I mentioned earlier that things have been rather busy around here. Major yard work has taken up a good chunk of our time. We didn't discover that we had a major grub problem until it was too late. So we've had to start all over. It has been a HUGE undertaking. We had no idea! As you can see in the picture below our yard was piled up in our driveway. **I am happy to report to you that this pile has finally been cleared! Yippee!!
Both front sections have been redone and we are finally seeing signs of grass. Who knew this could be so exciting?! The very front strip needs help, but that is going to have to come later. The backyard is also a mess but that too is going to have to wait.
I'm hoping that by mid-summer I will have some prettier pictures to share with you!
Last week the kids had their spring program. It is always so cute. Their music teacher does a really good job picking out fun programs. This year it was Seussical (I think that's how it's spelled).Here they are singing...Josiah...
Isaac...
As our buddy's 8th birthday approached I was thinking about how birthday's are getting less enjoyable for me. Many adults find that at some point birthday's are not as exciting as they used to be. In fact, do I have to have ANOTHER one? As my children are getting older I'm realizing that I have that same feeling about their birthdays. Do they really have to have ANOTHER birthday? At least, do they have to have one this soon? Didn't they just have one? I've decided that I really enjoy my children's birthdays...until they turn 4. Then things just go way too fast. Their next birthday seems like they shouldn't be that big already (even though I'm already thinking that Tirzah's number will be 3!). Now, I should clarify that despite my mama feelings I do try to make their day fun and special because it is their birthday after all. And in some ways I do enjoy watching them grow up and to be able to see them develop their personalities. It's exciting to see all that they are learning to do and I am anxious to see what God has for their lives. But at the same time my heart aches to have my babies in my arms. The thought of them growing up and leaving home is not a pleasant one. But through it all I hold on to the fact that I have the Lord. He's the one who is letting me raise these little people in the first place. I am so grateful! I am trying to take the advice of my mother who suggested I enjoy what they're doing in each phase of their lives. So... here goes...
Isaac has been so excited for his birthday (what kid isn't?). He really wanted an army party this year.
He got a lot of fun gifts, including some thoughtful things from his siblings (books and toys they found around the house).
One of the favorites was this one. A crossbow marshmallow shooter! It's awesome!
The last two weeks have been so busy for us. We've had so many things going on that it's hard to stay on top of it all. (I'll try to post more about what's been keeping us busy later.)
I love Easter. I love that I don't feel obligated to buy a bunch of gifts. I love that we can make it as simple or elaborate as we want. I love what/Who we celebrate at Easter. It's such a good time of refreshment. Being refreshed in my appreciation of what Jesus has done for me. Being refreshed in my thankfulness for my family (near and far). I hope to pass this on to our children. Even though it's easy to get distracted by all of the candy and someone walking around in a bunny costume, we've really tried to play down those things and talk a lot about why we're celebrating. Candy is okay. Even getting candy from the guy in the bunny costume is okay (our kids know it's just pretend). But the best thing is that Jesus is alive! And that is definitely something to celebrate!!
Here are the kids checking out their eggs after the town's annual egg hunt.
A favorite activity (even for mom) is coloring eggs. (Love the tongue!)
Pizza night is a weekly occurrence at our house. Just about every Saturday night is pizza night. It has been this way for a LONG time. When Nathan was growing up they would have family night. They would get to have some kind of food that they really liked (usually tacos or pizza) and play games together. When Nathan got older his mom taught him how to make the pizza. When we got married we started making pizza every week. Nathan makes the crust (which to me is the hardest part) and I get all of the toppings ready. Since we've had kids it's something they look forward to. Saturday night is pizza night! 
Usually they don't all help at once, but Saturday they all had the itch to get into the action. 
Want some? Saturday nights at our house! :)
Sunday afternoon our older two boys had their first wrestling tournament of the year. This is the second year they've wrestled. Let me just say right off the bat that wrestling is my LEAST favorite sport! I was hoping that after last year they wouldn't want to wrestle again, but that was not the case. And unfortunately they still seem to like it and want to keep doing it. It is a very hard sport for this mama to watch. They're not running back and forth trying to make baskets. They're not hitting a ball and running to a base. No, they're getting thrown down on a mat and twisted into unnatural positions that make me cringe! So I have to just stay out of this one. I have left this up to the boys and their daddy. I will go to their meets to support them and cheer them on, but I watch through my fingers!
The first boy that Isaac wrestled knew what he was doing. This was one of two pictures that I took of this round. Nathan had to help keep time at one of the tables so he wasn't able to be on the floor helping coach Isaac. That kind of stunk. I was up in the stands with the rest of our crew until Isaac was laying on the mat not getting up. That's when my blood pressure rose and I left the kids up in the stands to go down to the mat. Isaac was such a trooper and got back up and finished the round.
The second round went a little better. I think Isaac even got him pinned a few times.
Josiah's rounds were a little funner to watch as they were not as intense. This is what I would call wresting. This is what happens on our living room floor quite often. Just two boys scrapping to see who is stronger (at that particular moment).
The second boy that Josiah wrestled was in his weight class but was only in preschool. I could tell that Josiah wasn't quite using his full potential. When we talked to him about it later he said that he didn't want to use all his strength on the kid because he didn't want the boy to fuss. I think he might possibly be too thoughtful to wrestle! He was also concerned about wearing shoes. He was afraid that if he wrestled against a boy that didn't have shoes he might step on his feet and hurt him. ;)
I was glad when it was over. I am also glad that I already had something scheduled on the night they have their next tournament. And I am extremely glad that the Lord is in control and I don't need to worry about what will happen when my babies wrestle!
Both front sections have been redone and we are finally seeing signs of grass. Who knew this could be so exciting?! The very front strip needs help, but that is going to have to come later. The backyard is also a mess but that too is going to have to wait. 
Isaac...
and Keziah. Keziah had a short (two words) speaking part this year. Of course I didn't get a picture of her saying her words (not much time!). But I got one right before...
and right after (as she was walking away. Nice.).
All in all the program was short, sweet and very cute.
He got a lot of fun gifts, including some thoughtful things from his siblings (books and toys they found around the house).
He designed his own cake this year. I think he liked how it turned out. That smile makes it worth the effort!
A favorite activity (even for mom) is coloring eggs. (Love the tongue!)
Usually they don't all help at once, but Saturday they all had the itch to get into the action. 
Want some? Saturday nights at our house! :) 
At the beginning of March Nathan's parents came for a visit. They took the kids to the Firefighter museum and they had a blast! 
Last week Audrey and her kids came for a quick visit. The boys...
and the girls. 
Now we're back to being stuck in the house. Between the yucky weather and sick kiddos (again) I'm becoming one worn out mama!
The second round went a little better. I think Isaac even got him pinned a few times.
