Catch up time…

Well, since this blog is supposed to be my scrapbook and I skipped a few months (argh) let me catch up a little!
We made a rockin’ peacock costume…

Participated in the Literary Parade and made a bat cake…

Riley just had to be a word for the parade, “pitch” --super easy. Ansley had a change of plans the night before, so we went Fancy Nancy’s Pajama Day and put on a new bathrobe. The bat cake was a class project, not my best work but tasty and it got the job done.
We built a scare crow…

This is half of our 4-H club, every year we build scarecrows to decorate the courthouse yard to celebrate national 4-H week.
Riley learned how to write in cursive and I just had to include this…

I love this boy! How sweet is he?
Riley got his new show pig…

“Larry”, because he looks like a Larry.
Ansley got her new show chickens…

“Diamond” because it’s the most precious gem, “Goldie” because it’s the most precious rock, and “Pine” because it’s the tallest tree. –No lie…

Just a quick blurb in the middle—no one will even notice with the fuzzy picture and all but it needs to be mentioned…

Aaron fell through the ceiling Thanksgiving day while, searching the attic for squirrels. Yes, very National Lampoon, I know. He was fine, and nothing but the ceiling and a little bit of pride was destroyed. He repaired it all himself and by the time our dozen guests arrived there was no hole left, although the squirrels are still at large, but we don’t talk about that.

We decorated the perfect Christmas tree form Neilsen’s  Tree Farm…

Sorry, no good tree pictures, but I did make a burlap garland that was super easy and I love it with my old rusty metal star! I’ll try harder with the pictures next time.
Made it through another science project…

This one involved gas mileage and a tune up, perfect for a nine year old boy!
Lost a few teeth…

My kids are the slowest tooth losers ever! We are still working on all the front ones, which is OK because it’s holding the orthodontist off for a little while longer.
And most recently,
Enjoyed sending our little town’s High School football team off to the State 1A championship game at the Citrus Bowl… (thanks for the pics Franne)

Ok, so no resolutions or anything just an honest to goodness resolve to try to do better on posting for myself and my family.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. Matthew 6:19-21

‘Tis the Season…

To try to get the best Christmas card picture ever!

Here are some that didn’t make the cut,

 

I actually really liked this one, but was overruled

 

And Mary said; My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…

Luke 1:46-47

Mugshot Monday…

Then He said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15

Seriously…

This is the outcome when you have two driving children. For years Riley has been the only child who could ride a bike, Gator, dirt-bike, go-cart and most recently lawn mower. Ansley just didn’t have it in her, she didn’t care to and was content to ride along with brother or watch from the sidelines.

Until now… Recently a visit from Uncle JC led to my baby—who still can’t ride a bike, she’s 7—learning to drive the go-cart. We stood back in horror as she nearly toppled everything on 5 acres, including us. She eventually did get comfortable and nearly got the hang of it.

In comes big brother today—“Hey can I ride the go-cart” me “Sure, I’ll be there in a minute to watch”.
Not two minutes later I hear screams and the engine roaring away further and further, but the screams are still close. The screams are coming from the kid who is supposed to be driving. I arrive on the scene to find sweet baby girl careening on two wheels, pulling a fertilizer spreader behind the go-cart plowing directly into a pile of tires by Daddy’s shed, at the other end of the property. First instinct, is anyone bleeding, second instinct—who am I going to beat. Then, with a loud “Seriously!” from under the helmet, I see it...

I see the very same Care-Bear (my childhood favorite) given to baby daredevil on her 1st birthday by Aunt Candace. Cheer Bear was taken for a ride in the fertilizer spreader, pulled behind the go-cart at ungodly speeds by a novice driver, and subsequently wrecked. So sad.

So much for the good old days…

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your good Spirit lead me. Psalms 143:10

Mugshot Monday…

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1

I pray for everybody on the earth…

We have been talking with the kids about their prayers and not making them routine and mechanical but remembering that they are talking to our living Lord who hears them, that this is a real interaction. Usually they mix their words and requests around but Riley always includes the “be with us every minute of every hour of everyday”, which I still think is precious. Last night Ansley decided that she would be sure not to miss anyone.  “I pray for everybody on the earth to be not sick, and every animal on the earth to be not sick, and every person and animal to be OK, in Jesus name—amen” She does a lot of praying for pets and animals. You have to admire her faith!

