And after several hours of uploading (this will definitely not be a regular thing for me!)....here is what we recorded. Enjoy...
Thursday, June 5, 2008
The new 'do
WARNING - DO NOT SCROLL DOWN IF YOU WANT TO SEE IN PERSON FIRST!!!! (:
(I debated whether I should post these before Sunday when we see everyone, and decided I would go ahead since I will surely forget or get tied up with something else....)
(I debated whether I should post these before Sunday when we see everyone, and decided I would go ahead since I will surely forget or get tied up with something else....)
Kathryn and I went for haircuts after her graduation. Kathryn had 6 inches taken off, and it looks amazing!! Here she is in the chair before the cutting started (since I happened to have my camera with me from graduation):
Kathryn's preschool graduation
My baby is starting Kindergarten next year! This morning we celebrated Kathryn moving from preschool to "real school" next year with her class. Her teachers planned a nice ceremony for the parents, and the show they put on was very cute. Each child gave their mom a carnation and then they stood in line and sang songs they've learned in class. The tee shirts they are wearing have all of the kids' hand prints and all of their names. I took some video of the performance and will try to post it, but I am not the most patient person. I have tried to load a few videos, and have not been able to wait for them to load. I'm sure there is some trick I just don't know yet ... anyway, I'll work on that.
After the program, there was a small ice cream social and then they went on their playground to play in water. Jason was able to go for the graduation part, but went home before water play started.
I was very grateful that Noah's dad and Sarah's dad were willing to take one for the team...they went into the middle of all the kids and got hit with most of the water from the kids' guns. We moms standing on the sidelines still got a little wet, but not nearly as bad as it would have been if those 2 wonderful Dads had not been there!
After the program, there was a small ice cream social and then they went on their playground to play in water. Jason was able to go for the graduation part, but went home before water play started.
I was very grateful that Noah's dad and Sarah's dad were willing to take one for the team...they went into the middle of all the kids and got hit with most of the water from the kids' guns. We moms standing on the sidelines still got a little wet, but not nearly as bad as it would have been if those 2 wonderful Dads had not been there!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Awana awards
Sunday evening, we had the awards ceremony for Awana during evening worship. I have to warn you, these pictures are terrible - I could not get any good shots, so I gave the camera to Jason, but it was after our kids were done with their class things. I'm hoping Jason's Dad was able to get some good pictures - he normally does!
I'm really proud of both Julian and Kathryn. Julian completed his 3rd Sparks book, which earned him the "Sparkie plaque". I think his teacher said that between the 3 books, there are 119 bible verses (some are repeats) that have to be recited - that might not be right, but it's close. So Julian will move up to T&T next year. His Sparks teacher actually gave him a T&T book bag to get him ready for next year.
Kathryn finished her 2nd Cubbies book - I think there are 30 verses in each book, so that means she learned 60 verses! She is so sweet with her verses, because I think she really thinks about them when she says them. Every now and then, out of the blue, she'll say something like, "Mommy, did you know that Jesus loves you?" or"Mommy, did you know that God is watching over us all the time?" She is such an encouragement. She will be moving up to Sparks next year.
Awana has been a wonderful tool for our family, and if our church doesn't have it next year, we plan to find one fairly close to home (church is 30 minutes from us now!) that they can participate in.
I was also surprised with a very nice plaque and certificate from the other workers and from the church for my 2 years of service as commander. I told them after the service that I wish they had told me they were going to do it - I am such a cry baby, and I didn't disappoint! The appreciation from my fellow workers was very nice! I wish I had a picture of them to post...it was the perfect way to end the year.
I'm really proud of both Julian and Kathryn. Julian completed his 3rd Sparks book, which earned him the "Sparkie plaque". I think his teacher said that between the 3 books, there are 119 bible verses (some are repeats) that have to be recited - that might not be right, but it's close. So Julian will move up to T&T next year. His Sparks teacher actually gave him a T&T book bag to get him ready for next year.
