Updated family photo

Quick family pic taken by my neice...don't have someone to do this very often!

Happy 17th Birthday Brandon!!

Ok, so I think this is my 50th post for today....

I wanted to give a BIG Happy Birthday to my awesome nephew Brandon.  Brandon has a special place in our hearts as he was our "first" trial run adopted child.  He spent a lot of time with Uncle Tommy and Aunt Mandy when he was little...  (too little to remember) back when all we had were cats for our entertainment.  My greatest memory of Brandon is his obsession with Space Jam the movie and singing "I beweeve I can fwy"  He was so cute then and has turned into quite a handsome young man now.  Brandon, we hope you do amazingly well this year as a senior.  Don't sell yourself short...do your absolute best...we know you can do it!!!

Love,
The Bakers  :)

Trip to Okiehoma

We took a trip to Oklahoma the week of the 4th of July to visit our family. 

We went to Frontier City with my brother, sister and Tommy's family...had a fun, hot day there but there were no lines so it really was good!  Had some of our crew get sick and throw up, but we kept on truckin...no time to waste!  :)

We spent time with Tommy's family and with my Dad, Cathi and my brother in South OK.  The heat was ridiculously hot.  I mean skin scorching hot.  The real temp some days was 110...not counting the humidity and heat index.  Crazy!!

Here are some pics from our week...

We went to the Chickasaw Indian Museum in Ada, OK

The girls with their Uncle Andrew...just graduated from high school and on to college with a scholorship!!!  Proud of you!!

The girls with their Papa  :)

My brother serenading us outside...very talented and handsome young man!

The girls and I taking self pics

Hiking day...yes in the heat!  We had a great time as long as we kept moving.  Good to be out in nature and really soak in how God has created EVERYTHING and takes care of IT ALL!!

She looks like a pro hiker!  My dad made us hiking sticks  :)

See where she gets it from??

My honey is hott when he's hot!!!

After hiking, we found a quiet spot at the river to cool off

What a pretty girl!

So is this one!

Back to OKC, visiting Tommy's family.  Hailey, our neice.

Visiting my precious Grandma Shupe.  This woman is a true jewel in my life and I love her dearly!!

Tommy's crew   :)

Lynn, Kevin, my hubby, me, Sarah, Tommy's mom and Rosemarie

Faith and my great neice Kayanda...sweet girl!!

My nephew Josh had his 18th birthday and we also celebrated his swearing in to the Army.  We are very proud of you Josh and pray that you continue to seek after the Lord!

Tommy, Lynn, Sarah, Rose, and their mama

All the grandkids, plus one great granddaughter

Uncle Tommy and Josh

Summer 2011

I have been very blessed to have been given time off this summer to spend at home with the girls.  Through much prayer, the Lord told me very specifically to not commit to any ministry except the ministry of my girls and hubby.  I was OKayed :) to attend a retreat.  It was a real blessing to my heart personally.

The theme was daughters of the King...we were crowned when we entered and wore our crown during the entire retreat.  What an honor it is to begin to grasp who we are in Christ alone. 

I also learned how to snap and cook fresh green beans!  My friend Dawn explained how to do it and we bonded through food prep.  :) 

The rest of the summer has had lots of downtime...amen to that...and spending quality time investing in the girls personally and spiritually.  Alex loves doing Bible studies and reading devotion books.  I have also started working with Faith on her first Bible study called Lord, Teach Me To Pray by Kay Arthur.  GOOD STUFF!

Alex went to youth camp in Cocoa Beach for a week and had a great time as usual.  Faith and I took time away with my mom and went to Savannah for the first time.  It was sooo pretty and nice there but we picked a tough time to go...they broke the record high both days we were there.  We really want to go back when its cooler and continue to learn more about the history and do more shopping!!

Wish I had taken pics while we were there but I only took phone pics.  :(

Spring Break

For spring break this year, Tommy was away on business in South GA.  We decided to take advantage of the time off of school and go join him for a few days.  He had a house rented due to the extended period of time down there so it was a perfect getaway.  We had a great time!

This was right outside of the back door...so pretty and relaxing!

Looking at the fish...

Faith with her backyard explorer gear on telling me how BIG the fish are.

A trip to a plantation home

So sweet

This picture cracks me up because Faith was a little freaked out by the horse because everytime she went to pet him, he turned his fact toward her.  I wanted a picture of the two of them with this horse, but she wouldn't take her eyes off of him!

We took a day trip to St George Island.  Nice beach town!

Max's first trip to the beach!  He wasn't a huge fan of the sand and salt water.  I took him for a walk and he ran up to the water and took a huge drink...only to hack it up for the next 30 minutes.  He's such a house dog!

Alex's 13th Birthday

Oh my goodness.  Our daughter is a TEENager. Still can't believe it.  We knew it was coming, but was in denial.  I feel so OLD! 

Our beautiful daughter turned 13 in April and wanted to celebrate with her good friends from school.  I am not a good party planner, but we both came up with the idea to do a spa party and sleepover.  It turned out great.  Alex has great friends.  They were such sweet girls and not only gave her sweet gifts, but great words of affirmation as to what an impact she has made on each of their lives.  Moments like that are priceless.

I was worried that the girls would think the punch fountain was cheesy but they loved it!  We had finger foods, deviled eggs(alex's request!) chocolate covered strawberries, mini desserts, and more chocolate!

Party favors that my friend made

Sweet girls and good times.  So happy that they included the LITTLE sister!!  :)

Group hug!

Happy Birthday Alex!

Spa time...loved seeing the girls do pedicures on THEIR friends first.  Such servant hearts!

Alex, I pray you continue on your journey through life with Jesus at your side.  Never ever loose sight of His face and seek His way in all you do.  You are an amazing, kind, compassionate and beautiful girl.  I am so blessed to be YOUR Mama!!  Keep shining for Jesus.

Softball

Softball continued to be a great season for both girls.  They both did their best and we have been very proud of them.  Alex was a first time player on the 12U team playing with girls who have had many years of experience.  She pushed through the tons of training and turned out to be a great ball player!  Faith played on a great team and really loved playing in the catcher's position.  Both girls also played left center.

Alex was asked to be on a summer travel team with her coach.  She has played very well but has worn us out!  Looking forward to rec ball again this fall!