Happy 15th Birthday Nathan!

Nathan's first day of school

Nathan with Christianna, Evangelyn and Fluffy on church steps when he was about 5 yrs. old

Nathan and Daddy

2 yrs old

Helping clean

12 month picture

9 month picture

Daddy and Nathan around Christmas time (1994)

One Day old!

You can tell he doesn't like his picture taken!!

Opening gifts

Nathan turned 15 yesterday! It is hard to believe he is this old already! Where have the years gone? He is reminding me almost daily that he can get his driver's permit in six more months! Yes, the years of a teenager are eventful to say the least. It seems like yesterday when he was begging to mow the lawn, but was not hardly tall enough to reach the handle ... Now he mows lawns to make a little extra money. Yes, Daddy did allow him to mow at a very young age, and he has kept up the work for many years, and does a good job at it. It seems like yesterday when he would walk around the house with a broom "helping" Mom clean! He has always loved to be a help to us around the house or outside. Thank you Nathan and Happy Birthday! ( I have included some old pictures you might enjoy)

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was special this year since our complete family was able to be together. Sheldon (my brother) and his five children all came to church Sunday morning, and then ate dinner with us, as well as my in-laws, and my parents. We had a nice time together. It is not very often we all get together. I wanted to surprise Mom with Sheldon and his family coming. I told Mom I was preparing the meal, and she was not to bring anything. (Usually she brings Sunday dinner to our house each week, and she and Dad spend the day with us). Needless to say I was very tired at the end of the day, but it was well worth the effort. I prepared most of the meal on Saturday, which included chicken and stuffing casserole, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, homemade rolls, seven-layer salad, blueberry fluff salad, brownies, and rhubarb custard pie. My mom did manage to bring some food anyway. She brought fresh green beans and sugar-free strawberry jello salad. She always feels like she needs to help in some way. She does an awful lot for us, and I always feel I never do enough. My mom is a wonderful lady and I love her very much.

My precious children treated me royally this year. Friday Nathan comes marching into the kitchen telling me there was a box at our front door. I opened it up to find TWO dozen beautiful multi-colored roses!! He had ordered them on-line for me! What a surprise! Saturday Evangelyn wanted Dad to take her to the store to purchase a present for Mom. She picked out a gorgeous hanging orange-mango colored begonia plant. It is so pretty! How did she know I love those plants? :o) Christianna spent Friday night and Saturday at Mom and Dad's, so I found a card on the table Sunday morning before church from her. I opened it, and found a whopping $30.00 gift card to C. J. Banks! I felt that was entirely too much to spend on me, but she knows I love that store and things are quite pricey there. Thank you kids! You each are so special and I love you very much. By the way, James did not forget me either. He ordered a jacket I've been wanting from C.J. Banks on-line. I will be getting that soon. I'm sure that is from Joshua too. Thank you so much.

Warmer Weather is so Much Fun!!

Here are a few pictures of Joshua playing outside. He loves every moment of it! He frequently goes to the door now that he has realized how much fun it really is out there. Yesterday he was outside with Daddy and discovered three or four robin eggs on the ground. Unknown to Daddy he picked them up and smashed them up in his hands! Ewwww! Needless to say, he received a hand-scrubbing!

Caught in the Act!

I went downstairs to get some clothes for just a minute or so. It was silent when I came back up. This is what I found! I couldn't resist a photo!

Joshua's Easter Egg Hunt

Due to a very busy day on Easter, we didn't get to hide eggs on Sunday. The girls had colored eggs on Saturday to hide for Joshua. So, Monday Evangelyn hid the eggs and Joshua found them. He had a great time! Sorry he is in his sleeper, but it was almost bedtime when we remembered to hide the eggs. We were quite busy on this day too, getting ready to go to the I.H. Convention in Dayton.

My Sunday School Class on Easter

Timmy, Isaac, Emoine, Kaitlynn, Emilee, Deairus and Sallie

Deairus, Emoine, Sallie, Emilee and Kaitlynn

Sallie, Emilee and Kaitlynn

Emilee and Kaitlynn

I decided to bring my camera to church Easter Sunday. I took a few pictures of the children in my class. I thought they turned out very cute. These children are precious to me. I pray they live for Jesus all of their lives!

