My Funny Bones

Baptism

2009-08-26T19:14:00.009-04:00

I know I know. I'm not even going to say 'I'll try to get better at it' or 'Maybe I'll have more time when the kids start school again'. Instead I'll just say, 'hey guys. It's nice to be on with some great news.

Last week, while Sam, Tarrah and the kids were here, Javen was baptized. He chose a couple of years ago to be baptized, but we wanted to wait until we were sure that he was sure. It was a beautiful evening on the beach - we had close friends and family with us - and Javen publicly declared his love for Christ.

Our 'Master Pastor' and friend Keith braved the cold water at East Matunuck. Jim read a Scripture and we all gathered around to witness.
It was beautiful and humbling. Javen was ecstatic, as were we.

School starts next week, and we are already feeling the crunch of busy schedules. All three will be in soccer, and Javen is due in Sept. for a follow up for his growth. Please keep him in your prayers.

Sports and Stuff

2009-05-04T11:08:00.003-04:00

You can yell, scream, jump up and down, and throw any kind of rant and rave you want...but I just can't seem to get the blogging thing down! It's so much easier to post on Facebook now, but I did want to do an update.
Eli lost his third tooth - first of the top ones, while the other is on it's way shortly. What a goobs! He's such a little man. Doing really good in kindergarten. Smart kid. His teacher is amazing and gives him, and a couple other kids who are excelling, extra work. It's great that he's being challenged.
Javen is in baseball right now. First year, so it's definitely a learning experience for us all. He's getting better each and every time he steps out on the field. The kid just won't give up! It's amazing how much time is spent at the field. We're getting good at quick meals that you can pack.
On another note - Jave is finally seeing his growth. His shorts and shirts from last summer are too small, and he's even grown out of some t-shirts that used to be way too big for him. He's encouraged and getting more confidence in himself.

Here's Eli playing soccer. He's pretty natural at it, and loves hanging out with his friends. The coach is really good - patient! It's fun to watch the games b/c kids make me laugh!

He's always looking for an excuse to drink his Gatorade (it's a novelty for them to have it). Unfortunately, it runs right through him, and he ran off the field to pee mid-game on Saturday. Kind of funny :)

Lena's in softball. First year, but she's learning pretty well how to control her lanky limbs finally! She loves that they get visors. Looking forward to playing a game as everything is pretty basic right now. She's becoming quite the little lady. Drives me nuts sometimes with her girly-ness, but it's fun to see her becoming her own person.

Here's a shot of her with her visor :)

I hope all is well with everyone. We look forward to hearing from you. Lots of love.

Huh...

2009-02-20T07:19:00.002-05:00

It's been so long, I'm not really sure where to begin. I guess with basketball. Javen's been rocking the court, and unfortunately, the season is coming to an end. Finals this Saturday. They are thus far undefeated, with two ties. Javen has made two baskets this year, which we couldn't be prouder of. He has really blossomed into a confident young man, which is all any parent wants to see. He will be playing baseball this spring instead of soccer, and I'll try to post some pics of that. Practice starts pretty soon.

Lena-doll has been doing great in school (they all have). She's beginning to have that preteen attitude that I fear so much! She is signed up for softball this spring and is really excited. We have some friends who play and she really looks up to them. This will be her first experience with team sports, so keep praying!

Jim had a holiday off with the kids, and by the grace of God, it snowed the previous day. They created the biggest snowman this town has ever seen.

Lilly and Lady are great friends. Lady is about 70 lbs now, and growing daily. She is a doll and well behaved. Very loving. We were truly blessed with her.

Molly, my cousin, came for a two day visit recently. They has so much fun with her. She is an amazing kid who doesn't get stressed with everything going on. I had so much fun with her!

Since Eli doesn't get his own pic, I'll still share. He'll be playing soccer this spring, and his teachers are in talks of whether or not he should go straight into second grade or first. We should know soon.

This vacation week has been amazing. I love hanging with the kids, and they seem to like hanging with me too. What more could a mom ask for?

For you Poppa - We love you and I'm sorry I haven't posted sooner. Facebook consumes all my free time now :)

My Baby

2008-12-29T11:45:00.003-05:00

I use that term loosely. I know he's 6, but he's the youngest, and every milestone with him will be the last for all of our kids. So, don't laugh when I tell you I found myself with tears in my eyes today. 'Why?' you may ask. Eli, our monster, was playing football with Javen, and lost his first tooth. Granted, it had been so loose, any little thing would've knocked it out, but he was so proud he lost it in a "manly" fashion. And my heart broke just a little for time that moves so quickly. Everyone tells you to enjoy the little moments, and I believe I try, but little, seemingly insignificant moments like this remind me to try harder.

May His blessings be abundant for you all.

Uh-Oh, Here Comes Trouble

2008-12-24T10:12:00.004-05:00

Look at this face...for one second, ignore the finger about to go digging, and just look at that face. What a ham! Sam, Tarrah and the three kiddos came on Sunday to spend most of the week with us. It has been amazingly fun and exhausting, and I wish we could be together almost all of the time. The kids have been wonderful, all of them playing well together. Lena enjoyed a little quiet time with Ethan on the floor. The dogs have been pretty good not stepping on him.

Ugh...look at this kid! Ethan is the HAPPIEST baby EVER. Laughing and smiling at everything. I fell in love immediately.

Sam (under the pile) and the kids (all trying to kick his butt) thought it would be a good idea to wrestle the other night. All went well until...
Thankfully my kids have really hard heads. No damage done, just a little pain. I hope you all have a wonderful, blessed Christmas.

Lady

2008-12-19T07:56:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone. I know it's been a while, but if you've noticed, I keep adding to my Facebook page. God bless Facebook!

Yesterday we got our new puppy. I know she may not look like a puppy, but she's only three months old. Jim and I looked for a couple of months, and found Lady in a rescue down in Tennessee.

She was driven here yesterday, filthy from the long trip, a little timid, and smelly smelly smelly. Jim and I gave her a bath, the kids played with her, and she slept great last night. We are very excited with our "new edition" to the family.

Have a great weekend! If you could, keep my dad in your prayers. He's having minor knee surgery later today. Thanks.

Watch Out Oscar!

2008-11-29T11:36:00.003-05:00

The Oscar I'm referring to is the grouch in the garbage can. My kids decided, on their own, to make a difference on our road. In turn it touched more people than we can know.

On Thanksgiving, while taking a walk with Mom, they decided that there was just too much garbage on the side of the road. Unfortunately, with the college around the bend, the kids who go there litter often.

While Jim and I went to the gym (haha--Jim/gym) my parents took the kids up and down Stony Fort Road collecting garbage, and recycling.

