Court of Honor and Chloe's 2nd Birthday Bash

What a busy week!  Jarod had another Court of Honor for Boy Scouts last Monday night.  The Troop earned so many merrit badges and new ranks because of their Summer Camp that it was time to honor their efforts again.  Jarod has worked very hard and has already made 2nd Class!

We are thoroughly enjoying the change from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.  So much more responsibility for Jarod and we really see him stepping up to the challenge.

 Waiting for the evening to begin

Photo Credit: Anne Franklin - not too bad!  :-)

Receiving his 2nd Class Rank.  In Boy Scouts, the parents stand up with him when he receives rank and Jarod is given a pin to place on my shirt as well.  I have 3 now.  So proud.

 Russell was recognized as well for his leadership at Summer Camp.  He's too cute!  He enjoys Scouts as much as Jarod.

 Receiving more meritt badges from camp

Congratulations Jarod!  We are proud of you!

That was Monday, which also happened to be Chloe's 2nd Birthday.  Can't believe that's possible - but it is.  To celebrate, we took off to St. Augustine Beach with Marc and Sam on Saturday.  Marc was painting the inside of a Beach House and the owners said he could stay there a few days while he worked.  So we joined them on Saturday for the celebration!

 What a cutie!!!!  Sam did a great job with the cupcakes.

 Can we eat them now?

 "Happy Birthday to You!"

 Here we go.....

 Yummmmmmm!

This works a little better.

Chloe LOVES The Muppet Show.  Go figure, right?  Since both parents like puppets as well.  When we were down in Orlando, we found this cute Miss Piggy doll and I knew it would be PERFECT!  I was right!  She LOVES it!  She was even making it do Karate chops!  How fun is that?  Hi - ya!

So after all the fun with cake and presents, we took off to the beach.  Earlier in the week, we were not sure what kind of weather we would have because of Hurricane Irene.  We were very fortunate.  Our Saturday brought lots of sun and wonderful waves!

 Beach Bum!  Love the glasses, girl!

 This picture cracks me up - so Bay Watch!  She just needs one of those boards under her arm.  LOL!

 As you can see - we had incredible waves.  They made me nervous at first - the kids are not used to this kind of surf.  But, rest assured - they were not out there without an adult with them and the never got in over their waste.  Feel better?  I prayed a lot! They had a BLAST!

 Anne is so light - she kept riding them ALL the way in!  She is still learning to steer so I won't tell you how many people she mowed over!  

 Russell's in there somewhere!  Missed that one!

 There she goes again!

 Marc caught some good ones too!

Taking a break in between waves.

 

 This is the way Chloe does it!

 Juggling sand!  He did it too!  Man of many talents!

 Chloe is supervising the construction site.

 Perfect fit.

 Chillin on the beach

Having a snack break - how cute is she?

Construction's over - Back in the water.....

 Uncle Marc helping her catch that wave again

That was a great one!!!

 Russ caught a few good ones too!

Love this pic!  They both caught the same wave but Jarod mowed over Anne!

 Last one - heading in for the day.  LOVE his face here!

Now that it's time to go home - she's learned to steer! Great job Anne!

Jarod's birthday is in a few weeks and he has decided that a day at the beach would be perfect for him as well. Great memories!

Happy Birthday Chloe!  We Love You!

Chloe Comes for a Visit

Marc and Sam went to Virginia last week to teach at the National Fellowship of Christian Puppetry Festival.  Seeing as how it would be a very busy week for them, Chloe came to stay with us!  What fun we had.  It was a real joy to have her.  She's so good and so funny.  I thought I would share a little of our week in photos....

She spent a lot of time playing with the cousins

 Wearing their matching Tangled PJ's - how fun is that?

 Eating

 Sleeping - (just waking up from a good nap)  I call this my "Red headed bed head"  LOL!

 More eating - spaghetti is a favorite

 Wearing Anne's t-shirts while her pj's were being washed

 She helped Jarod and Anne play Monopoly - they were not always happy about that.

 We watched old Muppet Show reruns - her favorite!

 

 And cooked in the kitchen

 And she spent a whole lot of time just being plain cute!

 And sucking on limes - to our defense - she asked for it!  And kept licking it.  Weird child.

And then there's just plain sweetness.....

Thanks Marc & Sam for allowing us to watch Chloe while you were off having fun with puppets!

 We love you guys!!!

School, Chloe and Cats

We have already finished our third week of school.  Where does time go?  The kids have adjusted well.  Anne absolutely loves school, loves her teacher and is quickly making new friends.  I have become Homeroom Mom for her class and volunteer in her classroom for a few hours each Thursday.  I love watching and listening quietly from a corner while she interacts with other children.  She continues to amaze me.  In the three short weeks, she has begun to read.  She sits down with us at home and sounds out her words. Russ and I just look at each other in amazement!  It's so awesome when you not only hear - but see the words click in their heads. She is off and running and the world around her will never be the same.

