Birthday week!

This year I had an AMAZING birthday and thanks to lots of special people I celebrated BIG for several days!  E brought me flowers to start "birthday week" off right, G reminded me often that it was my birthday month and he would help me with the chores (SCORE!), celebrated lunch and dinner with awesome friends/family, I had more yummy treats than I can count, blew out candles on two different cakes, had tons and tons of birthday wishes and received lots of super fantastic gifts!

Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of all the ways I celebrated but here are a few that show some of the GREATNESS that was birthday week! 

Roses for me!

 The yummiest cake ever...seriously...ever!

 A fun evening with my Punkie!

 Make a wish...

 Thankful for this b-day date!

 The delicious oreo treat that my sweet friend Brenda made me!

 Having these precious boys sing to me was definitely a highlight!

 Blowing out my candles!

 Our little fish!

Thanks to everyone who made my birthday so special!  

What-a-catch!

Eric was able to go on a fishing trip in Port Aransas with the guys from his Friday morning men's group.  I think deep sea fishing is one of his favorite things, next to hunting of course!  (And me - duh!)  They planned to fish all day Saturday and ended up having a super cool guide that let them fish for an extra three hours!  It sounds like they had an awesome time, caught lots of fish and I look forward to enjoying some soon!

Bounce house fun with the Lamberts!

One great thing about this summer is that we've been able to see the Lambert family a little more often.  For our last play date we went to a fun bounce house place and let the kiddos run wild!  We followed that up with dinner at none other than the amazing...CHICK FIL A! 

G sliding!

 Noah loved watching all the kiddos run by!

 August taking a turn!

 These fellas have been friends since they were about 2 years old!

 Miss Adrianna!

 Such a sweet moment!

 Checking things out!



Kashubas + Graces = Greatness!

A few weeks ago the Kashubas had us over for swimming and burgers!  The Graces were also there and of course it was a super fun evening!

Amanda and Emily: 

these girls mean SO much to me!

 Kaylie, Chad, Brett and Gabe - what a fun crew!

God is good...all the time!

As I look back over the last year and all that Noah has added to our family I can't help but to smile.  It wasn't an easy journey to get our little Noey but all the emotions that came from that season seem like a lifetime ago.  Because it wasn't in my timing I often allowed my flesh to take over and lost patience and became frustrated with God.  We continued to pray and Eric continually reminded me of God's faithfulness and our need to rejoice even when it was the last thing I wanted to do.  Of course I would get even more frustrated because I knew those things and a good bit of the time I continued to rejoice but the few times that I allowed myself to get wrapped up in my own self pity it was not pretty.  As we all know God answered our prayers and what a blessing His timing was!  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28

When I think back to the morning I had him it sometimes feels like yesterday and other times it seems like Noah has been a part of our family forever.  He is so fun!  We have loved watching his little personality shine through. 

A couple of things that make Noah "Noah":

His cheeks!

He's a pretty cautious fella.

He absolutely loves to be outside.

He's aware of his surroundings.

He's very smart.

He's a super quick learner and picks up on things quickly.

He gives a serious vibe but is always

smiling and laughing.

He brings us so much joy!

I'm pretty sure I need this kid more than he needs me!

Noah's arrival!

1 month 

 2 months

 3 months

 4 months

 5 months

 6 months

 7 months

 8 months

 9 months

 10 months

 11 months

 Noahs 1st birthday!

"And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way:  bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God." 

Colossians 1:10



The land of the free because of the brave!

For the 4th of July we celebrated with our friend Darra and her family.  It was so good to catch up with her and visit with her family that we haven't seen in quiet a while.  They are a super sweet bunch and always make us feel so special when we are with them.  We ate lots of yummy food, kicked backed while the kiddos enjoyed the water slide and ended the night with lots of fireworks across the skyline.  

Thanks to the men and women that sacrifice their lives so we can enjoy the things we love!

This pic makes me smile! 

(and giggle a little too!)

A little squeeze from Avery Jo!

 D and Me!

 Enjoying the fireworks!

Lil Katie's big celebration!

Yay for more birthday fun!  July 3rd is our friend Katie's special day so we were able to celebrate with her and a couple other friends.  It was a great time and Eric and I really enjoyed it!  We love Katie!

The birthday girl and the most delicious

cake ever baked!

 The girls!

 Katie and Raven!

I love this girl!

Lots of fun with my Punkie!

Celebration Time!

Our little Noah turned a year old on Saturday, July 2nd!  After brainstorming on what we should do to celebrate we decided to have a low key weekend with just our little family.  It was a perfect way to celebrate Noah's first year.  The night before his big day we enjoyed hamburgers, presents, cookie cake and ice cream.  I have never seen a kid dive in and enjoy cake the way Noah did...it was awesome! On Saturday, Noah's actual birthday, we loaded up and headed to NRH2O to spend the day at the water park.  It was so much fun!

I thought it was super sweet that G used some of his own birthday money to buy Noah a gift. 

(Thank you Jesus for that little boy's heart!)

Daddy and the birthday boy!

Presents!

Noah was not a fan of the "1" crown therefore this was the best pic I could get!

Cake time:  hmmm, what is this?

Just a small taste to start out with...

 ...and then I'll move to hand fulls!

 Like I said, WHAT IS THIS!?!

 Brother brave enough to go in for a taste!

 Not happy about the cake having to go bye-bye!

 Eh, well at least I still have the leftovers!

 That was yummy!

 Mommy and the birthday boy!

 It's water park time!

Big brother ready to get wet!

We are too!

 The fam excited to celebrate the birthday boy!

The boys!

 Fun times!

Noah having a good time!

 

A little break for the birthday boy!