inCourage Book Club

I have begun reading The Fitting Room by Kelly Minter.  So blessed to be reading such a sweet, simple but challenging book. 

The whole book is centered around Colossians 3:12.  "  Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved  . . ."

I have a renewed understanding of what is means to be CHOSEN by God

Being HOLY is about our Hearts - This is a gift that was freely given

I have been set apart for God - I have a certain purpose

Well I have a Father who LOVES me but the best part is that He DEARLY LOVES me

I want to see the things through the lense of God's love

So as I continue to read, I am encouraged and feel treasured to know more about the wonderful God I serve. 

The next part of Colossians 3:12 is about virtues.  I hope God begins to chisel away some things that hold me from exhibiting the virtues that we are going to tackle.

The best part of the Book Club is video meetings are online.  I have enjoyed being taught by the author of this book.  The link to the book club is on the side of the blog.  Bloom Book Club

Summer so far

CRAZY busy at VBS.  We had the Big Apple Adventure last week.  Anyone that has helped during 5 days of VBS knows why I didn't post last week.  We were super busy each day.  This is Ella with her bestest grown-up friend ever.  Trisha, you have a dear little one who adores you.  Thanks for treating her so special.

Saturday, we were out of power for 4 hours so we spent some time outside.  This was Ella attire.  Had to take a picture.  She cracks me up.

We decided to give Jeff his Father's Day gifts. 

Ella was so excited to give him presents.

New trick at the pool

Ella on Garrett's shoulders

Back

Side

They also do a front move. She laughs so hard

This little girl has decided to swim.  She stays under the water more than on top.  She loves to throw the rockets,  rings, pick up leaves for Noni, and just swim.

I love this picture under the water.

Ahhh!  Now we can slow down and enjoy so summer fun



Silly

When you have brothers, this is what happens. . . .

SO PROUD!

Congratulations on being selected to the Bantam A team under direction of

coach Dennis Crothers. 

Garrett We Are So Proud of You!

Looks like we will be seeing alot of this

And This

and more pictures receiving medal like this.

This boy loves the game of hockey. 

Good Friends

Last Thursday, we had several friends over to spend the night and then play the next day.  These are Seth's buddies, Danny and Michael. 

It was so hot outside the boys found the water hose.  They were throwing sponges and wetting eachother.  I went inside to get the camera.  When I came outside, this is what I saw.  I was laughing so hard.

The same night Ella had Marissa over too.  The girls did the sprinkler on the trampoline for their wet fun.  I spent alot of the day in the kitchen.  It seemed as I got one meal fixed, fed, then cleaned up it was time for another meal. 

It is nice to have friends.

Great fun

Not Fun

Ella has been doing alot of swimming.  She learned to go under and jump off the side.  She swims with swimmies and without.  She has turned into a water bug and wants to be in the water ALL the time, everyday. 

Well doing alot of swimming turned out to be not so good.  On Friday, we ended up at the doctor with swimmer's ear.  She woke up complaining about her ear.  She cried and cried.  Well then I realized that she was crying just as much because she had to do to the doctor.  She does not like the doctor.  Thank goodness we went.  We have been doing ear drops two times a day. 

The hardest part has been no swimming for 3 days.  She is having withdrawals. 

Back to swimming today.  She is thrilled.

2nd year Dance Recital

Ella danced in her 2nd Dance Recital.  The show was "Wizard of Oz"  Her class were the flowers in Munchkin land. 

She smiled and smiled the entire dance.  These were at dress rehearsal night.

Third position - look at those feet

Her time to shine - spin

Ella and her family after the recital.

On to mexican for doing a great job.  She loves mexican.  Kinda hard to believe but she asked for 2 enchiladas.  Funny for a 4 year old to like that.

By the way: Tuesday night at the supper table we realized this 4 year old has 2 loose teeth.  She made her mommy cry.  How can this be happening?

OH! The Fun!

There is nothing like having NOTHING to do.  When we have nothing to do we can spend some true family time.  I make a menu each week with breakfast, lunch, snack and supper.  That way the children will eat what I have bought groceries for that week.  I put SMORES on the menu for dessert on Thursday.  They held me to it.

Ella loves doing what the big boys do.   She was very patience and still to let her marshmellow melt.  Ella doesn't like graham crackers so she has invited a new smores - chocolate and marshmellow.  Can you imagine the chocolate mess this creates.  She doesn't care.  She ate two and asked for another.

Seth could eat about 10 smores at a time.  We sat outside until dark.  Caught a few fireflies.  Summer time we love you.  These are the memories I hope our kids will remember one day when they get big. 

Simple.  Sweet.  Fun.

and

Yummy

ps  we have learned that campfire marshmellow are the best for roast over a fire.