Jill's Choir Singing in Church

Jill's choir sang about our awesome God. I am so glad Jill loves to sing and that she doesn't have stage fright!!

Posing with Eli and then with Mom after the great performance, then it was off to Mission Friends, another one of Jill's favorites!

Enjoying Play Time in the Sunshine

Last year for Luke's first birthday he got this water slide. He has yet to get on the slide but the older children love it. We were so excited to pull it out for the first time this year.

Here is Eli & Jill's little garden. This year we planted two tomato plants, a banana pepper plant (for mom & dad), some sweet basil, mint, and rosemary. Of course we planted the marigolds to keep the "pests" away!

Playing Catch Up!

Here are a few pics from the past week.

Luke likes to sit on picnic table on the deck and do a little bird watching with his "noclurs." Wonder why the hummingbirds haven't been coming around??
Jill had field day at Mom's Day Out and she was all ready for some fun in the sun.

Jill and her best friend Morgan cheering big brother on at his soccer game this past Saturday.

Luke taking in the soccer game. He is ready to be playing himself that is why he is in the stroller. It is the only way to keep him off the field!

Eli waiting to go back into the game. He had an awesome game with two straight as an arrow passes that lead to goals in both cases!! He will try out the first week in June for Chelsea's competitive soccer team - The Chelsea Sting!!

Computer Finally Fixed!!

I don't know about all of you but when my computer is down I feel so handicapped!! As you can see, it is back up and running and I will be updating with lots of pictures either tonight or tomorrow. I have checked everyone's blog and caught up with all of you - whew!! Christy, put a brick on those little ones heads, they are growing too fast!! Aubrey looks so tall in some of those pictures and Jamie - WALKING! They just grow up too fast.

Soccer - "With a REAL coach, not just mom."

This will have to be a quick post as I have a million things to do while Luke gets his nap. Yesterday was Jill's first official day of soccer. She was a little timid at first but Coach Rob has been doing this for years and he is great!!! She warmed right up to him and was shooting goals by the end.

Luke has been under the weather this week with his allergies. He would cough until he threw up. What a wonder medication Xopenex is for my children and their cough. I only wish my doctors would have known about it when I was a child. Here is my big boy doing his breathing treatment. He isn't praising the Lord though, he is begging Mommy to "Hold me!"

And here he is showing the camera where his tounge is - not exactly sure why...

I will be heading out this afternoon for the lake with the planning committee for my Mom's group. We hope to soak up a lot of rays while we get our coming year planned. Pray for Jamie and Eli as they have a soccer tournament this weekend. Also pray for Grammy and Poppa as they are coming to play with Jill and Luke while Dad and Eli are at the tournament. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and enjoys the sunshine tomorrow - I know I will!!! Go get 'em Eli - Go Chelsea!!!!

My Precious Children

I can hardly believe that my firstborn is so grown up. You seem to change before my very eyes and I think if I watched you sleep I would see you growing. You truly have a heart of gold and I am so thankful that God chose to bless our family with you. I know that God has great things in store for you and it is exciting to watch as your future unfolds. It is my prayer each day that you will grow to be a strong Godly man with wisdom beyond your years; That you will shine as a light in this dark world and bring as much joy to others as you bring to me and your Dad. We love you, Eli and we are so very proud of you!!!!

My middle child, my little girl, our precious little princess. We are truly blessed by you each and every day. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are going to be a leader one day. You have such strength and courage and determination. My prayer for you is that as your parents, Dad and I will be able to teach you how to use your determination for good and that you will develop such strength of character that you will be able to make wise choices even when faced with difficult circumstances. I am looking foward to the many Mom and daughter times we will share together, shopping, sunning & just talking!! We love you, Jill and we are so very proud of you.



Our youngest child - our Little Luke, you are the laughter in our day. God has blessed you with an infectous laugh and a wonderful sense of humor even at the age of one. Your athleticism astounds us all and I know that the day will come very soon that I will be driving you to every sporting event and cheering you on as you play. You are loved so much by your brother and sister, too and I know that they will always watch over you to make sure no one messes with their little brother!! My prayer for you is that you grow to know and love the Lord your God and that when you are old you will not depart from Him. My prayer is also for your physical protection as your energy knows no bounds - the body does, remember that, my son. We love you, Luke and are so very proud of you.

Still Easter...

It is hard to get seven grandkids and two adults to smile at the same time. This was the last picture attempt of the day and needless to say... Jill was DONE!!!!
Eli -9, Anna Beth - 7, Dalton - 5, Jill - 4, Katie - 3, Dylan - 2, & Luke - 1

A very proud Daddy!!

More Easter Pics

Eli looking hasndsome as ever. He is growing up so fast. I can hardly believe he will turn "10" this year. We will enter the double digits!

Here is little man looking so handsome for church.

A few more pics of our fun-filled day.

Eli found a real bird egg while hunting Easter eggs.

The Easter Bunny has a GPS

The Easter Bunny even found us at Grammy & Poppa's house so he must have a GPS - at least that is what I told Jill. She was very happy to find her Easter basket waiting for her Easter morning.

Luke was thrilled to find some bubbles in his basket - He loves bubbles!
Jill sporting her rain gear the Easter Bunny brought her. What a smart Bunny - it rained Easter night!!

Eli received this abercrombie shirt from the Bunny and put it on immediately. If having to have name brand everything hasn't hit your children yet - it will by the fourth grade!!!

Jill all dressed up for church. It is amazing how much I see myself in those brown eyes!

Jill's 4th Birthday!

I can hardly believe that my little girl is FOUR! We had a great birthday party on Saturday. I was so excited to get to throw an Easter birthday party!!

We enjoyed some yummy cake with our friends!!
A group photo-op before hunting the eggs.
The only way Jill would allow the Easter Bunny at her party - in the form of a cake!
Jill working on the eggs we would later hide for the little ones to find.

We had such a fun time playing and visiting with all of our friends. Thank you to all who came. Jill felt so special!!!

And just a few more...