The kids did an amazing job. A woman stopped to tell them that they inspired her to do the same with her children. I was so proud of them. They are becoming more conscious of the choices we make, and how they can affect others.

I think they were pretty proud of themselves as well :)

Thanksgiving

2008-11-29T11:28:00.003-05:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Lots to be thankful for this year. New life, God's gifts, family and friends.

Jim, Dad and the boys went to a football game in the morning. During that time Mom vacuumed.

Lena watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. She finally had control of the remote!

When the guys got home they were super hungry. They snacked for a while...

then snacked some more...

I made a huge loaf of braided bread for dinner. Javen wanted his picture taken with it :)

Stay tuned. More to come!

Best Seat in the Hizz-ouse

2008-11-21T16:53:00.001-05:00

Need I say more?

Hummus - Mediterranean Style

2008-11-05T14:02:00.005-05:00

Okay ladies and gents. Strap on your aprons and get in the kitchen. This is officially my new favorite hummus recipe. I found one on the Weight Watchers website, then tweaked it to make it my own. I notice when I cook, music makes a great accompaniment. Jack Johnson is on in the background, and I'm feeling really chill (and old...groovy!).

Remember, it's okay to follow the recipe loosely. Really, the only necessity are the beans, which is the base of hummus. So, these are the culprits. Quite the lineup.

To break it down for you, I used both garbanzo beans (chick peas) and cannellini beans. The cannellinis are a little lower in calories/fat, and add a slightly different texture to the hummus. Add two cans of the beans of your choice, drained first.

Nest is the spices. Dash of salt and pepper. Be as liberal with the cumin and curry as you want. Cumin is bitter, curry spicy. They taste amazingly earthy together. Don't worry, not earthy like dirt.

Next add about 1/4 cup of lemon juice. I used 4 cloves of garlic, which makes it super stinky. Add more or less depending on the taste you're looking for. Wait on the olive oil until everything is blended. If you use it only as a liquid to smooth the hummus, you'll end up using less than if you measure it out.

I found these neat jarred peppers at Shaws. You could always add sun-dried tomatoes if you want a different taste. I love peppers, so this worked well. I added a bunch, about 1/2 cup, then drizzled a little of the oil they are packed in.

This is what it looks like all jumbled into the food processor.
And this is what it looks like after 2 minutes of processing, on a carrot :)

Notice the mess on the counter. Because I am who I am, I'll clean up most, but leave a hint of what I did for Jim to clean up. He always appreciates my cooking messes.

That's it. Simple, to the point, and delicious. If any of you make it, be sure to let me know what you think.
I know I'm a dork...get over it!

Three Week Re-cap

2008-11-04T08:06:00.003-05:00

I know; you don't need to say it. It's about time! Things are going well. The kids are all doing great in school. Another year of soccer is over, thankfully, and Javen is now playing basketball. This will be his first year, and he is super excited.
We may put Lena into ballet, or a ballet/tap class this winter so she can have something to do. We're still trying to convince her that reading isn't a sport :)
Meaghin came down with Addison and Owen for a week at the end of October. We had a lot of fun. Addison, as you can see, is growing up so quick. She is such a good baby. Towards the end of the trip, she finally decided I wasn't so bad.
Owen preferred to chase chickens and hang with the kids. He had no use for us old people.

Then came Halloween. We don't actually celebrate Halloween, but do have a gross dinner to look forward to. It was our third annual dinner. We had fun, and dad got waaayyy more creative this time.

Jim decided that he made a better witch than mom, which is still up in the air!

Keith and Rita came with their kids. It's nice to have friends who know, love, and expect that you are crazy, and they actually enjoy it! (No comment needed baldy.)

This is my dad's concoction. It is guacamole under half an avocado to look like a turtle. He then prompted the kids to squish it so it's "guts" came out.

Yes, these are real mouse traps. And the ants are pomegranate seeds. I'm telling you, he outdid himself.

The chickens are going crazy, laying up to 8 eggs a day. It's becoming difficult to keep up with them. I really don't like eggs that much. And I'm not baking as much so the temptation isn't in the house. Eggs anyone?
I've also been cooking applesauce. That's one of my favorite things to do in the fall. There is nothing quite like homemade applesauce. As you can see, I have a lot of work set before me. So off I go to peel and chop, and I pray that you are well.

Six

2008-10-11T08:12:00.003-04:00

This is it. Another year down. But this is a momentous year. Our baby, our little Eli, is turning six today. Our youngest is six...and we are officially old.

This past year held some amazing things for Eli. He started full day kindergarten, and really loves learning.

He is learning how to look cool without overdoing it. Jim and Javen are giving him tips, but he is becoming his own fashion statement.He was also able to eat poolside with his sister this summer, in Tennessee. Going on an airplane, to a different state, and meeting tons of new people...this kid took it all in stride.So this is for you Eli. You wonderful kid. What a spirit you have. You have added so much to this family, laughter, love, and lots of snuggles!

Happy Birthday old fart!

The Weekend

2008-10-07T11:04:00.004-04:00

Busy, busy weekend. Two soccer games, two photo shoots for soccer, church, Immersion (bible study), and friends over on Saturday night. And I still found time to take pictures! I hear the applause right now...thank you, thank you. You're too kind.
Saturday was a chilly, beautiful fall day. Eli's game was amazing! He scored seven out of the twelve goals his team made. Yeah, I know. I'm bragging about my kids athletic ability, which he CLEARLY gets from me. Him and I...super athletes!
He's the goober in the white headband. Jim had a great idea to get the boys the headbands so they could look "cool".
Javen was very proud of Eli, cheering him on. He has given Eli every opportunity a big brother can give to play soccer and excel. I was so proud of both of them.
OK - I haven't posted a pic of myself yet on this blog, and this is a goober picture, but I knew you (especially you Big Poppa) missed my gorge face.

The kids raced to do their homework Sunday night after bible study. Notice Javen, the studious one. I think Jim and I raised jellyfish. Lena and Eli will be found kneeling/leaning on the couch or chairs reading. I'm not entirely sure why they don't sit. They just DON'T.
This is after I told Lena to sit, two seconds after I took her picture. Notice, she's enthralled in the book that quickly. Eli was annoyed I interrupted him, but he got over it.

Slacker

2008-09-29T08:29:00.003-04:00

Yes, I am a slacker. I know, confess, repent, and beg for forgiveness. It's not that I don't want to blog, or have time...I have LOTS of time, but things are settled into a rhythm, and life seems pretty "normal". I wouldn't want to bore you. But today, I figured boring is better than nothing, right?

The boys had simultaneous games this past Saturday. Unfortunately, I was needed at Eli's game, which was 15 minutes away from Javen's. Not unfortunately that I saw his game, just that I was unable to watch both games. It's tough being a mom.

