4th of July

This past weekend, we packed the family up and took a roadtrip to Nolensville, Tennessee to visit our good friends, the Watsons. I've known Jay and Shantel since they moved into Spring Aire Apartments just after they got married. Jay and I were at Beeson together and then they lovingly welcomed Jake into the fold. Jay even officiated our wedding.

We got to their house and Miles was a little shy at first. But it was not long before he, Will and the Watson's twins, Hope and Hannah Chayse, were chasing one another, digging out all the toys and wrestling Jake on the floor.

In the playroom, Miles found a princess pop-up tent and said, "We can play in here" and the girls seemed thrilled to have a 'prince' around (who wasn't their cousin).

This was really the first time that Will had been around them and the first time in almost two years that the children had played together! But it was amazing how well they did together. Within an hour or two, Miles and the girls both asked if we could stay forever! It was so precious.

The most beautiful part of the weekend was seeing a friendship spark between our children with such ease! It was so effortless and automatic. We have been blessed to be a part of Jay and Shantel's lives for years and then to see that deep appreciation and love come alive in the playtime of our children was an even greater blessing.

Pray for their church - Life Community - and listen to Jay's sermons online - you will see why we love this family so much! http://www.lifecommunitytn.com/

One of my favorite moments of the weekend was watching the fireworks. Will was slightly nervous but when he sat in my lap he relaxed a little. He even gave some sound effects, "pop", "boom" and waved his hands in the air. But my favorite moment was when Miles needed to go tee-tee right in the middle of the fireworks display. He came over to me and said, "Record it, Mommy" ... that means "pause" it thanks to our DirecTV that allows us to pause, record and rewind favorite shows. For some reason, he calls it "recording" when I pause so that he can go potty without missing anything! It was hysterical. I wish life were like that ... with moments we could pause and just savor (or run to the potty and not miss anything).