Vacation Bible School

Can an Inner-city Church be transformed into a Vacation Bible School Heaven??

The answer is yes!

Last week, the kids and I trotted out early every morning to participate in VBS at our church.

Ethan had a blast in the pre- school program and the babies had fun in the childcare area.

I taught the elementary school kids crafts- it was exciting and exhausting.

How was I ever a camp counselor?? The theme of the week.

A skit on the cool Science Lab Stage

Everyday, Isaac and Livy were asleep before we even left the church parking lot (literally).

Singing with his crew.

Pre- school Activities : Enjoying the Good- Ole Parachute.

Some kids from crafts. Enjoying the ooey gooey slime that we made one day.

The babies, cute, but exhausted after a long fun- filled week.

Check out those cute monogrammed shirts (thanks Elisabeth).

Friday night they had a celebration at church and asked the parents to come see what their kids did all week. Here is Ethan singing and dancing to the music!

He Has Never Been to the Dentist

I guess it is about time??? A face only a mother could love :)!
Seriously, let me know if you know of any good pediatric dentists in the area.

He really has never been.

Want to win a cute monogrammed bag??

My friend Melissa is giving away one free monogrammed bag to celebrate the opening of her online shop of all things beautiful- Rekoncile Design . All you have to do is log onto her blog, A Resting Place and leave a comment on the post. If you have a second... you will enjoy reading her blog and checking out her online store. Both are great.

Tuesday at the Park

No explanation needed...

My cute and fair kids love the park and just being outside in general.

We have had an unbearable heatwave lately, and it makes me long for Ohio- the pleasant summer days, the suburbia, the Amish, the rhubarb pies, the gorgeous sunsets on Lake Erie.

Oh wait, I get to go there next week!! What pure summer bliss.

Enjoy a couple of cute shots.

Robyn's Baby Shower

Over the weekend I (barely) helped throw my dear sweet sister Robyn a baby shower. I know Robyn from college. I feel so ridiculously blessed to have a friend like Robyn. She is kind, funny, and fiercely loyal. She is incredible with words and also follows through with action. She is a terrific mother to her three year old and I know she will also be to this baby boy.

Robyn and the pile of gifts.

She received mostly diapers- you know the good name brand kind- not the cheap knockoffs you resort to by the time you have your third and have to pay for them yourself!!!

After the shower Samuel devours the chocolate mountain (well really a fountain).

(The ladies enjoyed this nifty invention too)

Me, Robyn, Amanda, Heather

The weekend was like a vacation for me. After the shower, we (ladies above) surprised Robyn with a girls night out. It was a lot of fun, but I forgot my camera. Hope you felt valued and loved Robyn, because you really are. Thanks for a great (late) night.

Bob and Larry

VeggieTales came to town and Ethan had a blast meeting his favorite vegetables! Ethan and Bob the Tomato

Ethan and Larry the Cucumber

Ahhhh... there is nothing like a walking and talking cucumber.

Art Camp

Ethan went to Art Camp this week (Thank God for Summer Camps!!) and he loved it!!! He absolutely loves to paint, and really enjoyed a week of "being allowed" to get as messy as possible. Here are some pics of the last two days. Ethan covered in paint, glue, and marker.

Even though he doesn't really look it here - the kids was as happy as could be.

(It is ALWAYS a fight to get Ethan to smile for the camera-

if you ever see him smiling, rest assured there were 20 shots when he was not!)

Ethan leading the Parade (I use this word loosely) to show off his art work.



Ethan and his best buddy, Kieran. Proud of their costumes.

Ethan and Kieran entertaining the little ones.

Life's like an hourglass glued to the table...

...no one can find the rewind button. My monkeys keep growing...

Ethan 4

Isaac and Livy 14 months.

Anna and Josh's Baby Shower

On Sunday some friends threw a fun baby shower for my sweet friend Anna. Josh and Anna are expecting their first child, a baby girl, after a long and trying battle with infertility. Baby Girl is expected at the end on July and we rejoice with them in this awesome miracle. Anna playing the "What's in the diaper?" game (all foods meant to look like something "different"). I am pleased to announce I watched and photographed... I have changed, examined, and smelled enough diapers for the time being.

Another pregnant mommy playing with her adorable and intelligent daughter. This is sassy diva Kim's 7th pregnancy... that's right folks... #7!!!

Anna and Josh having a diapering race. No eyes and no hands.

I believe infertility is the most ridiculously unfair and difficult trial any woman or man can face on this earth. To long for something that comes so easily to so many unfit mothers, and to ultimately be so out of control- what unmeasured pain.

I have two dear sweet sisters in Christ that have struggled and battled infertility for years. I often watch them and my heart breaks for what they desire... such a pure "simple" desire but so far out of their human reach. Watching them struggle has taught me that pregnancy and parenthood is not given by merit, for surely these women would and do make wonderful mothers. It blessed me so much when they choose to rejoice with John and I when we found out we were pregnant with the twins. I know it could not have been easy for them. But, they came and held babies, brought food, listened to me cry, etc. I am so thankful to have sisters like that.

Watching Anna and Josh through this whole process of being giving a child... this tiny miracle has been a delight for me. And, I have often thought of this verse...

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life".

Proverbs 13:12

My heart still breaks for my sisters who must walk the long and difficult road of infertility. But, I a pray for them everyday that they might conceive a child too... and I believe that He still performs these miracles, even today. All you have to do to remember is look at the joy in Anna and Josh's eyes.

A Little Camping Anyone?

Over Memorial Day Weekend, we set this old tent up at my parents house.

I grew up camping in this very tent.

As soon as it was set up the smell brought me right back to Kerr Lake, knee- boarding all day, and endless hours sitting around a campfire with my childhood friend and kindred spirit, Larity. Good times. But I am happy to report no one slept in it.. it was all for show!

Ethan and the tent. He played in this musty and hot thing all weekend.

Isaac says,

"I'm out of here... who would want to sleep outside with the bugs, dirt and allergens!".

Isaac playing with the sprinkler.