Camp Wetoga

The director of the Youth Camp at our church asked Wesley to come this year to help out. He agreed as  long as Jackson and Philip could come too. They said "Yes!" so all three boys packed up and headed to their first experience at Church Camp!

Wesley kept me in the loop by sending multiple pictures every day of the fun they were having. Wesley was in charge of "emceeing" the worship time and was in charge of the junior campers (ie - Philip, Jackson and Shep!) They had a blast!

The first night they were there, I received this picture of Philip playing baseball with all the daddies. He had a blast!

All nutrition goes down the drain at Camp Wetoga
Reece's Puffs and Sun Chips for a nighttime snack

Wesley said they played hard and slept hard. Daily naps! 

Jackson and Philip sitting up close in the aisle!

Jackson & Tyree 'tending the fire

Philip placing his order at "Caffeine" (aka Canteen)
They were able to get candy and Coke every day - it took a little while to detox from that when they came home.

Wesley was Goliath!!

 

I received several texts from ladies at Camp saying Jackson and Philip were such servants during the week!
It made me smile but didn't surprise me.
Philip does everything Jackson does and Jackson does everything his Daddy does.
BEYOND blessed that Wesley's servant heart is being modeled by our boys!

Philip loved Connect Four! 

And the Girls loved Philip!

Rachel and Joey get married!

Two young adults from our church were married Friday night. Wesley and I drove out to the wedding with our dear friends Jane and Skip. The drive alone was so much fun!  I was fearful of the level of enjoyment of the ceremony since it was outside, in Atlanta, in June, but it was very pleasant. The clouds came - but not the rain - and cooled it down.

Rachel's grandmother made her dress and it was beautiful. She looked stunning. And Joey looked very handsome as well.

After the ceremony, we went inside for a delicious buffet dinner and dancing. It was a beautiful evening and we were so glad we were there to witness the beginning of Rachel & Joey's wedding.

Our friend David performed the ceremony. It was so nice to see him and his wife, Pam, as they left our church in October and are now in Louisiana. 

It's a small world! One of cousin-in-laws of the bride is my friend from high school, Jessica Hatch! It was so nice to see her and catch up.

The reception was one my dad (who is the judge through which Wesley judges all receptions) would have been proud of: large plates, lots of amazing food, and big cups full of Coke!  

Joey and Rachel cutting the cake--
which was amazing!

Visit from the Otts

Shannon and John moved to Chicago earlier this year but have decided to move back to the South! They don't know where they will land - either TN or GA - but they are visiting both places in the interum. We were so excited to meet up with them and let the kids play. The kids had a blast handing out the with Ott crowd and Wesley and I enjoyed catching up with John and Shannon.

Philip, Josh, Jackson, Elizabeth, Dave and Grace.

Father's Day

Wesley continued the tradition he started last year, and used Father's Day as a chance to spend quality time with each child.

He and Elizabeth ate breakfast at Starbucks.

After church, he and Philip ate lunch at Racetrack. It's where Philip wanted to go for "Red Drink" and a Lunchable! Then donuts at Dunkin' Donuts.

Next, Jackson, Philip and Wesley went to see How to Train a Dragon 2.

And he ended the day with Jackson at Moe's for dinner.

It was a full,but perfect, day!

Dad's Gone

While Daddy was at Mission: ATL, the kids and I had some solo fun. We spent a night at the mall:

Fell asleep in some interesting places:

Chilled out with underwear on our heads 

Met "Zooie'  the mascot at the Zoo Jackson & Philip made.

And just chilled out in the car together!

MAX

It was the 10th year of Mission: ATL - MAX!

This is my favorite event that Wesley organizes. I am so proud of the countless hours he puts into making this week so special for those who serve and those who are served. Each year, it gets bigger and more under- resourced children in Atlanta are served by the kids at the Y.

Very few people can convince 150 teens and adults to give up a week of vacation to volunteer to serve in the Atlanta heat! But Wesley can and these volunteers come back year after year!

I wasn't able to take the kids to the activities this year. Jackson did snag a ride to the Braves game and I did manage to get all of us to the banquet for about 30 minutes. From all the pictures and stories, it was another successful Mission: ATL!

Loving life with a Sprite and a new Braves hat...
Hey, wait a minute! WHERE ARE HIS SHOES?!?

Gerald recognized Wesley for having the dream of what Mission: ATL could do for the kids in Atlanta.