Friday Favorites: Before the Beach Edition

TGIF!!!

Yay for Friday!! Phew. While things have slowed down just a little this week, we're still not quite 100% around here and we haven't been sleeping as much as we'd like. Our baby boy has had a tough time of it and mama and daddy are in slow motion. But we made it to Friday and we're almost all well (thanks to the very best NP ever!) and it's almost beach time! 

Here's a look at our faves from our week before the beach...

*Monday morning we slept late and enjoyed NO swim lessons and NO schedule!!! Wooohooo!! Instead we had a lazy morning at home before making our weekly visit to the library. The boys loooove going and always want ALL THE BOOKS. I end up having to cut them off and leaving the library with my arms full and overflowing and boys crazy excited and don't forget loud and we make a big ole scene of fun. Ha. A good problem to have I guess. =)

*Monday afternoon these 3 crashed after playing hard together and when Garrison realized Layton had joined them on the floor with a pillow he told me to hurry and take a picture. =)

*Our summer field trip was definitely a favorite!

*We actually managed some outside time this week that wasn't unbearable. Yay for temps below 95! Ha!

*My mom and I took the boys swimming this week! Garrison loved every second, Austin got in some pretty good swim practice, and Layton just enjoyed himself. We're looking forward to lots of swim time next week!

*Our front yard is shaded in the afternoons so the boys have been taking advantage of the shade and playing baseball together with Layton's plastic bat and ball.  

*I love the way they're able to throw and pitch to each other now. Even Layton gets in some game time with a little help. =)

*Family Game Night with a twist! They had to choose a game we'd never played before for game night (in other words a game we hadn't played in a reeeally long time). This was so fun! They each chose a game and we loved changing things up and doing something a little different. Hungry, Hungry Hippo was Austin's choice...

*And Garrison chose Who Shook Hook? We all enjoyed the twist. So I may have to think of other twists to throw every now and then. (By the way... the new thing this summer is sleeping in underwear. Haha)

*Favorite Not-Pictured Moment: Layton has decided to start giving me bedtime kisses every night before I leave his room and it is the SWEETEST. Oh how he melts me when he grabs my face and kisses each of my cheeks. Then he always wants to kiss each of my arms or hands and after each kiss he flashes me the biggest, most adorable smile. Oh my heart!! #swoon

*Favorite Read of the Week: Violence Toward LGBTQ: A Pastor's Reflection. If you have a few minutes this is a powerful and convicting read. Wow, wow, wow. In our home we have a sign hanging in our living room with John 13:34 written on it... Love one another as I have loved you. I love this verse because the reminder is so BIG. I want to love my family as Jesus has loved me. And I want this reminder in my home for all of us. But I also want to love others, others outside of my home and my family, the way Jesus has loved me. That is how others know we are His disciples. Our love. I was so moved by reading this and had to share.

We are preparing now for our week at the beach and can't wait to experience new memories and lots of down time. This week we're hoping to unplug and really be present right where we are. Less technology, less distraction, less busyness. We're planning for a slower pace and more laid back time than ever. I'll still make tons of pictures, but other than that, I'm putting my phone away and just enjoying life at the beach and time with my boys. I'll recap our trip sometime after the 4th. =) Have a wonderful weekend and a great week!!

Summer Field Trip

On Tuesday morning the girls in the fam, plus 3 little men and a little lady, headed out for a summer field trip! We had planned on going to Dauset Trails together on last Friday but the boys and I just weren't up for it so we had to reschedule. Then, when my student had to reschedule our tutoring session and Tuesday morning became free we decided on a last minute trip. And it turned out pretty perfect! Every summer since moving back to B'ville I've taken the boys and I'm pretty sure it will remain a tradition for years to come. And this year's trip was super special because Granna, AnAn, and Piper came!!

Baby Girl was super excited about a field trip with her cousins in our big, busy bus! Hahaha. =)

This nearby nature center is just so nice and absolutely free. We are HUGE fans. And mama's favorite animal every year is this sweet river otter. He responds to humans and is definitely the cutest animal there. =)

We also loved all of the owls. 

