Uncertain Things....

In the past few weeks a lot of things have gone differently than we thought they would go. Life does that to you a good bit it seems. You have things mapped out, planned, and try to make the best decisions you can and then - there is a road block. For me, through all of this God is teaching me to totally depend on Him. I think many times in the past I get anxious, worried, talk to a lot of people about things I don't understand, think and think and think and don't give it to God until...I am at my wits end. The past 6 months or so, God has really been teaching me to depend on Him more and more. He is teaching me to go to his word and read it when I am confused, worried, etc. Not to wait and do it later, but to go to His word immediately. I have done this before as a Christian, but not as often as I need to. I am very dependent on people being there for me. Whether it be Nick, a family member, or a dear friend in times of need...when truly there are times in the past that I should have immediately gone to the Lord in prayer and also gone to His word. So, that is what I have truly been trying to do. To not get all wound up, to lay it at His feet, and let Him have it. To know that His ways are higher than mine and that He is in control. He has blessed us abundantly and helped our family through so many hard decisions, tough situations, etc. and I know that this time will be no different. Thank goodness for God's love and grace.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Moving On...

Hello Everyone!

Once again I have gotten behind on posting on my blog. I am really going to try and do better as I miss doing this and I miss reading everyone else's as well. When I write on my blog I also spend time catching up and reading other people's blogs.

Some of you know that we listed our house in January to sell. We listed the house so that we could mainly move closer to school for Sophie and in turn we would also be moving closer to work for Nick. Sophie attends a private Christian school that is very close to work for Nick. Last year we did a lot of driving, but it was so worth it as we just love where she goes to school. When we listed our current home we didn't mention it to many people as we thought it would take a long time to sell. It did take a few months as we just got an offer on it in June. We had been praying about it for months and we were trying not to stress to much about it not selling. Then God provided a great offer and we are now packing up and getting ready to move. We were in crunch time for a week and a half trying to find the right "new" for us. We have finally found a fabulous home that will only be 12 miles from Sophie's school. We are delighted and are so excited about our "new" home and the area we will be living it. We are going to be so close to lots of dear friends - of mine, Nick's (his college roomate), and Sophie's. We already have a fabulous babysitter (the daughter of Sophie's Kindergarten teacher :-) and we have already visited some wonderful churches in the area and we know that God has big plans for our little family in our new location. Even though we have only been in our current home for just under three years we have made many precious memories here. We celebrated Sophie's 4th and 5th birthday parties in the backyard of this house. We brought Luke home from the hospital to this house. We played slip-in-slide and many hours on the playset in the backyard. We have put our heart and soul in this house as it was quite a mess when we moved it. We have loved it and it has loved us back....so we are sad to move on, but know that this is truly the best thing for us. We are delighted at how God has provided and answered so many prayers for us. We can't wait to see what awaits us in our new town, neighborhood, and home. We also can't wait to get everything moved in and set up so we can have visitors! I'll post some photos of our new home soon...after we close on July 20th and it is all "official".

"Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." John 14:23

The first day of March brought snow to our house and the kids were thrilled! I must say that I was too. I was hoping that we would get snow this year and to our delight it came a little later than one might expect. The snow came down in big flakes and it was beautiful. My favorite part about it was seeing the kids as they looked out the window watching in amazement as the snow fell to the ground. As soon as enough gathered we headed outside. As you can tell by our photos...we don't get snow very often in these parts! My kids have on rain boots, a raincoat and an umbrella in the first few photos! That is how we do it here in GA when it snows :-) The snow was like a large slushy from the snow cone man...not very powdery and fluffy, but rather wet and sloshy. We'll take it any way we can get it though and were so excited to have enough to play in. The next day Sophie's school was canceled so we got to sleep in, which was so very nice. However, the snow was pretty much all gone by morning the next day. Oh well...it was fun while it lasted!

"Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation." Psalm 35:9

It's Me! I am here!

