preschool program

of course, i didn't get any good pictures from during the program & my video camera ran out of batteries (thank goodness we have 1 more year to miss g graduates from pre-k).  but, she was as cute as ever!

after the program, running up to give daddio a huggie.

with her friends.

at home with momma & bubby.

& benj doing what he loves best..nintendo

i'm surprised he didn't sneak it into the program..
miss gracie gal, we are so proud of you & your sweet, beautiful heart & strong spirit (those sometimes i wanna pull out my hair).  we love you to jesus & back & will always love you.  keep on learning, loving & leaning on God!

big splash!!

well, this year daddio is workin over shutdown & a vacation didn't look like it would happen.  but, low & behold, groupon had a great deal close to home that we were able to grab for a weekend trip with some of our bestest friends.  (i think gracie sometimes would really like to become a part of their family, we all love them so much)..

to big splash adventure we went after church on sunday.  it was the perfect time, as the place was clearing out so we had the waterpark to what seemed like just ourselves.

lots of fun splishing & a splashin

oh, the ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah!

the kiddos loved it!  especially getting to go on a vacation with friends!!going out to eat was even fun! but of course, benj didn't want to smile...

we see it in your eyes, buddy.

we had a round of mini-golf & some rides on video games (without any coins, but they didn't mind).

 i love this picture with the little sisters in control!!

& fun in the game area.  tickets a plenty, tickets galore!

all the kids can't wait to go back, it was one of the "best times ever!!"

easter weekend

to catch up the past several months, things may not be in order, but that's ok. not everything around here is always in order.

when i was a kiddo, easter was one of my favorite holidays & i think because of the fact it was my mamaw's.  i remember getting up what seemed so early for sunrise service & the wooden cross filled with daffodils that the luther league (& my grandma & deedee) had picked throughout stendal.  different songs were sung during that service, picked out by the teens since they were "running the show" for the morning.  & they were always songs i loved.  & then yummy breakfast, sunday school & church with trumpets!  how amazing!  how joyous of a celebration!  after church, back to mamaw & papaw's for lunch with all the cousins & a big egg hunt- which sometimes turned into an egg fight, but fond memories.

now with a family of our own & some of our puzzle pieces not quite fitting together right now, traditions have changed.  earlier that week, the kiddos & i made an easter egg tree & took it to pap in the nursing home.  grandma always would decorate up a tree outside with eggs.  we spray painted a branch & added some plastic eggs and ornaments the kiddos painted.  made me all teary-eyed doing it.

a few years back, we found a church home closer to our home now & started attending church there.  our "movie church," as the kids called it, then merged with one life & we go down over the twin bridges each sunday with gracie yelling "twin bridges alert" each time we are near.  one life has been a change, but an amazing one for all of us. to get to work in the elementary classes is a blessing - wow what these kids know!  & to watch my kiddos' grow each day; asking questions & growing in their faith due to what they are learning at church is just cool beans.  they teach me a lot about love, forgiveness and grace from our heavenly father

on saturday, damaw came down early with the dogs & we had some pizza for lunch & hung out.  that afternoon, we got to go to the dry run of the easter service for one life that was held at the victory.  the victory is a very cool historical building in downtown evansville.  now crossing the twin bridges on easter!

i am so glad they held a dry run for those helping out in other areas.  it was great to worship with our kiddos & other volunteers.  during the service,  melissa whispered in my ear to look at gracie.  she had her hands up worshiping, which was just so sweet.  made me cry (again).

ben was not so sure about going to church on easter & even prayed that night that God would keep us safe in the building, as he was worried about a fire & everyone making it down the steps.  everything was fine on easter & i think ben enjoyed the elementary worship service so much, he forgot all about worrying about a fire.  when i talked to him about it later, he said he was just focused on doing what had to be done... singing, praying & doing what he was told.  oh, that boy.

after an awesome easter sunday service, we headed on the road to namaw & poppy's for a late lunch & egg hunt.
driving in our orange.

i was at first being a bit too competitive & after seeing monica's basket, decided to rehide my eggs for the kiddos.  thank you monica, for being a good influence on me! :)

& on the way home, we discovered miss gracie can fit an entire egg in her mouth.

