3rd Annual Family Work Day

Two years ago my family started a new tradition. We began to realize that Mom and Dad (a.k.a Mimi and Gramps) have reached an age where doing labor-intensive yard work is very difficult for them. We probably should have realized it sooner. Mom and Dad are both such sacrificial parents and have served us all so much over the years that our "Family Work Day" is finally giving us a practical way to serve them. The first year we did a complete overhaul of their flowerbeds including cleaning out weeds & leaves, tearing out old plastic weed barrier, putting in all new cloth weed barrier, mulching, creating rock borders, tilling a few new beds & the vegetable garden, etc. Since then, it is mostly maintenance: raking leaves, cleaning out the flowerbeds, mulching, and getting the yard ready for Summer. It models our love for family and serving one another to our kids and gives us an excuse to spend a day together. Seriously, my family can make anything FUN!
Lauren trimming the lariope.
Ryan giving Titus a ride while he mows the lawn. I really admire the way that Richard and Jennifer have taught their children to work hard and experience joy in serving others. I've seen it many times over the years.
Scott and Richard taking leaves, branches, and the Christmas Tree to one of the burn piles. We hadn't seen Scott for 6 days because he was on a business trip to visit a client in Florida. We were SO happy to be together again!
"Mommy, look I found a flower! Flowers, flowers EVERYWHERE!!!"
I found a little lizard while Scott & I were cleaning the leaves out of Mimi's rose garden. When I showed the kids, Titus said, "Whoa! I've never seen one of those before!" I told him he could get closer and he quickly replied, "No, thanks. I don't want to scare him. Lizards are afraid of people, you know."
Scott and Richard managing the other burn pile. The smell of a burn pile always reminds me of being at my grandmother's farm in Louisiana as a child. It was something that we weren't allowed to do living in the "city" limits at home, so it was such a novelty...that and sitting on my great-grandmother's porch "down the turn row" and snapping beans on her screened-in front porch every summer. Going to my grandmother's farm always felt like going back in time to a magical place. My great-grandmother had this enchanted garden that was covered in a canopy of old trees (the best climbing trees I've ever seen) and she still had her outhouse in the backyard. It hadn't been used in years, but the idea of it sent my young mind spinning!
Titus and Audra fascinated by the fire...but staying a safe distance per Mommy's orders.
Erin stayed inside and helped Mimi with the little ones most of the time we were working. She choreographed a show for Audra and Sheridan to perform for us. Adorable!
My brother also turned 40 on Saturday! He had lost 30 pounds since Thanksgiving and has been unbelievably disciplined with his diet and exercise. (He and Jennifer have been waking up to go work out at 5:00 almost every morning.) The only thing he asked for as a birthday present was Texas sheet cake and Haagen-Dazs chocolate ice cream! He also made up a new birthday song for himself: a groovin' "ice cream and cake and cake." Here are the cousins indulging him by dancing a little jig to his new song!!! He also informed Audra that from now on she could call him "Uncle Ice Cream." I have a feeling it's going to stick!
Richard lovin' every bite! After opening presents, we had so much fun telling our favorite memories of Richard growing up. Happy Birthday, Richard!
Easter Egg Hunt! Mimi bought eggs and Easter baskets and had the big kids hide eggs for the little kids. They loved it! Justus kept calling the eggs "balls" and throwing them!
Just too cute not to include. Aunt Rhea Lana and Justus enjoying a moment together. I think she was slipping him some Easter candy.
The big kids blowing bubbles for the little kids. Oh, how my kids adore their cousins. Apparently, the older girls told Audra that she was growing up and that her hair was getting longer because she's been talking about it everyday since then.
More bubbles.

Ok, this was probably the funniest moment of the day. As we were wrapping up the day, a few of us were visiting out on the front porch. Scott and Justus started playing this game and Justus would clench his fists and tighten up his whole body until his face turned pink and he was shaking (like he was really constipated). Then he would explode into this loud, "DAH!" We all (including Justus) laughed so hysterically that he entertained us by doing it over and over for 15 minutes. I'm surprised he didn't pass out!
"DAH!"

Last picture, I promise. Jennifer (Richard's wife) painted this for my Mom for Christmas. It was inspired by a gorgeous vase that she also gave her. Mom asked Jason (in the middle... their handyman who has become a family friend) to come over and build a frame for it. Didn't it turn out beautifully??? My photo really didn't do it justice. I can't wait to see it hanging over the mantle in the sun room! What a precious gift!

To my big family...I love you and am so thankful Mom & Dad didn't stop with two.

