1st day of preschool

another year... another great start for my sweet son zach.

he was all smiles and full of energy as he got up this morning and realized that it was a school day. i think he was really excited to ride the bus.

we HOPE and pray he has a great year. i know God will do mighty things with my mighty young man. i pray for the knowledge, speech and friendships to really form abundantly this year for him.

most of all, i pray for God's love to be shown to him and through him...

love you buddy. we are so proud of you!!!




boys being silly before school



w/ daddy!



grammie and logan hanging out...




grandma came to see zach off to school!




grandma and grammie with their little guy...




grammie and zach waiting for the bus




me and my boy




zach all smiles!!!




daddy putting zach on the bus



so so SO excited!!!




bus pulling away! take good care of my boy!!! :)



i think logan is excited to have his mommy all to himself! ha ha ha!!!

yay for rainy days!

yay for rainy days!

yay for my beautiful boys!

yay for staying in our jammies all day!

yay for movies and popcorn parties!

yay for making banana bread and homemade bread!

yay for singing and dancing on the couch!

yay for daddy working really hard so we can do all of this!!!

yay for God making ALL things possible!

YAY!!!


have a wonderful day, everyone!


***please don't judge my appearance, rules don't apply when rainy days appear! :) lol!!!

"...Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God"

Psalm 42:5














these precious blessings bring me great joy and HOPE daily. Thank you Jesus!

hope you all are having a great day!

5 years ago....

today is my boy's 5th birthday.

zachary ryder braatz

he is the most adorable, handsome, sweetest, smartest, humble, and inspirational boy.

we look forward to seeing how God will continue to use him.

we are excited about his continual growth.

we look forward to watching him grow into a man of God.

we love seeing him bring HOPE to others, as he sure has shown us the power of it!

we love you baby! may this day and every day be just as beautiful as you!

happy birthday!


in the hospital with my newborn love


running in ocean with my son, via excellent photography of friend, noelle roberts


my 5 year old

i've got a boy who....

goes poopy on the potty!!!

hooray!!! :)

summertime

wow! it has been a really wonderful summer so far ... and it's only july!

all of the braatz children met up in long beach island for some fun and we had a GREAT time! it was relaxing and we couldn't have had a better weather week.
i'm including some random photos from the week as well as some other photos from the fun we've had thus far...

may you continue to be blessed this summer, remain HOPEful in your journey and praise God for it all...

love you....



me and z on the beach


the thomas's



me and mom. zach took this picture, great, huh?



my silly boys



jason, monique and cutie sophie




zach and me on the beach



grammie and the boys at sunset



mr free spirit



eating ice cream



monique and her girl in the ocean



@ the barnegat lighthouse



being silly with tessa



at fantasy island



on g-dad's shoulders



up in the pumpkin and logan picked the pink one! :)



on a train ride



in the car... zoom zoom



g-dad and boys



my friends robin and michele came to visit for the day... love them!



love this



tessa in all her glory



me, momma and courtney



jer and me on the beach



my handsome hunk



courtney and z



sweet sophie



z splashin in water



all cousins and grammie



all the ladies



logan trying out big boy bed. he did great!



z @ alligator pool



logan - a proud american!