Just like Daddy

If there's one thing that makes me smile, it is the sound of my husband's truck rumble into our driveway. Diesels are like that. The only thing that makes me smile bigger is the sound of our three kids squealing and scampering to the door to greet him. It truly makes my heart swell.

I remember when Daryl and I were dating, I was moved to tears one day thinking of how blessed our kids would one day be because of having him as their dad. It was something that I was keenly tuned into--especially if we would one day have girls (which, by the way, I thought I would never have--but God has a great sense of humor that way).


And while I know that dads are equally important in their son's life, there is nothing that a girl on this earth needs more than her daddy. I was a Daddy's Girl. And when my dad was in his car accident it turned my life upside down. Thankfully, I also have some great uncles. And I became an Uncle's Girl. It's great for me to see this all coming full circle.



And when I was little, the best pajamas were my Uncle's work shirts. I loved them almost as much as I loved him! I felt so special and important in them. That shirt was like a badge of honor. It embodied what I saw in my Uncle. I saw how hard he worked, what a loyal and faithful worker he was, how the shirt would bear a salt-line at the end of the day from his sweat, how he used everyday job scenarios to witness to his buddies, how he helped friends & family in need after a long day's work. That shirt, when worn by my uncle, taught me lessons in life--hard work, faith, family, sacrifice, love, honesty.

My older sister and I still talk about those shirts.

So the other night when Brayden and Savannah came into our room and asked Daryl if they could wear one of his Jayco shirts to bed, my heart melted all over again. I knew exactly what they were feeling and exactly how wearing that shirt made them feel. I saw the pride and admiration in their eyes as Daryl helped them put on their shirts. I pray that they, too, may see the same life lessons I did in a shirt. Because their Daddy embodies those same qualities--hard work, faith, family, sacrifice, love, honesty--qualities that my kids relate with a shirt and, more importantly, the man wearing the shirt.


You see, my kids adore and admire their Daddy...and rightly so. They get it from their Momma :)

Say what?

SETTING: Livingroom/hallway/bathroom in home, mid-afternoon
SCENE: Mom is in the bathroom cleaning the sink. Brayden, Savannah and Sophia are playing in the livingroom.
~~~~~
SAVANNAH:(running down the hallway towards bathroom, crying) Mom! Mom! Bayden hit me with the pillow!
MOM: Brayden?
BRAYDEN:(running just behind her, weapon/pillow in hand) Yes?
MOM: Brayden, did you hit Savannah with the pillow?
BRAYDEN: Yes, Mom. It was a askident. I didn't mean to do it. I told her I was sorry. I was swinging the pillow like this (demonstrating) and Savannah walked into it.
(Pause) Askident?
MOM: Accident.
BRAYDEN: Askident? (Shaking his head)Tsst, askident! I know I don't say that right...but when I get bigger I will. Okay?
MOM(smiling, holding in chuckles): I love the way you talk, Brayden. Yes, you will. And thank you for being honest.
~~~~~

Is this kid a riot or what?!

Do You Know...

...she's one of the greatest blessings in my life?
...she's an amazing: wife of one, mother of three, and caretaker of what seems like Noah's Ark?
...she can stir some SERIOUS love into her FABULOUS cooking?
...I talk to her nearly every day?
...she puts all things into perspective when I feel that I'm losing my mind?
...she loves and forgives and encourages everyone she knows?
...I'd always had an equal mix of sisterly love, admiration, and fear of her growing up?
...I now only have equal parts of love and admiration (and occasionally fear when I see that I'm-going-to-toss-you-across-the-room-by-the-seat-of-your-pants look in her eye--but its now thankfully directed toward one of her own kids)?
...I wrote in Kindergarten that she was my favorite person?
...my kiddos think she's the best thing since Thomas the Tank Engine?
...she's driven more miles in her truck/car than any person I know on the planet??
...her athleticism and competitive nature make her one of the best athletes I know?
...she beat my time when we ran respective 5k's on the Fourth of July?
...she's the best storyteller?
...we share the same weird sense of humor (with our other sisters and mom)?
...she makes the best salad in the world?
...if she lived close to me I'd be dead for posting this picture (and info) on my blog?
...that she just picked up her student ID and materials to finish her last semester of college?
...that I'm already making plans to fly to Louisiana to see her graduate in December?!
...that I will be the LOUDEST and PROUDEST person in that arena that day?!

Just thought you'd like to know.
=)

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY, UNCLE TIMBO!

Hard to believe that this handsome, young man is 21. I can still remember the day he was born, the first time I got to hold him, his first day of school when he "felt like a doofus", watching him play midget football, crying as he held my newborn little boy for the first time, celebrating high school graduation, etc. and all the while never realizing just how much he was growing up!

Bub, you have grown into an amazing man of God. I am so proud of you and who you are and what you desire to be. And I love you more than this measly little post could ever express! Thanks for being the best and only brother I have. My kids adore their Uncle Timbo...and rightly so. Hope your day ROCKS and I can't wait to celebrate with you next week!!

