Power Lab

We've had a busy week at church with Vacation Bible School: Power Lab. I'm glad we weren't on vacation this year and the kids could participate in all the fun. I'm glad Angel and I were both able to help on our day off. We ended the week with an ice-cream social to let the kids tell their parents what they learned.

1. Jesus gives us the power to be thankful.
2. Jesus gives us the power to help others.
3. Jesus gives us the power to be brave.
4. Jesus gives us the power to live for ever.
5. Jesus gives us the power to tell others about God.

Then at church, they helped lead worship with some of the songs they learned. Here's a song they sang during second service that God will never let go of us once he's called us to himself. I think my kids are burried in there somewhere.


My favorite part of the week was staying for a few mintues when I dropped them off and watch them lift their hands and worship God. But even more than that, listening as these truths set deep in their heart. Alisia kept reminding Caleb and a friend she invited to "remember what we learned about today, to be thankful" or "brave." She encouraged them to apply what they learned to their lives throughout the week.

Happy Birthday Grammy!

Birthday Girl sipping on her Margarita


Blowing out the candles


Birthday Hugs




The Grandkids


The girls (minus Stephanie)


Grammy reading Caleb's card

You are the best Grammy in the entire wide world! Thanks for all you do for our family and doing fun things with the kids. Thank you for always being willing to offer a hand. You not only offer a helping hand, you always offer your heart. You put your whole heart into everything you do and it always turns out great. As you put God first, you inspire others to do the same. I have been witness God's work in your life as He gives you strength in times of weakness and gives you hope in times of despair. May your life continue to be a witness for Him as you seek Him in all you do! May He grant you many blessings this coming year.

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:16

Free Family Fun

Don't miss out this summer! Check your local Regals Cenima to see if they are offering the Free Family Film Fest. This is a fun activity to do with the kids! Even if they have already seen the movie, it's always fun to watch it on the big screen (for snacks bring extra $). Here's a list of what's playing locally for the summer:

06/24/2008-06/25/2008
Pirates Who Don't Do Anything - Veggie Tales (G)
Evan Almighty (PG)

07/01/2008-07/02/2008
Everyone's Hero (G)
Bee Movie (PG)

07/08/2008-07/09/2008
Arctic Tale (G)
Shrek The Third (PG)

07/15/2008-07/16/2008
Curious George (G)
Hairspray (PG)

07/22/2008-07/23/2008
Clifford's Really Big Movie (G)
Alvin And The Chipmunks (PG)

07/29/2008-07/30/2008
Mr. Bean's Holiday (G)
Happy Feet (PG)

08/05/2008-08/06/2008
Charlotte's Web (G)
Water Horse: Legend Of The Deep (PG)

08/12/2008-08/13/2008
Wallace And Gromit (G)
Surf's Up (PG)

Lazy Saturday

I'm sure there was something important that I should have done today. But I didn't. Today was such a great typical Saturday that I haven't had in such a long time! We slept in late then made brunch and watched a movie. Then we headed to the mall before it poured raining. We had NOTHING to do today and it was GREAT! At least, I hope I didn't forget about something important! So here it is the end of the day and my house is still a mess, the dishes need to be put away, the laundry needs to be folded, the toilets need scrubbed, but those things just never seem to go away!

Anyway, it was so weird that the mall was so empty! At least from how I remember it being on the weekends when I was growing up! I guess it's not the in thing any more?

Oh yeah, in case anyone cares, Bath and Body Works is having their Semi-Annual Sale until July 6th! I smell so good from trying all the different smells, I don't think I'll need a shower all week!

The Best New Pet

Wanna know the best way to get a new pet? Through grandparents!
This is our new pet for the weekend. The best thing of it all- she belongs to my parents. We get to play with her and take her to the park, but don't have to deal with the accidents, training, and chewing. We can give her back whenever we want. Woohoo!

Prayer Request

I'm not sure why, but being back from vacation and diving back in at work has been very hard for me! I enjoy so much spending the 24/7 time with my kids and seeing them grow and have fun together. When I go back to work, I have extra work to get me caught up with where I left off. With summer here and Caleb getting ready to start Kindergarten, I feel like I need to be at home with them!

Please pray for me as I seek God's guidance. I am so thankful for a wonderful family like my parents and grandparents that have offered spend some extra time with the kids this summer while I am at work. But I want to have a peace in my heart and a good balance with work/home. THANKS!

"I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer."
Psalm 17:6

Kentucky Fun

We had a fun time in Kentucky visiting with family that we don't get to see very often. For this occasion, my aunt Martha hosted a picnic for us! It was a beautiful day and a great time to visit with family. There was a lot going on in their yard!

