Tonkawa Springs
This is a hidden gem that we discovered last year and it is so much fun with a natural spring and rope swings. We always have a great time here!
Tadpole catching!
Enjoy the friendly deer
Hike around the property
During our hike we discovered this outhouse and we spotted a little creature inside. We are glad that we didn't get too close. Now we call these places "The Skunkhouse".
The kids were playing with these teen girls that we were super sweet to the kids. I love it when people are sweet and kind to our kids.
Bike Trail
Love these moments!
We spend an afternoon in Nac
This is Derek's latest toy! He has a blast on the one wheel! I love how he finds ways to grow and learn in many ways, his skills included.
The girls loved Summer MDO. I love how they enjoy learning, being with friends, and learning new things.
This is called Vacation Bible School, which is a Christian Camp during the summer for four days. In the evening we would drop them off, they would be fed dinner, have a Christian lesson, and then divide into classes of their interests. Ashlyn did woodburning and guitar, Brinley did sewing and olympic games, Claire did glow in the dark and jewelry making. They had a fun week!
Derek has a lot of proof that he is enjoying his time one wheeling!
Once a year they have this concert in the park that is Bluegrass. It is fun to listen to music, enjoy the food trucks, and being with Derek.
Splash pad fun!
Blueberry festival
It is like a fair for our neighboring city.
This was so embarrassing. Derek got a funnel cakes from the trash can. He happily shared with all the kids.... I just laugh thinking about what others think when a guy with all these kids is feeding them from the garbage. ha ha
This little guy was so scared to go down this water slide and once he did, he loved it! Thanks Brinley for going with him.
We had this table for 8 years. There are many memories and it was used very much. I was happy to say goodbye and get a new one. The top was so stick and for the past 9 months we used holiday themed table clothes.
Journal Craft
The joy of finding turtles, toads, and other creatures in our yard.
Claire loves doing this Rainbow science experience that she learned at school.
Our book club!
Last kid to do swim lessons. Emmett cried and cried the first day and by the end of the week he was swimming all on his own! My mama heart is very happy!
Fort Making
Summer watermelon
This moment was a hard moment for me. It was the last time that I saw my young women. Derek and I made the decision to leave the church. It has been the hardest decision of our lives, but we have a lot of peace about the decision. We have a mixture of emotions about this next step in our life of sadness, happiness, fear, anger, and many others. I have been going through the grieving process because there is so much identity, community, and beliefs wrapped up in being in the church.
I love how live is an adventure of growth and learning. These past few months has been a huge learning curve for me in my spiritually, beliefs, and understanding of life. It has been a humbling experience where I thought I knew all the answers to life and now I recognize how little I do know. I am beyond grateful to embrace this journey with Derek and our sweet family. I am very optimistic about the future.
