How Sweet Is This???

Today Kyle wanted to have pancakes, so I told him to make them. As he was doing just that he told me not to tell Beth what he was doing because he wanted to surprise her. This is how he set the food out.....How sweet is this?

Library Fun

Today we went to see a reptile show at the library. It was really neat! The kids got to touch a python, tortoise, and an alligator. We saw several other things too like a red-eyed tree frog, a couple other smaller snakes, a big frog, and an iguana. Here are some pictures.

A Great Day At Church

What a great day it was having Pastor Petrick preach today! He is such a great example of a Christian that works through problems and with such a great attitude!! It was wonderful hearing some of his testimony; God sure is amazing!

I have to thank Trish for helping Kyle with playing the piano. Kyle was trying to play "Onward Christian Soldiers" but he was having trouble with a couple notes and Trish took so much time with him to help him understand what he should be doing. Kyle and I talked about this one time before today and I was so surprised that he took the initiative to ask her! Trish was so sweet and in my opinion went above and beyond to help him.

It is great to go to a church that has so many people that want to just plain help others.

Happy Birthday Joseph and Matthew!

Happy 5th Birthday Joseph!

Happy 3rd Birthday Matthew

Medieval Times

We went to Medieval Times tonight with the Prodehl's. It was a fun evening.

This is the "Red Knight", that is where we were sitting and cheering for.

A Day Out

I spent today with my Mom, Aunt Sue, and my two sisters at Long Grove. It is an older section of town and has little shops filled with many different collectibles, candles, and tasty treats. It has been a very long time since any of us have been there and unfortunately, it seems to be missing the charm that it use to have, but we all really enjoyed our day together. I forgot my camera at my sister's house, so I took a couple with my phone...if I can figure out how to get them off of the phone, I will post them.

Today I spent the day with my sister, niece, nephews, and my mom. We went to the zoo (yes, again...) My kids LOVE the zoo so much I think if we went every week it would be a wonderful thing to them! After the zoo we stayed at my sister's and let the kids play, had dinner, and spent time visiting. It was a very nice day.

Camp Maverick Pictures

Beth had a great time at Camp Maverick!

Here are a few pictures from Friday when I picked her up.

The Zoo With Kyle

Today Kyle and I went to the zoo together. As I stated in my "zoo post" when Beth and I went it has been many years since I have had only one child with me at the zoo... well, not anymore it was only about 2 weeks ago now. We saw lots of animals, but we didn't make the speed zoo trip like Beth and I did. Here are some pics of our day!

A Phone Call

Well, I got a phone call from Beth tonight. She was very sad and very excited while I was talking to her. I love the fact she likes to be at home so much, but I do hate hearing her sound so sad. She told me she is having fun and got to see Bro. Radx's family and she really enjoyed that. She is in the room with 2 of the girls from our church and two girls from another church and Lisa is the chaperon.

Well, She's Off

Today was the big day!! Beth was so excited about Camp Maverick and as I stayed to watch the bus pull away she was already very busy talking with her friends. Often when the kids are going someplace I will tell them not to have "too much fun" in a joking way because of course I want them to have a good time; today I said this to her and she said, " I will have too much fun but I will miss you too". I am so thankful for the opportunities that our church (and other churches we have come to know) have given my children. I know Beth will have so much to tell me. Last year she said the Chapel times were really working on her heart... it was right after that we talked about it and she surrendered to what ever God wanted. This camp experience is not just for fun, although it is, it is just one more step on a road to serve Him. What a blessing!

Done! :)

I am finished with all of the culottes!!

I would have been finished earlier, but.... I had a slight problem with my patterned fabrics that had an "up" direction only. I have learned some valuable lessons while making these things... Pastor's sermon from this morning.. experience!

I am very grateful to Julie for teaching me with first two pairs. I didn't think I could actually make these and have them look good. (If I do say so myself)

I am also very grateful to Jim because when I messed up the one set of culottes, he did all the running around to try to find the fabric (which he couldn't.. it obviously was popular!) and was SO understanding about my costly mistake.