Well...my blog has been totally neglected and I would be surprised if anyone is still reading! I have just not had time and then lately I have forgotten all about it. So much has happened since December that I truly don't know where to begin. We are all doing well, but have been through quite a lot lately. Right now I must say that I am so blessed with sweet family and friends! I have posted a photo of Sophie and me from her Valentine's Party at school. It was so fun and I cherish these days when she is able to have fun parties at school and celebrate holidays! Nick's mom was able to come to the party as well so that made it extra special. I hope you all are doing well and I am going to try and update more often....

Many blessings to you and your families!

Merri

Psalm 36:5 "Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies."

Merry Christmas

Well...it has been a long time since I posted! I promise to be back soon if I still have any readers?? We have been busy with Sophie's bday party, Thanksgiving, and all the fun Christmas activities that go on this time of year. I'll be back soon to update with photos and lots of thoughts. I hope that y'all will come back soon to read about it :-) Right now I am going to get back to wrapping presents and finishing up some handmade gifts....I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. May the birth of our Lord and Savior bless you in new and amazing ways this year.
Love,
Merri

Halloween

Halloween was lots of fun this year with two kiddos who were totally into it! We traveled to Florida for the weekend to attend the UGA/FL football game with my family. I must say that Trick or Treating was muuuuch more fun than the game the next day. We did have a great weekend though and it was fun to Trick or Treat in a new location and with my family! My sister Sherri, who lives in Washington D.C. got to Trick or Treat with the kids for the first time and that was a huge blessing! She got little noses for all of the adults to wear. I was a fish, Nick a pig, Sherri a shark, and Dad a wolf (which Luke thought was UGA and called him that all night!). My mom got some fun glasses to wear. We got to go where we have our family vacations at the beach every summer with my family. It was neat to be there and see all the homes decorated for Fall/Halloween. We got some super duper candy too! Luke LOVED the candy and insisted on eating it with the wrapper on. I had to hang onto his treat bag so he wouldn't do that. Once he got a lollipop though he tore the wrapper off and went to town! He finished the thing off and was a huge sticky mess...but he loved it and that is what Halloween is all about. Sophie was so brave this year - not afraid to run up and ring the doorbell. My little kitty and puppy dog were so cute and I cherish this time when we get to Trick or Treat with them.

"Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation." Psalm 35:9

Bye Gook!

Oh I just love the way Luke talks. I love to hear him say words (and so does Sophie!). He is always repeating what we say and I love the way he pronounces words...it is just adorable to hear a 19 month old talk. He says "Burd" for Big Bird, "Beeear" for Bear, "airpane" for airplane, "Ermie" for Ernie (Bert and Ernie on Sesame St.), "tuck" for truck, "bunkin" for pumpkin. Any who...I could listen to him talk all day long and not grow weary of it. The other night we were at church and we were leaving the nursery. The ladies that keep him each Wednesday night said bye Luke and in return he said, "Bye Gook". That is the way he says his name "Gook". I laughed so hard! My sweet little Gook...who can resist?

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

I've Been Tagged!

Amy Farley tagged me a few days ago so I thought I would keep it going....

7 Random and/or Weird Facts about Me:

1. OK since I have been giving the opportunity....I have to get something off my chest. A random fact about me is that I think there are just too many famous people in the world today! I can't keep up with all of them. There is always someone new on the cover of magazines and I am always asking Nick - who is that? Where did they come from? How are they famous? I am so tired of people being famous for just being rich, or pretty, or just because their parent's are famous. There are so many people who are famous today who simply aren't talented. They are just rich and pretty and wear really expensive clothes. I am tired of these "famous" people telling us the "common people" who to vote for, what to buy, how wonderful they look after having babies since you know we all can have personal chefs and trainers. I know we don't have to listen, but it is everywhere! A little is alright, but there are so many now that you can't get away! I am really frustrated about this. It seems that many of them aren't very educated either. I mean so many of them aren't even talented....can't really sing...or act. I guess it is because of all of the reality shows that are on today there are just oodles of famous people, but I am just tired of it. I am ready for our society to change and not focus so much on these people. I am ready for well educated women to be in the spotlight more and to be the ones who have more of an influence our young girls. I am ready for some good role models for young women to arise. I am tired of famous girls selling out - I wish more of them would stand up for what is right and stick to it. Whew....

