Is it August...or May?

Hello everybody! I'd love to play in my awesome backyard, but it's 92 degrees.

The heat isn't really the issue...its the HUMIDITY.

So, after Mom's morning run, we hung out inside today.

Cars were played with...

...and of course FIRETRUCKS were on the scene.

To be honest, FIRETRUCKS are always on the scene.

I really hope this heat "breaks" soon. Playing indoors is the pits.

Ok...BYE!

The Backyard Makeover

This project has been a long time coming. We never knew how much we needed a yard until a certain little boy was born. And even then, we had some time to consider what we needed to do. But from the minute Jackson could walk, we realized we had a little boy who LOVES to run and play.

Before the Makeover, Jack had a 4x4 square foot of decent running room. 

I'm. Not. Kidding. 

Unfortunately for our neighbors, Jackson was not aware of our small situation because we had no fence. Most of our playtime outdoors involved me "fussing" at him to come back or running after him. Thankfully, the last part of the makeover included A FENCE. {Mamas, you all know that a fence is not merely to contain your child, but your SANITY.}

Oh alright, I can hear you all mumbling: 

"Zip it Radtke we want to see pictures!"

The Before...

A Jungle of Unkempt Trees, Rocks and a serious 

Drop Off that would have hurt my kidlet.

Trip would like to add that the grass was a disgrace. 

{As he is the son of a former Scott's employee.}

 

The After!

Coming in the new gate.

The view from behind. I need to add color, but I'm enjoying the simplicity right now.

The serious drop off was graded with 2 loads of dirt and mulch.

Beautiful!

And everyone together...'Yeahoooo!"

Of course the only way to appreciate this transformation is to hear & see Mr. Jackson...

Weekends of Fun

Last weekend, Jackson and I made a trip to the beach with my sister and her sweet family. Jackson thinks his cousin Scott hung the moon, so any time those two can be together is golden in his book. {Of course, Uncle Peter and Aunt Kylene are pretty awesome too.}

The weather could not have been more perfect for Jackson's first visit to the beach. I love the beach and deep down, I was really hoping that Jackson would too. I don't know what I would do with a kid who hated the water or sand. Luckily... HE LOVED IT.

Lotioned up and ready to go!

Do you like my hat?

Aunt Kyeeeen!

Happy Mother's Day to me!

The boys wore each other out!

Saying goodbye and giving hugs.

Then this weekend my crazy sister and I ran the Warrior Dash. Last year, my dear friend Stacy came to small group talking about this incredible race she had done that incorporated an obstacle course...and mud. I went home that night and checked it out. Then I conned asked my sister to do it with me. To say it was awesome would not do that race justice. It was CRAaAaZY Awesome.

Before the Mud

After the Mud

Stacy aka "Warrior Princess", the one who got me to do it. Truth be told, she had me at "Mud."

The things that came out of my shoes and socks were disgusting.

Every post race meal should include a TURKEY LEG...

...and a WARRIOR Hat.

 

Kylene and I decided that it must become a yearly tradition 

and as soon as our boys are old enough, they'll be doing it too!

Six Years!

Trip and I escaped to Asheville for an anniversary celebration. 

We stayed at the Applewood Manor, a fantastic Bed & Breakfast minutes from downtown. The innkeepers were a delightful couple who we found to not only be great hosts, but incredibly interesting people. Miss Nancy accomodated my gluten free diet without any fuss.

We loved having to time to sit and read and relax....and swiiiiiing.

We ate some of the best food. Asheville is a gluten free girls dream come true. There are several farm-to-table restaurants that were reasonable in price and DElicious.

~The Lobster Trap

~Nine Mile

~Early Girl Cafe

Did I mention there was swing?!

After two days we were ready to get back to a little boy. He, however, barely noticed we were gone. He had his sweet Aunt Kylene all to himself and they had some serious fun.

TICKLED PINK: One Week Later

Today, during the BSF lecture, our teaching leader gave us the principle: "Interceding in prayer is carrying someone else's burdens to the Lord." As soon as she said that I immediately thought of all of you who have taken the time this past week to pray for Miss Charlotte.

One week ago today she underwent her third surgery. You all came alongside the Tousey Family at a time that they needed to be encouraged. Some of you will never meet them this side of heaven. But you know the power of prayer and Miss Charlotte is a living witness to it.

Her recovery has been remarkable. Her God-given "spunk" is back and she should be going home tomorrow. So, thank you for taking the time to pray. Thank you for not treating God as if He were weak and trusting Him to answer those prayers in exactly the way that was needed.

~ I Thessalonians 5.15-18 ~

Be joyful always; pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances, 

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

TICKLED PINK: Post Fontan Day 2

God continues to prove His mighty hand over Charlotte as she recovers. 

For those of you who continue to be faithful in prayer, thank you. 

Here is a precious picture of her sleeping...

Notice those GORGEOUS PINK Lips

And since her Mama has gotten some face time on this blog, 

I thought it was Dad's turn. 

Please keep up to date with all the latest details here.

And as we enter into the Easter weekend, may we remember:

~ Romans 5.6-8 ~

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, 

Christ died for the ungodly.

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, 

though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.

But God

demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, 

Christ died for us.

TICKLED PINK: Update on Charlotte

Thank you so much for all your prayers today. 

Please keep praying as Miss Charlotte recovers.

 

The following is from Charlotte's Mama:

"I know that God did not choose to heal Charlotte outright, and while that would have been a miracle in itself there is no denying that we have a little miracle on our hands here. She has met or exceeded every expectation every time. I know we still have a ways to go before we get to take her home, but we are so thankful to be on this side of the surgery. Post-Fontan is a great milestone for a heart family dealing with HLHS and HRHS.

Charlotte is officially post-Fontan, and we are tickled PINK!"

 Again, shamelessly stolen from their family blog.

To read the entire post by Charlotte's mama, go here.

Strong Heart ~ Clear Lungs ~ Can’t Lose!

Hebrews 4.16 -
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.