Child labor laws, beware! We cut down the tree that is parked in the middle of our yard. Jim and I chopped, the kids stacked. And stacked, and stacked. I was proud of them. Mild whining, but nothing big. They did a great job. Even had a little fun!

Javen had a Dr's appointment this past Wednesday at Hasbro, with the endocrinologist. In three months he has put on 3 lbs and grown 3/4 of an inch. Which is great. The doctor is really pleased with his progress, and feels he has a lot of growing left to do. Just to give you a hint, he was under the charts 6 months ago, in the 1st percentile 3 months ago, and now is in the 10th percentile for growth. Praise God!

I'll try to stay more current, but you know how that goes.

Haters, Need Not Apply

2008-09-17T19:35:00.003-04:00

I know what you're thinking. Oh my goodness, what a gorgeous kid. I know. I take some of the responsibility for that mug. Even though, if you were to ask his paternal grandfather, he would state that Javen's finally growing into his "Genest genes".
So, Javen and I have been having a battle of wills with his hair. I love his hair. It's shiny, thick, wavy, blondish now that the summer is coming to an end. Gorgeous. But always in his face. And I love his face way more than his hair.
If this comes as a shock to any of you, I'm sorry. But it was time. Javen and I have an agreement. Short hair for school, and he can grow it out starting April, for the summer. It works for both of us. And look at THIS face. All of it. 100% face. Looking back at you and me. This is what we did tonight. Tell us (Javen's curious too), what do you think?

Balance, Balance, Use Your Balance

2008-09-11T07:31:00.002-04:00

No, I'm not nuts. Well...I am, but the title of this blog is from an old cartoon. That's all I can think of when I see Eli's soccer coach have ten under 6 kids stretch. It's very funny. Eli does know basic stretching from doing Taebo with me. Do you guys notice how he looks like a giant compared to all these other peanuts? I don't know when he grew so much, but he's definitely a "big" kid now.
I caught this split second of him holding his leg up before he dropped it for the, ohhhhh, eighth or ninth time. I think it's cruel to try and get kids to balance on one foot. I can't even do that well!
Just gratuity pictures of the other two kids. I've noticed a lot of blogs have been of Eli, so I thought I'd let you see. Lena and Javen are indeed alive and well. We've been really busy, but enjoying this time running around. I'll post the recipe I promised later today.

Soccer Anyone?

2008-09-04T08:25:00.003-04:00

Letting go is more consuming than I ever thought. School has been going well. They're on their third day, and already whining because they want to sleep in. Don't take your early risers for granted. Sometimes I think it would be easier!They are now taking the bus to and from school. Thankfully, they have the same bus driver and monitor that they've had for the past 3 years. Eli knows them, so he's really comfortable about the whole thing.

Last night was Eli's first ever soccer practice. He's played with us and friends, but never on a team. Their first game is Saturday, which should be cute. All they do is run after the ball. And my son looks like a giant. I guess I never noticed what a beast he was until now. But a beast he is!

Javen will be practicing tonight, with Jim coaching again, so I'll try to get some pictures of that. Also, Jim and I started Weight Watchers, so I'll do a post on that soon. Keep us in your prayers!

First...Gulp...Day

2008-09-02T08:49:00.002-04:00

So this is the standard first day of school photo session in chronological order. Kids are ready for school. They've been up since 5/6 a.m. In bed but awake with excitement. Eli's first full day of school. I think I was more nervous than he was.
Here they get a little goofy. Just a little though. Still very serious, knowing these will be posted on the blog today.
Eli wanted to make sure you guys noticed his new kicks. He was really excited about them.
Why are they laughing you may ask. Because their Pepere is making bunny ears over my head. They then show us the current pictorial prank. Moose ears! I never....
So, my heart tore a little today when I dropped all three of them off at school today. But it's okay. God has a plan for them. And a plan for me too. And now I just have to figure out what that is! Shouldn't take too long right?
May his blessing be on you all.

Ice Cream and Biking

2008-08-26T19:29:00.002-04:00

Those two things don't seem like they should go together, but today, they did.
I know I said I'd try to bring the camera out with us, but I forgot. Big surprise there. Fortunately, my kids keep me plenty entertained around the house!
I received an ice cream machine for my birthday, and today I decided to make coffee ice cream. Now, if you know me, you know I can go either way with it. I don't love it, but I don't mind it every so often. Coffee ice cream is definitely my favorite, so I'll try to remember to post this recipe because it came out really good.
Needless to say, my kids are fiends for ice cream. I was washing the dishes while the ice cream was spinning, and after going into the kids room for something, came back to this.

Lena is pleading here...Eli is upset I caught him and was now going to publicly humiliate him. I told them they could try it, and they were thrilled.

Unfortunately, I got the "look" when I told them no double-dipping. They were ready for more!On to biking. Dad finally smoothed out the ton of dirt that sat between the house and barn. The kids took this as a challenge. I got tons of pictures of them biking, but these were my two favorite. Here's Eli going up and Javen going down at 100 mph. Obviously I over exaggerate. But it felt that way to my mother's heart.
And here's Jim acting like a kid :) He pulled a pop-a-wheelie, and was really excited I got it on film, so I thought I'd share it with all of you. Notice the sheer determination on his face?
I hope your week goes fast, and your weekend lasts.

New Post

2008-08-26T08:36:00.002-04:00

I finished a post I had started before Tarrah had Ethan. I didn't realize it wouldn't post at the top of the blog, so if you want to scroll down a few posts, it will be there. It's called the Chicken Whisperer. I hope everyone is having a great week! Jim took the day off so we can have a last fun day before school starts next week.
Dentist, library, park, meet and greet at the school. I'll try to remember my camera so I can post again soon.
I pray your day is filled with His blessings.

His Name

2008-08-21T09:23:00.002-04:00

FINALLY...the sweet baby boy has a name. I was waiting...and waiting...and waiting some more. Tarrah was so patient with me, even when I wasn't. You would think I have a personal interest in this kid :)
So...after much deliberation and thought, they have picked the perfect name for him. ETHAN JAMES. Of course, I'm partial, but this name is a beautiful representation of their baby.
So may He bless you as he has blessed them. With miracles and grace.

By God's Grace...

2008-08-19T18:56:00.002-04:00

..Tarrah is okay ...Sam had the strength to get through today ...their baby is a healthy big boy.
They want to thank everyone for their prayers. Tarrah is aware of her situation and is relying on God for strength. The baby is truly a miracle. Continue praying. I will post when there is more to say...like his name! I can't wait to hear it.
Hopefully Sam will send me pictures soon. Love to you all in His name.

