Where we've been

I know, I know. It's been a while since Ive updated our blog. Yikes! I had no idea just how long it had been until I looked at the blog tonight. It's been an incredibly wild few weeks. May and June are always my busy times at work. Once we finish First Kids Day Out, we become 100% buried in VBS. I focus most of my time on the decorations. I work with my friend Lora. She is the creative genius behind what we do, and I'm the computer girl/workhorse. It is always great. (I'll post pictures later) However, it is incredibly hard on our kids. The girls and I were at the church 5 days a week for about 5 weeks getting ready for VBS and actually putting it all into action. What a week we had the last week of June - VBS week. Ellie went to her first official week of VBS. She was amazing!!! She went to worship every morning despite the crowds and chaos - 2 of her least favorite things. I am so proud of her! VBS wasn't her absolute favorite thing in the world, but she had a good time. It was amazing to hear her retell the Bible stories each day. I love watching her learn and truly grasp new things especially Biblical understanding. Mollie wasn't left out. Part of my responsibility with VBS is to provide the VBS experience in our preschool/nursery area. Mollie had a great time spending the week with her friends Mark, Elijah, Claire and Kayla. She was in heaven. One of the mornings, her teachers got me to come see what she was doing. Mollie had been praying for all of her friends. WOW! She loves to sing and to pray, so I wasn't surprised. Annie also got to VBS. One of our ladies had volunteered to work so she spent the week with Annie. It really was a great week...By the way, the first part of the week Brian went out of town again. This time, he went to Houston and to Dallas.

Mollie saying the prayer for her class.

In the middle of all the craziness, Annie finally got her bellybutton! We were all super excited! I wanted to take a picture of her first bath. However, I had a little helper; so it didn't work out to take her picture. Annie loves taking a bath. Praise the Lord!!

Annie's bellybutton.

A little smile :)

The original plan for VBS week was that Karen and her girls and Baby James were going to come spend the week. She was going to help with Annie, and we would get to relax and all hang out. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. The good part was that Karen and Robert were able to refinance their house and get their payment lowered. Always a blessing. They were able to come into town on Friday of VBS. Traditionally, Friday night is our Family Night for VBS. This year, we served hamburgers for dinner and rented a climbing wall, mind winder ride, a train and a Noah's Ark bouncer. We also were able to open up our newly renovated Family Life Center complete with our new indoor playground (major praise!). It was an incredible night, but it was wild! After the festivities had started to wind down, my friends Susan, Karen, Tammy and Brittney helped me undecorate our foyer and Sanctuary so that they could get it ready for Sunday morning. This also meant that I didn't have to work on Saturday. Definitely a blessing!!

Since I didn't have to work on Sunday, we were able to spend the day with the Segars and the Luttrells. We had a blast. Ellie was in heaven getting to play with Kasey and Blake. Mollie is always along for the ride and loves being around the kids and the Segars girls.

Karen, Tammy and me after our pedicures and trip to Sonic. Don't we look relaxed!

Kasey, Ellie, Blake and Haley....Ah, Friends!

Annie took it all in stride.

Ellie watching the Little Rascals while wearing the Wolverine costume (please note her t-shirt AND skirt are under the costume). Ha!

Many of you know that Brian is a major music fan. He has the most incredible CD collection and continues to find new songs that he loves. He's downloaded most to his iPod. He just informed me that it has 1500 songs on it. Needless to say, he was a little upset by the passing of Michael Jackson. Despite the fact that the man was a little odd, he did have some great music. Brian's been watching some of his old music videos while the girls were playing in the den. If you turn on the music, the girls will dance...He even tried to teach them the moonwalk. I just couldn't get a good picture. It was hysterical! Mollie's not bad at it.

Ellie and Mollie dancing to Beat It by Michael Jackson

Mollie dancing to MJ.

I don't have a picture; but this week, I took Mollie to her first birthday party for one of her friends. Her friend Elijah had a delayed birthday party on Monday at the new playground at church. I haven't seen Mollie so excited in a long time! She couldn't wait to get there. She was super cute eating her cupcake and playing with her friends. She and I don't typically get to go places just the two of us so it was super fun. :)

As you can see, it's been a crazy few weeks! We are enjoying the slower pace of summer. The girls are loving going swimming when we can. They've gotten to go once a week with Nannie and Pawpaw. I've taken them a couple of times as well. It's been a little different this year since we have Annie. We caught a glimpse of some fireworks Sunday night on our way home from Mimi and Papa Jim's. Ever since, Ellie has been ready to watch a firework show. Hopefully we will be able to watch the fireworks at the country club near my parents' house this weekend.

Until then, Happy Fourth of July from the Bennetts!