Rosetta Stone...bye, bye

Dear Rosetta,

Thank you so much for all of the time you have consumed. My husband is finally finished with you! He is now, the proud new owner of some Russian lingo! He has given you around 50 plus hours (I think that's a very low estimate) on top of his more than crazy and consuming job that starts around 4:00 am every day. You have been heavy on his mind, but not any more! I can't wait to see him and talk to him at night, after the kids are in bed...he's mine now!!!!

Hit the road Rosetta, and don't you come back, no more, no more, no more!

I'm very proud of you darling! I think the US Air Force is lucky to have you!

*Greg had to complete this for some military education requirements...I think Spanish would have been easier, but he's such an over achiever!

Down on the Farm

The school year is coming to an end, you know what that means? Programs and some real FUN times! We have a few fun things left to do and I just can't wait! Jordan's preschool had family night last week, and each class performed a few songs, the theme was "Down on the Farm". It was very cute! Jordan is a riot in boots and gets a little spunky when he wears them. He was not really into a couple of the songs, but when they sang last song (and apparently his favorite), Bluegrass Jamboree, he GOT INTO IT!!!!

On a side note, I have loved, loved, loved Creation Corner this year. It has been a true blessing to us, and Jordan has learned so much about life, Jesus and some basics! His teachers have been outstanding and have loved him, as well has shared the love of Jesus with him. I will dearly miss this place...Kindergarten, here comes Jordan!

This wasn't Bluegrass Jamboree. Wanna know I how I know? Jordan isn't stomping his feet here like a crazy boy!

A little bit of John Deere tractor fun!

I sure do love my little farmer!

Friends

Friends are such a vital part of my life. I mean, I just love girlfriends and the time spent with them. I love to make and maintain friendships. I suppose it might be a good thing that I like meeting new people; thanks to the military, I get the opportunity to move every 2-3 years and start the process...all over again! After Greg and I married, we immediately moved from GA (where I had lived ALL my 2o years of life) to Spokane Washington. Can you say, culture shock? It sure was! We lived there for just under two years. After being there for close to a year, I met Michele Craft. Little did I know upon our first meeting that we would have such a unique friendship. We went to church together and just "clicked" right from the start. At the time, she had three children, ages 5,8,11. We spent soooo much time with them and did so many things with their family. We even went on vacation with them to Cannon Beach, on the Oregon Coast; my first and only time there! The famous Haystack Rock that's used in many movies is located there. Michele and I have always been in different stages of life, but it's just worked; she's a grandma now...kinda crazy! We do have lots of great memories from the year we were together in Spokane. It seemed as though we had known each other forever, we were meant to be forever friends. When we moved from Spokane, WA to Tallahassee, FL, I cried my eyes out when I said good-bye to her and her family. It was pitiful...I really, really dislike good-byes! At any rate, we have maintained the friendship, and even managed to get together 5 times in the last 10 years; I'd say that's pretty good! She's come to me four of the times...due to the fact that I seemed to be having babies and unable to get away! So, all that history to say that Michele and her daughter Lauren came to see us and stayed a whole week! We had so much fun, and like always, we just picked up, right where we left off!

We did do lots of activities and shopping; of course I had to expose them to some of our favorite places and activities around here. For example: Chick Fil A, Jordan's 5th birthday party, Hobby Lobby, Culver's, First Baptist, St. Louis Bread Company, 3 tired children who can be really cranky, Gordman's and scrabbooking til 1 or 2 a few nights. One of our favorite outings was the Arch and then lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, followed by some shopping (I have to post my big purchase later...it was from Brighton Collectibles)! Back to the Cheesecake Factory, really...that place is sooo good to me. I just like it, alot!

While at the arch, Jordan wore his helmet; he is just incredibly proud of it, and wants to take it everywhere! We got a lot of stares and laughs, mostly people thought it was cute. I did hear one man tell his wife it was a Georgia helmet. That hurt my feelings, how could she not know that?!?!

This is Lauren, Michele's daughter at the top of the Arch. She is a very sweet and grown up young lady! About to be 18, she was 9 when we left Washington!

How cool, it's the shadow of the Arch...we were at the top!

