He's BACK home!!!

Mike is back home!!!  He was in Orlando, Florida all week taking a "Public Speaking" course.  He really enjoyed all he learned and hopes to put it all to practice, but he to is happy to be back home.

Last Sunday morning, him and Matt Lapp drove south.  I kept asking him questions all morning like:  Where are you staying?  When are you coming home?  I thought you were flying???  Etc..  I like some details ... just call me a women, right?  :)

All his comments and answers back to me were ... "Don't know.  Matt Lapp planned it and I'm just going along to learn!"  He didn't know the motel name.  He didn't tell me they were driving till Sunday morning.  I just assumed they were flying since it was a short time.  And, talk about short VS long trip.  He also said they would be back home late Wednesday night.  He packed his bags and out the door Sunday morning.

The kids and I knew we were going to miss him like crazy and I also knew that we had evening plans and that always makes the time go faster!

Marlene and I got together after our Sunday afternoon naps and went to the park with the kids.  It was then that she said the guys won't be back till late Thursday night!!!  I was shocked and let down but yet knowing that there's not much I can do about it now.  I called Mike later and asked him again when he's coming home, just to see if he realized the return date?!  :)  Matt had told him the difference on the way down.  He was feeling bad that he told me wrong.  Well, like I said, no use crying or pouting about it now!

Sunday night, while tucking the kids into bed, went terrible.  Ashlyn was crying and ended up with a disciple before finally going to sleep.  Matthew was crying because he missed his daddy so much already!  I laid beside him feeling like crying too, yet whispering in his ear that we will be OK and that daddy will be back at the end of the week!  Hadassah was the bravest and went to bed reading her book and after EVERYONE was peacefully sleeping, I finally breathed a prayer of thanks and then asking God to be my strength this week as I parent alone!

The week did go great!!!  Praise the Lord!  The kids had school.  Matthew did great in his little league game.  The Spring Program at school went well.  Wednesday, Mike's mom came over and we worked our butts off mulching!  Still have some to do and I will let that for Mike and I to finish up together! 

Wednesday night, we met at Chick-fil-a with Marlene and her children and hung out.  Then we went to the ball park for cake and ice cream with some of Mike's old ball team friends.  That's always fun!!!  Yesterday, was cleaning day here.  Matthew was up during the night complaining of belly ache, so I left him sleep in and when he woke up, he seemed better.  I took him to school at 9:45 and then Ashlyn and I did some errands.  Last night, we again got together with Marlene and her children and they always have so much fun together!  It's such fun chatting over some decaf coffee too!  You know you have great close friends when they know exactly how you like your coffee.  Decaf coffee in the evenings with whipped cream on top!!!  Thanks Marlene for hosting us!!! 

This morning the three kids were all smiles when they got to see Mike back home.  He came home at 1 AM and it felt so good to have him kiss me goodnight again!  Even if it was in the middle of the night! :)

Now, he's back to work.  He fixed the mower problem too! 

The house smells so good from the homemade meadow I brewed this morning. 

The sunshine is bright outside and it's warm already.  It's to reach 80 today! 

My little miss just sat on my lap and said, "Mower ride!"  Let's go ...!

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Yesterday, I got roses delivered to my door!!!  Yep, from my hubby!!!

Thanks so much, Baby!!!  I love you sooooo much!

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 Here's my little sweetie this morning that's ready for her mower ride! 

Enjoy the wonderful weather and never, never take your husbands for granted.  They are such blessings and when they are out of the house for 5 days, it's way wonderful to have back his presence and voice and hugs and kisses and prayers and laughter!!!  We can't wait to hang out as a family (all together again) tonight!!!

I am so blessed!!!

Spring Program 2013

At school, there is always a Spring Program.  Most times it's some singing and then a play performed by the students.  They ALWAYS do such a good job!  But, this year was a little different.

