Just peachy

Summer time means fresh peaches. At our house we eat as many as we can while they are fresh. What we can't eat we freeze for cobblers later. Sunday we drove to Clanton and went "peachn"as my children call it. It was a good day too, overcast with a breeze. We picked 3 baskets for only 24.oo, Sweet and cheap! After we drove to Johny Ray's for some lunch to go and took it to Oak Mountain for a picnic. I haven't been there in 5 years or more. It was great. The kids ran around playing hide n seek in the trees, picking up treasures (rocks) and being silly. While we were picnicking we noticed that we were surrounded by a vast array of people. To our left a Mexican family was cooking chicken, tortillas and corn. To our right a South American family was playing in the lake. To our front left was an African American family enjoying a cookout. Behind us were a Vietnamese family and a dog. In front of us were a large group of friends. Not sure what was going on college group, old friends from high school? Never figured it out. We were in the middle. Where we live we don't see a diverse group of people. So we like to people watch when we are out and about.
We went on a very nice walk in the tree tops. Looked at some rehabilitated birds. One was an owl that was hit be a car 2 miles down from our house. His name Cullman how appropriate. By the end of our walk it was hot the sun was out and our baby boy was give out. So we headed back to the car and went home.
Have I mentioned how much our children are growing. Brennon and Madilyn have out grown everything from shorts to underwear... We made a pit stop by the shoe dept for Madilyn some more tenni shoes. She went from a 2 to a 3.5. Wow girl slow it down. We are already planning our next shopping trip for some much needed clothes.
It was a great day followed by a wonderful homemade taco bar and sharing some of our peaches with the neighbors.
Love summer time.

Brandi

Father's Day

Father's day this year was a little different for me. It was a very busy weekend filled with 3 days of a yard sale at my house. Madi had a friend over for 2 nights. And it was HOT! 100 with 100% humidity hot. Way to hot for a sale but the previous weekends for the past month have been rainy so we went with the first dry weekend.
We had a great time. Madilyn and Anna Grace played and laughed and stayed up late talking. It was really sweet to watch them together and remember when I had my bestest friend over. We went to the aquatic center and swam Thursday and Friday for half a day. Friday it was just too HOT, so we closed up the sale at noon and headed for some cool water. Saturday we sold till about 2 and packed what was left up in a few tubs (labeled of course). We met my Dad at where else but Logan's for dinner. We always end up there. It is very good and anywhere you can throw peanuts on the floor is fun. My children think it is so cool you get to do that. My dad and Madi always end up in a peanut fight and peanuts fly across our table. Ahhhh, memories for her when she is older. I love seeing my Dad. I really am beginning to see just how much he loves us. I saw him every other weekend and a few weeks in the summer growing up. It was hard for me to have a relationship with him. He is a very quiet man and works a lot. But what ever we needed or wanted he was always there. I know I can pick up the phone and he would be here. I love that.I think that is what being a dad is- being there no matter what. In church we talked about our heavenly father and how he is so willing,and patient with us. It is true, God waits on us to come to him, and when we do no matter what we have done he is there willing. How great is our God!
After church we headed to Brent to see Patrick's parents. We cooked a complete meal and brought it for them. We had a fabulous time. It was very relaxed and unhurried. The kids really enjoyed fishing, feeding the horse (stormy), riding 4 wheelers, watching TV under a ceiling fan ( remember it was HOT), dinner and granddaddy's milkshakes. Since my kids could barely walk they have loved granddaddy's milk shakes. It brought back so many good memories of all the weekends we have spent there and how much fun my children have had. They were always sweaty, dirty and messy. But the smiles behind those muddy little faces says it all. It was a great evening. It reminded me of a time not too long ago when things were simple in our life. No dance, ball... just Brennon with Granddaddy and Uncle Marty and Madilyn with Grandmamma. Things are way different now. They are older and even thought they are still children I see the littleness of them fading a bit. I guess that is something you can't stop. It is fun to watch Braiden do all the things his brother and sister have done. He is learning all about the swing in the big tree out front, feeding stormy, the kitty cats, having tea parties with Grandmama, and how no matter what you touch or break (sorry Grandmamma) it is somehow OK there. Thank you for a wonderful evening. I enjoyed cooking for you and spending some quality time together. We will have to do it again soon!

