Sweetness from Joshua

I had to get this down before I forget! Last night, Joshua's twang was in full force. He's been exaggerating his words lately, and one syllable words are now becoming two syllable words, like help, ow!, and others. So, we were in the car last night, and we saw the moon. It was a beautiful, big full moon if you missed it! I pointed it out to Joshua and he said, "Waaa-ow! Look at dat moon. It looks like a cookie!" How cute!!! Then that stinking moon kept hiding behind the million foot high pine trees, so it was a treat whenever it would peek out, and I would get another "waaa-ow!" Love the things my kiddos say!

The latest craziness...

So the people who owned our house sold it. Our lease is up Fri. The new folks want it Sat. Therefore, we're moving AGAIN! Now, this is not recent; we've known about it for a month or so, even tried to get them to let us stay through mid-May so I could at least get out of school. But, no go. We're out on the streets! Not really...

I guess I should give you a bit of background info on our housing dilemma. Chris and I have been praying for God to open up a new ministry opportunity for us. Chris is missing pastoring (it is his passion!), so we began searching for the next church God would have us serve. Well, we're headed to O'Quinn Baptist Church in Pollack (just outside of Lufkin) next Sun. Chris is preaching in view of a call that day, so the church will vote that night. Next Sunday I will know if I have a house or not! I really feel like this is the place God desires for us to serve, and I think that's the vibe I'm getting from the people there, too. We've been there twice now, and we love it! Pray that God would continue to guide our journey to where we need to be.

Another beautiful thing about this church is that it has a parsonage! So no house hunting necessary! It's a nice, big, spacious home. The music minister's wife was one of the former preacher's kids, and she says we have free reign to do what we want with the house. Soooo nice since I've heard some horror stories about parsonages too! I'm looking forward to setting up house for a loooonnnngggg while! In the meantime, we're going to stay with parents until we know something for certain, and if this doesn't work out, we'll find something else! God knows where we need to be!

As for my kids, Joshua doesn't really care what's going on. He's just concerned that the toys are packed in boxes. Of course, those boxes are great to climb on and jump off. I caught them both climbing on one of the big ones the other day! Crazy kiddos! Caleb is excited to have another house. I think he likes moving. Ugh! We spent the afternoon in the parsonage Sun. between services, and he ran through it saying, "Is this our new house!???" I think he'll adjust just fine. They both love their Sunday school classes, too. Very much a load off with Caleb....he doesn't take change that well!

So, pray for us as we complete this latest move, and I'll keep you updated!!!!!

Pretty like Brittany....

Kids say some crazy things. My children are chipmunk fanatics right now, so we've watched the old cartoons and the new movies lately. Caleb thinks we all have to be a character in everything we watch, so in the chipmunks, I'm Brittany from the Chipettes. The other day he asked me why I was never Janette or Eleanor. (Usually there is no changing of minds allowed!) So I said, "Well, I could be Janette since I wear glasses, and I'm chubby like Eleanor." lol! Then Caleb says, "And you're pretty like Brittany!" Awww! He can be sweet sometimes!

Last night we drove over to Fairfield to see the folks and get some STRAWBERRIES!!! The berries are finally ready and super yummy! We went up to the patch to pick some, and Joshua only ate them while I filled his bucket. Caleb's thoughts were that the strawberries weren't nearly as good without chocolate on them! Joshua was too cute. His face was totally covered in red strawberry juice, and he kept on eating them well after we went back to Nana and Pop's house! We took a box to their teachers this morning, too. Caleb was happy to give his over, but Joshua didn't understand why I wouldn't let him open his box and eat them! Oh well, at least they're healthy....

My sweet darling husband

I've gotta brag on my man....

These stinking allergies have dragged me down this week. I've felt awful, I'm tired of hacking up my lungs, and I even lost my voice! Now that I'm through with the pity party, let me tell you what Chris did for me Tues. night.

He got to stay home from work that day because they didn't have any procedures, so he spent most of the day in my office studying for his sermon for this weekend (he's preaching at a church near Lufkin on Sun.). When we got in that afternoon, he told me to sit and rest. He would take care of supper. Now I must say, when Chris cooks, it can't be mundane, easy supper. It's going to be big. He decided this time to make a grilled chicken breast with bacon and cheese on top and fried potatoes. Then he even did dessert! Warm banana bread with sliced bananas, vanilla ice cream, and caramel sauce on top. YUM-O!

After dinner, he drew me a luxurious bath, put on music, and took the kids outside so I could relax. He cleaned up in the house, bathed the kids, and put them to bed! All so I could rest and go to bed early! Isn't he great!? I just love my sweetie!

Now if all the pollen would just go away.....

Easter!!!

Easter weekend was stinking awesome! Too bad my camera wasn't cooperating to get some cute pics! It was beautiful outside, so we spent a lot of time outside playing. Easter festivities started with the kids' parties on Thursday. I got to go to both. Caleb's class had made baskets out of milk jugs that looked like bunnies...too cute! Those kids were crazy with the egg hunt! I've about decided that Joshua doesn't do well with me at his parties. He thinks it's time to go home when I show up! He didn't seem to enjoy his party as much, but he sure did like all the snacks!

On Saturday, Mom and Chappie brought Emily and Evan over to hunt eggs. We dyed some hard boiled eggs (and our fingers!), too. The kids had a blast. I got that one on video with Caleb running around pantsless with tennis shoes on! Great blackmail footage for the future! Then Chris grilled some yummy steaks, and we chowed down.

Saturday night, Caleb and I made Resurrection Eggs. I got the recipe from a good friend. As we made the cookies, we read scripture that related to Jesus' death and resurrection. We beat the pecans like Jesus was beaten. We smelled the vinegar and talked about the wine vinegar Jesus was offered. We talked about how sad it was for Jesus' followers as they laid Him in the tomb. Then we "sealed" the tomb (oven) with tape and went to bed. The following morning (Easter morning), Caleb ran straight to the oven. He told his daddy all about what we had talked about the night before. Then we opened the tomb, and the cookies were done! We bit into them, and they're hollow, just like Jesus' tomb was. How cool is that!? It was a great object lesson for Caleb. He's talked about it lots since then. And, the cookies weren't half bad either! I'm so thankful that he understands the reason we celebrate Easter is not for candy and bunnies and eggs, but to celebrate the fact that our Savior Jesus Christ has conquered death and risen from the dead!!!! Can I get an AMEN!?

We spent Sunday with Chris's family and had a great time. Lots of great food and a great egg hunt. Caleb was thrilled with all the eggs he found! Joshua had his own little few set out just for him, but he thought he was in the big time with the big kids! We even got a little sun that day regardless of the fact that we were sitting in the shade!