Back from the lakehouse...to reality

Here I sit at the computer again...printing things off for the shop work that I do, listening to the Gospel Hiway, waiting for the dryer to stop, listening for the war yells of the kids, drinking cup after cup of coffee...back to reality after a weekend of sun, water, sand, campfire, yummy food, golfcart rides, walks, and just sitting around with family. It was a full time of odds and ends on no time limits! I sat and worked on a project on the deck...sat at the lake (and pool) and read a good book (still reading) and browsed through magazines...snacking on chocolate covered peanuts and licorice (great snacks that only require one hand!)
The lake is the one place I feel that I can sit and do nothing and not feel guilty about it...there is no reason to have to be busy all the time...it is a place to relax and just be together as a family...and do whatever whenever! This weekend, the guys put in the dock and cleaned up the boat. We will look forward to dropping the boat and cruising around the lake soon. The water in the lake is already nice and warm...doesn't take long since it is so shallow! The pool, on the other hand, is frigid! The kids got in yesterday and I was waiting for them to turn blue! The air temp was warm and humid...but not enough to stay in the pool for longer than 30 minutes.
Today is a day to catch up and just be home...the kids play with their toys better after being gone. They also have Teddy's birthday things to amuse themselves with...and a new DVD of Mr. Ed and Lassie to watch. Ahh, the pleasures of summer...even makes reality enjoyable for the moment!
It is always nice to come home...and enjoy the smell of clean laundry and the freshly brewed coffee.

Happy Birthday 4 Year Old!!!

This little guy has turned into quite the character! He gave me heartburn before he was born and now he giving us lots of laughs! I wish I could play the sound of his laugh on this particular occasion.
I watched Teddy walk around yesterday and today with his pop rocket launcher thing- a -ma- bob from Daddy and his rocket balloon pump from Aunt Mari's clan and just shook my head...where does the time go?
I remember the night we went in to get ready for his birth...he made his appearance at 10;05 am the next morning and immediately my heartburn stopped! Now I find my heart does little flip-flops when I watch him do something for the first time, watch him fall, watch him mimic his Daddy, watch him play, watch him help his sisters, watch him be a friend, watch him with his grandparents and uncles and aunts, watch him play with Chevy...he has grown up so fast! I am so proud of my husband and the time he spends with our son...for that has made him the little boy he is today...and my heart does another flip-flop of thanks to the Lord for giving Teddy to our family four years ago!

Miss Alisa's special flower

I told Alisa we would write about her special flower! She persevered to receive the prize...she won the quiet seat prize in the Wednesday night children's program at church. Our little wiggly, chatty daughter made up her mind to win it...mind over matter...nothing mattered but that flower...not even a potty break! oops! I am proud of her desire to do right even when there isn't a prize! She is soon to be our big 5 year old...and all ready for kindergarten!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

We went to the parade this morning with Grammy and this is all the loot! Our street is at the beginning of the parade route and they through tons of candy...and other misc sundries. The bag probably weighed at least 10 pounds! Our favorites this year...the firetrucks and Chester the Cheetah...he was handing out bags of Cheetos!!! We have enough sugar to fuel this family for the next year...we didn't even get through last year's stash!
The rain held off till after we got home...now it looks like it will pour all day and all weekend! We are waiting for Daddy to be done with work...then we get to enjoy some family time!!! Hooray!!! Our next big event...Teddy's fourth birthday!

Animal Crackers...more than a snack!

The kids always need a mid-morning snack. We go through spurts of what they like to munch...the past week or so (it was a big bag!)...we have been eating animal crackers again. The K5 graduate had them lined up for counting and sorting...then asking her siblings what each one said and what it was called...If I read between the crumbs, my guess is that she will end up being a teacher! She has the natural ability...and the bossiness of the older sister...hmmm, sounds like her mother...right, Mari!?

Wedding pictures

Congrats to Terry and Deana! It was a beautiful wedding. God's timing is always perfect!

Congrats to Paul and Carma too! I will try to post a picture of their beautiful wedding at the chapel.

Weekend pictures

One fish, two fish, three fish...
Daddy's helpers!
A pizza picnic after swimming..."this is fun, Mom and Dad! Can we do this again?"

The strawberry plants survive no matter what!

