Soaking in His goodness...

Don't Forget....

Don't forget...Memorial Day is not just a day off....a long weekend....it's so much more. It's a holiday that celebrates freedom....remembers those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for America! Please don't forget. Take a moment to say a prayer for those serving, those waiting behind, those who've been lost, and those yet to go.

Today, I Choose Joy.....

Habakkuk 3:18 

Gettysburg....

For the close of our school year we had a field trip to Gettysburg Battlefield. We have an audio tape tour that was purchased years ago when Zack and Ryan were small and so we listened to that as we followed the signs. We stopped off at some key areas (per the children LOL!) two of the towers and at Spangler's Spring area to climb the rocks. It was extremely windy and cool that day and on top of the tower it was really bad! The first tower was rather small (compared to the others) and didn't make me nervous at all but the second tower (see picture at bottom) was very, very high! Not a big deal but when I have little Samuel wanting to climb the steps himself and 4 other adventurous ones nearing the top without me I'll admit I panicked. :) They all listened well though and I think the other tourists were quite entertained by this mom of many small children on top of a very tall tower being anxious and coaching her little ones to "settle down" and "not to get too close". LOL!  We made it back down without incident (THANK GOD!) and then they all climbed on the cannons. It was a very good day! 

I just love Samuel's smile in this one. :)

Isn't it gorgeous? All that lush green...

We spotted a monkey vine and everybody had a turn swinging!

The Tower of Fear....LOL! 

Kitchen Help...

I was working on making homemade pot pie noodles when a small child needed my help in the other room. This is what  I found after leaving the kitchen for just a minute. 

Seriously, this mess was created in less than 60 seconds! LOL!

UH-OH! I've been spotted.....

Quick, I'd better make my escape....

Um, hi momma. Aren't I handsome?! 

Don't you love my help in the kitchen?!

Minutes later.....

After I removed his flour encrusted pants, cleaned the counters, the floor, the stool, etc. I had taken the pants to the laundry and I returned to Samuel measuring water in the sink! I think this boy has cooking in his blood!! 

Either that or demolition....:)

Mother's Day....

Wonderful, wonderful day! 

Beautiful weather, homemade cards, food with the family, 

gifts and love abounding! 

I am so blessed!

Saturday we got to spend a few hours with Sean's parents which is something that always blesses my socks off!! So I count that as part of my Mother's Day gifts too! :)

We gathered for a picnic lunch here at home because we knew Ryan might call and I did NOT want to miss that! LOL!  Zachary and Ericka blessed me with my first running outfit! It is adorable! I'm a color person and Ericka did great picking these out. They also brought chocolate chip cookie cake....YUM!!

My parents were here too and we enjoyed food and fellowship. After everyone left I donned my new running shoes and running outfit and ran 2 miles. Had to work off all that yummy food! :)  My brother came over in the evening and then Arielle, Ryan's girlfriend, surprised me with flowers, a beautiful card and Butterfinger Bites! See why I have to run so much?! LOL! We spent the evening yacking away and counting down the days until our big trip to Oklahoma.

  All and all it was a wonderful, wonderful day!!

Hope yours was as well.....

BEST Mother's Day E.V.E.R....

Got a call from our boy. 

First time I've heard his voice in 4 1/2 weeks!

 It sure was wonderful! 

We are all counting down the days until we can see him graduate. 

So, so excited!! 

He also had purchased me a mother's day gift before he left and had Zachary and Ericka hold it for me. 

Awww...so sweet! 

He said he sent me a Mother's Day letter that said everything because he didn't want to tell me over the phone and hear me crying. LOL! 

He knows his momma so well....a bucket 'o tears, that's me. :)

This morning I received a text wishing me a happy mother's day

 and saying he missed me and loved me. 

I assumed it was from Ryan since it was an odd area code.

 I was a mess of happy tears and then Mr. Logical (Zachary) said mom are you sure that was from him? Maybe it was a wrong number.

 I quick ran to the computer and g**gled it and he's right, it was a Texas # so guess it was a mistake BUT it sure did make my heart happy when I got it. :)

However, hearing his voice was even better!! 

So thankful for this sweet Mother's Day gift from God...who knew a phone call could mean so much?! :)

P.S. Could you please keep my sweet boy in prayer? He's been having pretty severe pains in his side and he needs to be totally healthy to qualify on his P.T. Test this week. He was (hopefully!) heading to the ER after our phone call. Praying he's already HEALED!!