CYT - Christian Youth Theater

Tonight was the last night for CYT until the fall session. I love to have the summer off - but I know that the kids will miss it. This was Caleb's first time taking a class - he took a puppetry class. He LOVED it! He thoroughly enjoyed his teacher Mrs. Natalie, too! Tonight they dis a puppet show - it was great! One highlight of his class was to watch the Kids Around the World do a presentation. This is a group that helps build playgrounds and they reach people for the Lord through their puppet shows. Megan took Advance Musical Theater - tonight they did a portion from Wiz and Phantom of the Opera. Since day one in CYT, Megan has become friends with Amanda (above) - Amanda's family is moving to Texas in a couple weeks : ( - their entire family will be missed. Nate was Mr. Darling in Peter Pan and two other brothers are in Caleb's class and have become friends. I am proud of them both!!! Thanks go to Grandpa & Grandma for paying for their classes this sessions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy 7th Birthday, Jake!

Today, my "baby" turned 7! Jacob wanted me to make a lemon tiered cake and use our china dishes. So that's what we did!!! For months now, all that he has asked for is $$$ - so money is what he got. Although, I wanted to buy gifts so he'd have something to open. The other day, the kids & I went to get a bite to eat and a lady we met(her husband looked like Roy Clark-you know from Hee Haw(?)-so Caleb wanted me to see if it was really Roy Clark - it wasn't) ANYWAY - she mentioned a money tree and a light went off. Since Rick is in Alabama, Caleb helped me cut down a branch from our lilac bush, cut the leaves off, rolled up money, wrapped them in ribbon and hung them from the tree. It turned out quite nice and Jake loved it! We were going to go to Pizza Ranch for a late lunch/early supper, but they closed at 2:00 and we weren't able to go so Jake chose Aunt Mary's. The boys LOVE their brick oven pizzas. After, Meg & Caleb's showcase/program tonight, we came home for cake with Grandpa & Grandma, & Grandma Muggs. Happy birthday, Jaker!

Mother's Day

MOTHER'S DAY 2009!

Last year, Rick and the kids planted this flowering pear tree - I told them that I would take their picture by the tree each Mother's Day so I could track the growth of the tree and the kids.

Planting day 'O8

One year later - I think they all have grown!!!

I got roses from Jake - aren't they beautiful!

Jake worked hard on this card - all by himself. Very creative!

Caleb had Rick drill holes (so it could drain) in this tea cup - so he could plant flowers for me to keep inside. This was a cup & saucer from my very special Aunt Virginia who passed away a few years ago. This was all his idea! Very sweet!

Lilacs - I love 'em! We have two bushes on the back side of our house - so Jake helped me pick some for us and for my mom. We were able to have my mom & Bruce over for lunch - they brought steaks and Rick grilled them. I made seasoned baked potatoes, green beans, Italian bread and heavenly lemon angel cake (a pampered chef recipe-that we just love).

Our neighbor, Barbara asked Meg what she did for me for Mother's Day - and Meg said "nothing" so Barbara sent her home with "homework" to do something for me - so Meg heeded her command (although Rick had already told her the same thing) and she created a really neat e-card me.

Rick helped me plant & transplant some flowers on Mother's Day - that was the only thing I asked for - was to get some flowers and strawberries planted. I still have more to do but the majority is done!

Rick left this morning for Alabama - he'll be gone for almost 2 weeks. He had been a little pre-occupied about this trip - trying to get several different things done before he had to leave (@4:30 this morning). He'll be working at a NASA building - helping them prepare to install a machine from Ingersol. Pray for him and for us! : ) He'll be gone for Jacob's birthday and Megan and Caleb's CYT last class showcase/performance.

Easter at the Farm!

We spent the afternoon at my folks farm. My mom fixed a wonderful meal. My aunt Jan & uncle Darryl, aunt Juliet & uncle Gary, my step-brother Pat, his uncle Ed, my folks & us were there. It really was a beautiful day. The boys got to have an egg hunt. My camera battery wasn't charged up so - I wasn't able to get all the pictures I wanted, but Megan took some on her camera & hopefully she'll soon get them downloaded so I can include them. : )

The boys and I colored Easter eggs on Saturday - they always turn out so pretty!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Where has the time gone?

I can hardly believe that Megan is turning 13. It really does seem like yesterday, that I went into pre-term labor at 23 weeks. Thanks to several medications & complete bedrest in the hospital - my labor was pro-longed one week. Megan was born at 24 weeks on March 22, 1996 at 10:13 PM. She weighed in at 2lbs. & 1/2 oz. & was 13 3/4 inches long.

In one of the pictures in my slideshow- you can see my wedding ring around her arm. She went down to 1 lb & 8 oz - it took one month for her to get back to her birthweight. Thankfully, she steadily started gaining weight and after 11 1/2 weeks, she weighed in at 4lbs & 14oz and was finally able to come home June 11th.

Doug Swanson nicknamed her "MB" for Miracle Baby. We know that she was a miracle from God and trusted Him for her growth, strength & health. Still today, we trust Him to keep her pure, strong, & faithful to Him. We look forward to see what God has in store for her!

Meg, We love you and hope you have a very 13th Happy Birthday!

Turning 13!

The kids were all dressed in green and Aunt Juliet said that we should get St. Patrick's Day pictures - so that's what we did. I am "LUCKY" (thankful - you know what I mean) to have these guys!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine Traditions 2

Well normally, we make gingerbread houses at Christmas time BUT this year we didn't have enough time. So I surprised the boys with Valentine candies & clearance priced houses ($1.00 - my mom found them in Monroe at Swiss Colony). Usually, we use graham crackers & cream of tartar frosting - so this time it was fun using the REAL thing!

Later in the day, my mom called and asked if Meg made a house and Caleb replied, "Grandma, Megan doesn't get into stuff like that". And it's true! : ( When she was younger - she would but now she has NO interest at all. Sometimes, I "threaten" her that her kids better get the opportunity to do this fun stuff- and she says "Oh, mom, they will"!

So that is why there aren't any pictures of Megan! Although I do make her "help" or participate sometimes. Today, she practiced the piano while we created masterpieces.