Ella's Visit

This was one of the most exciting, busy, and full of love weeks that we had during the month of May. Ella, my niece, who is only one month younger than Ella stayed with us for 4 nights/days. It was so much fun having two almost two-year olds added around the house. Nana was also around to enjoy having all of her grandchildren in one house. Unfortunately, the boys were still in school so they missed out on some of the fun. We had fun playing at the pool, going to the Scheile Nature Museum, going to the park, eating lunches out, and going here there and everywhere. I also enjoyed getting to dress the girls alike a few times, with such a big age difference and the fact that they are boys; Jared and Xander aren't much for matching Sara when it comes to getting dressed. Ella, had lots of fun with having her three other 'older' cousins around the house was alot of fun for her. We miss her so much (and Kelly and Scott) when they are not home; its hard having them 4 1/2 hours a way. I can't wait till Ella comes and stays again, I'm already trying to plan when it can happen.

Ella, Sara, and Nana (mom) at the Scheile Museum.

They were looking at the monkeys.

Lollipops and rest time.

"Twins" ready for the pool!
All smiles in the water

Should I get wet?

Water fun with Nana

"Twins" ready for a day out to the park and lunch

Let's fly away!

Tunnel time

Steps are more fun then the slide; mommy doesn't think so though!

A glimpse into May (the first two weeks)

Well, I know that it has been a while since I have blogged. I was sitting down a few days ago to catch up and realized I had a lot more catching up to do then I thought. May seemed to come in and go out before a blink of my eye. Maybe it went so fast because of everything that went on.

The month started with Xander having his crossover camping trip with cub scouts. This year he crossed over from Webelos I to Webelos II, the final year of Cub Scouts. Next year is the year he is waiting for, as he will become a Boy Scout.

Crossing Over to Webelos II

Proud of his tent setup!

Jared also had his spring band concert in May. This is Jared's first year playing the trumpet and loves playing and performing. We weren't sure there was going to be a band concert this spring as their band instructor left mid semester but they all pulled it off and gave a great concert.

Jared looking to find us before the concert!

Preparing to play.

We also made our annual trip to Springs Farm for strawberry picking with my mom, actually its more we go with her. The boys complaing the whole drive (the 10 minutes it takes to get there) that they are too old but are very happy when they find those beautiful red ripe berries and go for homemade ice cream afterwards. I am sure they will be back next year- as they have such servant hearts and always are up for helping their mom and nana! Sara enjoyed her second year of picking, this year she was up and running the rows, oh how much a year makes - last year we could plop her down and she'd crawl a little ways. This year she was pulling the berries and eating as many as she could, strawberries are one of her favorite foods, so I think she thought she was in Heaven, haha!

Xander looking for those perfect berries!

Sara enjoying her pickings!

Later in the month we also hosted a surprise 40th birthday party for one of our dear friends. Happy birthday to Joe!




And I do believe this concludes the first two weeks...... more to come in the coming posts! Trying to get completly caught up; lets see how long it takes.

San Francisco

April 16th was mine and David's 5th wedding anniversary. We thought that it was a great time to get away for a little rest and relaxation and exploration of a city neither of us have every been too. So early in the morning on the 16th; 3:30 am to be exact we awoke to get ready to take a very early flight from Charlotte to San Francisco via Houston. We had a wonderful five days and four nights in a beautiful city. The weather cooperated the entire weekend; blue skies, no humidity, no pollen, and low-mid 70s. We walked and walked; enjoyed almost every meal outside; and saw almost every known site to see in San Francisco. We visited Pier 39 and saw the sea lions, went to the top of Coit Tower, crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge, walked through the tulip garden at Golden Gate Park, saw the Pacific Ocean (which it was too cold to go in); went to Alcatrez; drank Irish Coffee at Buena Vista, rode the Cable Car; and did I mention WALKED! We also window shopped in Union Square; David wasn't about to let me relly shop at Tiffany's, Sak's, Louis Vuitton; he quickly reminded me that our trip was our anniversary gift to each other (haha). So instead we shopped in China Town and walked through the Italian District as we passed Lomabard Street. Unfortunatley, if I posted all the pictures from the trip your computer would never load; as I believe there are somewhere around 600 pictures that David needs to go through and edit and/or delete some of. .

Downtown San Francisco (from Alcatrez)

Golden Gate Bridge

Sausalito

David at Alcatraz

David and I at the Beach (Pacific Ocean)

Thanks David for five great years; looking forward to many, many more!

Muffin Maker

Well, Xander and I were in the kitchen making muffins and Sara was nicely playing or so we thought. After a few short minutes, my curious independent blessing (who at 22months thinks she is 10 yrs. old) was carrying the stool across the kitchen to the island to lend a helping hand. She quickly climbed up, said "spoon", took the wisk and off to stirring she was.

As I was filling the muffin pan; I turned back to see that Sara's stirring was done and like every chef she was testing her work. With a big grin Sara said "yum"....



Thanks Jared for your photographic work! It's always better no matter what I'm doing when all my kids are involved, it may take a little more time but better just the same.

Easter Weekend

What a great weekend we had. We enjoyed having Kelly, Scott, Ella, and my aunt, Mary Ellen in town. Since the weather was absolutely beautiful we spent much of the weekend outside.

Sara at the Easter egg hunt



Sara and Ella had a great time finding the eggs; unfortunately for the girls the candy filled eggs got passed on to Jared and Xander. The boys were happy though !



Xander, Sara, and Jared- Easter Day

21 Months Old!!

Home Fellowship Leaders Retreat

This past weekend David and I joined the other Home Fellowship Leaders at our church for a day and half retreat at White Oak Conference Center. We had a great time worshipping the Lord, hearing great teachings and spending time with the other leaders building on current relationships and developing new ones; all while enjoying the beautiful weather that God provided for us.

The topic of the weekend was True Friends. We examined what friendships look like as represented by Jonathan and David in 1 Samuel 18-20; the importance of intimate friendships for accountability, prayer, and encouragement; as well as different types of friendships- from aquaintance, casual friendships, close friendships, and intimiate friendships. This weekend was great- it made me appreciate the friendships I have, reconfirmed the importance of investing in others lives, and challenged me with some relationships I have as to how God changes them for His purposes, and also was reassured that it is okay for friendships to change- because God has a season for all things including our friendships.

I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends that are faithful and encourage me. God has blessed me beyond imagination.