just plain beautiful

i want everyone to see this video, which is true perfection by jen hunt. it captures the beauty in amy's heart, within her relationship with her daughter, and the love that so many people have for the patwa family. putting a video like this out there gives us all a chance to "see" amy a little, follow Jesus closer, and be thankful for our time with loved ones. there are so many little things happening everyday, in all the lives that amy's story has touched, that bring us all closer to God. as i beg God to heal amy's body from this cancer, i also thank Him for all He is doing in this story that none of us ever imagined being part of.

amy you are SO loved. my heart was so full while i watched this video. buxton sat on my lap and watched in pure silence and just held me. God was with us in that moment. and He is with you every step of the way through this battle. your incredible faith in His presence is what gives the rest of us the courage to walk through this with you, and what an honor that is.

http://www.jenpluschris.com/amy-charis-give-me-jesus/

had to add in these pics of our high school girls crew. wish i had one where i wasn't 8+ months preggers...should have gotten the one jessamy took a few months ago. oh well, these 2 show a couple of very happy times that we are very thankful for.

Beach to Mountains

Time moves so fast and writing about our awesome beach trip over Memorial Day seems like such old news, but I want it documented, so here goes.

We rented a 2 bedroom beach condo at Isle of Palms and the location couldn't have been better. It was also a huge improvement over the 1 bedroom we rented at Kiawah last year. The kids did great sharing a room...of course the sun and beach had a lot to do with that. 

The kids were in absolute heaven on the beach. Buxton dug his little heart out in the sand, while Elin was determined to tackle the ocean on her own, run as far away as fast as she could from her mom and dad, and wave to every person she passed along the way. 

I think we each ran a marathon trying to keep up with her!

Food kept her still, for a few minutes:

This is our Memorial Day tribute which we dedicate to our Uncle/Bro In Law, Ed, who recently returned home from a 1 yr deployment in Afghanistan. We get to see him in 2 weeks!!

 

Burying Elin also kept her still, for a bit.

Naps came easy.

 Who knew you could take a 1.5 yr old on a go-kart, but you can...and we did! Although her face doesn't show it, she loved it.

Sweet snuggles before dinner out:

 We got to see Harper twice...nice!, and although it's blurry, I love this pic of my babes and Harp.

Haynes, Harp and I. Love these girls.

On to random pics from the last month. 

The yard and my phone:

 Pine Island pool...our first trip there. The slide they have is awesome...and it's salt water, yay.

 Babes and watermelon (Vivian and Elin)

Buxton and Wynnie

Our pool hasn't gotten much use until this week since the weather has been so nice (and the pool too cold), but we've loved spending time on the deck looking at the pretty water.

 2 weeks ago we spent the weekend in the mountains with Mimi and Bill. Our first adventure was a trip to the Blowing Rock Stables to visit Mimi's horse, Secret. Check out Buxton's Dan Post cowboy boots...they are for real cowboy boots (thanks Mimi), with a heel and all. We are hoping he will ride get on a horse this summer.

 Tanner, my nephew, whom Elin adores.

 And lastly, Elin learning to jump with 2 feet, from stone to stone. Quite a fun game for her...oh the little things.