Father's Day Giggles and Pics...

Yes, this is my family whom I love with all my heart -- Isn't it easy to see why??????

Yes, Even Samson got in on the fun :P
Aahhhh, now that's much better ;)

A Father's Love...

I think being a parent is truly one of the hardest jobs in the world, but also the most amazing and rewarding one there has ever been too!

I think of my own daddy who loves me incredibly. I think of the times we played bombing together (ask me about it - it truly is a fun game) and the times when he cried the months I was in the wheelchair and even how he put up with me during those crazy hormonal years as a teenager.

I think of my husband and all the sacrifices he makes for his children and me, how he takes every moment to teach and instruct our kids and guide them (and me) toward the love of Jesus. How he puts us first, even giving up his own plans and hobbies because it took him away from us (and God).

And then I think of my Savior and my heavenly daddy in Heaven - Abba Father! How He loves me so much more than even my daddy here on earth, how He loves me and knows me more than my husband (and he knows me all too well). He knows my inmost thoughts, the things I love, the things I hide, the goodness in me and He sees the sins that no one else sees. He loved me even when I rejected Him or was ashamed of knowing Him. He created me and knew me before I was even born and He died on the cross and rose from the grave so that I may have eternal life! Oh my friend, that is what our true father's love is - He loved us even before we knew and loved Him. I don't know if anyone reads this blog, or if it is just my thoughts that are out there in the open for all to see but please know it is our desire for you to know Jesus more and more and to love Him deeper than you have ever thought possible for He truly is our father!

Happy Father's Day to my incredible daddy - Ed, to my amazing husband - Dave, and to my Heavenly Father for loving me unconditionally and for giving me the true gift of life in knowing you!

Beach and Friends...

Last week we were able to have Tyler (Andrew's good friend) come over for a sleepover and time at the beach. Those crazy boys were in the water the entire time - almost 3-1/2 hours!! What was the neat thing is that about 10 minutes after we got there, Kira already had a friend and was playing with her the whole time! God is good - I was worried about Kira being a third-wheel and God provided!! Yes, even in the little things, I have resolved to thank and trust God!! Here are some pics from that day - not the greatest of pictures, but I was having fun in the water too :)

Digging for crabs and other sea treasures

Kira and Lexi

Heading out for more fun in the water

Still digging...

Crazy boys - their noses were plugged b/c they were trying to escape from
having their picture taken - haha on you boys!!

Blessed in America, but what are we going to do about it...

We are so blessed here in America that I think it becomes so easy to turn a blind eye to the rest of the world that is hurting and dying. We get caught up in so many material things - what brand of jeans to get, what's the biggest house I can have, what is the newest and latest electronic craze that I can have? Jesus brought hope to ALL, not just those of us that were born here in America. It was not your choice to be born here just as it is not the choice of so many to be born in poverty and despair. God calls us as blessed Americans to help those in need. When God calls us home (and it is our prayer that you know Jesus as your personal Savior and that He will call you home to Heaven with Him) it isn't going to matter to Him how much we had or what car we drove - it is going to matter what we did for Him and for those lost and hurting in this world. As you read this, please consider what you can do for these little ones in need, whether it be in prayer, giving financially to sponsor a child, or going yourself to the mission field.
If you would like more information on how to sponsor a child or ways you can help, please let me know. Also, here is a link to GFA's website on sponsorship of a child through their Bridge of Hope program. Trust me, you'll be glad you did it - we sure are!!! (www.gfa.org/sponsorachild)

Baseball Ends...

Yes it's true, baseball has come to an end. It was a good year and the Cesco Bulldogs came in first place. Andrew did well this Spring - not a great hitting season but it was so wonderful that he was able to learn a new position -- catcher -- and he truly loves it! We are very proud of him and were very excited that Coach Tim was his coach once again - he truly loves the kids and loves to teach them the sport of baseball. We got to enjoy an end of the season party, complete with pizza and cupcakes. This is Andrew's last season playing sports until we get to GFA. Even though we truly enjoy watching him play, God has called us to be focused on the task of raising support and baseball had taken that away a bit.