Reading her "Learn-To-Read Bible" to Daddy

Jarod changes classes this year so he has 3 different teachers.  It's a bit of an adjustment for him and a lot more organizational skills are involved but he has stepped up to the task and I believe he enjoys it.  He changes classes with students on the same academic level as him which is so exciting.  All of the students learn and move at the same pace so he remains challenged.

Chloe came for an overnight stay last week.  She is such a joy!  She is a very pleasant baby and we enjoyed her being with us so very much.  I just love being an Aunt and I love my little red head!!!!

Chillin' out with Uncle Russell - sleepy girl!

I was putting clothes away and she decided to try on my bathing suit!  What do you think?

Now anyone who knows me well - knows that I am NOT an animal person.  The kids beg me for a dog on a regular basis and I will NOT give in!  Russ had a dog when we were first married - but it was an outside dog.  And once Jarod was born and the decision of diapers vs. dog food came up - the dog had to go.  And cats - well - I've never cared for them either.  Now I've met some really cool cats with really cool personalities but I figure with a cat you never know what you might get so why risk it?  There are just as many snobby ones out there too.  Not to mention - the extra care and clean up.  Animals in the house - messing up the carpet and the furniture.  The fur - the dust. No - just not me.  I guess I'm too much like my mom in that regard.  They are fine for other people - but not for me.  Besides I really like the freedom to come and go as I please.

Well, enter Meggie.  Meggie has been hanging around our house for literally months!  I find her on my front sidewalk, under my van, on the back porch.  Wherever I look, there she is.  We've ignored her - Russ has even shot her in the behind with a BB Gun - but she has continued to stick around forever!!!  She stays in the woods beside our house and scavenges for food.  She is so thin - but otherwise looks healthy.  Little did I know that the kids had been petting her and had named her Meggie.  She even comes when you call her by name!  

I looked outside today and she was laying on the back porch again.  For some strange reason, and some prodding from my husband, my heart melted and I broke open a pouch of tuna that was in my pantry.  I opened the sliding door and put the food on the porch and proceeded to watch her scarf it down.  What she couldn't get with her mouth, she stroked with her paw to move it closer and daintily ate every last piece.  I opened the door to take the container and she walked over and rubbed up against my hand to say "Thank You" and then went on her way.

Needless to say, today after school, I told the kids that I fed her.  That's when I found out her name and that they had been showing her attention.  We went to Wal-Mart and purchased some cat food, along with a bowl.  They wanted a collar and toys but I put my foot down.  I don't plan on owning her and I certainly have no intention of letting her in the house - EVER! 

We got home and she was no where to be found.  So, I put some water in her new bowl and set it on the back porch.  I closed the door and came inside.  I walked into the kitchen and turned around and there she was, drinking water and then meowing at the door.  I gave her some more food and once again she rubbed my hand to say "Thank You."  

I wanted a photo of her for the blog so I went back outside a little while later.  I couldn't see her anywhere so I called her.  After all  - the kids said she answered to her name, right?  I called very quietly just to see what would happen and within about 15 seconds, I saw her peering out from the edge of the woods beside the house.  She slowing came over, ate a little more food and allowed me to take these photos.

Coming from the woods beside our house

Enjoying her food.

Coming to say "Thank You"

Not sure what will become of all this - although I have a pretty good idea.  She has adopted us and my heart has softened.  But know this - she WILL stay outside!!!!

On a different note, now that both kids are in school, and I'm not driving like a mad woman all over town, I've had a lot of down time lately.  Lots of quiet time to spend with the Lord and lots of reflection.  God has been working in my life and helping me see some things clearly.  I feel like my mind is coming out of a fog.  Maybe that's why my heart softened towards this cat.  Anyway - I'm still reflecting and learning but plan to blog about it all when I come through the other side.  

In the meantime, Russ is busily working at the church and preparing for a Mission Trip to Haiti.  He is very excited about the opportunity.  They will be going to the Cabaret Children's Home near Port au Prince for 7 days.  He is raising funds to go on this trip and if you are interested in helping to support him, just let us know.  The trip is costing around $1200.00

He and I are going to facilitate a small group at church on "Communication in Your Marriage"  Seems God has given us many opportunities to practice this ourselves lately.  Ha!  But that's been part of the reflection I was talking about earlier.  God is good and it's wonderful to know that He is still working in my life and in my family.

Well, it's time to wrangle the kids in from outside and settle in for the evening.  Until next time.....