Nature Club

I made it to nature club today! If you recall last month, I got lost and we were unable to make it. Drove around for over an hour. But not this time, the kids made sure of it by checking in with me and my directions as well as Joshua making sure we left at the right time. They really enjoy the program. The program takes a hiatus for the winter. I plan on getting in touch with the contact person and setting up a program. Hopefully we will have more people attend. My two were the only ones. While this is great as far as getting alllllll the attention, it could ultimately put the program in jeopardy.

I made Stephen come along with me so that when I dropped off the young ones, I would have him to hang out. We went over to PA and had a special treat at Starbucks. It was great having one to one time with my eldest and no distractions. All good for bonding.

Just another lovely Monday

I have actually been liking our Mondays around here. If you may recall, I don't like them. We have to get packed up and out for several hours in the middle of the day and I am not good with interruptions.

But these last few ones have been spectacular as far as weather and then going smooth with all the driving around! The weather allows for lots of playing outdoors. The church we go to has lots of property for the kids to run around.

Work has been getting down without complaints and that has been terrific. There are always negotiations but that is expected.

I can't say it enough - Lovely, just lovely!

The week all summed up

As you saw from the previous post, Stephen turned 13 and since his present was not available until Tuesday we celebrated again. He got to have most of the day off playing his game. I can hear it now, "What was she thinking?" Therefore, we went out to eat for dinner. He also had the opportunity to take off from basketball practice. Abigail and Josh told the waitress it was Stephen's birthday so they did come over to sing. HAHAHAHA! I forgot that we also had some friends over to play for a few hours in the afternoon!!

The remainder of the school week was chores and house work. I have been spending more time on fb again as Stephen now has an account and I want to monitor more. Plus he asked me to play a game on there and I am trying. Probably spending waaaaay toooo much time.

Saturday brought us over to my parents for some visiting as my cousin Tracy and her family made their way to PA for a visit. It was great to see them as it has been quite some time since we saw the whole family. I recently got to spend time with Tracy when we saw Wicked. Her two boys are aged every other from Abigail and Joshua. The young ones got to play. I do believe eldest was a little bored. We are now hitting those years where he wants to stay home as there is usually nothing for him to do. As usual the time went too fast. (I am certain Stephen would not agree.)

It was precursor to Thanksgiving as there will be 15 in my parents home. This is one holiday that I believe should be spent with a larger crowd. Lots more fun! I told Bill that next year I would like us to host Thanksgiving! I plan on inviting a large group - hopefully all will make it!

That pretty much sums up our rather uneventful life!

I have a what?

I have a 13 year old. I am still shocked to be able to say that. I recall an image of him in my head sitting down in the kitchen eating honeynut cheerios out of the box. He was all of 2 years old. Where did that time go?!?

Stephen turns 13 today and with that lots of nostalgia for me! I don't really think myself sentimental but there a few key things that tug at the strings!!!

So here is my shout out:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Stephen!!! You are an amazing, wonderful, fun-loving young man and I look forward to this year of your growth and maturity. I love you!!

End of the week

Friday was a very mellow slow day. We did not get started around here until 10-10:30. The good news is that we were finished by 2:00p. I like light easy Fridays it is such a great way to end the week.

The only downside was when we tried to go over to the inside ball court here, it was being used so Joshua was very bummed that we could not get on to play. Since Stephen has started his practices, Joshua has been feeling the itch to shoot some hoops. Yet another thing we miss from not having a home and a yard to play around in.

Stephen handed in his Belize application and had the first of many monthly ministry training meetings at youth group. It appears to be a small group going. They discussed some things like are you okay with sharing your testimony and okay with taking charge and talking to kids about Jesus and his love. I am very excited that he gets this opportunity to go and see God's hand at work abroad. We can get so comfortable in our surroundings and not fully understand the scope and magnitude of what others go through in regards to faith, the bible, and salvation. I am so proud that he truly wants to go and humbled all at the same time! (He turns 13 on Monday!!!)

Day of Fun!

I usually like to ask my kids what kind of day they had. Sometimes I do forget and sometimes they tell me before I even get the chance to ask. Today was the latter. Stephen and I were cleaning up from dinner and he mentioned that it was a fun day.

What made it soooo fun - book club day. At first, Stephen did not want to go to book club. Last night he had his 1st basketball practice and he was exhausted from that, so he was looking for a day at home. At about 1 pm, I started feeling a little crappy and that is also when Stephen informed me he felt bad too! Oh NO! was my thought as I was leading the big kids group. I had the chance to lay down around 1:40 pm - we leave at 2 p. Those 20 minutes worked wonders. I started feeling better. Stephen said he still felt bad but we had to go. All went great. I do hope the boys will remember the discussion we had and how each of their lives parallels Shasta's and the gang in some way. Oh, in case you are unaware we are reading all the chronicles of Narnia. Today's read was The Horse and his boy. Not a bad one! But then again it is by C.S. Lewis, can it really be bad. These books are such a great way to bring out biblical principles in the lives of the young. After our discussion they got to play for about 30 minutes before we needed to head on home. While I was leading the older group, the young ones were off in their group making a gingerbread character from the book! Then they got to eat it!!!

After a yummy pasta pesto tortellini dinner, I told Josh to set up a game of hungry, hungry hippos. Little by little each of the other kids came over and we also played UNO spin and then Yahtzee. Some 2 1/2 hours later it was time for bed!!

I must say it was a day of fun!! :)

Pain

Oh my aching jaw. This current set of fixing my teeth has taken its toll on me. I am in such pain that I don't even want to open my mouth to drink let alone eat. And if you remember - I LOVE to eat. Smoothies for the rest of the day!!