The school decided to combine the Music Recitals with the Spring Program.  It included lots of singing and no play.  At first, if I'm honest, I wasn't sure I was into just singing.?.  I loved their plays from previous years and was a bit sad to not be able to watch yet another one.  BUT ... the evening was awesome!  Not boring.  Not one bit!  Between the instrumentals, the class singing, the clown piano songs and Ashlyn NOT holding still during the whole entire 1 1/2 hour program ... I was not bored!  Very entertained in fact!  :)

Again, we missed Mike not being with us and I especially missed him with helping me out with our active toddler!  :)  I hope he enjoys these short video clips I captured just for him to see!

Matthew was complaining before we left of having a bellyache.  I wasn't real sure if he was nervous or if he really was hurting from a stomach bug?  When we arrived at school, I decided to let him just sit with me and not make him go on stage with his class.  He said when he gets in front of everyone, his feet start to wiggle and he feels dizzy.  (Yes, boys can be drama too.)  As the program began and I pulled out some toys to entertain Ashlyn, he suddenly seemed much better.  He was teasing Ashlyn, wanting to play with her toys, etc..  When it was his classes turn to get up for the program I said he needed to go with them.  He looked all shocked and said he feels kinda better but still don't want to face the audience.  Sorry ... he went.  If all the kids that would have a choice or "want" to sing or face the crowd, most likely we wouldn't have a program at all.  He did great on stage and sat with his class the rest of the evening!  Way to conquer your fears and things that look tough, buddy!  Proud of you!

For some reason, it's taking really long to download each video.  I took three of them, but here's just one.  Enjoy!

This is Hadassah playing her piano piece!  She did great! 

 

 

 

Ascension Day ,,,

Today is 40 days after Christ arose from the dead.  In the Bible that event is what we call today Ascension Day!  The day that Christ ascended up into heaven!

"After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive.  He appeared to them over a period of fort days and spoke about the kingdom of God.  On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command:  "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 

So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord are you at this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel?" 

He said to them:  "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.  "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky?  This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."  Acts 1:3-11 (NIV)

Let's celebrate today that Jesus is ALIVE in heaven today and will come back for His church, His bride, some day.  Some day, maybe very soon?  We don't know the day nor the hour but we do know that He's come back again.  Be ready when He comes!!!

Life ...

It's cloudy and looks like it could rain.  The forecast is saying showers on and off and we could use some wetness again.  I would love to mow the grass today sometime between the sun and rain if it's possible.?.

The kids were off to school today healthy and blessed.  It was fried sausage links and toasted cinnamon swirl bread for their breakfast.  Ashlyn woke up while they were getting dressed and brushing their teeth.  She finished off the extra links and toast crumbs!  :)

Last night, Matthew had another little league game.  It was so exciting.  The first two practices were so cold and I wasn't sure how this was all going to work with Matthew not knowing hardly anyone on his team.  When we arrived they were given their new team shirts and hats and that was excitement for all the boys right off the bat!  (No pun intended!  :)  )  A lot of the parents were there for this game and I knew lots of them.  Even though the boys are still getting acquainted, they did great!  The Rookies played so well!

Matthew got three good hits.  He played second and third base and then right center outfield.  (They switch positions every inning.) 

The Rookies played against the Wildcats.  They both played good but the Rookies lost 10 - 7. 

After the game, Matthew was so hungry.  I'm not sure if it's an excuse or really for stomach filling purposes, but he thought he just had to have a cheeseburger from the snack stand.  They smell so good and I think maybe we just have a supper at the game sometime.  :)

During Matthew's game, Hadassah met up with some friends in her class at the park and went running.  She is running a mile today at school in practice for track-n-field next week.  She wanted the extra practice.  Her and Laurie ran almost 2 miles at the park.  So, she was hungry too.

The girls were into some 'fries', so we also swung by McDonalds for a large order of fries.  They were all happy, dirty and munching on the way home.

We miss Mike not being around, but we will survive!  :)  He's taking a 'Public Speaking' course in Orlando, FL.

