July...

June ended and July began while we were in Kansas visiting family.  Fourth of July was spent swimming at my aunt and uncle's house, eating good food, playing with cousins, making a couple new friends and of course fireworks!

These cookies must have been good! :-)

We returned to Augusta and life did not slow down.  We missed playing with our sweet little friend and eagerly welcomed her back into our home.

Emma and "Stewie," as Emma calls her.

Mary Stewart, Caileigh, our friend, Abby and Emma

 Stephen spent his days with the middle school youth group from our church painting former drug houses here in Olde Town one week.

 In the evenings we as a family would meet the youth at two nearby housing projects and hold a Backyard Bible Club.  Many relationships were formed and we hope to continue to go back into one housing project in particular to build more relationships.  I loved watching my girls running around hand in hand with their new friends!  Caileigh in particular made a sweet friend, a girl after her own heart.  What did they spend the majority of playground time doing? Pretending the playground was their castle and they were princesses of course! :-)

Friday night Hope for Augusta hosted a Trip Lee concert at May Park.

The next week, Stephen went back down to Camp Grace.  The girls and I stayed in Augusta this time and enjoyed re-connecting with some of our dear friends here as well as packing to go back out of town! :-)  Stephen returned home after a week and we left the next day for Charlotte, NC.  We enjoyed some time with his parents and were thankful his dad had TWO days off of work!  We enjoyed a day at the Children's Museum, a visit to IKEA and putt-putt with them!

While in Charlotte, we were also able to visit with some dear friends who are attending RTS.  Our girls and their sweet girls always play so well together when we see them.  Such fun!

Lots of girls!

We made a quick stop in Toccoa Falls on our way to Carrollton and showed the girls where Daddy went to school.

At the Falls

While in Carrollton we were able to visit with so many dear friends, family and supporters.  I think we had a meeting or two and a playdate everyday.  So much fun! :-)  We did find time to care for my parent's elderly cat and give him lots of love while they were out of town.  The girls are very fond of Paka, can't say as much for Stephen and I. :-)

My, these two sure have grown!
They had so much fun playing together again.

Even their siblings had fun together.

The girls with Charlotte and Silas  We sure miss them!

We finally got to meet Jake's little sister Callie.  So good to catch up.

We had a good visit with Gunnar, Lydia and their parents.


We were able to catch up with friends from college and meet Peighton's baby sister, Baylee.  Too cute!

Sure wish I had taken pictures at our supporter's dessert gathering.  The girls had so much fun playing with Julianne, Meka, Madison, Bethany and Anna on the BIG waterslide! :-)  Thanks for the wonderful fellowship and desserts.  I also forgot to take pictures at a fun dinner picnic we had with some of our friends.  Caileigh still talks about playing with Amelia, Anna, Aliyah, Asher, Kaleb, Charlotte and Silas at the "Park with the sprinklers!"  We also enjoyed meeting sweet baby Micah Clarke and catching up with his big brother Calvin and his parents and grandparents (briefly). Again, no camera!  It was good to see many of our dear friends at KCP for worship on Sunday.  Hate we missed some - maybe next time! We enjoyed Sunday lunch catching up with the Teems and seeing some other family friends. The Teem's kids sure have grown since I used to babysit weekly!  It was pretty neat to watch them playing and entertaining my own children.  :-)

We spent one evening with Stephen's Nana and Papa.

We were able to visit Grandpa Pittman at his new place.

4 generations of Pittmans

My Grandpa and Grandma Dent stopped by my parents for a visit.

 We were also able to spend some time with some of the former CYI youth!  We have known most of these kids for 4-6 years.  They have changed so much - definitely gotten taller. :-)

Caileigh playing a game with some of the girls.  These girls have loved on her and played with her since she was a brand new baby.  I think they enjoyed seeing how much she has grown.

Stephen with the guys from his discipleship group.

The group that we were able to get together with.  Sure miss these guys.

So thankful for the time we were allowed to visit, catch up, and share what God is doing in our lives and hear what He is doing in our friends and families lives as well.

We left Carrollton, arrived in Augusta - looked at another house to possibly rent (more on that later), unpacked, washed clothes and repacked, then headed for a family camping trip at the beach on Jekyll Island.