The blossoms are out on the strawberry plants. If they can survive the squirrels, birds, dog, and kids...we might get a handful of berries. The plants look healthy, but have never been great producers of fruit. It is time to go pick strawberries and make yummy freezer jam! The strawberry festival will be in a week or two. It is a simple pleasure to get excited about...but there is something fulfilling in the whole process of picking, tasting, washing, tasting, crushing, tasting, cutting, tasting, and cooking something so yummy! Grammy will be done with school this week...I am feeling a "field trip" coming on!

Welcome Summer Vacation!

Last Friday was Ashlynn's last day of school...they had a party! Then we took off for the WI wedding of Ted's friend...thus began our summer plans!

We shall look forward to the fall when Ash will be in first grade and Alisa will be our kindergartener! I wonder what the class bear's name will be? Ash's class called their bear "Ima Helper" and she got to bring her home a couple times. Ima graduated too and will move on to first grade...cute idea!

It is a beautiful day again today...with rain in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow.

I have locked the kids outside (naughty mommy?)...the in and outs have started and I am not dealing well with that. I know all the aunties are chuckling under their hands at me...I know "been there done that"! Any ideas to combat that? Maybe I shall consult Mrs. Piggle Wiggle...our favorite read this week.

I guess it is snack time!

Party time...thank you everyone!

It was a family affair!

Can you see where you are going? Ok, ready... set... go!
It is over Mom...can we go eat dessert?
My favorite Kindergarten teacher!
Daddy is so proud of you! You did a great job when you did your part!
Grammy and Grampy came for Ashlynn's special night...we couldn't keep them away if we tried, right Dad!

K5 Program and Graduation

This is the day we graduate.
This is the day we graduate?
This is the day we graduate!
Little Polly Flinders couldn't help Little Bo Peep find the sheep because "I just got a spanking".


Diploma time!!! What do I do with this now? Use it for a telescope? Microphone? Whapper?

And...we ate cake!

MMMM...marble cake with french vanilla filling! I love the flavors! We will put the rest in the freezer for when we get home from our trek to WI for a wedding! Have a great weekend...we will finish the graduation post next week!

Thank you Mrs. P for a great year!

It is official...Ashlynn graduated from K5! Mommy didn't even cry because I was too busy taking pictures...didn't really have a chance to think about what was happening! I can say I was proud of my girl...Daddy is too!

Awana Awards for 2007

We were so proud of our children last night! They sat and listened so well to Pastor's challenge. Of course, he used two object lessons! One of which was a helium filled Elmo balloon that was a prize for the best listener! They marched up to get their book awards. They behaved so well during the fellowship time downstairs afterwards. The hard work really does pay off...and we saw evidence of it last night! It was fun to watch them get their ribbons...and Teddy finally got his Cubbie bear for his vest!!!

Just like Pastor's illustration to the parents...we hold tight to our children and teach them and guard them, as they get older, we give them a little more freedom but we still have hold of them...and finally, we let them go and trust that they have learned and will do what God expects of them. Pastor held tight to the balloon, then held it by the string, and finally cut it loose to float to the ceiling. All the kids gasped...I sat there with tears in my eyes...what a picture! Praise the Lord for a good church that stands there to support us in this most important job we have! And a big thank you to the Awana leaders!!!

Our Kindergartener is going to graduate!

I took this picture on the first day of school 2006...and here we are at the end of K5 already! Preparations are underway for tomorrow night's celebration...I just put a cake in the oven...mmm! Ashlynn's first concern at every meal is "what is for dessert!?" So in her honor, we shall all eat cake after the evening's festivities!
I find myself looking back at the year...wondering where it went! Each morning trying to get everyone to cooperate and "just get in the van!" thinking "how many more days of this?". And then the realization...15 years of taxi driving...or less if we trust them to drive to school when the time comes.
For all the times I was unthankful that my kids weren't kids to sleep in till 8am or so, I am doubly thankful now that we have hit the school years and that is one fight we don't have...getting out of bed! (I am the only one that has to talk myself up each day.)
Our little five year old is almost six! Kindergarten has seen Ashlynn blossom. She has matured physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. She has learned to read and write. She has caught on to math and adds numbers all the time. She is a great helper to her mom and many others. Her understanding of spiritual things is growing. There so many areas that I have seen Ashlynn grow in...and I breathe a sigh of relief and thankfulness to all those who have an impact on my daughter's life!
Tonight is Awana Awards at church. Ashlynn learned many verses and completed her Sparky book! Alisa and Teddy also finished their books. I love to listen to them say their verses, sing the songs, and retell the stories they have learned in Awana and Sunday school. Our prayer is that they will each come to the realization that they must ask Jesus to be their Savior...while they are young. We appreciate those around us who help us to teach and train our children "in the way that they should go"!

