Memorial Day

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At the Pool

Abs just loves all things outside. So she takes any and all chances she can. When the guys said they had a raid online she asked me to take her to the pool. A good day for it. Plus a friend was there. All the better.


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Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Thursday was my birthday.  As birthdays go it was alright.   I would've loved to have been someplace else.  I think next year I'm going to plan that.  Be away on a beach!!!  Sounds soooooo good.

Abigail gave me a pottery cup that she made.  She painted it blue (my favorite color), wrote Mom on it and on the inside painted Mickey Mouse icons!!!  Doesn't she really know her Mom!!!   It was sweet.

Bill called around dinner and time wanted to know if I wanted to go out.  So I said yes.  We headed over to PF Changs - as it has been a long time since we have eaten there and we all love it.  Big mistake.  The restaurant changed its menu and they now cook with a lot of oyster sauce.  Guess what Abigail is allergic too, yup, oyster sauce.  She cried her eyes out!!!  Wait, I must back up.  We had to wait 35 minutes for a table on a Thursday night.  How stinking crazy is that?!?!   Then the food problem.   Then she spilled her drink down the front of her.   I was ready to go back home!!!

Afterwards I took Abigail home and the boys went to get some cake!!!   They came home with cake, flowers, cards, and gift cards.  I am not that hard to buy for.  I even sent Bill the email link to what I wanted but instead I got the gift card.  Oh well,  I'll be making that purchase this evening.

While they were out a storm moved in and Joshua is very scared of storms.  Being at the store with him was not fun.  He was very upset and crying, so I am told.   He came home shaking!   But he really wanted to buy me some flowers and the cake.   He and I were talking earlier and we discussed how you have to have cake on your birthday.  Even if you don't get any presents, cake it a must!!!

All-in-all not a bad year.  But next will be waaaaay better!!!  I am planning already!

Recital

Abigail getting ready at her recital.




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Oh so proud of my daughter and her piano playing skills.  This is only her second year and she did beautifully!!!!  Way to go girl!!   Keep up all the hard work!!!
This was a nice little group of 6 kids and the families.   We were in and out in hour!

Precept Ministries

I am going to grow deeper and closer to the Lord this summer by doing an online bible study. I am very excited about this. It has been awhile since I have studied with Precept and am looking forward to it. I will no doubt be posting about what I am learning as I go through. It begins on June 24th. (Lots going on that week.) Should be fun!



Precept Ministries

All Done

Baseball is finished!!!!   I can't be happier!   While it was a great time for Stephen, and he really enjoyed being with the guys, none of us will miss the long ride!!!  

I was marginally disappointed yesterday.  I drove down a little later as Abigail needed to finish something with art and we needed to gather our snacks.   Was only there for 40 minutes before the game ended, due to scheduling conflict.  And my wonderful boy was taken out of the game prior to my arrival, so I was unable to obtain any pictures of him.  I was so very bummed.  He too, I might add.  We were hoping for some good hits and plays.   wahhhhh!

So Proud

I cannot say enough how very proud I am of my eldest.  Stephen is just such a wonderful young man and I am just so pleased with the decisions he has been making.   

There has been a lot of preparation for Belize and he has made each and every one of them.  No other person can claim that.   While there were times of frustration in his voice about always showing up he still rose to the occasion and did it.   This weekend was a lot for him.  He was out Saturday morning, at a meeting on Sunday morning, and then off to Kevin's house for the puppet show.  

My only advice to him during this time of frustration was that he was doing it all for the Lord.  So he can know that he is prepared for whatever the Lord has in store for him while he is in Belize.  I know beyond the shadow of a doubt he will come back changed.  He will have a deeper relationship with his Savior!

I am truly blessed to be his Mom!!  I love you Ste!

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Each our own way

Today was one of those days where we were heading in different directions.  Abigail and I had a mother-daughter thing at church.  Stephen was dropped off to make some cookie dough for the Belize fund raiser.  Bill and Josh spent some time out together. 

They began their day eating out at PJ's Pancake House and then went over to Bowman's Tower.  A lookout for the Delaware River.

Stephen spent several hours making some dough.  He was the only one who could make it.  They were only able to get 5 done!

Abigail and I had some nice time this morning at church with some of the other ladies and their girls.  Afterwards we headed over to my parents house so Abi could have some time with Jaide.  It has been a long time for them and I was feeling like they needed some bonding.  It was short but sweet.   We had a pleasant surprise when we arrived, Allie and Kevin were there!!   I got to spend some time with little Eva. 

For dinner we all met up and ate at Chik-fil-A.  I enoy their chargrilled chicken wrap.   It was a good Saturday!!!

