Been Missing You!

So, things have been very busy here... as you can imagine.

But, now it is summer. We are all done with school and we are ready for some summer fun. Aaron completed 4th grade. Dave completed 2nd grade. Sam completed Kindergarten. I completed another year of Preschool. :)

I look forward to updating you with our summer adventures and our plans for the upcoming school year. There are going to be some changes for the next school year, but before I get into all that I want to have a little summer fun.

(This picture is from a visit to McGee Gardens in Vero Beach, Florida. They had a dinosaur exhibit this spring. Run for your lives!!!)

Eight Is Great!

Come on in!

Boys! Hurry up and let's get the house ready for all the bloggers on the Christmas Tour of Homes. I'll need your muscles! Okay, bring the Lego Advent calendar into the hallway. Set it up next to the Advent banner and our little nativity scene from Grandma. Who is going to open the little window? Okay. Now that Dad has the tree in the stand, how 'bout some Decorating Super Heroes? While you guys do that I am going to put my little Santa on the piano.

I'm going to look for the tree skirt while you get the new train going, Sam.

The tree skirt is under the tree and I put a little snowflake ribbon on the tree. I think the tree is ready! Aaron, will you set up the kids' nativity scene in the living room?

Here is the North Pole scene for you to put up, Dave and Sam.

Hey, kinda looks like Santa and the Baby Jesus were neighbors...

Sam, I brought this new Playmobile nativity from my classroom. Will you put it on the lamp table in the living room?

Aaron, will you add these cards to the card holder? Here are a few new signs to hang.
Aaron, when you are done with that book please put it in the Christmas book bin.

Dave, put the Christmas stuffed animals in the basket.

Sam, let's find a place to put your Jesus candy cane. And how 'bout Aaron putting the wreath on the door? Everybody outta the dining room... breakables!
We're going to need some treats on that new Santa plate, Dave.

Our guests might enjoy a chocolate cupcake with chocolate ganache and white chocolate cream cheese peppermint frosting. Okay, I think we are ready. Honey, will you turn on the outside lights? Let's welcome our guests. Smile, boys!

Merry Christmas, Friends.
May the love of Christ warm your hearts

this Christmas and all year!

Christmas Tours Past...

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

Post-Christmas 2008

Start Your Engines!

Sam is home from school today with a fever. His fever broke early in the day, so we've had a relaxing afternoon. I knew he was feeling better when he asked for a lunch and some XBox. I even offered to play. Now, how come I am the one with the driver's license, but he wins every racing game?! The last game I was having such difficulty even keeping the car on the track that he offered to wait at the finish line for me. After a few minutes he politely suggested that he finish the race for me!

Pastor's Kids...

So, as Sunday Morning Worship protocol goes, whom should you discipline first? The boy fashioning his worship bulletin into a twisty "screwdriver" to be used in an attempt to disassemble the pew OR the boy silently strapping on your chunky bracelet and "webslinging" pews 1 through 5?

Ashes...

Last Wednesday was Ash Wednesday- the beginning of Lent. As part of the Ash Wednesday service ashes were applied to our foreheads to remind us of who we are. And just who am I?

Here are the words from the bulletin,

Created by God ("Remember that you are dust..."),

Mortal ("...and to dust you will return"),
On a journey of conversion ("Repent and be faithful to the Gospel"),
Part of the body of Christ (the smudge on our foeheads proclaims that identity to others).

I took a picture of each of my boys with thier foreheads marked with a cross of ashes. I think I'll keep these photos for just those days when I need reminding that my boys are on loan from God and that Jesus died to take away thier sins. (Mine, too.) Hard to get all worked up and upset with my child of God, isn't it? Exactly my point! (Eternity with these clowns is going to be very exciting!)

May it always be evident that we are part of the body of Christ even when the "smudges" are gone.

I'm here...

Really I am. Ever feel like you are spinning the plates and spinning the plates and... Well, I know you get the picture. In addition to the packed life we lead I have started leading a Beth Moore Bible study (Esther) and I've been substitute teaching a bit.

That, and the cleaning lady quit. ;)

These pictures were taken at a recent afternoon with some family friends and their go-cart! Here is A going for a ride.

Our friend, S and the helmet to protect his head...

D loved it! But you knew he would!

Now in order to get a ride, you had to wait in the little chair. And that rule applied to EVERYONE...

Headache?

The boys recently started a new season of baseball. S is playing t-ball on a team and D and A are playing baseball on a team. Last week S and I were sitting in the stands and he asked for a treat. We wound up with a bag of popcorn. When the older boys finished their practice D came over and asked, "Did you get that at the concussion stand?"

Makes My Monday: No Training Wheels!

I'm cheating a bit here because usually Makes My Monday is one photo that "makes your day". Well, I couldn't resist putting up three pictures today because this past weekend all three boys gave up thier training wheels. All three boys on the same day! How cool is that?!

For more Makes My M0nday fun, head over to Cheryl's blog, Twinfatuation!

Look Who Turned 7!

While I've been on a bit of a bloggy break, my D turned 7! We celebrated with a trip to a local water park. (Only in Miami...)

Pizza and cake...

And presents!

He is still THIS excited about his birthday! May God grant you a fabulous year, D!!

New Year's Eve Pajama Party

Happy New Year! We rang in the New Year with lots of fun.

We started our evening with a worship service at church and then we got ready for our New Year's Eve Pajama Party.

We started with a little carpet picnic and movie. The boys love a big plate of lil' smokies, carrots and dip, mini quiche, cheese and crackers...

Then we enjoyed some board games. Operation, Clue Jr. and Tumblin' Monkeys.

We even had a little target practice with A's Nerf gun and board.

We finally had some time to put together our gingerbread house.

Right before midnight we "counted down" as the ball dropped in NYC and then we ran out to the drive way to light sparklers.

We finished off the evening by "camping out" in the family room.

A Blessed New Year to all of my "bloggy friends"!!