Friday night just completed our week long vacation bible school for the year 2009. This was Caedmon's official second year of participating. We had so much fun helping in his class last year that we decided to do it again.
We had our hands full with twenty-two five-year-olds in the class we were helping with. Miss Nicole did an amazing job keeping us all organized and headed to where we needed to go.
We had our hands full with twenty-two five-year-olds in the class we were helping with. Miss Nicole did an amazing job keeping us all organized and headed to where we needed to go.Taking a snack break with baby Emmi 
Kaiya and CJ exchanging shoes during craft time
Kaiya isn't old enough for VBS until next year. I wanted us all to be together as a family that week, so she joined the five year old class too. She loved it.
Kaiya isn't old enough for VBS until next year. I wanted us all to be together as a family that week, so she joined the five year old class too. She loved it.Bible Time
class clown 
Getting everyone dressed and there on time every night was a challenge in itself. We also took Immanuel (our little brother) and his siblings and cousins home a couple nights which got us home after ten. I was pretty exhausted the whole week...our mornings consisted of the kids coming to my bed to wake me up instead of me getting up before them like normal...and the rest of the day was spent getting the bare necessities accomplished...laundry, dishes & nap time (a must for me too). Thank goodness for the meals for volunteers each night that were served before bible school started...one less thing for me to worry about.
To see the excitement on the kids faces and to see their little hearts learning more about Jesus...sure makes it all worth it. So glad I had a front row seat and could witness and participate in the fun and excitement.
class clown Getting everyone dressed and there on time every night was a challenge in itself. We also took Immanuel (our little brother) and his siblings and cousins home a couple nights which got us home after ten. I was pretty exhausted the whole week...our mornings consisted of the kids coming to my bed to wake me up instead of me getting up before them like normal...and the rest of the day was spent getting the bare necessities accomplished...laundry, dishes & nap time (a must for me too). Thank goodness for the meals for volunteers each night that were served before bible school started...one less thing for me to worry about. To see the excitement on the kids faces and to see their little hearts learning more about Jesus...sure makes it all worth it. So glad I had a front row seat and could witness and participate in the fun and excitement.Final program on Friday night for the parents
ice cream afterwards - kaiya & kylie 
My clematis is in full bloom this week.
Rewind to Monday...our thirteenth anniversary. Kevin took the day off to spend with me. We didn't make any particular plans...just had the whole day to do whatever.
First stop...furnace store...romantic isn't it? I was quite fine with this stop to pick up a part we needed since we hadn't had hot water for almost two weeks. Boiling water on the stove for baths and dishes was getting old, although it wasn't as bad as I anticipated.
Next stop...tractor supply store...ok, that's where I draw the line. I know we didn't have an "agenda" for the day, but seriously...I don't feel like spending my anniversary at the tractor supply store.
The rest of the day went splendidly shopping at a few of my favorite stores, looking at cameras, enjoying adult conversation and eating lunch here:
It was a beautiful sunny day so we strolled around the Jefferson Pointe outdoor mall.
Has is really been thirteen years? Thirteen of the very best years of my life...spending it with a man that has made me a better person in so many ways. I love this man...my husband, my best friend. A hilariously loving father (funny choice of words, but describes him so well) that lights up the faces of our children when he walks in the room. A godly man that loves the Lord and desires to lead and teach our family in the ways of the Lord...a hard worker and wonderful provider. That's my man! 
We had just enough time to sit outside a coffee house and drink some delicious frozen coffee drinks before heading back to get the kids and start the first night of VBS. A fun day...just not long enough.
Rewind to Father's Day. The church service was incredible. One of our elders spoke and challenged all the dads to step up and be the fathers God intended them to be. To love their wives and to make the choice to take time for their families and children. It was a great encouragement. Our worship leader sang the song "Cat's Cradle"...a song about a father continually putting his child off when he's little because he's too busy. The child looks up to his dad so much and says he wants to be just like him. When the child grows up and has his own children, the pattern is repeated...and he is sadly...just like his dad. I was a blubbering mess during the song. I'm grateful for a husband that does a wonderful job taking time for his family.
Here are the lyrics...
My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
After church we had a picnic with my parents at one of my favorite parks this time of year.
Grandma playing catch with Caedmon
The reason I love this park so much around this time of year is because all the roses are in bloom...it's gorgeous.
A great park for pictures.
mom & dad
Since I already bragged about my hubby on the anniversary post, I'll focus on my dad for the Father's Day post. I was thrilled to get to spend the day with him this year on Father's Day.
