Things I love about you...

I've been overcome with gratitude lately at how amazingly good my life is, how blessed I am to have 5 kids, a wonderful husband, great family and reliable friends.
Last weekend, James and I got to get away for 2 nights, just the 2 of us. We slept in, talked for hours, read our books, laid by the pool, ate yummy food, sat in the hot tub and had few drinks. We went to a great wedding and enjoyed the drive both there and home with just some music and conversation.
While lying by the pool and glanced over at my husband of 14 years and my heart was filled with gratitude and my mind filled with thoughts, like a movie reel of our life together. I closed my eyes, not wanting any of those thoughts and pictures to vanish. I jotted them down in the back of my book and wanted to share those of my 6 greatest loves. It's the little things...

Jamesy...You make me laugh, When life is difficult, when life is great, you always make me laugh. Laughter soothes my soul and reminds of what's good in life, please don't ever stop!

Zachary...My sweet boy, I love that your first response in basically every situation is to pray. You remind me that NOTHING is too big or too little to pray about and that God always listens and answers our prayers according to His will. There is little sweeter than to hear you pray.

Gracie...I love when you brush my hair. I so enjoy our quiet conversations, that you're honest & still a little silly. I hope you'll love to brush my hair & chat with me at night years from now.

Hoper...I love when you first wake up, hair all a mess, quackers in hand, thumb in mouth and sleepily say "Mornin Momma, Love you."

Grady...I love that you sing everything. You follow after my heart, because all of life is better with a song. Please don't ever stop singing, even if it's just in the shower.

Wesley...I love your gentle spirit. When you gently rub my face and filled with emotion say "I like you Momma" I want to grab your chubby little hand and hold it there forever!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Gym, School work, Bible study, photography, fun, karate, Gym, editing pictures, piano lessons, Dr. appointments, small group, laundry, dishes, Costco, Wal Mart, schoolwork, editing pictures, home school group, field trips, learning records, laundry, yardwork...
Enough said!!!

Living Desert

It was a free day for home schoolers at the Living Desert, so the Mitchells hopped in the Oates family bus and we headed to the desert for the day. We packed lunches and as many cold drinks we could fit in our bags. There was a great picnic area where we sat and ate and the kids went back and forth into the great air conditioned exihibits nearby.

It was roasting hot, but aside from that the kids had a blast. We decided to head home, when Jenna & I realized the kids weren't looking at the animals, but just trying to sit in the shade to stay cool, hehe! :)

Ice cream from McDonalds was just the right treat for everyone as we headed home.

Thanks Mitchells for joining us on a great, hot day :)

Moms...by the Oates kids

My Aunt sent me an email of these questions asked to a 2nd grade class about Moms. I laughed out loud at some of the responses, so I thought it would be fun to ask my kids the same questions and I laughed at their responses too.

Everything you wanted to know about Moms...by the Oates kids...ages 4, 7, 9 & 11

How did God make Moms?
Z- by taking minerals, blood, some dirt and Adam's bones. Didn't you read Genesis Mom?
H- first He came up with Adam & Eve, then a bunch of other people, then when you have kids you're a Mom

Why did God make Moms?
G1- to have kids
G2- to "nuggle" wif us at bedtime

What ingredients are Moms made from?
Z-muscles, bones, blood, a brain and even privates
H- the same thing girls are made from

Why did God make me your Momma?
Z- because He blessed you with me
H- because you married Daddy

What do Moms do in their spare time?
H- go to the grocery store
G2- look at pictures on the computer

Why did Momma marry Daddy?
G2- because you kiss him
G1- Seriously, Mom? Because you love him

What's the difference between Moms and Dads?
H-Moms like to shop and Dads like to play golf
Z-male and female and Moms boobs grow bigger than Dads

Who's the boss at our house?
H- Daddy, but he has to ask you
G1- depends on who's home

What would make Momma the perfect Mom?
Z- getting us a swimming pool
G2- getting a baby in your tummy

Oh to have the perspective of a kid again! :) I need to do this more often, simply ask them questions and record their responses. Soon they'll know the "right" answers, but I love relishing in the fact that their minds are growing and their perspectives are changing as they grow. Thanks for a good laugh kids :) Momma loves you!

Easter

Easter Day...a few pics after church and before brunch. We are blessed beyond measure. Thank You for the Cross!!!
More to come later...

Big Sister Fun

Last night while we had friends over for dinner, Gracie decided to take the little boys upstairs and keep them occupied. She was very creative and used a paper cake plate and paper clips and stapled construction paper over it and decorated their tambourines with foam stickers.


Gracie I love your creativity and your willingness to help out with the little boys. Everyone was happy and they now have some fun instruments :)

Unfortunately we didn't get a picture before Wesley ripped it open to see what was inside :( It was the thought that counted!

Friendship

Friendship is so very valuable and yet true friendship is hard to come by. In a lifetime, friends come and go, as life changes and we mature, move or get new careers, but by the grace of God you will have a few friends that you know you can always count on.
I love seeing others have meaningful friendships. Not just people you call friends and you might see once in awhile or chat with about "surface" stuff, but real true friends who know you in and out, who are willing to pray for you, to come beside you when life gets hard, celebrate with you when life is good and whom you can trust without a doubt.
This is my parents, Bob and Sharon Suiter and their dearest friends, Dan and Kathy Gonzales. These 4 have been friends for years, and by years, I mean 25+...The four of them worked and lived in community together for 15 years at Oak Glen Christian Conference Center, where they became the best of friends. In the past few years many life changes have taken place, but I think of these 4 like Lucy and Ricky and Fred and Ethel :) God has truly blessed them with each other.
Randomly the other other day Dan and Kathy stopped by my house to catch-up with my folks, where I snapped this quick picture. As I was uploading my pictures, I stopped and looked at this one for a long time and thought about all these 4 have been through over the years and was just blessed by the meaning of true friendship. This is picture of true friendship and I have been so blessed to witness what that means over the years. We love each of you and are so thankful you have one another!

Friendship is the icing on life's cake!
Thank God for your friends today!!!