"I can't believe I'm finally 5!"

These were Colby's first words when he woke up Tuesday morning on his birthday. I can't believe he's 5 either, and it's a mixture of emotions for this mama watching realizing her little man is growing up and there is absolutely nothing I can do to stop it!! Five just seems so much older than 4 to me. I don't know exactly what it is . .maybe it's that he'll start Kindergarten this next fall, maybe it's because he's gotten so tall, skinny, and non-little boy looking lately. Whatever it is, I've been more, well, kinda emotional about this birthday than I think any of my children's previous ones. Who knows - maybe I get a little happy/sad with all of them, but I'm realizing it more this year or something. Sweet Colby . .

He had a fantastic pirate party last Saturday. He was beside himself excited!!! He even got a special pirate costume just for the occasion, and was the CUTEST little pirate I've seen in my LIFE!! Cutest anything I've ever seen for that matter!! I can't believe photographer overkill mama didn't get one picture of just him full length in his costume, but I'm thinking I can re-create that one real soon!

Donny's parents were in town for the weekend, and we really enjoyed being able to have grandparents around. We don't get to see either set of grandparents very often, so when they are able to come this way, it is a FUN time for all!!

Colby's actual birthday was Tuesday, which is a school day for him. He had a great time being celebrated at school, then we had a family dinner of his choosing (Jason's Deli for free ice cream!) and back home for cards and present from Aunt Moni. His super Aunt gave him a sack FULL of new clothes, which if you know Colby, THRILLED him to pieces! He loves to buy new clothes, so her clearance finds were TREASURES to Colby! He couldn't wait to get up this morning to put on one of his new shirts, and he had me take his picture with each one as he pulled them out of the sack.

What a treasure my Colby man is . . .he is funny, he's a great dancer, he's the most photogenic kid I've ever known, and he has a smile that can melt anyone's heart. He's loved by all his friends, he's a pleaser, a cuddler, a "Chatty Chuck", and has the best laugh I've ever heard. Best of all, he's gentle, he's kind, he's patient, and he has self-control (most of the time!!). He is learning so early what it means to please God, and how to love his Jesus. I'm so proud of my Colby man. Happy birthday, my precious one!! Colby tries on his costume before his party . . of course, baby brother needed to "patch up" with big bro . . so very CUTE!!
Good buddies - Brooklyn, Cade, Colby, Abby, Kayla and Tyler (in the back)

All the "pirates" - they went on a treasure hunt that led them to various treasure chests that had pieces of necessary parts to be true pirates!

I think my little man loved being sung to at his party - can you tell from his sweet expression?

My little Valentine boys

I sure do love these sweet Valentine's of mine . . . I love my biggest Valentine the best, but alas, no picture of this year with us together. This was the picture we took to give to him in a frame so he could look at all HIS Valentine's anytime he wants to! Make sure and notice the nice little "dribble" down Brady's shirt . . .he had that shirt on all of 5 minutes before it looked like this. Oh well . . .but aren't they just SOO cute?!?!

News from the homefront . .

I'm not sure what this post will be about . . I have some favorite pics, some stories and some news to share . . .let's see where we go from here!

I have some very special friends. After you see this sweet picture I took of them at a Super Bowl gathering, you are going to wonder just how "special" they are!! But I look at this picture and smile - it's so good to have friends! Especially fun, silly, talented and most of all oh-so faithful friends! I've been blessed with a few more than just Kim and Tami, but I count myself very blessed to call these 2 women amoung some of my VERY favorite people on this planet! I love my girls - aren't they just the CUTEST things you've ever seen?!?

I'm LOVING having my neices and nephews close to us after years of them living in Africa! The younger 3 came over Friday for a while, and we had so much fun playing together. Colby and Timothy have a ball together, and I love watching Brady with Jonathan and Lael - between times of declaring to each other what is "mine", they play and share and chase each other around like best buddies!

Light Saber duals in the backyard are the best. Lael and I were doing girl things in the kitchen most of the time while these boys battled it out.

snack / coloring time!

We had Care Group at our house last night and Tori was a "guest speaker" for everyone - she and Kelly shared some things about life in Benin with our kids that everyone really enjoyed. I love watching Tori (and Kelly!) talk about their life there - obviously that time will always be a HUGE part of their lives, their purpose, their character - everything. The kids (and adults) really were fascinated by all the things she brought to show us - I loved it all . . .except for the MASSIVE python snake skin they rolled out to show us. Oh my scary to think about encountering one of those suckers.

And here's a little more information about our season of waiting on the Lord: Donny's company, whom he's worked for for 15 years, has accepted his request for a voluntary separation package. The company is about to downsize, and was taking applications for VSP before beginning the process of lay offs. We've been praying about timing for Donny to leave his company and join Randy, his twin brother, in his new marketing / design company he has just launched. God is moving even quicker than we anticipated, but we are very excited and eager to see what he has in store! Because of the length of time Donny has worked at his company, he has a very generous separation package. Now we are just praying God will not only bless the new business (1429 Creative, to be exact! I'll do that link thingy once I know the website is up and going!!), but that He will bless the details of our lives - the income, the desire to move sometime soon . . .there are so many thoughts that could overwhelm me when I start to ponder them, but I'm so very thankful that I serve a God who has got everything under control. Never in the history of our family have we stepped out in faith quite like this. It is scary, uncertain, but very good. Thanks for your prayers, and we sure covet more!!

Blessings ..

"That doesn't make any sense " and waiting

I love it that Tyler is becoming a great reader. I love it that when he's in service with us at church, he's reading the words to the songs we are praising God with. This past week, we were singing, "My Jesus, I love Thee". I was wondering what he was thinking about the word "Thee". Turns out that one wasn't the one that stumped him the most. After we sang, "If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now!", sweet Tyler looked at Donny with a confused look and said, " 'Tis - Dad, that doesn't make ANY sense!" Strange word, 'tis true!

Our family is in a pretty intense time of waiting on the Lord to reveal some direction for us. I feel like we are on the verge of some changes in our daily lives that we will look back on years from now and cite as a huge turning point for all of us. Donny and I both agree that it is exciting anticipating God to do huge things, but at the same time it's also a more frightening and uncertain time that we've ever been a part of. The phrase, "taking a leap of faith" has taken on a very real meaning to us. One thing I'm certain of: God is good, and He is in control. I'm so thankful He's the one in charge of the details and not me! I look forward to seeing what He does in the Vaughn house . .

Aren't my boys cute? They looked so cute this past Sunday after class that I just had to take a picture of them. Handome guys . .I'm one blessed Mama!

blessings -