Update on NC

2008-08-19T05:26:00.004-04:00

Update #2***
I just talked to Sam. Tarrah is still groggy, but she is holding their no-name baby boy. She is being given blood/fluid since her blood pressure is still low.
The reason for the bleeding was a tear in her uterus. It was partially stuck to her bowels, so she began bleeding into her abdominal cavity. Unfortunately, they had to take out her uterus and cervix (hysterectomy). For any of you who know Tarrah, this will be a really tough time for her. Keep her in your prayers. We just are so thankful that God allowed this pregnancy to go to term, and the baby is so healthy. May He bless all of you.

Update****
Tarrah has come out of surgery, and is in a recovery room sleeping. The doctors were able to stop the bleeding. Keep praying for them. I'm sure she'll blog when she's ready, but she will be in the hospital for a few days. If she gives me the go-ahead, I'll give you more information soon.

A beautiful baby boy was born this morning. He has blond hair and blue eyes, and looks like his dad. He came out at 8lbs 10oz.
Tarrah was losing blood after the birth, so had to have emergency surgery. We don't know the outcome yet, but will keep you updated.
Please pray for Sam's strength and Tarrah's recovery.

The Chicken Whisperer

2008-08-18T19:57:00.004-04:00

Shhhhh...don't tell anyone. We just realized a few nights ago that Jim has an amazing gift. It is a gift given by the Big Guy himself, and we're flabbergasted that he chose to bestow it on a simple man like Jim.

Jim can communicate with chickens. Wait...there's no punch line. He really can! They love him. I took some pictures so you can see how it actually works.

First, he lures them in with clucking and finger waving.

Then he feeds them small bits of bread so that they feel comfortable. By this point they're all clucking and preening for him. He talks to them, telling them how beautiful they are. They are in heaven. I think they'd jump in the oven for him if he asked.
They get right up on him, trying to get as close as possible. He then breaks out his comedy routine. Have you ever heard the one about the chicken crossing the road?
Lastly, he tucks them in for the night with a hug and kiss. They say their prayers, that no animal will come and whisk them away before the sun comes up in the morning.
Then the sleep, impatiently, awaiting the next day they can see their soul mate. The man that whispers to them in the evening. The chicken whisperer.

It's Time!

2008-08-17T08:35:00.001-04:00

I'll try to keep everyone posted. If you go over to see Sam and Tarrah's blog, there's a post from last night. Tarrah's water has broken, and they are preparing for the new baby. I can't wait to see what it's going to be!
Keep them in your prayers.

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

2008-08-14T16:26:00.003-04:00

My kids are crazy. In case you didn't realize that already. Which, if you know them, you should. Because they are a cross between Jim and I. And we're crazy. But my kids...man they are super crazy.It started clouding up this afternoon, and we could hear thunder in the distance. Instead of running for cover, which any sane "flat-lander" would do, my kids ran outside and started doing the rain dance. Over, and over, and over. My mother would be so proud.
As you can see by these pictures, the rain came.

And still they played on. And it rained more.And they laughed. And more rain came. And my goobers posed. Ahhhh...what goof balls. I wonder where they get it from. Hmmmm....

New Artist

2008-08-08T11:42:00.002-04:00

Here is an artist Jim and I found on http://www.godtube.com/ He is amazing, and if you get a chance, check out this song. It's called All Ye, and God flows right through this young man.
May He bless your day.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=47f598bde7d37a5f655b

Thank You

2008-08-08T11:28:00.003-04:00

Thank you Tennessee for taking such good care of my kids. And Jim too!

I'm not sure if they could have had a nicer time. Grandma Kathy, thank you. They can't stop talking about how much fun they had with you.

The other grandma, thank you. Lena really wants to make banana bread :) The thing they loved was that they could go and see you whenever they wanted, and you and Grandpa made them feel really at home.

Aunt Amy, the kids couldn't say more about you. You made a lasting impression of love on them.Oh my goodness Erin...your baby is so beautiful. Anytime you want a vacation, there's a room here for you.

Thank you Kaitlin and Skyler for making them feel loved. They went with trepidation over meeting all of these new people, and came home with family and friends.

Thank you all of you who opened your homes and hearts to them.

I Know...

2008-08-08T11:22:00.002-04:00

...it's been a while. There was so much to write for a while, but then there was nothing. Sam and Tarrah are happily living in NC, the kids and Jim went on vacation to Tennessee, and now they're back. Jim's 31st birthday is today. So Happy Birthday my love. May He bless your next 31 years even more.

Goodbye

2008-07-25T09:19:00.003-04:00

We wish the best for you. We will miss you so much. We love you.

Macho, Macho Man

2008-07-12T19:02:00.002-04:00

I should say men, or boys, or both. There was testosterone in the air today. So much that I almost choked on it, or it might have been the dust from the rock Jim was breaking.
If you can't tell, a jackhammer makes him feel quite manly.
This is a rock that is too big to move with Dad's backhoe, but not small enough just to cover with dirt. It's been a struggle to break it down to size, so today Jim caved and got a jackhammer, just a rental, to use. It was dirty work, but you can see the pride...can't you?
Instead of using the jackhammer and rattling the few marbles he has left, Dad decided to hop in the backhoe, lest the testosterone in the air went to waste. He did something in the back yard, and went in the house good and sweaty.
The boys worked on a game of basketball before showers. They played a hard game.

Have a great evening everyone. We'll be playing volleyball tomorrow night, so I'll try to get some pictures of it.

The Beach

2008-07-11T09:20:00.003-04:00

Sorry it's been so long. I was told I needed to post yesterday, so thankfully we went to the beach so I could get a few pictures. It was in the eighties, and the water wasn't too bad. Notice that I'm not in the water taking pictures. It wasn't cold, but it wasn't warm either.
Javen was able to try out his new skim board yesterday. He's trying really hard to get the hang of it so he can teach his Uncle Sam how to do it the next time we see them.

Jim is becoming proficient at skim boarding as well. I was lucky to get this picture. Two seconds later, he was flat on his back.

Eli decided to be brave this year and went in the water without any encouragement. It usually takes a lot of coaxing and a parent to hold his hand. Not this summer, which is good I think?
Lena was more than happy making sand castles and playing with a couple of friends who met up with us there. She only went in the water when everyone else did. Yes...those are sunglasses on Eli's head. He didn't take them off at all. And they stayed on even when a wave tossed him under. They all finally decided to go in and watch Jim body surf. And thankfully, this was a place with outdoor showers, so we took wet kids home, but left the beach there.

Happy Independence Day

2008-07-04T08:36:00.003-04:00

Lord, thank you for our freedom, each and every day. Protect those who fight for our country, and allow us to continue to enjoy moments like these.

