My precious Andrew

Tonight was children's choir, and the kids are singing in church on Sunday. I asked Andrew what they were singing, and he sang both songs with motions all the way through! One of the songs is "...when I'm afraid I will pray, and God hears." He said can we sing it to God? I said yes, so he stood in our driveway and sang (or yelled) "...when I'm afraid I will pray...And God hears." I was very proud (and a little embarrassed) because of neighbors and all! He is so cute when he sings (I am a little biased) so I will see if I can't post it in the blog somehow. I know the grandparents will appreciate that!

Lessons we learn from our children

Tuesday...I had decided not to go to Bible Study this morning to give Anna one more day of recovery (although she has never acted sick), so Leslie had agreed to lead the Bible Study. 7:00 am, the phone rings, Leslie has the stomach virus! I say I will go, but I haven't read the lesson. I start praying and God reminds me of a wonderful CD we got from FBC that would be perfect for our lesson. I also call our SS teacher who has said she can help with childcare in a pinch (as one of our childcare workers had to cancel at the last minute). I was so excited that God had provided so much in 2 hours. I told Andrew that any time you have a need, God will provide. He said, "Well, I need that new black power ranger thingy." I said no, that is a want, not a need. He said, "what is a need?" Of course, I could not come up with one need that a four year old has, so I said well, you need a house to keep you warm and dry and a car to take you places. He pointed to a car (he wants a car that looks like a rocket) on the road and said I want that car. I said you don't just buy a car if you want a new one, better one, etc. because that makes it a want. So he responds, "Well, Mommy, you just got a brand new car!" How true is the wisdom of a 4 year old.

We decided to go have a picnic before soccer practice. Neither one ate anything, all they wanted to do was drink out of the "tea cups."

God Bless friends

Monday I was just feeling ick! I had decided not to send Andrew to school because I didn't want to get out, and Rachel called to say she would take him to school. I told her that would be great! For some reason I got motivated to vacuum out the sofa!?! When I finished, Anna was out of the room, so I just put the cushions back on the sofa. When she came back out she said, "No, mommy couch back on the floor!" I agreed to put the cushions back on the floor, and when I came back in the room this is how I found her watching Barney! Rachel and Heidi ended up taking their kids and Andrew to the zoo! I had the most relaxing day, and felt all better! What would we do without our friends! They are my saving grace. Thanks to Rachel and Heidi!

Daddy and Andrew's Day out

If you think I take way more pictures of Anna than Andrew, here is the reason why. Anna loves to take her picture, and Andrew does not! The only picture he wants to take is posed like a Power Ranger. And just for the record he doesn't get to watch them on TV (although he has seen them). Anna wants to do anything Andrew does, so I get a picture of not only one, but two Power Rangers. Do you get the picture I don't particularly care for the Power Rangers! My babies are growing up too fast!

The boys went to church today and afterwards to get haircuts, eat, and buy cleats. I wanted to get a picture of Andrew wearing his cleats. Anyway, here is the Power Ranger, his faithful sidekick, and the cleats. He wore them all day, and only took them off in the bathtub. Yesterday we couldn't get the shin guards off! He may not love soccer, but he sure does love the equipment!

Hand-me-downs

Anna is just now tall enough to ride Andrew's old bike that use to belong to our sweet friends Mary (her son Beau). Anytime she got stuck, she would honk the horn to notify me she needed a push! Maybe one day she can have a pink bike!

Anna and her belongings

I have a few minutes to post some blogs because Dan had to go to church tonight to do power point and the kids are in bed.

The boys went to church this morning while we stayed home. I was on the Internet trying to learn how to Digital Scrapbook and this is how Anna came out of her room! 2 purses, a baby, and Andrew's T-shirt. She loves to wear Andrew's t-shirts!

Daily Devotion

Okay, I am going back to writing about the kids. I have said enough about the blog world, but I do want to say hello to my two new blog friends, Mary Catherine and Renee (if you are reading). I have never had friends that I haven't met before (none of my "pen pals" ever wrote me back!)!