Roger Day and the Mosquito Burrito Brothers

We spent another morning at The Jones Center for the Roger Day and the Mosquito Burrito Brothers concert. This was SO fun and was probably my favorite event there this week. He sang the most creative songs and had us doing everything from dancing like mosquitoes, acting like rollypollies on the ground, to flying airplanes in a giant conga-line around the auditorium. The kids (and I) loved it!
Get your groove on, Little Man!
We sat with Sara and her kids again. Here's a picture of my kiddos with Finley and Avery Neufeld playing outside on this turtle after the performance. Titus and Avery kept pretending to be Transformers and Super Heroes. Audra didn't want to be left out so she kept pretending to be stuck in the bushes so Avery would come rescue her. Smart girl!

Jack's Magic Show

My friend, Sara Neufeld, and I took our kids to see Jack's Magic Show at The Jones Center this morning. I thought it was a bit hokey and it was pretty exhausting trying to keep Justus and Audra interested, but Titus enjoyed it. He was especially fascinated by how Jack could turn a bird into a bunny. Sara kept me entertained by laughing at the assistant's sequined dress and lovely white satin pumps. That dress had to have come straight from my high school prom. I included a couple of pictures for your viewing pleasure...


"Oh, the suspense!!!" Titus and Avery loved the show. They have become great friends this year and I'm so glad. They are in the same class at church and Kids' Day Out on Thursday mornings. We have also both applied for them to go to kindergarten at Providence Classical Christian Academy next year http://www.providence-academy.com/.

Artistic Genius

I really don't have any artistic ability and I'm aware that I have a novice eye, but I was very impressed when Audra called to me from her roomtime this morning, "Mommy, look! I drew a Princess Audra with a crown!"...
See the crown? Pretty impressive, no?

Titus thought the attention that Audra was getting from her Princess Audra drawing was worth making an attempt of his own...
A Star Wars Tie-Fighter. A Star Wars battle. It looks like one of them missed and launched a missile at his hair. That is some serious bed head!

American Idol Results

America, would you please put Kristy Lee Cook out of her misery and vote her off the show already??? It drives me crazy that she has been the obvious worst one for several weeks and she keeps squeaking by while more talented entertainers are leaving. She is pretty and sweet, but she looks so uncomfortable up on that stage...I feel bad for her. (I think she secretly would've been a little relieved to have been voted off tonight.) I cannot believe that Amanda Obermeyer was voted off before her or Ramiel. Listen to me! I sound so critical. Like I could get up there and do what they are doing...but, "Hey, it's just an opinion."

One thing I noticed tonight as Titus and I watched the results show together was that Titus is becoming a very independent thinker. He has decided that Chickezie is his favorite. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. He will watch each of them and state within a few seconds, "Oh, that is beautiful" or "Ooh, that doesn't sound very good, does it?" (He said that about Amanda Obermeyer this week, so maybe he actually understands more than I do. He also commented that her hair looks like Cruella Deville. Also true.) I'm still sad to see her go this early. She's not in my top 5, but I think she's a great entertainer.

Back to Titus...he seemed fascinated by the musicians tonight and observed, "Oh, Mommy, I see how that works now!" That must be why I caught him playing air guitar in the mirror at Gap Kids last week. Pretty hilarious!

I'm realizing now that he has been developing this character trait of being an independent thinker for some time. During football season, he would pick his own team that he liked and cheer for them (often based on color or mascot), even if it was against Daddy's team. That is pretty surprising considering how much he adores Scott.

To Titus:
Son, an excitement rises up in me as I see you developing your own ideas and opinions at such an early age...unswayed by those you seek to impress. I see the foreshadowing of a young man who is not afraid to be independent, who will have the courage to be a leader, who will do what is right even those around you tempt you to do otherwise. I love the little boy that you are; I look forward to knowing you as a man. I am enormously grateful that God would trust you to my care. It is a privilege to be your mother.
Love,
me.

So...all that being said...I wonder if watching American Idol would qualify under the "Don't Waste Your Life" I began reading in January. I should probably pick it back up and finish it. Hmm. Maybe, I'll wait until the season is over. :)

Now that I think about it, I think the reason that so many people love to watch American Idol is that it like watching the "American Dream" televised. I love to watch it when I can. It is the only TV show I've watched regularly since they took The Cosby Show off the air. I really don't like TV and typically consider it a waste of time, but I love this show. I think each of us can connect with normal people just like us (okay...like me, but with way more talent) who take a risk and make themselves so vulnerable in order to pursue their passion. So, what do you think? Is it a waste of time?

(Sorry this was such a rambling, disorganized post. It was very "stream of consciousness.")

American Idol

Ok. So, is anyone else feeling nervous about American Idol tonight, or is it just me? I've actually found myself praying for several of the contestants throughout the day today. I felt so bad for David Archuletta when he forgot the words last week. Just had to get that off my chest.

Jump Zone

Our Bible Study was cancelled for Spring Break, so some of us decided to meet up with our kids at Jump Zone in Bentonville this morning. It is a 10,000 square foot room filled with 7 massive inflatables. It was SO fun!!! They just opened last week and it was the first time we've been there. The kids had a blast (and wore themselves out jumping, climbing, and sliding) and I got to hang out with my friends! Can't beat that!