Kathryn finished her 2nd Cubbies book - I think there are 30 verses in each book, so that means she learned 60 verses! She is so sweet with her verses, because I think she really thinks about them when she says them. Every now and then, out of the blue, she'll say something like, "Mommy, did you know that Jesus loves you?" or"Mommy, did you know that God is watching over us all the time?" She is such an encouragement. She will be moving up to Sparks next year.
Awana has been a wonderful tool for our family, and if our church doesn't have it next year, we plan to find one fairly close to home (church is 30 minutes from us now!) that they can participate in.
I was also surprised with a very nice plaque and certificate from the other workers and from the church for my 2 years of service as commander. I told them after the service that I wish they had told me they were going to do it - I am such a cry baby, and I didn't disappoint! The appreciation from my fellow workers was very nice! I wish I had a picture of them to post...it was the perfect way to end the year.
Saturday evening
When we got back to the church from the science center, we stopped in at Riley's birthday party for a few minutes and then rushed home to let Lucy out, feed her and get back to the church for the VBS luau.
VBS will begin in a little more than 2 weeks, and this luau was for the workers to get together and have fun. I will be working with the youth this time, which is making me a little nervous. I am co-teaching with our pastor, though, so I'm sure he won't let me mess up too much! I have been working with the children for so long now, I'm hoping this will be a nice change - no nose wiping, and no potty assistance.
VBS will begin in a little more than 2 weeks, and this luau was for the workers to get together and have fun. I will be working with the youth this time, which is making me a little nervous. I am co-teaching with our pastor, though, so I'm sure he won't let me mess up too much! I have been working with the children for so long now, I'm hoping this will be a nice change - no nose wiping, and no potty assistance.
Saturday morning
Saturday morning, we took 6 kids to the Natural Science Center as a reward for perfect attendance for Awana. (14 kids actually earned it, but apparently late May/early June is a hard time to get kids away from soccer and t ball and such). Because we had fewer kids than we expected, we were able to take the church van, which was great for saving gas.
I think I was the only person that had not been there before. There was so much to see, I think I probably could have spent another couple of hours there looking around. I loved the fossil displays - it always amazes me to see the evidence of something that lived so long ago. Jason and I plan to take the kids back sometime, so we can take our time and read the plaques and really look at everything there.
The animal walk area was a big hit too - the meercats were a lot of fun to watch. We got to see the new wolf display, but they were settling in for their afternoon nap, so we only saw them from a distance.
I think I was the only person that had not been there before. There was so much to see, I think I probably could have spent another couple of hours there looking around. I loved the fossil displays - it always amazes me to see the evidence of something that lived so long ago. Jason and I plan to take the kids back sometime, so we can take our time and read the plaques and really look at everything there.
The animal walk area was a big hit too - the meercats were a lot of fun to watch. We got to see the new wolf display, but they were settling in for their afternoon nap, so we only saw them from a distance.
Friday night
On Friday night, Julian's best buddy from church had his 8th birthday party. It was a pool party, so it was THE coolest. Obviously, the kids had a lot of fun - this was their first time in the pool this year. Kathryn stayed on the steps splashing more than swimming, but Julian was all over the place (which is why there are an unfair number of Kathryn pics). Last year for the first time, we realized they just don't make little girl swimsuits for girls shaped like Kathryn. She spent a lot of the time pulling and tugging to keep herself covered, poor thing. We need to investigate - maybe there is a JLo line of little girl bathing suits!
Anyway, Kathryn also got to spend time with her cousin, Riley, who we have not really seen in quite a while. What a handsome young man he is! They played together like they had never been apart - it was really nice to see.
To explain the not great pictures - the face recognition thing on our camera is turning out to be less helpful than we thought it would be. It makes the camera focus on strange things - whatever it thinks is a face, apparently. If you're lucky, it's a face, if not, well, there's no telling what it will focus on! Anyway, we're still learning.
Anyway, Kathryn also got to spend time with her cousin, Riley, who we have not really seen in quite a while. What a handsome young man he is! They played together like they had never been apart - it was really nice to see.