Jim's a WiiNNER!

2008-07-02T19:27:00.001-04:00

My lovely husband had a physical for work a few weeks ago, and during this time filled out a survey for a raffle. Now, all of you who know and love Jim, you also know he doesn't win things. Anything. Ever.
This time, out of 200 people, he won a Wii Fit. They are promoting healthy living, so the system only comes with sports and fitness games, which are extremely fun! Lena played tennis tonight, and we were able to see that she's not as uncoordinated as we originally thought. Eli on the other hand, didn't stand a chance. Poor kid. I know he's only 5, and it was his second time ever playing a video game. Poor kid...
Javen played baseball and tennis, and did surprisingly well. We are not super coordinated, as a family. Kind of off balance and graceless, but I was proud of these three kids. They did good.
There WILL be more pictures of Jim hula hooping on the Wii. It'll keep you coming back for more, won't it? :)

Tickets

2008-07-01T09:18:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was a huge day for us. I bought airplane tickets for Jim and the kids, so that they could visit Tennessee at the end of July. Whew...it's finally done. What you see here is the itinerary, which may seem old hat to those of you who fly all the time, but this is a huge deal for us. This will be the kids first flight, and they are so excited. The best part of all of this is that they will meet their two cousins, who live in Tennessee, for the first time. They are really excited to see their uncle, two aunts, grandma, and all the relatives mushed into that state!
So, here's to letting go and having adventures.
More to come on Jim's prize later today.

Shout Out

2008-07-01T09:13:00.001-04:00

I just want to publicly thank my mom-in-law. We may not have always seen eye to eye in the past, but she is dependable and helps out family when they need her.
Thank you Kathy for your help.

S'more Fun

2008-06-30T09:21:00.003-04:00

Ha! I love making up titles for the posts. It has to be one of the most entertaining things about reading a blog.

So, as I stated before, we had friends over yesterday and had a great time. It was pretty hot, so the kids were able to play on the slide/pool toy we bought earlier in the year.

Do you see a trend here?

From there we went on to S'mores by a fire. The kids had so much fun, we may make this a weekly Sunday occurrence.

This is serious business, as you can see from Lena's face. We interrupted her to take this picture and she was not pleased.Eli was just happy to have chocolate at 8 pm!

This is Rita, the pastor's wife. Obviously very excited over S'mores.

I have another post coming soon of something that Jim won in a raffle. Have a wonderfully muggy day.

BBQ Sauce

2008-06-30T09:12:00.004-04:00

Sorry it's been a few day. Sometimes it takes a while for anything to pop in my head to blog about. This weekend was full though, so now you get a couple new posts.

We had the McNamar family, and Zach, a friend who moved on to New York, over for dinner yesterday. We were joined by Mom and Dad and had a great time hanging out.

I made an orzo salad for the side, which is Jim's favorite, and we had wings and thighs on the grill. I had made a new sauce, and as you can see from the following pictures, it was thoroughly enjoyed.

Jim asked me to post the recipe, so here it is.

BBQ SAUCE

1 1/2 cups ketchup

1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

3 tablespoons molasses

3 tablespoons mustard

1/2 cup water

A dash of Canadian Steak Seasonings

Mix all of them together well, and you have an amazingly thick and sticky sauce. I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend!

Pickle Juice

2008-06-23T18:34:00.003-04:00

So, I hear there's a tradition of sorts being passed down in the Genest family. How did I get myself caught up with these silly people?

Jim thinks that pickle juice has the ability to thin your blood, and if you're Lebanese, or even have an iota of Lebanese in you, you must thin your blood, as your father, and your father's father, and so on, have since the beginning of time.
Mmmmmm...that's good stuff. Straight up. And of course, our children strive to be proud of their heritage. So Lena dove in first.
Not too bad. Kinda refreshing.
Javen took a huge swig...
and passed it off immediately with no negative effects.Eli was not as willing to try it. I wonder, truly wonder, why they call it pickle juice.

Would you make this face if you were drinking juice?
I was dared. I denied the dare. I will do many things, but drinking "juice" from a pickle...no thanks.

Last Day

2008-06-19T08:41:00.003-04:00

They have flown the coop, so to speak. I'm all about chicken speak nowadays...our chicks are becoming "chicks, man" and running throughout our yard and garden all day. But back to what I was saying. Monday, the Johnson's left us to go back home. It was truly bittersweet. Our family enjoyed having the kids so much, and when Sam and Tarrah got home, it was nice to visit with them also. Knowing that these chances come once in a lifetime, I am sad that it seemed to end so quickly. But I am thankful for the time we were able to spend together. Even though most of it was with Sam beating on my kids!
Today, Thursday the 19th, is officially the last day of school for Javen and Lena. On to third and fourth grade next year. I love last days of school. Summer begins, and there are no set bedtimes, dinner at the beach happens more often, bike riding in the evenings. I may be odd, but this is the time I look forward to the most. These are the moments my kids will remember, and I intend to make the most of it.

May you see His blessings today, and look forward to more.

Update

2008-06-17T11:12:00.002-04:00

For all of you who know Javen, you understand it has been years since he's grown. His pituitary glad is underdeveloped, and for that reason, he is on growth hormones. Well, he had an appointment with his doctor yesterday, and all the news has been good so far.
A little under 10 months ago, he started the treatment. Since then he has grown 4.2 inches! His feet went from 13.5 to size 3. His mouth has grown also. Just kidding! His doctor is very positive, and expects even more from him.
Javen has not been on any part of the height-for-age growth chart that doctors give parents to chart their kids growth. He finally clocked in at 1-5%, which means over 95% of kids his age are taller than him, but he's on the charts!
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for him. He knows is, and it gives us all comfort. Please continue to pray for his pituitary to grow, so he can go through a normal pubescent phase and continue becoming the person God has planned for him to be.
May you notice His blessings in your life today.

Double Digits Baby

2008-06-14T08:18:00.002-04:00

That's all I've heard for the past couple of weeks. "Mom, I'm going to be double digits soon!" And he was right. I've denied it until today. But waking up this morning cemented it. Javen turns 10 today. My little man is becoming a big boy.

I'm excited to see him growing up. He has become such a wonderful young man. Polite (sometimes to a fault), kind, loving...except when he's driving his brother and sisters nuts. He passed third grade with flying colors, and is excited to learn new things. I'm not sure how long it will last, but I'll enjoy it for the time.

Happy Birthday Javen. To my first. My baby. My double digit boy.

