2010 Pinewood Derby Race

Jarod participated in his last Pinewood Derby Race last night.  He is a Webelos and will become a Boy Scout next year.  He made his car to look like the Disney Monorail.  I don't have to tell you that I thought that was way cool!  He walked away with 1st Place for the Webelos and 3rd Place overall.  He was one happy Scout!

Before the big race

Handing it over......

Ready...... Set......

GO!!!!!!

Way to go, Jarod!!!!  A special thanks goes out to Uncle Marc who helped with the car.

Until next time......

Ocean Park's Easter Musical

Jarod had a role in our church Easter Musical last night.  It was his acting debut and he had a blast!  He did a really great job.

Telling the blind beggar that Jesus is Alive!!!!

Our actors did a fabulous job!  Thanks Ray, Charlotte, Kyle and Jarod.

Our choir and actors

Couldn't resist this picture!  Too cute!

Tonight is Jarod's Pinewood Derby race with Cub Scouts.  He's made his car to look like the Disney Monorail - how cool is that?  Have a great week as we lead into the celebration of Easter and the resurrection of our Lord.  I'll keep you updated.....

Chloe Comes for a Visit

Sasha and I watched Chloe for Sam while she went and got her hair cut on Friday.  We had way too much fun!!

I got this Easter Basket for Chloe and it was so big!  So Sasha and I decided to put her in it!  Way cute.  She cried when we took her out.  I think she liked it.

Playing with some fun ribbons!  Love the ears!

Aunt Cami with the bunny ears on!  Crazy people!

OOOHHH!!!  Anne's beads!  How fun is that?

Bling!!!

Jarod and I Step Back in Time

Last week was very busy.  Both kids are feeling better and we hit the ground running. First of all, Sasha came to visit.  She had a training for work here in Jacksonville so she came and stayed with us.  It was so nice to spend time with her.  She was gone during the day but we spent time together in the evenings and had an adult girl day on Thursday.  Shopping!!!!  I was able get some new spring clothes for Jarod and Anne and also work on their Easter Baskets. 

Anne took this picture of Sasha and Chloe.

Marc, Sam and Chloe came for dinner one night - I just loved this photo.  

Last Wednesday, while Sasha was at her training, I helped chaperon Jarod's Field Trip to Silver River in Ocala.  It was really fun - minus the bus ride.  LOL!  Jarod has been studying some Florida history this year and it was really fun to step back in time a little.

Taking a boat ride down Silver River

Can you find the Gator?  Wonder if he's hungry enough to take out a turtle?

The highlight of the trip was this little guy.  I had heard that wild monkeys lived along the river but wasn't sure if it were true.  Sure enough! They were brought to Silver River back in the 1930's and placed on an island as a tourist attraction.  What they did not know was that the monkeys could swim.  Now they are thriving very well along the river.  We saw several playing in the trees but this little guy was just sitting and watching us.  Great photo opp.

 Just hanging out in the sun

One room school house.

 The students got to go inside a replica of a One Room School House.  Jarod is in the upper left corner.  This was especially fun because we have been watching Little House on the Prairie and Jarod got to experience everything first hand.  I don't know who enjoyed it more - him or me!

Cracker house.  This little farm was a replica of Florida settlements in the late 1800's.  We were able to go inside and learn how they lived.

 Going inside

Living area

Bedroom

Kitchen - detached from the rest of the house in case of fire.

Jarod helping grind corn.  The students got to learn about all the chores they would have had if they lived during this time.

Helping pump water from the well

Where they made Sugar Cane Syrup

Checking out the chickens out back.

This was such a fun educational trip.  I was so glad that I was able to go along.  I love learning how things used to be done and always walk away being thankful that I live in the 21st Century but also sad somehow.  Things were difficult back then and people worked hard to just survive.  But, there were no distractions like TV, cell phones or video games.  Families were large and everyone worked together.  They made everything they needed and lived very simply.  Things have changed a lot in the last 150 years but I think there are many things we can still learn from this time period.

Stop the Treadmill!!!!

I am always amazed at God's wonderful, yet very personal provision for me.  If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you will know that I'm a homebody. I knew from the age of 14 that all I wanted to do was be a wife and a mom.  I never went to college.  I never had the desire.  Never felt the urgency. I attempted to go - but it wasn't for me.  I felt that it was a waste of time and money when I was just going to be at home.  God always closed the doors somehow.  And yet gave me other training to fall back on if it was ever needed. Little did I know at the time that I would marry a  minister and not only be a wife and mother, but a pastor's wife as well.  But God knew. 

I love being home. I love being a mom - most days.  I love my Calligraphy business.  Only God can take a hobby and turn it into a successful business venture and allow me to be at home and yet help with our finances. Being a wife and mom is costly.  You sacrifice a lot in today's economy in order to be at home.  But, it is worth every struggle.  I so enjoy watching my children grow.  Of course, I have my moments of insanity - but I do believe that is normal for all moms! (LOL!)

