COLE TURNS 11!!!

My first born-baby-boy-Cole-Cole-Colie-Puppy Doodlebug-Baby-Batey-Boy turned 11. WOW! I love him so much. He is brilliant, creative, intelligent, moral, upright, loyal, sensitive, pure, caring, hard-working and FUNNY!!! I love spending time with him. The night before his birthday we went to Target to pick out his present (so I wouldn't screw up and buy the wrong Lgeo Ninjago Serpent set...there are only 25!), and we had the best time. I am so proud of him and my favorite part of homeschooling is that I get to be with him and really know him.

 JONAH!

Here are some pictures from yesterday. Lily started running a fever at dinner, so I took the boys to the fireworks, Tim took the girls home. Today, all 4 have fevers and slept a lot. Owen took a nap in his box dog house :)

 LOVE this pic!!!

 Love Hays!

Here some pics of him I randomly took in May:

Catching Up since June 2...

Well, over the last month we have finished the 2011-2012 Homeschool Year,  celebrated Father's Day, visited with the Walworths, moved...no, Moved...no, M.O.V.E.D!,  refinished the dining room furniture (by we I mean me), and done a ton of additional projects big and small, enjoyed family time, and recently celebrated both Cole's Birthday and the 4th of July. June was my off month :)

So, let's revisit that whole M.O.V.E.D. thing again. For as stressful and as unwanted the prospect of moving during my 'down time' was I have to say: I LOVE THIS NEW HOME! It is in the heart of Old Town, walking distance to downtown OR The Red Eye (my fav coffee shop)! I can also walk to Margo's and Wendy's! AHHHH!!! Everything is so beautiful. Target is so close! Who knew I was more of a town than a country girl?! The house we live in was built in 1940 and has the best architectural features...such as 'the flat': the entire 2nd floor attic remodel that is now the master bedroom and bath. All of the doorknobs are glass and the windows are huge and surrounded by thick moulding. It is just precious and I feel so privileged to live here. Thanks to all of my friends who helped out both physically and emotionally during this time...and special thanks to my MOM who took care of my children during the move!

Back to early June: here are some photos from Lala's dance recital:

 Ok, Lily also was one of the Students of the Month...go LILY!

 Could Aunt Meggan be any more gorgeous?

 Clark broke a rock doing this number:

 Playing in the yard with the neighbors Jonathan and Maryann. We brought watermelon and they provided Pizza.

 The kids driving the tractor at the property. Such a fun afternoon!

 Lily had me drive her to the stores so she could purchase gifts and a card for her Daddy, and a card for Grandpa. All with her own $$$. She also treated my Mom to a pedicure last weekend for my Mom's birthday! Lala!!!

 YAY! Madeleine time!

Happy Birthday Lala!

TODAY my precious Lily Anna Batey turns 9. Tears. Lily has been nothing but a pure blessing and stream of love in my life. Tear. I remember driving down the road in our Durango and Lily, as a two years old, would randomly start saying in her sweet, sweet voice, "Thank you Mama, Thank you Mama, Thanks, ..."...for no other reason then her heart was full of thankfulness. It would melt me and it still does. She has taught me so much about grace, beauty, strength, and devotion. Lily is a living example to me of what a girl/woman is. One of my favorite stories of Lily happened about 3 years ago. This woman with a facial deformity worked the doors at Wal Mart. We had seen her numerous times. One day, on the way out, Lily told me how beautiful she though this woman was. Lily can see people the way God does, not the way the world does...which is so ironic because she is about the most beautiful girl I ever did see. She has been a tremendous help this year with Whtiney and all of her therapies. She has rocked a very demanding schedule of school, co op, swimming, hip hop and dance. She has an amazing work ethic, and we often feel like she is 13...which is staying course for her. Lily, may you dance, celebrate and let your hair down today. Thank you LORD for my daughter. I cannot imagine my life without her!