180th Anniversary of our church

 Saturday celebration ended with a concert...at our church...with Greater Vision!  What fun it was!

 And then they called Uncle Pastor up to sing with them...so neat for all involved!  "With all the many miracles...why don't you think it's possible...with all the things that God has done..."

Deck time!

 One of our favorite things to do at night...sit on the deck and have coffee!  Especially on a night when Ted gets back in town from being gone all week!  Yard work was done and everything looked so nice!  Being still and just being thankful...it is a good way to end a week!

Friday night treats

 Summer means...Mom is in the kitchen more!  Homemade pizza for supper and churros for dessert!  I was pretty impressed with the taste...for not being in Mexico for the real deal.  Next time...I need to find my star tip so they are more authentic!

A Happy 15th Birthday brought...

Teddy to this point...filling out another job application!  This guy has boundless energy and drive.  It is fun to watch him!  He has fun where ever he goes and with whom ever he goes with!

Happy 17th Birthday to our Ashlynn!

Ashlynn and I finally got a chance to sneak away and do some birthday shopping (since we were gone on her special day).  She makes me laugh with her quit wit.  She makes me proud as she works three jobs!  She amazes me with her thoughts and perspectives.  She is very loved!

The day the lesson was more than what we expected!

 We haven't subbed with children for a long time...we are usually with the adults.  We helped by subbing in the 3-6th grade SS on Father's Day and many people were gone.  Ted chose the topic and prepared...but once again...we were reminded that you can't always prepare for every part.

 These guys provided real life illustrations of what the lesson was about before we even got into it.  Often we say things without even thinking about the words that come out of our mouth...because it was in our heart first.

 Once they are out...you can't take them back!

 Not sure that the lesson really reached the heart for some...yet...too much silly is often a distraction from God wants to accomplish.

 But...after trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube...the picture was a little clearer.

 We hope.

 That's all we can do...as teachers and parents...present God's truth and pray that some day...they will remember the deeper meaning of squeezing out toothpaste in Sunday School!

 I love listening to Ted teach...because I know the price of what the lessons has cost him through the years...it doesn't matter if he is talking to adults, children, or teens.

Happy 16th to Alisa!

 Wow!  I can't even believe what is happening to our children...right before our eyes!  We will do a fun friend get together in a couple weeks...the schedules are interrupting our plans...No worries...makes the fun last longer!

20th Anniversary trip for two!

 Ted and I had a lovely trip celebrating our 20th anniversary!  A big thank you to Grandma for coming to stay with our teenagers!

 How much spoiling can a girl take?  Thankful for the time to share together...it never gets old!

A busy month of May

                                                The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

                                                        Practicing for the K5 program!

                                          So excited to wear the graduation robes and hats!

        "The best day ever" is when you get your next book!  These guys are great readers!!!

 An almost forgotten gift for our K5 mothers...flour sack towel "but this is just black and white...does Mrs. T like black and white pages?"  NO!  We need to add some color!  "How about we paint on your hand and color it that way!?"  HUH????

                       Cute little owl handprints...whew!  Love it when a pinterest idea works!

 A quick picture on Mother's Day with my sissy!  We were sitting in church being discreet...nice angle for the double chins, we think!

 Velle had a rough week...allergies? then a reaction to some flea/tick medicine and a need for Benadryl.  After a good five days, she is back to her normal self. Oi!

 Running our chair fillers back and forth to their jobs...Teddy's ref job with 5/6 year olds.  He is good at this!

 My kiddos took me to lunch on Mother's Day...they planned, drove me, AND they paid!

  Some days are hard...but then there are some days that just bring joy and lots of laughter!

It's that time of year again!

 I know when school is in its last month...the play set has to be worked on!  This year the work is minimal and I had a helper!  The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is on the playbill this year.

 Teddy is helping me get things ready for the K5 graduation set...a construction theme!

 We dressed up as what we wanted to be when we grow up.  My little friends told me that I was already grown up!  So I decided I would also like to be a coffee snob!  My friend found this cup for me and I love it!

 And...what every K5 student learns about for the first time...assessment tests!  We have two left for our Friday and we couldn't be happier!  This class has done very well with the process and I am pleased.

 "What a lovely winter we are having this spring!"  I keep reminding myself...the birds are still singing...and so should I!  Thankful for glimpses of sun and grass that is getting greener after every snowfall and ice coating!  And comfort food is on the menu for supper or Sunday dinner...and everyone is ok with that!

 It is also the time of year that has me talking myself out of bed every day!

 And we made our end of the year countdown chain!  One month...oh boy...we still have so much to do!  We talked about all the things we have to do "and then we will have a celebration!"  One of my guys started  breaking down the word into syllables while I showed them how to spell it (we were doing our Phonics lesson) and then we picked out special sounds.  My heart did a little flip flop...they are getting the sounds and using them in other areas beside their reading book!  Hooray for K5!

             I think I want...wait, I think I need a nap!  To quote one of my little friends, "My brain hurts!"