Fourth of July

We are doing a Patriotic unit this week. We are reading stories about the flag and working with alot of red, white, and blue. This project was kind of a refresher on art etiquette. Baby dots with glue, glitter stays at the table, all art supplies stay at the table, no throwing glitter or foam or scissors etc...you get the point. Needless to say it was a red, white and blue collage. Preston and Nicholas had alot of fun and actually worked on it for about a half hour. So now we are ready to conquer and have fun with more projects. I am so excited to start doing more literature studies with Nicholas...he finally seems ready to humor mom and have some fun alongthe way. Happy Fourth of July..a little early!!

F is for Flag!!

Beach Again???

What is a Floridian to do...but go to the beach. I know I do a new beach post almost every time but we go so much. We do vary the beach we go to..but sorry they just look the same!!! Anyway..I am aware I post alot of beach photos but we just love it!!! And it is Florida!!!

A day at Sand Key Beach with the Yureckas

Boy Scout Camp....Clayton, Georgia

Summer Camp

For the first time ever one of our children went to a summer camp. However, John did go too. Devin and John spent a week in Northeast Georgia at boyscout summer camp. The week did not start out on the most positive note in that our whole family took turns having a 24 hour stomach bug that week and John and Devin were lucky enough to escape it until the day they left for camp. Needless to say they both got it, spent the night in a hotel and were recovered and ready for a great week by noon the next day. They had a fabulous time at camp hiking, and taking classes in riflery, fishing, first aid and boyscout merit badge work. Devin absolutely loved it and can not wait to go back next year.

Best of all it was such a neat time for John and Devin to have a whole week together. That time alone does not happen often in a household of four children. I am most thankful they had that time together especially as Devin nears the magical age of 13 in a month. Next year Mitchell enters the boyscout ranks and will be joining them on this adventure! As for me, I will look at the pictures from camp when they return each year and just ponder on how time passes by you in a moment...once again a reminder to treasure the time that I have been given with my family.

Boyscout Summer Camp

Finding my oldest and youngest snuggled together always warms my heart

Infant Swim Research

Each child has undergone the struggles of Infant Swim Research. Being Florida boys, exposure to tons of water was inevitable. Through much research, this was my best option to give them a fighting chance for survival should they fall into a body of water unsupervised. In an idyllic world drowning would never happen but it is a reality and as a parent this is not a fool proof answer but at least one line of defense should an accident occur. Nicholas has not enjoyed his "refresher" lessons this summer. (he actually passed these lessons last summer and had to go back for a short period to "remember") Nicholas has cried, whined, and tried to bargain his way through lessons. Many times the bargaining has been humorous. But all in all he has done a great job and I am just so proud of him and for him as his little body swims and floats it's way to safety.

Little Nicholas Conquering the Float

Enjoying Splittsville with the Jones family

Precious Gifts we are given

There are gifts that we are given that sometimes we may not even know are priceless treasures. MY Dad is a gift the Lord gave me. He has been the MOST supportive, loving, protective and Godly father a daughter could ever wish or even ask for. He has been there for me in every step of my life as a cheerleader, supporter, a source of wisdom, or just a shoulder to cry on. There have been times in my life when I have watched "life" deal out a card that seemed so unfair...but my father has always showed me through his example what real strength is. He has taught me to get back up and try again. He has taught me to never give up. I feel I owe all of my tenacity to my father. As I look at these photos below...I know that there may be things in life that try and steal our joy as a family but it is just not possible in the end because of the FOUNDATION my parents put in to us throughout our life. In that I can take peace. There is no way I can ever thank the Lord enough for my dad. He is a gift I will always treasure...so I say Happy Birthday DAD and Thank You for being you!!!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!!

Dinosaur World and Medard Park