My guys! (With the red tailed hawk in the background somewhere)

The eagle was fascinating once again this year. And I read back over what we learned last year, and this is a male. The females are twice as big. 

The cougar is always a big hit and even though she was asleep, we had the best view! She actually opened her eyes and peered at us a couple of times. =)

I think the Reptile Room may have been everybody's favorite. I know the boys LOVED it. And for the first time ever we got to see a snake super active and on the move. It was both super cool and sooo creepy. Ha. Of course we had to get a picture with it. It's right above Austin's head. 

 He even slithered up the glass. Ewww. 

Piper and Austin decided to pose with the very still (can you see the head looking over the hole in the rock?) Black Rat Snake. 

Traditional Reptile Room Alligator Pic!

Then the grands posed with Granna...

We did our best. =)

The alligators and turtles were so interesting. They just crawled all over each other and sometimes just decided to stay awhile. 

The Reptile Room is definitely popular with my crew.  

Before leaving we also fed the turtles and fish in the large pond there and visited the farm animals which was a first for us. We saw cows, goats, pigs, chickens, and even tractors. Layton was thrilled. =) Then, our last stop before leaving, was a visit to feed the river otter. He's still my fave. 

We had a great time again this year and are so thankful for such a cool place to visit nearby and the work they do to rescue and save these animals!

Father's Day Weekend

So Father's Day weekend turned out to be a little of a blur for me because I came down with whatever the boys had (I took all 3 of them to the doctor Friday morning and they all had upper respiratory infections).... waaaaahhh! So as the weekend went on, I seemed to start feeling worse and worse. Thankfully I woke up feeling a little better yesterday morning and lots better this morning so I'm hoping I'm almost well! The good news is, I think we still managed to make the weekend a special one for Terrell!

Friday was the day we were *supposed* to celebrate with Terrell since the rest of the weekend was going to be somewhat busy, but Friday didn't go as planned. Terrell got home from an out of town meeting a little early so we got everybody ready and loaded up.... to go pick out paint for our bedroom. And that's where things went downhill. Haha. We picked out our paint and supplies as quickly as possible but the boys were just crazy. They weren't feeling great, they were ill, then they were silly, then they were crazy, etc. We survived our dinner at a Mexican restaurant and then came home and got everyone in bed. Even Terrell and I went to bed early. Like 9:00 early!!! We were just sooo tired and coming down with cold symptoms and just ready for SLEEP.

The whole house slept all night (yay for the first good night's sleep in days!!) and then we let Terrell sleep in while we made him cinnamon rolls and got his gifts ready. =)

I got Terrell some shirts and a pair of shorts and the boys gave him this sweet picture....

As soon as I saw the idea I knew I really wanted to do it. Our boys ADORE their daddy and they really do want to be just like him. (Thanks so much Megan for creating such a special gift!!)

The pictures were a lot of work to pull off but definitely worth it. These 3 have an amazing example in their dad and I hope they always know just how special and wonderful he really is. I honestly can't even put into words just how thankful I am for him. He possesses every single quality I prayed for in a husband back years and years ago and Team Selph is truly an equal partnership in every way possible. He deserves way more than we can give him on Father's Day each year!!

Shortly after breakfast and gifts, Terrell got to work trimming all of our shrubs and his 3 little men were his helpers. =)

So thankful for my hard working man who takes such great care of us and our home!

Even though he had to work on his special weekend, it was the perfect day for being outside. The morning was so cool and pleasant and the boys helped and played and then helped and played some more. The temperatures were perfect! And everything looked beautiful when they finished!

I spent all morning inside cleaning the house because we hosted Terrell's parents and his Granny on Saturday night for Father's Day. Terrell grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and I made some simple sides and we had a great time together. The boys loved having grandparents over and giving Pops his gifts. 

Sunday morning I woke up feeling worse but we still managed to make it to church and enjoyed celebrating with daddy again. 

