bluegrass and babies

Every year on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, the sweetest little bluegrass festival is held in Armuchee, GA. My husband's family has been involved in putting on this festival for over 25 years now. And while I have only been going for the past five or six years, it holds a special place in my heart as well!

Aaron grew up going to this festival (and all around bluegrass) and now our boys are growing up at it as well. Stuff like that just makes my heart smile! :)  We had such a great, family weekend. Sitting around, pickin' (or at least tapping your feet along to the pickin'), snacking, and laughing. The weather was hot, but what sweet memories we made. I hope my boys look back on these festivals as fondly and my husband and I do. 

Here's just a few snapshots of those fond memories collected:

Clint is actually strumming along with the guitar, can you tell?

Elijah is gonna be our little musician

Look at that stud over there....I think I'll go home with him tonight ;)

Clint loves Poppie's pen

The boys with Nonnie and Aunt Candy

Night Nights

Bedtime is my favorite part of the day. Mostly because it marks the start of my actual free time, but it doesn't hurt that my boys are two adorable young men! We, of course, have a little routine because babies function well in routine. After diapers are changed, pjs on, teeth brushed, and "night nights" given to all members of the household, Elijah climbs into his firetruck bed, and I lean over to tuck him in and give a kiss. Then its Clint's turn. I lay him in the crib and rest my hand on his sweet little head. 

But if I linger around too long in the room once Elijah has been tucked in, the inevitable request comes - "Mommy, sing"

Ashamedly, I sometimes roll my eyes at the request. I don't have a great voice at all, and I'm pretty much ready to just crash by this time. But I always give in! And he always wants the same song. "Mommy Daddy wed song. Wed song." Its the song that I walked in to during our wedding - O Love of God.

Its such a great start to the kid-less part of my evening. Not only is it a sweet memory that I have of our wedding, but the words are just so precious. Reminding me that I've done nothing to earn my standing with God, but He freely gives His love. His measureless love! 

The love of God is greater far

Than tongue or pen can ever tell

It goes beyond the highest star

And reaches to the lowest hell

The guilty pair bowed down with care

God gave his Son to win

His erring child He reconciled

And pardoned from all sin

O love of God! 
How rich and pure
How measureless and strong
It shall forever more endure
The saints and angels' song!


Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky

O love of God! 

How rich and pure

How measureless and strong

It shall forever more endure

The saints and angels' song!