Kristin and Madeliene Gray with Kristin, Delaney, and "Baby" Roller.
Copeland Gray
Griffin Harris
Zachary Gray. Upside down and backwards down the slide.
Lilly Ashlock. She loved this slide and did it over and over again! You can see Zachary in the background planning his next stunt.
Melanie and Hannah Garner with Kathy (and "Baby") Ashlock. We are actually a pretty prolific group. Since Christmas, we've had four ladies announce that they are pregnant! I'm not one of them.

Thought I'd better clarify.

Spring Break!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! (And Happy Birthday, Gramps!)

Spring is here! Hooray! I LOVE Spring...and I love living in a place that has four distinct seasons! I spent last week Spring-cleaning like a maniac and reorganizing all of our closets. We did take break each day to get out and take a walk or go to a park to enjoy the warm weather. (I hate to confess that I just took down my Christmas tree. I know some of you are horrified. I don't know what took me so long this year. My excuse is that I didn't want to do it when my kids were awake, then I was too tired after they went to bed, then the sale came, blah, blah, blah. Scott liked it and thought I should just leave it up and consider it a headstart on next year!)

[I have to insert something that I love about my husband here. #1 He is not critical of me. I am so enormously thankful that he accepts me just like I am. He never says a thing when the house is a mess or when I don't get dinner cooked. I should learn from his example. #2 He has a great sense of humor. He keeps me laughing and keeps me from taking myself too seriously.]

Ok, back to the point. Now, we're rested, healthy, and ready to play!

Spring Break started today. All of our normal activities are cancelled for the week, so I planned some fun new things to keep us busy. This morning we woke up and went to The Jones Center to take advantage of all of their Spring Break activities. I'd never done this before, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. We had SO much fun...and EVERYTHING at The Jones Center is FREE!
At 10:00 they had a concert for kids called, "Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang." It was very fun. It was actually one of the best things I've taken my kids to this year. It was silly, active, short (one hour), and FREE!
Dancing! We danced almost the entire hour!
Playing music with the band!
Justus made a new friend. Isn't she cute with her pigtails?
We waited in line to meet Gwendolyn after the show. She gave us one of her CD's because we were the last in line and the kids were "waiting so patiently." Actually, I waited in line and let them amuse themselves by playing in all of the chairs, but I let her think they were patient.

Afterwards, we played in the "jumpy castle" several times, snacked on popcorn, and got balloons twisted into swords and flowers. By the time we finished all of that it was time for lunch and naps. What a great morning. I have a feeling we'll be spending quite a bit of time up there this week.

Comment on Comments

In the past only users with a google/blogger account were able to comment on my blog. I just figured out how to change that so others can comment, as well. Try it out and let me know if it works.

Four rooms thoroughly cleaned and their closets re-organized for Spring. Five to go.

I'm Alive!

Ok. I'm alive and I'm coming up for air! My brief synopsis is that two weeks ago I went down to help and shop at my sister's sale (http://www.rhealana.com/), got strep throat and the flu, then came home and spent a week working at my sale. During that week I was working 14+ hour days, coming home to answer emails until at least 1:00am, sleeping a few hours, and then waking up and starting over again...for 7 days (during which I kept forgetting to take my antibiotics OR forgetting whether or not I had taken them). The good news is that the sale went GREAT and continues to grow like crazy. The bad news is that my wonderful mother arrived back here with strep throat and three sick kids. Scott took them all to the doctor on Sunday morning and all four of them (Scott and our three kids) were diagnosed with strep throat. Then yesterday all my symptoms started coming back again, so I spent half the day in bed with fever, chills, and unable to swallow. So, I'm back on antibiotics again and promise to take better care of myself (and my sick family) this time.

We couldn't go to Bible Study this morning since this is apparently very contagious. We hung out at home in pjs while I spent the day washing all of our sheets, trying to catch up on laundry, and beginning the overwhelming task of cleaning my unkempt house (which has been ignored for the past two weeks). Oh, I did briefly leave the house to buy all of us new toothbrushes, according to the doctor's orders. Tomorrow, I plan to get all of us out of the house for some fresh air and then begin disinfecting my house so we don't keep reinfecting each other. Any advice on the best way to do that?

Oh! My giant tadpole has turned from a fat, globby, brown, toadish tadpole to a beautiful little green frog with spots in the past 9 days. What a wild daily transformation! I really wish I had taken pictures each day. Maybe, I'll try it with the next one.

Gotta run work on the house so I can play with the kids tomorrow. I promise to spend some time over the next week catching up on my blog. I have some fun pictures from the sale and some cute emails from Mimi while my kids were at her house for a week!!!! (It is the first time Justus has spent a night away from me and Titus and Audra have only spent the night away from me twice.) They had a great time and came home so happy.

More soon...