Happy 5th Birthday Jordan

My little Jordan is 5!!!! I just can't believe it, this is a big milestone birthday. Somehow, I blinked and now my sweet baby boy is no longer a baby, he's a little boy. He's one who brings joy, laughter and a smile to his mama. He's the one that still prays for the people in Haiti. He tells it just like it is. He's the one who is totally infatuated with Star Wars. He's the best little snuggle bug. He's crazy and likes to be wild while on his bike and four wheeler (he's also the one that might give me heart failure, one day). He's the one that five years ago, God blessed our lives with!

Happy Birthday Jordan

Last weekend, we had a party for Jordan; complete with his favorite food (pizza), cake and ice cream, presents (his favorite part) and a trip to play putt-putt (his idea). It was fun and I totally enjoyed watching Jordan enjoy his special day.

He was so proud of his Georgia Bulldog helmet from Gamma and Gampa, he started kissing it!

Star Wars=one happy boy!

I just love this boy and his expression here; wonder what he was thinking?

Jordan and his buddy, CJ

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Easter

EASTER GREETINGS

Happy Resurrection Day might also be appropriate! On this day, we like to celebrate and remember Christ. Every day is like Easter if you know Him, because you can live knowing that He has defeated sin and paid the price for us to be HIS!!!!! I pray you had time to reflect and be with your family on this day. We started the morning with great anticipation of Easter baskets, which led to a little chocolate first thing, followed by breakfast (which consisted of strawberries and resurrection biscuits), and then we sped out the door for church, after getting ready, of course! After church, we did something a little unique for lunch; unique in that I didn't cook the big spread that I normally do for Easter lunch. We went to the Cheesecake Factory, it was a beautiful and warm day, so we ate outside; that may very well be one of my favorite places to eat! Even though we weren't with family, we still had an enjoyable time :) My children looked absolutely A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!!!!! Mama made their clothes. I tell you, we are just too blessed by her talents. Thank you MAMA!! Every year, she outdoes herself; and just when I think it can't get any cuter, she does it even cuter than the year before! So, here are the few pictures I managed to get. I had all of three seconds to take pictures and a couple of uncooperative subjects...shocking, huh?

Spring Break: Part 1

We have several activities and trips planned for Spring Break, and they will be all happening around Easter weekend. Jannah's SB was kinda strange, it was only Thursday-Monday...what happened to a whole week?? Even with a few days, we are packing in some fun...the local way!

Our first morning started with the making and eating of these edible bird nest. We are so happy to see signs of spring and thought we could celebrate by making these, not to mention, the kids had an excuse to eat a lot of jelly beans!

After that, we were off to Long Acre Park for a picnic and lots of playtime!

Did I mention the most adored attraction at the park were the ducks? Bless baby J's little heart, he wanted to catch a duck or goose and hold it, SO bad. It's a wonder he has legs after the amount of chasing he did.

These ducks and geese are so used to people feeding them, they will come get a piece of bread right out of your hand.

Feeding them...we gave them a hearty lunch of wheat bread

The goose is trying to get away from the chaser!

After a long day at the park, the kids had a lemonade stand at our house in the afternoon. They were very successful and had so much fun running it; their friend and neighbor, Kolby helped them. It was so windy, they were lucky the wind didn't carry them and their stand away. If I have not said this before, let me just tell you that the mid west is mighty, mighty windy!

Day two: We ventured out to the St. Louis Zoo with my friend Amy and her three kiddos. It was a great idea and we did have fun...BUT, it was sooooo crowded we could hardly move; not to mention the hour and a half it took us to get a parking place, thanks to traffic!!!! We didn't see many animals (due to the mass of people), but we did have fun and enjoyed a nice picnic lunch. It was just nice to be out and enjoy the sunshine

Bevin, Collin and Jordan hanging out on a big bug!

In the kids petting zoo, there were goats that we could brush...who knew?!?!

My sweet friend, Amy. She's my neighbor, the wife of a retired Marine and mother of 6 kiddos!!

Jamison trying to smile, the bright sun was kinda making that difficult! Look at the beautiful flowers...I'm so happy to see signs of Spring!

Jannah sporting the flamingo stance

Jordan is my Singing Star!

Jordan sang with his little children's choir last night. Be still my heart...I fell in love with him, all over again! In the past, when his choir sang, he just stood there. Not last night! We had a little pep talk (before church) and he must have made up his mind to sing...that's the way he works; he has to make up his mind to do something, or it will not be done! He made his Daddy and I so proud; one of my prouder mothering moments, as of late; I just love to hear my children singing praises to Jesus...and I'm sure He loves that, too!