When you have young kids, there are a lot of “first times.” This summer, however, was extraordinarily full of them. What a blessing they all were. Below are some of them. From me and Jen to the kids to my Dad even, it has been a great summer.
Jen and I experiencied a first – celebrating 10 years together. We did this on the Gulf Coast in the FL panhandle with the family and friends of Rick and Cosette (a couple whose wedding ceremony I led who is a part of the Westpoint Church family). We also did this alone – Jen’s sister kept the kids. And, we did this to retreat for the sake of advancing in our marriage.
What’s going on at home is not a first. Tropical Storm Fay exposed some flaws in the western wall of our home as water leaked under the baseboards again like it did during the three storms of 2004. We came home from our get-away to begin to deal with it. More importantly, we got to come home refocused on pouring into and growing with our kids. Also, we got to come home refreshed to continue to live sent with the wonderful people of the Westpoint Church family.
Please pray. Pray for our family when you think of it. For strength and protection. Also, please pray for wisdom and direction for Westpoint. There is an awesome future ahead with Westpoint in that community as people keep on being the church there. There are also growing pains in various elements of what we are doing in which we are committed to listen to the Lord and through which we are excited to follow Him as He leads us into the next steps of this amazing and sobering journey.
May the firsts keep coming.
- Katey’s 1st dance rehearsal
- Abby’s 1st time to have her finger nails painted
- Pop’s 1st iPhone. He was giddy.
- Caleb’s 1st bike ride without training wheels
- Abby’s 1st swimming lesson. She was tired afterward. Whew!
- Caleb and Katey’s 1st time bowling
- our 1st trip to NYC
- Katey’s 1st flower girl dress
- Abby’s 1st time to balance a spoon on her nose. Well, she tried.
- Abby’s 1st ball cap that she claimed as her own.
- Caleb’s 1st golf outing. Pop and I took him to a local course.
- Katey’s 1st bike. It was a Disney Princess bike. Too big for her so we have to exchange it, but it still counts as a first.
- our 1st visit to Talladega Speedway
- Caleb’s 1st day of 1st grade
- Our 1st ever Wii bowling tournament. Katey beat us all.
- Pop and Caleb’s 1st campfire in the living room (Caleb created it in a little arts and crafts project).
- our 1st 10th anniversary
- Jen’s 1st kayak ride
- Katey’s 1st ever day of school.
- our dining room after Fay