Beautiful Days

We have been having some incredible weather.  This week's temperatures make it hard to stay inside for school.  Ella couldn't wait until the sprinkler could be put under the trampoline.  We have done this several times this week.   

I love the action shot

Seth would just belly flop

Seth

Ella resting to give Seth a turn

While sitting on the bench by the trampoline, I could see Garrett's tree.  We planted this when he started in Kindergarten.  We could see over the top of it when we planted it.  Now here we are 6 years later.

This is what the big brother does while the little ones jump.  The hammock came out this week as well.  We spend many hours enjoying the cool breeze. 

Everyone is entertained so mom can sit to soak up some sun.  I am also working very hard to read The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo.  This book was recommended by one of the moms at ballet.  Well the novel is becoming very good.  I can't put it down.

It is the first of three in the series.  I think I have my reading planned for the summer.

Days off

I had to add this picture.  We are headed out the door to Taekwondo.  I couldn't get over how big she looks.  We are tyring to persuade her to wear headbands.  AHHH!!  I never knew it would be such a huge task.  Another big first for this spring/summer, flip flops.  She will finally wear flip flops. 

Our days off have consisted of not much.  Yesterday I had several crafts in mind that I wanted them to do.  First, was Is. 53:5.  Everytime I hear "By His Wounds", I just get really still and listen to the words.  I think we take the pain and suffering that Jesus took on our behalf for granted.  We make a mistake and just think or may say "I'm Sorry" or "Oops"  "I didn't mean to do that".  It is so much more than a few little words.

The kids wrote Is 53:5 on their cut out crosses.  Then one by one they rolled a mable in a pan that had red paint.  As we rolled the marble across each cross we listened to "By His Wounds, We are Healed".  It was pretty powerful.  I incluced Garrett's picture since I am so blessed that my 12 year old son will still participate in his mom's crafts. 

Each of their crosses.  It really looks like stripes.

Then onto making the Jelly Bean Prayer bags to give to 2 other people.

There was such team work with Garrett helping Ella.  By this time, Jeff had come home for lunch.  Jeff was amazed with how Garrett so tenderly and carefully taught his sister and helped her.

 The Jerasalem Dinner

I set up the table in the den with pillows to sit.  We had grape juice, crackers, cheese, fruit, dates, and nuts.  I place the white and red candles at the end of the table to represent Jesus on the cross with the two theives beside him. 

The kids were amazed when they came to dinner.  They didn't know what was going on with supper tonight.  We wanted to remember The Last Supper that Jesus had with his disciples on Maundy Thursday.

It was a special night.  After cleaning up supper, we all lined up on the couch together.  Jeff came and washed our feet as we sat still and quiet.  It was a touching moment to see their dad kneeled and so carefully washing our "stinky" feet.

"It was just before the Passover Feast.  Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.  Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love."  John 13:1

Love isn't optional for Christians.  They are to be people who love.  When they love each other in the self-sacrificing way that Jesus loves, non-Christians see how real Jesus is by the difference he makes in their lives.

  I pray that this family is a reflection of that Love.  Oh! Let our light shine.

Yummy!

I promised the boys some sugar cookies last week.  When I started to pull out all the ingredients, I didn't have eggs.( that seems to be the story of my life right now - I don't quite have everything I need)  But today, I had everything I needed.  Seth had a friend over so he joined right in with decorating.

A twelve year old boy still gets excited about decorating sugar cookies, icing, sprinkles and all.

My smiley cute boy who is always ready for a picture.  He understands why this mom wants to take pictures of everything.  He has just decided to do it right the first time and get it over with quick.  HA!

There is nothing like sugar cookies and yummy icing.  

Who Knew??

I saw this on another blog and had no idea.  I had no idea that turning ordinary breadsticks into letters, numbers, and symbols would be so fun.  This was the creation from Garrett and Seth.

 Garrett's design once they finished cooking.  G, a fish, X and Numbers 27 (that's his jersey number)

I made two sets of silly breadsticks.  They dipped the sticks into pizza sauce.  I hear comments like, "We should do this next week."  "Can we have these once a month?"

WHO KNEW???  Silly Breadsticks could be so fun for a 9 year old and a 12 year old.  Go figure!

Another note:

When we were picking up our packets for the race, a vendor was selling Sweaty Bands.  I bought three just to see what they were all about.  I have been wearing them almost everyday at home.  Love them.  Not just for running but a little dressier than a headband.

This is me this morning.

Cool Design

Race Day

I bought three different sizes- thick, medium and thin. 

These are samples from the website

This is the April Pack

Neat design

They are very cool.

sweatybands link to their website

I didn't know there were so many to choose.  They do not slip up.  They stay put. 

Now I can continue to run and be in style.  Ha!  I do not look to be "cute" while I run just finish the miles.

So if I do run a 1/2 marathon with Jeff soon, this may be my inspiration - new sweatybands.  Just thinking about it.   

