Happy Father's Day!

Father's Day is such a special time to honor those men who step up and love on those around them.  Cade and Caelin could never know how blessed they are to have Charles as their Dad.  He gives 100% always to our family, shows grace when needed, demonstrates patience, and models how to follow God.  He is always up for an adventure and puts up with all our craziness.  Thank you Charles for being a wonderful Father!  We hope you enjoy the materials for your smoker and and new coolers.  As if we are not already blessed with Charles, we also have 2 great Father's that model to us about parenting and make us better people.  Today will always sting a bit in my heart as I no longer get the physical hug from my Daddy (Papa).  He was truly one of a kind to everyone he met.  We keep his stories alive daily and the kids have all the funny memories memorized in their hearts.  His legacy will never be forgotten to us and everyone that was blessed to cross paths with him.  Grampee is our daily reminder that Fatherhood lasts a lifetime.  I can see the mentoring that has happened since Charles was small and I am blessed by that daily as Charles understands what being a man is and how to lead a family.  That is all attributed to the amazing Dad he has had.  Grampee is always there to answer our calls, makes us laugh nonstop, and teaches us bad manners in restaurants.  He gives the best hugs and his "I love you's" remind us that even the toughest of men can say I love you to those around them.  We simply could not be blessed and love to honor our 3 earthly fathers! 

Friendships

We have been blessed with so many things since moving to WT, but the #1 thing has been the friendships.  God has placed families in our lives that have helped us realize the true meaning of "FRAMILY".  We cry together, we celebrate the small things, we laugh more than I ever have in life, we love no matter what you are wearing or act like, and we do not ask questions when another needs something.  We are truly blessed indeed!  Ps- The guys never like their picture taken...so I will have to be better about that in the future!

16th Wedding Anniversary

Cheers to 16 years! Our goal was to hike 16 miles for our 16th anniversary. We made it 12.5 miles on some pretty rough terrain today. Just like life, we were not expecting these trails to be so difficult and found ourselves having to climb over trees, out of creek beds and balance across some uncertain bridges. The lesson of today's adventure was clear. At the end of our adventure, there is still not a single person on this planet that I love more than this man and have been blessed to have you for all those challenging times to lift me out of the creek beds and check me for ticks.

Today's stats:

-12.5 miles

- 5 hrs 11 min of hiking

- 2,974 calories

- 36 flights of stairs (fitbit lingo)

From Daddy:

This day reminds me that God really loves me, for He gave me the most wonderful person and chose her to be my lifetime partner. I will always be grateful. Happy anniversary! It has been an honor to be your husband Stacy for all these years. I am so glad we get to celebrate the start of a new year together. Thank you for putting up with all my faults and celebrating all my good qualities. I love you and I raise the flag for another 16 years! SHMILY

Happy BD Grampee!

You are always there to make us laugh, encourage the grand kids to misbehave, assist with any project, and give hugs when needed. You are one AMAZING Father, Grandfather and friend. We love you Grampee!

Grapeland, TX

We are so thankful to have had an extended weekend in Grapeland with nature, quiet moments and memories. This place truly is a piece of Heaven and one of my favorite places on Earth for family time, reflection and recentering life. I hope everyone can find a place to do the same during these uncertain times.

Our adventures included:

- No cell service or technology

- We had Gamee and Grampee all to our selves for 2 days

- We enjoyed Sonic the Hedgehog for movie night and played games like Clue, Liverpool Rummy, Monopoly Junior, and Stack-a-mole Whack-a-mole

- Both kids learned how to drive golf cart better

- Cade found a real arrowhead! Gamee told us the Caddo Indians once inhabited this area, so we are thinking that it is a Cado Indian arrowhead.

- Caelin took 1st place for the most fish at 13 (her goal) and Cade had 12 fish

- Stacy got to read by sunset on the lake

- Daddy got the biggest fish with a Bass

- We had the Grapelad trifecta for our fish dinner (Bass, Catfish and Perch)

- Bear learned to ride the golf cart FINALLY

- We finished a 1,000pc puzzle

- We learned a lot about some classic TV shows on TV: Carol Burnett show, Hogan's Heros, Alfred Hitchcook show, Twighlight Zone, Perry Mason, and Bonanza.

- Both kids enjoyed shooting BB guns

- We ate too many sweets and snacks to count