flowers for memorial day

this morning before the storms blew in and ruined all of our plans for this memorial day, we got a little yard work done. we were supposed to go to the peoria chiefs game, the local minor league baseball team. but, the rains came pouring down and canceled it. we got done with our yard work just in time for the clouds to come rolling in.

jacob kept coming up with more and more places that he thought we needed to plant flowers. i guess that is appropriate considering that it is memorial day. he loves helping his daddy.  i hope that never changes! but i have teenagers and i know aaron had better enjoy it while it lasts.

now playing----all our family favorites

1st showing 9:00pm --"finding nemo"

our first family movie night in our new family/theater room

"come on! hurry up with the popcorn!"

can't watch a movie without popcorn

and ice cream!

 "oh no!! is the fishy going to be ok?"

we loved watching our first movie on our new tv together as a family!

mission accomplished

our garage sale was a huge success! the treasure seekers made their way to our garage and found endless treasure. we made more than enough money to go and purchase our new tv for our family room in the basement. it was well worth the time and effort that it took to get it all together.

we're ending our day with absolutely delicious baby back ribs grilled by my wonderful husband and an evening with my kids learning "how to train your dragon."  it sounds like a great day doesn't it? all in all, i would have to say.

mission accomplished!!!!

bring on the treasure seekers

this is what is going on in our household this weekend!! hoping for lots of people to find much treasure in our garage this week so that we can get some cash to purchase a new tv and surround sound system for our newly renovated basement.

one person's junk is another one's treasure!!!


bring on the treasure seekers!!

happy birthday rachel

it just can't be 15 years ago that my eyes filled with tears when the doctor said "its a girl!" you were just so beautiful!! i immediately loved you so much! time just goes so fast! life has changed so much! and you have grown to become a lovely young woman. i am so proud to be your mom!  one thing that hasn't changed at all though is how much i love you and that you are still "just so beautiful!!!"

happy birthday rachel!!

love, mom

is she a cutie or what?

saturday was such a full day. i was going from the time i climbed out of bed in the morning until it was time to climb back in at night. the morning began with josiah's first baseball game of the day at 10:00 am. then, i had a wedding shower at 1:00, josiah's 2nd game of the day at 3:00, and amanda's cheer recital at 5:00. then, as soon as she was done performing her cheer, we headed over to a friend's house for her 40th birthday party. we finally got home about 10:00 pm, exhausted and ready to climb back into bed. it was a great day though and amanda did great in her cheer. she had a lot of fun and looked so dog gone cute. i just had to share a few pictures.

ready ok

go team go!

is she a cutie or what?
i might be a little prejudiced ;)

now on to high school

friday night olivia walked across the stage to receive her diploma for completing 8th grade. she graduated with a yellow cord hanging across her shoulders representing having made honor roll all year. knowing that she put forth a lot of effort to accomplish that, i was so proud of her.  the hall way of the school was lined with pictures of the graduating class and some of their own memories. we finally found olivia's.

 then we found her....

before the ceremony, they showed a slide show of all those graduating and their reflection to share with their classmates.

the ceremony was a little long for jacob to handle

olivia celebrating with her friends!

pictures with her family 

 

 a very proud daddy

sister

and mom

time for presents

the awarded document

congratulations olivia!!!!!!!!

now on to high school

if only.......

you could see from my viewpoint

then you would find true rest............

"unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way experience my kingdom." (matthew 18:3) 
 "are you tired? worn out? burned out on religion? come to me. get away with me and you'll recover your life. i'll show you how to take a real rest..." (matthew 11:28)


the first step toward entering into the kingdom of grace is to become as little children:  knowing ourselves utterly ignorant, helpless, humble, teachable, free from selfish ambition, and hanging wholly on our Father for a supply of all our needs and wants. when children are very young, they do not desire authority, they do not regard outward distinctions, they are free from malice, they are teachable and willingly dependent upon their parents. it is true that they soon begin to show other dispositions and other ideas are taught them at an early age.  but, if we desire to truly experience His kingdom, we need to be daily renewed in the spirit of our minds, that we may become simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the least of all.