Ahhh! The Taste of Milkshakes

Last week, we took our spring test.  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday used many of our brain cells.  The boys did a great job.  I think we learned some life lessons from testing last year to testing this year.

So our reward . . .  Chick-Fil-A milkshakes . . .  Ahhh!  So Good

Garrett's order - Cookies and Creme whipped cream but no cherry

Seth's order - Chocolate no whipped cream or no cherry

I won a coupon at the Race for a free milkshake from Chick-Fil-A.  I ordered the new Banana Pudding milkshake.  It was okay.  Very sweet.  I will stick to my cookies and creme from now on.  What a great reward for all the hard work - the boys with schooling and me for training for the race

5 weeks to go and another year will be over.

Love it!!!

Incredible

We were looking over blog post from the very beginning. We found this picture. I thought is would be nice to compare.   Looking at these make me realize I'm not crazy.

Garrett - Age 9 Dec. 2009                      Garrett - age 12 Mar. 2011

In a year and 3 months

This is boy has been doing a little growing



Comparing

almost:

eye to eye

nose to nose

but look at their shoulders - Garrett is higher

Jeff's inseam is 30

Garrett's inseam is 32

We won't tell Jeff.

In these pictures I still see strength, wisdom, power and honor when I look at Jeff.  In Garrett, I see fun, wonder, seeking, yearning, and "little boy".

What an amazing transformation - so big

I know the plans I have for you...

"...For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..." Jeremiah 29:11

"Haven't I command you: be strong and courageous?  Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9
Verses that have spoke to me lately about Garrett and our vision for him.

Long Time Friends

Jeff and I leaving for the couple's wedding shower.

I love getting pictures of Jeff and I together.  It seems that these are the hardest pictures to get.

Jeff and Bradley

These two families have been friends since before either couple had children.  Jeff's parents and Bradley's see each other often.  This friendship is ones of those that just picks up right where it left off even though it has been several years since they have seen each other.  The stories you hear sitting around listening to them talk are great.  Bradley now lives in Florida.  The wedding will be in Florida as well.  Jeff made a point to go to this shower to support him since the trip to Florida will not be happening for us.

Fun Around Here

The craziness of life is taking over my blogging time.  I want to post everyday so that some post will not be just random pictures trying to catch up on everything.  Well here goes the catching up and tomorrow will start doing better.  Seth went to Meme's house to make "Tie Easter Eggs".  I mean that he took men's ties and wrapped real eggs to dye the eggs.  Meme had done this in the past and several ladies from meme's work wanted in on the fun.

Mom helping Seth wrap his eggs.

Finally a smile out of Seth.  He was not very happy at first and couldn't believe his mom would bring him to do this.  He cracked 2 eggs trying to wrap the eggs. 

Papa joined in on the fun.

This is what the table looked like in this project.  A big mess.  There were many steps to this process

1.  Cut ties

2.  Wrap tie strips around the eggs

3.  Wrap gauze around the strips

4.  tie quaze

5.  Cook in crock pot overnight with water and vinegar

6.  Let cool

7.  Upwrap each egg

8.  See your creation

Seth is happy with his work

They are very cool.  The die from the ties come off on the eggs.

Next the traditional egg dying at our house.  This year Seth and Ella joined the fun.  Garrett decided that he was too big but he was the photographer.

Garrett didn't have a choice to paint eggs though.  I found styrofoam eggs to paint. 

He is thrilled.  He thinks his mom is crazy but knows that he doesn't have a choice.  Love him!

Seth with his shutter shades (these crazy sunglasses that my sons seem to think are fashion)

I love watching this girl work.  She takes thinks very seriously.  No mess from her.

We added the letter J-E-S-U-S to each of the eggs that we dyed. 

JESUS gives us new life.  That is what an egg really is. 

Family Tradition

I have come to realize the family traditions that I want to learn from my mom.  I now realize the tradition that I want to pass along to my children.  Seth has always been my make it guy.  He loves to make thinks and do crafts.  Mom and I made mints for a bridal shower.  With the last of the mixture, mom thought Seth would like to try.

The row of mint mom and I had already done.

One purpose of going to the beach

Jeff's mom has always wanted family pictures at the beach.  So this was the weekend, this was the day.  What an accomplishment we were all in one place.  Eleven schedules finally come together.

This is right before we left.  The light is not very good.  My handsome fellas.

All of us walking out to the beach - The moment was truly something to remember.   All of us in one place, dressed very similar and just the fellowship.

Walking up to the beach

Continuing to walk

And walk

Jeff and Ella running on the beach - we were trying our best to make Ella feel very comfortable so she would take pictures

Seth, Will and Garrett

Mallory and Ella

The boys

Walking back - all done

Ella had a blast - she did good - we were all amazed - Cow tails were eaten after doing such a great job

She was giving her daddy a kiss.  At that moment, I flashed ahead about 20 years.  I could see him kissing her on her wedding day.  Such a precious memory.

Can't wait until the real pictures come back.  I hope my pocket book is ready

Already know what my Christmas card will be.