To explain the not great pictures - the face recognition thing on our camera is turning out to be less helpful than we thought it would be. It makes the camera focus on strange things - whatever it thinks is a face, apparently. If you're lucky, it's a face, if not, well, there's no telling what it will focus on! Anyway, we're still learning.
Monday, June 2, 2008
This weekend ...
We had a crazy busy weekend, and I have lots and lots of pictures to post, but I also have lots and lots of work to do today, and hopefully I will be taking Julian to the doctor today, if I can get him an appointment... I just wanted to give a "heads up" to our family that checks in for updates - it's going to be a day or two before I get them up. Please be patient with me :) Here are a few I took last night of the kids and their awards from the Awana award program which we had at church last night...
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
A sad note...
As much as I hate to end this on a sad note, I was very sad to learn that Lucy lost her cousin, Millie, on Monday. As her former foster parents, we are very sad to hear this and sad for Randy and Emily.
I wanted to add one picture to those Randy already posted on his blog. Unfortunately, we really weren't picture takers at the time Millie lived with us, so I couldn't find any of baby Julian terrorizing her (I was probably too busy keeping him from pulling, pushing or climbing on sweet Millie! She was so patient with him...), but I did find this one of Kathryn loving on her (you can see Millie keeping her distance from Lucy - I don't think Millie was ever very comfortable around Lucy).
Memorial weekend
This was not a weekend off for us - we worked! We decided not to travel this weekend so we could get some things done around the house, and boy did we! Our lawnmower had been acting up and Jason spent about 8 hours last week working on it in the evenings and FINALLY got it to run Friday evening (and just in time too - I was this close to making a trip to Lowes to get a new one!). So I FINALLY got to mow the grass Saturday morning. Then I trimmed the boxwoods, and we put new mulch in the front flower beds. It looks beautiful! I didn't think to take "before" pictures until we were almost done in the front and didn't think to take any at all in the back yard, but oh well....
Unfortunately, I got poison ivy or poison oak either from pulling a weed I shouldn't have or from the mulch itself. No one else has gotten it, so I'm betting it was from weed pulling. I vaguely remember a weed that looked like the pictures I found of poison oak online today.
We were both exhausted Monday night when we finished, but I think we were both satisfied with the result. Here are some pictures of the re-mulching and some random flower pictures (you know we couldn't resist!)
Unfortunately, I got poison ivy or poison oak either from pulling a weed I shouldn't have or from the mulch itself. No one else has gotten it, so I'm betting it was from weed pulling. I vaguely remember a weed that looked like the pictures I found of poison oak online today.
We were both exhausted Monday night when we finished, but I think we were both satisfied with the result. Here are some pictures of the re-mulching and some random flower pictures (you know we couldn't resist!)
Trike a Thon
Last Tuesday, Kathryn's class participated in the local "trike-a-thon". It was a lot of fun for the kids, and a lot of exercise for the adults trying to keep up! I must have walked 3 miles around that track!
Julian and Kathryn
I had some time to kill waiting for Jason to finish getting ready for church last week, so we had an impromptu photo shoot....not the greatest, but with such good looking kids, it's hard to get a bad picture! :)
Kathryn's world
We got a new camera a couple of weeks ago, and Kathryn borrowed our old one to take some pictures....here is the view from Kathryn's world:
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
If you get a chance - watch this....
I love watching documentaries. My favorites are science and nature documentaries - and more specifically, those dealing with climate change (f/k/a "global warming"), alternate energy technology, etc., etc.
I came across this one today, and I was blown away. I have no idea how difficult this would be to get in a video store, but if you have Netflix and can watch movies online - watch this if you get a chance:
I came across this one today, and I was blown away. I have no idea how difficult this would be to get in a video store, but if you have Netflix and can watch movies online - watch this if you get a chance:
A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash (2006)
"Produced by award-winning filmmakers Basil Gelpke and Ray McCormack, this documentary examines the world's dependency on oil and the impending chaos that's sure to follow when the resource is depleted. Straight from the headlines, this hot-button topic may represent the world's most dire crisis. Through expert interviews, the film spells out in startling detail the challenge we all face and underscores our desperate need for alternative energy. "
Monday, May 19, 2008
Awana pictures ...
