Duck Donuts and Freedom Park

Curtis and I have hit some bumps in our marriage.  It has been hard and trying to get things back on track has not been easy emotionally, physically, or financially.  We have had to count on family and friends countless times to come to our aide and watch our kids for us so we can attend some therapy and have some much needed date nights.
After this happened, we began to be more purposeful in the way we spent time together.  We stopped watching tv right after the girls went to bed, we put our phones down by a certain time in the evening., among some other things.  Now, we put the girls down, pick up the house, and do a devotional/Bible reading/ and prayer time with one another.  We have also begun doing more things together as a family.  So, one morning (after Curtis has raved and raved over these particular donuts, maple bacon) he finally took us to Duck Donuts to see what the fuss was all about.  I thought the idea of a maple bacon donut sounded unnatural and disgusting.  But, ohmyword!  They were delicious! I also really enjoyed their cinnamon sugar donut.  Worth the trip uptown for those warm circles of deliciousness.  Afterwards, we spent the morning at the park and it was lovely.  And much needed time with our little family.  They girls got to feed some ducks, play on the playground, and just have fun.  We enjoyed ourselves.

Park Fun with Jessica and Dylan

I had a very rough week and my friends really came through.  They surrounded me with so much love and support during this really scary and sad time.  One of the days a friend invited us to her side of town to go to the park.  Getting out of the house and having someone to talk to you and vent to was much needed.  The girls had a great time (especially feeding the ducks) and I felt some peace after leaving there.

Memorial Weekend Mint Hill Madness

We had such a great time Mint Hill Madness.  We went the night of the fireworks, because who doesn't like fireworks?  The girls LOVE them (even Evelyn). We met our wonderful friends, Burt and Gina and their boys.  We just sat and enjoyed some good friends and fellowship with our friends.  The fireworks were good, but the music was sub par.  I wasn't impressed.  By the end of the night, we were on our way back to our car and we were parked in a grassy area.  Ava had to pee really bad and there were no bathrooms nearby, so we told her to pull her pants down and pee right there.  And she did, without hesitation or doubt or worry.  Not like her at all.

Ava shucked some corn

Here is Ava shucking her first corn.  She was persistent and got every piece and strand off!

Sunglasses

Sunglasses...Sally goes every where in them.  Why she wouldn't keep her regular eye glasses on but can't live without her sunglasses is beyond me.  She is a mystery.  Here are a few pictures of her in those sunglasses (which are now broken btw).....