July 4th, Zoo, Ice Cream

In July, we spent time with Trent's family in Amarillo.  Amelia got to meet people for the first time, which I failed to capture through pictures.  But, here are some pictures I did get... 

Oliver's first zoo experience.  The Amarillo zoo is small but it was a great intro.  And it was great weather...almost cool!  (Anyone ready for fall like me??)

Oliver's cousin, Wiley met us.  

Wiley didn't drive, lol.  Her mom, Kimberly (Trent's sister) did.  Honey Lue also came but she was hiding, I guess.  Ha!  

Oliver had his first ice cream cone!  What a treat.  He chose pink ice cream with sprinkles, as one does.

O and PawPaw.

Can't believe he ever fit in this!

Miss Thing standing on the counter.

Breakfast with a view.

At least she got a nap.

July 4th brought more family to town and Mama Pat was excited to meet Amelia!

Some movie time with GiGi to break up the day.

Monk, family of 4 in our red, white, and blue.

I mean...

Don't be jealous of my super fancy towel backdrop. #nailedit  

My babies.

 Trent had a lot of stuff in storage, including a piano, so we rented a Uhaul and drove home.  

I had the kids in the van.  I was nervous, as I don't drive often, but we took our time, took two days, and made it home safely.

It was a great time...

The Camp -- (and Oliver's first crush.)

In June, we did a week long camp at Lake of the Ozarks at Windermere. We were invited to lead all the worship for the week for the youth from FBC Van Buren.  You guys...I had some feels. I remember my days at church camp and the seeds planted while there.  It was a delight to lead these kids in song.  

PLUS, we had a drummer and a base player.  What a change from our normal set-up!  So much fun.  (They are brothers and we could be their parents, had we gotten started very early in life.  Made us feel old but also thinking how we'd love for our kids to be so smart, talented, funny, and well-adjusted.  And Jesus-loving, of course.) 

That meant I got to stand up (with my shaker and tambourine) and sing.  It was different, but I liked it!  However, beating the tambourine on my leg for 5 days resulted in some bruises.   Yowza. 

We were told childcare would be no problem.  There would be lots of college kids there to help.  That was the truth!!  These kids were so helpful and Oliver had a blast.

Faith and Emily.  Emily taught Oliver about the Snapchat puppy faces.  Ha!

This is Faith.  Faith said she "doesn't do children."  Faith likes old people.  Oliver liked Faith.  Oliver didn't want to leave Faith's side.  Oliver cried for Faith.  Faith was amazing with Oliver.  I said "Faith you do do children."  Faith was Oliver's first crush.  

Anji.  She was amazing with Amelia.  She has two grown kids and we talked about the future grandkids she'll be wonderful with.  We also talked about Fixer Upper and old things =)

Emily and Faith again!  And India on the left.  India played water guns with O.

In between morning and evening sessions is when we'd go over songs.  Oliver wanted to try singing.  Pretty much ADORABLE.  He chose a Thomas song. 

An open gym?  Lots of room for cars and trains.  Also, Oliver would walk around the camp and say, "Hi, kids!  Here I am!"  Oh my, child.  

There was an open classroom that we kind of dumped all our kid stuff.  And kids.  Ha!  They were able to stay in there and play/sleep/poop.  

"Can you tell Emily bye and thank you?"

Sums it up.  Also, white pants.  Why on earth?  Well, because they're cute.  But, you'll get pooped on.

One day, we found a restaurant on the lake and ate lunch there.  It was a nice break from camp food and hotel room picnics.

Naps before the evening session!

Oliver and I wrote thank you notes to all the baby watchers.  He put on the stickers and helped sign his name.  

Amelia did great!  Fussy at times, but luckily, we were only singing for about 20 minutes.

The last morning.  Trent just did a couple acoustic worship songs.  So, we sat in the back.  Oliver did some puzzle apps.  

All the staff and kids and volunteers.  What a group!  What a week!

We had a great time.  Early mornings and long nights, but we all make it!  We'll be seeing these guys again in October and are looking forward to that.  

(Also, after having a band for a week, it felt strange to get back to just the two of us!)

Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain...

I'm talking Oklahoma, people.  The state, not the song or musical.  But I thought it was a clever title.  

I do what I can.

After Salado, we made our way to Sand Springs, OK to share music and lead worship at Broadway Baptist.  The last time we were there, I was pregnant with Oliver!  We had stayed in contact with some folks, so it was great to be back and see some familiar faces.  (And new ones, too.)

*diaper change on the van floor*

Some lovin' going on after check in.  Don't worry!  I was watching her face and making sure she could breathe.  =)

Oliver tried on my heels.  Haha!

O was down, so we relaxed...

And had banana pudding. 

Sunday morning before heading to the church.  It was Father's Day!

Broadway had just finished VBS and they still had the decorations up.  Oliver LOVED it.  Plus, it was the same VBS Elliot and Griffin did so we knew some of the songs.  

It was also his half birthday.  

This is sound check norm.

The morning sun coming through church windows. I mean...GAH.  So pretty.

***Off we went to a week long church camp in Missouri.  I'll blog about that later***

Nursing stop meant Oliver got to check out some gravel and machinery.  He was pumped.  

He was also fussy.  Good times.

After the camp (that I'll blog about later), we went to Poteau, OK to play at Cross Community Church.  We did a show there on our Christmas tour and they wanted us back.  Yay!  That's always a good thing.

They put us up in a cabin in the woods and it was fantastic!  

#cheeks

#fussybaby and Daddy with a hairdryer to calm her down

The cabin owners have kids, so the cabin had toys!  We Trent cooked each meal and we just relaxed and rested.    

The porch was amazing and Trent and I sat out there the first night.  Until I saw a snake climbing up the post.  Nope.  I'm out.  

Sunday morning was an early one.  The church has three services, so sound check was at 7:00 AM which meant we left the cabin at 6:30.  This boy is a trooper.  Yes he gets fussy and grumpy and tired, but don't we all?  He loves going to different nurseries and handles longs days better than I do sometimes.

The morning went well.  People loved what we shared and that always feels good.  I had to go rescue Amelia from a crying episode, though.  I just nursed her to calm her.  Then she spit up on me.  Then she pooped.  Then I dropped her off at the nursery.  Then I heard Oliver fussing, so I had to talk to him.  He wasn't respectful so I got to do the whole time-out song and dance in the hallway.  All while the clock was counting down to the next service.  I made it back to the stage with about 30 seconds to spare.  Whew!  

After church was over, the pastor's wife came by to meet Amelia and tell me, "I don't know how you do it."  Which I thought was hilarious because she has toddler twins and a 6 month old.  I said, "are you kidding?!?  I don't know how you do it!"  And then I realized that's motherhood.  None of us know how any of us do it.  

We don't know the story, but the cabin had an old piano in the woods.  We loved it.  

The next morning, Amelia and I waited for the boys to get up before we made our way to Amarillo.  

And then I went to the bathroom to put my hair up and there was a tic on my neck.  Eww.  I know that's what happens in the woods, but nope.  I'm out.  

We had great shows and met great people in Oklahoma!  Excited to go back.  Whenever that may be.