as a princess! ;)

That following Wednesday evening, we had a commissioning service for the Neelys in the Loft. Of course, our six kids were little crazies, and we had some amazing youth to help. :)
Brandon put together a precious service for our friends, and I cried from before it started until after it was over. It was such a precious time. The Holy Spirit was tangible as our students prayed over their youth pastor and his family that had invested so much in them. They laughed and cried and shared heartfelt words.

Each section of the youth took turns praying over the Neelys. It was precious.
So sweet.

Brandon sang several songs, but this one was "10,000 Reasons," which was played at Hudson's memorial service, and it was so special.
Friends!
A precious compilation of the evening. It really was special.
The next day, the littles and I got to keep the Neely kids for awhile! This little guy just makes me so happy!
He is SO expressive, and he has been so so flexible.
Felicity really, really wanted to hold him!
Look how sweet! She's always asking me for a baby, but then I remind her that babies grow up and become Brandt! ;) She usually says, "Oh, okay." ;)
Brandt and Wesley are two peas in a pod! They were having a snack and watching a show!
I played with this sweet baby!
...and Felicity loved "watching" Baby "Siah!"
 
I had put him down for a nap in his pack n play in my room, but then he woke up about 30 minutes into his nap. I could tell that he was still sleepy, so I sat in the rocker with him, and he was out in about 1 minute. So, I put him back in his pack n play, and he slept another 20 minutes. Sweetest boy!
I ended that super emotional week with my 12th colonoscopy! This one was rough. I had to do THREE DAYS of prep. This proved especially difficult with three kids and life, and it was just rough. I was so thankful that Brandon was with me. He's been to all of them--even when we were dating!

The results of this colonoscopy were that there was more inflammation than expected. They wanted me to begin combination therapy at that point, but I haven't yet, as the side effects are super yucky. So, I'm just trying to eat right and exercise. So far, so good. :)

That was a hard week, but there is a time for everything under the sun. 

More fun coming! :)
















Thursday, July 20, 2017

Daddy's 36th Birthday!!

Our favorite Daddy turned 36 on April 1st! 

Birthdays are a really big deal in our house! I do my best to make sure that the birthday person feels loved, celebrated, and adored from the moment they wake until they go to sleep!

When Daddy woke up, he woke to this! I had gone to work out at 5:15 am, and I stopped to get donuts on my way back, but I then I had to wait for everyone to wake! ;)
Daddy got the birthday plate AND batman donuts!
Brandt was a super fan of the donuts!

We spent the morning at the zoo, and then, for lunch, we used our gift card to Pappasitas! 
I LOVE these girls in blue!
beauties!
We ate outside on the porch, and it was beautiful!
We got them to sing Happy Birthday to Daddy! 
:)
Happy Daddy!
Post nap snuggles make him happy!
That afternoon, I surprised him with one of his best friends, Mr. Ryan, and cupcakes!

Our kids go crazy over Mr. Ryan, so they were all so happy that he came!
Look at those smiles!
Tickle fights are two times the fun with Mr. Ryan AND Daddy!
Each one also had to take a turn getting "thrown." 

It was a lot harder to throw this long-legged seven year old!
Group silly shot!
Daddy and Mr. Ryan have been friends since he started seminary right after we got married. That means it is almost their ten year anniversary, too! ;)
I think he had a happy day! :)
Daddy ended his birthday by going with someone from church to comic con (or something like it) at the convention center. I wish I could remember who this is to document it, but I honestly have no idea. I just know that he was super excited to get his picture with him. Happy birthday, Daddy!

We love you! 

Hope this next year will be your best yet. I'm a pretty big fan of you! I am super thankful that God made you. 

You sure do get more handsome with each passing year! ;)

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Family Pictures in the Bluebonnets

My sweet friend Kerri took family pictures for us in the bluebonnets! I have always wanted pictures of my babies in the bluebonnets. It was crazy, but somehow Kerri got some amazing shots. I know I say this every time she takes our photos, but these are my favorite. She captures their personalities so perfectly--especially our wild little man! I will treasure these forever. 


 Sister, Sister (and LOTS of wind)! :)


 Looooove this one. 


 Little Sis. 



 Big Sis. 

 Little Brother.

 My family.

 A very typical scene captured in a photo! I think we were singing Trolls! ;)

 Everyone tickle Bubbers!

 Super thankful.

 Sassy Sis!


THE PERFECT CAPTURE OF BRANDT'S PERSONALITY!!! This one makes me laugh every time I look at it!
 I love this one, too!

 Sister did not want to sit in the grass! ha!



 Sweet girls. 

 They still love to give each other kisses.

 hahaha! Typical Brandt!

 Look at this handsome little man!

 My favorite picture of him…EVER. 


Love these people so much. Thank you, Kerri!!!!!