4th of July

Hasn't it been said that the 4th of July marks the middle of summer? I can't believe that it has come and went already! Just the thought of cold weather, snow, winter coats, hats, and gloves, makes me shutter! But let's not dwell on the negative and ENJOY the rest of summer! I hope everyone had a wonderful, relaxing day with friends, family, or even just some alone time!

We had our annual 4th of July party once again, but this year we combined and Open House to show off the new house! I must say, it was a success! We had a good turnout, and a GREAT day! Even though some had to retreat to the house to escape the 90 degree and humid temp!

I didn't get near as many pictures as I would've liked, due to house showings and food preperations/cleanup. But I did manage to get a few!

One of the best parts was that my Mom brought her organ along and set it up on our back patio! Our patio is covered with an awning/canopy, so she was in the shade and she could play her heart out! I wonder what our neighbors must have thought?! There is nothing like having a LIVE organist come and play for your party!

Of course she played our favorites, such as, In the Mood, Dipsy Doodle, and Baby Elephant Walk, but she aslo played lots of patriotic songs (it was the 4th of July), and whatever else anyone requested!

After we enjoyed all our delicious food (way too much to mention), we started playing a few games of volleyball! This is always part of our 4th of July parties, and even though it's always hot, everyone seems to look forward to it!

Our neighbors so graciously offered to put a sprinkler on their trampoline and let all the kids jump and keep cool at the same time! The kids absolutely LOVED it!

Random picutres from the 4th

Happy 4th of July!

Until next time,

Fun at the Circus

On Friday, May 27th, we took the kids to the circus for Evan's birthday! They all had a great time and said "Thank you" over and over! Here are some pictures from our night of circus fun!

Darryl and the kids posing in front of one of the trailers!

Another birthday gift from us! Since ALL the kids got to go along for Evan's "birthday present", we wanted him to feel special, so we left him pick something from the souvenier table. Of course he picked an elephant....what else?

Before the show started, we got to go out and see where the animals stay during their visits to each city. We were about 5 feet from the elephants, and Evan was in his glory! It was so neat to see them up close and personal! The only thing that would have made it better was if we could've touched them!

The looks on their faces made it all worthwhile! They were in awe the whole night, and did very well sitting in their seats the whole time! Definitely a memorable and very fun night!

Until next time,

A party with elephants

I still find it hard to believe that Evan is 8 years old now! The years go by faster and faster every year! Usually we take the birthdy child away for their birthday, but this year Evan really wanted a party with his friends. And since he is BIG time into elephants, I knew exactly what kind of party he would want! I scoured the internet for ideas, and it turned out good! I couldn't find everything elephants, so we included all his jungle friends as well!

Evan made a Petting Zoo!

He LOVED all of his presents!

 

Our gift to Evan (besides the party), is tickets to go see The Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey circus Friday night at the Giant Center! He is beyond thrilled! Stay tuned for pictures! We are supposed to have excellent seats, so I hope to get some good pics!

Until next time,

Forced to take a break

It seems like forever since I've updated this blog! The last few weeks have been a challenge, to say the least! For the first time in my life, I am dealing with a broken arm, which of course requires me to be in a lovely, white cast for 6 weeks! It has made even the most basic of tasks tricky, to say the least!

I sustained a fall while roller skating a few weeks ago. And for those of you who know me well, know that I have been skating for 32 years, and it is second nature to me! Nevertheless, it only takes a loss of balance and to come down in the wrong position, to break something! That, and the fact that I am not as young as I once was, although I really do hate to admit that! So after X-rays and an MRI, they have confirmed that I broke my left radius. I was in a removable splint for 2 weeks, and now am in a hard cast for 4 weeks.

While I am extremely thankful that it was my left arm that is broken, and not my right, it doesn't change the fact that there are just some things that are very difficult, if not impossible to do while waiting on this break to heal. Two things that are a big part of my life, are texting and typing! Hence why I haven't updated my blog in quite some time! I have to type each indiidual letter with only my right hand, which leads to tiredness, frustration, and many mispelled woerds!! I have learned to ask for help when I need it, and to enlist my children to help with housework.

Since my lifestyle has changed due to this injury, I find myself with more down time then ever before. But I'm trying not to fill this time with alot of tv watching, junk food eating or computer game playing. While I admit that these things have taken place in my down time, I am trying to use this time to seek GOD and his will for my life. Why would I end up with a broken arm now....when I've been skating all my life? Why now, when we just moved into a new home, and I still have things I want to do to improve it? Now, when camping season has just started up. I would drive myself crazy if I dwelled on each of these for too long. But I have found comfort in the following scripture. "I can do ALL things through Christ, who gives me strength." I'm pretty sure that means doing things one handed! Another verse that I've been hearing alot is "Be still, and know that I am GOD." Be still. Sometimes we get so caught up in our everyday life, that we forget to just be still. GOD is talking to us all the time, but we are usually too busy to hear him. Sometimes it takes an event such as a broken bone, or a sickness to slow us down and make us focus on HIM. What might GOD be trying to tell you? Don't wait for GOD to slow you down so that you can seek HIM. Seek him earnstly EVERY day, and listen to what HE may be trying to tell you.

So as I adjust to my new routine, I would challenge each and every one of you who is reading this to just slow down for a little bit, and see what it is that GOD may be trying to tell you. Don't wait until you're forced to take a break.....SEEK HIM TODAY!

Until next time,

Kylin Brooke

We had the privilege of meeting a new bundle of joy recently! On May 16th, my cousin Mandi, and her boyfriend Steven welcomed a baby girl, Kylin Brooke into the world! She is absolutely precious and I just love those chubby cheeks! We wish Mandi and Steven nothing but the best as the raise this little girl!

"Behold, children are a gift from the LORD"

Until next time,

AWANA closing ceremony

It's hard to believe that another year of AWANA has come and gone! Mason is no longer a Cubbie...he graduates to a Spark this coming fall! Evan will graduate from a Spark to go to Truth and Training! I love how much they enjoy AWANA and all the scripture they have learned over the years!

Here is a glimpse of the closing ceremony, which included testimonys, singing their group theme songs and receiving their individual awards!

Until next time,

Potatoes, Potatoes, Potatoes!

This past Sunday night at Awana, the kids had a "potato" night! They could decorate a potato any way they chose to, and there were prizes for the winners! My kids had a ball with this! Abbey carved out a cross (with Daddy's help, of course), and Evan made an elephant (what else?), and Mason wanted to make a car (which turned out a little like Fred Flintstones car)!

As it turned out, both the boys were winners in their category! Abbey didn't win, but hers was still very good! They all got a bag of potato chips for participating, and the boys got McDonald's gift certificates to get french fries! They all did a great job!

Don't mind Abbey in the pictures with their prizes! She was a little disgruntled that she didn't win! Perfect time for a lesson on being a gracious loser!

Until next time,