Olympic Games Birthday Party

Caedens 6th Birthday Olympics.

let the games begin

balloons filled the trampoline Event #1: water balloon toss

Event #2: Relay race. Mike and Caeden went first. Notice Mike is under the Tramp and C isn't, thats because my son cheated and skipped the second trampoline crawl.

Event #3: Sack Race. I love his face in this picture. Sheer delight and determination.

Event #4: Pin the medal on the athlete

I found printable medals online, and cut them out to "pin" on the photo of Caeden. The blind fold was an american flag handkerchief.

We also printed out gold medals and strung them on ribbon. The winner of each game, got another medal strung on the ribbon around their neck. The child with the most medals took home a huge bag of skittles.

Gift time and more trampoline time ( after all the balloons popped).

Caeden's is in the middle doing a front flip.

Dessert was vanilla cake decorated with skittles, served with ice cream of course.

Thankfully Michael's had all their 4th of July decor already on display in the store. So we had Red White and Blue plates and napkins.

The party favors were 1) glow bracelets, 2) butter mints in american flag wrapping, and 3) a pkg of water balloons. Caeden wanted glow bracelets because when strung together they look like the Olympic Rings.

We also made Score cards, but they were more for decoration since no one used them. they were glued onto straws and placed in a vase.

I enjoyed every part of the preparation for this party and am so glad that Caeden enjoyed his party.

Such a fun day!

Happy 6th birthday

Caeden, My specials,

You have been ours for 6 years. We have watched you grow from a fun loving baby, to a wide-smiled toddler pushing your tonka truck across the floor at lightning speed, to a preschooler who loved to ride a bike, to now, a 6 yr old little man who loves life with a passion, has an intensity for learning, and demonstrates wisdom about life. You are thoughtful, affectionate, a kind friend to all, confident, observant, determined, conscientious, and you have a big knack for making us laugh. Mom and Dad are incredibly proud of who you are. We would like to ask that you slow your growing because just when we get used to your age, you add another year.

While you were five you learned to read and learned to swim.

Currently you really enjoy art, running, playing games with the family, riding bikes, playing with your friends, watching movies, building Legos, and reading books.

The verse I am praying for you and O is from Isaiah 44:3-5,

"I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams. This one will say, 'I am the Lord's,' another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, 'The Lord's,' and name himself by the name of Israel."

Can't wait to see what you learn during your 6th year of life, buddy.

We love you immensely,

Mom and Dad

Gimme a break

Sun & Sand, Friends & Frolic, Rest & Relaxation

Our trip to San Diego was wonderful. We had been so caught up in our weekly schedule that taking time to just be together with no agenda was incredible. I wonder at what point our kids will be "too old" to enjoy hanging out with their mom and dad. Hopefully not too soon, because I love how we all enjoy each other's company. We bathed on the beaches, cooked out with old College friends, drove, spent quality time with each other, shopped, ate, drove, laughed, engaged in deep conversations, toured an enormous Naval ship, drove, exercised, watched our kids play with new friends, and drove some more.

San Diego has been one of my favorite places on earth ever since I lived there about 13 years ago. There is so much appeal to this big city with perfect weather, delicious food & gorgeous beaches. Our visit however, made me thankful for our simple life in our new hometown. We don't have to fight traffic and busy places. Plus we eat at home more and spend less money. So thankful that God places us exactly where we need to be. It's easy to get caught up in my own material wants and desires. This week leaves me pondering about what I truly desire out of life. To be honest, it's hard for me to give a specific answer. In a recent sermon podcast, Tim Keller said, "If we seek happiness over righteousness we get neither, but if we seek righteousness over happiness, we will get both." May I live each day with the utmost intention to honor my husband, shepherd my children, love my neighbor as myself, and glorify my God, so that my life won't be wasted.

It's always good to go away, but even greater to come back home.

Triathlon

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones that you did do. So thrown off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. "

Mark Twain

On my bucket list would be, compete in a triathlon, learn to ride a motorcycle, go skydiving, travel the world, & speak Spanish fluently.

This was the funnest adrenalin rush that I have had in a long time. I was clueless and nervous and untrained, but so glad that I chose to participate anyway.

This race was a short: 225 meter swim, 5 mile bike, 1 mile run.

The transitions are supposed to be quick, but.......I wasn't.

The hardest part was that everything was a sprint, so my lungs were maxed out the entire time.

It probably would have been different had I actually trained for it and/or been swimming for some time besides only getting in the pool the day before the race for the first time since we left Fl.

"Get a bicycle. You will not regret it. If you live."

Mark Twain

( almost missed the turn for the finish line)

Here's to hoping, this race isn't my one-hit wonder!

I can read

One of my kids favorite stories is The Three Bears and now Caeden can read it in a book.

This is the longest book he has ever read. We are so proud of him.

He starts out saying "that's too many words," but he continues to read it anyway...... and toward the end you can hear Owen making rocket noises.

I cant believe C's first year in Kindegarten is almost over.

What God did

About two years ago I posted this terrible news. On top of losing my job that day, that doctor also billed us for $2000.

We have been making minuscule payments for some time now, but haven't made much of a dent in the total amount.

On Saturday, I opened what i thought was the monthly invoice from Dr. S. only to see last month's check had been returned and someone had hand written "PAID IN FULL".

