JUNE 30 CHALLENGE - Our Wedding Day

Well, I did all the challenges for June.  We will have to see about July.  It sure takes a lot of time.  I am really proud of the paper and jewels on this layout.  I made them myself.  I copied part of my bouquet from my picture and turned it into papers.  Jewel tones to be exact.  I am making a set of papers and may try to publish them as freebees - if I can figure out how to do it and get some more stuff together.  Either way, I can definitely use this set again and again because jewel tones are my favorite.  My house is decorated in it.  The papers have ruby, emerald, sapphire and pearl.  And also some in combination with black.  I thought they turned out pretty.

JUNE 27 CHALLENGE - A Day To Remember

Yes, we decided we don't like having June and July sports free.  Why would we need a vacation from running around.  So we put Jarrett on the Sharon Johnston Swimming Team.  He is just learning the ropes, but already has improved a lot.  And he likes it and is becoming a stronger and safer swimmer.  Which is what I wanted, for him to be safe.

JUNE 26 CHALLENGE - I Smile When...

Jarrett tied for trumpet first chair for his first year in band.  The band director took him aside one day and told him that he was the best musician in the whole 6th grade band.  Quite a compliment.  He had a good tutor though - I sit with him and practice with him on my clarinet.  So he can hear what it is suppose to sound like and get the beat.  I think it has helped him a lot.

JUNE 25 CHALLENGE - Too Hot For Hockey

It is amazing to me that my kids can come off the ice with sweaty, slicked down hair and red faces from getting so hot -- on the cold ice.  They really get a workout when they practice.

JUNE 24 CHALLENGE - Easter Egg Hunt

Jarrett's last Easter Egg Hunt.  

JUNE 23 CHALLENGE - Party

Jarrett's baseball party party was a skill competition too.  Jarrett won the fly ball to centerfield and throwing to homeplate competition.  It was a great party and the kids loved it!

JUNE 20 CHALLENGE - My Little Pirate

Jeremy liked the Wiggles and Captain Feathersword in particular.  For Halloween, he had to be the Captain.  He was much cuter though.

JUNE 19 CHALLENGE - You Can Never Have...

Jarrett has always been an athlete.  He could hit a pitched ball with a bat when he was 17 months old.  When he was 3, he shot 27 goals in a row at Vision Land and won a prize.  The game guy just let him keep going till he missed - though he kept backing him up.  He couldn't believe how well he did.  When he was 5, he made 18 goals in 18 minutes of playing time in soccer.  

He is amazing at hockey and plays both offense and defense very well.  He is a smart player and always knows what is going on and where to send the puck.  In baseball, he pitches and plays first base.  He pitches so fast that it is scary and his balls have a natural curve to them.  He scores many goals in soccer and basketball.  And he came in second place at the Alabama State Hoop Shoot Championship.  So he is the second best free throw shooter in the state of Alabama for 11 & 12 year olds.

Obviously he gets all of his natural athletic ability from me - his mother -- HAHA!!   He keeps us running by having to take him to all these sports, but it is well worth it.  We may be tired, but we are very proud.  He works hard at sports, plays trumpet in the band, memorizes tons of verses for AWANA, and makes straight As.  I am proud to be his Mother.

JUNE 18 CHALLENGE - Grandpa's Boys

My Dad was always outnumbered.  It was him and the male cat, Tom, against me, Mom & Jennifer.  He didn't stand a chance.  But when the grandchildren started coming, they were all boys.  Now there are four of them -- all boys.  The first two were mine - Jarrett and Jeremy.  Jeremy was only 2 when Grandpa passed away, but Grandpa always had interesting things to say.  

First of all, he would always tell me that he knew how tired I was because of raising two boys.  I would try to balance his checkbook for him and would be constantly interrupted.  Grandpa would tell my boys - "Let your Mama rest!".  He also always said, "You have two fine boys!"  He was very proud of them and thought they were good looking, smart and very athletic -- just like him.   :-)  

JUNE 17 CHALLENGE - Painting Rocks

In third grade, Jarrett had to show his rock collection.  He and Annie from across the street worked on it and watched a rock that they had painted dry.  It was very cute...

JUNE 16 CHALLENGE - Merry Christmas

This is from Christmas 2007.  It is a time for spending time with my sister and Dwayne's sister.  Family (Christ centered) is what Christmas is all about.

JUNE 13 CHALLENGE - Our Own Paradise

These pictures were from the summers of 2006 and 2007.  Our home is truly our paradise.  We have all we need.   Each other, health, food, clothing.  And fun stuff like a pool, trampoline, basketball court/hockey rink, hot tub.  We couldn't really ask for anything more.   I am very thankful for what we have.  God has blessed us and provided for us extremely well.

JUNE 12 CHALLENGE - It's Important to Make Time For...

This is our Vacation Bible School from 2007.  They were a great group of preschoolers and a lot of fun to work with.  I read and animated stories for them every day.  It was very exciting.  But they sure tired me out too.  I think I'm getting OLD!!!

JUNE 11 CHALLENGE - Electrifying

This is of when Jeremy was two and still had the very long hair.  It was adorable when he would get on the trampoline because the static made it stick straight up.  He looked like some sort of weird scientific experiment.  I miss having a cute little baby.  My boys are all grown up now.

JUNE 10 CHALLENGE - Hoop Shoot Championship

In 2008 Jarrett won the Riverton Middle School hoop shoot contest for ages 11 & 12.  He then went on to win the Huntsville City Championship.  Then he went to Decatur and won the North Alabama Championship.  Then we went to Birmingham where he came in second in state.  He shot 21 out of 25 free throws.  He gets to try again next year - so I'm sure he will be practicing.

JUNE 09 CHALLENGE - Myrtle Beach

This was our first trip ever to the beach as a family.  Don't ask why it took so long.  We have just always gone to the mountains.  But we loved it and loved South Carolina.  It was our first time there too.  The vegetation there was so different and absolutely beautiful.  It was an amazing trip and I'd love to go again.

JUNE 06 CHALLENGE - Cute As A Button

These are pictures of Jarrett on the left and Jeremy on the right.  Some friends of mine thought they were all of Jeremy.  They do look a lot alike - don't they!!  They are at ages 1 and 2 years. And they are cute as buttons.....

JUNE 05 CHALLENGE - You Make Me Smile When...

Jeremy loves to show his Mommy what a big boy he is and show off.  Actually, both my boys want me watching when they do sports or just show me something they have accomplished.  It makes me  feel special that they want to impress me so much.  But I do have the fear of those famous last words:  "Hey Mom, Watch This!!".....

JUNE 04 CHALLENGE - Opening Day

These are pics of opening day of baseball season.  Jarrett is in Majors and Jeremy in T-Ball.  Jeremy's team was undefeated this season and came in first place.  Jeremy caught several fly balls and made two double plays.  He hit the ball like a pro.  Amazing for a t-baller.  Jarrett pitched and played first and shortstop.  He hit the ball like a pro also.  His pitching was spectacular.  

I designed their uniforms, so they were the same team - just different age groups.  That way Coach Daddy only had to have one uniform for coaching.  Plus the boys looked cute when photographed together.

JUNE 03 CHALLENGE - Double Trouble

This is just some shots I took of the boys on our front porch. They are both a mess.