New Must Reads

Friends, If you get time over the break, try to read the Mark of the Lion trilogy by Francine Rivers. These books are unlike any I have read. I tried two different times to start these and both times I didn't get past the first chapter. This time is was different. I guess my frame of mind was a little calmer and I started reading and I was literally engrossed in these books for three day. I am on the third one now and they are truly incredible, inspirational, powerful, and thought provoking. They are a story of a young Christian girl about 30 years after Christ died and rose again. They are worth your time and your read. Have any of you read them? Did you agree?

Ahhh Summer

I can't believe that June is almost over. Man, time is flying by. We said good bye to our sweet Bowmans and was glad to know they survived the 24 hour drive successfully. :) Here is a picture of Carley and Charlie at church.






It has rained a lot for Lubbock in the past couple of weeks. Everything is actually pretty green which is a rarity here. When we moved into this house last summer I was thankful that we bought a house from people who are good at gardening. Cody and I are horrible at this. They had planted some beautiful flowering bushes that I love to watch open. I noticed a few days ago that the plant had really grown and the buds were starting to form and then this morning, they had opened. It amazes me how flowers are closed one night and open big and beautiful the next day. Something about that just gives me peace and hope in the tomorrows ahead.

So, along with my sappy post, here are some pictures of the flowers that opened overnight and I am hoping that your tomorrow is filled with a beautiful surprise as well.

Good Bye Bowmans

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Both pregnant at our 5 year college reunion
Bumping Baby Bellies on our class retreatMeeting Carley on her first hours of life and anxiously awaiting Charlie a month later

Forcing frienship in the early days
Documenting that Carley has always been taller

Baby Blessing at Church

Matching Outfits

Introduction to Mixed Bathing


First kiss and proof that dressing your kids up is always funny

Dr. B and the Duck hard at work


There is a sad weekend coming for the Nelsons. Our very dear and special friends, the Bowmans are moving to Virginia. I have been blessed to know Andy and Amy since we were 18. Now we are 30! I hate to put such sappy stuff on my blog, but it is a tool to document the big moments in our lives and this is one for us. Luckily we have gotten to see them a whole bunch and soak up as much Bowman time as we can in the past few weeks. It is just hard to say good bye to people you have seen on almost a weekly basis, if not more, for 12 years.

They are friends, they are family, they are nuts, they are great listeners, they are unique, they are hilarious, and they are the best! We will miss them terribly and hope the next three years go by in a flash so we can be together again soon.

Happy Father's Day

I have to start with our big news this week, Carley is PACI FREE! She has done great without it . She hasn't missed a nap or a night of sleep and only cried twice. She doesn't even ask for it anymore. She is such a big girl.

We had a great father's day weekend. We had lots of time as a family and Carley was really cute celebrating her Dad. United had cakes for kids to decorate and Carley was SO proud of herself. The cake was basically covered in sprinkles and lots of colors of icing and she thought it was so beautiful. She thinks her dad is the most special person in the world (I agree) and she is so proud of her daddy. She loves to talk about their McDonalds dates, their silly songs, they dates to the park, and that her dad is a fireman (which she mentions 10 times a day). I love to watch their relationship grow.

My dad was in Keller with my sister this weekend so we celebrated with him a little before he left and tonight for a big dinner. I am so thankful for my dad....for his example, his joy, his friendship, his generocity, and his tender heart. The sermon on Sunday was about Fathers and it was really good. During the sermon the preacher mentioned a few different men in our congregation who were great fathers to their family and to other people and he mentioned my dad. He told a sweet story about one of our former campus ministers who named his son after my dad. It made me so proud of my sweet daddy.

Carley and Papa

Reading the book she gave daddy for Father's Day about them

Daddy napping while Carley watches the Wiggles

This picture just makes me laugh

Giving Daddy his card

Decorating our Father's Day Cake

Our Paci- Free-Breakfast-Party!

My Favorite Things, Summer Edition

My friend, Nicole B, was inspired by Oprah to list her favorite things of summer. I thought I would do the same thing.

