Summer Fun

We are so busy already this summer it is unbelievable, but we are having a BLAST!!! There's so much to write I don't know where to start, and this post may get a little lengthy (and these events did not necessarily happen in this order)

We've had lots of fun playing with our friends...

Having Britton over for a day

Playdate at Emma's house

Playdate at Aubrey's house

Playgroup friends

Having our cousins Nate & Alli for a day

Having Noah & Eva live with us for a couple of days before they moved


Having Uncle Jake for a day

Both of the girls also did swimming lessons these past two weeks. They both did a fantastic job! Zora started in the 4/5 year old class, then was moved to the 6 year old class, and by the 3rd day of lessons ended up in the 7/8 year old class where she completed the rest of the lessons. The older class was a little above her physical ability level, but nonetheless she tried her hardest and pushed herself and really did a good job. She learned many different swimming styles, breathing techniques, and even how to dive properly.

Lily started off in the 3 year old class and was moved to the 4/5 year old class. Her lessons weren't quite as intense as Zora's, but she did learn some proper arm & leg movements and how to breathe correctly when swimming. She also did a great job jumping off the diving board - even though she refused to jump alone - she always wanted to be dropped off :)

We've also been busy reading and working on the summer reading program at the local libraries. Zora (as always) is a little book worm and I don't even have to suggest that she read... she reads all day long for the sheer joy of it (she takes after her Mommy).

Lily loves to read, too, but of course she has to wait around on someone to read to her, so we all try to take turns. We also attended one of the library storytimes and listened to a farmer talk about all the different kinds of animals he raises. The girls loved it and even got to pet a calf!

Some of our other activities include the zoo, Big Splash, and bowling. We plan on visiting all three of these places all summer long because we have family passes. SO MUCH FUN! I don't have any pics from Big Splash because I don't like taking my camera there for several reasons, but I did take my camera bowling today and got some cute videos of the girls. We were lucky enough to be accompanied by Nana Betty, Nate, Alli, and Papa Donnie!

They really did pretty well because they had and little ramp and used the bumpers. Zora's final score: 78 and Lily's final score: 73

I have more to post about other things that have been going on so check back soon. Until next time...

Farewell Tribute

Joel and I have been so very blessed to have so many wonderful friends. Among these friends are two very special people, Daniel and Amy Voss.



Not only are they our closest friends, but also our pastor's family, and they will be leaving us in two more days. I put together a video tribute to show this Sunday at their last service with us - it is a tribute not only to their family, but to Daniel and his ministry at the church.


To Dan & Amy: I hope you know how very precious you and your children are to us. Miles may separate us, but your friendship and love will always be a part of us! We love you and pray God's blessings upon your future, your new home, and your new ministry.

Dancing the Night Away

Friday night was the girls' end of the year dance recital. This was Zora's second year and Lily's first year. I wasn't close enough to video on recital night, but I got some good videos of the dress rehearsal. So here's my little cuties (sorry that the videos of Zora are a little shaky - Lily was climbing all over me while I was trying to record!)

Lily's tap dance

"Uptown Girls"

Zora's ballet dance

"Glory of Love"



Lily's ballet dance

"I Just Called To Say I Love You"



Zora's tap dance

"We've Got The Beat"

Ten Behind, A Lifetime Ahead!

It was ten years ago today that I said "I DO" to the love of my life. I can't believe that it's already been ten years! And to think back on all that we've shared is unbelievable...

... the joy we had at the births of our precious babies... the sorrow at the loss of loved ones...the humor at some of the silly things we've done... the feeling of contentment by living out our dreams... the peace we have in serving God together and bringing our children up to know how awesome He is... and the list just goes on!

Joel gave me a single red rose last night and this morning I got a dozen of them - he sure knows how to make me smile! He also got me a very nice watch and some new workout clothes :)

I had a hard time this year figuring out what to get him, so I decided instead to celebrate all week long with a "week of remembrance".

On Monday I wrapped up a CD with the song I Cross My Heart by George Strait because it is "our song". He sang this song to me when we first started dating.

On Tuesday I had great intentions of him opening a little Nutcracker figurine, but it's a little hard to find Christmas stuff at this time of year, and even the shops that have stuff like that all year long just have Santa & snowman stuff. So, we just spent the night talking and laughing about our first date - the Nutcracker Ballet!

On Wednesday he opened the movie Grumpier Old Men which was our first movie date. I told him that I'd love him even when he was old and grumpy :)

Yesterday we remembered the day he proposed to me at Beaver Lake in Eureka Springs. He also took me on a train ride that served dinner after he proposed... what a sweetie!