2. Another random fact about me is that I read my Bible every night. I have been wanting to do this for some time and about two months ago I decided this was it...I am going to do it. I have tried very hard to stick to it. I am really wanting to read the entire Bible. I have read lots of the Bible over in the course of my life, but never really started in one spot and finished. So that is what I am trying to do. I have started in Psalms and we'll see how long it takes me! It has been a blessing to go to bed each night after reading my Bible and it is really the best time for me. In the morning it is just too early and too hard since I usually have to get three people ready. I am not a morning person so the night time is great for me.

3. I love being a mom and wife. I knew my whole life really that I wanted to have children. I babysat for as long as I can remember - even helping my sister babysit when I was really young. I have always loved kids - really at any age. Being a mom is a tough job and I really didn't understand fully until I had my first child. I have learned that it is much more physical than I ever imagined. It is also much more mentally demanding than I ever imagined. However, it is the most rewarding and amazing thing. I feel so privileged and honored to be the mom of Luke and Sophie and the wife of Nick. What an amazing blessing. I also love being a wife. I love that I have someone by my side to live life with. I love that God gave me someone who is so compatible with me and helps me be a better person and loves me even when I have smelly breath in the morning and also when I get mad. I love that he loves being a Dad and that we are trying to figure this whole "life" thing out together even though sometimes we make mistakes. I am glad we have each other to learn and struggle with. These two things are so rewarding and I feel so blessed that God has given me the opportunity to be a mom and a wife. I try not to ever take it for granted.

4. I love Trader Joe's! I love their chocolate pudding and their tapioca pudding! I love their cheese sandwich crackers (they are much better than Ritz cheese crackers!). I really like that my hubby can buy wine he likes for under $3 and I like the white Zinfandel on occasion too and it is equally as cheap. I love their breakfast bars! I love that they have little children's buggies that Sophie can push around when we shop. I love that the selection isn't so overwhelming and I don't leave exhausted. I love their tea/lemonade...so yummy! I just love Trader Joe's, but wish it was a little closer to us.

5. My favorite department store to shop in is Nordstrom. I love how nice the sales people are and they aren't stuffy or pushy. I love the selection. They seem to have a wide range of prices and I like that so I don't have to go and spend a ton of money when I shop there. I don't go to the mall very often, but when I do I love shopping at Nordstrom!

6. I really like my red hair! I have always loved it and think it makes me different. However, lately I have gotten a little worried. I have always had people ask me if it is real...and of course it is so I say yes. However, lately I am starting to get grey hairs. I keep finding more and more of them and I am not sure what I am going to do. I have loved that I don't have to dye my hair and spend a ton of money at the salon. I love that I can tell people that yes, it is real. However, I am definitely not ready to go grey....so what is a true redhead to do? I guess I'll have to get highlights and then say....no it isn't totally real....I have highlights. I am not really ready for that yet....this getting older thing is going to take some getting used to.

7. I love working with teenage girls. They are so full of energy and so eager to learn about life. I love ministering to them and praying with them and for them. I love hearing about their life stories and what is going on with them. I love laughing with them and seeing God move in and through their lives.

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

Ok so now on to tag 7 more people:
1. Rebecca
2. Mary Catherine
3. Amanda
4. Amy Lee
5. Audrey
6. Jennifer Able
7. Meredith

My Love of Fall

OOhh...I just love my new blog background! I LOVE Fall! It is my absolute favorite time of the year! I love Pumpkins, all of the beautiful colors, and the coolness in the air. I love that we have leaves that change here and that I get to enjoy them. I love the mums, scarecrows, and fall decorations. I love the smell in the air! We are going to the mountains tomorrow to pick pumpkins and go hiking. It is one of my very favorite things we do all year and I always look forward to it. I have attached some photos from last year when we went. We had such a grea time! It was Luke's first trip and Sophie was so excited to take him. It is so wild to look back at these photos and see how much the kids have grown - especially Luke! I think his hair has grown about 90% - ha! I love these times with the kids....what special memories.
"The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love."
Psalm 33:4-6

My Little Girl can Read!

