Pinwheels and Beryl

So it’s possible with tropical storm Beryl and an impromptu day off from school today I may have had a little too much time on my hands. I have been obsessed with pinwheels and with all the extra time I got to work in between the infinite piles of laundry.

I also just started a pinterest account. I know, I know hasn’t everybody done this already! I don’t even have facebook. I have been a “pin stalker” for a few months just looking for something when I was in need. My argument has always been, I don’t have time. There are days I don’t take time to study my bible (o me) why would I want an additional time waster on the computer, when so many things compete for my time now! Well, although interesting-- so far pinterest has become just what I feared. Although, I have used two recipes and even completed a couple projects…

but do I really have time for all this “creativity” when my playroom still looks like this…

Do I have time when I still don’t get to bed before midnight and my sink always has some form of dirty dish lingering? Probably not. The tropical storm is all but gone and my car will be repaired tonight, so it’s back to reality and real life time, where the dishes still aren’t done, my house is well lived in, and there is always a project waiting. Then the newness and fascination of pinterest will wear off and all will be right with the world. Right?

I acknowledged my sin to you and my inequity  I have not hidden, I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave me of my sins. Psalms 32:5

Camp-out Party 2012

OK, so first of all the camp out party was a huge success. Six sweaty boys and one little sister ran around our property like crazed monkeys hopped up on candy and soda—what more can you ask for when you are a 9-year-old boy! Secondly, sweaty boys running like maniacs DO NOT want their picture taken and you are the lamest mom in the world if you try to take their picture. So, the memories will have to live on in our minds, and not so much through the lens of my camera.

Nevertheless, this was by far one of the easiest parties ever, thanks to my son’s “super coolness” he did not want goodie bags, or decorations, or anything remotely crafty or cute. We had camouflage bandanas (made by me), LED flashlights and glow sticks from the dollar tree, and lots of candy that was left over from sister’s Rainbow Party last month. He wanted pizza, chips and an awesome cake by Aunt Candace.

Top it off with s’mores and a scavenger hunt and you have a rockin’ camp out birthday.

The scavenger hunt was a lot of fun. We had to wait for it to get dark and out here in the country dark is dark, so they had to rely solely on their flashlights.

There first clue led them to my favorite part, 30 balloons blown up or filled with water and hung from a tree—wish I would have got a picture! They had to bust all the balloons to find their next clue. It was quite a sight to see them all jumping to get the balloons and screaming when a water-filled one would break. Amazingly, they did not find he clue until the very last balloon was popped! After several more puzzles and a short trip through the woods they found their treasure a bag full of silly string (but again would not allow me the joy of taking pictures).

They ended their night in the tent and were apparently serenaded by our new cat, all night long. We finished off the party with showers, then pancakes and ice cream for breakfast.And a good time was had by all.

  no children rode off our property in the back of a truck—this was strictly for gathering fire wood, but it’s the only picture of smiles I could get!

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

I remember when…

when my big boy was my baby boy. Riley has always been just that, ALL boy. He prefers being outside and dirty to just about anything else. He loves to ride his dirt bike, rope goats, and play sports. He is a great kid, with a fun sense of humor, and just like me not everyone gets it. He loves his Daddy and even if he is just sitting  in the back of a truck in the middle of a field watching Daddy work, that’s where he wants to be. He asked Jesus into his heart last summer and made me more proud than I could ever expect to be of his report cards or trophies. Riley, like Daddy, is a hard worker and will do anything that is asked of him to the best of his abilities. I love that his sister truly is his best friend, even if as he gets older we don’t spread that fact around. He is smart, and respectful. And although I anticipate seeing the Godly man he will become I miss my little chubby cheeked, single dimple boy with the high voice. This edition of I remember when is dedicated to my big boy on his 9th birthday!

1st birthday!

2nd Birthday!

3rd Birthday!

4th Birthday!

5th Birthday!

6th Birthday!

7th Birthday!

8th Birthday!

We have a camping extravaganza planned for this weekend to celebrate #9. As I watch Riley grow and mature in Christ, I am humbled that I get to be his mom…

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

Mugshot Monday…

Guess what I got for Mother’s Day?

(You gotta make this picture full-size for the grand effect!)Too bad I didn’t get a picture of the rest of the “make over”.

 

As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; and you will be comforted over all Jerusalem. Isaiah 66:13

Kids say the darndest things… 1st Edition

Ok, I love to read what other people’s kids say and being a preK teacher I hear all kinds of interesting things on a daily basis. My home is no exception, I thought I would share some of the conversations that I have had this week with my own kids…

Me (screaming across the house): “Ansley, please check if we need to buy cat food!”
Ansley: “How?”
Me: “Just look in the bucket and see how full it is!”
Ansley: “I think we should buy some because it’s only a quarter or a dollar of the way full.”

Riley: “What bag are we taking to the zoo, can you put my money in it?”
Me: “Of course, put it in my wallet inside the flower bag”
Riley: “You really need a panty bag to hold your money”
Me: “Huh?”
Riley: “You really need a panty bag”
Me: “No son, I heard what you said,  what in the world are you talking about?”
Riley: “You know one of those little square bags that you wear around your middle”
Me (choking on my Cheerios): “ Son, that’s called a fanny pack”
Riley: “Oh yeah, one of those.”

Me: (while watching Chronicles of Narnia): “Now the lion represents God, the kids aren’t trusting in God right now so he isn’t showing himself to them just like when we go our own way…(insert ridiculously long theological lecture)”
Ansley(seconds later): “When will Avalanch (the lion) come back?”
Me: “No honey, his name is Aslan and he represents God…(right back into the mommy speech)”
Ansley: “Oh right, So is Avalanch a good guy?”

Ansley: (we’re still watching that movie): “Catapults are so 90’s, I can’t believe that’s their go to weapon”
**note—still too young for this movie

He has made everything beautiful in it’s time, He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they can not fathom what God had done from the beginning.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

Baseball 2012

SVL Rookie Ball

The Chargers 2012

Riley played baseball this year for the first time. He played T-ball but last year he didn’t want to play at all. So, for the first time ever he was the “big” kid on the team, but had no experience. He quickly caught on and ended the season with one of the highest batting averages on the team.  He had an awesome time playing and improved his skills—we can’t wait for the Minors next year!

He played catcher and was a natural, he had no fear of a 40mph ball coming at him.

The “old men” of the team

Last game—he hit an amazing homerun and got the game ball!

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. I John 3:18

Spring Break

So, this year our “spring break” was actually a spring “long weekend”. Not really sure how that happened but it is what it is. We were fortunate enough to have our cousins from Iowa visiting so we were able to have all the “spring break” fun we needed right here at home!

We stayed up late and had photo shoots!

We ate LOTS of s’mores!

Spent many hours playing at the river!

and took a trip down the Itchetucknee!

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27