From Blogger Pictures

From Blogger Pictures

From Blogger Pictures

Braiden wasn't going to let them ride without him. He chased them down in the field out front. It was so sweet. He would hold his hand out and yell stop. As if saying wait for me y'all!










Braiden and Madi swinging video- click on it!

Out of the mouth of babes....

Me... Madi we are going to Aunt Jami's baby shower today are you excited?
Madi... Yes I can't wait because I have never been to one of those before..
After the shower...
Madi.... Mom why do they call it a shower? We didn't help give the baby one.
Me... Are you serious? Think about what you just said Madilyn Claire.
Madi..Well they should call it a baby supply party.
Me... Yes Madi they should.

I just love her!!!!

Iyiyi!
Brandi

What's up

I had a wonderful yet long day teaching this Saturday. I got to meet some wonderful parents to be. I wish them all the luck and hope to hear from them with updates on all the babies. We had 17 Boys and 1 surprise and 4 girls in the class. My sister and BIL took this one. It was fun having them there. I feel like they are ready to become parents. They have had wonderful examples. Both have parents that are still married, love each other and put the Lord first. I am so excited to meet Baby Noah. We still ask that you be in prayer with us for baby Noah. The last report was better. But we are still believing that God can heal his Gastroscesis. But want his will to be done. That is a hard thing to pray for sometimes. Gods will. He may not do what we feel he should do. Things may not always make sense. His ways are higher and he does things for our good even if it doesn't feel that way at the moment.

We have been trying to organize the house and get ready for our out with the old please don't bring anything else into this house yard sale the 19-20th. It is hard work and we have too much stuff. Where did it all come from? Patrick????? My pack rat!

The kids are having so much fun playing, swimming, surf n sliding, pop cycle eating, staying up late watching movies, 4 wheeler riding, picnicing. Summer is good here.

Hope you all are having a beautiful summer.

Brandi

Ahhh Summer

Don't you just love summer. I am so excited that it is here. Unofficially I think!
I also just noticed that I have a hundred posts. That is an accomplishment. My real life friends and family will tell you I am always late for everything and nothing is ever set in stone with us. So the fact that I have written that many posts this year is great.
I love having the kids home. We went to eat lunch with Daddy at MEXICO. (We were sitting behind one of our friends at church one Sunday and Madi was little around 3 or so. There were some youth from Birmingham Southern there talking about their mission trip and it was to Mexico. Mr Copeland Sr turned to Madi and asked her if she knew what was in Mexico. To his surprise she said yes, sir I do. He said really What? She replied LUNCH!) So now when we eat Mexican we call it Mexico. Well it was funny at the time! A swift trip into Walmart for some organizer bins.( I am determined to get my laundry caught up this summer and on a schedule) Home for a quick nap for lil B. and now we are off to the pool for some fun....
I feel super blessed on days like today. My children are healthy and happy. There are sooo many out there that are not. So many parents are hurting in this world from loosing children or that have sick babies. Please be in prayer for all the sweet children in this world.

"Lo, children are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is his reward." Psalm 127


Brandi

Not Me Monday

Here is your chance to "kiss and tell" and share all of your Not so beautiful moments.

OK so here it is the truth....

I did Not have the worst PMS E.V.E.R. last week. My kids and husband were Not afraid, very afraid of my raging hormonal, out of body experience, homicidal self. I do not Not wish I had NEVER had this IUC placed and want it out NOW!

After finally starting I did Not feel instantly better and back to old me. Yeah!

My house is NOT an organized mess. With 3 kids home all summer I have Not given up that it can be clean one day soon. I am Not going to let it bother me and just enjoy my children and the summer.

We are Not almost finished with Baseball. I am Not sad and glad at the same time.

We did Not pull out of all stars. I am Not picky about who coaches and influences my children. Brennon was Not OK with this and is Not looking forward to spending the rest of his summer playing and having fun.

Madilyn did Not get chosen for 3 dances for this upcoming competition season. I am Not a bit proud, no not one little bit.

My sweet baby boy is Not teething his 24 month molars. We are Not having a hard time. I am always patient and understanding of his consistent moodiness.

I did Not clean out the deep freezer and find dates from 05!

We are Not spending all of our free time at the new aquatic center. We are Not having a blast this summer.

Brandi