Happy Days

Happy days are here again!  It was a rough week when Cali died but time heals heartbreaks.  We miss her presence in our home but we are spending more time with our crazy doggy now and that's helped.

We've spent two weekends at the beach this month.  We have been blessed with the best baseball schedule in years!  Jackson has had several weekends off and we are taking full advantage of it.  It's so nice to get away and enjoy each other without the distractions and our "to do" lists.  Last night, we went to the Japanese steakhouse here.  Sawyer laughed throughout the meal.  He was very entertained by Chef Jackie.  His laughter kept all of us entertained.  We had a table to ourselves which was a bonus.  I remember sitting there thinking, this is what happiness looks like.....these are the moments that I will always remember.  We topped that off with an evening on the beach, well, minus Jackson; he bought a new video game so he stayed behind (he was happy too though).  The happiness continued as Sawyer played on the beach, building castles and running from the crashing waves.  At one point, he lost the game and the water finally caught him.  For a brief moment, he was unhappy but once he removed his wet clothing, the game resumed.  Oh, happiness!

Sawyer came to me this morning and said, "My favorite things are....." so I asked him, "What are your favorite things?"  He said, "My favorite things are mommy, Jaxie, daddy, and pappi (paci)."  I'm sure he has many more favorite things so please don't be offended if you didn't make the list today.  I think that he would include being here at the beach as one of his favorite things too.

We will have one more night here and then will head back home for Jackson's game.  Hopefully we will make it back down soon.  The next few weeks include baseball and our end of season tournament, finishing up 5th grade, and keeping Sawyer busy:-)

Sandy toes and salty kisses = happiness

Happiness is being with sweet friends.
Jackson and Ty

Happiness is playing by the sea.

The laughter of boys makes us happy.

Field trips make us happy-
Fort Fisher Aquarium

Signs that say "please touch" make us happy

Shark tank

Happiness is exploring outside

Happiness is creating-
Our Gingerbread Boy creation

Happiness is playing in the sand.

"The cure for anything is salt water, sweat, tears or the sea" Karen von Blixen-Finecke

Happiness for Sawyer is having all of the sand toys to himself.

Happy at the Japanese steakhouse

Jackson's old Boston hat looks good on Sawyer too

Sawyer's kitchen counter art- he was happy with it but me, not so much;-)

Jackson added some flair to the Gingerbread Boy

Everyone loves bubbles

Popeye

Happiness is waking up early, by choice, and watching the sunrise.  I love God's artwork!

Happiness is watching your toddler pray:-)

Happiness is focusing on other's strengths, not weaknesses.  Jackson is a very talented catcher and I love watching him play that position.  It makes me happy.
(Colby is at bat)





Farm Days at home and at NC State:

Happiness is watching the children help Granddaddy in the garden.

Happiness is watching Sawyer pick up chicks, the soft  and furry kind.

Happiness is enjoying these moments for free.  We love NC State Farm Days (and free ice cream).

Happiness is seeing the love these two have for each other (and getting along for the moment:)

Happy moments

Happiness is doing your best.
 It isn't about always winning, but winning with your sister is happiness:-)
(Laura and I both won our age groups in a race on Saturday)