My Baby is 4! Can't Be!

For some reason, for me, saying that my child is 3 sounds young. But saying that he's turning 4 changes everything. Maybe cuz it's closer to being 5. Who knows. It all still happens regardless. And Benjamin turns 4 today. We had his party weekend before Easter weekend. He had a lot of fun with his friends in the sandbox, on the trampoline, on the swingset, in the playroom, on the computer, etc., etc.

I ended up being pretty proud of the cakes I made. Since Benjamin LOVES the Veggie Tales song, I decided to go with a Bob and a Larry Cake. This being against my husband's opinion that I should just go buy a cake and not stress out. Hmmmph. No can do. Party started at 2pm and I started the cakes at 11am. Just finished them up as the first few guests arrived.

Ben really enjoyed opening the presents and occasionally tried to eat a piece of wrapping. The toy of all toys came the next day. Grandma and Papa got him a riding, battery operated John Deer Tractor with wagon. Fun, fun, fun. So, here are a few pics to share.

Survived the Scrapbook Retreat

We had our annual April scrapbook retreat this past weekend. Loads of fun! Practical jokes was the theme of the weekend. When introduced to 16 year Jessica, her first remark was, "Oh,you're one of the big pranksters!" So, Here are the highlights.


This was a prank gone bad. It was meant for me. Unfortunately for the ladies, I caught on a little too early and no scream was heard from me! (It's stuffed! They got the owner, Larry, involved in this prank. It's one of his.)

This is the infamous 'bird'. I found out this weekend that is a roadrunner. Anyway, Jill pulled a good one and it was hiding for me under the lamp when I went to bed.

This is a pic of the group of ladies who went. Great group of women!

One of my layouts...to show we actually did work!

The bird again. This was actually the first joke pulled. After being asked to remind Jill to call someone the next morning, I decided to let the bird remind her when she got up to go to the restroom the next morning. It worked.

I'm sure the picture says enough.

Sharing in the joy!

We had a great time of prayer Saturday afternoon.
.
Sneak peak at the some of the wildlife.

Havin a good time.

My sweet great friend and coordinator of the retreats.

Hmm, the mango is a long story. Your secret is safe with me, Sue!

Time Flies

I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I've made an entry. It's late right now and gotta get to bed. Just wanted to let everyone know I'm still here. Hoping to get spring break pics posted soon. Leaving town tomorrow afternoon for a ladies' scrapbooking retreat. First of 2 for the year. It's great fun. More posting after I return.

Spring Break Comin' Up

So excited. Today is Friday, and next week is spring break. We are once again blessed to be going to what we have affectionally called the "cabin in the woods". Only this time we're doubly blessed because our friends are going with us!

We were first blessed by the cabin in the woods after we received our first two diagnoses (did I spell that right?), within 6 months of each other. Our good friends (and pastors at the time) knew the family that owned this cabin. This family uses their cabin not only for themselves, but also as a ministry to others. So, our friends told this family about our stressful situation and they invited us to spend some time out at their cabin. So, we went when Ian was 2 and Avery was about 6 months or so. We have kept in touch with this family ever since and have been fortunate enough to be able to go at least once a year since then. The kids love going. And I've no doubt our friends are going to love it as well. Total relaxation (well, except for keeping up with kiddos, of course).

Hoping everyone has a blessed, relaxing, and fun spring break...whenever yours is. Here's a few pics from last year's cabin in the woods.

Major Leap of Faith

No more hee-hawing around. The decision is made. I will be home-schooling Avery next year for 1st grade. Most of you don't know that this is something I've been struggling with as her school career at her current school draws to and end (it's only PK through Kinder...boohoo). Although I am a certified teacher, schooling my own children scares me to death. Two events have lead to this decision. Both involving the Lord...what a shock.

The first is a book study I'm doing with a dear friend of mine. It's "Beautiful Things Happen when a Woman Trusts God" by Sheila Walsh. The second is a Jonah bible study I'm doing with a group of ladies. Through the Jonah study, I've learned something about myself and this homeschooling thing....like Jonah running away from what God called him to do, I've been running away from this homeschooling thing; trying to come up with every reason why I shouldn't do it, and never feeling at peace with any of those reasons. Through the Sheila Walsh book, I've learned that I don't have to be afraid that I don't have what it takes. If this is what the Lord is calling me to do (which I truly believe it is), then He has already (ALREADY) equipped me with what I need and He has already told me that I have what it takes (I just haven't been listening).

This is not really a subject I like to talk about in front of parents who choose not to homeschool, or have only seen the 'failed' homeschool attempts (there's plenty out there). But oh, I feel badly if they've never seen it work. I have plenty of friends who have beautifully homeschooled their kiddos. All have different personalities and thus homeschool differently.

I really don't have opinions for what other parents choose to do. It doesn't bother me if they homeschool; it doesn't bother me if they put them in a private school; it doesn't bother me if they put them in public school. They know what's best for their children and family. So why is it that I get so much slack for my choice? Of course the biggest reason I hear as to why I shouldn't homeschool is "what about their socialization?" Let's NOT even go there. If you're familiar with homeschooling at all, you know that there are plenty of opportunities for socializing. That's all I'll say about that so that I don't accidently offend anyone. :)

As for the boys? Well, Benjamin we know will stay at his public school in the PPCD program. We're very glad about that. Ian? Not quite sure what our options are for him yet. I panic everytime I think about that one. I'm hoping to one day be able to homeschool him, but this upcoming year will not be the year.

So, I am still nervous about what this will look like, but very peaceful that God has truly shown me the best direction for Avery's schooling. I always love it when I know that He has put His hand in my life to guide me! I hate feeling lost! Anyone have any encouraging words for me......I'm all ears.

Avery saying:
Me: "Avery, what did you learn at school today?"
Avery: "I learned that the moon is 150 million gallons away!"
(I forget the number she used. It's the 'gallons' that cracked me up.)

From Swordsman to Caregiver

I think the pics say it all! My Benjamin is ALL boy....with a sensitive side. He will pick up anything and turn it into a sword (and make sure you have one as well). But when duty calls, he's right there to take care of the babydoll too!

No More Kitchen Utensils!

Background Info: During our first year of marriage, we lived in a duplex with not a big yard. Luckily, it didn't have any grass either because we didn't own a lawnmower. Correction: We owned a push mower....literally....push. No motor. We didn't own one single lawn tool other than that. Well eventually dirt and what little grass there was began to become unsightly in the sidewalk edges. I went out front one day to see what Jim could possibly be doing with the lawn he said he was going to go work on. To my horror, he was edging the lawn with my pizza cutter! Yes, you read that correctly...pizza cutter. Genius? Men would say 'yes'. I would probably even say 'yes', but would never admit it to Jim after the way I went off on him for using a kitchen utensil on the lawn.

Back to the present: It's now been 11 1/2 years of marriage. Various kitchen utensils still get used for non-kitchen jobs (meat scissors for cutting non-food items, forks used as a screwdriver, rolling pin used as a hammer, etc). Keep in mind, most of it is used because he can't find where he last put the proper tool for the job. He has been working hard re-doing our master bathroom. I went in there the other day, and what did I find? Yep, a kitchen untensil (albeit only a spoon) being used for... I'm not sure what.

End result: I told him I was getting him a Lowe's gift card for Father's Day. And if I saw him mis-using one more kitchen untensil after that, I was going to go make a VERY LARGE purchase of some sort. VERY LARGE. Hmmmm, we'll see what happens.

Side note: I did get a new pizza cutter after the edging incident.