A weekend of projects and memories

When the girls and I got home from the Career Fair...Papa and Grandma were at our house.  They came for the weekend.  The kiddos left school 1/2 day on Friday to spend time with our special visitors.  The guys went to their favorite stores...Menards and Home Depot.  The girls went to their favorite stores...Dunkin Donut, Hobby Lobby, and Walmart.

 It is always fun to have a leisurely Saturday morning brunch!  We enjoyed the beautiful day and working on projects together.  The kiddos went to their banquet and the adults had a double-date to Tomato Brothers.  MMMMMM!

 Our new patio table...courtesy of my guys!

It is beautiful!  I'm so excited to get it painted and stained.

 Velle enjoyed napping wherever the sun was shining into the house.

 Relaxing and enjoying the time together.

A goodbye picture on Sunday afternoon.

 The final test...matching up the holes for the umbrella...

 and it lined up perfectly!  Thank you, guys, for all your hard work!

An espresso colored stain and white base.

We purchased an umbrella and these are some of the colors.  See our little frog friend?  He surprised us!

 Sitting out on the deck is so enjoyable right now.  The flowering trees are gorgeous and draw butterflies and birds...and bees.

The tree out front is equally pretty and smells so good!

Our three teens

 All dressed up and ready for their teen spring banquet.  Guess who was chomping at the bit to go?!

A yummy meal, photo booth, games, and fun with friends...

it is fun to see them enjoy the nice things of life.

Career Fair 2017

 The girls went to the Career Fair and talked to some different adults who have various jobs.

 We are in that time period where our kiddos are looking at what they are going to do for a college path.  Ashlynn will be a junior next year!  How does that happen?  It seems like we blinked and got here.

The next chapter of our teenage years

Ashlynn and Alisa started Level 1 of Driver's Education this past Monday.  Class is from 5 to 7pm.

 Their teacher behind them...he told us he is "old school" and then told me "Momma, here is where it ends for you.  This is on them!  This is a new level of responsibility now."  I smiled as he said the same exact things that I said as we drove to class, "Thank you!  They need to hear this from someone other than their mother!"

 I walked out the door and sighed as I climbed into my vehicle.  "I am so not ready for this...God help me be able to handle this stage right."  They came home all excited and full of information.  The second day...THEY DROVE!  Alisa's time was in the dark.  She did not like that at all.  Their second drive is next week. Two more weeks of the crazy schedule of back and forth and Level 1 is complete.

Easter 2017

                                    Early service...7am, Breakfast...8am, Cantata...9am, and Pictures...10:15am.

 We were able to host Easter dinner this year for our family.  What a blessing to enjoy good food and fellowship!

 The kid table...full of smiles.

 The adult table...full of laughter.

 Velle was worn out after an early morning and busy day with Lollie.

Cuddling with Mommy...every chance she gets!

Time off for a beautiful weekend

 Spring has made a grand entrance in Michigan!

 We slept in and cleaned to ready for company.

 Playing with the spring decorations that I found.

 Errands of grocery shopping and patio furniture shopping..."Teddy, out of my face!"

 Digging through boxes in the garage and finding treasures that have been hidden away for five years.

 I made them fill their own Easter eggs...there were several unfilled eggs.

 Calzones and a fire with smores ended the night.

 Such a beautiful weekend to enjoy!  Thankful for the hope we have because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ!  We are looking forward to Easter services at 7am and 9am.  He is Risen...just as He said.

Those silly big, strong boys...

 were a great help today!  They took care of a couple projects for me.  "I have one more request!  As long as you can do it without getting hurt...can you get that plastic bag out of the tree?  It is worth a DQ treat!"  Caden was all in..."Really!?"  Up he went.

 "Hey,  Caden!  Work smarter not harder!" said Teddy.

 Have a pole and a ladder...and a spotter...

"You guys are awesome!"  You are very welcome...I will take a large Blizzard, Mom!  "No one got hurt!  I will treat you...but when?"  Hmmm...I think I will have a New York cheesecake medium Blizzard.  Looks like I have a double-date to DQ on Thursday!  Once again, I wish I would have captured the banter on video.  They are two funny guys who enjoy whatever they are doing.

A busy week

We have enjoyed some treats that are found this time of year.  Last week...counting with jelly beans in math class.  Today...Peeps!  I was quite pleased with the quality of coloring today too.  When you have 8 boys in class...you can be sure that most of them do not like coloring.
I know Easter is about the resurrection of our Lord...but I enjoy all the spring colors and creatures that remind us of new life.  Our neighborhood is full of new life and it is neat to see.
It is a busy week and we are looking forward to having Friday and Monday off school...but there is quite a list before we get to that point!
School and homework.
A Dad in Slovakia.
Thunderstorms today with pea-size hail.
Babysitting job.
Grass greening up as we watch...countdown to lawn mowing.
Crazy news reports...Thankful for the hope we have in Christ.
Tomorrow...K5 goes to the zoo.
Wednesday programs.
Easter thoughts and plans for Thursday.
Cookie baking.
Ice cream at Mrs. T's house on Friday.
Easter Sunday choir practice on Saturday.
Easter dinner plans at our house.
A Dad returning from Slovakia.

Saturday morning comfort

As Ted and I sat talking over coffee this morning, his words from the night before came back to me.  "This house makes me tired!  It is comfortable and relaxing to be here."  I couldn't agree more!  It is our place of calm and peace.  We enjoyed the quiet of the morning listening to the birds and watching the start of the beautiful spring day.  We had ducks enjoying our yard this morning too.  We met another neighbor who came across the backyard when he noticed Velle was out.  He told us about the coyote that walked through the backyard last night.  We were home and didn't even see it!  We were thankful for the heads up!
Sunshine made all the chores of the day enjoyable.  I am reminded to be grateful for each and every little part of our days..."Think about the good things and not the bad...think about the happy and not the sad...Think about the good things that God has done!"

Checking off another week...

 even though we didn't really want to get up today!

 We had to get to school in order to celebrate the Detroit Tiger's Home Opener!

 The Walmart I went to yesterday was totally cleaned out of Cracker Jacks!  Can you believe it?  Every other cool teacher had the same ideas I had.  We had regular popcorn and big gum balls...because baseball players chew...gum!

After rain and snow high winds again yesterday...sun and beautiful hues of blue and green!  Spring is coming!

A crafty day

 Stamping with my sis in the afternoon...a first in...uh, years.

Making words for the Kinders to build...after cracking open an egg.

Saturday at home...

 brought a special delivery from a sweet friend.

 brought a well deserved break after working hard on a couple projects.

 brought gorgeous weather for grilling out and a chance to eat out on the deck.

brought a chance to go do some girly fun shopping.

brought a nice get away Up North for Ashlynn with her friend.