Since I have taken on the secretarial job at the church, I find my life to be more busy than it has ever been.  Running here and there back and forth to the beaches.  I enjoy that work as well.  Now that both kids are in school, I enjoy working side by side with Russell.  Serving him and the people at Ocean Park.  That extra income has enabled us to allow the kids to have an extra activity.  One of those things that we had to sacrifice before.  But, that too adds to the busy schedule.  Guitar lessons on Tuesday, Ballet lessons on Wednesday.

Enter wedding season!  This is the absolute busiest time of year for me.  From January through June, I don't stop.  I literally write every night.  I have brides that have booked me months in advance and then I have those brides that call me and say, "I just got my invitations back from the printer and I want you to address them.  They need to go out ASAP - can you help me?"  AAAAHHHHH!!!! Are you kidding me?????  How long have you been planing this wedding?  And you are just now thinking about this!?!  Amazing!  So - I work as many of them in as I can but eventually I have to say, "No, I cannot help you.  I have too many envelopes right now and it is not humanly possible for me to do yours as well and still function as a human being!"  I am nicer than that, I promise.  I really hate turning them away.

Now, back to God's provision for me. The whole purpose I started writing this to begin with!  This has been one of those months.  I have over 1000 envelopes to address this month, along with poems, letters, a custom invitation and 450 place cards.  I just had a mother of the bride tell me that her order is not going to be 175 envelopes - but more like 300!  That's a major adjustment when you have scheduled a wedding right after her.  Each of these clients have deadlines to get their invitations out in the 6 - 8 week time frame before their wedding so staying my schedule is paramount!

I was beginning to feel like I was on a treadmill!  (Too bad my body doesn't reflect that idea right now.  Wouldn't that be great!)  Get up, take the kids to school, go to the church (1.5 hours round trip in the van), pick the children up, take them to their activities, come home, get homework started, figure out what's for dinner, get them in bed, work on Calligraphy until midnight or later, go to bed, get up and start all over again!  So thankful for my wonderful husband that helps me constantly or I would be completely crazy by now.

So anyway - I was beginning to feel a little twitchy this past week!  The running had taken it's toll and the treadmill wasn't stopping.  I could hear Bob and Jillian (from Biggest Loser) yelling at me "Keep going!  Don't stop! No hands!"  Ahhhhh!  Then my Anne girl gets sick!  My world stops!  God is good.  Now I am NOT glad Anne got sick - not at all.  She's been pitiful for the last week.  Looking into those droopy eyes broke my heart.  But she's been a trouper and is finally on the mend.  But, I have caught up!  My calligraphy is on schedule, my house is somewhat in order and I've been able to sleep late!  I've had down time to watch Little House on the Prairie with my kids and old Mary Tyler Moore reruns at night.  (I just love Ebay!) 

Thank you Lord, for stopping the treadmill.  At least long enough for me to catch my breath in order to start again.  You know exactly what I need, when I need it.

Our craziness will begin again Monday but now that I've rested some and put things back in order, I feel as though I can take on the world.....at least until Tuesday!

For Better of For Worse

Russell's mom cut this out of Sunday's paper for us this week.  It is sooooo our family.  I am always saying that to Russ!  Ha!!  Just thought I would share.

Aunt Melva Comes for a Visit

Aunt Melva and Uncle Roger stopped by yesterday while traveling down to south Florida for the weekend.  It was so good to see them and spend some time together.  I had seen then in December, of course but they hadn't seen Russ and the kids in four years.  We had a nice and relaxing day together.  Anne and Jarod are already asking when they will come back!

Anne hasn't been around Melva much.  They met briefly when Anne was a year old.  You wouldn't have been able to tell that yesterday though. Anne loved her immediately and can't wait for her to return.

These two go way back!  We shared lots of fond memories yesterday of when Jarod was little and we were living with and caring for my mom. Jarod was the blessing that kept us laughing and he helped to make the situation more bearable.  It's still hard to believe that was over 7 years ago.

Melva got to meet our sweet Chloe for the first time.

Having a little chat with Anne.  I think it had to do with the size of a brownie!  Ha!

Jarod gave us a mini concert last night.  He's coming along with his guitar lessons.

Anyway - it was good to spend some time together under better circumstances.  Please pray for Melva and Roger as they continue to grieve the loss of my cousin, Nicki.  It's going to be a long road.  It was so good to see her smile and hear her laugh even though I know she is still hurting so very deeply.  God is working and doing amazing things in her situation - but it's still very difficult.

We love you Melva and Roger - come for a visit any time.  Our doors are always open!!!

Oh!  Jarod and Anne are feeling much better and were back at school today!  It's amazing what a few antibiotics can do in 24 hours!  Thanks for your prayers.

Strep Throat + Pink Eye = Two Kids at Home

Well, the kids are down.  Jarod has been running a 102 temp since Saturday.  Anne developed Pink Eye yesterday afternoon.  I took them both to the Dr. today and he diagnosed Jarod with Strep Throat.  He's never had it before so I didn't even consider that to be the problem.  Anne's temp was just under 100 and her throat was red as well, so the Dr. decided to treat both of them together.  He figured Anne wasn't far behind.  So, both kids are home resting.  Please pray for a quick recovery.  I'll keep you posted.....