Wow - I can't believe how long it has been since my last blog! I just simply haven't had time lately to write. My aunt passed away over a week ago and last week was spent in Florida spending time with my family and attending her visitation and funeral. She died of cancer and it was so sad, but her funeral was truly a blessing. She was a woman of great faith and did so much for everyone around her. She will be missed!
I have so much to share, but was I was looking back through some recent pictures I realized that I hadn't written about a very special thing that took place in our house a few weeks ago. Sophie brought home a book from school and she started to read! Yes, my little 5 1/2 year old can read! It is a simple Dick and Jan style book, but she reads one until she accomplishes it and then she takes it back to school to get a new one. We have all been super blessed and amazed at this! She is learning so much in Kindergarten and of course growing up very quickly. She is so delighted that she can read lots of different things now and is able to spot her "site words" that she practices at school and at home on dinner menus, signs, different books, etc. She is starting to read to Luke some also - which is so neat to watch. I guess I better run...I have to go make dinner, but I wanted to check back in again. I'll be posting more over the next few days. Lots of fun things are going on in the Thomas House :-)

"The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message." Acts 15:31

Is it Real? Are you for Real?

Ok so I took Sophie and Luke to Cici's Pizza tonight for dinner after church was over. I promised Sophie we would go and she was very excited about it. She loves their Macaroni and Cheese pizza! We are standing in line to get our drinks and a lady looks over and admires Luke and says, "Is his hair real?" I am thinking "Are you for real?" I mean do you think I had plugs put in my 18 month old babies hair? Or maybe we got super curly extensions yesterday? I of course said yes, it is, but I really just wanted to look at her and say - "Do you really think my baby would have fake hair?" People are funny sometimes aren't they? I think often about things I say and wonder if it came out right. I even worry about it sometimes. I think I worry about it less than I used to though. I don't really have time to worry about it as much anymore and I feel that those who truly know me and know my heart will know what I really mean and feel. I remember Nick telling me that people used to ask his mom if she bleached his hair and if it was real (He had white blonde curly hair that was curly like Luke) and she would look at them like they were crazy. I guess people are just intrigued by it, because it is so unusual. What I do love is that it really makes people smile. I notice that when people see my children they usually smile. It warms my heart to know that someone could be having a bad day and they see Luke and Sophie and they smile. I love that. I feel that it is like a ministry almost. A way that God blesses others. Just a simple thing that makes people feel good. Of course when they are having a melt down or picking on each other that sort of doesn't work well...but when they are at peace and smiling it really makes others smile. I am so blessed by that.
I also felt blessed tonight when I picked up Luke from the church nursery. He saw me and threw the toys he was playing with in the air to come see me and have me hold him. Wow - that was good stuff. Those are the things that makes being a parent so special. To know that your child truly loves you and is so glad you are there to take them home. I know that he probably won't always be that thrilled to see me (at least not outwardly) so I am cherishing these times.

"Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

First Kiss?

So, we are at the dinner table tonight and Sophie says, "Oh I forgot to tell you! Someone kissed me today!" I am thinking - what next? We started Kindergarten, she has lost two teeth, and now this?? I mean! A kiss - at school - already? Yes, it is true - her new boyfriend Ethan kissed her on the hand on the playground and told her not to tell anyone! I am so glad she still told us though and I hope that never changes, but I must say I almost fell out of my seat! Oh and Brogan the other little boy is out of the picture now...he is now "in love" with Nadia! Ha! He killed a caterpillar the other day and since he "deaded the caterpillar" according to Sophie she doesn't love him and isn't going to marry him anymore! Ha! I wish I could be out there invisible on the playground and see this all play out! Could you imagine?
I did freak out about this for a while and then I remembered we used to play wedding outside on the playground at my school when I was in Kindergarten. I remember vividly watching one of my girlfriends get married to the same boy many times! So, I guess now in this day and age they get kissed! What is next? I wonder how long Ethan will be her boyfriend? She did say they are going to get married! Maybe that is week 3 of Kindergarten?

"An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips."
Proverbs 24:26

Another Tooth is Gone....

