A Birthday Tribute to Jake and Lilly Kate!!

This was the first year Jake and Lilly did not have the BIG Birthday party with all the traditions...we honored their Daddy with the BIG party this year! They each had a family dinner celebration and we celebrated in NYC. Here they are with a small cupcake to commemorate their special day with the extended family! They have always happily shared their celebration party and as you can see here...they don't even mind sharing a chair! May this tradition of celebrating together remain throughout the years and may they always remain close and live in unity with one another! Psalm 133:1 We love you both deeply! We rejoice as the Lord unwraps the plans He has for each you! Happy 9th Birthday Lilly! Happy 11th Birthday Jacob!

Our first broken bone!

Johnny broke this pinky finger this summer sliding on some "pants" on the hardwood floors??? It has since healed! Praise!! We are grateful to the Lord that this has been the only broken bone! No more sliding on pants!??? :)

Following in their footsteps...

Baby Michael is growing up sooo fast! Here he is playing the harmonica! He copies everything he sees these days...that is good and bad!

Look at that face!

Johnny brings excitement to all that he does...just like his Daddy! Here he is aerating the lawn with Mike. Precious!

Lilly's Tree Diary

Lilly is enjoying being back in school. She is working on her "Tree Diary" and will continue it throughtout the year. We will "post" on it throughout the year as well...she is lovin' it!

Jacob's First 12 & Under Summer Tennis League

It was something special watching my oldest son start to play tennis competitively this year. I want to say he is about the age that my Dad showed me my strokes. Tennis is different from the other sports where parents/coaches are all "giving instruction" to their child while they play. In tennis, you introduce your son to his opponent, give him a can of unopened balls, and wait silently for the results. Who knew I would be so wound up on the side of the court? Well, maybe some of you. Jake was such a good sport, saying "good shot" to the guys that smoked him and winning graciously to the ones he handled with ease. Jake and I go out regularly to "hit some" after the others have turned in for the night. It has created a special bond between us that can only be understood by people who know what it means to hit the yellow fuzzy. Jake, you are such a joy to be around and I want you to know that I am so proud of the young man you have become and the man God will have you to be someday soon.
I love you son,

Dad

Back-to-School 2009

Lilly entering 4th grade!
Jacob starts 5th grade!

Summers-end...it is bitter-sweet! We will miss Jake and Lilly! We look forward to getting back in the swing of things and cool weather! It was a blessed summer! We know this school year will bring many new memories! We are praying for you guys!

"Talk about it time"

The front porch is still our favorite place to have "home church"...singing praises and reading the Word. As you can see..."come as you are~clothing optional"!

There is going to be a harvest!...Thanks sis!

The garden my sister gave me is growing strong! We have had some tomatoes and mint, basil and peppers already! Thanks Jenn!

New York City Summer 2009

Memorable moments/Highlights:
Staying next door to Chuck E Cheese (while Mike worked during the day time)
Time Square Toys R Us (Johnny was amazed)
Riding the Metro Train from Tarrytown- great Hudson River views
Johnny peeing in a bottle on the train!
Great Greek food in Tarrytown
Rockland Lake State Park-pinic and catching lightning bugs!
Standing right next to the deer at Rockland Lake State park and seeing turkey and otter too
Revisiting the World Trade Center and Battery Park
Taking the ferry to Liberty Island
Personal lesson on the Statue of Liberty from the designer himself :)
Central Station and the subway with four children!
Buying Lilly's Birthday present at American Girl-so cute!!
Mike walking down 5th Avenue carrying the packages
Finding small deli's to eat quickly
Jake and Johnny falling asleep in a taxi
Celebrating Jacob's Birthday on the 6th
Central Park...picnic and running free at last!

Now for the Lowlights:
Having a "boot" put on our van!
Being told "My dog acts better than your children" on the plane!
Being told to keep our children under control on the subway! (our sweet children!)
Johnny passing gas on the train and saying loudly "It's coming out"!
Lilly saying she was going to "throw-up" every time we got in a taxi


Mike was the man!! ...navigating ALL of us by plane, train, subway, taxi and rental car! It was challenging with four children and we were not always welcomed!! We had a great time just being together!! ...lots of laughs and tears! ...stories to tell!...memories made!

Thank you, Lord to bringing us all home safely!

Mike loved his 40th Birthday Party!

Happy 40th Birthday Babe!


What he loved most was sitting and reading all the kind and encouraging letters everyone brought!...his absolute favorite!! Thanks to all!
And a big thanks to Dad for the new TV on the mantel! Looks great!! Mike is enjoying trying to figure it out!

Sweet hearts...Playing games...

The children had a great time passing out sugar-free candy and playing games at the nursing home. They took over and did everything! I was able to sit and visit with other ladies. Johnny was so cute playing Candyland!

Crying big tears because he had to let "his friend" Froggy go!

He is holding the frog he found and his cut of the lemonade money! Looks like he is still wearing his pj top too! :)

Freshly squeezed Lemon/Lime Juice...

They each made $4 selling freshly squeezed lemon/limeade! Johnny hulahooped and waved, Lilly held the sign and poured, Jake managed the money and Michael jr. drank the product! ...too cute!

Wrestling with Michael Jr.

Johnny's TWO WHEELIN'

In a matter of minutes Johnny learned to ride on two wheels! We knew he would be a quick learner! He already has a few battle wounds from trying to do tricks! He is amazing!...and so fun to watch!

SKG Date #7 "Garments of submission"

This date and lesson was a precious one and of utmost importance. We learned that we are to "wear" strength and dignity, decency, good deeds, gentle and quiet spirits, peace, truth, righteousness, faith, and salvation. We took a submission test...it was a great heart check! We discussed being submissive to God and authority and true princesses are to serve! "For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head." 1 Corinthians 11:8-10 Our beauty is ultimately determined by what we wear on the inside! Love it! Thanks Shannon for speaking truth to Lilly and making her feel special!

A BIG SHOUT OUT AND THANKS TO MY SISTERS!

We brought shirts back from our weekend getaway and my sisters immediately put them on and got in their cars and left!!...to go RELAX! :)
The 40th Birthday trip would not have been possible without my sweet sisters...Jenn and Mandi! They had a complete itinerary planned out with the children...picking blueberries, picnics and playgrounds, movies and even dressed the children up like cows and took them to Chic-fil-a! We came home to happy children and a clean home...they did an amazing job of caring and loving the children...even in the wee hours :)!! Thanks sisters!!!...for everything!!

A secret adventure getaway for Mike's 40th Birthday!

I planned a secret getaway for just the two of us to celebrate Mike's 40th Birthday! He knew we were heading 3 hours away and that was it! We ended up at Lake Fontana in Bryson City, N.C. at a small quaint 1950's refurbished resort/spa (no TV, no cell phone, no computer). A quiet Italian dinner, Twilight Kayaking, french pressed coffee and muffins, morning rafting down the Nantahala, lunch by the river, nap and afternoon tea/cheese/fruit and then a 8 mile mountain bike ride and a romantic dinner! We were exhausted, but REFRESHED! A favorite and most memorable trip ever he said! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE!!!

A Quick Weekend Getaway to Legacy Lodge at Lake Lanier

We somehow squeezed in a quick getaway to Lake Lanier! We use to frequent here with season passes, but haven't done so since Michael was born. The children had a great time showing Johnny the waterslides and then out to our favorite mexican restuarant! A great surprise was the Cunningham family joining us for the day...GREAT FUN and a relaxing time that seemed miles away!!