Recital

Norah and I had our first piano recital. 24 kids and me - the only adult! I got reprimanded by a parent when I went to sit down with the kids that it was only for kids until I explained that I was also participating in the recital.

It was a packed room with everyone’s parents, siblings, grandparents there. Not intimidating at all! Ha! I figured it was good for Norah to see me do it. And our piano teacher said it was good for the kids to see that you are never too old to learn something new. I’m proud to report neither of us messed up and I’m so proud of Norah. I was super nervous but she went out there and did it so confidently. Our piano teacher really encouraged me today by telling me how I truly lead by example for Norah in doing this with her. It’s sometbing fun for both of us and now we are committed because Brent picked up a real piano someone was getting rid of that we are thrilled to have.

Seven

She is very proud that her missing teeth make the shape of a seven. And she’s seven!!!

Mud Man

Mud man went from this  

To this in a matter of minutes at Colin's flag football game

But as someone pointed out, it was the first game he didn’t complain about being bored. 

Joel's class field trip this year was to Jamestown.  He came home all excited to tell me about seeing the ships and going into the settlement.  Then he said "hey Mom did you know they had to go to church twice a day and then THREE times on Sunday???  I would've rather have been an Indian."

Sick

This boy is looking way to old lately. 

And he was sick way to many times in March. .He  was out almost a whole week of school with some nasty virus. And then the next week he came down with strep throat. 

I told him he needed to come up with better ways to stay home with me all day.

Strawberry Picking

We went strawberry picking last week after church and then went to Pungo Pizza for lunch.  This year the weather was perfect for strawberries and we filled out buckets in no time.  

 A ladybug landed on her hand while she was picking strawberries.

 We made strawberry shortcake and then the kids would eat them by the handfuls every day after school.

 

Such a fun tradition!

Officially a teenager

Today this boy is officially a teenager. It’s not the fact that he’s a teenager that has me want to cry - teenagers are awesome and Colin is so amazing already. It’s the fact that we only have a handful of years left with this guy under our roof that makes me want to stop time. And hold on tight. Yet at the same time it’s so amazing to get a front row seat in seeing Colin grow into adulthood.

There really isn’t a cooler kid than Colin. He’s kind and compassionate. So easy going and goes with the flow all the time. He is a leader among his peers and full of integrity. He loves Jesus and does a great job loving others.

Colin has THE BEST sense of humor. He’s sarcastic in all the best ways. He is also so sweet to Joel. Friday we went to watch Colin play basketball in the sca basketball tournament at his school and at one point Colin runs over - asks Joel this name of a song - runs back to his teacher and soon Joel’s favorite song is playing over the speakers. Because he knew Joel would like it.

It was really fun seeing him at that basketball tournament. He’s really come out of his shell this years al lot of that is due to his English teacher and the head of Young Life. He’s really taken Colin under his wing this year and it shows. We keep trying to talk him into teaching 8th grade next year but at least with Young Life he will be in Colin’s life a few more years.  Colin  was confident not only on the court but with all the kids and he just has this unassuming air about him. He doesn’t need to be the center of attention. He encourages his friends. He’s just such a cool kid. He hasn’t hit that awkard stage - I keep showing him pictures of me in middle school and asking if he would think I was cute and he laughs and says of course but he and I both know that’s not true! Ha! Good thing he looks just like his dad!

We’ve been getting messages like this all day from friends. It’s great when other people see how amazing Colin is too.

No one tells you how bittersweet each year and stage of life is with kids. Or how to balance holding on tight to your kids while giving them the freedom to become who God created them to be. I just keep hugging him and reminding him to call his momma at least once a week and to come home often to visit.

Happy Birthday Colin! Words can not describe how much we love you. As you grow may you hold tight to Jesus and continue to love those around you.

Camping

 We finally had perfect weather for camping. No rain and no 30 degree temps.

This is the second year we've gone camping with Heather and David so we have said its an annual tradition now. 

 The kids had a big water balloon fight.

Apparently Colin had a strong arm and good aim.... Norah got pelted on her shoulder and Joel in his side.

 I didn't get any pictures of it but David took us to the shooting range and taught the kids how to aim and hit a target.  All the kids had a chance but no one hit the target.  Then I got the gun and hit the target 4 times. So then Brent was determined there was something wrong and we tried it again. I hit it 7 or 8 times that time and then called it quits. I told the kids don't mess with their momma. Brent and David kept trying to beat my score but I'm proud to say they couldn't.

 We had an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids

 

 

Not much candy came home with them

 

 

 

 

 

 The kids loved fishing. They were all catching fish pretty easily. Except for Becca.  She kept trying but the fish would eat her worms before she could real them in.

 Last year we caught Chester and the fish stories surrounding Chester grew and grew all year.

 This year there was a huge fish swimming around trying to eat the smaller fish we were catching.  Jordan named it Big Bad Barry.

 We ran out of worms so Joel went frog hunting.  That was gross putting the frog on the hook but it worked to catch fish. Then Joel found a grasshopper and put it on Beccas line.

 

 And Becca caught Big Bad Barry. Sometimes its worth the wait.

 

 And fish that big remind me why I like being able to see my feet when I swim.

 It was a great way to end our spring break