Can't Wait!!!

Baseball

Sitting watching the JV squad practice for tomorrow's game. Stephen is the person dead center of picture.


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Shoe shopping!

Abigail has been in need of shoes for about a month now and I have just been putting it off or just too tired when we could go.  But on Monday evening she and I headed over to the mall to locate some shoes for her.

It really it home when she was wearing last years sandals and her toes where going over the top of the shoe!!  I think it is time for some new ones!!!  She is at the stage where she wants to wear high heels to church.  Too cute!!!!

We were able to spend a little over an hour together.  She does have some funky feet though.  When we can find something for her it is either too tight or she slips right out of it!!   We did end up with two pairs.  One sandals the next was a pair of cute slip on sneakers.  We now need some good sneakers and a pair of closed-toed.   More fun time together.

She was so giddy and excited she was loud.  When Abigail gets excited the whole world hears her.   She was just precious.  It was a nice time we had.   When I told Bill, he suggested we do that more often.  I think that can be arranged!!!

Movie Time

We have been trying to get to the movies for some time now.  When I say we, I mean Stephen and I.  We have been trying to plan a movie at home too!!!  So when baseball practice was canceled yesterday due to rain (yay), Stephen's first thought was  - MOVIE.  It is a little challenging in this house due to the age difference but we can usually make it work.  We all agreed to IRON MAN 2. 

One of the main reasons I like going earlier in the day is that the movie theater is usually empty.  Which it was there was only 5 other people.   We all liked it!!!!

Recap

The weekend goes far too quickly.  I know I am not alone in this feeling.   My children remind every Sunday evening at bed time.  The whine is on big-time then.   We are still plugging away with school.  I think that is a huge part of the problem.  I only hope they can focus and finish!!!

Anyway, the weekend was spent with some relaxation.  On Sunday, I attended the memorial/celebration for Matt.  (He is the one I wrote about in the Sadness post.)   The reception line was to be from 2-5 pm.  Basically that meant that family and friends could pay their respects to the family during that time.  When we arrived at 4:00p the line was very very long.  And let me just say it stayed long.  So much so that they were not able to start the celebration service until 6 pm.  The family did an amazing job at allowing the people a glimpse into Matt's life.  There were poster boards with pictures of him on it.  Each board has a separate them.  Such as friend, uncle, brother, son, grandson, love!!!   It was a great way to "meet" him.  I never had the opportunity to meet him in person but I know of his character from the way Jaide, my niece, spoke of him.   There were plenty of stories heard about who is was.  He will deeply be missed by those that knew him and loved him.  

39 Days!!

Not that I'm counting or anything, but there are only 39 days left until we close on the house.  I still feel like pinching myself.  Imagine how much pinching will be going on when we actually get in.  I feel like it has been a looong time. 

I love watching the HGTV network to gather all sorts of information and ideas about what to do in and out of your home.  Watching it though really makes me want to be in all that much sooner.  I can't wait. 

Recall that I am NOT a shopper but I think the month of July will prove me otherwise!!

Coming down the home stretch!!!

Limerick Day

Today for school Joshua needed to write a Limerick.   He was having a bit of trouble keeping to the 5 line rule, so we were going around making up some to help him see, well hear, the pattern.  Here are two:

There was a boy who climbed the wall,
even though he was quite small.
He used his feet,
without a sheet.
And no one could stop him at all.

There was a Mom who sipped her tea.
She enjoyed it happily.
Touch her Chai,
and you shall die.
That will not be me.

There was a young lass,
who was too crass.
Put her outside,
and she will hide
among the tall grass.

Here is what Joshua did:

There was on old lion named Lou.
Who was walking in Timbuktu
upon the street,
he found a treat.
And met with Mr. Who.

Got any you care to share!?

Hard Rock Baltimore

We decided to get some chow while in Baltimore.

Oops enjoyed food too much forgot to take photo.
Way across is the building we ate in.


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View from Aquarium

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Sub

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Inner Harbor

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Tears

Lots and lots of tears today.  It all began in the morning with Joshua.  Not quite sure what was up with him as he said he wasn't even too sure.  I do know he is not happy with his reading assignment.  I also noticed that his eyes were having some type of allergic reaction.  So after a dose of Benadryl and some rest, he was ready to get back to (some) school work. 
Since he is so far ahead, he just did Language Arts today.   I think that made his day a lot better.  He still didn't finish until after lunch though.