Here are the kids in the unused crib (that I can't bring myself to take down) reading their Bibles. Enough to melt any mother's heart!

Small World of Blogs!!!

Okay, so if I haven't convinced you yet that you too should join the blog world, then I know this will. Here is my story, but I can only use first names as Susan has fueled by paranoia that I can't give out too much info so no one will be able to kidnap my kids or become my stalker (as she says). I guess no one would be interested in Dan. They should, however, he is a really good provider, husband, and father ~ what more could anyone want!

Anyway, back to my story. Around Christmas by friend Rachel (who lives here) tells me I need to get a blog. I say I don't know what that is. She says I could post pictures and keep out-of-town friends and family updated on our life. She says our friend Megan has one. I say I don't have time to do that, and no one would read it...End of story, right?

Wrong! Susan (place I used to live friend) calls me in January saying she can not find any boy artwork for the nursery. Did I have any suggestions on where to look. I told her I would call Amy (college friend) who works at a baby boutique that is owned by Bethany (college friend). Amy says there is a new artist and she had a website (blog). I tell her I have heard of blogs thanks to Rachel. The blog is Mary Katherine . So, I check it out, and it is really cute stuff. She has another link to a website and it is Renee for stationary and monogramed stuff. Also adorable. And who do I find on the last blog, but Carly's (high school friend) son's birth announcement!!! So, now I am just intrigue by these blogs, and they have links to their personal blogs and their friends! So, I start "stalking" them, and I find a friend from high school whom I haven't seen since we graduated!! It is Kara ! Now, isn't that fascinating!!!

So, just be warned, blogging is addictive!

Also, I think I now have it set up so you can post a comment, but not have to register. I know you are reading because I added a counter just to be sure someone was reading this! I would love to hear from you, and view your blog, and then stalk your friends! Doesn't that sound like something you don't have time for? Don't be so fast to judge!!!

Hope this finds everyone well. Anna has fallen to the flu just as Andrew has made a full recovery! It is really my fault, as Thursday I told Dan, "I just really can't believe Anna didn't catch the flu!" The picture was taken on the day everyone was well, and I was sure there was no way Andrew could possibly still be contagious!

Mom has been here this week, and it was so helpful. Hopefully, she won't get sick. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures as we were so busy!

Andew got to play in his first soccer game, but I didn't get to go since I was home with Anna. Dan and the dads said they were much more competitive this time! Yea Coach Dan and the Heroes!!!

Cindy, has left for Disney today. I feel so sorry for them as they are having to stay at the GRAND FLORIDIAN!!! I am so jealous! Hope you all get there safely and have a great time!

Ramblings

The first picture is Anna after church. The last time she wore this dress, it fit just fine. Today is was entirely too short! I guess she had a growth spurt. The second picture is her telling her Daddy a secret!

So, it turns out Andrew had/has the flu! Who knew? He even had the flu shot. Luckily, it has not been that bad! Knock on wood, but no one else has it -YET! Andrew has decided he likes being sick because he gets to lay in bed and watch TV or play on the computer ALL DAY LONG! My mom is coming this week to help and visit, I have lots of meetings this week! I know we will find time to play!!!

I am in a search for a new digital camera. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know! I have a film SLR that I adore that I bought when Andrew was a baby (it is amazing how fast things change). When Anna was born I bought the cheapest digtial camera out there. So, I have decided it is time to upgrade. I am looking at the Panasonic FZ7. It is not a SLR, but one that has all the same controls. If anyone has used an SLR versus one of these, (I think they are called the advanced point and shoot, with 12x zoom) will you let me know your thoughts? Is the advanced point and shoot really similar to the SLR, are the pictures as good, and am I going to be disappointed? Did I mention I love my SLR, but is it worth the extra $300!?!

