What time is it? It's Cousin Time :)

Whenever Andrew and Melissa make the trek down to Orange County, there is a Cousin Party :). Everyone make great efforts to come out and congregate at Mom and Dad's!

What a joy to see the love and excitement these cousins have for one another!

Lord, I pray that as we watch and guard over these little ones, You will keep them each close to You and to each other.

Life After VBS

Today was the first day after Vacation Bible School (pictures to come in a separate post!) for our little family. With Matthew gone for the Resolved Conference with our College Group in Palm Desert, and some workers at the house to do some repairs on our sprinkler system, the kids and I "took the day off" :).

Initially, I had planned on getting A LOT of laundry done (VBS week is very disruptive to our "regular routine"... especially laundry). When the gardeners needed the water turned off to the house to do the repairs necessary for our irrigation system to work properly again, I had to toss my plan out the window. So... we left the house shortly after 9:30 and went to the library, signed up for the Summer Reading Program, checked out the maximum amount of books allotted, and went to the park (to read, eat snacks, and play). Ahhh... what a wonderful way to spend a beautiful Saturday morning!

Summer IS HERE!!!

Too Hot for a Job

Recently in the news, there was a woman suing her former employer for letting her go because her looks were too distracting to her co-workers.

Tonight, Matthew and I had a quick exchange making reference to the woman:

"Oh... it's not like the woman that's suing because she is too hot?"

Overhearing that comment, Seth asked (in all seriousness) :

"Who's she suing? The sun?"

Yes, he is my child that makes me laugh...

Season End... well, at lease a short pause :)

We've had a VERY FULL last couple of months life :). This weekend was a punctuation mark... I think it's only a comma, but we'll take it!

Yesterday, we had the Closing Ceremonies for West Yorba Linda Little Leagues. Although neither Isaac's team nor Seth's team won the League Championship this year, they both accepted plaques for being Academic All-Stars (the top 12 highest GPA players of their division). I am thankful that both boys work hard and take their responsibilities seriously both on and off the field!

This weekend was also the Team Parties for both boys. Both Seth and Isaac had "pool parties" :). Isaac's party was at Mom and Dad's, right after church and before College Group today! Such fun times and memory builders! We will miss the friends and connections that we've made this year... but we look forward to see what God will bring into our lives next season. We have prayed diligently each day, for our family to be a light in this arena. I am thankful that we are able to be a living testimony for the Lord on the field.

The reason why this weekend is only a comma, and not a period, is because we found out this weekend that Isaac made the All Stars Team for his age bracket!!! Very exciting... more baseball :). Congratulations, Isaac! You've worked hard to show yourself worthy of being on this All Stars Team. We will continue to pray that you will be an example to your teammates of someone that desires to honor God in all that you do. We pray that you would show your love for God in your actions, attitude, and speech. May God be honored in this new team through you!

I will post pictures very soon. I have a lot to post :) I may cheat and back date some of the posts so that things will be chronological... keep checking!

Kite Flying Fun

I haven't had much time to sit and blog... but while we were working on getting the house picked up and "cleaned up", my children decided to take an unscheduled break and fly kites. What?!? Before this BMOM (aka big mean ogre mom) can yell out, "No! No break for you!!!", they were all already out the door and running all around, giggling like little kids (oh... they are little kids!).

I would have never guessed that those cheap thin kites can actually fly and offer so much endless fun... in the back yard! I am thankful that my children enjoy playing together... especially in the midst of adversity (mom making them clean the house!).

Letters From Felix

Seth is in 2nd grade, which means that he gets to do the Felix project this year :). Many of you may remember this project from Isaac's 2nd grade year... this is a fun project that teaches the kids a bit about geography.

Felix is a little rabbit that gets lost in an airport. Much to his owner's dismay, he decides to travel around the world a bit before returning home (May 15th). Every couple of days, he sends a letter or postcard to his owner from the various places that he has visited.

Since we are not able to physically send Felix to all of you, we are sending him to you through cyberspace :). Seth would love for Felix to visit with you and get a postcard from Felix back at school regarding his visit (something like: Hi, Seth! I am visiting your friends in Sydney, Australia today! The Oprah House is super BIG!!! Off to my next adventure! See you soon. Love, Felix). Felix is to mail his postcards to:

Friends Christian School

Seth Holbrook

c/o Mrs. Horn

5151 Lakeview Ave.

Yorba Linda, CA 92886

Pleas take good care of Felix and thank you for particiating!!!

Surrounded by Love

Birthday Princess crown :)

Sigh... I sigh not because I am now "officially old" (so my kids tell me!), but because my heart is full tonight! Thank you, each one of you, that have celebrated me today. It so such a lovely and special birthday day, that I just have to brag a little... to myself... of how God has surrounded me with love in such a tangible way!

The day started off with a pancake breakfast! The very best way to start!!! My kids and sweet husband got up early and made pancakes, eggs, and bacon for me! What a special effort on a SCHOOL DAY! Amazingly, we even got cleaned up and got everyone off to school on time!!!

Next, Mom, Bethany and kids, and I had a lovely time exploring the Orange Circle. We went through several fun little shops and a delicious Cuban lunch at the Felix's Cafe. I had plenty of leftovers to share with my kids when they got home from school! Isaac wanted to know when I would take him there so that he can order his own food :).

After lunch, Mom pampered me to a manicure & pedicure treatment. I was told that is was at the prompting of Matthew... he was sure that girls are suppose to get pedicures more than once every 40 years! It was very nice. I learned how to do (ya know, it for the next time I go when I turn 80)... LOL!!!

Pretty princess toes!!!

Isaac had a make-up game tonight (because of the rain last Saturday). So, the kids got home from school, hurried through their homework, got ready for the BURRR COLD field, and we're off. Some how, the word got out to the team that it was my birthday, the team showered me with all kinds of goodies and love! I got balloons, flowers, a very cool "#1 Team Mom" shirt, a "Team Mom throne", and super yummy red velvet cupcakes! The team even got together and sang "happy birthday" to me after the post-game huddle!!! So cute!

As if that wasn't enough, Matthew insisted that we go out for dessert after the game! We went to Polly's and had birthday pie (which the kids declared the best "birthday cake ever"!). No, the waitress didn't offer to put 40 candles on my piece of pie... which probably would have been a fire hazard... that's just fine by me!!!

Beautiful collection of birthday flowers!!!

I thank God for each of you that have touched my life these last 40 years! I am grateful for your remembrance of me and for taking time out to pray for me, Skype, text, email or call me(extra points for those that called and sang!!!)! You have made me feel very special & very loved :). I pray that the Lord would use me to bless you as much as you have blessed me!!!