When I think of my dad, I think of his love of spending time with his family. His genuine willingness to drop everything to help others. If I needed anything, I know I could count on him to bend over backwards to try to make it happen. He's a hard worker... growing up, he fixed everything around the house. We never had to call a repair man. I thought all men were like that and am grateful my husband has the same skills in that area. I also thought all men enjoyed shopping because my dad would take my sister and I to the mall on a regular basis...sitting outside the stores patiently until we were finished. 
Most of all, I'm grateful for the relationship that my dad has with my mom and his love for her. I love you, Dad! Happy Father's Day! 
Since it was such an extremely HOT afternoon, we couldn't resist stopping for my favorite dessert. Fathers got free cones at TCBY that day. YUM!!
ice cream afterwards - kaiya & kylie My clematis is in full bloom this week.
Rewind to Monday...our thirteenth anniversary. Kevin took the day off to spend with me. We didn't make any particular plans...just had the whole day to do whatever.
First stop...furnace store...romantic isn't it? I was quite fine with this stop to pick up a part we needed since we hadn't had hot water for almost two weeks. Boiling water on the stove for baths and dishes was getting old, although it wasn't as bad as I anticipated.
Next stop...tractor supply store...ok, that's where I draw the line. I know we didn't have an "agenda" for the day, but seriously...I don't feel like spending my anniversary at the tractor supply store.
The rest of the day went splendidly shopping at a few of my favorite stores, looking at cameras, enjoying adult conversation and eating lunch here:
It was a beautiful sunny day so we strolled around the Jefferson Pointe outdoor mall.Has is really been thirteen years? Thirteen of the very best years of my life...spending it with a man that has made me a better person in so many ways. I love this man...my husband, my best friend. A hilariously loving father (funny choice of words, but describes him so well) that lights up the faces of our children when he walks in the room. A godly man that loves the Lord and desires to lead and teach our family in the ways of the Lord...a hard worker and wonderful provider. That's my man! We had just enough time to sit outside a coffee house and drink some delicious frozen coffee drinks before heading back to get the kids and start the first night of VBS. A fun day...just not long enough.Rewind to Father's Day. The church service was incredible. One of our elders spoke and challenged all the dads to step up and be the fathers God intended them to be. To love their wives and to make the choice to take time for their families and children. It was a great encouragement. Our worship leader sang the song "Cat's Cradle"...a song about a father continually putting his child off when he's little because he's too busy. The child looks up to his dad so much and says he wants to be just like him. When the child grows up and has his own children, the pattern is repeated...and he is sadly...just like his dad. I was a blubbering mess during the song. I'm grateful for a husband that does a wonderful job taking time for his family.
Here are the lyrics...
My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
After church we had a picnic with my parents at one of my favorite parks this time of year.
Grandma playing catch with Caedmon
The reason I love this park so much around this time of year is because all the roses are in bloom...it's gorgeous.A great park for pictures.mom & dad
Since I already bragged about my hubby on the anniversary post, I'll focus on my dad for the Father's Day post. I was thrilled to get to spend the day with him this year on Father's Day. When I think of my dad, I think of his love of spending time with his family. His genuine willingness to drop everything to help others. If I needed anything, I know I could count on him to bend over backwards to try to make it happen. He's a hard worker... growing up, he fixed everything around the house. We never had to call a repair man. I thought all men were like that and am grateful my husband has the same skills in that area. I also thought all men enjoyed shopping because my dad would take my sister and I to the mall on a regular basis...sitting outside the stores patiently until we were finished. Most of all, I'm grateful for the relationship that my dad has with my mom and his love for her. I love you, Dad! Happy Father's Day! Since it was such an extremely HOT afternoon, we couldn't resist stopping for my favorite dessert. Fathers got free cones at TCBY that day. YUM!!Quote of the day:
Kevin was in the bathroom shaving without a shirt on. Kaiya loves to sit up on the sink and watch her daddy shave. She glanced down at his chest.
Kaiya: "Dad, those things look like pepperonis"
They each had their own containers to pick in and I had to remind them to only pick the really dark red strawberries, but they kept coming to proudly show me what they had found. 
My mom was also along for the fun.
Caedmon's first opportunity at photography...not too bad. =)
These berries were so nice and easy to pick, the hour went by fast.
We picked twenty-six pounds between mom and I...approximately sixteen quarts. 
I had two eager helpers. Kaiya especially liked the chopping. Caedmon especially liked the eating. =)
Oh, so good!
During supper that night, Caedmon bit into his fork which caused his already loose tooth to become even more loose.
Daddy has been checking it and wiggling it over the past several months. 
