A Weekend Of Fun

Kids change EVERYTHING about

your life. They change the way

you look at life and the way you spend your time.

Gone are the days of sleeping in on

the weekends, going for a run together,

going out for breakfast, and then

doing anything we wanted for the rest of the time.

Instead, weekends become family time.

Time Daddy is home from work and we

get to do things as a family.

I miss the time before kids, when time was ours,

but I sure do love the time

we have with our kids.

On Saturday, we packed the whole group of kids up

and enjoyed some time at a local arts and

crafts kid expo.

There were all sorts of things

for the kids to see and do.

It was an activity that was

perfect for all of them.

The kids enjoyed having their

faces painted.

They spend a lot of their time during the days

thinking up various ways to

be a "gang".

Yesterday, they were "The Face

Paint Gang".

They also enjoyed making

pencil pompoms

and stringing bead

necklaces.

We spent our entire morning and part

of the afternoon at the arts

expo.

I think, if the activities had

gone on all day, the kids would

have staid forever.

We really did have a great time together.

Having kids is a TON of FUN!!

First Taste Of Summer

When the weather warms up,
the ice cream stands open up.

A good time,

was had

by all.

Roller Coaster Ride

For almost three years P. and Baby D. have

been in foster care.

Last month, a judge that had never met them, made

the decision to make their foster care stay four

years. He gave their mother another chance.

Jon and I love the boys' mother. We've prayed for

her, invited her to church, and tried to do all that we can

to welcome her into our family. We both believe that

when we help her, we are helping her boys.

Over the weekend, she messed up. She left

her supportive housing, started using drugs again,

and made the decision that she cannot raise her

boys. She wants them with us.

She feels they will have things with us that they will never have

with her. Older siblings, a father.

I can't imagine what her heart is going through. I know how

much she loves her boys. I know how much they

love her. Today, we went to court.

She was prepared to sign over her rights to them.

The judge asked her to wait until Monday. To make sure this

is what she wants. And so we wait with her.

We pray some more. We wonder about their future, our future, her

future. We pray for the Lord's will above all else.

We wait until Monday.

Just Another Morning

It started with this outfit. I laughed my

head off when I saw what she

slept in.

She kindly let me take her picture.

Baby D. forgot to wake up his listening ears,

so he spent some time naked in

the naughty corner.

He doesn't seem to realize he was being naughty,

notice his cheesy grin.

Meanwhile, they tried their best to take a test,

but really who could concentrate with

all of that noise?!

And sweet P., he decided to help me out

by making his brother's bed.
Notice what a great job he did.
No wonder the time goes so fast when
you have kids. There's just no time to sit down
and have a cup of coffee.
Hope you had a good morning.

Elmo and Easter

He's the only child in our family
that has been with us for EVERY birthday.

This year, he celebrated birthday number three!

Hard to believe that he's already a big boy.

We celebrated with Elmo and his Mom.

What fun we all had together.

How fun to see him

turn three!

It was our third birthday with him.

It was his Mom's first birthday with him.

How happy he was, and we were, to share

it with her.

After birthdays, it was Easter time.

We took a trip to my Dad's house.

It was my first time there since my Mom has died.

It was a hard trip, but as usual, the kids

made it a fun trip.
We enjoyed Chuck E. Cheese,

Easter egg dying,

and beautiful weather.

The kids loved being able to decorate our

eggs outside.

Easter morning, they couldn't wait to

see what the Easter bunny brought for them.

They waited so patiently to see their

baskets before church.

How cute they all looked in their

matching clothes.

The Easter bunny did not disappoint.

P. carefully looked at everything in his

basket.

The candy was everybody's favorite part of

the morning.

The Big K. even made a candy

creation with his chocolate bunny and

some Skittles.

After our Easter lunch, it was time to

hunt for Easter eggs.

P. was so excited to find so many

eggs with his name on them.

Easter was always my Mom's favorite holiday.

Last year, she was doing really well.

We thought for sure that she would be here this year

to celebrate with us. It was so different without her.

We all spent a lot of time remembering her. Missing her.

Loving her. Crying for her.

Easters will never be what they used to be when

my Mom was alive. How thankful I am to know that because

Jesus died on the cross, for me, for you, for her, I will

see her again in heaven. Her death was not good

bye. It was, "See you soon."

Thank you Jesus that I can say, "Mom,

I'll see you soon."

Happy Easter. From our family to yours.

Nineteen Weeks

Hi Pal,

This morning I sat down, looked at my calendar, and

realized that it's Wednesday.

Nineteen weeks ago, I held you for the last time.

I talked to you for the last time.

I kissed you good-bye for the last time.

It seems like nineteen million years ago.

As much as we talked about you dying, as much as I knew

I would miss you, I wasn't prepared for this.

This ache of not having you.

Missing your laugh, your smile. Missing going to movies,

dinner, and shopping together.

My Pal, I miss you.

Dad brought me your Mickey Mouse light. It had been over in

your office at the church. I remember when we bought if

for you.

Sometimes, when I turn it off, Mickey says, "See you later

Pal." I miss you. I miss my Pal.

In nineteen weeks, life has changed.

I'm not the same person I was when I talked with you last.

I've lost someone that I love very much.

The kids are growing up every day, and we talk about you all the time.

Today, at lunch, we were eating celery. Big K. was

remembering how much you liked celery.

Easter will be here soon. It's hard for me to think about, because it

was always your favorite holiday. Last year, you were here. We cooked together.

I took a lot of pictures. We planned on you feeling so much better this

Easter. I can't believe you won't be with us on Easter Sunday.

Mom, I miss you. I love you. I miss you every hour of every day.

Sometimes I get busy, and then life slows down, and I remember you're gone.

I wish that you weren't. I can't wait to see you again. I can't wait to

hold you again. I can't wait to talk with you again.

I can't wait to see you at Heaven's gates and

know that we will never have to say good-bye again.

Mom I love you.

Your Little Pal

Bath Time Finger Paints

Bath Time Finger Paints

What you Need:

1/3c. clear dish washing liquid

2T. cornstarch
Food Coloring
Willing Helpers

What you do:

Mix soap and cornstarch.

Divide equally into ice cube trays

(or egg cartons)

Mix in desired colors.

Take a bath and enjoy!

These soaps have been a HUGE hit in our house.

We've made them every night for the past three nights.

The kids have never been so clean.