Momma Told Me There'd be Days Like This

2008-06-11T19:56:00.004-04:00

...she just never mentioned it would be so durn hot! My friend Meaghin came down Monday night with her two kids; Owen who is almost two, and Addison who is 3 months old. We are having a wonderful time, but Tuesday...it was 100 degrees. And humid. And we were hot. Abe and Abriella were done from a very early time. They just about wilted. We all did.

Today was much nicer, temperature in the 80's, so we're not too bad. All the kids played nicely together, and are now sleeping soundly. I hope you are enjoying your week!

And Then There Were Five

2008-06-09T07:44:00.003-04:00

So, I have five kids this week. I am using our minivan to it's full potential, and it's fun. Lots of fun.

Jim and I went to church, played in the water, then took the kids to the beach yesterday. Unfortunately, a thunderstorm came rolling in, but we still took the opportunity to hang out and eat in the van while enjoying the coolness of the wind off of the ocean.

This morning the kids lined up at the food trough :) It's been a lot of fun so far, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the week. We'll be busy, but sometimes, that's when life hands you your greatest blessings.

The Time Has Come

2008-06-04T08:16:00.003-04:00

...to eat dinner on the beach! Last night, the kids, Jim and I went to the beach with subs to enjoy the last remnant of the day. It was a little chilly when we got there, 66 degrees, but we sucked it up and promised each other we'd bring sweatshirts next time.

This, for us, is the best part of summer. The beach is deserted, the kids are relaxed, and Jim is fresh out of work. No matter what your day looked like, the ocean, it's waves, and the sun can take it all away and make it look insignificant.

If you can't tell, I dig the beach.

We met up with friends later on, and the kids played a rousing rendition of wiffle ball with Jim and Keith. Lena would throw the ball at whoever was running bases instead of chasing them. Rita and I sat around laughing and eating wonderful brownies she took.

Sounds nice huh?

Meaghin, I can't wait for a vacation with you.

Tarrah, soon...

Until next time.

Ice Skating

2008-05-30T10:01:00.003-04:00

Yes...you read that correctly. Eli's preschool went ice skating yesterday. Whoever thought that 30 kids under the age of 5 on the ice, most for the first time, is a good idea is a little nutty. Well...this is Eli's teacher, so I guess nutty would be an appropriate name for her! Actually, that is Ms. Heidi, and she is the best teacher ever.

Eli had never gone before, so he was set up with two crates tied together. It was amazing to see him immediately get his "ice legs".

Kids are able to pick up on things so much quicker than adults. I knew I would be more helpful on the sidelines, so I didn't lace up my skates, but the arena was big and amazing. I will definitely be taking the kids there this summer.

Been a Long Time

2008-05-28T09:20:00.004-04:00

Never in my life have things seemed to busy. I'm not sure if it's because of the season, or because the kids are growing up and have things to do. I don't think we've had two minutes to catch our breaths in the past couple of weeks. This is my excuse as to why I haven't written lately.

Even Lilly is being affected by our schedule. She had to go out and get her eyebrows done instead of having me do them, and look at the mess they made of her!

Seriously though, have you ever had a day when you had to be on the phone for hours, trying to get things done?

I usually procrastinate with phone calls, until the last second, and end up paying for it. Today, I am paying for it. I've already made 6 calls, and have at least 7 more to go. Of course, half of these calls have to be returned because no one opens until 9 a.m. anymore. Okay, I'm all done complaining. I'll have pictures of the kids coming soon. Have a great day everyone!

Marked #2

2008-05-21T09:03:00.002-04:00

Here are some pictures of the full tattoo. He left the end open to add on as Sam and Tarrah have more children. Let me know what you think!

A Marked Man

2008-05-20T10:13:00.005-04:00

So, he went and did it. I didn't think he'd have the guts, I didn't trust that he would think it was worth the pain, and maybe humiliation if he were to pass out...but he did. He thinks our family is worth it. He truly does love us.

Dad has a tattoo! That's not even why I'm proud of him. I think it's wonderful that he did this, more for us than for himself. He is choosing to wear his heart on his sleeve, literally.

I'm proud of him for showing our family the love of Christ, through the little things. I was born to a father who loves unconditionally, even if you have to look a little.

All the small things: hugs, laughs, favors....they add up to his love for us.

He may go to Vermont to help Sam out for a weekend, or he might pick me up a snack when Jim's working late...again. Maybe he buys Mom flowers, and it's not even their anniversary. Or he goes over and above what is needed for volunteering at the fire department. He might watch the kids, or just sit there with one of them at 5 in the morning when they can't sleep. I'm proud of this man for not smoking in eight months. For his servitude for others, even when they don't seem to deserve it. For giving and actually enjoying it more than receiving.

I am humbled that he trusts Sam and I to follow in his footsteps when it comes to commitment and marriage. He obviously trusts that we will forever be married to our other halves. Through thick and thin, we will choose to turn back to one another. He wouldn't have permanently printed them on his skin otherwise.

I was blessed with an example of Christ-like love today. My Father chose to scar his body for me, for my family. He knew it would hurt, but he did it anyways. He chose love over pain. Scars over blemish free skin. Does this sound like anyone you know? May He bless you. (I'll upload more pictures tomorrow .)

The Weekend

2008-05-19T09:28:00.008-04:00

So, this weekend consisted of Sunday. Jim worked an 80 hour week, so Sunday was supposed to be our day of rest. Most of you know, when you finally have a day off, there are things to be done. So rest we did not.
Church was wonderful this weekend. The message was on Jesus walking on water, as told in Mark. His disciples had just seen him feed the 5,000 with a little bread and a few fish, yet they were terrified and confused when they saw him...thinking he was a ghost. Pastor Keith went on to talk of how, even seeing his disciples fearful, not trusting, he still decided to stick with them. He didn't try to find 12 more disciples who believed in everything he did. He took the fearful, disbelieving, and changed their minds through action. I believe he does this in our lives too. I pray he will in yours, as well as mine. Keith's sermons and blog can be found at www.keithmcnamar.typepad.com. If you get a chance, check it out.

Coming home we decided it was time to get the chicks out of the house, and put them in the shed. It was a tough decision, but it had to be made. Our clothes had begun to smell like a coop! We had cleaned out our shed a few months ago, in preparation. They are now in a small kiddie pool, and love the extra room they have. Unfortunately, we lost one last night, one of the yellow ones, so we are now down to 9.

The kids spent 10 or so minutes trying to figure out how to get sand out of a bag. It was highly amusing watching.

Lena took care of our plants. She loves watering anything...including her brothers. The kids went on to play, while I found Jim in the barn looking for more things to do.
I hope everyone had a wonderful, long weekend.

