April 2018

Resurrection Sunday

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where He lay."  Matthew 28:6

This is the shirt and bowtie Isaac wore for Emily and Caleb's wedding in 2012, and I just love that Josiah can wear it now, too!  But, he had an accident in church, so when we picked him up he was wearing black sweatpants!  Ha!  What can you do but laugh!?!  :)

We went to Bear Creek Park one afternoon, and we parked in the row closest to Bear Creek.  A group of kids were crowded next to the creek looking for turtles and fish as I was loading the Suburban.  All of a sudden, I heard Isaac yelling!  Josiah had fallen in the water--he was standing, but the water was about up to his sternum!  Isaac reached in to grab him, but couldn't quite reach.  I ran down and also tried to reach out for him.  I lost my footing and completely landed in the water.  The bottom was so boggy that my feet sank down.  I somehow tossed Josiah onto the bank, but I still couldn't stand up.  A Camp Gladiator coach was setting up for a late afternoon class, and he came down and pulled me out!  Ha!  I couldn't stop laughing!  We were so wet and muddy--and so was our Suburban!

A few days later, my friend Sarah sent me a video of a huge snapping turtle swimming right where Isaac and I had fallen in the water.  

I took the boys to the Fort Worth Zoo for the day while my mom kept Emma.  I really don't love the zoo, but it's absolutely at the top of Isaac's list!  I was surprised at what a fun day we had!  I think the cooler temperatures helped, but a big change from previous trips is that Isaac is now such a great reader and can read all the signs and information!  He often told Josiah all about the animals on exhibit. 

Emma and I went to her friend Ellie's birthday party, and she loved having matching butterfly faces with these sweet girls!  

I asked Josiah to take the pears to the kitchen table for lunch, and he gave them a long ride to get there!  I love his proud smile!

Emma says, "I can do the splits!"

Last day of CC!  These great dads scooped ice cream for everyone!  

We saw "Curious George" at the Artisan with our friends!  Emma wanted to match me in a pair of leggings and our army jackets.  This was Josiah's first show to attend, and he loved it!  When we left, he said, "That was the best show I've ever seen.  Every part was my favorite."  

This was a special season of celebrating sweet friends and new babies!  Corrie, Jenny, and I hosted a shower for Kimi and baby Asher.  My friend Ashley and I also celebrated our friend 

Ashley (two Ashleys!) and her baby boy Oliver!  

While I was at Ashley's shower, this picture circulated on the family text threads from Dave!  The kids love doing such fun things like washing Daddy's truck!

This field of wildflowers is near our house where we often bike in the mornings.  Emma said, "This is a blanket of flowers."  

Lasagna makers!  They each assembled a pan of lasagna!

Some mornings, this is how we get school done!  

FW Museum!  This was a 3D video experience about drilling in Texas, and each time they referenced "millions of years ago," Tiffany and I could hear all our kids saying, "That's not true!" Haha!

Isaac and Jamesson are becoming good friends!  We all met at a park one afternoon, and Jamesson gave Josiah his birthday gifts.  Of course, a gift for one child is the big attraction for all kids--Emma enjoyed them just as much as Josiah, even at the breakfast table!  (Sunday morning--Emma's in her curlers!)

I so loved playing piano for our church's Women's Conference.  My friend, Kirsten, led the singing, and our friend Sarah played violin.  It was such an encouraging weekend with teaching from Carlynn Fabarez.  Emily and Caleb also came to visit that same weekend!  We grilled, ate donuts, and laughed with the kids!  On Sunday, we all went to Mac's together with Nate, Ashley, and Uncle Jon!   

This is a hat from Nate's lawn business back when he was a teenager! Isaac thought it was so cool!

We love Sundays at Mac's!

We had a few hours one afternoon that we spent exploring at Keller Smithfield Park.  The kids love throwing stones into the little stream.  Isaac crawled down the bank to pick up (what we thought was) an old turtle shell.  It ends up that it was still alive and scooted right into the water!  It surprised all of us! 

My kids love animals, whether it's ducks at the park or roly-polies in the back yard.  (Emma and Josiah spent hours collecting them in bowls.)

Isaac and Dave had a fantastic retreat at Pine Cove!  Isaac & another camper were chosen to go on stage and pull Kleenexes out of a box individually with one hand, and Isaac won!  :)  They also played horse shoes, did archery, and had many Mashoonga fights!  These are always such special weekends.  At home, Emma was most excited to have a night to sleep with me in our bedroom!

Our little foster baby is never at a loss for kisses, hugs, and snuggles!  

Well, none of us ever are!