Any Suggestions?

Our family is starting up our family devotion time again,(we took the summer off,) and I am struggling to find something to do with our two-year old during this time. He for the most part is a huge distraction, of course b/c he is so cute as are the things he does, and its diffucult for all of us to concentrate and focus. Does anyone have any suggestions that might work?

I have the Boring Blogger Blues!

I'm afraid I have the boring blogger blues! I really feel like my blogs are so boring w/o pictures. I think Facebook suits me better these days...we'll see.

An update

Abby had a great time at Camp Lamoka! The other girls had fun at VBS while Abby was at camp! They were able to use this huge castle bounce house from a sister church and it was a huge hit!. The last day I was able to witness our pastor and his wife enjoy it as well...very funny! (of course they did this when almost everyone had left!) The weather has been a bit frustating,due to all the rain so we haven't used the pool much as of late. Jonathon has been trying to say a few more words like "whoa" and "no"!He will be two years old next week....where does the time go?! I am gearing up for the school year. We have gotten most of the supplies requested, and I have ordered Emily's school material as well.

We have had to deal with something that we have never dealt with before. Head Lice! All four kids had it and then I got it as well. UGH!! It has been a very trying week for me trying to keep up and stay on top of it all to keep it from lingering. John could hardly see them in their hair,(something bout declinging eyesight in your mid-forties!! HAHA!) so he really was no help going through the girls hair. I suspect that the girls had it for while before I caught it. Looking back I can see where God intervened in situations, and I am so thankful that He is a God who sees everything! We were supposed to go away last w/e, but it didn't work out. It was a little disapointing at first,butI am so glad now that we didn't go. We also tried to make plans to stay at a beautiful B&B to celebrate our 15th anniversary this week, but the dates they had available were not working out. If we had made reservations, a) we would have been disappointed that we had to cancel and b) we may not have gotten our $ back. Then this morning, I was trying to pull out some frozen hamburg patties and dropped them on my big toe! Ouch! Immediate pain, and I burst into tears! I do have a problem in this area as I have done this several times in the past.Hmmm, I wonder what the lesson is in all this. I'm waiting to know.....

Anticipation

I just thought I would write a quick post while I am waiting for Abby to come today after being gone for a week at Camp Lamoka. John drove down to pick her, one other camper, and 3 counselors (all from our church) up early this am. I stayed behind b/c there was not enough room for all of us in the truck. I cannot wait to hear about all the things that she did while at camp, and maybe she will have a new penpal as well! I am very proud of Abby b/c things did not go as planned. She and her best friend, Hannah, had planned to go to camp together. Well, this was not meant to be. When they arrived at camp early Monday am, Hannah was informed that she could not stay due to having some very unwelcomed visitors in her hair!! Yep, you guessed it! Lice! So, I won't go into it all, there was alittle bit of drama, but Abby did end up staying the week. God had it all worked out for her as there were several girls there that she knew and I'm sure that made her feel very comfortable. I know that God had a plan for Hannah as well. I talked to her mom yesterday, and she said she really handled it very well, considering the circumstances! I can only imagine that Abby came away from camp knowing more about herself and about God. Now, I am off to bake some zucchini bread and hopefully run out and pick up some cherries for Abby. She has been asking me for both of those things lately, so I thought it would be a nice homecoming for her if I had them all ready when she gets home!

A few things

Well, I am sad to report that Abby did not place in the Apple Blossom Cornation. I would be lying if I said I wasn't. But, we moved on and I have tried not to analyze it too much as to why she was not picked. None of her closest friends were picked nor anyone from her class so that made coping alittle easier for her. Abby handled it very well and I am thankful that she is so easygoing to feel sad and then be able to move on.

On a happier note,our family has been enjoying watching a family of geese in our yard. We have been anxiously awaiting the mama's eggs to hatch for about a month now,(she built her nest under the willow tree by the pond) and on Saturday we woke to 6 very cute little geeslings walking around their nest. It was wonderful to be able to see such a thing unfold. They are so adorable, especially when they swim in the pond. At first they spent alot of their time in between out yard and our neighbors, but yesterday they ventured down the road and across the street to the neighbors pond. It will be sad when we don't see them anymore. I am glad that my children don't grow up as fast as geese do!

A little time away

The month of April was a very busy one. It seemed like it just flew right on by, and now we are into May already!

The girls and I spent 10 days on our 3rd annual trip to Myrtle Beach. John decided that he couldn't take the time off this year to go, but he wanted "just us girls' to go instead and have a good time. The baby stayed home with dad and while he was at work, Jonathon stayed with his normal babysitter that comes when I work my one day during the week each month. She came to the house each day to take care of him, and he handled it ok. It was a very different vacation, and I had very mixed emotions about leaving him for such a long time. It was nice to get away and be able to relax in the sun. We just love it down there! We all came back "brown-sugared." I think the most exciting part was that I drove that whole way there and back. I have never driven beyond Rochester before, so I felt like I made a huge accomplishment, and I now have the confidence I need to drive long distances!It took me a week to get ready and a week to recover when we got back, so I feel like April was a complete blurb!

With the early arrival of spring in NY, I now have lots of yard work ahead of me. We have gotten some done already, but I left a few piles of leaves from fall in certain spots and they left very ugly marks in our lawn. Ugh. Now that we are outside more often, I have gotten a chance to know our new neighbors better. She is outside alot walking their dog. There have been many days that I have welcomed being able to talk "small talk" with someone. I am very thankful to the Lord for providing such nice neighbors.

Apple Blossom time is soon approaching. Abby will be trying out for princess this w/e at the Apple Blossom Cornation. She really doesn't want to get princess, she would really be content with being picked for the princess's court. She would just love to be in the parade and ride in a "cool car." I am not sure how I feel about the whole princess idea. It can be so heart-crushing for the girls that don't get picked.I felt like I fully prepared Abby for what may happen if she gets picked or does not. So, we'll see what happens and deal with whatever comes our way. I am looking forward to taking her shopping this week for a nice pretty dress to wear for the occasion. I do ask for your prayers for her if you think of it.

Well,I think that I am all caught up, and I think I smell a "poopy diaper." Hmmmm....I wonder who that could be LOL!!

Happy Birthday Emily!

Today is my oldest daughter Emily's 11th birthday! We are busy getting ready to go out for an early dinner today. She chose "Applebees" for her birthday dinner. Maybe I will try and post 11 things about her later....