Another rambling, because I don't have any cute kid stories (since Andrew's been sick, and no one is sleeping) is today I kept Anna's class for Extended Session at church. We had 6 girls and one little boy. The little boy reminded me so much of Andrew at that age. His name was Alexander (he is my friend Jennifer's little boy). I have forgotten about little boys at that age! Boys are so sweet! When they get upset, it just last one second, and they move on. Not like girls that cry and scream for like an hour afterwards. When someone takes something from a little boy, they just move on. Not like a little girls who screams like someone is torturing them for the next hour. Little boys growl and hammer and laugh,and try to make you laugh! Don't get me wrong, I love little girls ~ pink, dresses, bows, tea party, babies! But boys seem to be underrated! Thanks, Jennifer for sharing Alexander with me this morning. What a blessing he was! We had a great time!!!

Andrew did have his first soccer game Saturday, but didn't get to go since he has the flu! Dan went and coached. The boys had fun, but apparently we are really, really, really bad! Jonathan scored the one goal! Way to be a star, Jonathan! Dan said at least now he knows what to expect and what to practice now. Maybe next game we can at least be competitive. The good news is it didn't seem to upset the boys (except maybe William and all the Dads). Rachel said it was amazing how much fun the boys had when they lost so bad! (at least they don't offically keep score). I asked Dan what the score was, he said I don't know, not because I didn't care, but I lost count!!!

A long week!!!

It has been a long 10 days. I can't even tell you what happened last week! Andrew had a parade at school on Friday, but he wouldn't let me take his picture, so you will just have to use your imagination! This week Andrew has been sick. We haven't slept in two days! His fever was 103-104 last night, but broke about 5:oo this morning. Hopefully Anna will not get this. I am heading up the search committee for the gm for the local Christian radio station I am president of the board . I have done that for 3 days!!! I feel like working mom, and I have no idea how people do it!!! Anyway, I will post some pictures for those of you who check this! Andrew has his first soccer game Saturday! Cindy's birthday was yesterday, Happy Birthday, Cindy! The first picture was on Monday when we celebrated Valentine's Day. We had something going on every night this week; however, since Andrew got sick, we haven't made it to anything!!!

Pretty Weather!!!

Again we had another pretty day where we could play outside!!! Yea! Yea! Yea! I guess it is official, I don't have babies anymore. Today we took down the "baby swing" on the swing set and put up the "rocket." Anna loved it, she just cackled! When we were riding bike, she insisted on wearing the hat (aka the helmet). I am convinced she just thought it was an accessory!!!

Princess Anna

This morning Andrew is at school, and I am trying to get things ready for a children's clothing consignment sale; therefore, Anna is bored! She brought me her Cinderella dress to wear. She loves Cinderella right now! Her hair was driving me crazy, so I asked her if she wanted to wear a ponytail. She said yes, like Emmy's. As you can tell from my blogs, she loves her big cousin Emmy. Andrew says she looks like Emmy when her hair is in ponytail. After she put on the dress, she wanted to watch mommy in her princess dress (my wedding video). I am posting a picture of Emily when she was about Anna's age.

Outside

It is finally sunny enough to enjoy the outdoors. These were taken after church today. Anna was quite cooperative; however, Andrew was not. He is so tired!!!

Twins

Here are Josie and Anna. We kept Josie all day on Friday, and they both wanted to wear the princess shirt, so I decided to pretend like they were my baby dolls and dress them alike. They were really quite proud as you can see from the picture!

Soccer Uniforms

I picked up the soccer uniforms today, and Andrew and William HAD to try them on. They were so cute and so proud!!! Our first practice is Saturday! Our team name is The Heroes.

Anna's Big Day

Anna had a big day today, and Daddy is not here, so this is for you, Daddy!!! Anna had her first dentist appointment today. I had no idea how it would go, but she let them count her teeth and clean them!!! They fussed all over her, so she was VERY full of herself today. She also had on a new outfit which is just like her big cousin's, Emmy. We got all of Emmy's old bows, and every morning Anna insists on wearing Emmy's bow! You can tell from the picture she was proud today!!!