Some pictures from our last Awana club night for this year. (It was pizza party/game night):
Some thoughts on Awana...
Last night also marked my last night as "commander".
I love Awana! It is an amazing program - probably the best I've seen as far as total evangelism, discipleship/training of children and youth. It even goes so far as evangelizing the family of the kids that come to club. Amazing. BUT, it takes a whole church and the commitment and dedication of many, many people to make it work. I am hoping and praying that me stepping down will not stop the program at our church, but I fear it might.
I have been praying that someone would take over - someone that has the "inner fortitude" to take all of the pressure and politics that come with leadership in our church, someone that can stand up for God in spite of opposition. I'm afraid I'm just not that person anymore. I'm worn out. I'm tired of the constant fighting. It's sad to say that I've done the bare minimum for months now, waiting for my "term" to end. That is not good service to God! He deserves my best, and I have not been giving that.
Anyway, it is with mixed feelings that I put this chapter of my life to rest. I am relieved that it is over - Awana has taken a lot of my time and attention for 4 years now. Nearly every Sunday evening during the school year, hours of planning during the week, untold amounts of stress over all kinds of different issues...But, such a blessing. To see 3 and 4 year olds reciting God's Word! To see youth making a stand for God! To see my own son come to know and accept Jesus partly because of what he read in his Sparks book! It is humbling to me that God trusted me to have a part in that.
I have been blessed by the time I got to do this. I will continue to pray for all the young people that I've met through Awana and pray that the Word they have already hidden in their hearts will help them in their Christian walk....
Friday, May 16, 2008
10 years
Before I met Jason, I was in turmoil. I was a messed up young woman, with no clear idea of what I wanted or needed in my life. I was a "baby Christian" - accepting Christ only months before leaving for college. I know now that God guided me to Jason and has used him to set me straight.
I am so thankful in so many ways for finding Jason...and I'm so glad that even after 10 years of seeing each other every day, we still like each other. We have been through our share of adversity - from within and without, but everyday, I choose to love him and he chooses to love me. I think that will have us going strong after another 10 years.
These have, no doubt, been the best years of my life, and I'm looking forward to many, many days to come with my wonderful husband.
Goodness, look how young we were! :)
Monday, May 12, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mothers' Day 2008
When you don't have a mother to celebrate, mothers' day is just not fun. I love my kids, and I love that they get excited about celebrating me, but I imagine this day will always be hard for me to get through. I am thankful for my Stepmom and my Mother in Law - I have really been blessed to have them in my life.... BUT, all of that aside, my wonderful children gave me wonderful gifts that I wanted to share.
They made the hand prints in Sunday School. Each hand has a reason they love me. Julian's says: "Because you let me ride my bike, because you make yummy dinner, because you are the best mom ever." Kathryn's says: "Because I'm nice, sweet and get her a drink (it says "ring"but she told me Ms. Crystal didn't understand her when she said "drink")." Then each made me a card at school...very nice.
But, I have to say, my favorite part of mothers' day this year was the cake - my favorite - hot fudge sundae cake. It was made by Julian and Kathryn. It is not much to look at, but man does it taste good!
They made the hand prints in Sunday School. Each hand has a reason they love me. Julian's says: "Because you let me ride my bike, because you make yummy dinner, because you are the best mom ever." Kathryn's says: "Because I'm nice, sweet and get her a drink (it says "ring"but she told me Ms. Crystal didn't understand her when she said "drink")." Then each made me a card at school...very nice.
But, I have to say, my favorite part of mothers' day this year was the cake - my favorite - hot fudge sundae cake. It was made by Julian and Kathryn. It is not much to look at, but man does it taste good!
Rock, rock everywhere!
Some pictures from our hike through Pilot Mountain State Park...