Well, if it weren't enough that my little girl had to start Kindergarten this week she also had to loose another tooth! Yes, now she has lost two baby teeth. On Thursday night she pulled it out and her big girl tooth was already coming out below it. The same thing happened with her first one. I must say that I am so glad I haven't had to pull one out yet! I love leaving it to her so that she knows when it is ready and she also knows when the pain is coming. I also really like that her sweet big girl tooth is ready to come in as well. They make her look so much older and of course make her feel more grown up. The Tooth Fairy came again this time as well and brought her a Hannah Montana (she is a huge fan as of this summer) water bottle, a tube of lip gloss with a little "bling" rhinestone on it :-), and $2. She was so excited to put her tooth in her little Tooth Fairy pillow and she jumped out of bed before school Friday morning to show us. As you can see from the photos she is very happy to show it off! Look at that first photo - she is hilarious! She was totally goofing off and wanted me to take a silly photo. She got two fever blisters last week...I think it was from her being nervous about the first week of school. Friday was also Chapel Day at school and it was her very first Chapel. I just love her little plaid Chapel outfit :-)

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

My little Kindergartener

Well...it is official my little girl is now in Kindergarten. I must say I don't know where the time has gone and I look back and can't believe that she is now 5 1/2 and has started "Big Girl School". She started on Monday, Aug.11th and has loved it ever since. I heard yesterday on the way home that she already has a boyfriend too....that makes three now (one from church, one whom she met this summer, and one from school..whew!). The big day came bright and early for us all...especially Luke. He wasn't real sure about getting up when it is still dark outside when he has gotten quite used to sleeping late over the summer. Sophie has a new alarm clock that has helped her get up right on time. She has been excited everyday to go to school and I am so excited for her. I must say it has been hard this summer realizing that she is old enough to start school. Also realizing when I shop at Target that she is no longer in size 5T, but rather a 6 which is the "big girl" sizes and they look MUCH older than the toddler items. I have cried some all through the summer and of course last May when she graduated from preschool. She is ready though and ready to begin a new adventure. It is just hard for a mom who watches her child grow up from a newborn and realizes that it is time for her to take a new step a step that will make her more mature and more grown up. It is bittersweet as I know it is time and God is going to bless her so much at her new school. However, it is hard to let go at times. She is my little girl.
We'll have new adventures to share over the coming weeks as she now has P.E. two days a week, library day, music class, chapel, and computer time. I get so excited each day I pick her up to hear about all of the days events and activities. She is so excited to share with me, which I of course LOVE! Luke misses her too and can't wait to see her when we pick her up. The other day he saw her come out of the building and said "Sissy!" before she got in the car. Keep checking back as I am planning to post more often now that we are back into the swing of things again.

"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD."
Psalm 89:15

Sweet Little Feet

The feet of little children are one of the sweetest things to me. Especially the feet of my children! I took this photo a few days ago and just wanted to capture how small my children still are. Sophie is of course growing quickly and will be starting "big girl school" soon, but she is still little to me. And Luke still has those sweet baby feet that I kiss on all the time. One of his toes in the photo has a little bit of dirt on it and I love how that shows he is a perfect little boy. His feet are chubby and so soft while Sophie's are longer, more tan, and very girly! I also love the way her nails are polished in the photo - that is sooo Sophie! Their feet are so special to me and I love taking photos of them. We also got some precious photos of their feet at the beach this year that I'll have to share in another post. I look at their little feet and they make me smile. I love watching them run, walk, and wiggle those darling toes. They are getting bigger everyday and before long they will be teenager feet and then adult feet. The neat thing is that they'll always be just as special and precious to me.

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'"
Isaiah 52:6-8

College Days...