The Ped Egg - It is no secret that I have ugly, ugly, ugly feet. There is nothing I can do about it so I just accept it, but don't like it. My new favorite foot helper. It is totally painless and makes my feet very soft and much more flip-flop friendly for only $10!

OPI - Cha Ching Cherry - This is my favorite color for the summer. It is a pink that looks good with all shades of pink and doesn't clash against red. It is a great, cheery color and I always get a pedicure in this color over Spring Break and then keep painting my toes this color all Summer.

Papa John's Chicken Spinach Alfredo Pizza on a whole wheat crust - This is my favorite pizza for the summer. It is SO good and has a really fresh taste. It also comes with tomatoes, but I don't like roma so I opt out. It is for sure worth a try and the crust makes you feel like you are being healthy when deep down you know you are not at all.
Target Girls Swim Shirt Set - It is a swimsuit and it has sleeves. I love it for playing in the yard. It protects Carley from getting burned and at the same time it is cool and can get wet and dries fast. Plus, i am not going to lie, Carley's tush looks awfully cute in pink polka dot.
The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich - This is my summer series to read. It is hilarious, has some mystery, and some great romance. It has really funny characters and because there are so many books in the series, you really learn about all of them and they are a hoot. They are an easy, light read where you do not have to pay attention to every single word.

Favorite Series that are wrapping up this summer: The Redemption Series by Karen Kingsbury. The 4th and final book of the final series in the Redemption Series, Sunset, comes out in September. Out in August is the fourth book, Breaking Dawn, in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. Both of these series are great reads and real page turners. I love endings and conclusions so I am happy to see things wrapped up. (See previous posts about my love for Series Finales on TV shows)

Favorite Beauty Product - COR by Plank face soap - This soap is incredible at drying your face out. It is perfect for those weeks when your hormones rage or when you travel and your face breaks out. It is NOT for those who tend to get dry skin. It would make your skin flaky, but for me, it has been great. It is made with silver which is an antibiotic which helps clear everything up. It is perfect to get your face ready to see the world with no make up on.

Those are my Summer 2008 favorites. What about you?

My Funny Kid

Yesterday I went into get Carley from her nap and she was crying. I asked her what was wrong and she said, "I was scared". I asked her what scared her and she said, "The Tricky Wolf in my bed". I started laughing and said, "the what?" She then repeated the words "tricky wolf" at least 3 or 4 times in this story about a tricky red wolf in her bed.

This is the only tricky fox I know about, Swiper from Dora. Maybe she got fox and wolf confused. Who knows where that kid comes up with stuff. I just think she is a very funny two year old.

• In other news, gas is too expensive and the economy sucks. I am about to have to just walk or ride a bicycle every where I go.
  
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• I still love the Bachelorette and am hooked this season. I am also glad I have suckered my dear friend Amy B to go down this road with me.
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• Sonic has their shakes on for 99 cents. This makes for a special treat.
  
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• I really do like avocados and think they can really jazz up a salad, sandwich, or burger.
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• Miscarrying totally sucks.
  
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• I am in a dilemma on what version of "Jesus Loves the Little Children" to teach Carley. She has learned the one where she says the colors, but I don't really like that. She wants to sing it all the time. Did you just let this politically correct battle go?

• Cody accidentally backed into the garage door so we have to spend our fun summer incentive check on that.

That is all I have. Hope your day is a good one.

Pool Time

It is officially summer. I am done with work. Today Carley and I talked Cody into going to the pool with us for just a little while. She was so funny with her daddy in the water.

I love my Daddy

Holding myself up on the side all by myself

practicing kicking and blowing bubbles

chilling against Mommy

























I love her big smile! :)

My favorite shot----walking out with Daddy. Check out that hiney.

A better shot of it.

The End

Bachelorette

The Bachelorette is so good this season. I just love it. I loved the star-filled date with Jason, loved the Ellen show, loved it all.

Is anyone out there watching it?

Also, I am watching "Legally Blonde, the Search for the next Elle Woods". It is really good. It is alot like "Grease, you are the one that I want" was last year. It is worth checking out.

What are you watching this summer?