Caleb's "owee" from school~

Now I'm playing catch up since I figured out how to upload pictures from my camera!  A few weeks ago Caleb ran into a door at school.  I got a phone call from the school Nurse (a substitute nurse, actually) and she said "Caleb ran into a door, there was a little blood, but he is fine and just went back to class."  When he got home, he had bled through his band aid and when we removed the band aid I was shocked to see this open, gaping cut above his eyebrow.  I was glad my mom was here because I was sick to my stomach because I have a weak stomach when it comes to blood in general.....So my mom cleaned it up and put a bandaid on it.  Troy got home from work and when we removed the band aid again, you could see that white stuff in it so we decided that it needed to be butterflied to help with scarring.  Needless to say, had he been home when it happened I would have brought him in and my guess is they would have put a stitch or 2 in it.  I called and talked to the "real" nurse and told her if there is a next time, they need to let ME have the final say in terms of whether my child needs medical treatment or not.  The end result is fine, Caleb is fine, and he has a nice scar which he actually thinks is pretty darn cool....go figure!  Oh, and these pics don't do it justice....trust me on that one....

He's happy that he has a scar now....lol

Easter 2012

Home made chocolate buttercream frosting Emily made

Spinach Dip

Em and Michael

Em's sunflower cake and Bunny Bread

Grandma coloring eggs with us!!

Mr. Caleb coloring eggs

Emily's Bunny she made from scratch

The finished product

Caleb and Josh

So stoic...don't ya think?

Dane

Caleb, Dane, Abby, Emily, Kaitlyn, Josh, Michael, Jon, and Jon's friend, Hope

with Grandma and Grandpa

Poifect Gary face!!

The two oldest grandchildren....wow....

The sweet, smart, beautiful talented Kaitlyn

See the flag flying in the back?

Miss Emmy Anne

Chillin and relaxin on the couch....

We went to my parents house today for Easter.  It was a nice day spent with family.  I always love it when I have all 4 of my children together in one place.  It warms my heart.  I wish little James and Sami could have been there to make it complete, but 8 out of 9 grand kids isn't bad.  We had good food, great fellowship, lots of laughs, an egg hunt, a nice prayer said, and an all around nice time. Emily made a sunflower cake, Easter Bunny bread, a clay Bunny, spinach dip, sweet potatoes,  and home made chocolate butter cream frosting to bring along.  She's a little baker....just like I used to be when I was her age.  :)

He is Risen!!

Finding serenity~

So we got Chinese food last night, and when I opened my fortune cookie it read:

"The strength in your character will bring you serenity."

Huh?  Now I'm getting reminders in fortune cookies?  Cool!  I would like to think I have strength in character.  Not always, that's for sure.  I stumble all the time.  But I also get back up every single time.  I have learned how to not allow myself to be consumed by fearful thoughts and worries.  I am pretty good at just letting God handle those things for me.  I know that its always in His perfect timing.  I also realize that how I think things in my life, in my children's lives should unfold is not always going to be how He thinks our lives should unfold.  I am learning that with every pain, every mistake, I learn something from it.  I usually am able to take something good from the pain.  I try not to question how or why things are happening too much.  I have faith.  I know He is in control.  I truly believe that with all of my heart.  I have learned to say, with certainty every night when I pray, "I trust you Lord."  And I do.  He doesn't want to see me hurting, or over burdened.  But sometimes, my blessings are hidden in the things that hurt the most.  So yes, I do believe that by having strength in character, you can find the serenity so many people search for.  My prayer is that all people could find it by having a relationship with our Savior.  That is where you will find your strength in character, and that is where you will find your serenity.

CONGRATULATIONS MISS EMMY ANNE!!!!

Emily entered a story into the Creative Writing Contest at her school, and she won FIRST place for the entire 5th grade.  There were over 50 entries and she came in first!  She also won a Character Award for Self Control. 

Congratulations to you my sweet little Beebz.  I am so proud of you and the talent God has gifted you with.  May you continue to inspire others with your writing ability, and the beautiful music you make with your voice.

I love you very much.
Mom

More Fun in the snow~

OK.  So I have this awesome camera my parents gave me, so why didn't I use it for these utterly adorable pictures you ask?  Because I had my phone in hand, not the camera, and they don't sit still long enough for me to run into the house, grab the camera and snap...
Here is Remi and Rico.  My parents changed his name from Niko to Rico.  As you can see, his ears stand up all the time now!  He still comes to my house 3x a week to play with Gabe and Remi.  They all get along so well, and have soooo much fun together.
I guess there is some truth to the fact that dog can be man's best friend.  I know my Dad's dogs have healed him and filled him up in a way no person could.
I am happy that I can be a part of raising Rico, and giving him the "fun" he needs while my parents are working.  Guess I better start wearing my camera around my neck...
lol

Congrats to my Jonny Bob~

Just got his permit today and he's already feeling cocky.  I'm joking.  Congrats to my son, Jon for passing his permit test today.  They grow so fast.  Where does the time go?  Jon is a kind, responsible, funny as heck young man, and I know he will use his best judgement as he learns how to drive.  Seems like just yesterday he was afraid of "lightling" and getting bacteria under his fingernails....
Its exciting to watch them grow and mature.
My prayer for all of my children is that they will love and serve the Lord, listen to Him and the calling He has for them.  Have the courage to follow it.  To love themselves, accept themselves exactly the way they are, and know that they are special, they are gifts from our Savior, and know without a doubt how much I love them.