I'm afraid we went a little over board with rock pictures, but there were as many rock formations in this park as there were waterfalls at the last one. We had a lesson in erosion, which Kathryn seemed unimpressed with. Julian did seem to grasp a little bit what we were saying about those big rocks breaking down, but I'm not sure he can comprehend the time it takes to do it... I'm not sure where we'll go next, but we are looking forward to it.
I'm afraid we went a little over board with rock pictures, but there were as many rock formations in this park as there were waterfalls at the last one. We had a lesson in erosion, which Kathryn seemed unimpressed with. Julian did seem to grasp a little bit what we were saying about those big rocks breaking down, but I'm not sure he can comprehend the time it takes to do it... I'm not sure where we'll go next, but we are looking forward to it.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Crazy weather
Were you up all night with bad weather? I know most of the people that read this are within a few hours of me, so I'm sure you got it just like we did. It was a long night for us, and I am groggy and grumpy this morning from not getting much sleep.
A tornado touched down a couple of counties over from us, and we were under a tornado warning a good chunk of the night. Even now, we're under a flash flood warning. Kathryn woke up sometime during the night, scared because her night light was not working (the power was actually out, but I wasn't going to try to explain electricity to her in the middle of the night). Weather noises are one of the things my "super mommy hearing" does not pick up in the night - but Kathryn crying definitely gets me up.
Thunderstorms normally don't bother me a bit; I love watching them and listening to them, but last night was creepy. I'm glad it's over, the sun is shining this morning, the birds are singing, and when I drove the kids to school this morning, I didn't see any obvious damage to trees, etc. I know not all of our neighboring counties were as lucky. Our weather seems to get more and more extreme, doesn't it???
Here is the news story, if you're interested:
A tornado touched down a couple of counties over from us, and we were under a tornado warning a good chunk of the night. Even now, we're under a flash flood warning. Kathryn woke up sometime during the night, scared because her night light was not working (the power was actually out, but I wasn't going to try to explain electricity to her in the middle of the night). Weather noises are one of the things my "super mommy hearing" does not pick up in the night - but Kathryn crying definitely gets me up.
Thunderstorms normally don't bother me a bit; I love watching them and listening to them, but last night was creepy. I'm glad it's over, the sun is shining this morning, the birds are singing, and when I drove the kids to school this morning, I didn't see any obvious damage to trees, etc. I know not all of our neighboring counties were as lucky. Our weather seems to get more and more extreme, doesn't it???
Here is the news story, if you're interested:
Saturday, May 3, 2008
In training
Today was a quiet day around our house. Kathryn is spending the night (for the first time) with Aunt Courtney and Uncle Billy. It is amazing how this has changed the noise level - no arguing!! I've been studying most of the day, although Julian and I did go for a bike ride this morning - my first in many years! I worked on Spanish verbs, I and think I can finally remember all I was supposed to have learned throughout the semester. Flash cards really help.
Anyway, to the story - Jason and Julian worked on rotating our tires. Julian was an amazing help, and did a good job on loosening the lug nuts on a couple of the tires. I guess it's never too early to learn - it is definitely valuable to not have to hire someone to change brake pads, rotate tires, change oil, etc. Although Julian may regret having this knowledge and being forced to use it - I think Jason does!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Did you know?? Do not call list....
Did you know that you have to renew your registry on the do not call list? Well, not anymore, but if you registered before late 2007... I guess they just passed some law that will make it permanent if you register...anyway, check to see if your registry is up to date:
Tennis
My first exam is tonight - tennis. While I should not be anxious about a tennis exam, I really am. I scored lower than I wanted to on the midterm, so I'm determined to do better on this test. It bugs me that I have to put any time at all into studying for a P.E. exam - I wish my school had for credit only P.E. classes like a lot of universities do, but that just isn't how it is. Tomorrow morning, math is at 8 am and health is at 10 am. I'm glad the time is finally here - I'm as prepared as I can be and am ready to get it over with!!!!
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