Tennis Stars in the Making...

A couple of days last week, we decided to take the kids to the tennis courts to learn to play. Andrew has been wanting to learn for a little while now and we thought, why not? Well, we were the only crazies on the court between 12-2pm in 95 degree weather and a heat index of 108deg. Hopefully this does not count as an act of child abuse, working our kids in the hot, hot sun :) We actually had a blast. Kira was learning too - she did well but needs to use more power to get the ball over the net. Andrew has the power and now just needs to learn how to control the ball. All in all, Dave and I were quite impressed with how well he did. This is awesome, Dave has always wanted a partner to play with him and he and Andrew actually went out again the other day and played again. So sweet to see a father and son sharing a love for sports.

Happy 1st Birthday Vida!!!!!

While training jiu jitsu, Dave has met so many wonderful people including his black belt instructor, Renato and his family Fran and Vida. I actually had the pleasure of being at the hospital working when Vida was born. What a tremendous blessing to be able to share in the miracle of new life with a sweet family. It is hard to believe that was one year ago. What an honor it was to be at her first birthday party celebrating this sweet little life. It has been a blessing getting to watch her grow and know her family more. Fran designed the whole clubhouse and made all the decorations (besides the mural) as well as the cake. What a talent she has! We enjoyed it so much and we are even learning the Portuguese Happy Birthday song :)

Fun with The Sousa's....

We have met so many wonderful people here in South Carolina. A couple that we have been blessed to know have been Luciano and Kris Sousa. They have been such wonderful friends, always welcoming us into their home and including us in all the fun Brazilian parties they attend (yes, they are from beautiful Brazil). We were able to spend some time with them at their neighborhood pool, have some fun playing some soccer in the backyard and then have a yummy grilled dinner compliments of Luciano - boy, do they know how to grill some amazing steak! And of course, what are fun times without the typical Bernetich family "silly" pics. Thanks for your friendship and love Luciano and Kris -- We love you very much!!!

Samson and the Beach :)

As you all know from previous posts, we absolutely love the beach. We usually spend at least one day a week at the beach. We always have a blast and decided for the first time ever, we would take our dog Samson to the beach. Yes, he is 11 years old and we were worried it might be a little much for him but I really think he enjoyed it. He spent a lot of time in the water swimming and going over the waves with Dave on the boogie board. He relaxed and met some other canine friends. Also, yes I will take one moment to brag about the dog since he is pretty much left out of all the posts, one woman walking on the beach said "Oh, a min-pin (Samson is a miniature pinscher), he is so cute and has really beautiful markings". I thought it was sweet and we teased about it all day. Another thing I thought was really cool was the fort that Dave and the kids built, complete with drip castles - the pictures turned out pretty neat. What a great way for us to spend a Saturday afternoon! By the way, I have no idea why blogspot is turning the first picture of Samson around but you get the gist :)

Waterpark Fun

This year because of Dave's surgery we had to cancel our vacation to Walt Disney World. As an alternative, we decided to purchase season passes to the waterpark near our house for the kids. We went for the first time on June 11th. We went with friends from the kids school and had a blast. I was too busy having fun myself to take too many pictures but here are a few highlights from the day. I am sure there are many more fun pics to come of our times at the waterpark.

Waking up in tears....

For a mom, I don't think there is a greater joy than to see the husband she loves teaching and training their children in the Lord. What a blessing it is for me to have a husband who loves our children so much that he shares the greatest thing we could ever give our children with them. The love of Jesus Christ!
I had been working a couple of days in a row and was sleeping while Dave was spending time with the kids. They came in to wake me up (usually not something they do) and told me they had to tell me something special. June 9, 2009 was the day my daughter Kira got "saved" and it was a day for reaffirming Andrew's belief in Jesus as well!! Dave shared the whole plan of salvation with our kids and he told me they were in tears realizing what Jesus did on the cross for them. Dave said if for no other reason than this is why he was injured and had to stay home, he is grateful to have been able to take part in our children's salvation. All I could do was cry - these were tears of complete joy in sharing with my children the love of Jesus! It broke my heart knowing that I have not been living in a way that would please God- I have just been going through the motions of Christian living - I want Him to be proud of me and I want my children to know that their mom was a woman who loved Jesus above all!
God,
Let me be a light for my children that they may see YOU in all things! May I not stand in your way of what you may have for them! May I be used as a vessel to train them and teach them your ways! Thank you Jesus for allowing me the honor to care for these children here on earth. Help me to remember they are yours and that you have created them for a special purpose, something more than I could ever give or share with them. Jesus, work on my heart, that I may be focused on things above and not the things of this world and let me live a life pleasing to You!

Matthew 19:14 -- But Jesus said, " Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Psalm 139: 13-14a -- For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made

Strep Throat and Loose Teeth with the Lisp to prove it - lol.....

The beginning of June has been exciting for us as well! We have already dealt with Andrew having strep throat his first week out of school. Poor guy, we were at the beach Sunday afternoon after church and he spiked a really nasty fever! Brought him home and after a visit to the pediatrician, Andrew, Kira, and Dave were all placed on an antibiotic to combat the Strep that Andrew came back positive for! Kira lost one of her front teeth. I keep asking her to talk because it cracks me up that she has developed a lisp right now because of no front teeth to put her tongue against. The other front one is loose too and I can't wait for that to fall out too so I can really laugh - hahaha!!! Here she is in all her splendor!

Pirates Baseball Season 2009

This was Andrew's first year to play baseball and play baseball he did!!! We are so proud of him - for his first year, he only had one strike-out and hit the ball every other time. He had a total of 4 homeruns and a ton of RBI's and caught a beautiful line-drive! We are going to work on his fielding this summer and fall but I can say for his first time playing, we could not be prouder! Our team had 6 wins and 8 losses this year but they were a great group of kids with wonderful coaches! Thank you Coach Phil and Coach Danny! Andrew has decided to quit soccer this fall in hopes of playing fall-ball and he is heading to a baseball camp this summer at the University by us!! Don't tell him, but I think he has definitely found his passion - lol!! Our congrats go out to the Braves team this year who went undefeated - we are so proud of those boys and all the boys who played baseball this year! See ya next spring (or in the fall at school - lol)!!

May 28th - Last Day of School!!

Andrew finished out the school year with a bang (in more ways then one!). Andrew unfortunately missed the end of the year bowling party for the Second grade because he broke one of the things on the playground at school from being too rough! (This was our punishment, not the school's). As Mrs Robinson says, he is 200% boy and there is no denying that! I'd have to say he redeemed himself to us Awards day!! Andrew won three awards on this day! He first was the highest achiever in his class for the Accelerated Reader program. He then took home a blue ribbon in the Presidential physical fitness program (signed by our president - lol, more like stamped but Andrew was excited). And what totally made us sit in awe was the fact that he won "Most Outstanding Student" for his second grade class! He came home with a report card of all A's -- the lowest average being a 97%. What a privilege it is that God has chosen us to be this little boy's parents! We just pray that we can be used by God in a way that Andrew will seek after Him first!! Thank you Jesus for this blessing we have called Andrew!!!!