Eli

2008-05-14T09:06:00.005-04:00

The most expressive of all three kids, hands down, is Eli. He is a comic, full of drama, just like his dad! There are expressions he makes which make me laugh for the rest of the day. Trying to get any expression besides serious on film is difficult. He decided to humor me today. We had a mini photo shoot, and it was...let's use interesting. But I have to share his expressions with you. I know I'm biased, but he's so darn cute, and looks like Poppa. Batting two for two so far.
This is his normal face.

Oh look, now he's smiling, but it looks a little painful, doesn't it?

Ummmm...I think this is his mad face :)

Name this emotion and I'll give you props!

Laughing at me because I almost fell out of my chair.

Lastly, the obligatory funny face.

I hope you enjoyed the many faces of Eli. As he gets older, and perfects these looks, I will be sure to post them. Enjoy this beautiful day!

Eight

2008-05-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Yeah, that's right. You heard me correctly. Eight. My little, cute, funny girl is eight. I don't think I can take it.

I remember when she was wrinkly...she looked like Pepere (Milt Johnson), and I thought...is this what she is destined to be? Thankfully, the black hair fell off, the murky eyes cleared, and my little girl began looking like...a little girl.

She is the only little girl I would ever want. Not because it's scary to have a girl, though it is! But because she is the epitome of everything I am not. She is a girl through and through, and I love that about her. She also has a brave, wild streak. One that gives her the courage to hold snakes, and play with ants and worms. All this in a dress.

So, today, out of all days, I thank God that He gave me a daughter. I pray I can please Him by encouraging her to be all she can be. By giving her wisdom, confidence, and, above all, a faith that knows no bounds.

May He bless you all on this wondrous day, and remind you of all the reasons you love your children.

Meaghin

2008-05-12T20:23:00.000-04:00

As most of you know, I go through life with a little help. I have God, my family, and a few good friends to keep me in check. The checkiest chick of all is Meaghin, who decided to join the blogging world as well. You can see her at http://meaghininreallife.blogspot.com/. She is full of humor and wit, as well as two really cute babies.

May God bless you all tonight.

Chicks, Man

2008-05-12T09:27:00.000-04:00

They're cute, they're fuzzy, and I can't get enough of them. We just purchased ten chicks from our local feed store. Five are Rhode Island Reds, and five are White Leghorns. Remind anyone of something? Disney ring a bell? Foghorn Leghorn! He is one of my favorite characters from the old Disney movies. Hopefully, all of ours are chicks, in both senses. Any roosters hit the chopping block, and I wouldn't want to do that. (Or have Jim do that!)

So, ten fluffy cheeping bundles of fuzz. In our house. Irresistible.

How To and the Zoo

2008-05-08T08:49:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone. Hope you are enjoying your week. It is peculiarly quiet without the Johnson's here. Tarrah had pointed out something to me, so I went ahead and fixed it. Prior to this, if you wanted to comment, and didn't have an account, you could not. Now, when you click on the comments button, it will take you to a screen that gives you choices of how you would like to comment. The easiest way to do this is to click on "Anonymous" and post a comment. Please sign your name so we know who is out there writing.

Now, onto the zoo. The kids were able to take the day off from school on Monday to go to the zoo, and they are still talking about how much fun it was. Tell me though, would you follow directions from this kid?

I'm not sure if map reading is in the cards for Eli. Dad was so excited! They had a real life excavator in one of their new enclosures. He didn't want to leave when he saw that exhibit.

Jim found a cow with a massive under bite, which has caused a few bouts of the giggles while going through these pictures with the kids.Poor girl. It must be hard to get a date looking like that.

Here are a couple of all the kids.

Tarrah has shown me how to use Picasa, so get ready for a bombardment of pictures!

In-Laws

2008-05-05T16:37:00.001-04:00

This weekend has flown by! Sam and Tarrah came down Thursday night, and we haven't stopped yet. Friday Jim and I got to go out to see our worship team perform at a church in Coventry. It was pretty cool, and uneventful...until the ride home. Rhode Island is known as the smallest state, but we covered the whole thing in a 45 minute drive through the back woods, trying to find our way home. Shortly before 11 pm we made it.

Saturday was Javen's second soccer game of the spring. Jim is coaching his team, so it's twice the fun for our family to go and see them play.

It was a dreary day, made worse by the cold and wind at the field. Tarrah took some amazing shots.

We were planning on going to the zoo Saturday, but due to the cold, we went to the mall instead. Lena and Abriella decided to have their ears pierced. It went well, and they decided on matching earrings.

After a little pain, the moms decided it was time for a little treat. We went to a local ice cream shop, and the kids got all sugared up.

It was a wonderfully full weekend. There will be another post soon about a trip to the zoo. May He bless you all and I pray your day is full of love and grace.

Can You Spot the Difference?

2008-05-01T08:22:00.000-04:00

As you all know, Javen has an underdeveloped pituitary gland, which inhibits his body from growing. Thanks to God and scientists, there is a hormone which mimics what the pituitary puts out, and Javen has been able to grow during the last 6 months or so. When I was looking for a picture for comparison, I found this one. The difference is so great...I can't believe the change. My poor, sweet child.

He has gone through so much peer ridicule and negativity, it is only by the grace of God that he is the sweet, kind child he is today. He is still sometimes insecure in certain situations. He is sometimes uncomfortable wearing a bathing suit, or anything that he has to pull off over his head, for fear of flashing his belly. But he is slowly learning, he is God's child. He is good the way he is. He is loved. He is cherished. He is wonderfully made.

This experience has been amazing for all of us. One of my strengths is "connectedness", and that is seeing how all things, though seemingly individual, are connected in some way. Javen is a great example of that. His name, first of all, and the derivation from the Bible. When nurses, doctors, or others ask him about his name, he explains where it comes from and the lineage behind it (the first born grandson of Noah, through Japheth). That usually leads to a conversation about how he is well mannered, to him praising God for his goodness, even through this storm.

This is a season of joy, and I would like you all to share in it with us. Javen is growing into a confident young boy, and we are thrilled with his progress. Please continue praying that his pituitary gland will grow to a normal size and take over so that he will not have to be on hormones throughout his growing years.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he cause His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May he lift us His countenance upon you and give you peace. (derived from Numbers 6:24-26)

Jim

2008-04-29T10:08:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone. Nothing much to post on today. I'm getting over a stomach bug that Eli so lovingly shared. It's been a rough couple of days, but I'm begining to feel human again.

I thought I'd share with y0u guys a few things about Jim that I continually fall in love with over, and over, and over again.

He is such an athletic overachiever. He continually strives for better, and he has finally acheived his dream. To slam dunk a ball. Notice in the following pictures how manly and proud he is of himself.

The fact that the basket is only 5 feet off the ground should not convince you that he is not athletic. He is a superpower of masculinity.