Since joining Facebook I have reconnected with lots of old friends. One of the biggest blessings has been reconnecting with college friends. I have a lot of friends that I had stayed in touch with before, but Facebook put me back in connection with people I had lost touch with. Sometimes I really do miss college - the amazing friends and experiences I had. I wish it had lasted long and I wonder why I was in a rush to finish up. God blessed me with a wonderful sorority that I was able to be a part of and a fantastic Wesley Foundation where He grew my faith tremendously! I learned so much about God and how truly great He is through the Wesley Foundation at UGA while I was there. I also made some unbelievable friendships through Delta Gamma (my sorority) and the Wesley Foundation. Those years of my life are some of the most important to date for me and I look back and feel so blessed by them - it was so much fun. It makes me miss my friends. I don't have a lot of really close friends that live close by (in the same community). I have learned as I get older that it really takes time to make those close connections with people. College is such a wonderful place for fostering friendships, because you are all together in the same community everyday. I guess I never realized once you get out of college (and for me seminary too) and move to a new place it really takes time to make deep and meaningful friendships with people. People that you feel comfortable calling up when you need help with a problem or help picking your children up from school. People that you can laugh really hard and totally silly with. People that love you even when you make a dumb comment that you regret making. Friends that you hop in a car with late at night to go get TCBY or coffee with. I miss having those friends so close by like I did in college. It was just such a life changing, unbelievably good experience...I hope that Sophie and Luke have that one day. I wouldn't trade it for anything! It helps that I met Nick in college too - that is the icing on the cake!

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." 1 John 3:16

VBS - what a blessing!

One reason I have been out of the loop with my blog is that I volunteered to help with VBS (Vacation Bible School) last week. I helped with the kindergarten class that Sophie was in. The theme for the week was SonWorld Adventure Park and our class name was the Twirling Teacups! The theme was centered around a theme park and the main theme for the week was "Choose Jesus!" It was so cute and the kids had so much fun. They had assembly, art class, snack time, lesson time, recreation, music class, and closing assembly each day. Each day every child got a "ticket" that they got to put on a necklace that they took it home at the end of the week. Each ticket had a different theme - Choose to Believe, Choose to Act, Choose Forgiveness, Choose to Obey, and Choose Jesus. The kids just loved the necklaces and were so excited Friday when they got to take them home. They also got to do lots of fun art projects during the week and they brought those home on Friday as well. They learned lots of songs and the motions that went along with them. On Friday there was a closing ceremony and they performed the songs and motions for family and friends. The Kindergartners were asked to dress up in cowboy/cowgirl outfits, because the particular song they sung had a "country" sound to it. The kids even got to take home a burned CD of all the songs. We listened to the CD every morning and every afternoon on the way to and from VBS. Sophie just loved the music and motions! Everyday when we would get home she would go into her room and close the door and have VBS time where she was the teacher! It was so cute and such a blessing to see how much she loved it. I got to lead her group to each activity and be a part of it with them. We had a group of 11 and they were adorable! It was so neat to see their eyes light up when they sang songs and made art projects that helped them learn about God's love for them. It was such a wonderful way for me to spend my week and I feel so fortunate that I got to spend this precious time with Sophie. I know that one day I'll more than likely have to go back to work and I feel so blessed that I get to be with her experiencing these things with her right now.
"God sent His Son to be the Savior of the World. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and He in God." 1 John 4:14-15

Busy! Busy! Busy!

Well...I have neglected my blog for a few days! I hope that I still have some readers out there :-) We have had a lot of fun things going on and now I am busy packing for our trip to Hawaii! We leave later this week and we are so excited about it! We are going with my family - my mom, dad, sister, brother and his family are all going...there will be 11 of us total together! Keep us in your prayers - we leave this Friday. So, trying to pack for a flight with a 15 month old and a 5 1/2 year old? I am used to going to Florida each summer and just throwing everything in the car...we always look like traveling gypsies...so I am having to downsize. In my carry on bag I am packing single doses of benadryl (doctor said it was ok) to make the flight a little easier and restful for Luke. I am also packing some new toys (small and not too noisy ones) that Luke and Sophie have never played with and coloring books and triangle crayons - so they won't roll off the tray on the plane. If anyone has any other suggestions please let me know! I am also packing extra clothes, lots of snacks, and we are going to have a portable DVD player. So here's hoping to a safe, happy, and peaceful flight!! I will have lots of family with me to help and Sophie will be sitting with her cousins Rachel (10) and Sarah (8) so she will be in heaven! She loves those two girls so much!
Sophie took some swimming lessons in preparation for our trip to Hawaii so she would be ready for the pool! She has taken them every summer for the past few years, but this year she did really well and came so far in two weeks. I was so proud of her! It might have helped that she had a young guy as an instructor! His name was James and she was delighted to see him each day :-) You will see photos below of her swimming lessons on the last night.

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4