The backyard gets a couple new flower beds

The backdoor gets a little dressed up with a pot from a garage sale! I love the urn style planters...simple but dressy too.
I have left space between the patio doors and backdoor, because eventually there may be a little patio area...maybe some bricks for the table and chairs to sit on...we keep killing the grass there anyway. There is a gentle rain falling today to give everything a nice welcome to their new home! Mom and Dad gave me the two pots of hot pink geraniums...I may keep them in the back yard for a pop of more color!
My little pansy pot...stay away Chevy, stay away squirrels, stay away chipmunks, stay away snakes...and kids!!!!

Mistress Kari's garden is growing

My clematis loves this weather! The clumps of daisies now adorn the front tree...I still have two huge clumps and they are spreading.

We now have a usable front porch again!!! The steps went on yesterday...the hottest day on record for this time of year...92! We were outside ALL afternoon...it didn't seem that hot because there was a beautiful breeze and no humidity! AHH...spring! We ended our day with hamburgers on the grill and baths/showers all around...and fell into bed exhausted! (I hurt!)

I dug up and moved and replanted everywhere...but the front of the house...a load of dirt is going to be brought in to fill in around the front of the house...so I had to move my plants that I have babied for the last few years. Everything is coming in so nice...it is time to divide and spread around the yard. I have chosen the colors of hot pink and purple for the color scheme this year. (notice the snake in the planter...the neighborhood squirrels will not stay out...time to resort to cayenne pepper again!)

Happy Day to Me

A bright and cheery Mother's Day! Thank you to my darling husband and sweet children for the special gifts and cards! The kids even had a song for me, "Mother's Day Is Coming!" I believe the author and arranger was Ashlynn! They loaded me up with lots of hugs and kisses too!
Ted and Teddy picked out this wonderful smelling set from Bath and Body Works! MMMM, I am smelling fine! While walking through the mall together, Teddy told his Daddy that "there are too many people here!" Two peas in a pod...

A New Old Toy

How to entertain the preschool crowd when they are unwilling to go outside and play (following the trauma of two snakes in two days)...pull out a new "old" toy! We stopped at a garage sale and they saw a lite brite set for sale and I remembered I had one in a box. I am not convinced that they are ready for a free reign with it, so I supervised and showed them the how to. It is good for fine motor skills! Letter recognition! Color words! They were super diligent for about a half hour and then lost interest...tinker bell never got her legs. Maybe next time, they will be able to finish the picture!

"I think I like grace"

The other day was not a very good one and I didn't have the where-with-all to ignore the mocha moo latte that was calling my name. So the girls and I went to DQ on the round-about-way home. The girls really didn't deserve a treat, but I surmised that it would be cruel for Mommy to get something and savor it in front of them. I told them that I was showing them grace and mercy and would order a cone for them. Ashlynn asked what grace was. I...said..."it is unmerited favor...uh, (come down to the 5 year old level)...uh, grace and mercy is what Mommy is showing you...it is something you don't deserve!" The kind lady handed us our ice cream and we were on our way, and I heard Ash say, "I think I like grace!" Thank God for His grace and mercy in my life! I think sometimes I forget to show it...practice it...teach it to my children. It was a perfect opportunity to tell the girls once again about what God has done and continues to do for us!

What a reminder for this mother...from a squirrel!

While eating supper Monday night, I saw something fall past the backdoor, so I nonchalantly got up from the supper table to see what it was. A baby squirrel was sitting on the back steps shaking with his mother fussing over him...that little guy fell off our roof! I watched that mother take care of her baby...it took her a long time to get him moving across the grass and then up the tree to home. I marveled at the fact that all mothers have the same God-given "instinct" to care for their babies. She checked her baby out...probably making sure nothing was broken! She patted him and coaxed him to move away from "danger" of the "human world". I kept quiet and kept this moment to myself till they were safely away from the door and across the yard before I let the kids know what was going on. I knew exactly how that little mother felt...concerned for the health and welfare of her baby. What an important job I have as a mother...and how often I blow it! God used the little squirrel and her baby to remind me to love and protect my children from the dangers found in daily life...to love, to cherish, to laugh, to cry, to rebuke, to hug, to coax, to train, and to let them know it is safe at home! What a wonderful thing to know that God has given me the ability to be the best mother I can be and do the job He has called me to do...and He forgives me when I blow it!
And to my "little baby squirrels"...thank you for forgiving me and loving me!