Good job Matthew on your game and great running Hadassah!  I am so proud of you both!!!

We started!

We started and made a dent in our big pile of mulch!!!  It was so gorgeous and warm yesterday afternoon and I don't ever remember being so relaxed while digging into the fresh pile of dark mulch.  It came early yesterday morning, but the house needed a good cleaning first.  Then it was lunch time for Ashlyn and I (our typical wrap with veggies and meat).  Ashlyn was down for a nap by noon and then I went outside and started shoveling mulch in the wheelbarrow.  I even took the Bose out to the garage and turned on Pandora Radio and listened to uplifting music while I worked in the sun!  (Told you I like music!  :)  )  Then I took a short rest and sat in the sun.  :)  When the kids came home from school they wanted to help mulch too!

 Ashlyn wanted to help with the work too.  We first loaded up the small wheelbarrow for her but she had such a hard time trying to steer and guide the thing.  She just got frustrated.  So, we put a small pile on the back of her trike.  Worked great!

 Off she goes ...

 Here was her scooper!

We also started enjoying some garden foods!  Last night was the first that we ate some fresh spinach and cut lettuce with our salad!  So yummy and a great feeling just knowing we are benefiting from our own grown garden foods!

Another thing that started was "raining pink flowers".  Our trees in the front lawn are loaded with pink blossoms and really are so pretty right now.  With the breeze picking up this morning, the pink thin flowers are floating all through the air.  At times it looks like it's snowing pink. 

 

 

It's Friday!!!  It's sunny!!!  It's Spring!!!  It's another day the Lord made for us.  Me. 

I can't wait to find some bargains with the kids this weekend yard saleing.  We will all be going out and about! 

I also can't wait to have a date night with my man!  Love those nights and treasure very much the times we can slip away and enjoy just the two of us.  Even if it means we will be on the look out for a new grill and a new phone for Mike and get Matthews ipod on/off button fixed and check prices for a game gadget thingy for Matthew (let's just say I am not excited about this ... more on this later.), etc., etc.!!!  It will be fun!!!  I just know it!

Have a wonderful Friday!  Cheers!!!

National Day of Prayer ...

I didn't start out this week thinking I was going to have a post every day, but it looks like I'm on a roll.  Some weeks, I feel like I have nothing new to share and then other weeks (like this one) I have lots going on!

Today is National Day of Prayer.  It's a day that our nation actually allows MORE prayer!  That's awesome!  The theme is "Pray for America".  The key verse is found in Matthew 12:21.  "In His name the nations will put their trust."

The kids are having extra time in prayer in school today and I appreciate that!  It's amazing how kids can pray!  So powerful!  I have been amazed at Hadassah's prayers recently.  It's not the one minute long "thank you Jesus for this and help me with that", no, it's much more!  It's like she reached another level in her prayer life!  That's exciting.  I think she really does enjoy praying and many nights after our family devotions, she asks if she can pray too.  "I am proud of you Hadassah!  Keep praying and making Jesus #1 in your life.  He really does care for all those little, tiny things in your life!"

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My 16 yards of bark mulch arrived early this morning and so after the house is cleaned (and it really needs it!), I hope to go outside and dig in!  Ashlyn and Ginger already found their way to the pile!  I can tell that the house won't stay clean very long with that mulch waiting on me.  One wheelbarrow at a time!!!  We have 4 yards of mushroom mulch coming yet today sometime!

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Celebrate with our nation today by spending a little bit more time in prayer!  We sure all need it in this hurting, sinful world!

Be blessed and say a prayer for a lost friend, a hurting family, a struggling marriage, teenagers that really want to make a difference and not fall into the peer pressure trap, parents that try their hardest to make good choices for their families!  For more 'fear of God' in our hearts.  If you want to change the world or make a BIG difference, try starting with you!  My heart.  My motives.  My convictions.  My love for Jesus!  That LOVE will spread like wild fire if you allow it to!