& benj is in need of some dental work..

t-ball time!

oh, this poor blog... momma has not been keepin up with the family fun!

t-ball has commenced with both kiddos playing for the leprechaun team (the kids got to pick out the name).

ben this year is quite focused on all he does, taking everything so serious & trying his best.
miss gracie is enjoying herself to say the least.

one sunday evening we decided to practice.

as you can tell, mr. b is all business.

miss g thang said she was taking all her anger out on the ball.  i never knew she was so mad- or so something!

she got a bit tired of all that ball stuff & decided to just be cute instead.  pretty good at that!

 i just love the happiness shining in her eyes!

& here are some shots from one of their games.  again, you can see who is into the game & who is out there being her spunky self!!

 she really looks like she's focused here!  go grace!!

love these kiddos!!

the easter dragon!

i figured i'd start back up with new beginnings- easter time with the easter dragon.  this sweet dragon made his first appearance about 3 years ago, leaving a trail of bubbles behind so the kiddos would know he had visited.  this year, he visited at deedee & paul's, with lots of good hiding spots for the scavenger hunt.

the dragon always lets you know he was there by leaving a trail of bubbles behind.

it was awesome to watch ben read the clues this year & all 3 work together to figure out where the next surprise & clue was.


finding the prizes was such fun!

here were the clues (along with bible verses) the dragon left at each stop & the surprises they found:

Hell

1.Hello my sweet dragon friends, it’s the Easter dragon back again!  My, how I’ve enjoyed watching you grow this past year.. All 3 of you are amazing- growing up, learning so much and remembering to do the right thing!  Watching you all grow and learn is so rewarding for me.  & while you are learning, you remember to try & do the right thing.  That makes this dragon happy!  Speaking of growing…. Your first surprise is where blossoms bloom next something that rhymes with “tight roast.”   I’ve added Bible verses at the end of each clue to help you remember God’s love for us.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:18

“You are young, but don't let any person treat you like you are not important. Be an example to show the believers how they should live. Show them with the things you say, with the way you live, with your love, with your faith, and with your pure life.”1 Timothy 4:12

these treats were some dragon flowers to plant next to the light post..

2. You kiddos do a great job of letting your light shine for Jesus – the real reason we celebrate Easter.  In the next spot, go to your mommies’ old favorite hiding spots as kids that have 2 ways in & out.  These goodies will help you to remember to let your lights shine for Jesus!! 

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12      

some little finger lights & a cool led light toy  in the closet between the 2 bedrooms

3.April showers bring May flowers.  & that water makes it hard for me to fly.  These would help me keep dry.  You will find a surprise in the spot where someone might hang up raincoats.  After you are all done with the hunt, you can personalize what you found! (ben & gracie – you did this for church, but now you can make some just for yourselves!)

Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.  Zechariah 10:1 

umbrellas to decorate for the kiddos

4.This dragon doesn’t like being sick one bit.   You can discover these next little somethings to help keep you healthy in a place you get clean.

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health. You brought me up from the grave. O Lord. You kept me from falling into the pit of death. Psalm 30:2-3

Be Joyful! A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22#2

some hand sanitizer in the bathtub & tissues

5.I love to read & write.  & I know you do too!  Go look for your next surprises in a cozy spot to read some books.  You can write your special thoughts with some very special tools & read some new stories!!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

"Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance," Proverbs 1:5 ESV

a pencil & some books we had

6. Who loves their sweets?  Go to the place where Grandma DeeDee always makes her goodies.  They are in a cabinet that has items in it that rhymes with underwear.. & remember when licking that lollipop to share peace on earth! 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