Finally ... A New Post!

Joshua searching for eggs. (above)

It's been a busy few weeks, and therefore, not much time to blog. In addition, I really didn't know what to blog about. I took a few pictures of our Easter egg hunt during Good News Club. The children had a great time searching for their eggs. More than that though, I feel the children are understanding the gospel message. Please pray for us as we try to lead these children to Christ, and help them understand what it means to live a life pleasing to God. We want to see them all in Heaven one day.

Driver's License at Last!

Christianna made an achievement today. She passed her driver's test! She is officially a licensed driver! Good job, Christianna! We are very proud of you! Now on to Graduation in a couple months, and then to College! Too many things are happening too fast! It just seemed like yesterday you were a baby in my arms ... now you have grown into a young woman. Congratulations, Honey!

Hmmm ... Out of Ideas!

Sometimes I just don't know what to post on my blog. Yes, I'm busy, but with the normal everyday things. I have spent a lot of time this week preparing for Good News Club, a children's ministry we do weekly throughout the school year. I have been going through the Wordless Book for the past few weeks. I have tried my best to help the children understand salvation, and what it means to live for Jesus. I have been praying that God would help me to relay the message in a simple manner. I have also been trying to be creative, and not the same old "program" every week. This is difficult for me, but God is helping. If you have any ideas feel free to comment. I would appreciate it.

In addition to Good News, I have been working on wall decorations for my Sunday School room. I love to decorate with "homemade" decor, so have been working on an Easter theme. I hope to have it up tonight before Sunday School in the morning. The children always enjoy seeing what is new on the wall.

That is about all I have to blog about now. Maybe there will be more activity next week. Have a great weekend, and a wonderful day in church tomorrow!

Saying Grace with Joshua

Joshua praying with hands folded and his eyes open! :0)

We have been teaching Joshua to fold his hands when we thank God for our food before we eat. A couple of evenings ago when we were preparing to eat, we all bowed our heads and had Joshua fold his hands together. Just as we were going to pray, Joshua said, "JESUS"! We had not been working on this word, although we've showed him pictures in books of Jesus. He must be listening to our prayers, and has figured out that we pray to Jesus. :)

Vacuums & New Words

Joshua loves vacuums. Even when I was pregnant, it seemed he would move a lot when I was vacuuming. Whenever we get the vacuum out, Joshua is instantly by our side watching or wanting to hold the handle to "help". Recently, we remembered we had an old child-sized vacuum in the garage which Nathan played with when he was little. James went and dug it out a few days ago, and believe it or not it still works. So, Joshua is having the time of his life "vacuuming". The only problem is he is always getting it stuck on the edge of the rugs, and then cries out for someone to help him get it over the rug. Oh well, it is keeping him pretty busy for the present time. I am posting a few pictures of him with his vacuum.

In addition, Joshua has been saying lots of new words lately. It is so cute! Today, he picked up his little Toddler Bible, and said "Bible". He has said "Bible" before, but I didn't know he associated it with his actual Bible, but he definitely does. Just this past week, he has been saying "Thank ye" for thank you, and "Sparkle", the name of my parent's new puppy. When we were in the store Saturday, we were passing by some dog treats with a picture of a dog on the front. He immediately started pointing to the dog saying, "Sparkle, Sparkle". He also says bottle, balloon, baby, ball, "gog" (dog), and a few other words. I love hearing him trying to talk!

Bus Convention

James and I decided to attend the annual bus convention this year near Indianapolis, Indiana. We have wanted to go for many years, but with our schedules it always seemed nearly impossible. Since James is currently laid off, we decided it might be a good time to go. With my parents' help in caring for the children, we left Wednesday morning and stayed until it was over last evening. We had a wonderful time! The teaching sessions were very interesting and helpful. Most of the time we attended the Sunday School "track", but did divert to the bus ministry sessions a couple of times. What opportunities we have as Christians to minister to the lost, if we only would try! This convention definitely stirred me and I want to do more for the Lord. It seems I do so little. With God's help, I intend to do more for Him. I surely do not want to go to Heaven empty-handed. There are so many different things we can do to win others for Him. We must pray for God's leadership first of all, and then go out to the highways and byways and seek the lost. May the Lord help us! There are still souls being saved and brought into His Kingdom!