Summertime Happenings

Just wanted to get caught up on some things we've done this summer. A while back, we went to Huntsville for the day. We wanted to do something fun and different. We found out there was a drive through safari just outside of Huntsville. It's called Harmony Park Safari. It was SO much fun! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. You get buckets of food and can feed the animals from the car. And they sure know that every car coming through has food! Most of them are not shy! 

Jonah was doing good when we first got there, but....

When the animals started coming up to the car, he got very nervous and upset....

He just needed a big hug from mommy :)

He warmed up pretty quick. He especially like the deer. They were a little more timid (and smaller), so they didn't scare him like the bigger animals.

This guy was serious about some treats!

Reindeer!

He could have stayed here and watched the deer all day. He loved them!

After we drove through and fed the big animals, we got to see some reptiles and even feed the tortoises! 

So much fun! J liked the turtles :)

 We haven't done a whole lot, other than playing around the house and occasionally (if it's not too hot) getting out and about. We are planning on going to the beach in a few weeks and it CANNOT get here soon enough. I am so excited about finally going back and seeing what Jonah B thinks. It's been a year since we've been, and Jonah was sick with an ear infection. He was also only 6 months old and couldn't fully appreciate the fun to be had! I'm looking forward to playing in the sand with him :) Anyways, had to get that out. Jonah has been up to his usually crazy self. He's learned a few more words. We actually added them up the other day and he's close to 30 words in his vocabulary! He impresses me :) Some of his newer words are moon, turtle, mouth, up, book, and a really funny one...piddle! We call his peepee a piddle. Now when we change his diaper, he reaches for it and says "diddle". Hahaha, such blackmail for later in life! He loves to do puzzles and read, obsessed with Doc McStuffins, likes to stack his blocks, shows his attitude at times, and will still give me kisses ans snuggles. He's my angel boy. Here's a few pics of my sweetness!

Thought it was hilarious that he climbed all the way up!

Fed himself yogurt one morning. He did a really good job, actually!

Been doing a lot of playing with these kiddos this summer. They are bffs :)

Last Sunday we went to the new Kids Kingdom building at the church for a scripture writing and prayer walk. It's still a work in progress, but they wanted people to come and write Bible verses all over the floors so the kids will be literally standing on the word of God wherever they go. This really meant so much to me. God has never been more present or important in my life than He has since Jonah has come into my life. I see what is really important and how great God is and how much he loves us. The love I have for Jonah is nothing compared to the love God has for all of us. It's amazing, nothing short. Jonah will grow up in this church, in this Kids Kingdom building, in that sanctuary, in those halls, and in those classrooms. I wanted to leave our mark as a family so we can tell him years from now that a Bible verse written just for him is on the floor of his very first classroom in the new building. Here he is in his new room. He went straight for the window, so we wrote his verse there :)

I found this verse sitting in church that morning. I new that's the one I wanted. It's my feelings exactly about the incredible blessing of children :)

Derek wanted to write a verse in the doorway of what will be the kids theater...Jonah snacked...

In the doorway of the theater

We found what we think is a supply closet of some sort. We tried to just find a quiet place. There were so many people there! We said a little family prayer and decided this phrase was fitting ;)

It really was the greatest thing and I love that our church is so creative about getting people involved and not just building a cold structure. It's now a prayed over and blessed space for children to grow up in. Love our church!!!