Sweet Kate

I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.

I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.

I am a child of God.

Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will,
I’ll live with him once more.

Chorus: Lead me, guide me,
walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.

This is Kate's most favorite song. As we were getting ready for church this morning we sang it over and over and over again. I love hearing her sweet, little voice. At one point she stopped me and asked, "Why do our knees need to be brave?" I wasn't sure what she was talking about until we sang it again. It's ..."and so my NEEDS are GREAT". It was so funny........and sweet!

Numismatist

Numismatist is what a person who collects coins is called. We have our very own. Joshua has become somewhat of a coin aficionado. I think it all started with a quarter map that I got before he was even born. For as long as I can remember he has loved that thing. We have been collecting all the state quarters for years and we are finally down to the last year. We only need 5 more quarters and our map is full.
While at Epcot this year, his love for coins grew when he found a souvenir that had 12 different coins from 12 different countries. He had spent almost all his money when he came upon this treasure. It was 14 dollars and I think he only had about 9 left. So, Grandma feeling sorry for him pitched in the extra money and he was able to acquire these new coins. His collection has grown with coins that Cary gave him from Guatemala. He has even purchased some off of EBay. And most recently we took him to a coin shop and he was in heaven. He could have spent hours in there. He was able to find quite a few interesting coins to add to his collection. Here are a couple of pictures from our recent excursion.....

Braeden Update

Braeden is feeling better. I took him to the doctor Friday morning and he had strep throat. The doctor said she had never seen a hangy-bobby (uvula) so big and swollen before. I think she was kind of excited about it because she brought somebody else in to look at it. So, they gave him some Tylenol with Codeine while we were there and then of course prescribed some Amoxicillin. He feels so much better today and is excited about going to football practice tonight in full pads. :)

p.s. Braeden is 5 ft. 1 in. and 82 lbs....yikes!

Poor Guy :(

This is what Braeden did all day.......(the lump in the bed is him)




This is who he was suppose to spend the day with......

Braeden decided he wanted to play football this fall instead of soccer. We got him registered, and he started practice 2 weeks ago. He loves it but is a little apprehensive. There is a lot to learn and he is the "new guy" on the team. So to my above pictures.......last week he was told that he was picked to go to a camp put togther by Dallas Cowboy,Terrell Owens. He was so excited! It was a 2 day camp from 8:30 in the morning till 3:30 in the afternoon. I was a little nervous to send him but this opportunity doesn't come around very often. So, Yesterday morning we got up bright and early (5:45a.m.) to send him off to Duncanville. When he woke up he said his throat was sore, but I thought it was just because he might have slept with his mouth open. He had no fever so I sent him off with a hug and kiss and told him to have fun. When he got home last night he was beat. All the boys who attended fell asleep in the car on the way home. Braeden said it was so hard. He had a good time though and got to talk to T.O. He even got to try to catch a pass from him. He also saw Marion Barber and Sam Hurd, both Dallas Cowboys. He was so exhausted and his throat was killing him. We didn't think he would be able to go back today, but we told him we would make the decision in the morning. I went to wake him up this morning and he had a fever and his throat was hurting even worse. I felt so horrible for him. He wanted to go back so bad. Today was the day they were going to get pictures and autographs. He sobbed and sobbed. I don't think I have ever felt so bad for him. He wanted to go and just tough it out, but there was no way I could send him in 100 degree heat for 7 hours. He is still feeling bad, but a tiny bit better. Who knows, maybe he will get this opportunity again some day. (sorry for such a long post)

Something to Make You Go ...HMMMMM

“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship. … There are no ordinary people. … Your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses” - C.S. Lewis, quoted by Susan W. Tanner, former General YW President

Delicious

My mom made this pound cake while I was in Missouri. It comes from a Paula Dean cook book. We made strawberry shortcake out of it and it was sooooooo good. I made it yesterday to take over to a friends house and it got rave reviews.

WARNING: It is very fattening....if you are even wondering how many calories are in this cake....turn away now!

Cream Cheese Pound Cake
1 1/2 c. butter, soft....the real stuff, NOT MARGARINE
1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese, soft
3 c. sugar
6 eggs
3 c. flour
pinch of salt
1 t. vanilla
1 t. almond extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 10 in. bundt pan. Cream butter and cream cheese with electric mixer until fluffy. Add sugar and mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each one. Gradually add flour, until all is added. Add salt, vanilla, and almond extract. (I didn't have any almond extract so I used 2 t. of vanilla) Pour into bundt pan. Bake for 90 minutes. The cakes is done when a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 15 minutes. Invert cake on to wire rack and let cool completely.

Let Freedom Ring!

Tooth #2

Pickin' Blueberries

We went to a blueberry farm right down the road from my Mom's house while we were in Missouri. It was so much fun. Each of the kids got there own bucket and picked as many blueberries as they could in the 30 minutes that we had. Braeden, Joshua, and Kate picked just over 2 pounds. This morning we had our first taste of their hard work.......I made some blueberry muffins and they were delicious!! YUM!

Headed to the blueberry orchard

Grandma singing to Kate and Josh while they pick the very best blueberries they can find.

Kate would get up underneath the bushes. She said that's where the best berries were.

