March Moments, 2012

The kids each made a Build-a-Bear for sick kids at the local children's hospital

They did a very good job cleaning them off

Bed-Head...this is normal every morning

First try with fondant (great recipe I found online)

Isaac is finally at the stage where he can build Legos by himself

He did this all my himself (he thought Grandpa Craig would be extra proud)

This is a cool light Isaac got for his birthday. It flickers like a candle and goes our when you blow on it...guess he forgot to blow it out before he fell asleep.

Date night! Chris won free tickets to the Blazer game. They were getting killed, so we watched a lot of Biggest Loser on one of the TVs in the suite.

The day after the snow we got sun. Bike rides and popsicles sounded good...even though it was still only in the high 50s.

Loved to celebrate Nathan at a baby shower with a super group of ladies

S is for Spring...S is for Snow

This is Jack

Isaac is ruthless at nailing his sister with snowballs

One, if not the first, of Chris' attempt at a snowman

More Cubbies Fun

"Hi, Mom!"

Cubbies is a great place to try out new hair styles and fashions

Love the matching hair...Mr. Chris and Caleb

I can't believe that we only have a few weeks left of AWANAS. Last summer we were "gearing up" for the "big commitment" we were making by volunteering to be Cubbie leaders for the year. The time has FLOWN BY!! It has been such a blessing to work with these kiddos. We are so thankful to be a part of a ministry "whose goal is to reach boys and girls with the gospel of Christ and train them to serve Him." It is extra special that we get to be in there with our little girl. We look forward to next year!!!

My Little Missionary

A few weeks ago, Isaac had some missionary moments that I wanted to write about, both so that Isaac would remember and that I would.

He had a play-date with a friend from school who comes from a Christian home. The boy's mom was driving them to pick up his little brother from preschool. Isaac, who never keeps quiet in the car, was telling his friend about when he became a Christian, asking Jesus to come live in his heart. The mom later shared with me (because I was not there) that she was so happy that Isaac shared because her son is scared that he will die and immediately go to heaven as soon as he is "saved." She was glad that her son could clearly see that Isaac loved Jesus and was still here on earth. :)

The very next day, Isaac came home and said, "Mom, D--- is a Christian." I was a little confused and taken back knowing that the family was not. He proceeded to tell me how he asked D---if he knew Jesus. D---said that he didn't, so Isaac spent his recess walking the track with him and laying out the gospel. Isaac told him "that he is a sinner who disobeys and deserves hell, that Jesus died on the cross to pay for that sin, and that he can be forgiven if he believes that and prays." Isaac didn't leave it there..."Mom, then I asked him if he wanted to pray. He said he did, but didn't know how, so I told him what to pray after me...so now he is a Christian!" (Picture Isaac's big eyes bright and excited as he is sharing this news with me).

"Well, son," I replied, "only God knows his heart...but we do know that seeds were planted. We'll pray that the seeds you planted feel on good soil."

I am so happy that my son shared. At the same time, I confess that I cringed in anticipation of the boy's mom's reaction to what Isaac shared. Will she be mad? Will she come confront me about it? Will she tell her son to avoid Isaac at future recesses? Oh no.

How wrong I am! Those are the very same reactions that I focus on and anticipate when I decide NOT to share the good news of Jesus. I should learn this lesson from my son. He had a buddy that he loves and naturally wants to tell him about the Savior who loves him. It is perfectly normal. If you care, you share. I have been so tainted that I actually act like the name of Jesus really is something "offensive" or not to be mentioned in fear of people's reaction. I am so thankful for Isaac's example to me and pray that I do not hold back when someone I care about should hear about the hope, joy, peace, and saving grace Jesus offers to all who love and trust Him.

Acts 2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved
Romans 10:9  If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Isaac's 6th Birthday Party

So I asked Isaac what he wanted to do for his birthday party. I suggested every "fun place" around town that would host a busy group of boys for a party. He turn them all down and insisted on having a pizza party at our home with his friends and his trains. (More begging for anywhere else...he never caved).

So, after the planning, prepping, decorating and inviting, the day came. Including the adults and children, there were between 30-40 people at our house (many of which, I remind you, are busy boys). I can do girl parties well, but little boys overwhelm me a bit...I just don't understand them (especially when I am outnumbered like that). I asked Chris to take charge of all I had planned and run the show.

HE WAS AMAZING! Chris, teamed up with Uncle Steve, were a two man show/comedy team/circus act. The boys ate them up. Chris and Steve managed to run a game where the kids threw darts (real and very sharp darts) at balloons filled with prized. They had the kids screaming, cheering and belly-laughing as they pretended to get attacked by the toy snakes that came out of some of the balloons (and not one man, woman, or child was injured). Isaac's highlight was Daddy running through a soda geyser that he launched in the driveway. He really is "Superdad!"

I have to give a little special shout-out to Gramma DeeDee who kept working the rooms, cleaning, sorting and organizing throughout the party. All  the things I was "meaning to get to" were done before I ever had time to attempt to get to them. Because of her (and my hubby who is a power cleaner), the house looked beautiful before 9 pm.

Even though Isaac is young, I really hope he remembers how special we think he is and how we really try to give him a celebration that reflects our great love and appreciation for the gift that he is to us.

Also, as a fun idea we got from friends, we let our kids pick whatever they want to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner on their actual birthday. This year Isaac picked hot dogs (yes, for breakfast), plain spaghetti with cheese, and pizza. Thankfully we only let our kids choose their meals one day out of 365. :)

Lined up and ready to throw darts

Attack Snake

Isaac's Birthday Wish

"Bring me the candy on those spoons"

The year of Legos

Isaac's Lunch Prayer

"God, even though it is warm and sunny and beautiful in California, I praise you that I can still thank you for the rain...because at least it can keep Oregon green. And thank you for all the other stuff you give us. Amen."

I really think Isaac has elevated California, in his mind, to the glory of the Garden of Eden. Well, at least he is learning to praise God in the "storms" of life.  :)

Weather this week here:

Tonight Mar 11	Mon 12	Tue 13	Wed 14	Thu 15	Fri 16	Sat 17	Sun 18	Mon 19	Tue 20

Showers / Wind

Rain / Wind

Rain / Snow Showers / Wind

Rain

Rain

Rain

Few Showers

Partly Cloudy

Rain / Snow Showers

Showers

-- High

46°

43°

45°

48°

47°

49°

49°

49°

51°

So Cal weather this week:
Sunny and low to mid 60s, 0-10% chance of rain.

Rock and Worship Roadshow 2011

Married couple reality moment...picking food off face and teeth before photo op.

 We have been trying to go on "FUN" dates (you know, like the ones you go on before you're married and well before you have kids).

The Rock and Worship Roadshow came to town and we had to go. It was an awesome concert featuring Christian bands who strive to put on a tour for only $10 per ticket as ministy (filling the stadium with 15,000 people doesn't even cover the cost for the night). Anyway, they do it in order to give back and share the gospel with any and all in the crowd who need to hear or be reminded that they are sinners, that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for that sin, and that they can receive love, forgiveness, grace and eternal life through faith in Him.

It was great to sing and worship together with so many! It was a little taste of heaven. I think my favorite artist was Lacrae, a hip hop/rapper. He was REALLY good (both musically and with the encouraging things he said).

Head banging to Disciple

"Whiplash!"       ..."It's okay, I am a nurse."

Hawk Nelson

Chair dancin' to Mercy Me..."MOVE!"

Mercy Me singing I Can Only Imagine