Today we will be celebrating with our little munchkins at their dance recital. Afterward, I will surprise him by singing Unforgettable to him because that is the song I sang to him at our wedding (it was a surprise to him 10 years ago as well)! We'll have to follow that up by watching our wedding video which will probably bring some laughter and tears :)

Tomorrow night we get to enjoy dinner on a double date with our friends Dan & Amy (their anniversary was last week). A double date with no kids!!! We can't wait :)

So here's to all the precious memories of the last ten years and to the rest of our lives together!!!

A Sad Day

Today was a sad day because we lost a friend - our dog Jesse.

Thankfully she went very peacefully. Although we could see her aging over the past several months, she never got sick or seemed like she was in any kind of pain. As a matter of fact we played outside with her most of the day today and she was her normal, playful, loving self.

However, when Joel got home around 5:30 this evening he came in and told me that she wasn't looking good and that she was breathing very hard. We went out as a family and checked on her and made her as comfortable as possible and gave her lots of water and food thinking maybe she was just tired or getting sick. I began checking on her every 5 minutes and by 6:00 she was gone. The girls were very understandably upset, but they each gave her one last gentle stroke before we buried her in our backyard by the fence. It will definitely be different without her to greet us at the back door every day when we head out to work or play. She's been part of our family since Joel and I got married, and we will miss her.

Goodbye, Jesse, we love you!

April Showers Bring...

... May Flowers

And everything else that comes with May - a LOT more rain and busy, busy, busy schedules!!! I have been in over my head trying to do a Just Between Friends sale, work a booth at Rooster Days, and Mother's Day all in the same weekend!

I did alright at the JBF sale. I got rid of about half of what I wanted, but I guess that's better than nothing! Our Rooster Days booth also did a little less than we had hoped for, but we were at least able to talk to a lot of people and get our information out there! I was blessed to be able to spend my Mother's Day with my own precious babies, my incredible mother, and even my sweet mother-in-law. I'm absolutely exhausted this week and trying not to overcommit myself. Apparently I have a hard time saying NO!

I don't really have any pictures to post of the past couple of weeks, but I've gotten so many laughs from my girls these past few days. Every day one of them seems to say something that either has me laughing hysterically or melts my heart. Lily is really the one the cracks me up the most... she is an absolute clown! Last Friday as we were on our way to playgroup but we had to make a stop at the post office first. While I was putting the bill in the mail I noticed a cat in a nearby field ready to pounce something. I pointed it out to the girls thinking I would get in one of those "teachable moments". We watched as this cat chased a mouse and Lily said, " Cats and dogs eat mice, Mommy, but people don't". I say, "That's right, Lily. There are also other animlas that eat mice, like owls, snakes..." Lily interupts me to say, "Snakes are bad, Mommy. The devil is a snake. He's bad. The devil makes you do bad things like toot in people's faces."

WHAT???

I swear I don't know where my kids get these ideas! On the other hand, Zora said something that absolutely melted my heart. Our pastor's family is moving to Arizona. They are our dearest friends and a huge piece of our lives will be moving with them. Lily was talking about how much she will miss Eva and Zora said, "Lily, don't you want other people to know about Jesus? Daniel has to go tell the people in Arizona about Jesus." So sweet :)

While this week has been rather calm we are gearing up for next week - it's recital week!!! Both of the girls will be in the dance recital so I'm sure I will have plenty of pictures to post. It's also mine and Joel's 10th anniversary! We'll be spending it at the girls' recital, but what better way to celebrate these last 10 years than watching our babies dance their hearts out?!?! I am more than blessed... a husband who treats me like a princess and two babies that are my pride and joy!

Humiliation

Just leave it to my kids to embarrass me...that's what they're for, right? Well, mine didn't just do it in public where I didn't know anyone and could escape quickly, they did it at CHURCH.

This morning during the potty break Lily commented to her Sunday School teacher about little boys being physically different than little girls... I'm sure you get the drift.

Then, this evening while I am just wrapping up choir practice and I have a group of adults sitting and listening very quietly about what will be going on for the next couple of weeks, Zora and one of the little boys from our church approach and interrupt. In a less than quiet voice the little boy - bless his heart - tells me that Zora just showed him her panties. I ask Zora if it's true and she says yes with a very sheepish grin on her face only to "justify" it with, "But he's my friend, Mommy!" I apologize to the little guy and quickly scold Zora and send her away only to realize that I still have a group of very quiet adults sitting right in front of me. WONDERFUL! They all thought it was hilarious because they have already "been there and done that" with their kiddos. I felt about an inch tall, but some of the gracious women in our church tried to make me feel better by telling me some of their kids' stories from long ago. At least we all got a good laugh, huh? I guess that's how God keeps us humble... our children reminding us that we're NOT perfect parents :)

I'm sure that one day I'll look back on this and think it's absolutely hilarious, but for now I'm going to "lay low" at church and try to keep my kids quiet!