#these4 #allthehearteyes #lovemyboys

My mom cooked a huge and delicious meal for everyone on Sunday for lunch and we enjoyed celebrating with Papa, Terrell, Frankie, and Paw Paw. So thankful for all the special dads, uncles, and granddads my boys have to look up to!! (Please say a special prayer for my Granny... she fell Sunday morning and broke her collar bone and doesn't understand/remember what she's supposed to do for healing. So pray for my Paw Paw too!)

Sunday afternoon I was feeling my worst so I went straight to bed after leaving my parents' house, then I was up for a little while to help with bath time and bedtime, and then I went straight back to bed. So Terrell's Father's Day wasn't perfect but I hope it was still pretty special. =) And, Father's Day marked our 1st anniversary in our forever home! We LOVE being here and are so thankful for God's plan and provisions that made it possible!

Friday Favorites: Busy Summer Days Edition

This week has been a busy one! Phew. And unfortunately it's also been a sick one. All 3 boys have some sort of colds and mama is just running on fumes. I almost didn't even post my favorites from this week but decided to document the busyness anyway. I'll look back and appreciate it and remember it with a smile one day. =)

Thankfully this weekend is pretty low key and next week should be slower and closer to the summer pace we prefer. Yay. Here's a look at our faves from our busy summer days...

*Austin completed his final 4 days of swim lessons this week! Sooo glad we're finally done! Haha. He did great and really made progress with his comfort level in the water... but now we need to practice, practice, practice. Hopefully he'll be swimming on his own soon! 

*Immediately following swim lessons on Monday we went Father's Day shopping. As in me and 3 little men. Gracious. While the shopping part wasn't my favorite because STRESSFUL, driving home in a quiet car was. I snapped this picture as soon as I got in the driveway and just as Garrison, the one who rarely falls asleep in the car, was waking up. 

*My superhero Layton first thing Tuesday morning!

*A little "technology time" during rest time this week. In addition to reading time, technology time is also quite popular during rest time as it's the only time the iPad or Kindle is allowed (other than checking scores first thing in the morning). This little idea has probably saved my sanity so far this summer. No begging for or fighting over any technology throughout the day because we have a designated time for it and that's it. It's been perfect for us so far. 

*The Braves game with these 4 guys was the best. Stressful at times thanks to our youngest member but soo fun. 

*My patriotic table in the foyer is my favorite. =) 

*I love adding decorative touches for holidays and seasons around the house but honestly summer has always sort of been neglected. Until this summer! I came across the "Happy Fourth" sign in Target's dollar section for $5 and we had the flag and small mason jar. Cheapest decoration ever! I think it's something I'll put out for Memorial Day and leave out the whole summer. And maybe one day my summer/patriotic decor will grow. =)

*The lifeguard gave the boys a basketball to play with while Austin had swim lessons this week. #BFF The time passed so much quicker with little man totally occupied.  

*My mom sent me this picture on yesterday morning of my loves. She has been picking them up a couple of mornings each week and taking them to her house (before taking them to Austin's swim lessons where I meet up with everybody) so I can tutor first thing without interruption or distraction. I am still just beyond thankful to be back here in the hometown and that she is retired now and so willing to help us out!!

*Even though all 3 boys are under the weather and not feeling so great, yesterday afternoon they played sooo well together it just made my heart smile as I gave thanks for my boys and their precious relationships with each other. 

*The big boys slightly rearranged furniture and then took turns making a "bridge" so they could all ride under. They did this for the longest stretch and hearing their laughter and sweet little pleasant voices talking to each other was the BEST. (Especially since summer brings plenty of not so pleasant voices and all the fighting on certain days. Ha!) It was just the sweetest. 

This week has felt so busy for us between tutoring, swimming, shopping, errands, Father's Day prep, and Baby A coming for a couple of days. Plus, due to sick boys we haven't slept through the night much either. So we're tired and all out of sorts. 

But honestly this week for me has also just been sad. Our community lost a special leader to cancer recently and the tragedies that have occurred in Florida are just heartbreaking and awful. My heart aches for the families of those who are suffering such pain. Continue to lift them up in prayer and love on your families even more than normal. Especially enjoy your Father's Day Weekend. We plan to soak up lots of family time and to hopefully get everybody well! Have a great Friday and Happy Father's Day!