This was Joshua's most perfect blueberry
Sophia, Joshua, and Braeden showing off their hardwork

Pictures from Grandma's House

We had such a good time at Grandma's house like we normally do. I was lazy and the kids were spoiled. I figure that is what going to see Grandma is about. The kids had way to much soda to drink and even more Popsicles to eat. I tell them to enjoy it while they can because back at home I ration all the sweets.


All the grand kids love to make smores when they come to Grandma's house. Grandpa made a fire in the pit at least 3 times while we were there so they could all enjoy smores.

Braeden and Joshua were recruited to pick up all the rocks in the backyard to earn some money. They both worked so hard in between swimming and jumping on the trampoline. They each earned 10 dollars.

These three were inseparable during our visit. Sophia, Kate, and Heather spent a lot of time on Webkinz sending mail back and forth to each other.

Joshua so excited to play on the Wii.

Grandpa was back from Kuwait for a 2 week visit. We were so happy to be in Missouri during this time to see him. All the kids love him so much!!

Braeden just chillin' on the playstation. This is the way he likes to play Guitar Hero.

Norman is my mother's baby. He is about 12 years old and is really starting to gray. This is how he spent most of the week we were visiting.

Joshua followed Grandpa around almost everywhere he went. He was over his shoulder always asking him questions about anything and everything. He loves his grandpa sooo much!!!

My nephew Owen...He is sooo cute!!!
Braeden showing off his t-shirt and cap that Grandpa brought back from Kuwait.
Kate eating another Popsicle. I don't think we left any in Grandma's freezer.....
This is my favorite picture I took while visiting in Missouri. One day Sophia was staying the night with us and both she and Kate wanted me to put their hair in pigtails. This was there reaction as they were admiring themselves in the mirror.


We had a fabulous time but are so happy to be home and have our own beds to sleep in. :)

Off we Goooooo!!!!

We are off to Missouri for a week to visit grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Lots of pictures to post when I get home.............

Kate Lost a Tooth

Kate is not even 5 yet and she has already lost a tooth. When we went to the dentist back in September of last year the dentist said her two bottom teeth were a little bit loose. Kate was so excited to hear this. She was thrilled to think she may get a visit from the tooth fairy soon. So over the last 9 months or so, she would wiggle and wiggle her little, bottom, front tooth until yesterday. I noticed that it was hanging by a thread. She did not want me to pull it out fearing that it would be painful. I asked her if I could wiggle it and I pulled it out instead. It didn't hurt, but she was a little frightened (because of the little bit of blood). After the shock though, she was so excited! She put her tooth under her pillow last night and when she woke up this morning she had 2 whole d0llars under her pillow. Now she is planning her shopping trip to spend her earnings from her little white tooth.

Girls Camp 2008

I'm Goin' Campin'

I am leaving to go to girls camp tomorrow. I don't know if you can technically call it camping, but it is about as out doorsy as I want to be. I am so excited though! We have lots of fun things planned and I always have a blast with the girls. Here are some of the things I have been working on for camp......

This is a handout for the devotional I have to give. The camp theme is "Once Upon a Time". My friend, Emily, found me these tiny wands and I came up with the rest(well...with some help from my mom). This is what it says, "Magic is everywhere if you know where to look, but if you are only watching for a Genie in a lamp or a Fairy Godmother with a magic wand you're probably missing a whole lot of magic. There's more to magic than pixie dust or bibbidi-bobbidi-boo. WE can find something truly magical by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This true "magic" is found by living your life the very best way you can, by staying true to yourself, and by being good to others. And most of all it comes from remembering who you are.....a daughter of your Heavenly Father with unlimited potential and Divine Worth." It turned out so cute!!

These are secret sister gifts for girls who forget to bring their own. We don't want anyone left out.......I love the Dollar Tree for this kind of stuff.
These are just a fun hand out to put on the girls bunk beds. We love to put little treats here and there when they are least expecting it. This one says, "Yoo-hoo"......You are "EXTRA" special!!! And of course, I put a chocolate Yoo-hoo and a pack of Extra gum. I hope they like it! :)

Last Day of School

Lots of fun was had on the last day of school. The PTA put together a water day with all kinds of games and relays. They had a slip-n-slide, a dunk booth, water limbo, and so much more. The highlight for the kids though was the fire department. They sprayed all the kids down from the top of their truck.

It was a very windy, cloudy, and muddy day. I don't know how these kids could stand the cold water, but they loved every minute of it. This is how Joshua always poses: arms straight down, chest puffed out, and standing as tall and straight as he can.
Joshua and all his buddies
If you look closely you can see Braeden in the mist from the fire hoses. The playground was drenched after this. It was a swampy mess.

Water Bucket Relay Race

Watch out!! Braeden on the slip-n-slide. They were covered in mud after a turn on this.

Can I have your autograph,Please? After the water activities they went back to their classes for more fun and food.

The Three Musketeers.....Nicholas, Andrew, and Joshua. These guys do everything together.

Braeden and his football friends.
Joshua and Mrs. Fahrney
Braeden and Mrs. Fulmer

Both Braeden and Josh had great teacers this year. They both got straight A's all year long. Braeden was even commended on all parts of the TAK'S test. We are so excited for school to be over though. We are ready to sleep in and hang out at the pool all day. Hip, Hip, Hooray for 81 days of summer vacation!!