Last Sunday our church had an exclusive day out at Hawaiian Falls. It’s just about 5 miles from the house, but we rarely go since we have a pool. And we had an ABSOLUTE blast!!!
Granddad and Connor LOVED riding all the slides. Connor just couldn’t get enough! 
Michel and Kate
Granddad had a great time playin’ in the kiddie area!!! 
WATCH OUT!!!!
And the race is on! From left to right: Kate, Michael, Connor, & Granddad 
WOO HOO!! Michael and I hit the slides! 
This week i heart faces is featuring photos with the color yellow in them.
I took this at the i heart faces workshop. I don’t know when their next workshop will be, but I know they have several photo walks coming up VERY soon. I learned so much that weekend and met a GREAT group of women – many of whom I still keep in touch with via blogs, facebook, and these weekly challenges. I HIGHLY encourage you to continue to participate and get involved with the i heart faces community!!
This is baby Finley – she was featured in last week’s entry as well. Here she is just a few weeks old. And I LOVE that her sunflower is almost as big as she is!! Hee Hee!!
This sweet photo represents a miracle. Ashley faced MANY fertility challenges and it became very clear that she would not be able to have children. But God had other plans. He used the grace of adoption to bring this precious miracle into the arms of her mom and dad. In this picture, it is very obvious that Finley Grace is adored and loved beyond measure by her mom and dad.
I celebrate this mother today on her FIRST Mother’s day! And I would like to leave you with a poem she wrote:
Sweet Finley Grace (to the tune of Amazing Grace)
Sweet Finley Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a woman like me
I once was barren, but now I’ve found
The gift God sent to me.
T’was God who taught our hearts to fear
To wait and just believe
‘Cuz in His plan she was so near
This gift that we received.
Through many trials with ups and downs
We learned to overcome
T’was Finley Grace, with an angel’s face
The gift that we brought home.
The Lord had promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will, our shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
On Christmas day, to us you gave
Your One and Only Son
From our sins He came to save
This gift for everyone.
Sweet Finley Grace, how sweet the sound
You made a mother of me
My heart swells full with every pound
Of love for you baby!!
Kelly is hosting a variety of posts dedicated to baby names. What are your children’s names and why did you choose that name specifically?
First of all, let me say that with every pregnancy my names changed.
The first born, Mason Jonle. The middle is original – obviously. It combined Michael and I’s middle names – John and Leigh. I’m always telling Michael that I wished we would have spelled it with a y on the end ~ Jonley. But he won’t let me change it now. If Mason had been a girl, she would have been Taylor. Since it was a boy, we wanted him to have the same initials as his dad – MJR.
#2 Connor Payne. We liked the name Connor – it’s very Irish. And we attended Howard Payne University. My family was also a big Payne Stewart fan! With reddish brown hair and VERY fare skin, the child looks like he came straight from Ireland!! If he had been a girl, we would have named her Merideth, and called her Beth for short. Then we would have had the M and M thing going on.
#3 Kate Alexa. I wanted her named Kate the moment I saw the Greek meaning - “pure”. Her middle name begins with an A, like her momma. And I honestly don’t remember what the boy name would have been.
#4 Ethan Parker. Michael choose the name Ethan, and to be honest I wasn’t crazy about it at first. And then when he was in the NICU, I fell in love with his name because it means, “strong” and that’s exactly what we needed him to be. And Parker – I just LOVE that name. Infact, I always wanted to use it as a first name, but Michael wasn’t crazy about it. If you’re reading this and you have a “Parker” just know that I’m a little jealous!! Hee hee. Anywho, had he been a girl, she would have been Jena.
And that wraps it all up. Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!!
Over at i heart faces this week they are looking at photos centering around “Now and Then”. I am always amazed at how quickly children change. You blink and they grow another inch. This week I’m posting some snapshots of my baby….he’s what we call the forth and FINAL!! He’s blessed our family more than we could have possibly imagined!!!
First time on a swing – over two years ago
(VERY timid and afraid)
On a swing last week
LOVIN’ IT!!
