Oh. You know, just another day in paradise. ⁣
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Three years ago, I informed my crew that we would be taking a picture EVERY Sunday morning on our way out to church. They were thrilled. ⁣
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We still going strong. ⁣
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#elrodssundaybest

Who doesn’t love a surprise? I mean, especially if you are the one knowing and surprising. Well, there’s this one thing we are intentional about with each family adventure and I know you will love it too!

Over the years in traveling with our kiddos, we have made a point to leave a few destinations or pits stops off of our travel itinerary. I know, so simple. But, this one thing has made for some fun surprises and great memories!

We set aside an entire week for exploring our way through Florida. With a destination set, I begin searching for the perfect secret places to add along the way. Right outside of Alabama’s capital, I found the most unique place and with zipped lips, kept this little gem hidden from my entire crew. It was one of the highlights of our entire trip. As we drove down back roads and crossed waters and bridges, the suspense was growing. Even my map savvy man couldnt figure it out… It wasn’t until we parked that my family realized we had landed on the movie set of Big Fish in the little Town of Spectre. We had the best time exploring the grounds and were making plans to return before we ever left. It was such a dreamy place with room for your imagination to run wild. The real struggle was trying to leave without packing in a few of the baby goats, that ran wild over the grounds, to take back home. My Josie Cole was in heaven trying to catch up with one of these babies and give it all the love she had… so glad I captured the moment.

Since the girls got their very own cameras, we have made a point to document more of our adventures, both big and small!
So excited to have finally got around to putting a lot of our travel clips to video. And of course, to free up some space for capturing more adventures… lol! Literally, at this moment, I have over 20,000 photos and over 2,000 videos on my phone alone!

So! go check out our vlogging videos! So much fun. We want to set fun and intentional examples that our kids will not only treasure but also want to continue with their own children one day.

This road trip, we hit the road with three goals… make it to Key West, hit some National Parks and make some great memories together as a family along the way. I can report, we met our goals with great success.

First Bible quizzing match of the year. and I am treasuring this photo. I don’t know what I love most about it… my girl’s excitement, tender words to the Father or outstretched hands in accord. Thank you, Lord, for people who love my daughter and believe in sowing Truth into her tender young heart.

This is her third year to quiz and each year she amazes me with her ability to read chapters, memorize scripture and study whole books of the Bible. The whole experience has been a family affair allowing us to learn alongside her each week.

Today, my Josie got a perfect score and recited FOUR scriptures by memory! My heart is overflowing. This is her first quizzing match, since she began quizzing, to complete both rounds without missing one ~ so exciting! She was so proud and I do believe she understood the magnitude of her efforts.

I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11

My man, everyday rocking my world and giving life to my dreams.
Me, sporting the high tops and well… unashamed.
My little man, making my heart burst at the seams. I about can’t handle his big arms and tender heart.
My baby girl, growing into this brilliant beauty soon to be my very best friend.
My Josie, like my coffee… good to the last drop.
I share my life in these squares not to boast of my own doings but only that of which Christ has done and is doing through me.
Me and my God know the cost of these frames. I give Him all the praise and glory. Amen?! Amen.

There’s a song… before you flip on through, read over if you will. It stirs my heart every time. Maybe you can relate.
…the cost of our praise.

“The room grew still as she made her way to Jesus
She stumbles through the tears that made her blind
She felt such pain
Some spoke in anger
Heard folks whisper
“There’s no place here for her kind”
Still on she came through the shame that flushed her face
Until at last, she knelt before His feet
And though she spoke no words, everything she said was heard
As she poured her love for the Master from her box of alabaster
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
And I’ve come to pour my praise on Him like oil
From Mary’s alabaster box
Don’t be angry if I wash His feet with my tears and dry them with my hair
You weren’t there the night that he found me
You did not feel what I felt when He wrapped His love around me
And you don’t know the cost of the oil in my alabaster box
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I can’t forget the way life used to be
I was a prisoner to the sins that had me bound
I spent all my days
And poured my life without measure
Into a little treasure box, I thought I found
Until the day when Jesus came to me
And healed my soul with the wonder of His touch
So now I’m giving back to Him all the praise He’s worthy of
I’ve been forgiven and that’s why I love Him so much!!”

Tell me! Do you sing the song of the redeemed?

TOGETHER

From day one this has been our standard. Even during the really, really tough seasons, weirdly, this togetherness has never changed. Our faith, our traditions, our childhood, our parents, our struggles, our anchors, our disappointments, our celebrations, our desires… they all played a role and made this priority. Our together has come easy and it also hasn’t come without a fight. It’s been a while, but this is my #elrodssundaybest ♡