P.S. And when I get there...can I bite your head?? :)

Mahaffey Camp

The kids and I did a quick roadtrip over to Mahaffey on July 23rd for an overnight visit with Granny & Pap and to see what has changed on the campgrounds. We had a great time (except for Sophia starting to get sick!) and the kids were crying to stay as I loaded them up to head home. I attended Mahaffey my entire life for traditional Family Camp. Now they offer camps and programs nearly year-round. Its weird to see all the differences in my short lifespan--some positive, some rather disheartening--but I do pray that God continues to use the grounds for His glory. I had the opportunity to hear the morning speaker and he was GREAT. He is blessed with a tell-it-like-it-is approach and I know that I walked out of there with gracious conviction and some serious spiritual meat to chew on!

But I digress...

Brayden REALLY wanted to ride on a golf cart--they were everywhere!--and he got his wish when we stopped to visit my Great Aunt Kay's cottage. All of my second cousins were there and it was such a blessing to visit and talk with them. My cousin Joy has a golf cart that reminds me of something you may see on "Pimp My Ride" and she graciously took us on a drive around the camp. Brayden was in his glory!


Camp was a bit confusing for Brayden, however, as he is used to being there for Kids Camp when my mom is the Director (I'm the Camp Nurse, and my sister directs athletics or creek walking and we basically fill in at any other poistion that is needed) and with that comes a few "special" privileges. So he wasn't quite grasping why Granny couldn't go into the kitchen and ask the ladies for cookies or why we couldn't go into the Nurses' Cottage for popsicles! He also didn't understand at first why Aunt Shelli and Leighton were not there because that is the only way he knows camp (my sister comes with all her kids and we stay together)--it has become one of my and the kids' favorite weeks of the year! But he insisted that we stop at Aunt Shelli's house--which is actually the Nurses' Cottage where we stay during Kids Camp--and that's when he got it that they weren't there, poor kid! Thankfully, a picture on "Aunt Shelli's" porch sufficed for the time being.




But, as always, Granny and Pap were the hit of the trip...the kids LOVE being with them! They stomped in mud puddles, ran over the bridge together, jumped around in their room, and played games in the yard. We all enjoyed some signature Mahaffey Milkshakes and burgers, too :) That made the trip for me :)

Summer Splash Party!

Gramma sent out invitations to all the grandkids for a Summer Splash Party on July 30th. My kids were SO excited--asking everyday if it was Wednesday because that's when Gramma said the party was! And, in typical Andrea Yount fashion, the party was AMAZING!! I'm telling you (as I've repeatedly told her) she should be a party planner/designer. She definately has a gift! Everything follows a theme and no detail is left out from start to finish. Her dinners, parties, showers, etc. are nothing short of WOW. The pool was full of "sea life" and there was a matching table full of rubber sea life and water-loving animals, the sandwiches and watermelon were cut in the shapes of dolphins and whales, the jello snacks were mini oceans-in-a-cup: crushed nilla wafers for "sand", then the blue jello "water" and cool whip for the "waves" where the gummy shark was jumping out! The tower of cupcakes were decorated like beach balls and ocean waves with fish jumping out of the tops! All the kids had splash-bomb animals and sunshines at their place-setting and each got to pick out a water gun for the water battle after lunch. Then they all relaxed at the end of a long, fun day to watch "Finding Nemo". Gramma topped it off by sending each kid home with a "bucket of fun" full of water goggles, candies, toys, themed washcloths, etc. What a great day!!

Celebrating Pap Sherd's Birthday!

We celebrated my Dad's birthday (Aug. 2nd) by spending this past weekend with him and the rest of my family. What a fun time! We spent time at Critter Country, which is owned by my Uncle Tim's friend, Laurie and her husband Rob. I didn't get any photos there but basically they turned their yard and surrounding acreage into a small zoo! It was a great time. We also enjoyed the church picnic on Sunday afternoon at Flatwoods Park(which coincindentally is where Daryl will be doing his next project and just happens to be minutes from my aunt & uncle's house as well as the rest of my entire family! So we will all head south of Pittsburgh for the duration of the job and spend time with my family! YAY!). The park has a large pool and kiddie pool, sand volleyball court, playground, sandbox--its great! And any time my family gets together there is usually a water battle of some kind--doesn't matter what the weather may be...if its cold outside, you can bet that it won't stop the water from flying in the house! Needless to say a HUGE water battle broke out during the picnic and it wasn't the kiddos who instigated it! The funniest part was watching my 79-years-young Grandma running from my kids water guns!! And before it was all over my Uncle Tim was in the kiddie pool, fully clothed, with the kids having a blast! Of course, he was already soaked from the water battle :) My kids are really looking forward to going back. And I am CERTAIN that the adults had just as much fun as the kids!