Several of the kids swimming while.....


...while the adults were playing! This is my mom and cousin Tina trying to bounce one of the younger kids. We were all standing around waiting for the trampoline to break...but fortunately it didn't!


More games happening:


Here's a picture of my mom with 3 of her brothers. There is a total of 10 kids in their family so you can imagine how big the family is and only continues growing!

More swimming pictures:

My dad was the "lifeguard" and got soaked!

Alisia with Savannah. So what are my kids to my cousins kids called? Whatever that is called- that's what they are.

I don't think he liked the water too much.

I had to take this picture of Isaac for my aunt Barbara who couldn't be there.

This is my Grandparents old house. One of my cousins bought it and has been fixing it up nice so we went to check it out! Thanks for the tour Jason!

In their basement, they have an aweome theater set up! My mom is standing beside the screen/wall for an idea of how big it is! It looked great with the lights out!

I bet they're wishin' they had this when they were living here!

One of the best things of visiting with family is hearing and sharing stories of blessings and how God has been working. God created the tie of family, for a special reason. To love those people enough to share the work God has been doing in your own life. Through this, He is glorified. Don't forget to share with your family how God has been working in your life!

Just as Jesus said "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."

Mark 5:19

Thanks Martha and Rusty for letting us stay with you!

Father's Day

We have disappeared for a few days on a long 11 hour trip for a short visit to Kentucky. I'll post more pics later from our trip. Here's a few from today!

Happy Father's Day to my own dad as well as my dear husband!

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a offering and sacrifice to God."
Ephesians 5:1

Enjoying School-Free Summer Days

"He makes me lie down in green pastures..."

Psalm 23:2

God's Provision in a Long Journey

Some very dear friends of ours just brought home their 4th child from China. Jada Yu Esther Moore. They have some amazing stories of God's provision through this journey including His protection from the earthquake while they were there. We are so happy for you and know Jada is a great blessing to your family. We can't wait to meet her! What a great Chineese clothing!
"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name, welcomes me."
Matthew 18:5

Schools Out

Yay! Schools finally out! We don't have huge plans this summer, but we are looking forward to making mini weekend-vacations.

Here's a picture of the graduating 3rd grade class at their awards ceremony. Her teacher said she was impressed how much she loved her family. Alisia always had stories about her family to share with the class! She is also gentle.

The end of the school year has brought many fun activities.

As a 3rd grade tradition, before they are officially 4th graders, they get to spend the night at the school. The class has been looking forward to this all year and had a lot of fun! They had dinner, played putt-putt, went to the park after dark, watched a movie, then read stories until the kids feel asleep. They were up bright and early for a pancake breakfast.

I had to run Alisia her allergy medicine to her cause she forgot it and was getting itchy. But I got to see some of the fun they were having!

Ready For Bed?

The kids made the pancakes with food coloring. The girls were happy these turned out as a rainbow:

Alisia also had her spring concert. It was so precious! I'm so excited to see Caleb up there next year!

These are from the dress rehersal:

Here's what she looked like on show day:
The kids were dressed up as animals and were praising their Creator.

Here's a part of one of my favorite songs they sang:

Welcome to the King's animal kingdom, hop on board to see what God has made.

Listen to the wild worship

Listen to the wild sing

Listen to the wild praise you

Praise you lord as king

They lift you up on high
chicks chirp

ducks quack

pigs oink

and hyenas laugh
Horses neigh

Cats meow.....

It's HOT!!

It is SOO HOT! The news said it's 95 w/ index of 110! Well no wonder! We have been trying to think of different things to try to keep cool. Our favorite thing to keep cool is Slurpees! I'm so thankful for this breeze. Oh yeah, let me mention that we do NOT have central air! When it's this hot we use our grill a lot so the house doesn't get hotter! Alisia and I came up with things to do when it's soo hot:

• Drink SLURPEES (or you can make your own popsicles)
• Play in the sprinkler
• Eat watermelon
• Watch home videos
• Play in the grass in bare feet
• Read a good book under a shade tree
• Carry a bottle of ice water
• Visit the library
• Wash your car and play in the water
• Go to Home Depot (or your favorite store that has A.C. to browse)
• Take a shower
• Go swimming
• Take a nap in the hammok
• Go the the movies (it's always soo cold in there!)
• Go to the beach (this is what Alisia's trying to convince us to do!)
• Go to a birthday party or a friends house and have fun to forget about it being so hot!

Whatever you decide to do, have FUN and stay COOL! Share with us your staying cool tips!