cousin time

This weekend my sister and her kids are visiting. We are glad to have them and even more glad that the weather is nice. The kids have been playing outside almost exclusively! It has been wonderful!

Eli...
Sam...
Carsyn and Devan playing soccer...



Today we went to cousin Micah's 4th birthday party....
the birthday boy...
Reagan and Sam have been playing non-stop...

It was a Star Wars party so Uncle and Micah made everyone light sabers...


Micah's cake...

God's mosaic

Carsyn's 3rd grade class been studying the rainforest for a while now. Today they hosted chapel and showcased all they had learned. It was very creative and informative. Three "students" were showing a new kid around the school. They were helping him understand how the rainforest is part of God's mosaic. During the performance a group of third graders performed a rainforest rap they had created themselves. Carsyn had a great time learning her lines (as well as everyone elses).

Class chapels are another reason I love CCS!

Aunty, Micah and Cori came...
After chapel Carsyn's group performed their whole skit (only part was used in chapel)...

weekend update

This weekend we were suppose to go camping. We cancelled our trip on Tuesday night because it was suppose to rain, rain, rain. And yes, it has rained and rained and rained!

Thursday we had a pizza/movie night while Reagan spent the night at her friend Sarah's house. FYI- those little girlies stayed up LATE and were up at 5:30 the next day!

Friday we went to Tae Kwon Do in the morning. Then in the afternoon the kids and I met friends at the movies to see African Cats by Disney Nature. It's "an epic true-life adventure". The kids really enjoyed it. They have been talking endlessly about Sita, Fang and Kali- a few of the main characters. Dale had to stay home and work. In the evening Karlee came over and Dale and I went out to dinner. We were eating and the weather turned nasty. The restaurant had the weather on tv and all of a sudden we saw tons of red crossing the map. We got a text from Karlee that said the sirens were going and they were hanging out in the basement but everyone was fine (just nervous). We decided to eat and go home (well.... after a quick stop at Sams). At 10:30 all was calm so we went to bed. The next morning we found out there was mass devastation minutes from our house. The airport was even shut down because of severe damage. We were so fortunate to be safe!

Saturday we spent the day at home. I got a bee in my bonnet and cleaned out the basement. I threw away so much junk, boxed up stuff for Ditto (a new resale shop opening in late summer!) and reorganized. By 2:00 I had yet to get out of my pj's! Dale worked all day welding a box for our generator. The kids played out in the rain and "helped" me a bit. We ended up having an impromptu dinner (of delicious fish tacos) at our friends, the Mohlers. Another thunderstorm was coming so we put the kids to bed at 7:30. We needed a FULL night's sleep. They were out in minutes!

Today we went to first service at church. I love the worship on Easter! When we got home we made resurrection rolls (idea from Christan). They didn't exactly turn out - there was still a bit of marshmallow inside. My kids we ok with it. Luke said, "It's ok mom. Jesus left his burial clothes when he rose from the dead. That's what this is." :) We had an Easter egg hunt in the house because everything is WET. Then we had a delicious lunch of grilled ham, asparagus and roasted potatoes. We hung out the rest of the day. The kids played. I made the invitations for our annual crab boil. Dale worked outside again. It was a good day. The kids were asleep by 7:30. Dale and I chilled out and watched a few episodes of How I Met Your Mother.

The rolls...

the invites...

We had a great weekend at home and we were SO GLAD we didn't go camping!

happy easter

I serve a risen Saviour; He's in the world today.

I know that He is living, whatever men may say.

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him He's always near.


In all the world around me I see His loving care,

And though my heart grows weary I never will despair.

I know that He is leading, thro' all the stormy blast;

The day of His appearing will come at last.


Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian! Lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King!

The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,

None other is so loving, so good and kind.

He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

Happy Easter friends!

easter

Easter is my favorite holiday! I love to celebrate the glorious story of Jesus' sacrifice for me.

John 19

1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" and they struck him in the face.

17 Jesus, carrying his own cross, went out to the place of the Skull. Here they crucified him...

28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Matthew 27

57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph. Going to Pilate, he asked for the body of Jesus and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out in the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Matthew 28

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

first time

Today is the day Reagan has been waiting for "FOREVER!" She is sleeping over at her BFF's house tonight. First time sleepover.

First.

Time.

She is only 6! Is it too soon?!



Did I mention it was the first time? I am excited and nervous. Reagan is simply excited.

cbm

Carsyn's shirt is finished. She loves it!

The crazy side note is that Dale's family owns a company called CBM Plastics- I never realized her monogram was the same. It kinda looks like Carsyn is advertising!

sew fun

Today Lisa and I met at her house and got our craft on. We had grand plans to freezer paper stencil (courtsey of Sara). However when Lisa went to Hobby Lobby she got a few other ideas. We had plenty of material and coffee, an uninterrupted morning and lots of fun!




Lisa and I both made shark shirts for our boys...
I started a shirt for Carsyn but it's not 100% finished... Post to come.

good friends/good food

Dale and I love to have a crab boil. We had a new recipe to try out and decided to invite our Greenville College crowd: Scott and Lisa, James and Jenn and Craig and Sarah.

Here is the twisted tale of how we know each other:

Dale lived on the same floor as Scott and James (before I got there). Jenn also went to Greenville with Dale but she also knew Dale in high school (their schools played one another in sports). We know Sarah from Westminster (Craig is the counselor there). However she went to Greenville after I graduated. Sarah knows James because he was her math teacher in high school (and encouraged her to go to Greenville)!! Plus her parents bought a house next to Jenn's parents when Sarah was a child (although Jenn and her family moved after a short time).

Craig and Lisa did not attend Greenville (just married into it) and are a bit scared off by the craziness but overall they handle it well. I actually think they are secretly jealous- after all Craig went to Judson!! I know right?!

Even with the outcasts- we had a wonderful afternoon! We are blessed with good friends!

Craig, Truman, James, Jenn and Sarah:

Reagan and Parker were inseparable...
Scott and Lisa (sorry again L)...
Lots of four square was played...

Jonah had fun doing his own thing....