I went back to work last week in the afternoons. It has been great but I really like being home! We have managed to squeeze in a little fun and Poppa has been keeping the kids entertained with trips to the river for fishing, Dudley Farms, bowling, and pretty much anything the kids wanted to do—even a trip to the dump(thank you Poppa)!
Riley opened a bike shop…

And learned how to jump the ramp…

Ansley had a sleep over…

And made finger puppets…

And like sweet Christy’s house, we had a room arranging--the kids decided to rearrange their rooms, all by themselves and I let them. I must have been out of my mind, but they actually did a great job. Riley’s required no parental assistance.

And finally my island is finished, the one Aaron started building me at Christmas! I have actually had it in the kitchen for a couple months but I just finished painting the chalkboard on it…

Backyard Fun

So, not working during the summer definitely has it perks. Sleeping until at least 7:30, actually reading a book for fun, wearing clothes that could very easily pass for pajamas all day long, lunch that doesn't involve a sandwich, and TV in the middle of the day are all wonderful but there is one drawback No one pays me to stay home with the kids, imagine that. We are always on the look out for cheap fun.
Last week when Riley suggested getting some junky, old visqueen that Daddy had laying around at his shed and make a water slide—I said “Why not?”. It’s free and relatively harmless…

When he suggested eating an entire watermelon, that he himself could practice cutting up--I said, “Sure!” now we can clean up the mess with the hose…

When they begged to stay up all night long, on a Sunday night just for fun. I said—”Of course” what’s more fun than an all night slumber party…

I may not be getting paid but I REALLY am enjoying myself!

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ! Peter 4:9

Mugshot Mondays…

He Himself bore our sins in His body  on a tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed. I Peter 2:24

Kids say the darndest things…2nd Edition

Ok, I know it’s the middle of the day and I should probably be doing something slightly more educational or productive with my children but we have been to tutoring and the library today so I’m not feeling too guilty about playing computer while they watch a little “Good Luck Charlie” as long as I keep it under 30 minutes.

As we are leaving the Library:

Riley: “Hey they might have that book that you wan to read about the hamburger.”

Me: “Huh?”

Riley: “The one that’s a movie, something about a hamburger”

Me: “ The Hunger Games?”

Riley: “Yeah, that’s it”

Coming out of Wal-Mart on a busy evening Ansley drops her apples in the parking lot as a car is coming, thinks about darting back and decides not to.

Me: “I’m proud of you for staying where you were, we can always buy more apples”

Ansley: “Yeah, I don’t want to risk my life for apples, if I’m going to risk my life it should be for something more meaningful, like you”

Awwwwww…

After 45 minutes of planning and gathering materials to build a fairy house together with my Disney Fairy loving daughter.

Ansley: What are we going to do with the fairy house?

Me: I don’t know find a a good place to put it and watch for fairies.

Ansley: But, you said fairies aren’t real.

Me: Yeah, but this is still fun isn’t it, we can pretend. 

Ansley: How long is it going to take?

Me: Honey, I don’t know let’s just work on it and see.

Ansley: Maybe you should just let me believe in at least the tooth fairy then I would be interested in this project. Can I have a snack now?

Ouch! So much for that fairy house.

 

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

Amazing Wonders Aviation 2012

We survived another year of vacation bible school! Yes, it meant for a week straight my normally in bed by 8:30pm children didn’t even hit the front door until 10:00 or later, yes my servant-minded husband worked non-stop at his “real” job all day only to be accosted by 3rd and 4th graders for 3 hours and then pick up van duty, yes in meant braving a tropical storm for the first 3 nights and being trapped in a 12x12 room with up to nineteen 3 and 4 year olds way after their own bed times—but our God is good and we had a wonderful time!

Our theme this year centered around our awesome God and all the amazing things He has done and can do. The kids rotated to different areas like the Great Barrier Reef, Victoria Falls, and Alaska. Eating a full dinner every night, attending mission presentations, making cool crafts and learning about miracles such as the walls of Jericho coming down and  the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ, kept the kids plenty busy.

All our volunteers worked tirelessly to put it all together and serve the 100+ kids that we ministered to every night. We were nervous when the first night we woke up to Tropical storm Debby who didn’t want to leave but parents showed up with kids and volunteers were plentifully. We got a little wet because our two main buildings do not have a covered walk, but what kid doesn’t want to make a mad dash in the rain.

By the 2nd night of rain we added minor building flooding in our old building to our list of challenges, which happens to house my classroom on the low end of the property. No problem, I added a little masking tape to the dry portion of the carpet and gave the kids a special hot air balloon basket to sit in, and keep their bottoms dry!

We had such a good time and saw God working in the lives of the kids and the adults involved. We really do serve an awesome God with amazing power.

Our Lord is great, vast in power, His understanding is infinite. Psalms 147:5