Abigail on the other hand was lucky she was not put to death by me.  She did not complete her work until 9:00 pm.  I AM NOT THRILLED!!!!  We will definitely change things around next week.  Not quite sure what went South this week.  I have been giving her more independence, per her request, and the last two weeks went good.  Smooth even.  This week... not so much.   I kept checking in and reminding so as to not be too much of a nag and appear as though I was trying to control.   But she just wouldn't listen to me.  When she found out that we have a day out planned for Saturday.  And if she was not done with her school work she would have to stay at home and complete the work.   Oh boy did the tears start then.  She was hoping that this lady would cave and say it was all okay.  FAT chance on that one.  While she did complete all the work, there are multiple areas that need to be revisited.  So not looking forward to next week.  She will have all new work plus these make ups!!!  Oh summer vacation, my long awaited friend, where art thou?

Would love to have any ideas and input as to what I can do to keep her on track. 

I would like to end with - Thank you, eldest for doing what you are suppose to do and for listening to a ranting mommy!!  I love you, son! (and thanks for not crying!)

Week in Review

It has been all week since I blogged.  Not typical for me.  The week was very normal.  We had baseball games that turned into practices.  The 1st one was due to the other teams bus being broken.  The second was due to rain.  The 3rd was due to poor communication.  Each team thought they were home!   It made for some interesting time.   Thankfully the weather wasn't as bad as they had said so the practice was tolerable.  
I had a dentist appointment.  Yes, I am back to fixing up this mouth.  Took a little break after the extraction, which is healing well. 
House stuff is moving forward.  Lots of paperwork stuff.  Had some issues there but we think it was sorted out and all is well.
Very dull boring week.

Sadness

A sad day.   There was some sad information that came our way on Saturday.  My Mom informed me that Jaide's (my niece) soon to be step-dad was in a motor cycle accident.  He was hit head on.   Monday morning they made the decision to take him off life support due to lack of brain activity.  

It is truly a heavy heart that I have today.   There were so many promises on the horizon.  Sarah (Jaide's mom, his fiancee) pregnant with their child.  Marriage around the corner.  Jaide feeling like a "family".  The list goes on. 

I can only sit here and put all my faith and trust in The Lord.  Only He has the answers as to why this was allowed to occur.  Only He has the answers to why this happened to these people.  Only He!!!  While we may never know why, we must rest in the knowledge of who He is.

I ask that you be in prayer for this family.  As this death will be far reaching.   I also think of the young man that hit him and what impact this will have on his life.  The power of prayer is amazing and comforting and does do wonders.  Let us remember that.

Working on the Weekend

Saturday and Sunday were precursors to how our lives will be sans Stephen.  The Belize group was working off some debt at two different houses.   On Saturday, Stephen and only 1 other person showed up at the home to spread out mulch.   Thankfully it went quicker than expected!  

Sunday was the meeting of the group and then off to a house for some debris removal.   That one lasted a lot longer even with most of the group showing up!   There is still more to be done, I think they will have a second work day!!!  

It did make for the weekend to go very fast.  I know Stephen is not too thrilled with that but he needs to get used to the idea of working as that is what all 10 days in Belize will be. 

A Visit to the House

Friday was the inspection at the house we are in contract with.  I thought it would be a great time to take the children over to see the house as they have yet to do so.   I knew it was going to take a long time and that there would be some boredom there.  Boy was I ever right.  2 hours later we were able to go out to get some much needed food!!!

We did have the opportunity to see and hear some children playing at some of the neighboring homes.  Stephen did not see or hear anyone his age and he is a bit concerned.  I kept trying to encourage him by reminding him that it was a beautiful Friday night, so I am sure there were some baseball games being played and perhaps they were out at those.  (nudge nudge wink wink)  Here's hoping and praying!!!!

I also reminded him that since he will be heading out to a brick and mortar next year he really didn't need friends right next door.  He will be making some soon enough.  (I really do hope it is soon!)

The house was in great shape per the inspector.   A very few minor details that will need to be addressed.  But it was a great time for me to visualize where we would put our things once we move in.  The boys were deciding which room they wanted.  Stephen is the decider there.  I gave him carte blanche, being the oldest and all.  I think we have it settled!!  

My challenge will be to see where all our furniture will fit!   We were able to have such large oversized furniture in Ohio, that I am concerned about size and location of said furniture.   I guess I could always sell or give what we have away and then buy new.  ;}  

As for the color scheme.  I really like most of it.   There will have to be some changes which I am none too thrilled as I am not a fan of painting.  May have to recruit my good friend Heather.   She painted two of my rooms in Ohio!!!   A great way to get her to come and visit!   BTW - she is an amazing painter.   I must say,  I didn't know that a nonprofessional could do such a great job!!!