"Pray without ceasing."  1 Thessalonians 5:17

(Don't forget to turn off the music on the bottom of the page first before listening to this song!)  :)

MAY ~ A favorite month!

Flipping the calendar over yet another month for 2013 is startling.  I mean the months are just flying by.  I am reminded by the birds, by the growing garden, by the grass that needs cut twice a week, by the tubbies that set in the kids closets with clothes that are too small ... that time never stands still!  Never.  It keeps going.  And going.

I LOVE MAY!  May is one of my favorite months for a multitude of reasons. 

Everything is fresh and green and growing.

Most of my outside work is now under control and the weeds are pulled weekly.

Flowers are planted and I love to see them burst forth with color!

My mulch is arriving tomorrow, and even though this is so much work, it looks so wonderful and rich!  It helps keep the weeds down and gives all the shrubs and flowers a brand new beauty!

Strawberries begin to be harvested in May!  We love fresh grown strawberries!!!  They way out beat the ones you buy in the stores!  We love them in desserts, in salads, in Danish, on top of ice cream or even mixed in with homemade ice cream :) (dad -in-law makes the best!), strawberry bruschetta, chocolate covered, smoothies, fresh jelly on homemade wheat bread, and tons more!!!  Yep, can't wait!  My plants have some blooms on them and I dream of having big, juicy berries!  This might be the year?!!!  I can't wait to try some new recipes and maybe even get to share some with you!

Lettuce and spinach and radishes and peas are harvested and my whole family thrives on that good eating!!!

Special days ... Mother's Day and my birthday!  These two days highlight for some fun, usually a few date nights, and extra treats!

It's the last full month of school!  Things seem to speed up quite a bit with school activities.  It's track-n-field, Spring programs and piano recitals, field trips, awards assembly and more!  The kids are so pumped for all these activities and it really does make the last month go by quickly.  That's just one problem ... I like May.  I don't want it to go racing by!

Memorial Day Weekend!  The very last weekend of May is something we as a family cheer on VERY loudly!!!  It's a weekend we spend with very special friends and have tons and tons of fun.  It's annual.  It's memories.  It's such a blast!  (Literally ... we usually go through this every year too.  Some want to take fireworks along to the cabin and blast them off.  Others prefer the 'not so much drama' option!  ALL the babies hate the loud pops and sounds!  Oh well! :0 )

It's time to think of being outside a lot more!  Campfires begin.  Roasted smores is something I know we will do for dessert often!  The kids will get dirty and bath time will be such a needed daily process!  Picnics!  The pools are opened and cleaned!  The weather is warmer and frost becomes a rare occasion!!!  Yard sales are in full tilt!  Sister Jody and I are ready!  We have our favorites that happen every year and on Saturday is the beginning of such 'seek and find'!  The kids come home from school and then go right back outside and play in the back yard!  Matthew swings a golf club or baseball bat ~ always!!!  He loves, loves the swing right now too!  Just swings and swings!!!  Hadassah is still doing her daily round of cart wheels.  Ever since the Olympics, she has purposed to get better with her cart wheels and flips.  She is really good by now but I get so annoyed with hearing all the flopping and falling around on the living room floor.  Just last night, we were all outside working, and I asked where Hadassah was?  Matthew and Ashlyn were on the swing.  Mike said she's in the front yard with her butt and legs in the air!!!  :)))  Oh dear!!!  At least she can flop around in the grass now!  On Sunday night, she wanted to show her friends her fine moves and as she went carting through the air, I heard one say, "I hope she has leggings on!"  Yep!!!  She knows better.  :)

That's why I love the month of May!!!  I am going to try my hardest to treasure each morning, afternoon and evening!!!  The sun is so bright and inviting outside this afternoon, that I must go out and feel the warmth.  Hear the birds sing.  Pull those stubborn weeds.  Plant some more seeds in the garden.  Glance at the clear blue sky and thank my Lord for it's beauty!  Cloudless.  I will just live out the first May afternoon of 2013 to it's fullest!!!

Enjoy May!!!