The Box of Candy

I thought this was funny... not true, but cute.

The kids are sleeping. Kyle was feeling a little better when I tucked him in. He didn't say what was bothering him exactly, but he just felt off and when he up sitting or standing he felt worse. I had "something" yesterday for about two hours, so perhaps we have a really short lasting virus...I don't know.

I worked on some sewing while I was at home: another pair of culottes, attached ribbon to my skirt, and worked on a sleeve issue with one of Beth's dresses. I was hoping to get to some pillows, but perhaps by this weekend I will.

That is all. Have a great night.

Today was all about..... ME!

Today was SO wonderful...and it was all about me!

Today start with a phone call from Jayne...she wanted to be the first to wish me a Happy Birthday. Followed by breakfast and a pedicure with Julie, which of course was such a blessing and I loved EVERY minute of our time together. Thank you so much for showering me with love today. After I came home we did a couple things around the house and I worked on Beth's culottes. Next came a wonderful dinner cooked by Jim: shrimp and chicken on the grill, corn on the cob, and chicken rice. YUMMY!!! They gave me my gift, sang Happy Birthday to me and then we ate a Triple Chocolate cake! Between all this I had several phone calls from friends to wish me a Happy Birthday. Oh and get this... Jim got the kids in the kitchen and they are doing all the dishes from dinner!!! Whooo!! It was a great day!

Gifts Galore!!

Today I was so blessed with many gifts from my friends for my birthday!! I was seriously spoiled and I really LOVED it. Thank you to everyone for making me feel so special today.

He's Back!!

It is so nice to have Kyle home!! The bus pulled in the church parking lot about 7:15 tonight and there were some happy but tired faces. Kyle came over to me right away and gave me a BIG hug.... I am so glad that he still is willing to do that! It sounds like they all had a good time and even with bus trouble everyone is home safe. God blesses all the time.

The spaghetti dinner was a blast. So many people helped to make it happen and I personally enjoyed being able to work!

Well, I have things to finish for tomorrow, so Good Night all.

Library, Swimming, and A Phone Call

Today Beth got her next reward for the reading program at the library. She has already finished at least eight books. Her goal is to finish the entire reading program before Kyle gets home... don't know why exactly... but she thinks it would be fun. She read and I cleaned out a closet.

We also played in the pool... well, actually I stood there and went under a couple times and got out...she played. I did some reading while she continued to enjoy her time. I am taking forever to read this book I have but I am enjoying it.

Jim and I actually talked on the phone for a really long time tonight too... that is something that rarely happens!

And now... it is way past my bedtime. See ya later.

Family Night

Tonight we went out for dinner and played a few games. Beth and Jim won... but I still had fun. It is strange having family night without Kyle, but I realize that this kind of thing is going to happen more and more as he is getting older. Time flies so fast.

Kyle called very late last night and let us know that he got down to Texas all right and is having a good time. I hope to get lots more details when he gets home!!

Mom and Daughter Day

Fun at the zoo! Today was just about her...and she LOVED it!

We usually take a picture of the kids on this lion.. this time I only had Beth...really strange. The last time I had only 1 child with me was shortly after Beth was born and my Mom watched her so Kyle and I could spend the day at the zoo with just the two of us!
One of the kids favorite things to do... smash pennies!
We saw A LOT of birds, but this one is my favorite.
I just like this one.
We thought this little guy was so cute hiding behind the tree! I had her watch the video they have there on one of the babies being born... her comment: that is really gross!
Beth LOVES going to see all the butterflies!!
And every time we go now, she asks to ride the carousel.
My cute little river otter! I took so many pictures of her behind these things!
Stingray Bay is so fun! You should go and feel these things!
And finally, we were very close to this beautiful bird! She is blind in one eye and has been at the zoo for a long time, 30 years she may have said. And I was amazed to find out Leah (that is her name) weighs only 10 pounds!