There was a small sticky note attached and on it was written,

"your account has been paid in full, please do not call our office."

My mouth still wants to drop open at the thought of our debt being cancelled.

There is no explanation other than to say......God did this.

Isaiah 41:20 says, "see, know, consider, understand that the hand of the Lord has done this."

In reading through Isaiah, this is some of what God does:

God calls us by name

He made

He created

He stirred

He heals

He equips

He leads

He restores

He reveals

He revives

He goes before

He pours

He keeps

He gives NOT his glory to another

He forms

He guards

He declares

He speaks

He loves

He comforts

He covers

He answers

He helps

He redeems

He strengthens

He upholds

Isaiah 46:4 "even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and I will save.

and our response to his good work in our lives: (also found in Isaiah verses)

We wait

We call upon His name

We listen and give attention

We turn to be saved

We rejoice

We proclaim with Joy

We publish peace and salvation

We glorify

We say "Our God Reigns"

"Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."

Isaiah 45:22

He works, we Praise!

Hallelujah

Love Her

Tina Fey's book comes out in April and I am a little too excited about it.

There is something about Liz Lemon that makes me relate to her and want to be her all at the same time. Can't wait to read her memoir!

Pre order on Amazon

Playing Hooky (and landing on the moon)

"Can't we just play hooky today," were my first words spoken this morning. For various reasons, mornings have not be my most energetic time of day. Caeden was up a few time during the night last night with a sore throat, and since I didn't want to get out of bed, playing hooky seemed like a great decision.

Next thing I know, he comes bounding into the room, asking to get to school early.

Bummer.

On Wednesdays Owen and I usually attend Bible Study. I was getting ready to leave the house, but due to my "ditch the schedule" mood already, it didn't take much for me to find a reason to stay home.

Owen loves to play, in fact he never wants to do anything else, but he especially loves when Mom and Dad take time to role play with him. Dressing up and playing the part is pretty easy with his imagination, especially since he tells me exactly what to do.

Staying home to play astronauts today was quite a treat for the both of us.

And when C got home from school, he made a jet pack too and joined in the fun.

At the time, I didn't even realize the lessons Owen was learning about recycling until I heard him tell his brother, "we turned old things into something new." The jet packs were made out of used cereal boxes & caps found from the recycle bin then covered in tin foil.

My house is still trashed with remnants of forts turned into rocket ships and a whole mess of toys.

Making memories with the boys is usually messy, but always well worth it.

Playing hooky has never been this much fun.

Boyhood Tradition

When C was a little tike, we weren't allowed to close his bedroom door at night until we heard him say, "I love you, and good night."

Since moving to our new home, a second phrase has been added. Don't ask me how exactly, but now both boys echo:

"I love you and good night........I want a big breakfast."

Like clock work every night before we close their bedroom door this phrase is uttered by both of them. It is tender, yet hilarious and it suits them well.

I really love these two!

and tomorrow, they will get cinnamon rolls for breakfast, just because.

10 things I am loving right now

1) The Color Purple---my favorite color (not the movie)

Mike is known for getting me practical as opposed to romantical gifts for Valentine's.

These purple running shoes are my V-day gift and I wouldn't have wanted anything more.

2) and I guess I love the color red too, since I love my Toms shoes

Check our their website, if your not familiar.

What a great idea for a business: with every pair of shoes you purchase, Toms will give a new pair of shoes to a child in need.

3) Tim Keller Podcasts

Tim Keller is the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian in NYC and the author of several incredible books. The only one that I have read so far is "Reason for God". It has been so encouraging, enjoyable to listen to his sermons on my long commutes for work. They are free downloads on Itunes. You can click on the link below to find them. I love how the Gospel is interwoven into every message he preaches. It's truth, and I am loving it.

4) Reading & Learning

The Book of Isaiah & Bible Study Fellowship

Isaiah is not a book of the Bible I knew much about. I have been blown away by the truths of the Gospel message in this book. Learning more and more about the character of God and his rich love for us. He is the ONLY TRUE GOD, there is no other.

and I Just finished reading The Secret Life of Bees. SO good.

5) Hot tea, so refreshing, and i don't need to spend money at Starbucks to enjoy it.

"There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea."

Bernard-Paul Heroux

1900's Basque philosopher

6) Our kids

lately we fill our cold winter days with super heroes, dance parties, UNO, library books, legos, and hot wheels. It has been such a treat to listen to Caeden read books to us also.

7) Words with Friends

it's a really addicting scrabble game on the iphone. my best score yet is 128 points on one word. However, I never can seem to beat Mike.

8) My hubby

we are being stretched as individuals and as a couple. In some ways our roles have reversed since Mike is the "stay at home dad" during the two days a week that I am working. I am so blessed to spend my life with a man who loves me, takes care of me, encourages me, and laughs with me. I am so proud of him and how passionately he is following God's calling on his life.

9) LC

at 35 yrs of age, I can now successfully drive a stick shift.

Many attempts and continual stalls are behind me, I am now free to cruise the town-hills, lights, and all. First gear was my nemesis. But, this Lovely Lady, "LC" as we call her, has stuck with me and is now my friend. (p.s. Caeden snapped this photo of me).

10) The perfect yoga panty from Victorias Secret. Love 'em.