While at banquet....

Here are some more pictures from our Florida trip! This is very unlike me to post out of time sequence, I'm not sure what has gotten into me :)

There was a banquet the evening before graduation (for banquet pictures click HERE). It was an adult only affair, so my cousin Isaac and my other cousin Jessica's two boys Reagan and Hudson stayed back at the condo with us.

While the parents are away.... we shall play!!!

After everyone left, I prepared a gourmet meal of hot dogs, mac & cheese, grilled cheese, applesauce, bananas and yogurt for the bunch. During the time the kids played on the Wii Fit. Isaac was the one in charge of getting everyone set up on the board and had everyone taking turns. He is such a help!

After dinner we decided to go on an "Exploration Adventure". After everyone agreed to stay with me and listen, we got shoes on. Well, most of us. Hudson said his were too wet and opted to carry them for the trip.

We wondered into one of the other condo buildings and road the elevator all the way to the 12th floor. All the kids enjoyed the view!

Isaac was convinced that the closer they got to the window, the floor started to slant towards the ground :)

We wondered towards the pool and walked the boardwalk that overlooked the pool

Waving "hi" to me from over the water!

Photo Op!

Quinton, Hudson, Reagan, , Easton, Dalton & Isaac

Fun boys :)

THERE we go! The crazies we love.

Holding hands

Next stop, kissing and hugging the "mean guy" statue

Pretending to sleep on the lobby couches

....while Hudson caught up on his "Womans Day" magazine

Fun Mirror

Winding down watching a cartoon, they were all glued - they are so tired!

Reagan

Hudson

Easton

Dalton

Quinton

Isaac

6 boys make for lots of shoes :)

All the kids were in bed at 7:30 and asleep HARD for the night! They had fun playing with their cousins!!!

Amazing Accomplishments!

For the second time in a month, we were able to attend another graduation ceremony! (You might remember the post HERE where Dan had his PhD graduation.) This time I had the privilege to attend my cousin's Residency graduation at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

(for more pictures of the event, click HERE and HERE)

I'm so proud of my cousin, Dr. Philip Dooley!

The actual ceremony was really good. How many times can you really say it and mean that? It was very intimate with about 20 graduates. They spoke highly of their students, and also their wives. It amazed me how personal they were, and spoke highly of the support of their wives and children. How many highly demanding jobs will have their teachers place a priority on family, faith and how well to treat their patients? This group did! If any of them ended up having a practice where I live, I would go to them just because they sounded so amazing from what was said about them!

The ceremony had a great speaker that spoke about some practical life lessons and what the next steps will hold for the graduates. They also honored my cousin as one of three Cheif Residents. I wish I had a copy of the accomplishments they listed he has done. Philip has always been someone that can shoot for a goal, and push himself to do it better than expected. However, he does not have a big head - he has a huge heart! This heart has been (and will be) used in medical missions. Just this past March he took his family to Africa for a month to work in a hospital there. He ACTUALLY cares about people.

They even honored the spouses of the graduates!

After the ceremony they even had cake! My boys were thrilled.

All of the family that was able to attend

We all clean up pretty well :)

Ahhhh, much better. The REAL family!

My Uncle Dan came in from Africa to be the BEAMING proud Dad

(he is a missionary to Kenya). Here he is with his two kids.

Philip with my Aunt Kathleen and Jeff

So proud of their big brother! (Philip, Jessica & Isaac)

Philip and his beautiful wife, Joia

I had to include this picture, it CRACKS me up! Joia put her daughter's headband on Philips head and I ALMOST got a picture of it on his head.

My cousin Jessica, here husband Matt, and their two boys Reagan & Hudson. They live in FL also, but had to also drive 8 hrs to get there!

My Aunt Kathleen, Uncle Jeff & Isaac

Me and my boys. We clean up well! :)

Three blogging ladies!!! My cousin Jessica, myself & Joia!

While I was taking pictures, this impromptu "Ring around the rosie" game was going on. SO CUTE!

Moriah has a few things to say about her Daddy...

"Testing... is this thing on???"

"My Daddy is the BEST Daddy in the world because he LOVES ME! The end, all done."

The kids were looking at the water before our family picture. Aren't they all SO CUTE?!?! Ages are 9,5, 4, 4, 4, 3, 2, &1. It is 7 boys and 1 lone girl!

(I'll post more later about some of the other activities we did while in Destin.)

Both of my parents are one of 7 children. Needless to say, I have a lot of cousins, and most of them have kids too. Growing up I was in between the ages all by myself. On my dad's side, my cousins were older than me and didn't really want me "hanging" out with them. The oldest ones even had kids there were only a few years younger than me. On my mom's side that was the case for the most part. Except for my cousins Philip & Jessica. They are both younger than me by only a few years. I have always enjoyed our times together growing up. (sorry, Jessi, for torturing you!) They lived in Florida so I didn't get to see them as much as I would have liked. We have always gotten along and I am so THANKFUL that Joia keeps me up today via her blog on her and Philip's family. I am also so blessed to be close with my cousin Jessica and we talk, text, email and "Words With Friends" each other.

Needless to say, I am very proud of Philip and what he has accomplished. He has done it while supporting a wife and two children. He has also done it with his belief in God, high standards, and integrity in tact. I am not an ooey-gooey person that likes to talk about my feelings outwardly, but I am VERY proud of him!

Congratulations Philip!

Praying for Eli

Friday I logged on to my Facebook and saw an update from a friend of mine back in Springfield.

It made my heart sink. I sat there stunned. I cried.

This little 2 year old cutie was diagnosed Friday with acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Tomorrow he goes into surgery for his port. He also will get another spinal tap and bone marrow testing. In the afternoon he starts his chemo.

Eli in his hospital bed

Brad and Christy attended church with us when we lived in Missouri. They are those uplifting people that just love God, love their family and love life.

Eli (2), Christy, Ellie (5) & Brad

As Christy wrote her update at a Kansas City Children's hospital 3 hours from their home, I am just amazed by her strength. Not only did she communicate how sad she was, but she also pointed back to our Lord and the strength He has given her and Brad.

Eli and his Mommy

They have had to step away from all that was familiar to them in order to get a diagnosis for their son. This includes not being able to be Mom & Dad to their little Ellie. Thankfully they have family that has been able to support them and help with Ellie.

Big sister Ellie, Brad & Eli

"Why do I post this?" You ask?

PRAYER

Please pray for Eli. Pray for his parents. Pray for his sister. Pray for their family. Pray for their doctors.

"I don't know him." That is ok. They would love your prayers anyways!

I asked Christy what are her top needs at this time. She said "Right now there seems to be a million things to pray for, but mostly we are praying for a complete healing of Eli's body, and for us to stay strong as a family. There have already been so many hard issues we have had to deal with in just the past three days, and I know there will be so many more in the days to come. But thankfully through all the prayers we are feeling God's peace. "

Look at this little guy! Such a trooper!

They have hope to go back home in a week and continue on with his treatments there.

If you would like to have your little kids pray for him and send him a drawing (or even send his sister a drawing), their address is:

Brad & Christy Tree

5356 W. Josh St

Springfield, MO 65802

If you want to join the "Praying for Eli" Facebook page for updates and prayer requests, please click HERE.

Thank you,