Day 664

Sunday the PK-5th grade Hi5 choir kids sang in all 3 church services. Let me just say that after Wednesday night rehearsal I was worried. Samantha and her friends were mad at me because I moved them down a row with the younger age group. Honestly it was because they couldn't be seen. I love my girl, but she will never be a back row choir member. I had another little girl who got upset because the taller younger boys that got moved back a row decided to move back two pushing this other girl farther back on the stage where she couldn't see. Some kids were so squished that they couldn't do the motions while one row was only half full. I like detail and order, so this was stressful for me. LOL Sunday morning came and it all went off without a hitch. The kids did so great! The 4 girls who had to be moved down were ok with it. I moved around the other girl who was having a problem with those boys. It just all went well. The kids did so good. I had to honor of leading the back row across the stage. I was told to walk across the stage to lead them instead of on the floor. First service went great! Second service was a little tricky. The worship leader was standing on the edge of the stage singing. He had his back turned and did not see us walking in. I thought about staying on the step until we passed him, but then I saw the kids coming in from the other side and realized it wouldn't work. I also didn't want to confuse the kids and end up with the back half standing on the step instead of the stage. So I walked along praying Stephen would turn around and see me. He didn't! I slowed down right as I came to where he was standing. About that time he raised his arm in the air and turned around nearly hitting me in the head. LOL It was a little tense for me, but kind of funny looking back now. Luckily that didn't happen in the 6:30 service.

Here is Josh

Here is Samantha
My little Caleb...even doing the hand motions.
The whole group in the 11 service
After church one of Samantha's friends came over for the afternoon. They played Band Hero for a while

Sunday 3/7

Day 663

I did not take a picture today. I have been on the computer trying to find the "perfect" cabin for us to spend a week in while in Tennessee. These photos are from my number one choice...Marc has a different number one because it has 2 king size beds, plus 2 queen sleepers. He think the kids would like more space or something. This is the cabin I chose. The second picture is the view from either the rocking chairs on the deck OR from the hot tub...although in June I can't say we will use the hot tub. So, what do you think? If you are thinking I will be getting the itch to move you are probably right. LOL

Day 662

As you all know I LOVE to run. Other than being a form of exercise it is a great stress reliever for me. Well since injuries from the half marathon and the cold (I normally love to run in the cold)--I have not run much and surly not outside. I spend my time running inclines on the treadmill. The last few days I have gone back to running outside. I was quickly reminded that I need to be on guard by these signs posted on all of the crosswalk stop signs. I think I might have found the REAL reason I have not been running outside. Last month there was an ATTACK in the morning on one of the trails I frequently run. I think subconsciously it got to me. I have not run outside since that attack. When I run it is just me, my feet, the concrete, and my ipod. It is where I look. It is where I think. It is where I pound out my frustrations. It is where I get energized. It is where I stand in awe of God's creation. It is the ONLY time of my day that is just for me. But now because of some sick individual I feel robbed of that. I have always put my safety pretty high up there. I don't run on trails off in the woods. I also stay off of the ones that venture too far off the busy streets. There have been times when I have left the trail and ran on the road because I have felt uncomfortable by someone who has passed me or is running kind of near to me. I keep my ipod low enough to hear the squirrels jump away from me, so I am always on alert. Well now, I feel like I am just staring off into the brush the whole time I am running. I am trying to hurry up and get back to the most open area. I am studying the face of every person that runs or rides by me. My outside run is no longer relaxing because I am tense the whole time and I don't like it! Obviously it is something I need to work through because even if/when this moron is caught there will be someone else there to take him place. It is just so frustrating. Marc has offered to ride his bike with me on my long runs. That is very sweet of him, but I am not that fast, he would fall over. We have also discussed me getting mace to clip onto my belt and maybe getting a single jogger--I have a double, so Hannah can tag along. Today on my second trip around the short loop I felt semi-comfortable because I did finally see people. All of the women were in groups of 2 or more. The ones that weren't had dogs with them. My dog can't even walk a mile, so that is not an option. I really don't want a running buddy because then it is not ME time. Oh what to do.......

Day 661

Another COLD night of baseball. This Thursday night we left the house as soon as Josh got home from school. He had practice at 5 and it lasted until about 6:40. We all made a mad dash to the car stopping at Little Caesar's for a $5 pizza. Then we headed over to the ballpark for Caleb's 7-8:30 practice. As usual it was cold and windy. This was a few minutes before Hannah fell asleep in my arms. We are all feeling that tired feeling. Honestly, why do kids have to practice every stinkin' night?

Day 660

Gotta love the baby girl! I was gathering stuff up for Wednesday night church, when I looked at Hannah she was on the couch sitting in a bucket chair.

Day 659

Only a mom can hold two kids and read two books at the same time! LOL In the background Josh was playing his saxophone too, so there was no shortage of stuff going on. Samantha is the one taking the picture. :)

Tuesday 3/2

Day 658

We all love a little rain....right??? Well, after a busy day...far busier than any Monday should be, the kids wanted to play outside. My words before they took off were, "stay out of the mud!!!" As you can see Hannah follows instructions very well. LOL She did have fun though....what is a little mud just as long as it is fun.

Monday 3/1

Day 657

There is never a dull moment with us. Today after church Josh's SS class had a bowling party. The rest of us tagged along and bowled on a lane next to him.

Here is Samantha getting ready to bowl.

My little dude Caleb is about to bowl here.
Caleb wanted to take a picture of me with my phone...this is how it came out. LOL
After getting home you would figure the kids would be ready to rest a little....NOPE! Hannah changed clothes and wanted to go outside. I told her she couldn't play without pants on. She said, "I have pants on" and pointed to her panties and took off. LOL Not quite what I meant!!!

Here is Caleb and Hannah's "pants"
Hannah giving Sandy hugs and kisses.
This is just too funny!

Sunday 2/28

Day 656

Samantha was asked again this year to work the science fair. She of course had a great time, the rest of us...not so much. It was far too crowded, much more so than in the previous years. Here are some photos....

Hannah was NOT into it.

Caleb was building something with marshmallows and noodles....Hannah was trying to eat the marshmallows.
Samantha "working" her table.
Hannah building.
The kids found a climbing wall and insisted on waiting in line.
Caleb made it to the top and kept going. It was hilarious! At one point we all thought he was trying to climb over the top mountain part.
This was right before Samantha fell to the bottom...she did make it higher than Josh though.

Saturday 2/27

Day 655

This is so NOT baseball weather!!!!! Our Friday movie movie night has been replaced by Friday night at the baseball park. Under 2 blankets is Samantha at Josh's practice. It was about 5:45 pm, in the 40's, with crazy wind! The next photo is of Hannah snug in her stroller under 3 blankets watching a video. That was during Caleb's practice which ran from 7-8:30. It was COLD!!!!

Friday 2/26