But all who listen to me will live in peace,

untroubled by fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:33

peace lollipops in the kitchen cabinet

7.God made us all – all people, all creatures big & small- even icky- creepy bugs (which I think are delicious!).  Don’t tell her, but I hid them on a pillow of an arachnophobe.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do -Ephesians 2:10

some bugs that walk down the wall

8. & last but not least, some special things I’d like each of you to care for.  You can crack open the big ones, but the smaller ones are for you to have.  I have laid them under a tree near an object that rhymes with ring.   Please take care of them & remember to have a wonderful Easter!  Jesus has risen!  Hip Hip Hooray, or should I say Roar?!?!  I Love you all & remember to keep doing the right things, show love to others, stand up for what is right, say your prayers, thank God for everything & enjoy being kids! Pray for those to come to know our Savior, Christ Jesus, so that they may have eternal life & joy. 

Peace out, my little dragon buddies!

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. John 11:25-26

“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. God gave his Son so that every person that believes in him would not be lost, but have life forever.”

John 3:16

    at the last stop, the dragon left some special dragon eggs & bubbles just for the kiddos.

they decorated their umbrellas after the hunt.

each one unique & beautiful, just like them!

fun, fun end to spring break & to start the easter celebrations!!

sticks & stones may break my bones..

& words can break a heart.

it's been a long, long time since i've posted anything on our blog.  i've been in a bit of a "drut," i'd say-  depression mixed with being in a rut.   my intentions with the blog have been to document our lives, the good & the bad, so the kiddos can look back someday & "remember the good ole days."
i would post some random pics of our family, just to keep a bit up to date.  & then i quit even doing that.  but i have really been letting life fly by & not living each day to the fullest.  (how ironic i write this now as i have been a bum all week dealing with kidney stones)  so now it's time to blog again; as benj & miss g sure haven't slowed down on their shenanigans or just enjoying life's little joys.  in fact, every day they amaze me more & more at their love for their God & our world & others.  what a difference they are making already in this world of ours!


well, back to my "drut" -it's time to get over the hurtful words & start living life & let it go to God.  i kept telling myself i was over all the drama, but it continued to weigh heavily on my heart.  what i & my family were doing for papaw was out of love for him.  he was, is & has always been my concern - as i and my family his. he walked me down the aisle on my wedding day & i held his hand all night when mamaw died.  he's my papaw. i am grateful for the times we have been able to be there for him & he for us.  i likely will never understand some extended family members' intentions & stories that they had told to pap, but in the end the truth will come out & that is what matters.   i pray my kiddos remember the sundays after church going up to pap's to eat & "help out" & play, the sacrifices they made (even at an early age) to help take pap to his treatments & care for him, working in the garden & the great love pap has for them and they for him.  

through the past several years, many times i could only imagine what my mamaw is thinking looking down on our extended family right now.  mamaw, i hope i am making you proud.  i love you & miss you.  you helped keep everyone on the right track & things got so derailed since you went to a better place. i know God has a master plan, but man, right now it is so confusing!

christmas cards

i've tried to get ahead of the game for some things this year, as we are often in such a hustle & bustle time around here this time of the year (holidays, birthdays, etc.)  we had the tree up before thanksgiving - something i thought i'd never do.  oh, never say never.  & oh, it was so nice to come home saturday night after thanksgiving & plug in those lights to our decorated tree.

tonight, the kiddos dressed up & gave me their best poses for our christmas cards.  these 2 are hams, it was fun & i think we got one that works.  here's some several of our outtakes:

hello, tall man (her middle finger stuck up).

wishing you peace this christmas.

hark, the herald angels scream!

i don't know what to say about this one..

ben is the funniest brother in the world!

rockin around the christmas tree

huggies!

mr. muscles

this was a contender

big cheese!

peek-a-boo!

you wanna mess with my brother? i don't think so.

she's choking me!

throw your hands up!

throw your hands up!

& the winner for this years card is... 

just beautiful i think!