Andrew and Coach Tim

A sweet encouraging talk by a wonderful Coach

Coach Tim and Tammy - truly the best team mom ever and a good friend too!

Holding the championship trophy!!

And yes, silliness always abounds!

Sports are wonderful and fun to play but God needs to always come first in ALL things - a gentle reminder to us all!

Sprinkler fun and a fun new bug friend too :)

So, as I stated in the previous post, it is HOT and it is not even truly officially summer yet :). I am so excited to only be working part-time this year. I work 2-12 hour nights one week and 3-12 hour nights the next week. This has been a blessing to be able to spend extra time with the family and especially with the kids during summer break! Anyhoo, we went out in the sprinklers in the yard this week and had a blast, yes even I got in on the fun and got totally soaked. It always amazes me how much fun and what means the most to the kids - cold water and their mom joining in on the fun on a hot day = wonderful fun and laughter! Thank you Jesus for the blessing of my kids and for their contentment in the little things!
Oh and I almost forgot - meet our new friend, our leaf bug.
These are so cool to me that God made this creature to blend in and be able to protect itself from predators. Actually after we took the pictures he left and headed for the grass and we could not find him! Awesome things our God creates!

Pool Time...

This week we headed to the pool in our development. It is truly a wonderful thing to have a pool to go to even for just a couple of hours on a hot day! Note to self though -- No matter how short of a time you are out in the South Carolina sun - Please be sure to wear sunscreen and make your kids wear it too! Yes, fortunately Andrew and Kira have their daddy's beautiful olive skin and they only got a little pink on their cheeks. However, this Scotch-Irish girl's skin seems to just soak in the sun and get pink all over :) Good thing it fades quick and I am left with a nice golden brown color that as the summer goes on has less and less of a chance to burn! No pictures of the sunburn but a really cute one of the kids!

Ice Cream Makers...

One thing the kids have been asking me for is to make homemade ice cream together. Andrew did this with his class last year and it was a ton of fun. I told them as soon as school was out we would make it! Here it is and boy was it yummy on a hot day like yesterday!!

Ice Cream in a Bag

Ingredients

2 TBL sugar

1 cup half and half

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup salt(The bigger the granules the better. Kosher or rock salt works best but table salt is fine)

Ice cubes- enough to fill each gallon-size bag about half full

1 pint size zip lock bag

1 gallon size zip lock bag

1. Combine the sugar, half and half, and vanilla extract in the pint size bag and seal it tightly

2. Place the salt and ice in the gallon size bag, then place the sealed smaller bag inside as well. Seal the larger bag. Now shake the bags (turn then over and over) until the mixture hardens-- about 5 minutes

3. Take the smaller bag out of the larger one. Eat the ice cream.

Amazing how much they have grown!

First Day of School - August 2009

I was curious to see what a difference a school year makes in how our kids grow and look. It truly does amaze me - they are getting older right before our eyes! It is our prayer that as they grow, that God molds them into incredibly special people that He can use for His glory and to further His kingdom! We are so excited that God has chosen us to be their parents and we truly pray that we can teach them and bring them up in the Lord and that they may be used entirely for Him one day!

Last full day of school - May 2010

End of the School Year Awards Assembly.

The last day of school was only about 1-1/2 hours and it consisted of the Awards Assembly for the kids!
Andrew received the Blue presidential patch in P.E. (the highest honor you can get), as well as 200% accomplished for his A.R. (accelerated reader program).
Kira received the Red presidential patch in P.E. (the 2nd highest honor you can get), a special award for the Most Athletic in her class, and 150% in her A.R.

We could not be prouder!!!!!!!!!Kira on stage at her awards assembly!

Kira with her Most Athletic Girl medal

Andrew with his packet of awards

Andrew on stage at his awards assembly!

Mini-golf, Batting Cage, and Backyard fun!

Here we are having a ton of fun in the backyard, and at the batting cages and mini-golf!

Kira just had to get a picture with the turtle!
Love this one!

Daddy gettin' in on the fun!
Attack of the loving Daddy!

Andrew's skills :)
My daddy!

One of the funniest pictures ever - truly, they do love each other!

Backyard Baseball with Pop!

Batting Cages for daddy

And batting cage fun for Pop too!