I have never met a better friend that Jim. I don't think someone could ever make me laugh, cry, or frustrate and encourage me so much, all at once. He is hilarious, and brings such joy into my life. The kids look up to him and mimick his every move. Certain women in our lives truly enjoy his loving attitude because he doesn't ever hand out a fake compliment. He is very matter-of-fact, and compliments from the heart. I never feel jealous because another reason I love him; he loves me. With all of him. And I know this. I pray each of you are loved with everything. That the one you call hun, or babe, or love...the one who holds you at night, and smacks your tush during the day...the one you share your lives and souls with...that they love you without holding back anything. For that is truly what's important. I am still thankful that Jim's so athletic though :)

Evenings Out

2008-04-24T09:54:00.001-04:00

Jim, the kids, and I have started a new evening tradition. It's nothing too exciting, but definitely fun for all of us. There is a playground/school about half a mile up the road from us. In the evenings, after dinner, we pack up the kids, bikes, roller blades, Lilly, and some water of course, and head up.
It has been so much fun! All three kids can now ride a two-wheeler comfortably. I am starting to get the hang of rollerblading. Any praying people out there can keep me in mind! Jim is usually there when I start to fall, but he's threatening to let me go at any moment.
Jim and the boys have begun playing basketball together. Javen and Eli can both make baskets, but Jim still likes to show them up. They have so much fun, and it's wonderful to see them develop a bond that goes beyond dad/son. They are becoming friends as well, and it's wonderful to see. Lena, on the other hand, could care less about basketball. She plays tether ball with me, and if I'm rollerblading, she'll run after the tether ball which is a hilarious sight to see. Lilly likes to play both ball games, and she usually sleeps quite soundly at night.
We usually end the evening with Lena and I walking home. The boys are too worn out to join us, so we're able to get a few private minutes to reflect on the day, and grow closer by sharing our fears, joys, loves, and disappointments. She is becoming such an amazing young lady. I pray these next few years go slowly so we can enjoy each moment. They're growing up way too fast. I pray you all are enjoying this amazing weather. May He bless your day!

All Growed Up

2008-04-22T08:48:00.000-04:00

You may think I'm talking about the kids; but alas, no. Jim and I made it official a couple of months ago. We entered the realm of grown ups by purchasing our first set of new...yes, that's right...brand new furniture. Tarrah has been asking for pictures, so here are a couple.

I wondered if we would change when we got the furniture. We've always been sticklers for kids not eating on the couch, so I didn't think there would be much of a difference. The only difference now is wine and coffee is not allowed from certain, unnamed sources of klutziness. Ahem, ahem.

We've had unfortunate luck with the couch and chair already. Niko, my parents German Shepherd, so loved the chair, he decided to scent it one evening. The couch was christened by Eli barf.

I don't think any of this happened to the older furniture. Or I just didn't mind so much. Except for barf. I would've noticed that.

Change

2008-04-19T11:04:00.000-04:00

The title sounds ominous doesn't it? Change. Well...don't fret. This is a small change. My loving husband and I decided to go for a jog this morning. It was...ummmm...interesting. We jogged and walked a little over a mile.

That's one change. The other change is much more dramatic. Jim has gone from scrunched, folded over, old man white knee high socks, to nice and neat ankle socks. Obviously for work he needs to wear the old man socks. But with shorts and sneakers, he has committed to ankle socks.

The Beginning

2008-04-18T12:32:00.000-04:00

Stories always have a beginning. The Bible sums it up perfectly; "In the beginning..."

Today, I found myself awestruck. I had taken the kids to the beach, knowing I wanted to take pictures for this blog. Talk about hooked, I can't stop writing!

Question for you guys. How many of you have taken the first chapter of Genesis for granted. He created the heavens and the earth, sun, sky, birds, animals, us, blah, blah, blah. I feel like I've heard it so much, it's become an obvious. OF COURSE God created it. OF COURSE it only took 6 days.

But have any of you sat back and just looked at one single creation and thought, wow. He created THIS. For ME. To enjoy, to nourish me, to help me in my daily life. He created THIS.

My moment today was, He created the ocean. Yeah. It sounds simple. He was able to do this in a day. No biggie. But the earth is covered with water; over 70%.

I like to think, when he created the oceans, he was letting us glimpse His power. Water provides life. Life for the fish. Life for the plants on land. Life for us. It sustains life.

Can you imagine, us being like a spec of sand, and God being the ocean? How formidable and encompassing is he! Who are we to obtain His grace, but he loves us regardless, and for that I am truly humbled.

I pray God blesses each and every one of you.

Thanks for putting up with my rambling!

Rebirth

2008-04-17T14:00:00.001-04:00

The kids and I took full advantage of this beautiful day by going for a walk. It's in the 70's, no clouds, with a slight breeze. The kind of spring day that makes you thankful that summer is on it's way.

Something I noticed on the walk. There is life here. The flowers are poking through the dead leaves. The buds are bringing new life to the trees. In the midst of the winter, it seems like death is a way of life. Everything shrivels and gets hidden by snow. There is no affirmation of life. Spring is beautiful, as it shows us that there is a rebirth for us all. If God loves the trees, flowers, and animals so much as to give them season after season, would we not be loved that much as well?
John 6:51

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

Jesus is good.

Javen

2008-04-17T11:54:00.000-04:00

For you guys, Javen is a sweet young boy who is finally growing. And growing he is. We're investing in clothes on a monthly basis!
For me, Javen is a pain in the butt, always pushing the limits, and pushing my buttons.
This morning, this is what I found. Jim asked him to water the lawn, but failed to mention that playing in the mud afterwards would not be the best thing.

This is the expression I received after finding him, muddy feet in all their glory, in the living room.

Guilty, yet thinking it's the funniest thing ever.
And I think to myself...get over it mom.

Beauty

2008-04-17T11:41:00.001-04:00

I have been given the go-ahead from one very special Meaghin, to use baby pictures for this blog. Ahhh...I am a lucky duck, because where else can you go and see this amazing specimen of love?

This is Addison Leigh. I haven't met her yet, but I am thrilled to say I am sure she'll love me right away.

Meaghin...nice job.

Here She Is...Ms. America

2008-04-17T11:11:00.001-04:00

Funny...I always thought blogs were silly. Not really something I'd ever think of doing.
And then...dun dun dun dun...my sister-in-law Tarrah decided to guilt me into sharing our small, seemingly insignificant lives with the blogger world.
I guess there is a small community out there coming together through blogs. I know when Tarrah sends me a blog to read, there's usually a prayer need attached, and I have to say...I've become hooked. So, thank you Tarrah...thank you blogging world.
Here is my contribution to this world.